Weekly Bulletin

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09 Nov 2009 WEEKLY BULLETIN November 9, 2009

REEF ALLIANCE MEETS
QFF and the Regional Group’s Collective (RGC) last week held a Reef Alliance meeting to progress the coordination of activities of the Alliance to ensure that its activities can be maximised towards the achievement of the outcomes of Australian Government Reef Rescue investment. The Reef Alliance is a joint partnership between peak agricultural industry groups and Reef Regional Natural Resource Management bodies. The Alliance has played a key role in the development of Reef Rescue, and continues to play a key role in its implementation. The role of QFF in co-ordinating the activities of the Alliance is to ensure that common issues can be resolved efficiently in such a way as to maximise the potential ongoing achievement of the outcomes of Reef Rescue. A key part of this role is working towards consistency across Reef catchments in the development of industry plans and in regional delivery, as well as continuing dialogue with Federal and State agencies about appropriate targeting, reporting, and governance and delivery issues. Reef Rescue is funded by the Australian Government and aims to improve the health of Australia’s iconic Great Barrier Reef by giving technical and financial incentives to improve water quality through better land management practices. Industry Organisations that have received funding to work with landholders to improve land management practices include CANEGROWERS, Growcom, Queensland Dairy Farmers’ Organisation, Cotton Australia and AgForce. Last week’s meeting focused on critical areas of common interest as the investment program moves into the second year. The management of data to demonstrate outcomes, coordination of reporting products and an update from the Commonwealth on future investment plans formed the bulk of the agenda. The Alliance will continue its work through regular teleconferences and future face to face meetings.

CONSULTATION ON THE MURRAY DARLING BASIN PLAN
The Murray Darling Basin Authority conducted an information session in Toowoomba on the 4th of November to discuss the development of the Basin Plan. The session was useful in allowing industry and community representatives to meet the members of the Board. However, attendees believed more opportunity could have been provided for representatives from different parts of the basin to brief the Board about issues of significance in their areas with the implementation of water resource planning. Board members were very interested to talk about the need for effective engagement for the preparation of the Plan, but irrigator representatives attending the meeting were concerned that the Board would be limiting contact to peak groups in the lead up to the release of the Basin Plan in June/July 2010. QFF believes the Authority should allow some time to meet with selected representatives from the Qld Murray Darling catchments in the critical period during the development of the draft Basin Plan.
QFF would like to see selected Board members meet with Qld Murray-Darling Strategic Consultative Committee to inform them of the key issues in the development of the plan and to receive constructive feedback. This Committee was formed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to advise on water reform issues and includes representatives from industry, conservation and local government including the representatives from Queensland appointed to the Authorities Basin Community Committee.

CENTRAL HIGHLANDS JOBS SUMMIT
QFF attended a meeting of Farmers, miners, business owners and government officials in Emerald this week called to try to agree on strategies to attract more people to the region to help service projected economic growth. Growth in this region (also known as the Bowen Basin) is already substantial and there are ongoing challenges that come with this prosperity, most notable being a shortage of workers and affordable housing. Coal and irrigated agriculture are the economic drivers and there are substantial opportunities to expand both sectors. The meeting was facilitated by Agrifood Skills Australia and many presenters identified workforce development and a focus on collaborative issues as the best way forward. It was noted that a similar set of challenges exist for the Tamworth/Narrabri region and consideration of that NSW North West Development Inc model may be the best way to attract needed funding and the cooperation of key stakeholders in Central Queensland. Agrifood Skills Australia will consider involvement in this Queensland project at its next board meeting to be held in Brisbane next week.

OTHER NEWS

GOVERNMENT RELEASES HORTICULTURE CODE OF CONDUCT REPORT
The Rudd Government has released a report looking at the horticulture industry which recommends a range of measures to deliver fairer prices for fruit and vegetable growers. The report is another step forward in the Government’s efforts to address industry concerns that growers are not always receiving a fair share of the end price paid by Australian consumers. It follows an earlier investigation by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) into grocery prices, which made 13 recommendations relating to horticulture. This includes recommending a review of the horticulture code of conduct and extending the code to include major supermarket chains and other retailers, processors and exporters. The ACCC also recommended that wholesalers provide growers with a sale price, or a formula for calculating that price, before they take their produce. The code of conduct which regulates dealings between horticulture growers and wholesalers commenced in May 2007. An expanded horticulture code committee was appointed by Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke to review the code of conduct and look at the ACCC’s recommendations. The committee’s report ‘Implications of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission recommendations to amend the Horticulture Code of Conduct’ has now been released. It found that “the entire industry will benefit in the long run from improved efficiencies and transparency”, if the ACCC’s recommendations are implemented. Where committee members could not agree on a single recommendation, the report outlines a range of options. Mr Burke said the Government would consider the report’s findings and issues raised during consultation, such as the possible establishment of a horticulture ombudsman. The committee worked within the terms of reference set by the Productivity Commission and the full report can be found here.

FARMERS CONTINUE TO INNOVATE
Most Australian broadacre and dairy farms introduced at least one new farm management practice or technology over the two years ending 2007-08. Innovations included new cropping equipment, improved irrigation and water management practices, and changed fertiliser and soil management practices. The most common innovative change for broadacre farmers was the introduction of new cropping equipment, new fertiliser practices and new soil management practices. Dairy farmers mainly introduced new irrigation and water management practices, new pasture types and new fodder conservation and use practices. These new practices are documented in the report Farm innovation in the broadacre and dairy industries, 2006-07 to 2007-08, released by the Australia Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE). Further analysis of the 2007-08 farm innovation data will be undertaken by ABARE in its research into productivity on broadacre and dairy farms. ABARE intends to continue collecting this data to monitor the effect of farmers’ adoption of innovation on long-term farm productivity and farm physical and financial performance.

FUNDING TO PROMOTE CAREERS IN AGRICULTURE
The Federal Government has opened up a second round of grants to promote careers in agriculture and support the next generation of rural leaders. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke urged organisations to apply for grants of up to $50,000 through Next Gen Farmers to support the development of young people in primary industries. The grants will support activities which aim to:
• build and share knowledge and experience
• develop leadership and management skills
• boost participation in primary industries
• develop skills to contribute more effectively to government and industry decision making
• build networks among rural, regional and remote Australians.
Applications for the Next Gen Farmers grants round will close at 5pm AEDT 13 November 2009. For more information go to www.daff.gov.au/nextgenfarmers or call 1800 638 746.

LANDCARE GROUP EMPOWERING WOMEN TO ACT ON CLIMATE CHANGE
North East Downs Landcare Group (Inc) will be hosting the 2009 Changing climates- Empowering women in rural industries conference at McGregor College - USQ – Toowoomba on the 28th and 29th of November. This conference will be taking a closer look at adapting to climate change and what this means for rural women and their families. For more information call Sandra Murphy on 0429 955 564 or click here

LOCUST ALERT!
Despite successful aerial spraying by the Australian Plague Locust Commission in central west New South Wales, there are reports a number of locusts still remain. Over the next few weeks, remaining locusts will grow their wings and be able to fly long distances – which means crop farmers in Queensland need to be on high alert. If you see any locusts, report them immediately to Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23.

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