passion to
profit
The magazine of New Rural Industries Australia Issue 7, December/January 2012
2012 NRIA Conference – Ballarat Olive Oil Quality Alliance On Farm Biosecurity – an insurance policy A future directive for Australia
Visit our website www.nria.org.au && Get the latest news on NRIA. && Learn all about the new rural industries. && Access links to industry associations and organisations. && Read profiles of producers. && Access to articles on subjects common to all involved in new rural industries. && Access to conference presentations and papers. && Join NRIA as a subscriber or member.
Once upon a time a land was built on the sheep’s back... now Australian agribusiness is big business
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Click here to subscribe to our magazine! http://issuu.com/newruralindustriesaustralia fron
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The magazine of New Rural Industries Australia Issue 1 October 2010
2012 is Australian Year of the Farmer You can help us tell the exciting story of modern Australian agriculture
NRIA Conference and Expo 2010
ISSN 1838-6016
Producing a product successfully Tax and Primary Production Collective Marketing – what are the choices?
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The magazine of New Rural Industries Australia Issue 4 June/July 2011
Global “Worming” Irrigation practices & systems Agritourism: Connecting communities
Join the celebration at: www.yearofthefarmer.com.au
Inside A word from the Editor Welcome Industry Close-up – the Australian Essential Oil Industry Industry Close-up – The Wildflower Industry
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NEWS New Rural Industries Australia 2012 Conference Conference Sponsorship
4 5 34 36 6 7
New research has confirmed Asian vegetables are full of healthy folate South Australia seeks to lead seaweed cultivation
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Seaweeds Australia using Linked-In to communicate to stakeholders Restrictions on the use of insecticide dimethoate Proposed conference for wildflower growers New website takes niche products to consumers
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Biochar trials proving to be a success with natives Finding that needle in a haystack Update on the Australian desert lime Paul Miller pitches New World olive oil quality alliance Industry pioneer wins biosecurity Farmer of the Year award
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New research uncovers huge potential of native legumes Back from brink
COLLABORATION On-farm biosecurity – an insurance policy for your stock A future directive for Australia
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16 18 30 32
PROFILES GOAT CHEESE
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Corinne and Peter Blacket of Drysdale Cheeses
GAME BIRDS AND EXOTIC ANIMAL ABATTOIR 22 Ian and Rhonda Milburn of Glenloth Game
BOER GOATS
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Glenn Martin and Suzanne Ryan of Glendalong Group
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BED & BREAKFAST PLUS CHOCOLATES Neil and Robyn Funston of Renaissance Farm B&B and Renaissance Chocolates
Passion to Profit – the magazine of New Rural Industries Australia Issue 7 – 2011
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contents
for pasture and grain crops
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A word from the Editor It seems that 2011 has passed with incredible speed. As always, we wonder how time has passed so quickly – and Christmas is already upon us, along with New Years.
The next 12 months are going to be an interesting journey for anyone involved in agriculture, farming and rural enterprise. For those who have had their head down and not been paying attention, the year 2012 has been named the Australian Year of the Farmer. The celebration was conceived by Australian Year of the Farmer Directors, Geoff Bell and Philip Bruem. Geoff and Philip wanted more people to appreciate the fresh food and quality materials our farmers produce to keep us fed, clothed and sheltered. And so, the concept has grown into a national celebration, one which will reach every Australian – reminding us that our farmers sustain the Australian way of life and the economy.
www.australianolives.com.au
Passion to Profit the magazine of New Rural Industries Australia ISSN 1838-6008
If you have a desire to get the word out about your story, your journey, and more importantly, your products or services, please do contact me at lana@nria.org.au so that we can make sure your voice is heard.
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Stay informed about the
fresher tastes
We want to make sure that while people learn more about beef, sheep, dairy, grain and other mainstream industries – that we also have heavy representation from those involved in the new and emerging industries (ie. goats, game birds and rabbits, wildflowers, essential oils, truffles, olives, Australian native foods and the many other new plant and animal industries).
Australia goats cheese – courtesy of Drysdale Cheeses, located in Victoria.
of Australia
Visit our website to find out more
The Australian Year of the Farmer is about celebrating and enriching the connections between rural and urban Australia. Here at New Rural Industries Australia (NRIA) we want to make sure that the stories and journeys of the thousands involved in new rural industries are communicated to the masses over the coming year.
COVER Photo:
Olive Industry
Australian Olive Industry
The idea is that we celebrate the hard work of everyone involved in producing, processing, handling and selling products from 136,000 farms across the country. Australian farms and the industries that support them generate more than $405 billion each year, and that’s 27% of our GDP.
Lana Mitchell Editor lana@nria.org.au
National Peak Body representing the
Passion to Profit – the magazine of New Rural Industries Australia, is published online every two months, free of charge. It is sent directly to members of New Rural Industries Australia as well as to new rural industry peak bodies and allied industries. Membership to NRIA available at www.nria.org.au. All rights reserved. New Rural Industries Australia Endeavour House, 2/106 Capt Cook Cres. Manuka, ACT 2603, Australia. Advertising: For advertising rate card contact and all ad bookings, email advertising@nria.org.au. Editor: Lana Mitchell. lana@nria.org.au Editorial Contributions are welcome and should be emailed to the editor. Designer: Cheryl Zwart of Orphix Publisher: New Rural Industries Australia Advertising: advertising@nria.org.au Copyright: No material published in Passion to Profit may be reproduced in whole or in part without the written permission of the New Rural Industries Australia. Disclaimer: The publisher reserves the right to refuse any application considered inappropriate. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form whatsoever without the written permission of New Rural Industries Australia. Whilst every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of the information contained within the magazine, the publisher, printer and their agents cannot accept responsibility for error or omission. Views held by contributors are their own and do not necessarily coincide with those of the publisher or editor. Advertising is published subject to the terms and conditions of the Passion to Profit rate card 2011, available through advertising@nria.org.au.
Passion to Profit – the magazine of New Rural Industries Australia Issue 7 – 2011
NRIA is a not-for-profit company working to facilitate the development and building of new and innovative Australian rural industries. NRIA works to be a comprehensive, one-stop source for valuable information. We keep stakeholders abreast of news and issues. We provide conferences, workshops, events and our magazine for networking and developing business relationships that build your business. We also assist people to solve problems and improve their bottom line.
Background In 2009, the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) hosted a forum of new industries where participants recognised the benefits of information sharing and cooperation with others. Industry leaders agreed on the need for an industry alliance, representing new and emerging Australian rural industries, to maximise the economic benefits Australia gains from such industries and to encourage new industries. This stimulated the development of NRIA. We are now 1½ years old, we have seed funding, a growing number of subscribers and members, as well as a number of alliances. Our first (and very well attended) conference was held late last year and we have also held a series of workshops in recent months on the subject of weed control and minor use chemicals. Our next conference is planned for April 2012, in Ballarat, Victoria. The NRIA is not an industry body of industry bodies – nor does it replace existing industry bodies. We are here to provide an additional link, an additional supply of information and assistance, and also to provide a network of like-minded, innovative people, working to start, develop, build or further expand one or more Australian new rural industries. The NRIA provides individual participants and smaller industry-specific groups with a far more powerful voice and the collective strength to lobby much more effectively. We also work to promote the new rural industries and build the public demand for our diverse products. To find out more about NRIA, and to get a free subscription to our services and magazine, simply visit www.nria.org.au.
From the CEO It is great to be onboard at NRIA and writing this first contribution for ‘Passion to Profit’. While it has only been a short period in the CEO role, I have been struck by the quality and enthusiasm of people associated with NRIA and their related stakeholder industries. NRIA presents a tremendous opportunity to take new and emerging plant, animal and associated regional industries to the next level of commercialisation, focusing on the profit drivers for people engaged in these activities. NRIA is about capacity building and commercialisation of rural enterprises. The agenda for NRIA looking ahead into 2012 is strongly commercial with the following core objectives: 1. Delivery of the second NRIA conference in Ballarat, Victoria 19-20 April. 2. Expansion of project delivery platforms for R&D and extension services. 3. Secretariat services to stakeholder industries. 4. Expansion of online media capabilities through social/business media. 5. Expansion of online business services to create a ‘one stop shop’ for commercial activities to assist current and future industry participants. 6. Expansion of individual and corporate membership & sponsorship. 7. Development of stronger linkages with State Governments and relevant Federal Government Agencies . 8. Expansion of national and global business networks with a view to attracting appropriate capital investment into NRIA stakeholder industries. 9. Development of NRIA consultancy & advisory services. 10. Greater collaboration with allied industry entities, organisations and groups, e.g. Australian Year of the Farmer activities. There is a lot to be achieved and we look forward to delivering these outcomes into the year ahead. In particular the 2012 Conference is going to be an early highlight and I strongly encourage all readers to be in attendance and to make your contribution to this key event. I also welcome input and feedback regarding our activities, web presence and future opportunities.
Have a great festive season! All the best, Ben White
Passion to Profit – the magazine of New Rural Industries Australia Issue 7 – 2011
Ben White
WElcome
What is the NRIA?
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New Rural Industries Australia 2012 Conference 19–20th April, Ballarat, Victoria NRIA is about capacity building, working to promote and support profitable commercialisation of innovative and emerging plant, animal and associated regional industries. NRIA is a future focused, not-for-profit company with a remit to deliver tangible benefits to stakeholders through; leveraging R&D, national/international networking and commercial alliances, application of communication technologies and actualisation of a “rural knowledge network”. Ben White CEO
Key themes for 2012 Conference: • Carbon Farming in the 21st Century – opportunity and adaptation. • Biodiversity and Biosecurity – innovation and protection. • Knowledge tools and networks – agile business tools for responsive industries. • International partnerships – building strong global networks to Australian industry advantage. • Entrepreneurship – driving your emerging business forward.
Our 2012 Conference will also include: • An Expo for industry and associated stakeholders. • A dinner showcasing a diverse array of Australian produce. • Signature Fashion Parade, displaying exquisite Australian fibre and leather products. Delegate registration will commence in December 2011 through the NRIA website www.nria.org.au or phone (02) 6108 3680
Conference Sponsorship Platinum $10,000 + GST • • • • • •
Exhibit booth with premier positioning. Two registrations for the conference. Full page ad in the NRIA Conference handbook. Three inserts in the conference satchel. Promotion at the venue for the period of the event Details included on NRIA website both prior to and post event. • Platinum seating at Gala dinner. • Acknowledgement as a Platinum Sponsor throughout conference. • Full page colour ad in NRIA magazine for 6 editions commencing April 2012.
