RIRDC Completed Projects in 2000-2001 & Research in Progress as at June 2001

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Human Capital, Communications & Information Systems COMPLETED PROJECTS 2000-2001

Information and Communications Systems: 1

PROJECT No	PROJECT TITLE	RESEARCHER	PHONE	ORGANISATION
BNT-1A	Developing a sustainable satellite fire monitoring program for rural northern Australia	Jeremy Russell- Smith	08 8984 4000	Bushfires Council NT
FM-4A	Farm Management 500 global networks and adoption of the Web	Neil Clark	03 5441 6176	Farm Management 500
UCA-5A	E-Commerce in rural areas: Case studies and workshop	Franco Papandrea	02 6201 5083	University of Canberra

Extension, Education and Training: 9

PROJECT No	PROJECT TITLE	RESEARCHER	PHONE	ORGANISATION
RDP-1A	Joint RDC business/investment plan for extension and farmer learning processes	David Heinjus	08 8842 1103	Rural Directions Pty Ltd
US-90A	Determining the livestock industries' needs for animal health services into the 21st century	Reuben Rose	02 9351 2462	The University of Sydney

Rural Communities and Social Issues: 9; 12

PROJECT No	PROJECT TITLE	RESEARCHER	PHONE	ORGANISATION
ECU-6A	Strategies for revitalising small inland towns and rural communities	Alan Black	08 9400 5844	Edith Cowan University
ECU-10A	The impacts of changing farm business structures on rural communities	Matthew Tonts	08 9380 7392	Edith Cowan University
RSI-1A	The Internet and Regional Australia - How regional communities address the impact of the Internet	Rosie Simpson	07 3898 6283	Rosie Simpson
WAC-1A	What motivates rural men to improve their health status?	Samar Aoun	08 9792 2500	WA Centre for Rural Health and Community Development Inc

Policies and Institutions: 9; 14

PROJECT No	PROJECT TITLE	RESEARCHER	PHONE	ORGANISATION
ICH-1A	Standardisation of methodologies and terminologies used to measure best practice and performance in primary industries	Michael Boyce	0418 674 312	Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia

Farm Health and Safety: 9; 15

PROJECT No	PROJECT TITLE	RESEARCHER	PHONE	ORGANISATION
WS990-22	Agricultural Pesticides and Human Health – a one-day workshop	Lyn Fragar	02 6752 8210	Australian Centre for Agricultural Health and Safety, University of Sydney

Leadership: 9; 17

PROJECT No	PROJECT TITLE	RESEARCHER	PHONE	ORGANISATION
DOY-1A	Rural Women's Award 2000 - Rowena Doyle	Rowena Doyle	03 5382 2811
GIB-1A	Rural Women's Award 2000 - Diana Gibbs	Diana Gibbs	02 6942 3898
NEN-1A	Rural Women's Award 2000 - Mary Nenke	Mary Nenke	08 9864 6054
PFE-1A	Rural Women's Award 2000 - Annie Pfeffer	Annie Pfeffer	07 4693 8191
SCH-1A	Rural Women's Award 2000 - Carol Schofield	Carol Schofield	08 8558 8215
TAY-1A	Rural Women's Award 2000 - Anne Taylor	Anne Taylor	03 6398 6212
AGK-1A	RIRDC Business Plan Competition	Peter Cooke	08 9453 2187

