Resilient Agricultural Systems - RIRDC Completed Projects in 1999-2000 & Research in Progress as at June 2001

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RIRDC Completed Projects in 2000-2001 & Research in Progress as at June 2001
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To Resilient Agricultural Systems Completed Projects

4.2 RESILIENT AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS
RESEARCH IN PROGRESS

Sustainable production systems development

PROJECT No	PROJECT TITLE	RESEARCHER	PHONE	ORGANISATION
AHM-5A	The development of small scale multi-crop agricultural systems by Aboriginal communities	Mr Jason Alexander Dr Jane Stanley	03 9431 3657 03 9431 3426	Jason Alexandra and Assoc FOCUS Pty Ltd
CSE-83A	National electronic modelling network for pest, disease and weed management	Dr Robert Sutherst	07 3365 1867	CSIRO Entomology
QDN-7A	Use of fire to control parthenium weed	Mr Wayne Vogler	07 4787 0600	Tropical Weeds Research Centre, Dept of Natural Resources and Mines
SAR-15A	Development of DNA-based diagnostic probes for verticillium	Dr Kathy Ophel-Keller	08 8303 9368	SA Research and Development Institute
SAR-30A	Developing free range animal production systems	Dr Phil Glatz Dr Yingjun Ru	08 8303 7786	SA Research and Development Institute
UQ-90A	System Theory for sustainable development and food security	Professor Ken Rickert	07 5460 1113	University of Queensland, Gatton

New and emerging agri-industry systems

PROJECT No	PROJECT TITLE	RESEARCHER	PHONE	ORGANISATION
DAV-177A	Options Series: Feasibility of community supported agriculture (Subscription farming) in Australia	Mr Greg Cahill	03 5340 4444	DNRE
DAW-99A	Land Valuation as a potential driver for Environmental Management Systems	Mr Paul Findlater		Agriculture WA
HAS-9A	Hydoponics as an Agricultural Production System	Mr Michael Clarke	02 9241 5655	Hassall and Associates
NYP-1A	Distichlis for rehabilitation of highly saline areas for grain, turf and grazing	Mr John Leake	08 8272 8088	NyPa Pty Ltd
SYC-7A	Options series: Multi purpose resources use	Mr Tony Gleeson	07 3844 2370	Synapse Consulting
UT-32A	Options series: Alternative land tenure arrangements for encouraging enterprise diversification	Prof Rob Clark	03 6226 2619	University of Tasmania
UWA-60A	Perennial grain crops for high water use	Mr Ted Lefroy	08 9333 6442	Agriculture WA

Impediments/ Risk management

PROJECT No	PROJECT TITLE	RESEARCHER	PHONE	ORGANISATION
CSL-14A	The farmer’s road toward clean and green horticulture	Dr Richard Stirzaker	02 6246 5570	CSIRO Land and Water

New technology systems – management

PROJECT No	PROJECT TITLE	RESEARCHER	PHONE	ORGANISATION
CSW-34A	Economic and environmental benefits / risks of precision agriculture and mosaic farming	Dr Brian Keating & Dr Lisa Brennan	07 3214 2373	CSIRO Land and Water

Accreditation systems

PROJECT No	PROJECT TITLE	RESEARCHER	PHONE	ORGANISATION
ACL-1A	Environmental Partnerships: Combining sustainability and commercial advantage in the commercial sector	Prof Neil Gunningham	02 6249 3397	Australian Centre for Environmental Law
CSL-15A	Credible ‘Clean and Green’ - alternative EMS options	Mr Mike Young	08 8303 8419	CSIRO Land and Water
DAN-187A	Adoption of environmental management systems (EMS) in agriculture – Case studies, a compendium of BMPs and an on-going newsletter	Ms Genevieve Carruthers	02 6626 1237	NSW Agriculture
DAQ-276A	Development of market orientated environmental certification for rangeland pastoral industries	Mr Lester Pahl	07 4688 1302	QDPI
DAV-186A	Integrating QA, EMS and ICM in the Yarra Valley – a case study	Dr Murray McIntyre	03 9296 4694	DNRE

Sustainable production systems development

Project Title The development of small scale multi-crop agricultural systems by Aboriginal communities in tropical Australia- opportunities, scope and future needs

RIRDC Project No.: AHM-5A

Start Date: 01-May-2001

Finish Date: 31-Dec-2001

Researcher: Mr. Jason Alexandra, Dr Jane Stanley

Organisation: Jason Alexandra and Associates FOCUS Pty Ltd

Phone: (03) 9431 3657

Fax: (03) 9431 3426

Email: jasona@impaq.com.au

Objectives
To investigate the potential benefits, R&D and training needs, and commercial and social opportunities to be derived for Aboriginal and Indigenous peoples from small scale multicrop productions and associated enterprises in Australia.

To extrapolate the results from case studies by developing a funding and support model for enterprises of this type through consultation with Commonwealth, State and Territory agencies

Current Progress Brief review of Australian literature and survey of current experience
A web and literature review has begun (and is ongoing) including ILC documentation, published material on the history of settlement, dispossession, land rights, native title, reconciliation and general literature on rural development and development theory. The current debate about "practical reconciliation", welfare dependence and economic self reliance as a key to self determination makes the project particularly relevant. Material is being collected to contribute to the background papers for a proposed workshop in Brisbane later in 2001. A phone survey of relevant informants is planned in order to gain an understanding of current experience.
Case studies of Scrub Hill and Minjelha Dhagun
Scrub Hill Community Farm is operated by Dhugamin CDEP Pty Ltd, Hervey Bay and Minjelha Dhagun is a 400 hectare property situated at the base of Mount Barney, which is in the Border Ranges National Park purchased three years ago for Yugambeh Land Enterprises by the Indigenous Land Corporation.
First workshop was held on 16/06/01 at Minjelha Dhagun . Approximately 120 people attended and the land and enterprise development plan prepared by FOCUS was reviewed. In addition to Yugambeh people from across South-east Queensland, local and state agencies attended the workshop - including Beau Desert Shire Council, ILC, TAFE, QDPI, SEQ Water Quality and ATSIC. Jane Stanley and Jason Alexandra attended and plans for future workshops and project implementation were discussed in detail. The planned enterprise development on this property provides the project with an opportunity to participate in the planning process as it moves from planned preparation to implementation.
A second workshop is planned at Scrub Hill Farm, Hervey Bay to review the experience the Dhugamin CDE Project. This property is owned by the Korrawinga Aboriginal Corporation and provides the project with an opportunity to review multiple enterprise development over several years.
A model for supporting multiple rural enterprise development is being developed. The model will take into account cultural and social factors, land use and enterprise planning, community aspirations, NRM as well as capacity building requirements and appropriate supportive and governance arrangements.

Outcomes Improved communication about small scale multicrop productions between relevant and interested parties and better information exchange on the principles and practices in Australia. Two papers will be adjusted in the light of the workshop outcomes, and combined as a single paper. In this there will be some identification of key issues emerging from the case studies, and questions that need to be addressed. An agencies workshop would then be convened in Brisbane to assess the way in which external agency support impacts on project outcomes

Project Title National electronic modelling network for pest, disease and weed management

RIRDC Project No.: CSE-83A

Start Date: 3/09/98

Finish Date: 30/06/01

Researcher: Dr. Robert Sutherst

Organisation: CSIRO Entomology
Long Pocket Laboratories
PMB 3
INDOOROOPILLY QLD 4068

Phone: 07 3365 1867

Fax: 07 3365 1855

Email: Robert.Sutherst@ento.csiro.au

Objectives To change the current IPM research paradigm in Australia from parochial and individualistic to national, collaborative and industry oriented by developing a national, collborative modelling network using the latest generic modelling and communications technology. This will provide industry with a sustainable, national approach to IPM that will be able to respond rapidly to changing economic or environmental conditions.

