PORTFOLIO NEWS

$5 million to help Australia's forest industries tackle climate change

A $5 million research fund will be established to help Australia’s forest industries adapt to climate change. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke announced last week that expressions of interest were open for grants of up to $500,000 under the new Forest Industries Climate Change Research Fund. The fund is part of the government’s $20 million commitment to support sustainable forestry and forest products industries. Read the media release at www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/august/$5_million_to_help_australias_forest_industries_tackle_climate_change

Government accepts advice on Victorian EC application

The government received advice last week from the National Rural Advisory Council on its assessment of the Exceptional Circumstances application for the Latrobe and Macalister Irrigation District in Victoria. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke said NRAC looked at whether the EC criteria had been met. Interim drought assistance will end on 21 August 2009. Read the media release at www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/august/government_accepts_advice_on_victorian_ec_application

Biosecurity information videos released

Australia’s Chief Plant Protection and Chief Veterinary Officers last week announced the release of six short biosecurity information videos. “These videos are a great reminder of what landholders should be considering when it comes to positive biosecurity practices. They provide basic tips, actions and details on where to get more information,” said Chief Veterinary officer, Dr Andy Carroll.The videos are available from the DAFF website. Read the media release at www.daff.gov.au/about/media-centre/dept-releases/2009/biosecurity_information_videos_released

RIRDC Rural Women’s Award Opens Opportunities

Applications are now open for the 2010 RIRDC Rural Women’s  Award. The RIRDC Rural Women’s Award celebrates rural women and their contributions to primary industries, and is one of the most successful and enduring leadership and capacity building initiatives for rural Australia. The award is open to all women involved in primary industries.  Entry forms are available at the RIRDC website at www.ruralwomensaward.gov.au. Applications close on World Rural Women’s Day, 15th October 2009.

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 chefs' recipes supplied to Minister Burke by Bill Granger and Donna Hay. View the recipes at www.maff.gov.au/content/recipes_to_support_farmers_affected_by_the_heatwave,_fires_and_floods Clare Regional Outlook conference

EVENTS

ABARE’s Clare Regional Outlook conference on Wednesday 26 August

Access the latest commodity data, economic forecasts and research results at ABARE’s .

This is your chance to hear from a diverse range of speakers, including:

• ABARE’s Jammie Penm on economic issues affecting the region
• Mike Nolan, Westpac, on a banker’s perspective on rural finances
• Leanne Lawrance, ABARE, with the commodity outlook and farm performance
• Frank Nicholls, Clare Region Winegrape Growers Assoc and Neville Rowe, Clare Valley Winemakers on operating in a tough and changing environment
• Mark Branson, Clifton, on using modern farm systems to improve profit and the environment
• ABARE’s Melanie Ford, with agriculture: moving toward emissions trading
• Darren Ray, Bureau of Meteorology, discussing El Nino and climate change: an update for South Australia
• Andy McPharlin, Office for Water Security, on Water for Good – ensuring South Australia’s water future
• John Gray, Bureau of Rural Sciences, on soil carbon
• Brett Roberts with building the grains supply chain
• Sally Hawker on agritourism: making the farm lifestyle a business
• Craig Jaeschke discussing farming full circle for sustainability
• Mary Retallack on helping grapegrowers become winegrowers

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. 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