Information and Communications Systems


Project Title:	Developing a sustainable satellite fire monitoring program for rural northern Australia
RIRDC Project No.:	BNT-1A
Researcher:	Jeremy Russell-Smith
Organisation:	Bushfires Council NT  PO Box 37346 WINNELLIE NT 0821
Phone:	08 8984 4000
Fax:	08 8947 2263
Email:	Jeremy.russell-smith@nt.gov.au
Objectives	§ To develop accurate, reliable systems for the satellite monitoring and mapping of fires across the fire-prone savanna regions of northern Australia, through the critical assessment of errors associated with current WA and NT fire-monitoring programs using NOAA-AVHRR data § To provide north Australian rural communities ready, daily access to remotely sensed fire data.
Background	At a 1997 workshop held to discuss rural fire management issues across northern Australia, and attended by senior representatives from all major land use sectors and rural fire management agencies, urgent priority was given to undertaking field verification of daily fire monitoring and mapping products derived from satellite (NOAA-AVHRR) imagery. These products were in use by rural land managers and fire management agencies in the NT and WA, and their introduction into Queensland was planned. Verification was required to improve the reliability / accuracy of information supplied to end users. The workshop endorsed the obvious benefits of timely, reliable and accurate fire mapping and related products (eg curing index) for strategic, safety, economic and historical / research purposes. Importantly, this information can be processed and disseminated to end users rapidly, cheaply and efficiently over the Internet.
Research	Field verification was undertaken at five northern Australian savanna sites in WA, NT, Qld across the rainfall gradient, encompassing different terrain types. Detailed ground-truth data was collected from aerial and ground transects to assess accuracy etc of fire mapping using fine resolution LANDSAT satellite imagery, and which in turn can be used to truth the much coarser resolution NOAA-AVHRR imagery. The project brings together a team of remote sensing and fire management specialists from a range of agencies and research institutes. Assessment was also undertaken of end-user needs in order to implement effective information delivery system to end-users.
Outcomes	The final report addresses two main issues as follows:  (1) Assessment of accuracy of current fire mapping: Detailed assessments are provided of: (a) the accuracy of fire map products derived from relatively coarse-resolution (pixels 1.1 X 1.1 km2), manually interpreted, NOAA-AVHRR imagery produced by the Department of Land Administration (DOLA), WA, based on ground validation at 5 sites across northern Australia; (b) an assessment of the limitations of above fire mapping, especially in relation to small fires and patchiness, based on field-work undertaken in the Victoria River district in the NT; and (c) an approach to automate the mapping of fires from NOAA-AVHRR imagery undertaken for the Laura Basin region of NE QLD by the Climate Impacts & Natural Resources Systems group of the QLD Dept.of Natural Resources & Mines. In sum, the above case studies illustrate: (a) current manually digitised fire mapping for northern Australia is reasonably accurate, but quality varies across different regions; (b) fire mapping derived from such coarse-resolution imagery is unable to depict fires smaller than 4 km2, or fine-scale patchiness; and (c) automated approaches to fire mapping show considerable promise. (2) Use of satellite-derived fire monitoring data by end-users: Three case studies are provided, one each from QLD, NT, WA, illustrating current requirements and uses by end-user rural communities, as follows: § a regional example from Cape York Peninsula describes how that community is learning to access available fire mapping and related data from a number of website sources; § a regional example from the Sturt Plateau region of the NT demonstrates the practical use of satellite data for monitoring the passage of, and managing, large wildfires; and § based on a recent workshop hosted by DOLA in Perth, an assessment of end-user requirements of satellite-based fire monitoring and mapping data.
Implications	The report has a number of major implications as follows: § it is evident that the requirement for reliable, near "real time"satellite-derived fire monitoring and mapping information is rapidly growing in northern Australia as rural communities become aware of its potential for various applications in regional- and property-scale fire management; § such recognition is despite inherent problems with: (1) the accuracy of current fire mapping products, including detection of small and patchy fires, and positional accuracy of daily "hot spots"; and (2) inability of many remote landholders and communities to readily access such information from website and other digital sources; and thus § there are ongoing requirements for: 1. #9; Further developing, and providing access to, information dissemination systems, particularly through the internet, and associated skilling of regional land managers in the use of satellite-based data; 2. #9; developing, as far as practicable, automated procedures for the mapping of fires from frequent, coarse-resolution satellite data; and 3. #9; embracing the challenge for researching and implementing relevant data sources from new satellite systems, for example: MODIS, with optical sensors specifically designed for frequent monitoring and mapping of fires; and radar sensors which, potentially, should permit the observation of burnt areas under cloudy conditions.
Publications	Collett L, Hassett R, Taube C, Flood N & Hall W (2001). Validation of NOAA fire scar maps in the Laura Basin using Landsat TM imagery and field data. Report to RIRDC and the Tropical Savannas Cooperative Research Centre. Queensland Department of Natural Resources & Mines, Brisbane. Russell-Smith J, Allan G & Yates C (eds.)(2001). Developing a sustainable satellite fire monitoring program for rural northern Australia. Final report to RIRDC, Project BNT-1A. Tropical Savannas Cooperative Research Centre, Darwin.

Project Title:	Fm500 Global – Global Networks and adoption of the web
RIRDC Project No.:	FM-4A
Researcher:	Neil Clark
Organisation:	Farm Management 500 Pty Ltd
Phone:	03 5441 6176
Fax:	03 5444 4299
Email:	Fm500@netcon.net.au
Objectives	Create Global networks for FM500 farming families and accelerate the adoption of email/internet services to improve access to quality technical, financial and social information. This will lead to the creation of International Benchmarks for farmers, the adoption of world best practice and expanded travel opportunities for all members of the family.
Background	Farm Management 500 is a network of ongoing farm management discussion groups facilitated by private consultants across southeastern Australia. Valuable networks have been established at local level. The next step is to extend these networks overseas. The Internet is continually creating new ways of communication and doing business.  There are three barriers to moving from ‘local to global’. The first is actually finding the right contacts, the second is developing written communication skills, and the final is selecting the most useful communications media, including Internet and email.
Implications	Despite rural internet and infrastructure barriers, FM500 members have taken up the Internet/email technology at a much faster rate than the general farming community, with weather, price discovery, market analysis and technical/production research being major uses. There is potential to establish strong global networks and contacts, however it needs to be carefully planned and well resourced, with commitment to relationships being avoided until compatibility is clear. Many FM500 members are using the internet as a source of market information and intelligence prior to purchasing a product. However, they are conducting the transaction by traditional means.  The e-commerce awareness, application and assessment model developed in this project has worked well and could be refined more for wider use.
Recommendations	More opportunities are needed to enable farmers to evaluate the potential impact of e-business. Identify and firm up compatible global groups. The FM500 private group extension model is unique. It should be encouraged in other countries. Ongoing global networking will require painstaking research to guarantee the compatibility of groups. Whole business benchmarking provides an effective channel of evaluation prior to full commitment. There are opportunities for matching farming families across the world for exchange of family members for harvest and/or seeding labour requirements and for personal development.
Publications	Farm Management 500 Global: Global Networks and Adoption of the Web, McCarthy & Clark, 2001, RIRDC publication no. 01/16