Current Progress The project helped to build a community of researchers and managers around the tropical woody weed, Parkinsonia, at a time when there was an opportunity to help guide the research. The group is now operational and is a high priority for support from the renewed CRC for Weeds Management. A joint RIRDC – CSIRO McMaster Foundation workshop was held on ‘Generic Approaches to Resistance Management’ and the report is being finalized. Progress was also made in initiating a national network to build and apply a predictive model for use in the management of sheep blowfly.
The second major activity was to develop a business plan to assess the future opportunities and financial viability of the modeling network. This exercise highlighted the value of the network as a means of adding value to the efforts of researchers and managers aimed at increasing the knowledge content of decision-making processes in rural industries in Australia. Unfortunately, such users are almost universally in the category of poorly resourced government funded agencies or institutions. This means that it is difficult to get funding support for generic activities in Australia, due to the highly fragmented nature of different industry groups.
Another feature of the Australian rural industry scene is that there is a very low level of availability and hence use of predictive modeling compared with similar industry groups in Europe or North America. Hence, there is a major backlog of content to be provided and accessed in Australia before industry is equipped to make progress towards more knowledge-based decision-making practices.
Finally, a major effort is in progress to transfer the DYMEX modeling technology to users via a training program prior to completion of the project.

Project Title Use of fire to control parthenium weed

RIRDC Project No.: QDN-7A

Start Date: 1/08/99

Finish Date: 31/12/02

Researcher: Mr. Wayne Vogler

Organisation: Tropical Weeds Research Centre, Department of Natural Resources and Mines

Phone: (07) 4787 0600

Fax: (07) 4787 3969

Email: voglerw@dnr.qld.gov.au

Objectives To evaluate the effectiveness of fire as a management tool to control parthenium weed. Fire, if found to be a successful method of control, will be the most cost-effective weed management option available in pastures and rangelands.

Current Progress The project is progressing as planned with all treatment applications for 2000/2001completed. In July 2000 another site was selected near Clermont in Central Queensland and burn treatments applied. Species frequency is being monitored at this site which will complement the more intensive research at Rolleston.
The soil seed bank is currently being grown out with about 60 species currently identified. Differences in the parthenium soil seed bank between treatments are still being assessed.
Observations over the past year have revealed several new points of interest:
1) following the second burn parthenium numbers are very low even though there has been good summer rainfall and a considerable number of flowering parthenium plants were present after the first burn;
2) #9; laboratory tests have confirmed the field observations that smoke from fires significantly increases the rate and amount of parthenium seedling emergence;
3) it is likely that post fire pasture management (grazing) will have a large influence on subsequent parthenium levels.

Project Title Development of DNA-based diagnostic probes for Verticillium

RIRDC Project No.: SAR-15A

Start Date: 1/01/99

Finish Date: 31/12/01

Researcher: Dr. Kathy Ophel-Keller

Organisation: South Australian Research and Development Institute
Field Crops Pathology Unit
Waite Campus
GPO Box 397
URRBRAE SA 5001

Phone: (08) 8303 9368

Fax: (08) 8303 9393

Email: ophelkeller.kathy@saugov.sa.gov.au

Objectives

Development of DNA probes specific to Verticillium dahliae and V. albo-atrum

Development of a DNA-based diagnostic test to identify and quantify both species in soil and plants

Strategic IPM approach to cropping using information from monitoring pathogenic strains

Current Progress DNA probes have been designed for Verticillium dahliae and V. albo-atrum. The probe for Verticillium dahliae is specific. The V. albo-atrum probe detects V. albo-atrum and V. tricorpus but not other fungi. Probe design was hampered by misidentification of a number of ‘typed’ cultures. Quantitative PCR assays have now been designed for both Verticillium species using these probes and conditions optimised for detection of the fungus to a level of 50 fg per PCR reaction. This is equivalent to detection of 50 pg Verticillium DNA/g soil. Experiments are underway to spike soil with known numbers of Verticillium propagules to determine if the detection limit is sensitive at the economic threshold for V. dahliae in potatoes and tomatoes. Soil samples from tomato fields which are being monitored for disease development as part of an HRDC project on integrated disease management in tomatoes are being tested using the DNA assay to determine if economic levels of V. dahliae can be detected prior to sowing. A qualitative PCR based is being developed to detect V. albo-atrum in lucerne seed. The PCR test will be useful to distinguish V. dahliae and V. albo-atrum from other fungi in culture or direct from plant roots.

Project Title Developing Free Range Animal Production Systems

RIRDC Project No.: SAR-30A

Start Date: 15/08/00

Finish Date: 31/08/03

Researcher: Dr Phil Glatz and Dr Yingjun Ru

Organisation: South Australian Research and Development Institute
PIRSA/SARDI Research Funds Coordinator
LSA Building, PPPI
Roseworthy Campus
ROSEWORTHY
SA 5371

Phone: 08 8303 7786

Fax: 08 8303 7689

Email: glatz.phil@saugov.sa.gov.au; ru.yingjun@saugov.sa.gov.au

Objectives
Establish a crop-pasture-free range pig and poultry production system,

Monitor soil fertility, weed population, disease control and crop yield under this system; and

Evaluate the feasibility of adoption of innovative crop/pasture/animal rotation systems.

Current Progress In the first year of the project free range pigs and poultry, provided eco shelter housing were allowed to forage medic pastures in the first phase of their integration into a crop-pasture rotation system. Half the pigs also had access to a barley stubble. Two batches of pigs were grown out under the system over the period Dec-April. While the summer temperatures during this period were the highest in a century no pig performed abnormally. Pigs did not suffer from sunburn being protected by a coat of mud on the skin from the wallow. Performance of first batch of pigs was above industry intensive standards with daily weight gain 600-800 g, back fat 14-17 mm and dressing percentage over 74%. The pigs grazing the barley crop paddocks were heavier and fatter. Daily gain (500-700 g) of second batch of pigs was less than first as availability of stubble and forage decreased.
The production performance of egg layers (Hyline Brown) in the free range system was compared with the production specifications published by the Hyline company for the strain housed under cage systems. The free range birds showed higher levels of mortality and lower rates of lay, egg weight and body weight over the period 18-40 weeks. The reduction in performance of birds relative to the benchmark was expected considering the heat wave conditions experienced. Despite this the pasture phase of the free range system was considered successful. Pigs and hens were given the opportunity to forage to end of April. Final samples of pasture, weed and insects were taken 3 weeks prior to writing this report and are currently being analysed.

Project Title System Theory for sustainable development and food security

RIRDC Project No.: UQ-90A

Start Date: 01-Aug-1999

Finish Date: 31-Aug-2001

Researcher: A/Prof Ken Rickert

Organisation: School of Natural and Rural Systems Management
University of Queensland
GATTON QLD 4345

Phone: (07) 5460 1113

Fax: (07) 5460 1324

Email: k.rickert@mailbox.uq.edu.au

Objectives To produce a book that collates and describes key emerging theories and principles that will underpin farming systems as they evolve in the 21st century.

