The NR Times Rural News
October 19, 2023
36 RURAL NEWS
Have your say on Commonwealth fisheries policies The Australian Government has opened public consultation on the effectiveness of two key policies behind the management of Commonwealth fisheries. The Commonwealth Fisheries Harvest Strategy Policy and the Commonwealth Fisheries Bycatch Policy set the standards for sustainable harvesting of our fisheries resources to maximise benefits to the Australian community. Assistant Secretary for Fisheries George Day encouraged stakeholders to provide their views on whether the policies remain fit-for-purpose. “It’s important that these policies maintain target and bycatch stocks at sustainable levels, maximise economic returns to the Australian community, and minimise impacts on the marine
ecosystem, all in the context of increasingly needing to adapt to a changing climate” Mr Day said. “I invite members of the fishing industry, marine conservation NGOs, recreational fishers, fisheries and marine scientists and researchers, First Nations fishers and sea country Traditional Owners and the general public to have their say on how Australia’s fishing resources and marine environment are managed. “Feedback received will help us to understand where changes may be required.” To have your say and to view the consultation paper, visit the QR Code bellow.
Farm incomes to fall due to drier conditions and lower prices After 2 record years, broadacre farm incomes are forecast to fall significantly in 2023–24 due to drier conditions and lower prices for agricultural commodities, especially livestock. ABARES Executive Director Dr Jared Greenville said that, at a national level, average farm cash income for broadacre farms is expected to decrease 41% to $197,000 per farm in 2023–24, representing a fall in incomes back to levels seen 3 years ago. “Livestock farms will be affected by large decreases in prices for beef cattle and sheep, with sheep farm incomes forecast to be well below average,” Dr Greenville
said. “We are expecting incomes well below the long-term average in parts of northern New South Wales and southern Queensland and the northern parts of the Western Australian cropping zone, mainly due to drier conditions resulting in lower crop yields. “Incomes are also forecast to be well
below average in parts of southern Victoria and South Australia, as well as parts of Tasmania and Western Australia, due to a combination of dry conditions and declining sheep, lamb, and wool prices. “It’s important to note these numbers are based on price and weather forecasts from early September. Prices for cattle and sheep have
fallen further in recent weeks so there is likely more downside risk to these forecasts than upside at present.” ABARES is now providing quarterly updates to farm performance forecasts with the next update due in December. “By linking ABARES farm and CSIRO production models with Bureau of Meteorology seasonal weather forecasts, we can now provide more timely updates on how seasonal and market conditions are affecting the farm sector,” Dr Greenville said. “This is a significant step forward from the forecast we have traditionally provided once a year.”
New opportunities for forestry development The Australian Government is seeking expressions of interest to establish two research centres under Australian Forest and Wood Innovations (AFWI) to deliver innovative forestry research and development. Assistant Secretary for Agvet Chemicals and Forestry Julie Gaglia said that the new research centres will support longterm innovation in the forest and wood products industry. “The centres will focus on different research themes which are likely to include supporting Australian made solutions to climate change, sustainable forest
management, and future wood supply,” Ms Gaglia said. “AFWI research centres will work collaboratively with industry to deliver applied research that can be adopted. “With growing demand for wood and fibre products both domestically and internationally, and the impacts of climate change, we need to deliver research that will support the management of our forests, and the wood and fibre products they produce. “This new research will help Australian forest growers, and wood and fibre processors prepare for future demands.
“The total export value of Australian forest and wood products for 202021 was more than $2.9 billion. This initiative will support industry’s work towards increasing this value while creating career opportunities for forest and wood products researchers. “We look forward to seeing what the centres will deliver.” Expressions of interest will be used to identify and recommend applicants for the University of Tasmania (UTAS) to contract as AFWI research centres. The two research centres will be in addition to the research centre at UTAS in Launceston.
Commonwealth funding for the research centres, established under the $100 million grant to UTAS, is available from 2023-24 to 2026-27. Expressions of interest are open from Wednesday 11 October 2023 to Wednesday 6 December 2023 for eligible organisations. Details are available through the QR Code bellow.
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