Silver $2000 + GST
Gold
• One registration for the conference. • Quarter page ad in NRIA National Conference Handbook. • Full page colour ad in the April/May 2012 edition of NRIA magazine. • One satchel insert. • Promotion of company/sponsor through the conference. • Special silver sponsor seating during the gala dinner. • Acknowledgement as a silver sponsor during the conference. • Company/sponsor details included on NRIA website prior to and post conference.
$5,000 + GST
Exhibitor
• • • • • •
Exhibit booth. One registration for the conference. Half page ad in the NRIA Conference handbook. Two inserts in the conference satchel. Promotion at the venue for the period of the event. Details included on NRIA website both prior and post event. • Gold seating for the Gala dinner. • Acknowledgement as a Gold Sponsor throughout the conference. • Full page colour ad in the NRIA magazine for 3 editions commencing April 2012.
$1,000 + GST • One exhibit booth with side wall and back walls, trestle table and two chairs. • Header board with your company name. • One 10 amp power outlet and two spotlights.
NRIA Full Member $500 + GST • Full benefits of an annual membership with NRIA (see www.nria.org.au for details). • Full members get 25% off the cost of an exhibitor booth at the NRIA conference, as well as 25% off the cost of registering one person to attend the event.
composition researchers from Queensland Health Forensic and Scientific Services and Mahidol University in Thailand.
South Australia seeks to lead seaweed cultivation Aquaculture in South Australia exceeds the value of wild sea-food production and is of significant importance to regional economies and employment, particularly on Eyre Peninsula. Aquaculture development has recently slowed and the Gross Value of Production from existing aquaculture industries has declined. Macro-algal aqua-culture offers a new and potentially significant regional development opportunity to add value to the infrastructure and investments made in SA.
New research has confirmed Asian vegetables are full of healthy folate New research from the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) has found that several types of Asian vegetables contain folate levels equal to or greater than spinach, making them some of the richest sources of folate known. The research team, led by scientists at the Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI) used new technologies to measure the folate levels of ten Asian vegetables including buk choy, choy sum and wombok and compared them to spinach. RIRDC’s Managing Director Craig Burns said, “We know that Asian vegetables are being eaten by a growing number of Australians because they look and taste great, and now we have research confirming another one of their positive health attributes. “Folate deficiency has been implicated in a number of disorders including Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, breast and colon cancers, depression, dementia, cleft lip/palate and hearing loss.” Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council dietary guidelines recommend a regular intake of folate to meet daily nutritional requirements and the consumption of folate is especially important for pregnant women. Mr Burns said that in addition to the research having significant health implications, the report will also serve as an important resource for Australia’s growing Asian food industry. “The domestic Asian food industry has experienced significant growth in the last two decades and is estimated to now contribute approximately A$150 million to the Australian economy each year,” Mr Burns said. The research team was led by Avis Houlihan, a Principal Scientist at DEEDI and included world leading food
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Hence, South Australia will now invest approximately $1.5m to establish South Australia as the leading state for macro-algal production and associated research and development. This is in addition to a recent funded project to investigate the potential of sea-based algal cultivation at sea that could offset nutrient inputs from sea-cage farming of fish and provide bio-mass for other purposes. SA is well suited for mass cultivation of macro-algae as it has large, shallow, extensive bays and Gulf waters, a range of coastal land sites and zonings in proximity to high nutrient, yet low contaminated, waste-water discharges, large inland areas where saline groundwater can be sourced and is often well saturated with CO2 and nutrients and suitable sunlight regimes for algal production.
Seaweeds Australia using Linked-In to communicate to stakeholders Seaweeds Australia is a stakeholder network under an organised, yet informal structure. The interest in the industry is from general public (in relation to food and health properties) as well as phycology, bio-tech companies, researchers, chefs, agriculture/aquaculture industries and energy companies. In addition to a twice-yearly newsletter, the LinkedIn social network is being used. LinkedIn provides a public forum for stakeholders to discuss, promote and follow initiatives in their field of interest. The Seaweeds Australia LinkedIn group is being established with six key discussions including Cultivation, Biotechnology, Food & Nutrition, Aquaculture and Agriculture Applications and Natural Resource management. In addition, further discussion groups can be established by network stakeholders and may range from sea-weed art to high tech methodologies.
Passion to Profit – the magazine of New Rural Industries Australia Issue 7 – 2011
Restrictions on the use of Insecticide dimethoate The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has suspended the use of dimethoate on a number of food crops due to potential dietary risks. New restrictions have been put into place that allow dimethoate to be used only on certain horticultural crops. The announcement follows the release of the 2011 Dimethoate Residues and Dietary Risk Assessment Report (August) which found that its use on many crops could exceed the recommended public health standard (the Acute Reference Dose). ‘Some of the estimated exposures for consumers are above the Acute Reference Dose, reducing, but not breaching, the margins of safety that are normally in place to protect consumers,’ said Dr Raj Bhula, Pesticides Program Manager.
‘If our risk assessment shows that these standards could be exceeded, the APVMA must remove or modify the use of the chemical on the crop so that consumption remains in line with the public health standard.’ The suspension will last for 12 months while the Authority completes further assessments on the chemical. It prohibits: • use of dimethoate on certain horticultural crops • use on all food producing plants in the home garden • supply and possession of dimethoate products unless they carry the new instructions for use. ‘Possession and use on some crops can continue provided the products carry the new instructions for use. Product registrants are requested to inform all parts of the supply chain that new instructions have been issued by the APVMA. All products in the supply chain and the marketplace must contain the new instructions prior to sale.’ The new use instructions and answers to frequently asked questions about the dimethoate suspension are available on the APVMA website.
Proposed conference for wildflower growers ‘Growing wildflowers for profit – the real story’ The Australian industry welcomes more professional growers who are focussed on being
profitable through the marketing of top-quality products. Effective quality management and marketing are extremely important to being successful. To provide potential investors with details of what information they need to gather and where they can get it, and what questions they must ask in order to become a profitable and commercially focused grower, the national wildflower industry body, WildFlowers Australia Ltd, proposes to host a two day conference in 2012. This will also cover the basics of growing and selling. The proposed program will extend over two days–one day of talks and a one day field trip to established farms. Key points to be covered: • The flower business–what’s it all about? • Information – where to go and what to get – the basics of a feasibility study • What should your farm provide? Soil, climate, aspect, water, frost etc. • Business planning and development • How to go about marketing – domestic or export? • Risks and common mistakes new growers make • What do you grow? How do you decide? • The basics of managing your crop – water, nutrition, pests and diseases, weeds and post harvest care This conference will be run only if there is sufficient demand. It will most likely be held in NSW. To register your interest, please contact Bettina Gollnow, Communications & Extension Manager, WildFlowers Australia Ltd, by phoning 0434 265 817 or send an email to management@wildflowersaustralia.com.au
Passion to Profit – the magazine of New Rural Industries Australia Issue 7 – 2011
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‘These safety margins, built into the APVMA’s risk assessment, provide a protective buffer to ensure that consumers will not actually be exposed to high levels of residues in food.
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New website takes niche products to consumers An innovative business is taking the farmers’ market experience into Australian homes, while at the same time providing the proven marketing benefits of farmers’ market sales to producers without access to market venues. The eFarmersMarket.com.au website is an online marketplace that is featuring products from regional artisan food producers across Australia, with the convenience of at-home-purchasing. Starting earlier this year, the website was created by Carla Penn, who wanted to share her passion for regionally-produced artisan foods and farmers’ markets. “The website is certainly not designed to replace the traditional farmers’ markets but to provide consumers with the opportunity to shop at farmers’ markets across Australia from their homes. “Our community of producers are as passionate as we are about making good food and drinks the artisan way. We have certain guidelines which producers must meet to join our network, to ensure all www.eFarmersMarket.com.au products meet the needs of our customers – foodies searching for handcrafted products”, Penn said. “In return, we make it easy for producers to sell online, with no need to pack and send individual
customer orders, via a retail platform which actively promotes and markets their products.”
Guidelines for producers • Small businesses directly producing food products. • Products are handcrafted and made in small batches using traditional artisan methods. • Limited distribution in gourmet and natural stores. • Positive product reviews or products pass taste tests by the eFarmersMarket.com.au team; • Registered business following local, regional and/or national policies. • Food contains little to no “nasties”- ie. GMO products, additives, preservatives, flavourings, etc. • Ingredients sourced locally via fair and sustainable practices. With a range of 750 Australian products, eFarmersMarket carefully and individually selects every product that features on the website. With the introduction of fresh produce to the website in the coming months, www.efarmersmarket.com.au is set to be the onestop-shop for quality Australian produce. www.efarmersmarket.com.au
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Biochar trials proving to be a success with natives
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The term ‘biochar’ refers to charcoal produced from biomass through industrial processes, then used as a soil amendment. Charcoal has been used in traditional (pre-industrial) agriculture for thousands of years. There is now renewed interest in biochar to improve soil health, farm productivity and long-term carbon sequestration. Some forms of biochar can persist in the soil for thousands of years. Greening Australia’s Doug Phillips has had a keen interest in biochar, secured funding from DSAS Victoria and Alcoa to start exploring how biochar might benefit native plantings.
He started trials in the nursery, adding biochar to the potting mix at three rates: 0% (controls), 5% and 10% with two types of biochar-low carbon (37% C) and high carbon (79% C). Preliminary analysis by Genevieve Ackland and Doug suggests that biochar may stimulate greater root development on seedlings grown out in pots. Nursery punnets were then seeded with 4 eucalypt species, a Lomandra, Buloke, Heath Tea-tree and Coast Everlasting (Ozothamnus turbinatus). Two of the eucalypts (E. vimlnalis and E. ovata) reliably germinate in the nursery, the other species are difficult,
or germinate unreliably. These species and biochar mixes were fully replicated and randomised in the glasshouse. The addition of biochar significantly improved germination of Heath Teatree (Lomandra) and Brown Stringybark (E. baxten).
