PORTFOLIO NEWS

26 million boost for Landcare projects

Farmers, farmer groups and industry bodies will benefit from $26 million in funding for 56 Landcare projects across Australia. Minister Burke announced the funding while visiting the Little River Landcare site, near Dubbo last week. This investment builds on the $403 million recently announced for environmental and sustainable farming projects as part of Caring for our Country. Read the media release at www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/july_new/$26_million_boost_for_landcare_projects

EI reports inaccurate

Recent reports of a horse testing positive for equine influenza in the Eastern Creek Quarantine Station are inaccurate. Some horses that recently arrived at Eastern Creek from the UK and the US had developed signs of a respiratory infection and testing to date indicates it is not EI. These horses have tested positive to equine herpes virus 4 which causes a mild respiratory disease, similar to the common cold, in horses. Equine herpes virus 4 is already present in Australia and most other countries, and is not a disease of quarantine concern. Read the media release at www.daff.gov.au/about/media-centre/dept-releases/2009/ei_reports_inaccurate

Broadacre and dairy farmers to be surveyed

ABARE’s annual Australian Dairy Industry Survey (ADIS) and Australian Agriculture and Grazing Industries Survey (AAGIS) will commence mid-July. Dairy and broadacre farmers across Australia will be interviewed about their farms, production, profitability and various other characteristics. The data collected will be used to explore the characteristics of farm businesses, focusing on production, profitability and efficiency as well as demographics and socioeconomic circumstances. Read the media release at www.abare.gov.au/corporate/media/2009_releases/14july_09.html

Big rise in aquaculture production

A report released last week highlights a $63 million increase in the value of Australian aquaculture. Minister Burke said the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE) report on Australian fisheries shows the value of aquaculture production increased by 8 per cent in 2007-08. Increases in aquaculture production contrast with an overall decline in production and value of wildcatch fish, with Australia becoming a net importer of fisheries products in value terms. Read the media release at www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/july_new/big_rise_in_aquaculture_production

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 to focus on agricultural and environmental biosecurity. Registration is now open via the conference website at http://www.globalbiosecurity2010.com/.

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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 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 or email Dr Nick Branson ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) for further information.

PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS

Irrigation in the Murray-Darling Basin

Seven per cent of irrigation farms made new investments in on-farm irrigation infrastructure during 2006-07. According to the latest report released by ABARE, these investments were made despite the effects of drought on overall farm profitability. The report, Irrigation in the Murray-Darling Basin: Investment in on-farm irrigation infrastructure 2006-07,  examines investment patterns of irrigated farms in the Murray-Darling Basin during 2006-07 and suggests that past investment in efficient technologies has enabled some irrigators to better cope with reduced water availability. For a free download of the report, visit www.abare.gov.au/

AQIS Bulletin June/July 2009

The latest issue of AQIS Bulletin was released last week. This issue explores how Australian citrus exports received a boost, how AQIS animal quarantine stations are being recognised for their high level of service, why one man's midge passion spanning 50 years is building expertise for AQIS and Australia, and why tanzanite is not necessarily a girl’s best friend. For a free download of AQIS Bulletin June/July 2009, visit www.daff.gov.au/aqis/about/reports-pubs/aqis-bulletin/2009/june-july

Aquaculture growth underpins fisheries earnings

The gross value of Australian aquaculture production increased by 8 per cent in 2007-08, according to ABARE's latest Australian fisheries statistics report. The value of farmed tuna production rose by 36 per cent to $187 million in 2007-08, up by $49 million on 2006-07. This increase was mainly the result of a 16 per cent increase in average unit prices and a 30 per cent increase in southern bluefin tuna production.  Farmed salmonids were the largest aquaculture species produced, with a value of $299 million in 2007-08. For a free download of Australian fisheries statistics report, visit www.abare.gov.au/publications_html/news/news/news.html

EVENTS

ABARE’s Wangaratta Regional Outlook conference, 29 July 2009

Access the latest commodity data, economic forecasts and research results plus hear innovative business stories and updates on regional industries at ABARE’s Wangaratta Regional Outlook conference.

Developed with the assistance of the Australian Alpine Valleys Agribusiness Forum and the Department of Primary Industries Victoria, the conference program reflects key regional issues with local speakers.

Hear from speakers including:

• ABARE’s Jammie Penm on various issues affecting the region
• Roddy Brown, Westpac, on a banker’s perspective on rural finances
• Vince O’Donnell, ABARE, with the commodity outlook and farm performance
• Jamie Snell, Newry, on strategic planning in a family farm business
• Hannah Marriott, Yarallah Lamb, presenting doing things differently to maintain profitability
• Phil Chamberlain, Rutherglen Estates, on making the most of opportunities
• ABARE’s Catherine Tulloh, with agriculture: moving toward emissions trading
• Mark Williams from the Bureau of Meteorology, and the regional climate outlook
• John Gray, Bureau of Rural Sciences, on soil carbon for productivity or trading?
• John Corboy, Corboy Fresh Fruit, with the future for horticulture in the region
• Simon Quilty, Q-Exports, on operating internationally from a regional base
• Jodie Goldsworthy, Beechworth Honey, presenting drawing on the past to shape the future.

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 or contact Angela Ellerman on 02 6272 2303 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it