VOICE Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association
february 2011
your future, our future
Global food insecurity Food looms as one of humanity’s greatest challenges
Greenhouse gas
How much does your farm really emit?
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Managing weeds in Tasmania
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february 2011
VOICE
Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association
your future, our future
MITSUBISHI TRITON
TONS OF PULLING POWER
did you know?... The Tasmanian flag is the Blue Ensign with the State badge. The badge consists of a red lion within a white circle. This design reflects historical ties with England.
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Introduction
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Feature
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Animal Industries
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Plant Industries
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Environment
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People
• President’s Report • From the desk of the CEO
• Food looms as one of humanity’s greatest challenges – Julian Cribb
Sourced: http://www.about-australia.com/facts/tasmania/
Editor
Nardia Deverell
TFGA House, PO Box 193 Cnr Charles & Cimitiere Streets, Launceston 7250 Tel: (03) 6332 1818 Fax: (03) 6331 4344 Email: Nardia@tfga.com.au www.tfga.com.au
Advertising Enquiries
Michael Roberts
Tel: (03) 6394 7383 Email: michael.ama@bigpond.com Layout & Design zest. advertising. design. web.
41 Cameron Street, Launceston 7250
Tel: (03) 6334 3319 Fax: (03) 6331 3176 Email: info@zesttas.com.au www.zesttas.com.au
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FGA House, PO Box 193 T Cnr Charles & Cimitiere Sts, Launceston 7250 Tel: (03) 6332 1818 Fax: (03) 6331 4344 Freecall 1800 154 111 Email: voice@tfga.com.au www.tfga.com.au
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The views expressed in Voice are not necessarily endorsed by the Tasmanian Farmers & Graziers Association. No responsibility is accepted for the accuracy of information contained in the text or advertisements. Advertisements must comply with the relevant provisions of the Trade Practices Act 1974. Responsibility for compliance with the Act rests with the person, company or advertising agency submitting the advertisement. Voice editorial policy: contributions must be relevant and suitable for Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers and will be used at the discretion of the editor, in whole or part, or not at all, in the next scheduled issue or subsequent issues. The publishers do not pay for editorial submitted.
• Honeybees & Pollination • Carbon farming through farm forestry • MLA Article • Cattle Council of Australia • Roberts Wool
• Prepare for the year of carbon • Minister complacent about growing food imports • This month in TIAR • Growing Leaders • Managing weeds in Tasmania • How much greenhouse gas does your farm really emit?
• NRM and Tasmania’s Agricultural future
• P.A.S.S. • WFI – Good people to know • TFGA Member Directory
Issue 7, February 2011 ISSN 1838-384X
22/12/2010 4:51:45 PM
President’s Report
From the desk of the CEO
I have been musing lately about the subject of communicating and communications, in particular, the facility with which we are able to have our story, our issues and our lives understood by the wider community.
The Australian Farm Institute’s Mick Keogh is a voice to be listened to when it comes to interpreting trends in farming.
To the passing motorist, that barbed-wire fence that divides the highway from the farming property might as well be as big as the Berlin Wall because it effectively separates the life of the farmer and grazier from the rest of the world.
Towards the end of last year, there was a deal of excitement at the federal government level, ignited by a series of stories in the News Ltd tabloid media, about the extent of foreign ownership of Australian land or, more precisely, the level of interest from overseas in buying up Australian land or buying into Australian agribusinesses.
We at the TFGA are rapidly coming round to the view that it is time to tear down the walls and start communicating with each other. Last year, for the first time, we invited members of the public to join us on a day-long farm tour around the Meander and Mole Creek area, for the princely sum of $25 per head. During the day we looked at irrigation, intensive fish farming and Wayne Johnston’s diversified 440 ha farming operation, where we also had lunch. Most of the party on the minibus were TFGA members and business partners but the VIPs were those members of the public who joined us, who told us afterwards it was the best value for money they had come across. It got me thinking. People are genuinely interested in farming; what crops we grow, how we do it, how pivot irrigators work, what the new irrigation schemes are all about, how we manage our flocks and herds,; how much money we do or don’t make every year. Yet the barrier to them gaining that understanding is that barbedwire fence, which says “this is my private property, keep your nose out”. Now I am not literally saying tear down the fences, I am saying that, as farmers, we have a receptive audience that we are shutting out because they are daunted from venturing into our world. I am hopeful that this year we will expand our program of farm tours to the general public, the news media and the specialist media so that they can gain an insight into our lives and the challenges and issues that we face each day. This is a communications exercise that I believe can only benefit us. I have noted before Tasmania faces tough economic times; business investment is down and the State Government is indicating that it is tightening the belt in the public sector. The onus is going to fall increasingly on famers to see this state through those tough times, but we need every ally we can get. Through better public understanding of what we do, we can gain genuine thirdparty support and endorsement for our rural industries. That support can be translated into popular pressure on our MPs to ensure they do the right thing by farmers. To that end, I would encourage all of you to examine your own farming operations and to contact us at the TFGA to let us know your willingness for your farm to be included one day on a farm tour. You may believe that what you do is mundane, but as we have already found out, human beings are very inquisitive creatures and they will be genuinely interested in learning more about how you run your farm, the technologies you use and most importantly, what your visions are.
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David Gatenby, TFGA President
It led Mick Keogh to issue a timely reminder of what is at stake here. He warned the Australian agriculture community to be "careful what you wish for" when it comes to any moves to tighten foreign ownership rules, “careful” because we might end up the big losers.
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We at the TFGA are rapidly coming round to the view that it is time to tear down the walls and start communicating with each other.