Passion to Profit – the magazine of New Rural Industries Australia Issue 7 – 2011
Finding that needle in a haystack Anyone embarking on a journey into a new rural industry, knows that success is based to a large degree on availability of information. All new rural industries have a huge amount of potential, but finding vitally needed information on the many common subjects that we all have to tackle, can be one of the biggest issues we run into. It can be like trying to find the veritab le needle in the haystack. Adrian Davis, the Managing Director of a company that built the FarmPlus knowledge portal system, spoke recently at the ‘Sustaining Rural Communities’ Conference in Narrabri: “In 2010, there were 500 million websites and an additional 2 million websites go live each week. This means anyone seeking specific information is overcome with ‘hyperchoice’. Too much information – making finding the right report or data virtually impossible.” This is a problem with using search engines such as Yahoo or Google, while they have undergone refinements to make it easier to sort info, they still serve up a huge volume of results which in turn have to be sorted and filtered. Farmplus has recently completed a knowledge portal system for NRIA – called the NRIA Business Portal. Based on a list of subjects that are common to all new rural industries, the system focuses on the following subjects:
• Starting up – business planning, feasibility studies, Seed Financing, market research • Farm Production issues – growing, managing • Water Supply/ Efficiency/Irrigation • Quality control • Manufacturing/ processing • R&D • Export/Import • Commercialisation of new products • Market Development • Promotion and Sales • Staff issues–hiring, regulations, firing, personnel control • Pests and Diseases
• Breeding (plants and animals) • IP – trademarks, copyright, PBR, patent • Finance/Cash Flow/ Bookkeeping • Internet/ E-Commerce • Training/Education • Climate Control • Grants/Funding • Forming Cooperatives/ Associations/Industry representation • Strategies to tackle competition/similar imported product • Energy conservation/solar/ co-generation/trigeneration, alternative energy sources • Tax • Legal/Regulations
Anyone involved in new rural industries can access the NRIA Business Portal by simply going to the NRIA website, www.nria.org.au and subscribing for free. You can use the system as often as you need or desire, to find specific information you are looking for to expand your business or resolve specific issues.
In a recent article in Passion to Profit magazine we detailed the Australian desert lime. As an update on that article, a desert lime cheesecake is now appearing extensively on Woolworths shelves. Desert limes are the fruit of Australia’s native citrus trees, which grow naturally in the outback. The desert lime cheesecake is made by Kenilworth Country Foods based in south-east Queensland’s creative coastal hinterland. This award winning cheese and yoghurt maker is extending its range and has linked with the Douglas family at Roma in Queensland’s south-west who supply the lime ingredient.
Passion to Profit – the magazine of New Rural Industries Australia Issue 7 – 2011
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Update on the Australian Desert Lime
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Paul Miller Pitches New World Olive Oil Quality ‘Alliance’ The well-known Australian Olive Association President, Paul Miller, has been paving a road for a new way for producers, retailers and consumers to determine the real value of extra virgin olive oil. Paul is worried about the survival of the olive oil industry. “If the pendulum doesn’t swing,” he told Olive Oil Times, “we might as well give up. It’s straining everyone.” Even the giant cooperatives are finding that this “race to the bottom” is not doing anyone any good, he said. The fix for it all, Miller believes, is illustrated by the current, unlikely climb in prices for Italian olive oil at a time when other European producers are Paul Miller receiving government aid for keeping their product in storage tanks — unable to sell their olive oil for what it cost to produce. The price for Italian olive oil is soaring on the other hand, Miller said, because it is, in fact, Italian olive oil. With several recent high-profile prosecutions and Italy’s highly trained forestry service now scrutinizing just about every litre that comes in and goes out of Italy, there’s suddenly a lot less Italian olive oil to go around. So the olive oil that Italy really does produce is commanding a premium.
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Miller wants to do the same for extra virgin olive oil itself. “If we can get it so what is genuine extra virgin, is traded as such and what isn’t, isn’t – it would just transform the industry. That’s what we’re doing here, and that’s what the Australian standard is all about.”
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from Modern Olives and Rod Mailer from the Australian Oils Research Laboratory based on methods developed by Dr. Christian Gertz and others. Using a series of tests and data from their extensive research, Miller claimed we can now determine with acceptable accuracy the profile of an extra virgin olive oil throughout its useful life. “A retailer armed with the tools can take a bottle off the shelf and check what it should be,” he said. Miller envisions something like the grades often attributed to wines, only less subjective. “Now that we know about the life of oil and that’s a measurable condition, why not communicate that to the consumer?” he asked. While standards like Australia’s, the USDA’s, Codex Alimentarius
It wouldn’t be a new notion except that Miller said that, for the first time, we have the tools to pinpoint the true identity of olive oil – not just when it’s fresh, but at any time during its shelf life. “We’re at the point where we now can accurately describe the life of extra virgin olive knowing the free fatty acids at the beginning and then describing what the life is and will be,” he said, by using a series of tests including the 1,2-diacylglycerol (DAGs) and pyropheophytins (PPP). Those methods were discussed at the recent Australian Olive Association annual meeting, a conference with an international attendance and an agenda that reached well beyond Oceania. Miller described “startlingly complete work” presented at the meeting by Claudia Guillaume Passion to Profit – the magazine of New Rural Industries Australia Issue 7 – 2011
and the International Olive Council‘s serve the governments who adopt them well, Miller said they don’t do enough for the consumer. There’s an opportunity to have a good trade document that buyers and sellers will be comfortable with that relates to the end result. So armed with what he called that “complete story” Miller and his colleagues rounded up like-minded industry players from the the United States including the Olive Center’s Dan Flynn and representatives form the California Olive Oil Council “to have a bit of a forum to see if we needed a group to pursue these objectives and form a world olive oil quality alliance, effectively connecting producers and consumers.” The group was also joined by Manuel Paras Rosa, the rector of the University of Jaén. Dr. Rosa, who Miller called a “guru on consumer attitudes” about olive oil, and the “go-to man for the European Commission,” supported the new Australian standard – a position perhaps not too popular in Andalusian olive oil circles. There was a pledge of
cooperation between the University Rosa heads, the University of California at Davis Olive Center and the Australian Olive Association. The American Oil Chemists’ Society will be the body to conduct proficiency testing and serve the technical and scientific part of the new alliance, according to Miller, whose members at this embryonic stage are the California Olive Oil Association, Georgia Olive Growers Association, the Australian Olive Association and South Africa Olive Industry Association. What about the established “Old World” olive oil producing countries? Miller said he imagined some of the producers there would be very interested in the initiative. “It’s not a them-and-us operation,” he said, but neither could he resist admitting that “to some degree this was driven by some frustration because of how the old world is and its dominance in the industry.” Source: Olive Oil Times
New forum launched In response to demand, NRIA has now launched our new forum at the NRIA website.
others, or wish to make your views known on
This forum platform has been built specifically to enable new rural industry participants to collaborate and share information on key topics – and even to advertise products and services for sale. Whether you wish to ask questions of
Access to the forum requires registration,
key hot topics – the forum is for you. which is free. You can access the forum at www. nria.org.au.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Spotted anything
unusual?
NOTHING WILL PROTECT YOUR CROPS AND THE ENVIRONMENT MORE THAN A GOOD HARD LOOK It is important that you are aware of the risk. If you spot anything unusual on your crop or in the general environment, call the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881. The call is free (except for mobiles) and early detection will help protect your farm, your industry and the environment. For more information visit: www.phau.com.au/biosecurity
TLINE NT PEST HO EXOTIC PLA
1 18 0 0 0 8 4 8 8
Improving national biosecurity outcomes through partnerships Passion to Profit – the magazine of New Rural Industries Australia Issue 7 – 2011 13
Do you grow or sell wildflowers as cut-flowers? • Get connected. • Improve yield and returns. • Network with others. • Develop the market. • Stay informed. WildFlowers Australia Ltd is the industry body for wildflowers. We exist to build the industry and help all on the supply chain. www.wildflowersaustralia.com.au
Australian TRUFFLE GROWERS ASSOCIATION
The voice of the industry
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STANDARDS QUALITY INNOVATION DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH
Soft, warm, lightweight, luxurious fibre 12 natural fleece colours - no dying required Soft padded feet minimize damage to soils
For more information visit our website:
www.alpaca.asn.au
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Passion to Profit – the magazine of New Rural Industries Australia Issue 7 – 2011
Industry pioneer wins Biosecurity Farmer of the Year award By any measure, Pepe Bonaccordo is one of Australian agriculture’s great success stories.
taken so that if there ever was an emergency outbreak we were prepared for it.”
Starting in 1976 as a backyard business with just 22 Pekin ducks, Pepe’s Ducks now supplies 80,000 birds a week out of its facility at Windsor, NSW, and is the largest producer of ducks in Australia and New Zealand. Having put home-grown duck firmly on the Australian dinner plate, over the past two decades Mr Bonaccordo has been cementing the future growth of the industry by developing and enforcing uncompromising standards on biosecurity, food safety and animal welfare.
Duncan Rowland, Manager of Biosecurity Planning and Implementation at Animal Health Australia, said Mr Bonaccordo demonstrated a clear passion for improving biosecurity, not only in his own business but for the broader industry. “The judges were particularly impressed with the market drivers Pepe’s have introduced for better biosecurity and the way they’ve demonstrated that biosecurity systems provide a standard of excellence that helps meets customer needs,” Mr Rowland said.
These outstanding efforts saw him become this year’s Biosecurity Farmer of the Year at the Australian Farmer of the Year Awards held in Sydney.
“We feel very excited about the win,” Mr Bonaccordo said. “It does tell us that a lot of the hard work that we’ve done has been recognised by other people. It’s important that we build a great foundation underneath our market. And that foundation is: good farming management practices, good biosecurity, animal welfare, food safety, training – that’s what brands are built on.
In 2006, in an effort to develop industry-wide biosecurity standards, Mr Bonaccordo drove the establishment of the Australian Duck Meat Association, along with the other major player in the market (Luv-a-Duck). The association’s crowning achievement was the production, last year, of the Farm Biosecurity Manual for the Duck Meat Industry. The manual identifies areas of risk common to all duck enterprises along with appropriate measures to minimise those risks.
“The duck has become a lot more acceptable to the average Australian, hence the need to grow our business. We want to build a new factory, we want to build a new hatchery because the demand tells us that the facilities we have at the moment are not coping with the demand. Hosted by Kondinin Group and ABC Rural, and sponsored by Plant Health Australia and Animal Health Australia, the Biosecurity Farmer of the Year award recognises the efforts of producers dedicated to keeping their operations free of diseases, pests and weeds. The winner and finalists demonstrate that successful biosecurity practices are not only partof responsible farming – they can also be great for business.