Project Title:	E-commerce in rural areas: Case Studies and Workshop
RIRDC Project No.:	UCA-5A
Researcher:	A/Prof Franco Papandrea
Organisation:	University of Canberra Communication and Media Policy
Phone:	02 6201 5083
Fax:	02 6201 2630
Email:	Franco.papandrea@canberra.edu.au
Objectives	To encourage greater adoption of e-commerce in rural areas by highlighting its benefits through a workshop based on case studies of practical e-commerce applications an preparation of a related report for wider distribution.
Background	E-commerce is developing rapidly and although the rural sector appeared to be well placed to benefit from wider application of e-commerce, it had a low take-up rate within that sector. The nature of agricultural production and marketing arrangements and the need to remain internationally competitive were regarded as major potentially motivating factors for adoption of e-commerce.
Research	Extensive searches with major Internet search engines were undertaken to identify potential case studies. The searches, augmented with a review of previous studies and reports on the use of the Internet by rural sector enterprises, led to the identification of over 80 websites associated with rural business activities.  Although unrelated to the primary objective of the research, the sectoral distribution of the identified web sites suggests that not all rural activities are equally conducive to the adoption of e-commerce practices. For example, very few web sites were related to some major agricultural commodities suggesting that market structures are likely to have an influence on that adoption of e-commerce practices. Some 30 web sites were selected for more detailed analysis resulting in almost 20 case studies of enterprises, large and small, that were gaining benefits such as increased sales and lower costs from e-commerce activities. Several of the case studies, illustrating a range of e-commerce activities including developments such as electronic markets and electronic supply chain management systems for agricultural commodities, were selected for presentation at a workshop held on 23 June 2000. About fifty people attended the workshop.
Outcomes	Only a small number of businesses reported significant benefits directly from online sales (including sales generated from web site enquires but not necessarily completed online.) Benefits were more likely to be expressed in terms of creating an international presence, establishing contact with prospective customer, especially wholesale customers or agents, and costs savings in document and information delivery. Workshop participants were given the opportunity to provide feedback to the organisers on priorities for desirable ongoing research in this area. The participants identified several research issues and assigned priorities to them:  § The development of hands-on e-commerce training, of a practical ‘how to’ e-commerce guide, and a methodology for the valuation of e-commerce benefits were considered to be of high priority. Other priority topics for research include  § The development of e-commerce initiatives for marketing authorities and farm organisations § Development of applications suitable for different sectors  § The collection of information on issues such as government support for e-commerce and sources of advice for those planning e-commerce initiatives.
Implications	A benefit of having a website, common to all the cases studied, was improved communications with customers and suppliers. For many rural businesses communications with customers and suppliers can be a large component of operational costs. Traditional means of communications such as the telephone can be both expensive and time consuming. Email overcomes both the cost and time inconvenience problems. Some of the case studies described email as the greatest boon to rural business communications.  Overall, the results suggest that well planned and executed adoptions of e-commerce practices can add value to rural businesses. The results are biased to the extent that the study population included only those businesses that had already adopted some form of e-commerce activity. More research needs to be undertaken to evaluate the attitudes of other rural businesses towards the Internet and the World Wide Web and to examine further the likely impact of the electronic trading houses and supply chain managers on the structure of rural markets.
Publications	E-commerce in Rural Areas – Case Studies, Franco Papandrea & Margo Wade 2000, RIRDC publication no. 00/185,


 

Extension, Education and Training


Project Title:	Joint RDC business/investment plan for extension and farmer learning processes
RIRDC Project No.:	RDP-1A
Researcher:	Mr. David Heinjus
Organisation:	Rural Directions Pty Ltd PO Box 646 CLARE SA 5453
Phone:	(08) 8842 1103
Fax:	(08) 8842 1766
Email:	ruraldir@capri.net.au
Objectives	To develop a business/investment plan for extension and farmer learning processes. The project aims to incorporate the structure for provision of extension/learning services, learning processes and barriers, as well as research and development in identification of processes that speed up adoption of change in agriculture.
Background	The study investigated the current environment in the extension and education industry and has identified opportunities for research and development of human capacity building in Australian agriculture. The joint Research and Development Corporation business/investment plan for extension and farmer learning processes project has been undertaken to determine the feasibility of establishing a Research and Development program that facilitates an enhanced understanding for rural decision making processes.
Research	Stage 1 – Process design: Quality project management Stage 2 – Survey design and implementation: Collect information to underpin the development of the briefing papers Stage 3 – Briefing papers: Understand the current situation regarding the extension industry Stage 4 – National workshop: Develop an investment /business plan Stage 5 – Prospectus: Develop a prospectus to facilitate investment Stage 6 – Final report: Summarise project
Outcomes	The outcome for this project is a prospectus that can be used as a communication tool in the capital-raising phase of the project. The business plan outlines: - The need and opportunity. - Research and development priorities. - How the proposed program will be managed and evaluated. The purpose of the program is to have a coordinated program funding research and development in community and human capacity building, to ensure an effective rural industries research, extension and education system.
Implications	A coordinated program has now been developed and a Workplan is currently being prepared.  The following agencies haven now committed to the program: RIRDC, FarmBis, Meat and Livestock Australia, Dairy R&D Corporation, Sugar R&D Corporation, Grape & Wine R&D Corporation and Grains R&D Corporation.

Project Title	Determining the Livestock Industries’ Needs for Animal Health Services into the 21st Century
RIRDC Project No.:	US-90A
Researcher:	Professor Reuben Rose
Organisation:	Faculty of Veterinary Science University of Sydney NSW 2006
Phone:	Ph: (02) 9351 2462
Fax	Fax: (02) 9660 1548
Email:	Email: rjrose@camden.vetsci.usyd.edu.au
Objectives	The broad aim of the first stage of the project was to alert key industry leaders to: § The accelerating loss of experienced and highly trained veterinarians from the Australian animal health infrastructure which is itself not well suited to current and future industry needs § The lack of aptitude of undergraduates and younger veterinarians towards a career in the livestock industries, and the absence of career prospects and training opportunities for those who are interested § The need for industry influence and leadership in ensuring that appropriate animal health resources are available to service future industry needs for disease control and trade access.
Background	Government and private veterinarians involved in the grazing industries know and are concerned about the decline in animal health services. They contend that Australia’s good reputation for animal health is built on systems that are now in decline and on people who are soon to retire. They see few people who will have the experience and training to replace those who will retire in the next 5-10 years.
Research	University of Sydney Faculty of Veterinary Science, Animal Health Australia and RIRDC co-sponsored a project to identify and examine the demand for the future animal health resourcing and training needs relating to animal health for the rural industries.  A short briefing paper was prepared containing all salient facts relating to future animal health resourcing issues and needs for Australia’s rural industries completed after interviewing key people in the animal health system itself. A number of prominent and influential leaders from the production animal industries were invited to a "beacon" workshop and to form a key issues group. These leaders were selected on the basis of: § Their positions as major successful industry business persons § Their appreciation of the role that animal health infrastructure currently plays Their track records of influence and respect with their industry and with government
Outcomes	1. Changes to the animal health system to prepare it for future needs are most unlikely to occur without strong influence from the livestock industries, which are the direct beneficiaries in both disease control and market access. The issues will thus be driven from the demand side rather than that of supply. 2. The current and impending problems in the animal health system will not simply be solved by introducing courses to train people in the required skills. There are new skills required by veterinarians working in the area of animal health and identification of these skills and setting up appropriate training programmes is only one part of a complex system. The real problem is that there is no incentive for new participants to undertake training and no clear career path for those that do.
Implications	§ There is need for a vision for the industry producing high quality products with good quality control systems, including that for animal health § There is the need for a national approach  § A system which delivers for trade access issues as well as disease control is needed § There clearly needs to be a career path for veterinarians in jobs of importance to the livestock industries, but veterinarians are too narrow in their skill base to be employed in greater numbers by the pastoral companies.


