PORTFOLIO NEWS

Awards showcase young primary industry talent

The winners of the 2009 Science and Innovation Awards for Young People in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry were announced last week. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke delivered an address at the ceremony and presented a $30,000 award to Dr Leah Bradbury. Dr Bradbury also won $20,000 from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry for her research into the use of anti-inflammatory drug carprofen for long-term pain relief in sheep. Read the media release at www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/september/awards_showcase_talented_young_primary_industries_scientists

Govt welcomes calls for more female leaders

The government has welcomed the findings of a report showing more work is needed to support women in leadership roles in regional communities. A recent report by RIRDC found that while women contribute close to half the total output of farming communities, there has been little change in their representation in leadership positions in agriculture. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke said in the last 18 months the government had doubled female representation on its research and development corporation boards from 19% to around 40%. Read the media release at www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/september/rudd_govt_welcomes_calls_for_more_female_leaders_in_regional_areas

Wheat farmers in Queensland and NSW still hoping for rain

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke has welcomed the latest overall outlook for Australia’s crop production, while warning that wheat farmers in Queensland and NSW were still waiting for rain. ABARE released the Australian crop report last week, which forecasts an overall winter crop for 2009-10 of around 35.5 million tonnes – slightly up on June forecasts. “Many growers really need to have a good crop this year to start the process of getting out of debt,” Mr Burke said. Read the media release at www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/september/wheat_farmers_in_queensland_and_nsw_still_hoping_for_rain

Fisheries Research and Development Corporation Board appointments

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke announced the new directors of the new Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) board. The new board includes two returning and five new directors, appointed for a three year term ending on 31 August 2012. The FRDC board directs investments in research and development to boost productivity along the production chain in Australia’s commercial, recreational and Indigenous fisheries. Read the media release at www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/september/wheat_farmers_in_queensland_and_nsw_still_hoping_for_rain

Efficient export certification makes Australia globally competitive

Australia’s export industries continue to show unanimous support for vital reforms to cut red tape and increase efficiency. The process of certifying agricultural produce for export is in desperate need of modernisation, with an outdated IT system and a heavy reliance on paperwork, rather than electronic processing. After announcing the $40 million package, the government established six industry taskforces. These taskforces cover the red meat, grain, horticulture, live exports, fish and dairy sectors, and are working to determine how the reform funds could best be spent. Read the media release at www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/september/efficient_export_certification_makes_australia_globally_competitive

Nationals and Liberals blow $103 million black hole in Australia's biosecurity

The Nationals and Liberals voted to strip $103 million from the nation’s biosecurity budget last week. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke said the Nationals and Liberals had betrayed Australia’s farmers by blocking a new set of fees and charges for export certification in the Senate. The move will also block $60 million in planned reforms to improve efficiency, cut red tape, modernise IT systems and improve export market access. It will cost the nation’s biosecurity budget $103 million, but farmers could pay a bigger price in the event of an exotic disease outbreak. Read the media release at www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/september/nationals_and_liberals_blow_$103_million_black_hole_in_australias_biosecurity

PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS

Mixed outlook for winter crops

The outlook for winter crop production is variable across the Australian grains belt because of patchy rainfall, according to ABARE's Australian crop report, which was released last week. Australia’s winter grains production is forecast to be around 36 million tonnes in 2009-10, 2.8 million tonnes more than the previous season and 1.2 million tonnes more than ABARE’s forecast released in June 2009. In Western Australia, South Australia and Victoria the majority of crops are well placed leading into the spring months. For a free download of the Australian crop report, visit www.abare.gov.au/publications_html/news/news/news.html

Revisiting Missed Opportunities - growing women's contribution to agriculture

A report released by RIRDC this week reviews the quantification of women’s contributions to the agricultural sector. The report explores whether such analyses can be conducted across all industry sectors and examines the reasons for women’s low representation in formal leadership positions in agricultural and regional organisations.  The conclusion recommends improvements in the proportion of women in formal leadership roles and enhancing women’s leadership experiences. For a free download of Revisiting Missed Opportunities - growing women's contribution to agriculture, visit rirdc.infoservices.com.au/items/09-083

EVENTS

ABARE’s Devonport Regional Outlook conference

Devonport is hosting ABARE’s sole Tasmanian Regional Outlook conference on Wednesday 30 September. Delegates will access the latest commodity data, economic forecasts and research results plus hear innovative business stories and updates on regional industries.

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

• ABARE’s Terry Sheales on economic issues affecting the region
• Roddy Brown, Westpac, on a banker’s perspective on rural finances
• Daniel Mackinnon, ABARE, with the commodity outlook and farm performance
• Jane Bennett, Ashgrove Cheese, on dairying to be different
• James Walker, Meander Rise, discussing managing risk and taking advantage of opportunities in business
• ABARE’s Edwina Heyhoe with agriculture and forestry: moving toward emissions trading
• Ian Barnes-Keoghan, Bureau of Meteorology, with weather and climate across Tasmania: variability and variations
• James McKee, NRM North, discussing the growing demand for variable water
• John Gray, Bureau of Rural Sciences, on soil carbon for productivity or trading
• Rob Henderson, Henderson Hydroponics, with developing and marketing a premium capsicum product
• Craig Morris, Turners Beach Berry Patch, on turning rocky ground into a berry patch
• Jeremy Dineen, Josef Chromy Wines, discussing building a multi-faceted wine business.

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. Visit http://www.abare.gov.au/regional or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it