Current Progress Eleven chapters by invited authors draw on experiences from Australia and the Netherlands, two developed countries with comparable populations, large amounts of agricultural exports and contrasting farming systems.
Extensive dryland farming in Australian often leads degraded of resources through exploitation, while an accumulation of waste products leads to resource degradation with intensive Dutch farms. This becomes the base for presenting system theory for sustainable development and food security, and for discussing the implications for developed and developing countries.
Chapter titles include:
1) Elements of Farming Systems
2) System Thinking In Agriculture; Past, Present and Future
3) Lessons from Frontier Technology to Interconnectivity
4) Technological Developments, a Gravytrain?
5) The Marketing of Food & Fibre Products: Evolution and Revolution
6) Land care and Culture
7) Who Owns the Gene Pool?
8) Pest Management 2000 – Beyond Silent Spring
9) Managing Climate Risk In Australia’s Rangelands
10) R, D, & E Systems: Challenges and Opportunities
11) What of the Future?
The book is due to be published late in 2001.

New and emerging agri-industry systems

Project Title OPTIONS SERIES: Feasibility of community supported agriculture (Subscription farming) in Australia

RIRDC Project No.: DAV-177A

Start Date: 01/06/00

Finish Date: 31/12/00

Researcher: Mr. Greg Cahill

Organisation: Department of Natural Resources & Environment (Vic)
Bendigo Field Services Unit
PO Box 2500
BENDIGO DELIVERY CENTRE VIC 3550

Phone: (03) 5430 4444

Fax: 03 5448 4982

Email: Greg.Cahill@nre.vic.gov.au

Objectives To promote the concept and practical application of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) in Australia by § investigating the principles and practices undertlying the concept ofCSA as it has developed in USA and Canada and document any case studies in CSA enterprises here in Australia
§ determining if the concept is feasible and, if so, how it can be applied in Australia conditions
§ developing a Practical Guide for landholders to develop CSA enterprises using the key success factors identified in the case studies
§ promoting the concept and the practical application of the CSA enterprises.

Current Progress Preliminary literature review search results have yielded; the interpretation of the term CSA is quite varied, organic production is a consistent theme, and that there is very little written about the concept from an Australian perspective. Field experience supports this.
Three CSA operators have been identified, visited and interviewed to see how they established their enterprises and the problems they have encountered.
Some findings to date have included; each of the operators deliberately planned to establish a CSA ie. it not just evolve, each enterprise experiences significant subscriber turnover, but none of the enterprises has had to advertise for members, there is no organised list of CSA operators kept anywhere in Australia, and communication between CSA operators is fragmented and opportunistic.
Major issues that have confronted operators have been maintaining and sourcing a consistent supply of water, and developing skills associated with establishing and maintaining a number of crops at varying stages of development. Some CSA operators have identified communication between CSA enterprises as an issue.
An extension package containing practical guidelines for establishing and running a CSA is being developed.

Project Title Land Valuation as a potential driver for Environmental Management Systems

RIRDC Project No.: DAW-99A

Start Date: 01-Oct-2000

Finish Date: 30-Sep-2001

Researcher: Mr Paul Findlater

Organisation: Agriculture Western Australia
PO Box 110
GERALDTON WA 6531

Phone: (08) 9956 8535

Fax: (08) 9921 8016

Email: pfindlater@agric.wa.gov.au

Objectives § To review past and existing work in Australia that relates to land valuation in relation to conservation of the resource base;
§ To canvass the issues with stakeholders and establish the usefulness of using land valuation as a "driver" for EMS;
§ To negotiate with valuing agencies with regard to appropriate methodologies;
§ To research and evaluate the potential use of land values as a "driver" for implementing Environmental Management Systems, with particular reference to Western Australian valuation systems;
§ To determine the types of conservation measures that would be appropriate to assess as part of a rating system, and the role of market forces in the process;
§ Identification of issues and opportunities in other States;
§ To propose a mechanism for the introduction of new land valuation processes that encourage better "stewardship."

Current Progress § Catherine Nind, Environmental Officer, began work on the project in December 2000.
§ Review of past and existing work on land valuation and conservation in Australia is complete.
§ Article on EMS and land valuation published in the national EMS newsletter. Abstract on EMS and land valuation for the EMS conference in Ballina this year submitted. Farmnotes have been written and submitted to the Valuer General’s Office in WA for review. A paper for the Australian Property Institute Journal on EMS and land valuation has been written and is currently being revised following internal review.
§ Workshop with participants from the Valuer General’s Office in Western Australia, the real estate industry, banks, relevant government organisations, and conservation groups held to discuss changes to land valuation to promote conservation of the resource base. A discussion paper has been sent out to participants to further develop issues outlined at the workshop. Further workshops will be run with stakeholders to discuss EMS.
§ Ongoing negotiation with valuing agencies to progress changes to the method of valuation in Western Australia.
§ Draft report on linking EMS and land valuation has been completed and sent for peer review.
§ Ongoing research into the types of conservation measures that would be appropriate to assess as part of a rating system and a review of rate rebate programs in Australia.

Project Title Hydroponics as an Agricultural Production System

RIRDC Project No.: HAS-9A

Start Date: 01-Jul-2001

Finish Date: 30-Nov-2001

Researcher: Mr Michael Clarke

Organisation: Hassall and Associates Pty Ltd

Phone: (02) 9241 5655

Fax: (02) 9241 5684

Email: mclarke@hassyd.aust.com

Objectives The object of this research is to increase the understanding of why the hydroponics industry in Australia has not emerged as a large-scale alternative to traditional agricultural enterprises. As part of achieving this objective, the main outcomes of the project will be: § A detailed summary of currently available literature relating to the hydroponics industry, specifically literature focused on describing hydroponics as an agricultural production system;
§ An analysis of the key characteristics of the hydroponics industry, including:
- The global environment and the implications of trends in the international market for the Australian hydroponics industry;
- The current structure of the Australian industry, including description of market size, main products produced, value of production and trends in these indicators;
- Description of positive (opportunities, strengths) and negative (risks, weaknesses) themes within the domestic industry; and
§ Review of production systems required for commercial-scale hydroponic production;
§ Assessment of the economics of production for commercial-scale hydroponic production systems;
§ A market assessment of the factors constraining broad-scale commercial production of hydroponics (risks/opportunities);
§ A listing of key literature references suitable for consultation by current and prospective industry stakeholders;
§ Establishment of a database of key contacts within the industry, including growers, suppliers and industry experts;
§ An understanding of the reasons why the hydroponics industry has not emerged as a large-scale commercial alternative to traditional agricultural enterprises within Australia; and
§ Conclusions on the financial viability of production and what products are best suited for this technology.
It is intended that the outcome of the project will be a handbook suitable for industry stakeholders and prospective industry participants. It is intended that this would be ready for release by Christmas 2001.

Current Progress To this date, a detailed literature review has been undertaken. Review of this literature indicates that although there is detailed information available on growing techniques and factors related to production, there is a data gap with respect to up-to-date economic and financial data associated with commercial hydroponic production (eg cost data). Contact with several industry stakeholders has confirmed that there is insufficient data presently available to industry with regards costs of production, gross margin budget, financial viability etc. Industry, particularly prospective participants, would benefit greatly from a financial analysis of commercial hydroponic production.