Rural Communities and Social Issues
 

Project Title:	Strategies for revitalising small inland towns and rural communities
RIRDC Project No.:	ECU-6A
Researcher:	Peter Kenyon Alan Black
Organisation:	Centre for Small Town Development Centre for Social Research PO Box 606 Edith Cowan University York WA 6302 Joondalup WA 6027
Phone:	08 9641 2410 08 9400 5844
Fax:	08 9641 2417 08 9400 5866
Email:	hillside@avon.net.au a.black@ecu.edu.au
Objectives	§ To identify fourteen small inland towns or rural communities that have, in recent years, experienced some form of economic and social revitalisation. § To identify innovations, strategies and initiatives that are associated with this revitalisation, and to analyse any salient or recurring features. § To review technical assistance programs, especially community opportunity/future planning workshops, designed to stimulate revitalisation initiatives. § From the preceding analyses, to identify strategies for revitalisation that can potentially be applied in other inland towns and rural communities. § To develop a user-friendly resource kit on strategies for revitalising small towns and rural communities.
Background	Although many small inland towns and rural communities continue to haemorrhage in terms of population and business loss, others have successfully implemented a range of survival and revival strategies. This has resulted in positive outcomes for residents in terms of quality of life and economic opportunities.
Research	After an extensive review of Australian and overseas literature on small town renewal, the researchers gathered and analysed data on the renewal process in the following Australian towns, each with a population of less than 3,500 people, and the majority with less than 1,000 people:  § Balingup (south west WA),  § Beechworth (north east Vic),  § Boonah (south east Qld),  § Burra (mid north SA),  § Coolah (central west NSW),  § Deloraine (north east Tas),  § Donald (Wimmera, Vic),  § Gulargambone (central west NSW),  § Harrow (Western Districts, Vic),  § Hyden (Wheatbelt, WA),  § Kulin (Wheatbelt, WA),  § Mitchell (western Qld),  § Oatlands (Southern Midlands, Tas) and  § Tumby Bay (Eyre Peninsula, SA).
Outcomes	Both the literature review and the case studies reveal various recurring characteristics and processes of small town renewal. These include the following:  § an expression of healthy frustration with the status quo, and a willingness to explore and experiment with innovative solutions and options; § the demonstration of positive mindset, passion and opportunism; § the use of appropriate community planning and development processes;  § the implementation of a comprehensive and locally owned and resourced local economic development agenda;  § the presence and continuous renewal of local leadership;  § the practice of healthy community behaviours, such as inclusiveness, positive acceptance of diverse viewpoints, and collaboration both within and beyond the local community. The report also considers factors that might be specific to a particular locality, as well as providing information on various types of resources available to assist local economic planning and development initiatives.
Implications	The publication arising from this project is a useful guide for persons wishing to initiate or facilitate processes of economic and social revitalisation in small rural communities.
Publications	Kenyon, P. and Black, A. eds. A Kit for Small Town Renewal: RIRDC.

Project Title:	Workshop on the Impact of Changing Farm Business Structures on Rural Communities
RIRDC Project No.:	ECU-10A
Researchers:	Dr Matthew Tonts and Prof. Alan Black
Organisation:	Centre for Social Research Edith Cowan University JOONDALUP WA 6027
Phone:	08 9380 7392 or 08 9400 5844
Fax:	08 9380 1054 or 08 9400 5866
Email:	mtonts@geog.uwa.edu.au or a.black@ecu.edu.au
Objective	To bring together policy makers to discuss economic, social, policy and research issues associated with changing farm business structures, and to identify relevant research issues and needs. Particular attention was given to the economic and social impacts both of corporate farms and of contract farming.
Background	A growing body of literature in North America and Australasia suggests that agriculture is experiencing a gradual shift away from traditional family farming towards farm business structures that are more corporately oriented. There are two main forms of corporate involvement in farming. The first, the corporate farm, is generally owned by a group of diverse shareholders, all of whom have the freedom to retain or dispose of their shares at any time. In Australia, corporately owned farms constitute around 26 per cent of the total area of land devoted to broadacre or dairy farming, and account for about 19 per cent of total beef production. Corporate farms have also become increasingly prominent in the cotton, viticulture, poultry and pig sectors The second form of corporate involvement in agriculture is contract farming. This involves contracts between (usually) family farms and other firms upstream or downstream in the food and fibre production chain. Contract farming is well established in the beef, fruit, vegetable, viticulture, chicken meat and hop industries. Despite the growth and spatial concentration of both corporate farms and contract farming, there has been very little detailed research in Australia on the economic and social impacts of growing corporate involvement in agriculture.
Research	The workshop, held in Canberra in January 2001, included 10 participants from a range of government and non-government organisations, including: the Department of Transport and Regional Services; Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Australia (AFFA); the Bureau of Rural Sciences; and the National Rural Advisory Council.
Outcomes	The findings of the workshop, together with a review of existing literature, indicate that growing levels of direct corporate involvement in Australian agriculture have a number of potential implications for rural communities. Of particular significance are the implications for local economic development, demographic and social structure, service and infrastructure provision, and regional development and planning policy.
Implications	The workshop emphasised the need for further research on these issues to ensure that policy-makers, local governments, industry groups, community organisations and other stakeholders have the capacity to respond in an informed way to the changes affecting agricultural regions and rural communities.
Publications	A report on the workshop has been provided to RIRDC.