While Pepe’s handles most of the breeding, hatching and slaughter itself, 90% of the growing of the animals is now done by contracted growers and the company has been hard at work rolling out the manual across the industry. “We’ve seen a lot of issues with poultry diseases, particularly in Europe and Asia,” Mr Bonaccordo said. “We thought that we needed to do something as an industry to ensure our biosecurity. We’ve also had more of our people trained in emergency animal disease response – another step that we’ve
Pepe and Mario Bonaccordo with General Manager John Houston
Passion to Profit – the magazine of New Rural Industries Australia Issue 7 – 2011
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“When it comes to biosecurity, for many years we were under the umbrella of the chicken industry,” Mr Bonaccordo said. “But a duck’s needs are quite different to those of a chicken. Put simply, if you put a duck in a bucket of water and you put a chicken in a bucket of water – one will float, the other won’t. That goes all the way through to factors like the densities of our sheds, the way we grow the ducks, husbandry, animal welfare, water requirements etc.”
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New research uncovers huge potential of native legumes as pasture and grain crops Two new research reports released by the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) suggest there is significant potential for native legumes to be developed as pastures or crops. A major limitation to native legumes being grown on a commercial scale is the difficulty of harvesting their seeds. However, one of the key findings of the research on the promising pasture species Cullen australasicum was a breakthrough harvesting method that will allow this species to be harvested using commercial header equipment. Native legumes have the benefit of being adapted to local environmental conditions and in the case of Cullen australasicum may be more drought tolerant than current exotic pasture legume cultivars. The research, funded by RIRDC and carried out by the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), investigated ways to grow and harvest Cullen using a traditional harvester. SARDI researcher, Eric Kobelt said Cullen australasicum is a drought hardy, deep rooted pasture plant that can be grazed by livestock and is suited to low to medium rainfall areas.
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“Cullen is a resilient perennial pasture species, but its commercialisation has been hampered by problems with harvesting seed,” Mr Kobelt said.
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produced by lucerne – around 500 kg/ha – in the same dryland conditions. The study also found that best seed yields can be achieved when seed production is set up early in the season, which allowed uniform and reliable seed production. The report recommends more research into the natural diversity of Cullen populations to find plants with more uniform flowering and better seed retention. Another RIRDC-funded native legume research project assessed the potential of native Australian legumes to be developed as grain crops for dry environments in the southern Australian grain belt. Researcher, Megan Ryan of the University of WA used a glasshouse study to show that the native legumes studied had similar oil, protein and fibre content in seed as domesticated exotic legume crops, and have the potential to be developed as commercial legume crops. A literature review showed that the species showing most promise were Glycine canescens, Cullen tenax, Swainsona canescens, S. colutoides, Trigonella suavissima, Kennedia prorepens, Glycyrrhiza acanthocarpa, Crotalaria cunninghamii and Rhynchosia minima. The reports on this research, “Developing Harvest Technologies for Cullen australasicum” and “Native Legumes as a Grain Crop for Diversification in Australia” are available for free from the RIRDC website: www.rirdc.gov.au.
“This research found that windrowing Cullen like canola within three weeks of the first seed pods being formed allowed yields of up to 700 kg/ha. Windrowing involves cutting the stems of the plants and leaving in long rows to dry. This retains the seed in the pod, rather than the seed pods shattering open, releasing the seed on the ground. The rows can then be harvested. “These techniques will allow larger amounts of quality, cheaper Cullen seed to be available.” The research project found that with the right management and environmental conditions Cullen australasicum could produce more seed than that Passion to Profit – the magazine of New Rural Industries Australia Issue 7 – 2011
farm biosecurity Good farm biosecurity practices on your property will protect your livestock and plants from diseases, pests and weeds. Consider these risk areas on your property and what you can do to minimise them:
Spotted anything
Product movement
unusual?
LINE T HOT T PES N A L IC P EXOT
4 8 81 8 0 0 18 0 Y ANIMAL EMERGENCCH HOTLINE AT W E AS DISE
People movement Vehicles and equipment
88 18 0 0 6 7 5 8
Feed and water Pests and weeds
www.farmbiosecurity.com.au secure your farm: secure your future
‘Working together for animal health’
Credits: A. Yzerman, J.Doherty and M. Banks.
Animal Health Australia Members Animal Health Australia is a not for profit company established by the Australian Government, state and territory governments and major national livestock industries. With a focus on national animal health and welfare issues, the company facilitates sustainable partnerships between members and provides leadership in securing outcomes that position Australia as a world leader in terms of its animal health status and services.
Australian Government
Livestock industries
• Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
• Australian Alpaca Association Limited • Australian Chicken Meat Federation Inc • Australian Dairy Farmers’ Limited • Australian Duck Meat Association Inc • Australian Egg Corporation Limited • Australian Honey Bee Industry Council • Australian Horse Industry Council • Australian Lot Feeders’ Association Inc • Australian Pork Limited • Australian Racing Board • Cattle Council of Australia Inc • Equestrian Australia Limited
States and territories • State of New South Wales • State of Queensland • State of South Australia • State of Tasmania • State of Victoria • State of Western Australia • Australian Capital Territory • Northern Territory
• Goat Industry Council of Australia • Harness Racing Australia • Sheepmeat Council of Australia Inc • WoolProducers Australia
Service providers • Australian Veterinary Association • Council of Veterinary Deans of Australia and New Zealand • CSIRO - Australian Animal Health Laboratory
Associate members • Australian Livestock Export Corporation (LiveCorp) • Dairy Australia Limited • National Aquaculture Council Inc
Passion to Profit – the magazine of New Rural Industries Australia Issue 7 – 2011
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Women and New Rural Industries Back from the Brink
Chilli Chocolate business recovers from the January floods Seatonfire Chilli Chocolate is the brain child of mother and son team Lynne Seaton-Anderson and Jason L. O’Connor (pictured). They are a small, innovative company based on their family farm in the Lockyer Valley, between Brisbane and Toowoomba in South East Queensland, Australia. Lynne, the enterprising, gourmet wonder woman, founded her chilli chocolate factory in 2007. Jason’s fourteen years of marketing experience with global luxury goods companies, and his passion for exotic, inventive and gourmet foods blended well with the global rise of Seatonfire Chilli Chocolate. A Byron Bay Chilli Festival was their unveiling, and they received a very positive response. Jason then travelled to The Good Food Wine Show in Sydney to release the product there and they were in business! They had developed a memorable handmade artisan product with hand-picked chilli and handmade bars, hand-wrapped on the farm.
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As well as master chocolatier, Lynne is in charge of growing and hand-picking chemical free premium quality chilli for the SEATONFIRE® venture. They are both passionate about growing chemical free Birdseye chilli: Birdseye is also known as the red devil and rates 175,000 Scoville heat units. The Jalepeno is rated 5000 and the Habernero is rated at 350,000 SHU.
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SEATONFIRE® has built a strong online repeat business, and retailers in good bottle shops, hairdressers, delis, chocolate shops and many online corporate gifting websites do well with the product. Lynne and Jason are contacted by new retailers every week wanting to stock their product. The sales breakdown is 90 per cent domestic 10 per cent overseas. Disaster struck the farm on 10 January 2011 when flash flooding hit Murphy’s Creek, Queensland, taking with it lives, homes and buildings, leaving a trail of structural, financial and emotional damage. As well as losing fences, some farm structures and plant equipment, Lynne lost her complete crop of chilli bushes, except for one hardy plant that lived to see the air once more after the flood waters receded. Work came to a total halt on the farm
Lynne Seaton
while immediate priorities lay with survival and neighbourhood rescue. With no power for four weeks and no air conditioning in the chocolate room when power was restored, as the plant had been washed away, business was severely compromised. Lynne and Jason were then flooded with the generosity of volunteers and businesses wanting to help the community: it was a beautiful thing after the devastation they had suffered. Lynne and Jason had a fight on their hands to recover, so their mantra became, ‘Never, never, ever give up’. Lynne says, ‘There was no way we would move, no way we would not replant, no way we would not get our business back on track.’ With the help and energy of volunteers, they have been able to rebuild parts of the property already. They still have a way to go, but enough fencing is back up (as fences were not insured) so they can replace stock and replant the chilli paddocks. Seatonfire Chilli Chocolate is slowly getting back on track. www.seatonfire.com
Passion to Profit – the magazine of New Rural Industries Australia Issue 7 – 2011
HYDROPONIC substrates
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For more information please contact mohair@mohair.org.au dnL890
The Carbon Farming Initiative, what’s in it for you? Soil carbon is key to soil health An introduction to Carbon Farming and Trading: 1 day Farm Ready Approved Program Ph 02 6374 0329 or www.carbonfarmersofaustralia.com.au
Passion to Profit – the magazine of New Rural Industries Australia Issue 7 – 2011
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Corinne and Peter Blacket of Drysdale Cheeses
Goat milk, goat milk cheese, and breeders of pure bred Saanen goats
Background Drysdale Cheeses is the first commercial goat cheese manufacturer on the Bellarine Peninsula in Victoria. Our cheese-making started some twenty years ago, when we bought a goat to keep the grass short – and we now make a range of handmade cheeses, from high-quality milk from our Saanen goats. Our cheeses are made in small batches and require careful ageing and draining. We sell as much cheese as we can produce (about 2 tonnes a year) and Drysdale Cheeses are sold locally, from selected restaurants and provedores. Our products include: • Natural shev (silver medal at the 2009 Royal Melbourne Show) • Garlic and sea salt shev • Natural fettina (bronze, 2009) • Rainforest fettina – coated in local spices and olive oil • Haloumi • Corio Bay cheese (silver, 2008; gold, 2009) • Bellarine Blu • Bellarine Blanc – a white-mould cheese with ash rind made from local salt bush • ... and we also make yoghurt (silver, 2008; bronze, 2009).
Our business is small, and that allows us to oversee most, if not all, aspects of the business. Peter and I both work as pharmacists in local pharmacies, a couple of days a week. We feel it is important to be part of the local community. We are also members of Geelong Otway Tourism(GOT), the Australian Speciality Cheesemakers Association(ASCA) and the Dairy Goat Society of Australia (DGSA).
Q: What inspired you to get involved in a new rural industry?