Project Title Distichlis for Rehabilitation of highly saline areas for grain, turf and grazing

RIRDC Project No.: NYP-1A

Start Date: 1/07/98

Finish Date: 30/06/01

Researcher: Mr. John Leake

Organisation: NyPa Pty Ltd
14D Birdwood Street
NETHERBY SA 5065

Phone: 08 8272 8088

Fax: 08 8272 8588

Email: jleake@iid.org

Objectives To study the potential for distichlis species to be used for turf, fodder and grain in highly saline areas of Australia

Current Progress The Distichlis trail program has proceeded according to plan. Most effort has been directed towards estimating water use and in undertaking observational grazing trials. The drought in WA during 2000/2001 has provided an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the plants resistance to drought and heavy grazing. Additional work has been undertaken to develop a more economical method of establishing the plants in new locations. Since the plants do not set seed this has to be by root or stalk material.
Water use by the plant has been estimated by root depth and water table draw down, the effect is very clear but data are yet to be processed.
The unprocessed results of these trials show that the plants are very drought resistant and can withstand extremely heavy grazing, even in drought conditions. In one extreme case it was shown that plants were established without any rainfall, grew to a height of about 30 cms within three months and then to withstand grazing by sheep, all on a saline aquifer. Examination showed the plants had sent down roots about one meter into a saline water table. This water had become depleted by autumn but the plants had remained active.
Work in the lab and in the field to develop a more economical planting system however has yet to produce conclusive results.
Grain has been collected for a milling trial to be conducted in August.

Project Title OPTIONS SERIES: Multi purpose resource use

RIRDC Project No.: SYC-7A

Start Date: 01/05/00

Finish Date: 31/12/01

Researcher: Mr. Tony Gleeson

Organisation: Synapse Agricultural and Resource Consulting
PO Box 3746
SOUTH BRISBANE QLD 4101

Phone: (07) 3844 2370

Fax: (07) 3844 1755

Email: syncons@ozemail.com.au

Objectives To prepare a multi purpose resource use chapter for RIRDC Farmer Options Handbook supplemented by a sister research report. These reports and the associate involvement of stakeholders in the project will facilitate adoption of the most appropriate combinations of uses and users of farm resources including the natural, human, physical and financial resources.

Current Progress The collection of information from workshops, survey and case studies is largely completed and it is now being integrated with information from an extensive literature review.
Unsurprisingly, the factors driving and constraining multi-level resource use are similar to those which drive farming generally ie a complex interaction of social, cultural, environmental and economic considerations. The legal framework pertaining to multi level resource use is and /or is perceived to be complex and changing. This further constrains the development of an efficient market for multi- level resource use.
Multi-level resource use will be one of the ways through which the agricultural sector adapts to a more multi-functional and complex operational environment. Opening mindsets to these possibilities probably will be more beneficial than providing particular models of multi-level resource use.

Project Title Options series - Alternative land tenure arrangements for encouraging enterprise diversification

RIRDC Project No.: UT-32A

Start Date: 15/06/2000

Finish Date: 31/12/2001

Researcher: Professor Rob Clark

Organisation: Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research,
School of Agricultural Science,
GPO. Box 252-54,
University of Tasmania,
HOBART, Tasmania 7001

Phone: 03 62262619

Fax: 03 62262642

Email: Rob.Clark@utas.edu.au

Objectives The aim of this project is to support enterprise diversification by evaluation of alternative land tenure arrangements and providing recommendations for their implementation. The findings will be published as part of the Farmer Options series.

Current Progress Interviews with lessees, landowners, government agencies, accountants and consultants have raised questions and issues concerning alternative land tenure agreements. Some of these questions and issues arise from a limited knowledge of land tenure options available. This has lead to a number of case studies being conducted of a wide range of different land tenure practices. The case studies highlighted some options available but also raised the similar issues to the preliminary interviews. The case studies also allowed a generalised land tenure model to be developed in conjunction with KPMG.
This information, together with directions from a steering committee made up of key stakeholders, has been used to develop a survey, which has been sent to a random selection of 1500 Tasmanian landowners. The survey aims to quantify the issues raised by the literature review, interviews, case studies and concerns of the steering committee. The survey will also provide a statistical snapshot of the adoption of alternative land tenure agreements.
The outcomes of the survey and case studies will be discussed with the steering committee and in focus groups of landowners, lessees, industry representatives and farm management consultants

Project Title Perennial grain crops for high water use

RIRDC Project No.: UWA-60A

Start Date: 01/07/00

Finish Date: 30/06/03

Researcher: Dr. Ted Lefroy

Organisation: CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems
Private Bag 5
PO WEMBLEY WA 6913

Phone: 08 9333 6442

Fax: 08 9333 6444

Email: Ted.Lefroy@cse.csiro.au

Objective Select perennial relatives of the major grain crops (wheat, barley, rye) and high seed-yielding naturalized and endemic perennial grasses for their potential as grain crops. The outcome will be perennial grass accessions ranked on the basis of seed yield, seed size, seed head architecture, harvest index and rooting depth as an indicator of their potential for further development as high water use perennial grain crops.

Current Progress A literature review of endemic perennial grasses with potential for domestication and/or grain production has been completed, their distribution relative to the contemporary grain belt mapped, and species having promise for further research identified. A literature review of exotic perennial grasses with potential for domestication and/or grain production has also been completed and exotic species having promise for further research identified.
Contact has been made with researchers across Australia currently working on perennial grasses, including groups working on breeding and selection for grazing, turf grasses and revegetation, and research on water use and productivity of perennial grasses.
As a consequence of the literature review, Microlaena stipoides and Triticum aestivum x Agropyron ponticum have been selected as the target species for this project. Germplasm collection of large seeded ecotypes of Microlaena stipoides commenced in Eastern Australia in autumn 2001 and germplasm of Triticum aestivum x Agropyron ponticum crosses have been acquired from the USA. The location of past field collections of Microlena stipoides in the south west of Western Australia have been identified from the Western Australian Herbarium’s FLORABASE database to assist germplasm collection in the summer of 2001/2002. Germination testing and propagation of accessions commenced in April 2001.

Impediments / Risk management

Project Title The farmer's road toward clean and green horticulture

RIRDC Project No.: CSL-14A

Start Date: 30/11/03

Finish Date: 01/12/00

Researcher: Dr. Richard Stirzaker

Organisation: CSIRO Land & Water
PO Box 1666
CANBERRA ACT 2601

Phone: (02) 6246 5570

Fax: (02) 6246 5560

Email: richard.stirzaker@cbr.clw.csiro.au

Objectives To provide the land manager with a simple device to evaluate their own performance in managing water, salt and nutrients in irrigated horticulture (FullStop wetting front detector), and to assist land managers to monitor the benefits of adopting new practices worthy of the clean green label.

Current Progress The FullStop wetting front detector is a funnel-shaped device that is filled with soil and buried at an appropriate depth in the soil. When a wetting front enters the funnel the water content increases due to convergence and free water is produced at the base of the funnel. A simple mechanical float or electrical switch detects the presence of this free water.
Surveys in Australia show that < 15% of irrigators claim to use irrigation scheduling tools. The rest have thus far not been able to justify the time and expense, largely because saving water is not a sufficient priority and the subject is complex. Thus the assumption that extension of current methods will reach the majority of farmers cannot be sustained. This provides the rationale for introducing a very simple device such as the FullStop wetting front detector.
The project involves passing on detectors to users and engaging them in a system of co-learning in which the users compare their current practice and knowledge against the simple information provided by the detectors – how deep the water has penetrated.
The wetting front detectors also store a water sample from each front for routine measurement of nitrate and salt.

