PORTFOLIO NEWS

Horses released from Eastern Creek

Horses held at Eastern Creek Quarantine Station for respiratory infection testing have been released.They have now returned negative results for both equine viral arteritis and equine influenza. Read the media release at http://www.daff.gov.au/about/media-centre/dept-releases/2009/ocvo_horses_released_from_quarantine

EI ruled out at Eastern Creek

Equine influenza has been conclusively ruled out for horses at Eastern Creek Quarantine Station that last week showed signs of respiratory disease. Testing by the Australian Animal Health Laboratory and Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute returned negative results on samples from all 23 horses recently arrived from the US and UK. Read the media release at www.daff.gov.au/about/media-centre/dept-releases/2009/equine_influenza_not_present_at_eastern_creek

Cooking up support

Many Australian farmers have been struggling with drought for years – with some regions being EC declared since 2002. Their hardships were magnified earlier this year by the bushfires and floods that devastated a large part of Australia’s eastern states. We can all do our bit to support those affected by using Australian-grown produce to create the delicious celebrity chef recipes supplied to Minister Burke by Bill Granger and Donna Hay. View the recipes at http://www.maff.gov.au/content/recipes_to_support_farmers_affected_by_the_heatwave,_fires_and_floods

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/. us to inform you better: 

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.

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