The Bellarine started to grow from a sleepy rural region into the fabulous food destination that it is now. Vines, olives, restaurants and breweries but no cheese. An opportunity came up to purchase a small parcel of land in a prominent position and we decided to use the knowledge that we had accumulated over 10 years of owning goats and making cheese for private use. We registered Drysdale Cheeses in December 2005.
Q: What have been the pitfalls you have overcome? How?
Firstly, land is so expensive down here. We were lucky enough to find an affordable 5 acres and have
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Our 30 pure-bred goats live on our Scotchmans Road property in Bellarine. Their diet comprises of unimproved pasture, tree cuttings, pasture hay and a goat ‘muesli’ that we mix for them. They
also love their daily offerings of fruit and vegetable scraps from the fruit shop in Drysdale–especially watermelon!! Extra essential minerals and vitamins are administered via seaweed meal and salt licks. Although not certified organic, we follow permaculture farming principles and adopt ethical animal treatment.
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Passion to Profit – the magazine of New Rural Industries Australia Issue 7 – 2011
set about farming it in an intensive but holistic manner. Our herd of goats is small, but the girls produce enough milk to make a viable quantity of cheese. Registration with Dairy Food Safety Victoria is difficult and expensive. Peter and I are both pharmacists and our accumulated knowledge of microbiology (and red tape!) has made it easier to overcome these hurdles.
Q: What do you consider your successes? What do you attribute these to?
Our success depends on our customers. I like to think that we satisfy both chefs and the general public by meeting their needs . Attention to detail is vital.
Q: What are 5 tips you could give others in new rural industries?
1. Only do something that you are passionate about. You need to believe in what you do. 2. Manage your finances. It’s too easy to over invest. 3. Research your market. You need to know what product will sell. 4. Join local tourism associations. Better value than paying for advertising. 5. Register your business name and buy goodlooking business cards with a distinctive logo. Work hard to spread the word.
DRYSDALE CHEESES PRODUCT LIST
MILK. Pure, fresh and pasteurised goat milk from our herd of Saanen dairy goats. Awarded Gold at Royal Melbourne Show 2011. SHEV, natural. This is a soft and fresh farmhouse style cheese. Awarded Silver at Royal Melbourne Show, 2009 . Bronze, 2010 and 2011. GARLIC & SEA SALT SHEV. As above, but with garlic & sea salt CHILLI, CHIVE & GARLIC SHEV. As above, but with a hint of chilli SILKY GOAT CURD. Developed for the local restaurant market. A smoother, softer and more acidic cheese. Great with fruit or over salads. Awarded Silver at Royal Melbourne Show, 2010. Bronze, 2011 FETTINA, natural. Fetta style, steeped in Bellarine Olive Oil. Awarded Bronze at Royal Melbourne Show, 2009. Silver, 2010. Bronze,2011. FETTINA, Rainforest. Fetta style, steeped in oil flavoured with lemon myrtle & black pepper FETTINA, Moroccan. Fetta style, steeped in oil with Moroccan spices FETTINA, Gypsy. Fetta style, steeped in oil with smoked paprika and dried tomato flakes HALLOUMI. Firm cheese made for slicing and pan-frying or the BBQ YOGURT. Fresh & firm Turkish-style. Royal Melbourne Show, awarded Silver in 2008, Bronze in 2009. Silver in 2010. Bronze in 2011. CORIO BAY CHEESE. Aged for 10 months cheddar style. Strong and smooth . Royal Melbourne Show, awarded Silver in 2008 & Gold in 2009. Bronze in 2011. BELLARINE BLU. White bodied cheese with a blue mould crust. Takes three weeks for the blue mould to incubate. May need to order ahead of time. BELLARINE BLANC. White bodied cheese with a saltbush (atriplex cinerea) ash coat and surrounded with fluffy white mould. Takes two weeks for the white mould to incubate. May need to order ahead of time.
Q: What is your future vision for your business?
We are currently operating from 2 locations. I would love to think that we can eventually move all our operations to our farm. We also look forward to our farm gate shop opening, which will fit in with the Bellarine Taste Trail.
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www.drysdalecheeses.webs.com
Passion to Profit – the magazine of New Rural Industries Australia Issue 7 – 2011
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Ian and Rhonda Milburn Glenloth Game / Glenloth Free Range / Processors
Squab, pheasant, guinea fowl, free range chicken, capretto, lamb, and currently researching geese.
Background The Glenloth Group was established by Ian and Ronda Milburn in the early 90s as a means of diversification from their traditional grain growing activities. Ian is a 4th generation farmer who worked for 15 years as a youth worker. Ronda came from a farming family in the Wimmera at Warracknabeal, working initially on the farm, and then doing nursing training, eventually becoming the Director of Nursing for 16 years. The Glenloth property is located east of Wycheproof in the Victorian Mallee. It is surrounded by some of Australia’s finest grain growing country from where Glenloth’s feed requirements are drawn. In addition to chicken and game birds, the Glenloth Group provides processing services and custom processing services to boutique producers. Two abattoirs operate on the property–both certified with Prime Safe, the state government regulatory authority and subject to regular inspection. Quality control checks are maintained at all stages of production, storage, packaging and distribution. They can handle: Chicken, Pheasant, Guinea Fowl, Squab, Deer, Suckling pigs, Lamb, Goat, Alpaca, Turkeys, Geese and Farmed rabbits.
Q: What inspired you to get involved in a new
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rural industry?
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I decided at the end of 1988 I wanted a bigger challenge than coming home to the farm (broad acre) so my wife Ronda and I looked around for alternatives to get involved in. We looked at a
GLENLOTH FREE RANGE
www.glenloth.com.au
number of industries but finally came up with squab. This was right at the start of the industry and we found 6 other growers in our area who had also just started, so we formed a growers group. This was a marvelous group of people who were willing to share all of there failures as well as their successes. Out of that group I was the only one interested in processing and marketing so we built a small processing plant and started delivering to Melbourne restaurants using a 6x4 trailer with a small refrigeration unit in the back. This was June 1989.
Q: What have been the pitfalls you have overcome? How?
For any small business flexibility has to be a key factor. I found that one product (squab) simply wasn’t enough, so we started Glenloth Free Range, producing free range chicken that are aimed more towards retail outlets (about 1/3 restaurants, 2/3 butcher shops). A big difficulty was producing enough product to make marketing and delivery economical and for quite a number of years we subsidized the business, particularly in the area of labour. Since that time, many of the big boiler producers have moved into the free range market with us losing quite a proportion of our sales mainly because of price. To compound this we were devastated by the January floods with areas flooded (including our chicken sheds) that have never been under water before. Losing half of our stock meant we could only partially supply some of our customers (or some not at all) for three months until we fully recovered. Currently we are orientating our chicken business away from retail outlets and more to restaurants. This makes marketing far more constant because restaurants will only have it on the menu for a certain time but, on the other hand, there is a much greater appreciation of quality and they are not driven by price.
Q: What do you consider your successes? What do you attribute these to?
Guaranteed Free Range Chickens Whole Grain feed prepared on farm Absolutely NO chemicals, growth-promotants or antibiotics
Success is always difficult to measure in small food producing businesses. For us, there is enormous satisfaction in creating a really good quality product that has excellent brand recognition. We
Passion to Profit – the magazine of New Rural Industries Australia Issue 7 – 2011
have also won a number of national awards, as judged by our peers and this has given us great personal satisfaction. Just before we started the business we did a start up business plan. The study said a lot of things but two factors stood out–you need quality, and reliability. Both are equally important. Price is NOT the most important factor. People will always pay more for good service particularly when it is backed up by quality. From the very beginning we decided to do our own processing and we built a plant on the farm. This has proved to be a key factor for the business. While it is very difficult to make money from small processing plants because of small volumes, it has been critical in guaranteeing the quality of product. One area of great potential for our business is pheasant. Currently we produce about 20,000 per year. Pheasants are a seasonal bird and our marketing period is between April and mid August. Compared to a chicken which we process at about 7-8 weeks pheasants take an average of 20 weeks with the males at 18 weeks and the hens at 22 weeks. Currently we sell pheasants into all states except the NT but our main markets are Melbourne, Sydney, and, surprisingly when you consider the distance and freight involved, Perth.
Q: What are 5 tips you could give others in new rural industries?
Q: What is the future vision or your business?
Our vision is that we continue expanding. In reality we have no choice because the need for economies of scale continues to grow. Also we wish to maintain our standards and reputation for high quality. Probably the biggest challenge of all is to bring in the next generation. www.glenloth.com.au
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1. The first and most important task before starting a new business is DO YOUR HOMEWORK. 2. If you want to get into an industry that requires your product to be processed (such as game birds or poultry) find a processor.
This can be quite difficult as it is a specialized industry and the big operators will not be interested in processing your small numbers. Then find if there is a demand for the product and where your markets are. Remember, it doesn’t matter how good a producer you are if you can’t sell your product you are wasting time and money. 3. I am often asked what are the most important attributes needed to start up a business. I usually answer commitment, commitment, and commitment. Never under estimate the degree of commitment that is needed. 4. The other really important factor is to be prepared to identify your weaknesses. The things we really enjoy we do well but it is the things we are not good at that will bring us undone. So work hard on covering the areas that we are not good at. 5. Also be prepared to be flexible. We were one of the very early free range chicken producers and, at the time, it was a good profit margin. But now quite a number of the really big poultry producers have moved into free range, and they have big sales budgets that we cannot match. This is the reason we are now exploring geese production.
Passion to Profit – the magazine of New Rural Industries Australia Issue 7 – 2011
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Glenn Martin and Suzanne Ryan of Glendalong Group
Australian Boer Goats and Goat Meat Products, Training and On-Farm Consultancy
Background Our farm is located in Tallarook, Victoria with approximately 100 acres of prime agricultural land. We started in 1989 with just three angora goats and increased numbers for fleece. When the Boer Goats were released from quarantine, we purchased a full blood buck to cross breed with our angoras and start to build our meat herd. Presently we can run up to 300 goats but as the demand increases we are always looking for others to supply us with quality boer or boer infused wethers.
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We purchase these wethers paying liveweight over the scales at our property in Tallarook. Suppliers are paid on the day of delivery. Animals must be NLIS tagged and come with a National Vendor Declaration. We also buy and sell Australia Boer Goats specifically for the goat meat industry.