New technology systems – management

Project Title Economic and environmental benefits / risks of precision agriculture and mosaic farming

RIRDC Project No.: CSW-34A

Start Date: 01/07/00

Finish Date: 30/11/03

Researcher: Dr. Brian Keating and Dr Lisa Brennan

Organisation: CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems
Long Pocket Laboratories
120 Meiers Rd
INDOOROOPILLY QLD 4068

Phone: 07 3214 2373

Email: Brian.Keating@cse.csiro.au / Lisa.Brennan@cse.csiro.au

Objectives § To provide those concerned with implementation of precision agriculture / mosaic farming principles with tools and processes to support better informed, more profitable decisions about the use prevision agriculture technologies.
A 'bioeconomic evaluation framework' that can assess both economic and environmental dimensions of spatially variable management practices, such as precision agriculture and mosaic farming, will be designed for this task.
§ To achieve the first aim by collaborating with key stakeholders (eg property planners, agribusiness, other researchers) in case studies of 'real world' applications of precision agriculture / mosaic farming technolgy in an action learning approach to identify opportunities to interpret spatial variability and design tools and approaches to manage it.
The case studies will explore a diverse range of possibilities for redesign of major farming systems that exploit spatial dimensions of farms through enterprise mix, soil variability and lateral hydrological processes.
§ To provide comment on the implications of these benefits and risks in the wider context of variability facing Australian farms, in particular that associated with climate and markets.
§ To promote insights arising from the project with research and industry stakeholders pursuing technological innovations such as (but not restricted to) precision agriculture or mosaic farming.

Current Progress A research plan has been successfully negotiated with collaborating farmers and our agribusiness research partner, IAMA. This has followed discussions with various farmers and advisers revealing that while there has been substantial progress in the capture of information on spatial variability through precision agriculture technologies, less effort has gone into the bio-physical analysis and interpretation of this data and too little into the economic evaluation of management strategies that make use of the extra information on spatial variability.
An important issue that has emerged in our recent discussions is how variability over time and space interact with each other and with the actions taken by the producer to manage the crop. We are exploring this issue with three case studies, based on farms where yield monitors have been used to map spatial variability. In-paddock variability is being investigated on two case study grain/cotton farms located in northern NSW. Linking closely with the CSIRO "Heartlands" research, our third "mosaic farming" case study farm is in a cropping area of the Billabong catchment, NSW. In this case, we are exploring opportunities to "rezone" paddock boundaries to provide the greatest possible economic / environmental benefit from incorporating trees and/or perennial crops into cropping systems to manage salinity-related issues.
At all three sites we have started assembling existing data (eg yield maps, economic data) and measuring additional data through on-ground work (e.g. farm specific soil and weather data). These data sets are necessary to enable model (APSIM) application to explore such temporal x spatial issues for these case studies over the coming months.

Accreditation systems

Project Title Environmental Partnerships: Combining sustainability and commercial advantage in the commercial sector

RIRDC Project No.: ACL-1A

Start Date: 03/09/98

Finish Date: 02/09/01

Researcher: Prof. Neil Gunningham

Organisation: Australian Centre for Environmental Law (ACEL Consulting)
PO Box 142
LYNEHAM ACT 2602

Phone: (02) 6249 3397

Fax: (02) 6249 4899

Email: neil.gunningham@anu.edu.au

Objectives To provide a policy strategy which will improve the environmental sustainability of the Australian agricultural sector and its profitability and market share through the development of "environmental parnterships" between producers, retailers, government and environmental organisations.
Key elements will include:identifying the circumstances in which such partnerships might be formed
enhancing environmental performance, commercial prospects and market share of Australian agriculture; andpreconditions for their success.

Current Progress This project is approaching the final agreed milestones. To date, completed milestones include a review of the literature on environmental partnerships, including in particular, international developments, and the preparation of a conceptual framework on environmental partnerships. Since then, and a series of major and minor case studies (including field work) have been completed in a variety of agricultural sectors both within Australia, and internationally (especially in California and Europe, with the OECD),. These include Tasmanian onion growers, rice growers of Coleambally and elsewhere, vegetable growers of Victoria, potato growers in Wisconsin, Californian rice growers, Southcorp wines and the ACF, Banrock Station and Wetland Care Australia, the US EPA’s Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program, the Greenhouse Challenge, environmental covenants in The Netherlands, Core Values in the Northeast of the US, Sainsbury’s supermarkets, the Conservation Trust of NSW, the OECDs initiatives on voluntary agreements, and others.
Having conducted the preliminary research (milestones 1 –2) and the industry case studies (milestones 3-5), attention has since been focussed on the compilation and critical analysis of this material into a coherent and concise draft report. This has now been completed. The report comprises three parts (with subsidiary chapters). First, an introduction and necessary contextual background to environmental partnerships. Second, a description of environmental partnerships according to type, in particular, industry to government, industry to environmental NGO, industry to industry, and multi-party partnership models. And third, policy discussion of what is necessary to create successful environmental partnerships.
This draft report has been distributed to a broad and numerous representative sample stakeholders for critical feedback and comment.
Following distribution of draft report, it is anticipated that two targeted workshops will be held to discuss possible future directions of environmental partnerships in Australia.

Project title Credible ‘Clean and Green’ – Alternative EMS Options

RIRDC Project No. CSL-15A

Start date 15/10/00

Finish date 30/10/03

Researchers Mr Mike Young and Dr Thea Mech

Organisation Policy and Economic Research Unit
CSIRO Land and Water
Adelaide Laboratory, Waite Road, Urrbrae, South Australia
Postal address: PMB 2, Glen Osmond, SA 5064

Phone 08 8303 8419

Fax 08 8303 8582

Email Mike.Young@adl.clw.csiro.au
Thea.Mech@adl.clw.csiro.au

Objectives Preparation of a report ‘The Design and Development of Environmental Management, Audit and Certification Systems’. Identification of appropriate industry or regional opportunities. Preparation of briefing papers. Preparation and submission of a final synthesis report.

Current progress Work on this project began on 26 March 2001. Since then, progress has been made in defining the structure of the final synthesis report, as well as the research approach to deliver it.
Importantly, CSIRO Land and Water has cultivated two working relationships that will have a synergistic effect on this project’s outcomes. First, a close association has been forged with the Environmental Management Systems Working Group (EMSWG) of the Sustainable Land and Water Resources Management Committee (SLWRMC). The purpose of this group is to identify the role of government in facilitating the design and development of Environmental Management Systems (EMS) and credible certification schemes for agriculture in Australia. Second, CSIRO Land and Water has partnered with URS to develop an Environmental Audit and Certification System (EA&CS) for irrigation in the Murray-Darling Basin as part of A Murray-Darling Basin Commission (MDBC) initiative.
Other progress includes commencement of a literature review relating to EMS design and development. Also, a preliminary review of on-going projects relating to EMS for Australian agriculture has been undertaken. A revised report outline has been prepared and is available to interested parties.

Project Title: Adoption of environmental management systems (EMS) in agriculture - Case studies, a compendium of BMPs and an on-going newsletter

RIRDC Project No.: DAN-187

Researcher: Genevieve Carruthers

Organisation: Agriculture NSW
Wollongbar Agricultural Institute
Bruxner Highway
WOLLONGBAR NSW 2477

Phone: (02) 6626 1237

Fax: (02) 6628 3264

Email genevieve.carruthers@agric.nsw.gov.au

Objectives There are three main outcomes 1) Case studies of adoption of systematic environmental management approaches in agriculture
2) a compendium of agri-industry best management practices, codes of practices, production protocols and similar addressing sustainable management of farm resources
3) a quarterly newsletter/web-site that provides information on the use of EMS in Australian and overseas agriculture

Current Progress 43 interviews have been conducted with Australian and New Zealand farmers. Of these, 15 farms were using the ISO 14001 process and some had proceeded to certification against that Standard. Data are still being analysed.
Preliminary results are presented here.