”
The Government proposes to gauge the extent of overseas ownership of some forms of agricultural assets, which is the sensible thing to do. Let’s find out the facts before we get all fired up. Mr Keogh’s argument is, in effect, not to bite the hand that feeds us through over-regulation of foreign investment because, as he sees it, there is a shortage of Australian backers of development in the sector. Australian farm business managers are struggling to attract the interest of Australian fund managers. He relates an anecdote from the manager of an Australian-owned farm business, who had just spent the day pounding the streets of Sydney talking to Australian investment
fund managers, trying to convince them to buy some shares in the business. “The result was an absolute lack of interest in agricultural investments from the fund managers, an experience that is common amongst those trying to drum up Australian investment in agriculture,” Mr Keogh said. “In contrast, if the same owners go offshore, they invariably encounter strong interest and overseas fund managers willing to take up strong equity positions in Australian agricultural investments.” He said the Australian Farm Institute had also been asked to provide a briefing about investment in the Australian agriculture sector to investment managers employed by one of Australia's superannuation fund managers last year. “During the briefing it was explained that average annual returns for the top 25 per cent of farms had consistently been close to or above 10 per cent return on investment over the past decade, despite season and commodity price volatility,” he said. “One of the managers present laughingly dismissed this result, saying their benchmark for investment was closer to 15 per cent, and they also wanted consistent quarterly growth. “It was pointed out that chasing these returns also brought higher risk which had resulted in up to a 50 per cent loss in value for many funds due to the Global Financial Crisis whereas agricultural returns remained steady right through this turmoil. This did not seem to change the attitude of those present.”
What this of course means is that the main source of capital for Australian agriculture remains debt finance, which has doubled from $30 billion in 2002 to more than $65 billion in 2008. In the absence of overseas equity investment, this debt level will have to grow substantially over the coming years, if the sector is to continue to grow. Importantly, we need to be vigilant to ensure any register of overseas interests is simply that – a register – and is not used as a means of preventing genuine sales of agricultural land. If there is real community concern about protecting Australian farm land to ensure Australians have enough food to eat in the future, that’s a great thing. However, it can not be at the expense of farmers. If the community wants farming land to stay in Australian ownership, it must be prepared to stump up any additional dollars needed to match the best offer a farmer may get from an overseas investor when selling. Also, there needs to be far greater transparency right throughout the value chain – from farm inputs (including water), the processing and retail sectors - to see what impact, if any, overseas investment is having on the farm sector and, ultimately, consumers. In other words, when it comes to overseas investment, any regulation needs to be carefully designed so that we neither disadvantage farmers unfairly nor bite the hand that can help to feed us.
Jan Davis TFGA CEO
The Government proposes to gauge the extent of overseas ownership of some forms of agricultural assets, which is the sensible thing to do. Let’s find out the facts before we get all fired up.
Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association • VOICE • february 2011
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Feature
It is imperative in the coming decade we do two things – first abolish all trade barriers so food production can go where it is most efficient and second, to start paying all farmers a fair price.
Food looms as one of humanity’s greatest challenges Award winning journalist and science communicator – Professor Julian Cribb – sounds the warning bells over global food insecurity. Food – how it is grown, sourced, moved and consumed – is the global crisis of the 21st century. As climate change dominates in every arena – from boarProfessorooms to backyards – the looming food crisis facing nations around the world has yet to gain ground. According to many in the field, there is little time to spare in adProfessoressing just how humanity will face the global food crisis challenge. One campaigner looking to provide solutions is Professor Julian Cribb – award winning journalist, author, editor and specialist science communicator. Professor Cribb has been at the forefront of agricultural issues for decades and was a guest speaker at this year’s Australian Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology Conference. In his adProfessoress – The Coming Famine; risks and solutions for global food security – Professor Cribb sounds the warning bells surrounding global food insecurity and how these challenges may be met. “ Global demand for food will more than double over half a century, as we add another 4.7 billion people,” he states.
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“ It will involve growing large quantities of fresh vegetables within urban areas by hydroponic, aquaponic and aeroponic methods. We need to design this new urban agriculture or mass permaculture from scratch and incorporate it into buildings, landscapes and social milieu of our mighty cities.” Professor Cribb explores the concept of diets further, stating a return to how past generations lived is a way to help reduce carbon footprints.
What is more, Professor Cribb argues other factors including the decline in research and development investment, and people “fleeing regional sustenance disasters”, further the call to action. “ Let there be no doubt in anyone’s mind that solving the challenge of global food insecurity should be the paramount concern of all nations and all people in the coming two generations”, he states. “ The global financial crisis is trivial in comparison. In the final analysis, money is far less important to us than food. Even climate change, for all its menacing potential, is less immediately pressing. If we don’t want wars and tidal refugee movements, one way we can prevent many of them is by securing the food supply – everywhere.” So how does humanity tackle the pending food insecurity crisis? How will farmers today, plan for tomorrow? And where does the next harvest come from?
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“ It means greening our mighty cities, mining and recycling the vast volumes of water and nutrients they presently collect, purifying them and designing entirely new urban-based food production systems,” he states.
I t is whether humanity can achieve and sustain such a harvest. My second point is that agriculture today faces critical constraints. Not just one or two, but a whole constellation of them, playing into one another. And serious ones. Today the world faces looming scarcities of just about everything required to produce high yields of food – water, land, nutrients, oil, technology, skills, fish and stable climates, each compounding the others. So it isn’t a simple problem, susceptible to technofixes or national policy changes. It’s a wicked problem”
“ One way to do this is to double the amount of vegetables in the diet, many produced in these new urban systems
Professor Cribb points to several key solutions in a bid to take on the challenge.
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Firstly, the need to “redouble” global investment in agricultural science. Here, Professor Cribb not only argues increasing the total agrifood R&D spend to $80 billion but, just as importantly, investing further to ensure the information is accessible to all stakeholders. “ We must generate the greatest knowledge sharing effort in history – to reach not only farmers, but consumers everywhere, because the farmers alone will not be able to solve the challenge,” he states.
“ They will eat 600 quaProfessorillion calories a day. My first point is that the central issue in the human destiny in the coming half century is not climate change or the global financial crisis.
In order to achieve this, Professor Cribb states we need to overhaul and redesign our diets, and the food production and distribution systems which support them.
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using recycled water and nutrients,” he states. “ There are over a thousand “undiscovered” indigenous vegetables to make this a culinary adventure as well as global awakening and a health revolution. This richness of nature has scarcely been tapped in this regard and our shops, supermarkets, restaurants are poor in diversity compared with what they will become.” Just how much we enjoy our food comes down to the price we are willing to pay for it. “ It is imperative in the coming decade we do two things – first abolish all trade barriers so food production can go where it is most efficient and second, to start paying all farmers a fair price. Today we enjoy the cheapest food in human history. It is a third the price our grandparents paid for it,” he states. “ But it is destroying landscapes, water and farming communities worldwide and causing colossal wastage. It is too cheap to last. Delivering new farming systems and technology to all the world’s farmers, paying fair prices and changing our eating habits is a matter of both national and global urgency.”
