PORTFOLIO NEWS

Progress continues on reforms to strengthen Australia's biosecurity

The government continues to make progress on reforming Australia’s biosecurity system. Following the detailed recommendations of the Beale Review, work is set to begin on planning for a comprehensive biosecurity IT upgrade. The existing technology involves 75 different systems which need to be streamlined to reduce the potential impact on trade if systems fail. Read the media release at www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/september/progress_continues_on_reforms_to_strengthen_australias_biosecurity

Promoting careers in agriculture during South Australia visit

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke visited the University of Adelaide to encourage more young people to pursue careers in agriculture last week. Mr Burke also met with farmers in Riverton to launch a project to help farmers adapt to climate change by measuring the effects of different farming systems on emissions. Read the media release at www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/september/promoting_careers_in_agriculture_during_south_australia_visit

Australia's food sector supporting more jobs in regional areas

Australia’s food and beverage industries supported 14 000 new jobs in 2007-08, a new report has found. According to a report released by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry last week, Australian Food Statistics 2008, the value of Australian farm and fisheries food production grew by 18 per cent in the 12 months to 2007-08. Overall, the food and beverage sector remains Australia’s largest manufacturing industry and employed around 206,000 people in 2007-08. Read the media release at www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/september/australias_food_sector_supporting_more_jobs_in_regional_areas

Guidelines open for local land management groups

The guidelines are now available for small grants to support local environmental and land management work, after the government established a new $5 million program. The Community Action Grants program, through Caring for our Country, was announced last week in response to feedback from community groups. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke and Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts Peter Garrett said community groups carried out invaluable work in local areas. Read the media release at www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/september/guidelines-small-grants-loca-land-management-groups

PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS

Higher Australian dollar affects commodity export earnings

Australia’s farm export earnings are forecast to fall marginally in 2009-10, after increasing strongly in 2008-09. According to ABARE's September issue of Australian commodities, agricultural commodities for which export earnings are forecast to rise in 2009-10 include barley, chickpeas, lupins, oats, peas, rice, sorghum, raw cotton and sugar. However, the effects are more than offset by forecast lower export earnings for wheat, canola, wine, livestock and livestock products. For a free download of Australian commodities, visit www.abare.gov.au/publications_html/news/news/news.html

Green Ants as Biological Control Agents in Agroforestry

The green ant is a powerful bio-control agent of over 50 pest species in tropical crops and trees. Several integrated pest management (IPM) programs have been developed that use green ants as a major component to manage insect pests of cashew and mango crops. Compared to conventional methods, the IPM programs result in higher quality fruit, lower costs of production, higher profits, the opportunity to produce ‘organic’ products, and benefits to the environment and human health. This RIRDC report looks at the effectiveness of green ants in controlling pests in African mahogany or red cedar. For a free download of the report, visit www.rirdc.infoservices.com.au/items/09-139

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 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it