Project Title	The development of small scale multi-crop agricultural systems by Aboriginal communities in tropical Australia- opportunities, scope and future needs
RIRDC Project No.:	AHM-5A
Start Date:	01-May-2001
Finish Date:	31-Dec-2001
Researcher:	Mr. Jason Alexandra, Dr Jane Stanley
Organisation:	Jason Alexandra and Associates FOCUS Pty Ltd
Phone:	(03) 9431 3657
Fax:	(03) 9431 3426
Email:	jasona@impaq.com.au
Objectives	To investigate the potential benefits, R&D and training needs, and commercial and social opportunities to be derived for Aboriginal and Indigenous peoples from small scale multicrop productions and associated enterprises in Australia. To extrapolate the results from case studies by developing a funding and support model for enterprises of this type through consultation with Commonwealth, State and Territory agencies
Current Progress	Brief review of Australian literature and survey of current experience A web and literature review has begun (and is ongoing) including ILC documentation, published material on the history of settlement, dispossession, land rights, native title, reconciliation and general literature on rural development and development theory. The current debate about "practical reconciliation", welfare dependence and economic self reliance as a key to self determination makes the project particularly relevant. Material is being collected to contribute to the background papers for a proposed workshop in Brisbane later in 2001. A phone survey of relevant informants is planned in order to gain an understanding of current experience. Case studies of Scrub Hill and Minjelha Dhagun Scrub Hill Community Farm is operated by Dhugamin CDEP Pty Ltd, Hervey Bay and Minjelha Dhagun is a 400 hectare property situated at the base of Mount Barney, which is in the Border Ranges National Park purchased three years ago for Yugambeh Land Enterprises by the Indigenous Land Corporation. First workshop was held on 16/06/01 at Minjelha Dhagun . Approximately 120 people attended and the land and enterprise development plan prepared by FOCUS was reviewed. In addition to Yugambeh people from across South-east Queensland, local and state agencies attended the workshop - including Beau Desert Shire Council, ILC, TAFE, QDPI, SEQ Water Quality and ATSIC. Jane Stanley and Jason Alexandra attended and plans for future workshops and project implementation were discussed in detail. The planned enterprise development on this property provides the project with an opportunity to participate in the planning process as it moves from planned preparation to implementation. A second workshop is planned at Scrub Hill Farm, Hervey Bay to review the experience the Dhugamin CDE Project. This property is owned by the Korrawinga Aboriginal Corporation and provides the project with an opportunity to review multiple enterprise development over several years. A model for supporting multiple rural enterprise development is being developed. The model will take into account cultural and social factors, land use and enterprise planning, community aspirations, NRM as well as capacity building requirements and appropriate supportive and governance arrangements.
Outcomes	Improved communication about small scale multicrop productions between relevant and interested parties and better information exchange on the principles and practices in Australia. Two papers will be adjusted in the light of the workshop outcomes, and combined as a single paper. In this there will be some identification of key issues emerging from the case studies, and questions that need to be addressed. An agencies workshop would then be convened in Brisbane to assess the way in which external agency support impacts on project outcomes

Project Title	National electronic modelling network for pest, disease and weed management
RIRDC Project No.:	CSE-83A
Start Date:	3/09/98
Finish Date:	30/06/01
Researcher:	Dr. Robert Sutherst
Organisation:	CSIRO Entomology Long Pocket Laboratories PMB 3 INDOOROOPILLY QLD 4068
Phone:	07 3365 1867
Fax:	07 3365 1855
Email:	Robert.Sutherst@ento.csiro.au
Objectives	To change the current IPM research paradigm in Australia from parochial and individualistic to national, collaborative and industry oriented by developing a national, collborative modelling network using the latest generic modelling and communications technology. This will provide industry with a sustainable, national approach to IPM that will be able to respond rapidly to changing economic or environmental conditions.
Current Progress	The project helped to build a community of researchers and managers around the tropical woody weed, Parkinsonia, at a time when there was an opportunity to help guide the research. The group is now operational and is a high priority for support from the renewed CRC for Weeds Management. A joint RIRDC – CSIRO McMaster Foundation workshop was held on ‘Generic Approaches to Resistance Management’ and the report is being finalized. Progress was also made in initiating a national network to build and apply a predictive model for use in the management of sheep blowfly. The second major activity was to develop a business plan to assess the future opportunities and financial viability of the modeling network. This exercise highlighted the value of the network as a means of adding value to the efforts of researchers and managers aimed at increasing the knowledge content of decision-making processes in rural industries in Australia. Unfortunately, such users are almost universally in the category of poorly resourced government funded agencies or institutions. This means that it is difficult to get funding support for generic activities in Australia, due to the highly fragmented nature of different industry groups. Another feature of the Australian rural industry scene is that there is a very low level of availability and hence use of predictive modeling compared with similar industry groups in Europe or North America. Hence, there is a major backlog of content to be provided and accessed in Australia before industry is equipped to make progress towards more knowledge-based decision-making practices. Finally, a major effort is in progress to transfer the DYMEX modeling technology to users via a training program prior to completion of the project.

Project Title	Use of fire to control parthenium weed
RIRDC Project No.:	QDN-7A
Start Date:	1/08/99
Finish Date:	31/12/02
Researcher:	Mr. Wayne Vogler
Organisation:	Tropical Weeds Research Centre, Department of Natural Resources and Mines
Phone:	(07) 4787 0600
Fax:	(07) 4787 3969
Email:	voglerw@dnr.qld.gov.au
Objectives	To evaluate the effectiveness of fire as a management tool to control parthenium weed. Fire, if found to be a successful method of control, will be the most cost-effective weed management option available in pastures and rangelands.
Current Progress	The project is progressing as planned with all treatment applications for 2000/2001completed. In July 2000 another site was selected near Clermont in Central Queensland and burn treatments applied. Species frequency is being monitored at this site which will complement the more intensive research at Rolleston. The soil seed bank is currently being grown out with about 60 species currently identified. Differences in the parthenium soil seed bank between treatments are still being assessed. Observations over the past year have revealed several new points of interest: 1) following the second burn parthenium numbers are very low even though there has been good summer rainfall and a considerable number of flowering parthenium plants were present after the first burn; 2) #9; laboratory tests have confirmed the field observations that smoke from fires significantly increases the rate and amount of parthenium seedling emergence; 3) it is likely that post fire pasture management (grazing) will have a large influence on subsequent parthenium levels.

Project Title	Development of DNA-based diagnostic probes for Verticillium
RIRDC Project No.:	SAR-15A
Start Date:	1/01/99
Finish Date:	31/12/01
Researcher:	Dr. Kathy Ophel-Keller
Organisation:	South Australian Research and Development Institute Field Crops Pathology Unit Waite Campus GPO Box 397 URRBRAE SA 5001
Phone:	(08) 8303 9368
Fax:	(08) 8303 9393
Email:	ophelkeller.kathy@saugov.sa.gov.au
Objectives	Development of DNA probes specific to Verticillium dahliae and V. albo-atrum Development of a DNA-based diagnostic test to identify and quantify both species in soil and plants Strategic IPM approach to cropping using information from monitoring pathogenic strains
Current Progress	DNA probes have been designed for Verticillium dahliae and V. albo-atrum. The probe for Verticillium dahliae is specific. The V. albo-atrum probe detects V. albo-atrum and V. tricorpus but not other fungi. Probe design was hampered by misidentification of a number of ‘typed’ cultures. Quantitative PCR assays have now been designed for both Verticillium species using these probes and conditions optimised for detection of the fungus to a level of 50 fg per PCR reaction. This is equivalent to detection of 50 pg Verticillium DNA/g soil. Experiments are underway to spike soil with known numbers of Verticillium propagules to determine if the detection limit is sensitive at the economic threshold for V. dahliae in potatoes and tomatoes. Soil samples from tomato fields which are being monitored for disease development as part of an HRDC project on integrated disease management in tomatoes are being tested using the DNA assay to determine if economic levels of V. dahliae can be detected prior to sowing. A qualitative PCR based is being developed to detect V. albo-atrum in lucerne seed. The PCR test will be useful to distinguish V. dahliae and V. albo-atrum from other fungi in culture or direct from plant roots.