Declaring a “World War on Waste” and creating farming and food systems which focus on reducing waste are also among Professor Cribb’s strategies.
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If Varroa were to enter Australia there would be major implications for all crops and products that rely on bee pollination.
Above: Varroa mite on honeybee larvae
Animal Industries
• Improving the effectiveness and economic return from pollination - living with Varroa. • Resource access - landscape and nutrient management for effective Pest and disease management - to ensure the ongoing supply of pollination services. • Reducing crop dependence on honeybees - native pollinators and self-pollinating crops.
Honey Bees and Pollination
The value of the honeybees as pollinators far exceeds their value as honey producers. Honeybees require a food source all year round and so it is often not feasible for farmers to have their own hives. Beekeepers offer a pollination service to farmers by providing hives at the required flowering time. Farmers requiring bees for pollination should contact beekeepers as early as possible.
Varroa Mite Australia is currently free of the devastating Varroa destructor mite. With the presence of Varroa in most beekeeping regions of the world and many of our near neighbours having established populations there has been work undertaken into how to best manage the risk if there is an incursion. Varroa mite is an external parasite that attacks developing bee larvae adult bees, resulting in deformed bees, reduced lifespan, increased susceptibility to other diseases and the ultimate destruction of the colony. Varroa spreads naturally between hives by travelling on the bees. There is the potential for rapid and extensive spread through the current practices of moving hives and equipment. If Varroa were to enter Australia there would be major implications for all crops and products that rely on bee pollination. There would also be reduced honey production
A number of publications are now available including the non-chemical and minimal chemical use options for Varroa mite.
and apiarists would need to repeatedly treat their hives to ensure their survival. In order to minimise the importation risk live bees cannot be imported into Australia without undergoing strict quarantine measures and visitors must declare all bee ad honey products for inspection. Travellers coming into Tasmania from interstate must not bring honeycomb, bees or used bee keeping equipment to the state.
Carbon Farming Through Farm Forestry
The Pollination Program is a jointly funded partnership with RIRDC, HAL and DAFF. The program aims to secure the pollination of Australia’s horticulture and agricultural crops into the future on a sustainable and profitable basis.
Above: Varroa mite on adult honeybee
Pollination is a critical production component of many agricultural and horticultural products. Honeybees are the most important pollinators for these crops.
• Communication - including pollination education, extension and capacity building.
In December three new reports into carbon farming opportunities through farm forestry were released. These reports include: • A comprehensive report on a survey of Tasmanian landholder’s regarding their understanding and perceptions of the carbon economy and their potential role in reducing or offsetting carbon emissions. • Audit of net greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural enterprises on four demonstration farms.
The program has considered:
• Plantation management options for wood production on Tasmanian farms.
• Incursion risk minimisation - for early detection of a threat to pollination service supply.
The reports are available at http://www.privateforests.tas.gov.au/
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Tassie’s making more from sheep
Making More From Sheep Making More From Sheep is a best practice package of information and tools for Australian sheep producers. The centrepiece of the program, Making More From Sheep – A sheep producer’s manual, is designed as a practical and easy-to-use reference for sheep and wool enterprises. Almost 250 leading sheep producers and technical experts helped develop the 11 linked modules in the manual, which cover subjects ranging from soils and pasture to wool and meat marketing, animal health, genetics and farm sustainability. The manual and module downloads are available from www.makingmorefromsheep.com.au
Making More From Sheep cost of production calculator
Image caption: The MMFS program provides the tools to help producers reduce on-farm input costs and increase productivity and profitability.
The Tasmanian MMFS program will be made up of practical activities to help producers identify and remove inefficiencies in production systems in their local areas. “ Our main priority is helping producers assess their enterprise and determine the best return they can expect from their resources,” MMFS Tasmanian State Coordinator Andrew Bailey said. “ That includes being able to objectively assess their ram and ewe base. It also includes identifying strategies for keeping
their lambs alive and growing as best they can to meet all business targets.” MLA Sheepmeat Adoption Manager Richard Apps said regional forums run in conjunction with the MMFS program over the past year had been extremely successful. “ Feedback from more than 1,500 people who attended forums around the region in 2010 will shape future MMFS events to be delivered throughout Australia this year,” he said. The MMFS program includes a producer’s manual available online and in hard copy to appeal to busy producers, comprising an up-front benchmarking quiz and 11 management modules. “ The quiz helps you hone in quickly on the modules that offer the most benefit to your
business,” Mr Apps explained.
The industry’s flagship sheep extension program Making More From Sheep (MMFS) has launched its second phase of delivery to Australian producers.
In addition to print and online resources, the MMFS program provides events and
“ In three minutes, you can get a good overview of a module. In 30 minutes, you can absorb the information in the module. In three hours, you can access management tools and more detailed information via the extensive links contained in each module,” he said.
workshops to help producers apply practices and principles directly to their sheep enterprises. It is delivered in partnership between MLA, Australian Wool Innovation (AWI), State
MMFS provides Australian sheepmeat and wool producers with a best practice package of information and management tools to assist them build profitable and sustainable sheep enterprises. The program focuses on improving reproductive efficiency through genetics and nutrition, decreasing on-farm input costs, and improving pasture management and grazing efficiency.
Departments of Primary Industries and leading private sector consultants. More information: MLA Sheepmeat Research Adoption Manager Richard Apps Phone: 02 6773 3773 Email: rapps@mla.com.au MMFS Tasmanian State Coordinator Andrew Bailey Phone: 03 6336 5385
The Making More from Sheep cost of production calculator enables producers of prime lambs, sheepmeat and wool to measure the performance of their enterprises year-on-year, compare performance with other sheep producers and improve production efficiency across the business. Access the calculator and other tools at www.makingmorefromsheep.com.au
Read more about the roll out of phase two of MMFS across Australia and learn about other regions’ priorities for the coming year in the Jan/Feb issue of MLA’s free member magazine feedback. Check out feedback magazine for market updates, practical on-farm information, the latest red meat marketing campaigns and breakthrough technological advances keeping Australian producers globally competitive. Plus: Missed an episode of feedbackTV? View the latest feedbackTV DVD, catch up on missed episodes or re-watch your favourite feedbackTV stories instantly online at MLA’s website or feedbackTV’s YouTube channel. www.mla.com.au/feedbacktv
Email: andrew.bailey@utas.edu.au
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TMC signs contract with world's largest suit retailer to provide carbon offset wool
2011 NAB Agribusiness Beef Industry Rising Champion
TMC has signed a three year contract with the world’s largest suit retailer, Aoyama of Japan, for the supply of Balanced ZeroC02 Wool. This enables Aoyama to effectively market a suit with a zero carbon footprint.