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All our bucks and some of our does are Carcase Merit certified. This is a system adapted from the Sheep and Cattle industry to scan and grade animals for rib fat, rump fat, eye muscle area and intramuscular fat which are all hereditary traits. We are one of the only goat farms in Australia presently using this system. The outcome is to increase productivity and meat quality and give prospective buyers tangible objective and measurable information. We also sell pets – those kids which have been hand raised. Prime quality farmed goat meat carcases, prime cuts and smallgoods are sold direct to quality butchers and Melbourne based restaurants.
When we started our business the demand was mainly concentrated on the export meat market as Australia is the world’s largest exporter of goat meat. However over the past 5 years with the increasing ethnic populations and a renewed interest in gourmet foods through media such as television cooking shows, we have seen a remarkable increase in domestic demand.
Q: What inspired you to get involved in your industry?
Tree change – when we moved to our rural property and making a decision about what do to with the land. Probably the wrong way to go about it but here we are 23 years later.
Q: What have been the pitfalls you have overcome? How?
Fencing – goats require good fencing, and over the years we have improved the existing fences and with the addition of good electrics we have resolved most of our issues but the goats still love to test our work. Shedding – unlike sheep and cattle, goats do require some type of shelter against heavy rain and wind chill factors. This has meant we needed to build some type of shelters for them in each paddock for certain times of the year. Drought – we instigated a planting program of fodder trees and formed an alliance with a local hay producer to try and ensure our feed requirements could be met. Water Supply – We increased the number of dams on our property as well as a semi reticulated water system. We endeavour to supply animals with fresh rain water where possible and the dams are a secondary source in times of drought and long dry periods. Opposition from neighbours and negativity about our chosen industry – goats have always been seen as the poor cousins to sheep, a pest/feral animal and a carrier of disease and lice – this could not be further from the truth. Fortunately this myth has over time been debunked particularly since MLA (Meat and Livestock Australia ) have embraced
the goat industry as a real alternative to sheep and cattle. Proximity and demand to markets – the demand for goat has never been as strong as it is today and we have seen it increase dramatically over the past 5 years. So making sure where our markets were and how to service them was very important. Lack of available knowledge and mentoring skills – over the years we have seen agencies such as DPI loose knowledgeable people on goats so getting information has been difficult. Whilst the net is a good source it is not always reliable. Veterinarians also have not always had a good knowledge of goats but we are now seeing a lot of student vets taking an interest which only goes well for the future. We have spent the past two years working with Vet Students from Melbourne University giving them time with goats and helping them understand what is required and that goats are definitely different to sheep. We also attended NMIT courses specifically on goat and goat meat production to help enhance our knowledge – Certificates in Farming (Goat Production) and Advanced Certificate in Farming (Goat Production) – Specialising in Goat Meat and Fibre Production and Management.
Q: What do you consider your successes? What do you attribute these to?
Our success has been a real passion for our industry and as such to help improve the focus
of the goat industry through promotion and mentoring. Becoming heavily involved with the Boer Goat Breeders Association of Australia, both of us have served on the Victorian State Branch and Sue is a past National Chairman and Director. We have been instrumental in promoting goat meat and goat meat products and introducing it into discerning restaurants and quality butchers. We were also instrumental in having goat meat achieve recognition in the Delicious Produce Awards.
Q: What are 5 tips you could give others in new rural industries?
1. Think about what you are going to do with your land before you buy it and make sure it is suitable for your chosen enterprise. Look at things like topography, water supply, fencing, shedding, local by-laws and/or regulations, access and egress of the property, neighbours, etc. 2. Make sure you do your research thoroughly. Look at all possibilities. Know where your market is and how you intend to service it – accessibility, transport, supply chains, 3. Make a business plan that can be changed easily if your circumstances change – think about your finance stream, labour resources, time resources. 4. Seek out competent people in your chosen industry to provide you with advice and mentoring – always ensure that the advice is relevant to your area, different areas and environments may impact differently. 5. Join an Association – associations can be a good source of information and support for your chosen industry being able to network with like-minded people can be very informative. To be recognised as a prominent innovator, reliable and credible supplier in the live goat, goat meat and small-goods industry. www.glendalong.com.au
Passion to Profit – the magazine of New Rural Industries Australia Issue 7 – 2011
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Q: What is your future vision for your business?
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Neil & Robyn Funston Renaissance Farm B&B–Renaissance Chocolates
Products: 4½ star B&B accommodation and handmade chocolates
Background We are located 17 kilometers west of Rutherglen in North East Victoria on 15 acres. We started the B&B in June 2000 and opened the chocolate factory in June 2010. The B&B runs at an occupancy rate of around 22% and we sell about 30,000 chocolates a year We sell retail out of our factory on our property, go to Rutherglen Farmers Market 6 months of the year, and also have a strong wholesale customer base. When we moved to the Rutherglen area in 1995 it was after the failure of a fast food business in Shepparton – we lost a lot of money. Neil is a food process engineer and after the collapse of the business he was doing some contract engineering work at Uncle Tobys who were based near Rutherglen. Uncle Tobys offered Neil a full time job so the whole family moved to the area.
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For some time we rented in town. It was a chance drive to Wangaratta for Neil to discover a beautiful property nestled in lush gardens about 17 kilometres from Rutherglen. As luck would have it several weeks later an auction sign went up at the property but there was a hitch! The property was 115 acres a house block of 15 acres and a 100 acre block behind it. We didn’t want to be farmers.
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and made a combined offer and we bought it before auction – what a lucky break. That was 1998, we lived in this beautiful house for a couple of years and then we decided to start planning a B&B which we always wanted to do. We wanted to showcase this beautiful house and garden as well as many antiques and heirlooms that we had collected over the years. Neil had the idea of converting one of the farm outbuildings, and did all the building work and Robyn did the interior design. We still smile today when guests open the door to there room and see what is inside compared to the old corrugated iron shed that they first see! The local shire were less than helpful when we submitted our planning permit it seemed that they would do anything to stop this B&B plan – but we persisted and we opened the Lavender room for the Queen’s Birthday weekend in 2000, which was followed by the Tuscan room in October of the same
At the time Neil was using some contractors at work and he was talking to an electrical contractor and asked him where he lived and incredibly he lived next door to the property that we wanted so desperately. He was a part time cattle farmer and he wanted the 100 acre paddock to expand his herd. We spoke and formed a plan, we went to the agent
Passion to Profit – the magazine of New Rural Industries Australia Issue 7 – 2011
As time went on the business built and the income from the business was funding the upkeep of the property and building the garden. Neil started to develop an interest and fascination with chocolate. He bought a small tempering machine and started making small samples at home in our registered kitchen. One of the local wineries heard what he was doing and asked if we could make a chocolate to match their Muscat, Neil produced his first Muscat Wine Truffle. A few weeks later the same winery asked if we could make a Tokay Truffle and we did that for them as well. As time went on a few other wineries were asking for their wine to be put into truffles and before long we had a range of 6 Rutherglen Wine Truffles.
By August 2011 the retail outlet was complete and we were planning details for a small café to sell coffee, hot chocolate and chocolate baked treats. In October 2010 we had an official opening officiated by MHR Mr Ken Jasper. The business continues to grow and fortunately it is closely following our business plan.
Q: What inspired you to get involved in your industry?
Initially we wanted to set up a B&B to show off our house and garden and also to use our antique furniture and heirlooms that had been handed down by our grandparents and parents. With the chocolates, I just had a passion for chocolate and it became a hobby which I turned into a business
It was about midway through 2008 that a big chocolate festival was staged in Melbourne called Chocolate Rush so we made hundreds of wine truffles and went to the show. Robyn started making some interesting fillings and both Robyn and Neil attended a chocolate making course at Savour Patisserie School in Melbourne.
Q: What have been the pitfalls you have
About this time Robyn and Neil made friends with Barbara Lowery who is a food journalist and a guest commentator on local ABC radio. She was fascinated and impressed with our product and at the time was helping a friend to set up a Fromagerie at Beechworth and she convinced them to take our product.
Q: What do you consider your successes? What do
The chocolates were starting to take off so Neil decided to do a business plan to see if it was viable. In the meantime to keep up with demand Robyn & Neil were finishing dinner at night then getting out the chocolate making equipment and working until 2 or 3am 6 or 7 days a week, things were getting out of hand. Neil drew up plans to build a small factory in another disused shed on the property, initially this was just to get us out of the kitchen. Once again the shire had a view that did not match ours apparently the zoning was for farm use only. We argued that it was not viable to farm 15 acres and it took several months to get approval. Finally in June 2009 we gained approval and Neil started building works straight away. It took a long time to get the work done as it could only be done on weekends as night time was still taken up with chocolate making. Neil was still working as a contract engineer and not enjoying the project he was working on so in May 2010 he threw in his job and became a full time chocolate maker. We had the factory complete and the skeleton of the retail outlet complete in time for Queen’s Birthday weekend 2010.
overcome? How?
The biggest issues that we had to overcome were bureaucratic shire councils that kept on putting roadblocks up that we had to remove to proceed forward. you attribute these to?
I think getting rated 4½ stars for the B&B was a big achievement for us. I also think turning a hobby of chocolate making into a viable business is something that we are very proud of. Having our chocolates featured in “Epicure” in The Age Newspaper was pretty special.
Q: What are 5 tips you could give others in new rural industries?
1. Write a good business plan. 2. After writing your business plan put it in the drawer for 3 weeks then go back and divide your forecast sales by 2. 3. Don’t borrow too much money to set up, use your own money if you can. 4. Have a passion for what you want to do. 5. Trust your instincts about your business, if you think it will work it probably will!
Q: What is your future vision for your business?
My business plan says that we will continue to build sales, particularly in the chocolate business over the next 3 years when it will be sold as a going concern. www.rutherglenvicaccommodation – www.renaissancechocolates
Passion to Profit – the magazine of New Rural Industries Australia Issue 7 – 2011
profile
year. We named it Renaissance Farm as we saw this as the rebirth of our life and our dreams after failure.
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Passion to Profit – the magazine of New Rural Industries Australia Issue 7 – 2011
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On-farm biosecurity – an insurance policy for your livestock
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istorically, Australia’s coastlines and tough quarantine system have provided a barrier against many exotic pests and diseases. But our relatively clean environment is under increasing pressure as more people and produce cross state and national borders.
