Agreement with PNG another step forward in fight against illegal logging

Australia and Papua New Guinea have formally agreed to join forces to tackle illegal logging, with an agreement signed at the Australia Papua New Guinea Ministerial Forums in Brisbane this week. After months of detailed negotiations, Australian Minister for Agriculture Tony Burke and Papua New Guinea (PNG) Minister for Forests Belden Namah signed a Memorandum of Understanding. Discussions are also continuing with China on the traceability of forest products which have been processed and manufactured in China. Read the media release at http://www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/june/agreement_with_png_another_step_forward_in_fight_against_illegal_logging.

More Government grants to boost wheat export trade

The Australian Government has reminded wheat growers they have until the end of June to apply for a new round of grants to help them capitalise on new export opportunities.The second round of funding is part of a $9.37 million package to help growers and exporters take advantage of the Government’s recent economic reforms of the bulk wheat export marketing system. Application forms and details of the policy guidelines for the program can be found on the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry website at http://www.daff.gov.au/agriculture-food/wheat-sugar-crops/wheat-marketing/technical_market_support. Read the media release at http://www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/june/more_rudd_government_grants_to_boost_wheat_export_trade.

Supporting the next generation of rural and regional leaders

The Australian Government has continued its campaign to encourage more young people to pursue careers in agriculture, with $1 million in funding to help develop youth leadership skills. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke announced the first round of grants under the Next Gen Farmers initiative this week. Thirty projects will share in the funding, including a project to provide more training and mentoring for young women in agriculture and other projects in industries such as grains, dairy and horticulture. For more information visit http://www.daff.gov.au/climatechange/australias-farming-future. Read the media release at http://www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/june/supporting_the_next_generation_of_rural_and_regional_leaders.

Investing in Indigenous jobs and Kimberley cattle industry

The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke officially opened the new Roebuck Export Depot, 30 km east of Broome this week.The $2 million depot was built by the Indigenous Land Corporation. It is an important addition to the infrastructure underpinning the Kimberley pastoral industry, including the live cattle export sector. Read the media release at http://www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/june/another_investment_in_indigenous_jobs_and_kimberley_cattle_industry. Visit www.ilc.gov.au/site/page.cfm for further information.

Global Biosecurity 2010

An international biosecurity conference will be held in Brisbane from 28 February – 3 March 2010. Global Biosecurity 2010 is Australia's first international conference and exhibition focused on agricultural and environmental biosecurity. Papers are now being called for presentation at the event through the conference website at http://www.globalbiosecurity2010.com/.

Have your say: 'contours' reader survey

Do you read the department's contours magazine? Or do you have other information needs the department is not meeting, or could meet better? The department is seeking feedback about the way it communicates. Download the contours reader survey online now 9http://www.daff.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/1129331/contours-reader-survey.pdf), and give your feedback about contours and about your information needs more broadly. Note the closing date for responses has been extended to the end of June 2009. For more information on contours visit www.daff.gov.au/about/publications/contours/contours_-_autumn_2009. awards celebrate biosecurity

Rural

Animal Health Australia is seeking producers in rural and outback Australia to enter The Farm Biosecurity Award. The award is part of the inaugural Australian Rural and Outback Awards and recognises sound biosecurity practices that contribute to reducing the impact of diseases, pests and weeds on farms and on Australia’s agricultural industry. If you have implemented biosecurity practices on your property, or have helped someone else to do so, you are eligible to enter. Nomination forms are available at www.awardsaustralia.com or by calling 1300 735 445. Nominations close on 10 July 2009. Further information about farm biosecurity is available at www.farmbiosecurity.com.au. The Farm Biosecurity program is a joint initiative of Animal Health Australia and Plant Health Australia. Visit www.animalhealthaustralia.com.au. Visit www.animalhealthaustralia.com.au or www.planthealthaustralia.com.au/site/index.asp for further information.

Australian Working Dog Survey

A new project funded by DAFF through the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy is investigating how Australia’s working dogs are cared for, trained, handled and housed. The aim is to generate baseline information on the management of dogs used by humans in work and sport, and to support collaboration between the different working dog industries nationally and internationally. The study is being conducted by independent veterinary researcher Dr Nick Branson and Ms Mia Cobb of Guide Dogs Victoria in collaboration with the University of Sydney’s Associate Professor Paul McGreevy. A survey is now underway and will run until 1 September 2009. Copies of the survey and a participant information sheets are available online at http://www.vetsci.usyd.edu.au/teaching_learning/surveys/dog_survey.shtml. Visit www.daff.gov.au/aaws for further information.