Alison McIntosh from Crookwell, NSW (representing NSW Farmers’ Association) is the 2011 NAB Agribusiness Beef Industry Rising Champion and will go on to represent Australian beef producers at the young Five Nation’s Beef Alliance forum held in Denver, Colorado, in early 2011.
The agreement is for the delivery of 17.5 20.5 micron merino wool over a three year period, for which shipments commenced in May this year. The volume to date represents a significant contract for Roberts Wool Link grower members, and represents a considerable portion of Aoyama’s sales of three million suits a year.
Ms McIntosh was one of seven outstanding State and Territory finalists who presented to Cattle Council their Australian beef industry solution at the Council’s Annual General Meeting held in Launceston, Tasmania recently. Ms McIntosh’s presentation outlined the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) as the foundation of an electronic on-farm data capture tool. Cattle Council was impressed by the options put forward in the project to deliver benefits back to the producer through more effective use of NLIS as a management tool. Mark Hodge, a beef producer from Moyhu, Victoria, representing Victorian Farmers’ Federation, was presented with the NAB Agribusiness Rising Champion Acknowledgement Award of $750.00 for his innovative presentation on marketing beef using interactive phone applications. Neil Findlay, NAB Agribusiness Head of Southern Australia said that NAB Agribusiness is proud to support the inaugural Rising Champions Initiative and congratulates Alison and Mark along with the other finalists for putting their hand up to learn more about their industry and help address industry challenges.
Finalists each received a plaque at the ‘Beef Industry Rising Champions’ Gala Dinner, an evening that provided opportunities for finalists to expand their networks and learn from those people operating at the ‘bigpicture’ end of the industry. The inaugural Rising Champions Initiative was launched by Cattle Council to inspire, empower and support young people to have an influential say on the big issues facing their future in the beef industry. State farming organisation members of Cattle Council were partners in the initiative: AgForce Queensland, NSW Farmers’ Association, Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association, WA Farmers, Pastoralists and Graziers Association of WA, Northern Territory Cattlemen's Association, Victorian Farmers’ Federation and South Australian Farmers Federation. Rural Press Limited was the Council’s proud media partner.
Alison McIntosh said that as an observer at the Cattle Council meeting she saw a broad range of national beef issues being debated and believed that all beef producers should be aware of how to have input into the national debating forum. “ Producers need to know how the industry works and how they can get their opinion heard, Cattle Council is the conduit between beef producers on the ground, represented by the State Farming Organisations, and the Federal Government – I recommend all beef producers to have their say on important issues and become involved in their state farming organisations,” Ms McIntosh said. “ Young people are the future leaders, we need to be engaged, mentored and included in our industry now.
Mr Osamu Aoyama visited Australia for the formal contract signing at the TMC office in Melbourne with purchasing manager Mr Maekawa and senior management from supply chain partners Nikke and Toabo. This was followed by a visit to a wool growing property near Cavendish, Victoria. On farm Mr Aoyama conducted a tree planting which represented the beginning of this carbon-offset initiative. TMC Pools Manager, Angus Hooke, said that
it was great to see the last three years of time and investment from TMC and the Pool participants towards the development of a carbon offset come to fruition. “ This will help to deliver our aim of stable and sustainable returns to growers,” Mr Hooke said. The contract entails the delivery of wooltop to Aoyama’s manufacturing partners, which is certified Carbon Neutral under the National Carbon Offset Standards through Australian Carbon Trust. Significantly Aoyama will pay a premium to TMC to arrange the carbon offsets. A new flagship store in the upper retail precinct of Ginza, Tokyo will witness the launch of the Balanced ZeroC02 programme at retail in January 2011.
At Roberts clients come first. Selling wool for over 175 years Roberts have been entwined in the success of many farmers, growing with them and their local communities. Our local knowledge and national strength make us a leader in Agribusiness within Australia. • Experienced, highly regarded auctioneer service • Risk management services, including Indicator Contracts and Deliverable Forward Contracts • Access to TMC Merino and TMC X-Bred Pools • Sheep Classing and Ram Selection • Highly experienced, enthusiastic Wool Representatives • Clip preparation advice • Receival depots in Launceston and Hobart.
Roberts. Always innovating. Always marketing wool. Always putting you first.
This is a great initiative which I think will help in very effective succession planning for the beef industry,” said Ms McIntosh.
www.robertsltd.com.au
" The achievements and passion that Alison and Mark have shown for the beef industry make them worthy winners," Mr Findlay said.
(L-R) Greg Brown, CCA President; Alison McIntosh, 2011 NAB Agribusiness Beef Industry Rising Champion; Mark Hodge, NAB Agribusiness Acknowledgement Award winner and Neil Findlay, Head of Southern and Western Operations, NAB Agribusiness
Aoyama has established itself as the largest retailer of wool suits, with 95 per cent of their suits being made from 100 per cent wool. This is a significant point of difference for Aoyama, as most other suit manufacturers produce their suits with wool blends.
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Plant Industries
Prepare for the year of Carbon Prime Minister Julia Gillard has used a major speech to state that in 2011 “there will be nowhere to hide” with climate change issues such as a price on carbon. “ I say we must decide in 2011 on a way of pricing carbon that is supported by a broad enough consensus (so) that it can be legislated,” she said. Given that carbon pricing has the potential to put pressure on key farm inputs such as fertiliser and electricity, TFGA will be looking for the Government to deliver a policy that doesn’t cripple the competitiveness of the Australian agricultural sector. This means
that we will continue to put forward the voice of Tassie farmers and work with the NFF to demonstrate how farmers can be part of the solution to the carbon dilemma. TFGA believes that the recent government commitment to a Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI) is a positive step toward recognising the role that farmers play as land managers and environmental stewards, but we also want to avoid perverse outcomes. It would be an unwelcome situation if prime farmland was resumed by trees to store carbon. We would also like to see, where practical, best management practice programs recognised under suture carbon policies to ensure that a practical and productive shift to low emission farming systems is achieved.