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There are some diseases and pests that are already well established in parts of Australia – and preventing their spread is crucial. Effective biosecurity practices are needed more than ever to protect properties from the risks and to ensure continued market access for Australian produce. Duncan Rowland, Manager of Biosecurity Planning and Implementation at Animal Health Australia, says that biosecurity is everyone’s responsibility. “The best defence against pests and diseases is to implement sound biosecurity practices at the farm level,” says Duncan. “Quick and simple measures built into your everyday practice will go a long way towards protecting your farm from the costly consequences of an incursion.” The experience of many farmers has shown that it is easier and cheaper to reduce the risks now, rather than to try and live with the pests and diseases that become established. Duncan recommends a series of measures across five management areas that apply to any livestock farming operation.
People, vehicles and equipment People and farm tools can unintentionally carry, transfer and spread diseases, pests and weeds. Think about all the people who regularly enter and leave your property: suppliers, agents, contractors, vets, other farmers, family, guests and, of course, anyone who lives on the property. That’s a lot of potential disease carriers! Duncan Rowland says the best way to minimise the risks brought about by people and vehicles are to restrict and control their movement and enforce good hygiene. “Ideally there should be only one entry point so that all movements can be recorded
and you always know who is on your property,” Duncan says. “And don’t assume visitors will know what to do. Clearly visible signage and designated visitor parking away from livestock will help them comply with your biosecurity requirements.” The best insurance is to only allow visitors contact with livestock if it is necessary. If that is the case, ask visitors to wear, clean boots and clothing before and after coming into contact with your animals. If unsure, conduct a visitor risk assessment. Have they just been in contact with other livestock, recently returned from overseas or interstate? Then take appropriate mitigation measures. Other biosecurity tips include: • Avoid the sharing of equipment between properties, or between paddocks with different risk categories – if you borrow or lend equipment, clean and disinfect it thoroughly before using it on your own property again. • Storage areas – clean and disinfect equipment storage areas regularly as some pests and diseases can live in the natural environment for long periods. • Vehicle access – minimise the number of vehicles you allow onto the property and restrict them to designated visitor areas. Use your own farm vehicles to transport visitors around the property. • Vehicle washes – ensure vehicles are clean and provide wash points if possible for those vehicles that will need to enter farming areas.
Livestock movement “Animals can carry diseases and pests without showing any physical signs,” Duncan says. “And we know that one of the main ways for disease to enter a property is through new arrivals. For these reasons, a National Vendor Declaration and relevant animal health statement is the best health insurance for your existing stock.” It’s equally important to properly isolate and monitor new stock before introducing them to the rest of the herd or flock – a period of 10 days is recommended. This will allow signs of many
Passion to Profit – the magazine of New Rural Industries Australia Issue 7 – 2011
diseases to emerge and for the animals to empty their stomachs of any weed seeds they may be carrying. “To achieve real quarantine you have to have a buffer,” Duncan adds. “The surrounding yards or paddocks must be free of animals or the isolation area must be double-fenced – there can be no nose-to-nose contact.”
Only healthy animals should be taken to shows or sales as these represent a high biosecurity risk. If possible, do not share equipment at such events, and feed and water your stock separately; isolate returning animals for the same reasons described above.
Feed and water Feed and water supplies are an ideal breeding ground for diseases and pests; weed seeds can be easily distributed in fodder or via water sources. Duncan Rowland advises buyers to always request a commodity vendor declaration and ensure any feed you purchase is fit for purpose. “It’s equally important to keep feed in a clean, dry storage area, and to keep stores covered to prevent feed from becoming wet and mouldy,” he says. “I recommend that you regularly inspect feed supplies and water sources to ensure they remain secured and fit for consumption.” Other measures for securing feed include: regular cleaning of feed troughs to minimise faecal contamination, disposing of old or contaminated feed safely, cleaning spills promptly, and ensuring that feed does not contain a high content of weed seeds that could propagate on the property. Duncan also reminds livestock owners that it is illegal to feed restricted animal materials (RAM) to ruminants in Australia. “These materials have been linked to the spread of BSE or Mad Cow
disease – so always read the label on any stock feed you purchase and store anything containing RAM separately from feed for ruminants. Similarly, it is illegal to feed swill to pigs in Australia. This is a dangerous practice which has led to the spread of diseases such as foot and mouth disease in many countries.”
Pests and weeds Pests and weeds can carry disease or reduce the viability of stock feed and grazing land. Feral and wild animals can attack livestock or spread disease while vermin can contaminate feed and water. “You are the most likely person to notice changes in the health of your livestock and quality of your pastures,” Duncan says. “So it is a good idea to know what weeds and pests are common to your area as this will mean you know if something different is present.” Early detection of any pests or weeds will minimise their impact, so regularly check your property for infestations. Keeping boundary fences secure and removing or containing anything that is likely to attract pests to the property (e.g. rubbish dumps, carcases etc.) will help to reduce their impact on your stock. “Different pests and weeds will thrive at different times of the year, so we advise all farmers to have an appropriate pest and weed management plan in place,” says Duncan. “Most importantly, if you see anything unusual on your property call the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888.” For more information, tools and tips on livestock biosecurity, visit www.farmbiosecurity.com.au
Farm Biosecurity – the benefits Reduced risks to your farm – better livestock health generally leads to higher productivity. Early detection and management of any pests or diseases – catch any problems before they take hold. Reduced costs if there is an outbreak – early detection and sound farm biosecurity systems may result in faster eradication and shorter quarantine periods.
Passion to Profit – the magazine of New Rural Industries Australia Issue 7 – 2011
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Broken or missing fences can allow stray livestock and wild/feral animals to mix with your animals, so check fences regularly to ensure they are sound, and work with neighbours to secure boundary fences. When moving animals off the property, ensure they are fit to travel, that your records are up to date and that the transport vehicle is clean.
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A Future directive for Australia
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collaboration
ollowing many years of studying and working with the major challenges being faced by Australia, including climate change, water security, food quality, human health, land degradation and biodiversity loss, I have observed that both the cause and the solutions to these major challenges have common elements which can be addressed through initiating three main shifts in thinking towards our living environment. These are as follows:
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The need for ‘A New World View’ The first major shift in thinking that is required is to take a good look at the way in which we have viewed the world in the past. This involves no longer viewing the land as simply an endless supply of resources for us to use, but seeing the land as an intricate web of interconnected living processes that needs to be respected as a ‘whole’. We need to adopt and value ‘A New World View’, which identifies our responsibility for understanding and enhancing the living processes which are responsible for regenerating all aspects of our national land and water resources, the foundations of a healthy prosperous society. An observation backed up in 2011 by the fact that despite all the knowledge that has ever been gathered in the world we still have a very poor understanding of how landscapes and the world function as a whole. We still have a very poor
Glenn David Morris understanding of the vital role our decisions play in maintaining the vital living ecosystem processes that all life depends upon. We are finally waking up to the reality that every square metre of the earth must not simply be valued for one use, but must be valued for multiple ecological and societal functions simultaneously. Functions such as; providing health care and nutrition via the same product, providing a constant water cycle through healthy soil water recharge, by providing a stable atmosphere through carefully considered business decisions regarding the uses of land. Not only do we need to start valuing the world around as a whole we also need to put an end to our unreflective willingness to compromise ethics. Climate change is not the greatest threat to humanity, the greatest threat to humanity is our own failure to determine a goal for the future we need to create based on a sound world-view, and moulding our actions to ensure that we adhere to a directive for achieving that future.
‘A Future Directive for Australia’ In the absence of a future directive it is easy to see why major problems in Australia (and the world) are not being dealt with effectively. A clear ‘Future Directive for Australia’ is an imperative for ensuring that we are dealing permanently with major challenges, at their cause, and are remaining focused on progressing towards the healthy nation we have outlined in our goals.
On behalf of the nation there is one question that needs to be answered. The question is this. With so many years of constant effort and expense being thrown at the major problems facing the Australian environment and society, why is it that the situation has continued to worsen? The reason is clear. The degradation of natural resources has not been halted in Australia due primarily to the fact that as a nation we have neglected to set clear goals and a future directive for creating the healthy and productive landscape and society required by future Australians.
We need to develop a ‘Future Directive for Australia’ which will guide the regeneration of a healthy and prosperous nation.
National Campaign to raise understanding The third major imperative for dealing with climate change and all the other intricately linked challenges facing society is that we roll out a national campaign to raise the level of understanding of eco-system processes in the community. In raising the understanding of ecosystem processes possibly one of the greatest messages that we need to communicate from nature is this: the biosphere is a system of interlocking and interwoven components, and no cycle of life (with its requirement for water, minerals and nutrients and symbiotic relationships) on earth operates independently of other cycles. The services that we receive generously every day from eco-system processes can only be provided when the components of that eco-system cycle are complete. If any one of the many components (‘foundations of life’- such as humus, healthy (living) soil, healthy plant communities, water) is missing, then the processes and services of that eco-system start to breakdown. (Morris 2010) With regards to human health the reason that people are increasingly falling victim to life threatening diseases is fundamentally due to the fact we have not understood that we were denying the environment and ourselves the complex organic
compounds which were common place in natural eco-systems. Within the water cycle a healthy soil performs like a super absorbent sponge… storing rainfall, preventing flooding, supplying rivers and reducing the effects of droughts. By adopting a ‘New World View’ where we have a greater respect for life we will start to understand that the soil is the major regulator of water through the landscape. We will soon learn to pay a greater respect to the 2.5 billion microbes which should exist in every gram of soil which are responsible for building the humus, understanding also that a soil with a humus level of around 6% is capable of storing over 1 million litres of water in every hectare. We will begin to understand that, at the same time as restoring the water cycle and providing health to people, microbial processes can also help sequester around 25 tons of carbon into the soil for every additional 1% of stable soil humus formed, helping us to rebalance a stable climate. Only by adopting ‘A New World View’ setting a clear ‘Future Directive for Australia’ and gaining a full understanding of Eco-system Processes can we seriously start to eliminate the growing challenges facing Australia in the 21st century. This article was provided by Glen Morris for publishing in Passion to Profit magazine and the opinions expressed are not necessarily those held by the editor or NRIA organisation.
Passion to Profit – the magazine of New Rural Industries Australia Issue 7 – 2011
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How could we ever know if we are making the correct decisions towards the type of society and environment that we consider healthy and sustainable, if we have never previously formed the solid guidelines (future directive or holistic goal) by which we can monitor if our decisions are on course with the society and the environment that we truly value!