Project Title:	The Internet and Regional Australian. How regional communities address the impact of the Internet
RIRDC Project No.:	RSI-1A
Researcher:	Rosie Simpson, with case studies by Andrew Hunter
Phone:	07 3898 6283
Fax:	07 3220 3814
Email:	rosie.simpson@team.telstra.com
Objectives	To explore the impact of the Internet on Australian rural communities.
Background	The uptake of the Internet in Australia has matched that of developed nations around the world, with much discussion of the winners and losers as a result. This study looks at both the positive and negative effects of the uptake of the Internet on regional Australia, pulling together research and case studies to explore these effects and how regional communities and businesses are responding to the changes as a result of the evolution of the Internet.
Research	A range of data, research studies, models and case studies were assessed to address the question of how regional Australia will fare with the progressive uptake of the Internet. The current data on Internet uptake and e-commerce are assessed in relation to metropolitan and international data as a background to the models, which examine those individuals, communities and businesses who are most at risk and most likely to benefit. Case studies of communities and businesses in regional Australia and overseas are presented as examples of a pro-active approach to the challenges the Internet poses. Summaries of the steps taken by these entities to ensure maximum return from the uptake of the Internet are presented.
Outcomes	There will be both winners and losers from the rapid uptake of the Internet in regional Australia. Communities and businesses are experimenting with capturing the benefits of the Internet through the set-up of local ISP’s, websites for trading, telecentres and online support. Some of these ventures are proving profitable and sustainable while early failures, as everywhere that the Internet’s impact is being felt. Those regions which are pro-actively utilising the Internet to assist in broadening their economic base will be the biggest winners. Those regions which continue to rely on a narrow economic base based on exportable bulk commodities are not well-placed to take advantage of the global market which the Internet offers, potentially draining local consumer spending and investment away form the region.
Implications	This study provides a benchmark for communities looking to take advantage of the Internet and lessen its negative implications, with practical examples, guidelines and where to go for capital and assistance all provided.
Publications	Simpson, R (1999), Life is too short to run at 2,400bps, The Farmwide Online Services Pilot, a project funded by the Commonwealth Department of Housing and regional Development. Groves, J, Parker, R, Da Rin, J. and Simpson, R (1997), The Australian Farmers Guide to the Internet, RIRDC

Project Title:	What motivates rural men to improve their health status?
RIRDC Project No.:	WAC-1A
Researchers:	Dr. Samar Aoun
Organisation:	WA Centre for Rural Health and Community Development Inc. South West Population Health Unit P O Box 2016 BUNBURY WA 6230
Phone:	(08) 9792 2500
Fax:	(08) 9792 2503
Email:	samar.aoun@health.wa.gov.au
Objective	§ Undertake a creative health initiative to cater for the special needs of rural men and using diabetes screening as a mechanism for health promotion § Increase the understanding of what motivates at-risk but symptomatic men to seek care from general practitioners § Identify the actual percentage of the study sample who are diagnosed with Type 2 or IGT after screening undiagnosed men § Add to the body of research on the effectiveness of risk factor and symptom assessment as brief health intervention § Suggest education and support strategies for those identified in the sample as being at-risk, involving workplaces and medical services.
Background	The last phase of the project consisted of a workshop between selected industry representatives, GPs and other health professionals to discuss education and support strategies for those identified at risk. Feedback is being currently analysed.
Research	Twenty five industries/organisations or combined groups of smaller organisations participated, requiring 29 educational/screening sessions mainly on site. Fourteen industries/organisations declined to participate. Most of the participating employers were accommodating in allowing their employees an hour of education and screening. The best collaboration was with industries staffed with a health nurse or an occupational health and safety officer.  525 men participated in the education/screening session with 446 in the target group of 40-65 years (some were younger or older but they were interested to participate). These men were very appreciative of the education provided to them: 94-100% found the education session interesting, useful and easy to follow; 64-74% reported that the session had greatly increased their awareness of the consequences of diabetes, of whether they are at risk of developing diabetes and what they can do to reduce their risk of getting diabetes; 32% and 62% were greatly or partly motivated to make some changes to their lifestyles as a result of the project.
Outcomes	261 at-risk men were referred to their GP to have a blood test done and to discuss diet and exercise changes with their doctor to reduce their chance of getting type 2 diabetes. All GPs have been informed of this program. It is encouraging that, in the follow-up surveys so far, 71% of men who were referred, have acted upon our advice and have consulted with their GP regarding the factors that put them at high risk. As a result, 4% had discovered they had diabetes and 5% needed more investigations. Of those who had other tests done in addition to blood glucose tests, 45% needed medication for their high blood pressure, or had high cholesterol levels or enlarged prostate. More follow-ups are still due within the next month. The last phase of the project consisted of a workshop between selected industry representatives, GPs and other health professionals to discuss education and support strategies for those identified at risk. Feedback is being currently analysed.
Implications	This study has identified that 64% of the industry male workforce, 40-65 years, are at risk, but no adequate service is yet available to assist these men to modify their behaviour (fourth stage in the continuum of care). The implication of a lifestyle counselling service for the employee is a better quality of life through reduced risk of developing lifestyle-preventable diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. The implication, for the employer, is improved productivity of employees through reduced days lost due to illness, reduced absenteeism and reduced insurance cover. Improving health in the workplace has obvious flow-on effects as healthier and happier people make better and more productive employees. The role of preventative health care is being better recognised and companies are embracing it (Steggall 2000). Unscheduled leave was estimated to have cost Australia 6.7 percent of payroll in 1994, with indirect costs estimated to be more than twice this figure. Poor health is related to stress and stressed workers are estimated to cost $272 million in days off and $1 billion in lost revenue between 1991 and 1997. In 1998, more than 3.5 million Australians had a disability with 3.2 million experiencing specific restrictions in core activities or employment (Steggall 2000).
Publications	What motivates rural men to improve their health status? Dr Samar Aoun and Ms Lyn Johnson 2000, RIRDC publication No. 00/157