How 'bout that!?
Square Watermelons! A round watermelon can take up a lot of room in a refrigerator and the usually round fruit often sits awkwardly on refrigerator shelves. Smart Japanese Farmers have forced their watermelons to grow into a square shape by inserting the melons into square, tempered glass cases while the fruit is still growing on the vine!
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Minister complacent about growing food imports Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Joe Ludwig, has commented that Australia continues to produce far more food than can be consumed and called for more robust national debate on food security. Commenting on the release of the Australian Food Statistics 2009-10 recently, TFGA CEO Jan Davis said that the federal government displayed a level of complacency in trumpeting that Australia’s overall food surplus value was $14.2 billion in 2009/10. “ To have a robust debate about food security in this country we need Ministers to subject available statistical figures to more rigorous analysis and in-depth investigation than this,” Jan Davis said. She referred to figures with the Australian Food Statistics 2009-10 report which show that 19 percent of vegetables consumed in Australia are now being imported as well as 34 percent of fruit and 17 percent for potatoes. The National Food Policy Working Group was also announced by Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. The working group is as follows: Michael Luscombe – Managing Director and CEO Woolworths; Michael Byrne – CEO Linfox Logistics; Dr Alistair Robertson – Deputy Chief Executive of CSIRO; Terry O’Brien – Managing Director Simplot Australia; Simone Tully – CEO of OBE Organics; Jock Laurie – President National Farmers’ Federation; Janine Allis – CEO Boost Juice; Kate Carnell – CEO Australian Food and Grocery Council; Malcolm Jackman – CEO Elders Ltd; Nick Stace – CEO Choice (Australian Consumers Association); Alison Watkins – Managing Director and CEO Graincorp; Jeff Lawrence – ACTU Secretary; Dr Peter Williams – Associate Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics at University of Wollongong.
This month in TIAR The Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research (TIAR) is a joint venture between the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE) and the University of Tasmania. TIAR’s primary objective is to ensure that all its research, development, extension, education and training programs are of high quality and meet the needs and priorities of Tasmania’s agricultural industries.
Dairy energy efficiency field days TIAR Dairy Centre organised the delivery of a series of field days on energy efficiency on the dairy farm from December 7–10. The field days included speakers about power bills and negotiating energy contracts, efficient energy usage in the dairy shed and for irrigation. The field days were held in Togari, Elizabeth Town, Derby and South Riana. Video footage of the proceedings were beamed via the Internet to King Island dairy farmers. This was the first time extension has been delivered by ‘webinar’ in Tasmania for dairy farmers. The field days were funded and supported by the staff from three projects: Dairy Smart, Climate Change Adaptation and Climate Futures for Tasmania.
Climate change forum Richard Rawnsley was a keynote speaker at the dairy industry forum on ‘Tasmanian Dairying in a Changing Climate’, on December 2 at the Sir Raymond Farrell Centre, Newnham Campus of the University of Tasmania. The presentation gave a research perspective on what the projected climate scenarios mean for pasture growth and milk production in Tasmania and examined how Tasmania compares with other dairy regions. The forum was attended by farmers, service providers and industry representatives.
‘Wealth for Water’ TIAR’s Extensive Agriculture Centre Leader, Dr Leigh Sparrow, will take on a new role as program convenor for irrigated agriculture with TIAR. Leigh and WfW project officer, Fiona Kerslake, participated in the launch of the Wealth from Water (WfW) Program at Meander. The project officer has been liaising closely with DPIPWE land and climate-mapping staff to ensure the mapping meets the needs of end-users. A good working relationship has been established that will facilitate any necessary fine-tuning of the approach. Leigh has also accompanied departmental staff on a field trip to New Zealand to study irrigation and climate-mapping.
Chinese delegation to TIAR Food Safety Centre The Food Safety Centre (FSC) hosted a delegation from Tianjin University of Science and Technology (TUST) comprising the President and Vice-President of the university as well as the Director of International Services and the Deputy Director of International Exchanges. Presentations of research and teaching were made both by the TUST delegation and members of the FSC followed by a tour of the laboratories at the Sandy Bay campus. The TUST delegation also met with the UTAS Deputy Vice Chancellor and Dean of Science, Engineering and Technology.
Collaboration with Danish Technical University Associate Professor Tom Ross met with Dr Nauta from the Danish Technical University’s Food Research Institute regarding potential collaboration with the FSC in the area of efficiency of food microbiology predictive and risk-modelling for risk assessments. The potential of a visit by a postgraduate student from the Danish Technical University in 2012 was discussed.
Apple marketing The Weekend Australian magazine had a two-page spread on the Tasmanian apple industry, interviewing Howard Hansen of Hansen’s Orchards. The article highlighted that whilst Tasmania’s production had fallen to around 11% of national production, Tasmania represents around 65% of the apples exported overseas. Dr Hazel McTavishWest (consultant recently returned from the UK who formerly researched in Boronia essential oil production at UTAS) was interviewed regarding measurement of flavour profiles to give a marketing quality edge. It is likely that the TIAR Perennial Horticulture Centre will be working with Hazel in this area through the Central Science Laboratory and the horticulture laboratory in Hobart.
New and emerging industries The National Research, Development and Extension Framework Strategy for New and Emerging Industries, produced by the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) was recently endorsed by the Primary Industries Ministerial Council. The strategy identifies TIAR as a potential preferred provider for the RD&E Focus Area in ‘New Cold Climate Plant Industries’.
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Managing weeds in Tasmania Two initiatives contained in TFGA's submission to the Tasmanian Government 2011/12 state budget process are focusing on managing weeds. The weeds in question are serrated tussock and willows. One of the worst perennial grass weeds in Australia is serrated tussock. If left unmanaged it has the capacity to greatly reduce productivity of grazing lands, impact on biodiversity values and in inaccessible and difficult to manage areas, can be a continuous source of seed for whole regions and communities. Eradication of serrated tussock needs to happen now and the TFGA believe a government financial program that matches landowner’s funds will assist the State to remove serrated tussock successfully. We are proposing that the government provide funding of $100,000 over three years to be
made available to landholders as matching funds to eradicate serrated tussock. Willows are now regarded as one of Australia’s most serious riparian and wetland weeds and are listed as one of Australia’s 20 Weeds of National Significance. One of the big impacts right across the spectrum is that willows are water guzzlers. Four years of water balance measurement within southern New South Wales and northern Victoria have determined that potential water savings of 5.5 ML/ha/year are achievable by removing willows growing in stream or in areas where their roots are permanently inundated.
