DAFFnews - Issue 179

4 May 2012

Support for Rural Women's Award as winners are announced

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Joe Ludwig, has announced $225,000 in continued funding support to the RIRDC Rural Women’s Award, Australia’s pre-eminent award for rural women.

The RIRDC Rural Women’s Award supports women with demonstrated leadership capabilities and a commitment to make an even greater contribution to their industries and communities.

Minister Ludwig, who met with South Australian RIRDC Rural Woman of the Year, Mary Retallack, said the continued funding will support the awards up until 2014, and that it recognises the crucial role rural women play in rural and regional Australia.

The 2012 RIRDC Rural Women’s Award state and territory winners have now been officially announced and presented at events across Australia, receiving a $10,000 bursary to achieve their Award ambition.

The winners will go on to compete for the 2012 Australian RIRDC Rural Women's Award with the national winner announced at the Award’s celebratory dinner, to be held on the night of Tuesday 9 October 2012 at Parliament House, Canberra.

Successful WA drought pilot to come to an end

Recipients of assistance under the Western Australia drought pilot are reminded that the suite of programs is due to conclude on 30 June 2012.

The Australian and WA Governments committed a budget of approximately $81 million for a two-year trial of measures under the WA pilot, which has assisted farmers to better manage risks and prepare for future challenges, such as drought.

Following initial successes, the pilot was extended and expanded in May 2011 to cover an area where approximately 96 per cent of Western Australian farmers reside.

The pilot has been an effective trial of drought reform measures and the findings of the pilot from the Drought Pilot Review Panel’s report will help the government in the consideration of future drought policy.

Farm businesses are advised to make sure appropriate preparations are in place for the conclusion of the pilot.

Further details on the WA pilot. Drought Assistance Hotline 13 23 16.

Increased Production for wine grape growers in 2012-13

Wine grape growers are likely to see growth in production in the coming season following a rain-affected crop this year. Assuming favourable seasonal conditions and a return to more average yields, a 5 per cent increase to 1.61 million tonnes in 2012–13 is expected.

According to Australian Wine Grape Production Projections, released by ABARES this week, production is projected to increase further in 2013-14 to 1.63 million tonnes.

ABARES Executive Director, Paul Morris, said if these increases are realised they would represent some improvement on the less than ideal growing conditions experienced by growers in 2011-12.

“For many regions in eastern Australia, the damage sustained by vineyards during the wet 2010–11 growing season had a negative effect on the fruit set of this year’s crop,” Mr Morris said.

“Given the amount of rainfall again this season across eastern Australia, there has been greater vigilance with canopy management practices, such as thinning and spraying for diseases,” Mr Morris said.

The report, Australian Wine Grape Production Projections, is available on the ABARES website.

Minister's visit to Brisbane airport

This week, Minister Ludwig visited Brisbane International Airport to look at passenger operations in the airport environment.

During the visit, Minister Ludwig acknowledged the 20th anniversary of detector dog operations, meeting with some of Brisbane’s dog handlers for a demonstration of the dogs at work.

Detector dogs are one element of Australia’s extensive biosecurity system–a system that works onshore, offshore and at the border to protect Australia’s way, and quality, of life.

Today, DAFF Biosecurity has 87 detector dog teams deployed throughout Australian airports, seaports, mail centres and private courier depots.

National Landcare Conference

On behalf of the Landcare community the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is calling for abstracts for the National Landcare Conference 2012, themed ‘Landcare- the future in our hands’.

The conference, held from 3 to 5 September at the National Convention and Exhibition Centre in Sydney, will bring together people that are interested in creating sustainable landscapes for the 21st century.

This includes Landcare and community groups, land managers and farmers, industry, regional bodies and government representatives from across Australia. Abstract submissions will close on Tuesday, 12 June 2012.

Learn more about the National Landcare Conference call for abstracts, or submit your own abstract.

Last reviewed:
14 May 2012
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