2009 Science and Innovation Awards for Young People in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Calling all young innovators, this one is for you…

Do you have an innovative idea that will boost Australia's rural industries?
Do you need up to $50 000 to make your idea reality?
Do you want to kick start your career and build professional networks?
Do you want media training to help promote your ideas?
If so, then apply for the 2009 Science and Innovation Awards now! The awards are open to young people aged 18 to 35 who want to make a real difference to Australia's rural industries. Applications close Friday 3 July 2009 at 5 pm. For more information and to download an application form, visit www.daff.gov.au/scienceawards or call the Science Awards Manager on 02 6272 5039.

Receive the latest media release headlines from Minister Tony Burke direct to your RSS news reader—subscribe at www.maff.gov.au/media.

PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS

Capacity sharing proves successful in Queensland irrigation schemes

A new ABARE report released this week examines the implementation of capacity sharing as a means of water allocation in two southern Queensland irrigation schemes, and concludes it is feasible and practical. Capacity sharing is an alternative approach to water allocation which involves allocating irrigators a share of storage capacity in major reservoirs as a well as a share of inflows into these storages. Read the media release at http://www.abare.gov.au/corporate/media/2009_releases/09june_09.html. For a free download of the report, Capacity sharing in the St George and MacIntyre Brook irrigation schemes in southern Queensland, visit the http://www.abare.gov.au/publications_html/news/news/news.html or phone publications on 02 6272 2010.

Energy and mineral export earnings fall

Australia's export earnings from energy and mineral resources declined by 18 per cent to $38.7 billion in the March quarter 2009. According to ABARE’s latest Australian mineral statistics report, released this week, gold was the only major commodity to have had higher export volumes and prices in the March quarter compared with the December quarter 2008. Commodities such as metallurgical coal, crude oil, copper and liquefied natural gas experienced significant declines in export values. Read the media release at http://www.abare.gov.au/corporate/media/2009_releases/11june_09.html. For a free download of the Australian mineral statistics report, visit http://www.abare.gov.au/publications_html/news/news/news.html or phone 02 6272 2010.

EVENTS

National Farmers’ Federation inaugural National Congress, Brisbane Qld, 22-23 June 2009

The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has released the full program for its National Congress at the Brisbane Convention Centre, Queensland, over 22-23 June 2009. The program explores:

• -global population, changing consumption patterns and new and future demand trends
• climate change
• the international food shortage
• Asian expansion and what it means for Australia
• food production and environmental flows in a water-scarce world
• supply chain developments—from farmers, to consumers and everything in between
• new technology and farm business tools in the face of drought and the global financial crisis
• genetically modified crops—the science, farm practicality and consumer issues.

The registration and information brochure is available at http://www.congress.nff.org.au The National Congress Gala Dinner includes the announcement and presentation of the NFF/DAFF 2009 Innovation in Agriculture Awards in a ceremony showcasing modern farm practices. For more information visit congress.nff.org.au/awards.html.

ABARE's Armidale Regional Outlook conference, 1 July 2009

With the conference program tailored to your region, this is your chance to hear from a diverse range of local speakers, complemented by ABARE economists and analysts, at the Armidale Regional Outlook conference on Wednesday 1 July. Access the latest commodity data, economic forecasts and research results plus hear business stories and updates on regional industries from 12 speakers across four sessions. Hear from speakers including:

• ABARE’s Terry Sheales on national and international issues affecting the region
• Barry Ruddy, Westpac, on a banker’s perspective on rural finances
• Caroline Gunning-Trant, ABARE, with the commodity outlook and farm performance
• Andrew White, Forest Enterprises Australia, on the role for plantation timber and the processing sectors
• Robert Kelly, Mt William, on investing in farming systems for the future
• Barry Hanstrum, Bureau of Meteorology, with the regional climate outlook
• John Sims, Bureau of Rural Sciences, on soil carbon for productivity or trading?
• Uralla grazier Sonia Williams, with farmers adapting to climate change
• Godfrey Dol, Blush Premium Truss Tomatoes, on opportunities for expansion in regional Australia
• Milly and Michael Taylor, Taylor’s Run, on developing alternative on-farm enterprises.

The conference is open to anyone with an interest in their community. Make new contacts, discuss industry trends and gain an understanding of global issues affecting your region. Download the conference program and registration form at www.abare.gov.au/regional, visit http://www.abare.gov.au/regional/pdf/armidale/pro_web.htm or contact Angela Ellerman on 02 6272 2303 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for further information.