How much greenhouse gas does your farm really emit?
The TFGA are proposing to the government to undertake an audit of willow infestations on waterways to assess, on a scale of bad to worse, the economic, social and environmental impacts. From that audit funding of $100,000 over three years to be made available to landholders as matching funds to strategically control willows on waterways.
One of the worst perennial grass weeds in Australia is serrated tussock.
Growing Leaders The People Development program in the Australian vegetable industry builds skills of the most important part of the industry – our people.
The vegetable industry is Australia’s fourth largest agriculture industry, with a production valued at $3.36 billion in 2007/08. The 25 graduates from Growing Leaders Program in 2009 and 2010 have been making a big contribution to their businesses and the vegetable industry since completing their leadership training. Two Tasmanian growers who completed the training in 2009 were: Andrew Craigie (2009) is now Chair of the Vegetable Council with Tasmanian Farmers & Graziers Association. Phillip Loane (2009) has continued his role of chair of the TFGA Simplot brassica committee and a member of the TFGA Vegetable Council, and Chris McKenna
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Serrated tussock
(2009) has also joined the TFGA Vegetable Council. Marcus Brandsema (2009), a greenhouse grower from Tasmania was recently awarded the TQA Australia Global Insights Award for 2010. Marcus plans to use the Award to research more environmentally friendly ways to heat green houses. He will travel overseas to investigate the use of Biomass Gasification to replace the current dependence on LPG and natural gas. People development programs for vegetable growers build personal skills, leadership growth, increased business knowledge and understanding of supply chains. The Growing Leaders Program under the VIDP will be run again in 2011.
A new project hopes to clarify the variation in emissions that result from different horticultural practise and provide better rules for estimating farm emissions.
Measuring the emissions of greenhouse gases from farms is a complicated business. Emissions calculators currently rely on generalised conversion factors to estimate emissions. While this is easy, it doesn’t reflect the actual emissions level that can result from different farming practices, soil conditions, fertiliser type and application rate. A new project hopes to clarify the variation in emissions that result from different horticultural practise and provide better rules for estimating farm emissions. This sort of research has been performed for some broadacre crops, but this new project is one of the first attempts to quantify the variation in emissions in intensive horticulture. A number of research sites are being established on selected farms in Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania. The project involves Houston’s Farm, Growcom, Agri-Science Queensland (formerly the Queensland Department of Primary Industries), the
Victorian Department of Primary Industries and Horticulture Australia Limited. Measurements of greenhouse gases will be repeated over successive rotations for a two year period. The measurements involve capturing gases in a set of chambers placed over the beds, extracting small samples of the gases, and sending the samples to the Department of Environment and Resource Management for analysis using mass spectrometry. This will provide measurements of the three main greenhouse gases that are produced in horticulture – carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). The first measurements were completed in September 2010. In addition to the measurements, this project will also feature a number of open field days to demonstrate the differences for the various management practices in actual emissions and productivity. More information on these field days will be advertised when the details are finalised. This project is funded by the federal Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry through the Australia’s Farming Future program. Source: Growcom, November 2010
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Environment
Natural Resource Management (NRM) and Tasmania’s agricultural future At the core of Tasmania’s ability to have a long term quality based agricultural future is the quality of our natural resources. Whether soils, water or the supporting natural systems, their quality is paramount to both our ability to produce and also to the marketability of that product. Given the relatively small land mass we occupy, and divide that by a third and we are not talking about large slabs of land. But what we do have is highly productive while we continue to support that capacity and not run it down. And that is the catch.
Why bother? Because we are not ultimately dealing with individual farms when it comes to managing natural resources. What happens 5 farms up the valley has a direct impact on your farm over time. And so for the state to continue to maintain and improve its productive capacity, we need to be managing the big picture of our natural resources.
But it does not stop there. Just having the knowledge at an institutional level is no help to anyone and so NRM organisations along with others continue to have a key role in extending and helping apply that perspective. One of the reasons the NRM regions have been actively supporting, investing in and developing property management planning is as a mechanism to do just this. We are able to collect information at a property level, add that to our knowledge at a catchment and regional level (and sometimes state level) and build a reasonable picture of where we are at with our natural resources and the issues which are arising that need to be thought about and acted on. That same mechanism allows us to provide a landscape perspective into planning at a farm level.
All farmers and land managers are managers of natural resources. But they can
generally only see their patch and maybe a bit beyond. The task for NRM organisations is to provide a much broader perspective to planning and day to day activities at a farm and regional level and everywhere in between. This perspective involves understanding the knowledge that exists at all those levels, including the knowledge that exists at a farm level from many generations of observation, and working to make sense of it at the landscape level.
... not only does good natural resource management maintain productive capacity, it supports Tasmanian agriculture's chief advantage, marketing our image. Brian Baxter
NRM North – working with
you
to ensure long term, productive outcomes with a focus on the balance between production and conservation values. We assist landholders with: Sustainable Agriculture - Promoting farm productivity, prosperous farming communities and environmental stewardship. Planning for Best Practise - Bringing together Property Management Planning (PMP) with best practise management options. Climate Change - Assisting the agriculture and urban environments to deal with climate change issues in practical ways.
NRM North - 6333 7777
• www.nrmnorth.org.au
We are, whether we like it or not, one of the more agriculturally reliant states in Australia. I think it is a good thing but it does mean the community at large needs to have an appreciation of this and a stronger connection to agriculture. At a more domestic level, we need to bring a great understanding of sustainable agriculture to urban communities. Until consumers (and that includes industries which value add primary produce) better understand the impact they have on natural resources and the people managing them, the agricultural sector at large will find maintaining natural resource capital increasingly difficult. And finally, for Tasmania to prosper, we do need to make good use of the resources we have and the irrigation development process is obviously seeking to do just this. And as with any development which dramatically changes industry, especially a natural resource based industry such as agriculture, there needs to be the constructive but sometimes annoying word of caution. When it comes to irrigation development there are plenty of those. We must continue to examine the sustainability, from source to use, to ensure we do not exceed the capacity of our natural resources. And from all indications this is occurring. We just cannot afford to stop keeping our eye on it. John Ruskin famously said, “The bitterness of poor quality is forgotten long after the pleasure of low cost is forgotten”.