Project Title	Developing Free Range Animal Production Systems
RIRDC Project No.:	SAR-30A
Start Date:	15/08/00
Finish Date:	31/08/03
Researcher:	Dr Phil Glatz and Dr Yingjun Ru
Organisation:	South Australian Research and Development Institute PIRSA/SARDI Research Funds Coordinator LSA Building, PPPI Roseworthy Campus ROSEWORTHY SA 5371
Phone:	08 8303 7786
Fax:	08 8303 7689
Email:	glatz.phil@saugov.sa.gov.au; ru.yingjun@saugov.sa.gov.au
Objectives	Establish a crop-pasture-free range pig and poultry production system, Monitor soil fertility, weed population, disease control and crop yield under this system; and Evaluate the feasibility of adoption of innovative crop/pasture/animal rotation systems.
Current Progress	In the first year of the project free range pigs and poultry, provided eco shelter housing were allowed to forage medic pastures in the first phase of their integration into a crop-pasture rotation system. Half the pigs also had access to a barley stubble. Two batches of pigs were grown out under the system over the period Dec-April. While the summer temperatures during this period were the highest in a century no pig performed abnormally. Pigs did not suffer from sunburn being protected by a coat of mud on the skin from the wallow. Performance of first batch of pigs was above industry intensive standards with daily weight gain 600-800 g, back fat 14-17 mm and dressing percentage over 74%. The pigs grazing the barley crop paddocks were heavier and fatter. Daily gain (500-700 g) of second batch of pigs was less than first as availability of stubble and forage decreased. The production performance of egg layers (Hyline Brown) in the free range system was compared with the production specifications published by the Hyline company for the strain housed under cage systems. The free range birds showed higher levels of mortality and lower rates of lay, egg weight and body weight over the period 18-40 weeks. The reduction in performance of birds relative to the benchmark was expected considering the heat wave conditions experienced. Despite this the pasture phase of the free range system was considered successful. Pigs and hens were given the opportunity to forage to end of April. Final samples of pasture, weed and insects were taken 3 weeks prior to writing this report and are currently being analysed.

Project Title	System Theory for sustainable development and food security
RIRDC Project No.:	UQ-90A
Start Date:	01-Aug-1999
Finish Date:	31-Aug-2001
Researcher:	A/Prof Ken Rickert
Organisation:	School of Natural and Rural Systems Management University of Queensland GATTON QLD 4345
Phone:	(07) 5460 1113
Fax:	(07) 5460 1324
Email:	k.rickert@mailbox.uq.edu.au
Objectives	To produce a book that collates and describes key emerging theories and principles that will underpin farming systems as they evolve in the 21st century.
Current Progress	Eleven chapters by invited authors draw on experiences from Australia and the Netherlands, two developed countries with comparable populations, large amounts of agricultural exports and contrasting farming systems. Extensive dryland farming in Australian often leads degraded of resources through exploitation, while an accumulation of waste products leads to resource degradation with intensive Dutch farms. This becomes the base for presenting system theory for sustainable development and food security, and for discussing the implications for developed and developing countries. Chapter titles include: 1) Elements of Farming Systems 2) System Thinking In Agriculture; Past, Present and Future 3) Lessons from Frontier Technology to Interconnectivity 4) Technological Developments, a Gravytrain? 5) The Marketing of Food & Fibre Products: Evolution and Revolution 6) Land care and Culture 7) Who Owns the Gene Pool? 8) Pest Management 2000 – Beyond Silent Spring 9) Managing Climate Risk In Australia’s Rangelands 10) R, D, & E Systems: Challenges and Opportunities 11) What of the Future? The book is due to be published late in 2001.

Project Title	OPTIONS SERIES: Feasibility of community supported agriculture (Subscription farming) in Australia
RIRDC Project No.:	DAV-177A
Start Date:	01/06/00
Finish Date:	31/12/00
Researcher:	Mr. Greg Cahill
Organisation:	Department of Natural Resources & Environment (Vic) Bendigo Field Services Unit PO Box 2500 BENDIGO DELIVERY CENTRE VIC 3550
Phone:	(03) 5430 4444
Fax:	03 5448 4982
Email:	Greg.Cahill@nre.vic.gov.au
Objectives	To promote the concept and practical application of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) in Australia by § investigating the principles and practices undertlying the concept ofCSA as it has developed in USA and Canada and document any case studies in CSA enterprises here in Australia § determining if the concept is feasible and, if so, how it can be applied in Australia conditions § developing a Practical Guide for landholders to develop CSA enterprises using the key success factors identified in the case studies § promoting the concept and the practical application of the CSA enterprises.
Current Progress	Preliminary literature review search results have yielded; the interpretation of the term CSA is quite varied, organic production is a consistent theme, and that there is very little written about the concept from an Australian perspective. Field experience supports this. Three CSA operators have been identified, visited and interviewed to see how they established their enterprises and the problems they have encountered. Some findings to date have included; each of the operators deliberately planned to establish a CSA ie. it not just evolve, each enterprise experiences significant subscriber turnover, but none of the enterprises has had to advertise for members, there is no organised list of CSA operators kept anywhere in Australia, and communication between CSA operators is fragmented and opportunistic. Major issues that have confronted operators have been maintaining and sourcing a consistent supply of water, and developing skills associated with establishing and maintaining a number of crops at varying stages of development. Some CSA operators have identified communication between CSA enterprises as an issue. An extension package containing practical guidelines for establishing and running a CSA is being developed.

Project Title	Land Valuation as a potential driver for Environmental Management Systems
RIRDC Project No.:	DAW-99A
Start Date:	01-Oct-2000
Finish Date:	30-Sep-2001
Researcher:	Mr Paul Findlater
Organisation:	Agriculture Western Australia PO Box 110 GERALDTON WA 6531
Phone:	(08) 9956 8535
Fax:	(08) 9921 8016
Email:	pfindlater@agric.wa.gov.au
Objectives	§ To review past and existing work in Australia that relates to land valuation in relation to conservation of the resource base; § To canvass the issues with stakeholders and establish the usefulness of using land valuation as a "driver" for EMS; § To negotiate with valuing agencies with regard to appropriate methodologies; § To research and evaluate the potential use of land values as a "driver" for implementing Environmental Management Systems, with particular reference to Western Australian valuation systems; § To determine the types of conservation measures that would be appropriate to assess as part of a rating system, and the role of market forces in the process; § Identification of issues and opportunities in other States; § To propose a mechanism for the introduction of new land valuation processes that encourage better "stewardship."
Current Progress	§ Catherine Nind, Environmental Officer, began work on the project in December 2000. § Review of past and existing work on land valuation and conservation in Australia is complete. § Article on EMS and land valuation published in the national EMS newsletter. Abstract on EMS and land valuation for the EMS conference in Ballina this year submitted. Farmnotes have been written and submitted to the Valuer General’s Office in WA for review. A paper for the Australian Property Institute Journal on EMS and land valuation has been written and is currently being revised following internal review. § Workshop with participants from the Valuer General’s Office in Western Australia, the real estate industry, banks, relevant government organisations, and conservation groups held to discuss changes to land valuation to promote conservation of the resource base. A discussion paper has been sent out to participants to further develop issues outlined at the workshop. Further workshops will be run with stakeholders to discuss EMS. § Ongoing negotiation with valuing agencies to progress changes to the method of valuation in Western Australia. § Draft report on linking EMS and land valuation has been completed and sent for peer review. § Ongoing research into the types of conservation measures that would be appropriate to assess as part of a rating system and a review of rate rebate programs in Australia.