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industry closeup
The Australian Essential Oil Industry
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ustralia is the home of several well known essential oils, notably Eucalyptus oil and Tea Tree oil, both of which have become household names the world over. Commercial essential oil production commenced in the 1850’s. These essential oil producers, large and small, operated independently or in informal groups until the 1990’s when some of the larger oil producers felt that a professional Association might benefit the industry as a whole. Thus EOPAA came into being in 1994. The major Australian essential oil is at the present time Tea Tree oil produced from Melaleuca alternifolia. Tea tree oil is used mainly as a cosmetics additive and in health care products. Minor essential oils produced at the present time are from: Broadleaf tea tree, Melaleuca quinquenervia (nerolidol type); Lemon myrtle, Backhousia citriodora; Aniseed myrtle, Syzygium anisatum, (previously known as Backhousia anisata and more recently, Anetholea anisata); Lemon tea tree, Leptospermum petersonii; Eucalyptus olida; Eucalyptus staigeriana; Callitris intratropica and Santalum spicatum. There is also a small production of Boronia megastigma absolute. Essential oils from introduced species include: bitter fennel oil, peppermint oil, dillweed oil, parsley herb oil, hop oil, sweet orange oiland lemon oil. Significant amounts of various lavender (Lavandula) oils are also produced.
The Essential Oil Producer’s Association of Australia (EOPAA) The Essential Oils Producers Association of Australia was inaugurated in 1994. The Association’s main object is to promote and facilitate the production of essential oils and allied products in Australia. EOPAA brings together all parties working in this field: essential oil crop farmers, producers, processors, distributors, formulators, marketers etc and researchers engaged in the study of the breeding, genetics, agronomy, processing, chemistry, bioactivity, stability and toxicology of these essential oils. The Association also welcomes persons or companies intending
to enter the industry. EOPAA also works in close association with the lavender and tea tree associations TALGA and ATTIA. Essential oils are used in a variety of products. They are used in the compounding of perfumes and flavours, as additives in cosmetics as well as constituents of medicinal preparations. They are also used as industrial solvents. As a consequence of their varied industrial uses the trade has to comply with the requirements of numerous governmental regulations, in particular regulations pertaining to safety and health aspects as well as with established industrial standards. A major function of EOPAA is to provide a unified approach of the industry as a whole, in dealings with government departments by presenting Government with EOPAA’s views and by providing expert advice and assistance with the framing of new regulations. Such assistance is provided at a local, national and international level. Industry representation is made to such government entities as
• STANDARDS ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA (SAA) (in the elaboration and revision of Australian and International Standards), the THERAPEUTIC • GOODS ADMINSTRATION (TGA) (participation at meetings and workshops dealing with the toxicity and scheduling of essential oils), • National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme • (NICNAS) and the DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT (Exemption from Export Control of Essential Oils from Australian Native Species). • Owing to the geography of Australia and the relative isolation of individual members, EOPAA aims to provide information on any new or impending regulations likely to affect the trade in essential oils, notify members of planned industrial or scientific meetings which might be of interest and disseminate research findings on all aspects of the essential oil industry.
Passion to Profit – the magazine of New Rural Industries Australia Issue 7 – 2011
Who Are We?
The Industry
Australia is the home of several well known essential oils, notably Eucalyptus oil and Tea Tree oil, both of which have become household names the world over. To help promote and facilitate the Australian essential oils industry, the Essential Oil Producers Association of Australia was inaugurated in 1994.
The essential oils industry traces all the way back to November 1788, some ten months after the establishment of the colony of New South Wales, with the steam distilled leaf oil of the Sydney peppermint gum. Today Australia produces substantial quantities of tea tree, eucalyptus, fennel, peppermint, lavender, lemon myrtle, boronia and cypress oils.
Membership Full Membership is open to producers and distributors of essential oils and plant extracts and to producers of plant material for the production of essential oils or plant extracts. Associate membership is for researchers, consultants, regulators and other interested parties.
Secretary/Treasurer: Ian Southwell 4 Sunset Place, Alstonville, NSW 2477. Phone: 0266 281 629 Mobile: 0400 800 836 email: southwells@optusnet.com.au Website: http://www.eopaa.com.au
Passion to Profit – the magazine of New Rural Industries Australia Issue 7 – 2011
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INDUSTRY CLOSE-UP
The Australian wildflower industry
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ur unique and beautiful native flowers have justifiably captured attention for a long time. Today a significant volume and range of species are grown commercially for cut flower markets around the world. In the industry, Australian species are well complemented by their botanically related cousins from South Africa. Many growers and marketers trade in both, as they require similar growing conditions and are used together in floristry. This industry is often referred to as the ‘wildflower industry’ to distinguish it from the traditional flower industry (also called the exotic or soft flower industry), which produces annual flowers, roses, chrysanthemums, bulb crops, lilies, gerberas and more! The traditional flower industry forms the larger part of the Australian flower industry, with a longer history, and produces mainly for the domestic market. The wildflower industry sells product on both the domestic (with an estimated share of 10%) and export markets. Indigenous Australians long ago incorporated native plants into their diet, medicine and customs, and many myths tell the story of particular flowers. Since colonial times, many of our unique flowers have been celebrated in architecture, literature and art, featured on coats of arms and studied by botanists. Christmas bush was adopted early as a local substitute for holly and by the 1880s was well established as a symbol of Christmas. The first cultivation in row crops was undertaken by the Parry family in 1913 at their property ‘Floralands’, located at Kariong, on the NSW Central Coast. However,
overseas interest and commercial cultivation of our flora preceded the development of a local industry, with Californian and Israeli growers in particular turning their attention to growing Australian species in the 1970s. Worldwide production of native Australian and South African flowers and foliages is significant, but ‘wildflowers’ remain a minor component of the world flower trade, dwarfed by huge demand for products like roses and lilies. Growers overseas (especially in California, Africa, Israel and South America) are growing much greater volumes of native Australian flowers than we are growing in Australia, with the research and development input into these species overseas often greater than local investment. Australia’s share is currently about 10% of the total market. Many native flowers and foliages now grown commercially were initially bush-picked to establish market acceptance. Selected products, especially foliages, are still wild harvested under license. A steadily growing number of Australian natives satisfy all the criteria that make a species a good candidate for commercial flower farming. These include a vase life of 7 days or more, long straight stems with terminal flowers or with flowers massed at the tips , a long flowering season (or a range of cultivars with overlapping flowering times), with the plants easy to propagate and cultivate. ‘In the wild’ there are many more potential products for florists to use. These days, wildflowers (whether originally from Australia or South Africa) are grown in beds or rows, and most growers produce more than one type
Passion to Profit – the magazine of New Rural Industries Australia Issue 7 – 2011
Wildflower and native plants R&D has been supported by the Australian government for many years. The Australian Special Rural Research Council first set priorities for the funding of research and development for Australian native cut flower growing and exporting around 1989. The following year, the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation took over and established its Wildflowers and Native Plants Program. Five-year R&D plans, developed in consultation with the industry and research community in all states commenced in 1995. Since then, cash investment in R&D projects by the industry has steadily increased. Research and development has concentrated on species with proven market appeal, the focus on bringing plants into cultivation from the wild, and selecting or breeding new varieties or forms with improved cut flower features. Other projects have developed improved plant propagation systems and on-farm crop management, as well as postharvest knowledge and more recently quality specifications for the major products. The important ‘human capital’ of the industry has been nurtured by a range of conferences, travel grants and workshops. Despite this, our wildflower industry still has the characteristics of a developing industry, with many challenges
and production problems yet to be solved. There is a core of established growers, plus a significant percentage of newer, less experienced growers. Our industry is widely dispersed, with farms located in many regional parts of Australia and many growers are isolated from other industry members. Growers use a variety of marketing channels to sell their products, ranging from farm gate sales and direct sales to local florists, to shipping boxed flowers to distant wholesale markets in capital cities or exporting to overseas markets. The national industry body WildFlowers Australia Ltd was re-invigorated with a new direction and board in 2007 and has since been working hard to provide industry leadership and networking. There has been a strong focus on providing information to members and the wider industry, hosting conferences and developing projects to solve problems. In addition, there are wildflower associations or networks in most states, providing local support and activities. In contrast to most other horticultural products, cut flowers remain a luxury purchase, and demand and sales can’t be guaranteed. They are also a highly perishable product, meaning that flowers generally can’t be ‘stored’ until the market improves. Adding to the challenge is the fact that flower demand follows fashion trends. Many wildflower species are woody shrubs and don’t produce marketable quantities of product for the first 3 to 5 years. Forecasting what the demand will be a number of years after planting remains tricky. While the greatest profits are potentially made from growing and marketing new flower products, these new lines also present a greater risk. In times of high volume or oversupply, only the best-quality product will sell,
Passion to Profit – the magazine of New Rural Industries Australia Issue 7 – 2011
and on the export market this price may not cover all growing and marketing costs, especially with current exchange rates. Accurate industry statistics are difficult or impossible to obtain, for a range of reasons, including the large number of growers and products, and the multiplicity of marketing options. Flower growing appeals to many because it provides both a lifestyle and a business. However, growing flowers is demanding and physically hard work for most of the year. Crop maintenance is ongoing and includes managing pests, diseases and weeds, providing irrigation and applying fertilisers, as well as pruning to maximise the number of quality stems for the next year’s harvest. The industry definitely needs more professional growers, people focussed on being profitable through the marketing of topquality products. Intending wildflower growers need to conduct a lot of research before deciding whether this industry is for them. To assist prospective growers, WildFlowers Australia is planning to host a ‘getting started’ conference in 2012, designed to provide an overview of all aspects of growing and selling wildflowers, giving people the opportunity to ‘look before they leap’ into this industry. Bettina Gollnow Communications & Extension Manager WildFlowers Australia Ltd www.wildflowersaustralia.com.au
INDUSTRY CLOSE-UP
of flower crop. Some growers have extensive plantations covering hundreds of hectares, while others are much smaller in scale. Selected flowers are produced under rain shelters or in simple greenhouses, which has the potential to greatly increase the quality and supply of flowers and thus the profits, but only certain species (for example, flannel flowers and certain kangaroo paws) warrant the higher investment required.
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“The whole is greater than the sum of its parts”
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Australian new rural industries provide locally grown/bred products, diversification choices, niche market opportunities, gourmet foodstuffs, and sustainable operations into the future. They may be young – but that they are not small in scope or potential.
Opportunity now exists for companies and organisations to be corporate members of New Rural Industries Australia. Be part of the big picture. Build alliances and grow your business.
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