Did you know...? Home brands on the up Australians’ taste for private labels in groceries during the GFC shows no sign of abating as economic conditions improve. Market researchers IBISWorld say private labels account for nearly one-quarter of the $70 billion grocery market. IBISWorld General Manager (Australia), Robert Bryant, observes that growth in the private label groceries has out performed traditional branded groceries consistently for quite some time. “In certain sectors such as dairy, private label growth has been dramatic, with private label milk sales rising from 25 per cent of supermarket milk sales in 1999 to a massive 52 per cent last year,” Mr Bryant said. “This is due to the common perception that branded products are not necessarily of a higher quality within specific segments.” Private label products making headway include bread, cereals and pet food.
Men ‘Grab & Go’ Men tend to be ‘grab and go’ grocery shoppers who prefer fast and efficient service over quibbling on price and choice, according to a Queensland University of Technology study. Dr Gary Mortimer, from QUT’s School of Advertising Marketing and Public Relations, studied the shopping differences between men and women. “In most advanced economies, grocery shopping is considered to be the female’s domain,” he says. “However the latest statistics show that 40 per cent of men do the grocery shopping.” Dr Mortimer said his study of 280 shoppers sought to identify behaviours differences between these ‘new age’ male shoppers and the traditional female grocery shopper. “With respect to planning, men will seldom use lists, unless one has been prepared for them, and men will rarely read catalogues. Women in contrast will read store catalogues, prepare lists and plan their grocery shopping effectively.”
Families battle to get kids to eat their vegies Around 50 per cent of families with children under the age of 15 find their children’s eating habits are a key barrier against their household consuming more vegetables. According to a new report, Increasing children’s liking for and consumption of vegetables: the effects of exposure and reward, the key issues preventing consumption of vegetables are that children are resistant to consuming new foods and need to develop a taste for the food by trying it in small amounts. The findings have also indicated that there are a number of different influences affecting vegetable consumption within families with parents and friends playing a key role regarding their children’s attitudes.
The role of NRM organisations in Tasmanian agriculture is to work in partnership with the sector to bring perspectives, activities and initiatives which support the long term sustainability of Agriculture in Tasmania so that in 50 or 100 years time we are not regretting the poor quality of our actions now.
The research suggests that by involving children in growing, preparing and cooking vegetables they will also be encouraged to eat them. Almost 40 per cent of young families interviewed, revealed their children were encouraging the parents to purchase more vegetables as a result of this strategy. Source: Growcom October 2010
Working with you to care for the natural resources of our island home.
But not only does good natural resource management maintain productive capacity, it supports Tasmanian agricultures chief advantage, marketing our image. While the marketing itself is not a key NRM role, providing some of the underpinning sustainability management frameworks for the marketers to use is. Branding or image increasingly requires verification and demonstration of claims. And because NRM bodies are squarely in the space of supporting natural resource management, we are well placed to support some of the foundations that demonstrate our agricultural credentials.
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Environment
One learns from experience. Two from communication....
When did your insurer last visit you on-site? WFI Launches new Rural Plan product.
We all know that insurance is essential for the protection of our business and livelihood, but sometimes it can seem a complicated and confusing product to purchase. How do you know that you are covered for the right amount?
In line with its philosophy to provide clients with relevant and innovative insurance products, WFI has launched a revamped Rural Plan insurance package, with many enhanced benefits.
Every business is different, therefore your insurance requirements are different. Wouldn’t it be so much easier if someone visited you on-site to assess your situation?
How do people learn and acquire new skills?
WFI are part of the Wesfarmers group and specialise in providing farm, business and strata insurance packages that you can tailor to suit your requirements. With WFI you have the flexibility to combine a number of insurance policies into one integrated package. This can not only be cost effective, but also easier to manage. What’s more, you also have the convenience of combining your domestic insurance.
Research shows that each person learns in a unique way, by using a combination of aural, oral, visual and kinaesthetic senses, but one of these senses may be dominate. That is, we learn by hearing (listening), speaking, seeing and doing (performing). Section 9.1c of the Workplace Health & Safety Act 1995 states: “an employer must provide any information, instruction, training and supervision reasonably necessary to ensure that each employee (worker) is safe from injury and risk to health” As some farmers employ casual workers for just a few days for specific tasks, (e.g harvest), or a student during their vacation, how can farmers efficiently & effectively deliver the training & supervision? Training Research: confirms that demonstrations and role modelling are very powerful teaching aids, particularly the triple demonstration system. 1st demonstration of the task is silent and at a “normal” pace. This engages the “visual” learner. 2nd demonstration is at a slow pace, talking and describing each segment in detail, plus describing the things that are crucial to safe performance. This engages the aural learner + visual learner.
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WFI, proud alliance partner of TFGA, operate with the simple philosophy of striving for excellence in claims and service. When someone decides to do business with WFI, he or she is treated as an individual. From the moment of first contact to the settlement of a claim, clients can be sure of personal attention from a professional and experienced team. This is why WFI are good people to know. Contact your local WFI Area Manager today on 1300 934 934. Alternatively you can visit www.wfi.com.au for more information.
Cover under the burglary and theft policy has been extended to include insured items stolen from an auctioneer’s store and items temporarily removed from the farm premises. There are also a number of increased benefit limits for damage to premises, replacement keys and locks and temporary protection or boarding up of the premises.* Call your local Area Manager on 1300 934 934 or visit www.wfi.com.au for more information. *Subject to the terms and conditions of the policy.