Policies and Institutions
 

Project Title:	Standardisation of methodologies and terminologies used to measure best practice and performance in primary industries
RIRDC Project No.:	ICH-1A
Researcher:	Michael Boyce FCA
Organisation:	Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia
Phone:	0418 674 312
Fax:	02 6452 7139
Email:	boyce@snowy.net.au
Objectives	To promote the use of benchmarking in rural industries as a way of improving profitability and overall management of rural resources.
Background	An earlier RIRDC report – No 74 Rural Benchmarking Programs – A Review – identifies the large body of work in this area utilising different terminology and forms of measurement. The report identifies the need to establish common terms and methodologies so that future benchmark studies and work already done have the opportunity to be compared nationally.
Research	A database of key stakeholders was developed and a series of meetings were held to discuss the project and seek in principle support. Meetings were held with the following; § National Farmers Federation § NSW Farmers Association § Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry § AFFA § ABARE § Cotton RDC § Meat & Livestock Assoc § Grains RDC § RIRDC
Outcomes	Industry Research and Development Corporations registered high interest and agreed this was a project that warranted in principle support. The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Judith Troeth, was strongly supportive as one of the objectives of the Agriculture Finance Forum, chaired by the Senator, is to push 60% of farmers into the bracket currently occupied by the top 15%. ABARE agree that a national processing service may be of benefit to farmers at the local level in comparing their performance with other farms in the local area. The farmers who agree to participate in the assessment are statistically not representative of the farmers in the area, and therefore the data collected in the assessment process could not be used to estimate regional farm performance. ABARE agree to participate in the first Stage of the project.
Implications	This project has tapped into a desire shared by industry and farmer groups to develop benchmarking programs that provide more relevant information to farmers that will assist them make better farm management decisions. If implemented the project would provide cost of production prepared on the same accounting basis, for wool, sheep meats, beef, wheat and cotton in every district it is grown around Australia.


Farm Health and Safety
 

Project Title:	Agricultural Pesticides and Human Health - a one-day workshop
RIRDC Project No.:	WS990-22
Researcher:	A/Prof Lyn Fragar
Organisation:	Australian Centre for Agricultural Health and Safety University of Sydney PO Box 256 MOREE NSW 2400
Phone:	(02) 6752 8210
Fax:	(02) 6752 6639
Email:	lfragar@doh.health.nsw.gov.au
Objectives	To organise a one-day workshop to define a research and development program to 1. Outline the information needs relevant to ensuring the health and safety of persons transporting, handling and otherwise affected by pesticides used in production agriculture in Australia. 2. Undertake a program of studies of worker exposure to agricultural pesticides, identifying the level of risk to human health associated with pesticide application in key industries. 3. Conduct a study into the effectiveness of risk control measures for workers potentially exposed to pesticides. 4. Conduct a study to examine exposure of other population groups (other than workers in pesticide-related industry ) to pesticides used in agriculture 5. Institute a communications strategy effective for all stakeholders 6. Identify funding partners from those agricultural industries with an interest in participating in the project.
Background	Pesticides remain an important input into production of most Australian agricultural commodities. Our productivity and capacity to compete in international markets depends on efficient and effective pest control. It is equally important that human health and safety is not compromised by exposure to pesticides. The protection and enhancement of the health, safety and well being of the human resource in agriculture is an important factor to ensure a sustainable and efficient future for agriculture in Australia.
Research	The Farm Health and Safety Joint Research Venture (Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, The Grains Research and Development Corporation, the Cotton Research and Development Corporation, the Sugar Research and Development Corporation and Woolmark Australia) hosted a one day workshop of invited participants from agricultural industries, chemical industries, government and research agencies. A pre workshop survey of participants confirmed interest in these issues, from agricultural and chemical industries, research agencies and government. Concern about pesticide residues in products and human health was expressed and, as a result, this issue was included in the workshop deliberations.  Key issues reported were worker exposure and risk control measures. Residues in products, community exposure and risk communication were also noted as concerns. The difference between perspectives on human health and safety relating to pesticides expressed by the various industry groups is noteworthy, and reflects the differing experiences and pressures being faced by each industry. The Workshop heard presentations from industry representatives from the wool, grains, cotton, meat and livestock, and 'new' industries, as well as from the National Registration Authority, the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission and the Department of Health and Aged Care. These presentations confirmed the concerns reported in the survey and provided information regarding approaches being taken, and limitations of each agency in terms of their resources and roles.
Outcomes	The workshop participants were divided into small groups and asked to consider the issues that could be included in a research program. The responses were: § Information needs - A national stocktake of existing information and research results, and of research agencies  § A program of worker exposure studies § A study into the effectiveness of risk control measures for workers § A study to examine exposure of other population groups - community exposure § A study to examine exposure of other community groups - residues in products § Development of an effective communications strategy to all stakeholders


Leadership

Rural Women's Award

The Rural Women's Award is a Bursary of up to $20,000 to be awarded to each of seven State and Territory winners. The Bursary assists in fulfilling their personal vision for agriculture and ensure they play a greater role in the future of rural Australia, through activities that build their management, leadership and business skills.

The RIRDC Award builds on the success of the previous ABC Radio Australian Rural Woman of the Year Award.
 

Project Title	Rural Women’s Award 2000 - Rowena Doyle
RIRDC Project No.:	DOY-1A
Researcher:	Ms. Rowena Doyle
Phone:	(03) 5382 2811
Email:	rowena@sylvaniapark.com.au
Objectives	§ To improve mohair producers' classing standards by developing an accredited mohair classing course which involved flexible delivery and practical training with broker participation § For Ms Doyle to improve skills in fibre production and to impart those skills to prospective and existing mohair producers by conducting mohair classing courses § To encourage further education in areas of goat production and to create an opportunity for greater networking among mohair producers.
Background	Rowena Doyle owns and operates in family partnership the largest mohair enterprise in Victoria and has been at the forefront of developing the industry and its markets, including domestic markets for goat meat and value added craft markets for the skins.  Rowena’s vision for her industry is one where best practice is followed by all producers and where producers retrieve a fair share of the end price of their product.  The Australian mohair industry has achieved the status of best quality mohair in the world, second to neither Texas or South Africa and has achieved this status in only 30 years of selective breeding.  In the 1970’s and 1980’s, the majority of mohair was forwarded to brokers unskirted and unclassed, while in the 1980’s and 1990’s the introduction of imported genetics saw an increase in the number of classing lines. While Australian fibre has improved to such an extent that poorer kempy lines are virtually non existent, produced classing techniques have not kept pace with brokers still receiving unclassed and unskirted fibre. Producers as a result are being penalised with increases classing fees but more importantly are not realising the potential returns for quality.  The Australian mohair industry was desperately needed a change in classing standards and to be adopted uniformly throughout the industry from producers to brokers.
Acitivities	The major task involved the development of a hands on training course for mohair classing based on the National Goat Industry Competencies, but with input from numerous sources, including: wool industry training packages, Mohair Australia classing standards, mohair broker classing standards, the Pastoral Industry Award, goat husbandry resources also with several RIRDC publications.  The course notes were finalised following extensive industry evaluation and a training package developed and comprising three competencies.  1. Preparing for Shearing: Included crutching animals, the benefits of sorting animals prior to shearing, penning goats safely prior to shearing to prevent smothering and to avoid wet fibre, arranging animal feed for shearing and conditions for employing shearers and shed hands.  2. Preparing Facilities for Shearing and Crutching: This covered sources of contamination, inspecting shed and yards for sources of contamination and safety hazards, inspecting equipment to ensure smooth running operation, ensuring availability of supplies required during shearing time and providing shelter for shorn animals.  3. Classing Goat Fibre: Included the properties of quality mohair, fault line in mohair, selling methods of mohair, Australian mohair classing standards, efficient fibre flow through the shearing shed, skirting and classing mohair fibre and baling and labeling fibre for consignment to brokers.  Two courses were advertised. The first at Longerenong Agricultural College with the University of Ballarat and the second at Dookie Agricultural College with the University of Melbourne. A total of 28 mohair producers attended the courses with participants required to complete a worksheet on each of the three competencies while carrying out practical activities. The weekends also proved an invaluable networking opportunity for producers involved. Following the initial two courses, interest has now been shown in conducting the courses in both South Australia and Western Australia. The package is currently before the National Board of Mohair Australia to be adopted for use throughout the industry. One industry accredited training program will ensure education in fibre preparation is consistent throughout the country.


 

Project Title	Rural Women’s Award 2000 – Diana Gibbs
RIRDC Project No.:	GIB-1A
Researcher:	Diana Gibbs
Phone:	(02) 6942 3898
Email:	whyte_wools@bigpond.com.au
Objectives	§ Develop, produce and market a collection of high quality, branded woollen garments.  § Deliver these garments to a carefully defined market via a multi-channel approach. § Create significant sales revenue and sufficient profits to provide a consistent commercial return for all partners.  Diana Gibbs is a wool producer and cofounder and director of Riverina Wool Growers. RWG was established in 1994 for the purpose of expanding and deepening wool producers activities to include sourcing wool, wool yarns and woollen products to its own design and specifications and directly marketing the final apparel products.  Diana’s vision is for Australian wool producers to take more responsibility and control of their product by becoming more closely linked to their markets.
Background	Diana Gibbs is a wool producer and cofounder and director of Riverina Wool Growers. RWG was established in 1994 for the purpose of expanding and deepening wool producers activities to include sourcing wool, wool yarns and woollen products to its own design and specifications and directly marketing the final apparel products.  Diana’s vision is for Australian wool producers to take more responsibility and control of their product by becoming more closely linked to their markets.
Activities	Her proposed activity represented the first critical step in the total project, that being to prepare a Business Plan to define and describe the wool marketing venture. The Bursary was used to finance the Business Plan and also contributed to some preliminary promotional material, including media information presented at the Olympic Games in September 2000 and for information produced for marketing investigations into the UK in October 2000. The Business Plan was prepared in late 2000/early 2001 and was reviewed by independent consultants to ensure its objectivity and rigour. The Business Plan addressed key components of the project, including business background, vision, products, the market, marketing plan, business operations, ownership and management, risk factors along with financial considerations.  The product is a collaborative effort between RWG and the Wiradjuri people, who provided some ideas as to elements of their culture that could be used as design themes, with one of the Elders painting an interpretation of these themes onto fabric, which was then provided to designers in the UK for incorporation into garments.  RWG is now in the process of seeking an agreement to form a joint venture with the Council of Elders representing the Wiradjuri, which will enable indigenous themes to be incorporated in the design of knitwear apparel. A careful investigation of the demographics of the potential market available in the UK was undertaken to define the project’s target consumer and total available market.  RWG will now put in place a management team with expertise in European and Australian markets, to manage the design, manufacturing, distribution and marketing of high quality women’s apparel. The Business Plan, most importantly, confirmed the merit and real potential of this total project, which once completed has the ability to resolve major wool textile supply chain issues. The supply chain will, not only, be much shorter and therefore more time responsive, but will provide strong market signals from designers and manufacturers direct back to producers. And for the wool producer, the project will provide for a landmark change in culture, allowing them to take responsibility of their product throughout the supply chain, and allow them to not just sell a commodity, but market a product.