WFI, good people to know. 3rd demonstration is at normal pace, but stressing the “key points” which make it safe and performed correctly. The 4th component is immediate “practice”, under the supervision of the trainer, or when the trainer is nearby, able to watch but gives the learner space to be comfortable to practise without feeling nervous and dominated. For raw learners and especially if it is a dangerous task, “speaking” through the steps before performing the task for the first time plus asking for an explanation of the “key points” is invaluable affirmation of their understanding. Feedback & Guidance: Immediately after the practise it is important to give “feedback” and guidance to the learner. It is vital that positive points are included in the feedback. The “ham sandwich” is best practice feedback, where the guidance/ correction is delivered between 2 positive points. An encouraging comment is always helpful.
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There are some increased limits for farm property damage, including the death of working dogs and horses from $500 to $1,000 and fire fighting costs from $5,000 to $10,000. For farm legal liability functions held at the farm, such as weddings and receptions, are now covered and aerial spraying activity is now an automatically included additional benefit within this policy.
Well that person is only a phone call away! WFI, one of Australia’s reputable insurers, prides itself on offering personal, on-site, service. Your local WFI Area Manager can visit you on-site to conduct an insurance risk assessment, outlining the various insurance options you may need to consider.
Some tasks require lots of practise before the teacher is comfortable that the learner is competent. If there is a group being inducted for that harvest, pairing the beginner with a repeat & competent worker, with both demonstrating to each other, is a good technique. Aids are helpful: Aids such as photos of the task, and SOPs (safe operating procedures) sited close to the where the task is performed can assist the learning plus provide references for the learner to “check”. Documented training records of what, how, when and who are important for traceability. No one is perfect and we all can forget some steps or take short cuts when in a hurry. Revisiting the demonstrations may be needed for repeat workers. It is easy to slip into “poor” habits. Why reinvent the wheel? It is possible to obtain proforma SOPs from the CD accompanying the WorkCover Tasmania publication “Making your Small Business Safer & Healthier” GB148 October 2010.
TFGA’s insurance alliance partner, WFI is a member of the Wesfarmers group and has a long and proud history of looking after the people on the land, through good times and bad. Throughout its 90 year history, the company has handled just about everything Mother Nature can throw its way. WFI’s philosophy has always been one of striving for excellence in claims and service. Contact your local WFI Area Manager for an obligation free quote or to discuss your insurance requirements by calling 1300 934 934 or by visiting www.wfi.com.au. WFI, good people to know. WFI is a trading name of Wesfarmers General Insurance Limited ABN 24 000 036 279 AFSL 241461, the issuer of our policies. Any advice provided does not take into account your objectives, financial situation and needs. You should consider these matters and contact WFI for a copy of the relevant Product Disclosure Statement before you act on any advice. If you take out a policy with WFI, TFGA receives a commission from WFI of between 3% and 7.5% of the value of the premium payment (excluding taxes and charges).
N FF LLY YI NI G P H (03) 6343 6555
GC
O C L OOU LR O S P R I N T I N PG
U R S
R I N T I N G
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TFGA MEMBER
Discount Directory Mitsubishi Dealers of Tasmania TFGA members receive National Fleet discounts across the range + $500 genuine accessories. Contact your local Dealer for more information. Launceston 6323 0200
Hobart 6223 3300
Devonport 6424 4422
Burnie 6435 5500
The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel TFGA members receive discounted accommodation rates at The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel. Simply mention the TFGA Membership Card at the time of making your reservation.
1 Macquarie Street, Hobart. Phone: 1800 814 676 Email: reservations@oldwoolstore.com.au
Bebco Tractor Parts (Tasmania)
Metaland
Has a full range of replacement tractor and engine parts and is offering TFGA members a 10% member discount.
Metaland has all your rural fencing, steel and accessory needs to get the job done without the dramas! With TFGA members receiving a 10% discount.
54-56 Forster Street, Invermay. Phone: 6334 2211 Email: spares@bepbob.com.au
Simon Martin Whips & Leathercraft TFGA members save $10.00 off any purchase over $100.00 4 Formby Road, Devonport. Phone: 6424 3972 Fax: 6424 9969 Email: simon@whipmaker.com.au www.whipmaker.com.au
61 Sunderland Street, Moonah Phone: 6272 2877 245 Hobart Road, Kings Meadows Phone: 6344 9714 12 Fairlands Drive, Somerset Phone: 6435 1500
SFM Forest Products
Tasman Horse Floats
SFM is your one stop forestry company offering forest management, harvesting and planning.
TFGA members save $400 off any new horse float
SFM offers free forest certification to all participating landowners. 70 Hampden Road, Battery Point. Phone: 6223 3536 Email: adingley@sfmes.com.au
79 Mayne Street, Invermay Phone: 6326 5540 Email: tasmanfloats1@settelco.net.au
Allframe Steel
Tall Timbers
Our Allframe steel rural and industrial buildings have been setting the standard in Tasmania for 15 years – as seen at AGFEST.
Offering TFGA members fantastic discounts on all accommodation types. Groups of 4 or more will receive a 10% discount on all Tall Timber Adventure Tour experiences.
Genuine discounts to TFGA members.
PO Box 1597, Doncaster East VIC 3109 316 Springvale Road, Donvale VIC 3111 Phone: (03) 9842 0073. Fax: (03) 9841 8185. Mobile: 0417 546 661. Email: info@allframesteel.com.au www.allframesteel.com.au
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On the land, it’s not just what you know.
Scotchdown Road, Smithton. Phone: 1800 628 476
At WFI, we believe the best way to work with our clients is face to face. That’s why we have over 80 branches across the country. Find out for yourself why WFI is one of Australia’s leading rural insurance companies by contacting your local branch on 1300 934 934 or visit www.wfi.com.au.
WFI is a trading name of Wesfarmers General Insurance Limited ABN 24 000 036 279 AFSL 241461.
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Claim The Date!
What will
agriculture look like in
2050?
Policy Forum, Lunch & Field Trip
2nd & 3rd June, 2011 Country Club Tasmania, Launceston Speakers include...
Professor Julian Cribb
whose work on food security is well known
Bernard Salt
whose work on business implications of demographic and social change has been well documented in the media
Dr Tony Press
CEO, Climate Futures for Tasmania
Mick Keogh
Executive Director, Australian Farm Institute
e tur ure
Fu
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ut
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e ur
Ag r
ure’s F ut ult ic
Yo u r
For more details, contact Nardia on 6332 1818 or visit www.tfga.com.au
Ou
r
22/12/2010 4:52:22 PM