Project Title	Rural Women’s Award 2000 – Mary Nenke
RIRDC Project No.	NEN-1A
Researcher:	Mary Nenke
Phone:	(08) 9864 6054
Email:	cambinatayabbies@bigpond.com.au
Objectives	Her proposed activity consisted of two broad objectives, both incorporating a major study and fact finding tour of the United States:  § To improve production in WA through investigation of current technology and best practice and value adding opportunities employed in the US. § To further expand markets for WA yabbies through promotion and marketing in the US.
Background	Mary Nenke is founder and principal of Cambinata Yabbies and is instrinsically involved in all aspects of the Yabby Industry of WA, from production to post harvest handling and marketing.  Cambinata Yabbies started off as a small family concern but has evolved into a sophisticated and integrated business, marketing yabbies on behalf of a large groups of growers across the WA wheatbelt.  Mary’s vision is to make rural Australia a great place to live, while offering rural women financial independence through the pursuit of new business ventures and alternate farm enterprises.
Activities	The crawfish industry in the United States produces the highest volume of freshwater crayfish in the world. This is in stark contrast to the Australian yabby industry, where very poor production ratios are severely hampering its potential for growth. Their catfish industry has also been very successful in value adding and vertical integration. The United States is also the world’s major consumer of food and aquaculture and an obvious target market for any increased production.  The study tour of the United States took place in March 2001 and included participating as part of the Western Australian Fisheries Department Industry Promotion at the Annual Boston Seafood Show. The Boston Seafood Show provided the opportunity to look at the various exhibit and examine how others, including the catfish industry market their product. The tour included stopovers in San Francisco and New York to meet with distributors, clients and potential clients. The tour culminated in New Orleans and Houston to study their crawfish industry from farm to processing factory to markets. The study tour has given Mary a far greater understanding of the American market and their local product, as a result she is far more competent at explaining first hand the advantages and disadvantages of the two products, yabbies and crawfish. The trip proved the Australian yabby and its handling to be by far the superior product and should be marketed accordingly. The tour also proved that there is potential for value adding yabbies. In specific terms Mary has brought back new ideas and technology, including larger feed pellets, traps for moving stock and a steamer for value adding product, that will now be trialled for possible transfer to the domestic industry in WA.  Most significantly Mary has developed new contacts and networks that will help not only expand existing markets but forge new ones for Cambinata Yabbies.

Project Title	Rural Women’s Award 2000 - Annie Pfeffer
RIRDC Project No.:	PFE-1A
Start Date:	13-Mar-2000
Finish Date:	31-Aug-2001
Researcher:	Annie Pfeffer
Phone:	(07) 4693 8191
Email:	pfeffer@pacseeds.com.au
Objectives	§ To grow the Australian sunflower industry and in particular supply and demand of monounsaturated sunflower oil. (by 50% in first year) § To improve the health of our nation, by increasing the number of outlets that use monounsaturated sunflower oil. (by 50% in first year) § Encourage other grower to get further involved within the industry and in the promotion of their product.
Background	Annie Pfeffer operates in family partnership a mixed cropping enterprise and recently established ‘Olisun’, a family business that value adds sunflowers to produce and market pressed monounsaturated sunflower oil.  Annie’s vision is to improve the prospects for the Australian sunflower industry and its growers, while improving the health of Australians, by encouraging the substitution of imported, cheaper, saturated palm oil with domestic monounsaturated sunflower oil, predominantly in the food retail sector.  While canola and olive oils have been recognised by the general public as healthy oils, resulting in increased supermarket demand and purchases, the message has not been translated to the food service industry where up to 90,000 tonnes of cheaper saturated palm oil are imported each year. At the same time production of Australian sunflower has fallen dramatically, from 300,000 to 120,000 tonnes over the past decade, as a result of competition from canola domestically and imported palm oil.  Added to that is the fact that one person dies every 10 minutes in Australia from cardiovascular disease, due to high blood cholesterol, with high levels of saturated fats a major contributor.
Acitivities	The project involved undertaking a major education and promotional effort at both the industry and the consumer level, thereby galvanising the industry and its growers to increase the promotional effort on consumers.  Major activities included numerous Award public speaking events, Ag Ed at Toowoomba Show, Farmfest, National Press Club, Brisbane’s Farmers Markets and numerous presentations to industry leaders and executive of Queensland Department of Primary Industries.  Major setbacks to the project included the failure to secure funding for promotion from manufacturers and through the Preliminary Research Proposal by the Grains Research and Development Corporation.  A major breakthrough for her project came with the opportunity to present the Australian Sunflower Association’s vision for the future to the Biennial Conference in Yeppoon in June 2001. The GRDC, as a result has asked that the ASA put forward a strategic plan as the basis for a package of research funding for the total industry. The strategic plan is to be presented to GRDC early next month.  While the full impact of this project will not be realised for a number of years, already there have been some important achievements. The Australian sunflower industry now has a decidely more positive focus and is regenerating itself. Its representative body, the Australian Sunflower Association is now working proactively in partnership with other Australian oil producer groups, through the Australian Oilseed Federation, to focus on their collective strengths in accessing markets and countering imports. And at a personal level, Annie has acquired new skills in media, marketing and public speaking, along with report writing, and has used those skills to encourage more people to become involved in their industry and the promotion of their product. As a tangent to that, the groundwork for the first statewide women in grains reference group has now also been established.

Project Title	Rural Women’s Award 2000 – Carol Schofield