Project Title	Hydroponics as an Agricultural Production System
RIRDC Project No.:	HAS-9A
Start Date:	01-Jul-2001
Finish Date:	30-Nov-2001
Researcher:	Mr Michael Clarke
Organisation:	Hassall and Associates Pty Ltd
Phone:	(02) 9241 5655
Fax:	(02) 9241 5684
Email:	mclarke@hassyd.aust.com
Objectives	The object of this research is to increase the understanding of why the hydroponics industry in Australia has not emerged as a large-scale alternative to traditional agricultural enterprises. As part of achieving this objective, the main outcomes of the project will be: § A detailed summary of currently available literature relating to the hydroponics industry, specifically literature focused on describing hydroponics as an agricultural production system; § An analysis of the key characteristics of the hydroponics industry, including: - The global environment and the implications of trends in the international market for the Australian hydroponics industry; - The current structure of the Australian industry, including description of market size, main products produced, value of production and trends in these indicators; - Description of positive (opportunities, strengths) and negative (risks, weaknesses) themes within the domestic industry; and § Review of production systems required for commercial-scale hydroponic production; § Assessment of the economics of production for commercial-scale hydroponic production systems; § A market assessment of the factors constraining broad-scale commercial production of hydroponics (risks/opportunities); § A listing of key literature references suitable for consultation by current and prospective industry stakeholders; § Establishment of a database of key contacts within the industry, including growers, suppliers and industry experts; § An understanding of the reasons why the hydroponics industry has not emerged as a large-scale commercial alternative to traditional agricultural enterprises within Australia; and § Conclusions on the financial viability of production and what products are best suited for this technology. It is intended that the outcome of the project will be a handbook suitable for industry stakeholders and prospective industry participants. It is intended that this would be ready for release by Christmas 2001.
Current Progress	To this date, a detailed literature review has been undertaken. Review of this literature indicates that although there is detailed information available on growing techniques and factors related to production, there is a data gap with respect to up-to-date economic and financial data associated with commercial hydroponic production (eg cost data). Contact with several industry stakeholders has confirmed that there is insufficient data presently available to industry with regards costs of production, gross margin budget, financial viability etc. Industry, particularly prospective participants, would benefit greatly from a financial analysis of commercial hydroponic production.

Project Title	Distichlis for Rehabilitation of highly saline areas for grain, turf and grazing
RIRDC Project No.:	NYP-1A
Start Date:	1/07/98
Finish Date:	30/06/01
Researcher:	Mr. John Leake
Organisation:	NyPa Pty Ltd 14D Birdwood Street NETHERBY SA 5065
Phone:	08 8272 8088
Fax:	08 8272 8588
Email:	jleake@iid.org
Objectives	To study the potential for distichlis species to be used for turf, fodder and grain in highly saline areas of Australia
Current Progress	The Distichlis trail program has proceeded according to plan. Most effort has been directed towards estimating water use and in undertaking observational grazing trials. The drought in WA during 2000/2001 has provided an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the plants resistance to drought and heavy grazing. Additional work has been undertaken to develop a more economical method of establishing the plants in new locations. Since the plants do not set seed this has to be by root or stalk material. Water use by the plant has been estimated by root depth and water table draw down, the effect is very clear but data are yet to be processed. The unprocessed results of these trials show that the plants are very drought resistant and can withstand extremely heavy grazing, even in drought conditions. In one extreme case it was shown that plants were established without any rainfall, grew to a height of about 30 cms within three months and then to withstand grazing by sheep, all on a saline aquifer. Examination showed the plants had sent down roots about one meter into a saline water table. This water had become depleted by autumn but the plants had remained active. Work in the lab and in the field to develop a more economical planting system however has yet to produce conclusive results. Grain has been collected for a milling trial to be conducted in August.

Project Title	OPTIONS SERIES: Multi purpose resource use
RIRDC Project No.:	SYC-7A
Start Date:	01/05/00
Finish Date:	31/12/01
Researcher:	Mr. Tony Gleeson
Organisation:	Synapse Agricultural and Resource Consulting PO Box 3746 SOUTH BRISBANE QLD 4101
Phone:	(07) 3844 2370
Fax:	(07) 3844 1755
Email:	syncons@ozemail.com.au
Objectives	To prepare a multi purpose resource use chapter for RIRDC Farmer Options Handbook supplemented by a sister research report. These reports and the associate involvement of stakeholders in the project will facilitate adoption of the most appropriate combinations of uses and users of farm resources including the natural, human, physical and financial resources.
Current Progress	The collection of information from workshops, survey and case studies is largely completed and it is now being integrated with information from an extensive literature review. Unsurprisingly, the factors driving and constraining multi-level resource use are similar to those which drive farming generally ie a complex interaction of social, cultural, environmental and economic considerations. The legal framework pertaining to multi level resource use is and /or is perceived to be complex and changing. This further constrains the development of an efficient market for multi- level resource use. Multi-level resource use will be one of the ways through which the agricultural sector adapts to a more multi-functional and complex operational environment. Opening mindsets to these possibilities probably will be more beneficial than providing particular models of multi-level resource use.

Project Title	Options series - Alternative land tenure arrangements for encouraging enterprise diversification
RIRDC Project No.:	UT-32A
Start Date:	15/06/2000
Finish Date:	31/12/2001
Researcher:	Professor Rob Clark
Organisation:	Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research, School of Agricultural Science, GPO. Box 252-54, University of Tasmania, HOBART, Tasmania 7001
Phone:	03 62262619
Fax:	03 62262642
Email:	Rob.Clark@utas.edu.au
Objectives	The aim of this project is to support enterprise diversification by evaluation of alternative land tenure arrangements and providing recommendations for their implementation. The findings will be published as part of the Farmer Options series.
Current Progress	Interviews with lessees, landowners, government agencies, accountants and consultants have raised questions and issues concerning alternative land tenure agreements. Some of these questions and issues arise from a limited knowledge of land tenure options available. This has lead to a number of case studies being conducted of a wide range of different land tenure practices. The case studies highlighted some options available but also raised the similar issues to the preliminary interviews. The case studies also allowed a generalised land tenure model to be developed in conjunction with KPMG. This information, together with directions from a steering committee made up of key stakeholders, has been used to develop a survey, which has been sent to a random selection of 1500 Tasmanian landowners. The survey aims to quantify the issues raised by the literature review, interviews, case studies and concerns of the steering committee. The survey will also provide a statistical snapshot of the adoption of alternative land tenure agreements. The outcomes of the survey and case studies will be discussed with the steering committee and in focus groups of landowners, lessees, industry representatives and farm management consultants

Project Title	Perennial grain crops for high water use
RIRDC Project No.:	UWA-60A
Start Date:	01/07/00
Finish Date:	30/06/03
Researcher:	Dr. Ted Lefroy
Organisation:	CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems Private Bag 5 PO WEMBLEY WA 6913
Phone:	08 9333 6442
Fax:	08 9333 6444
Email:	Ted.Lefroy@cse.csiro.au
Objective	Select perennial relatives of the major grain crops (wheat, barley, rye) and high seed-yielding naturalized and endemic perennial grasses for their potential as grain crops. The outcome will be perennial grass accessions ranked on the basis of seed yield, seed size, seed head architecture, harvest index and rooting depth as an indicator of their potential for further development as high water use perennial grain crops.
Current Progress	A literature review of endemic perennial grasses with potential for domestication and/or grain production has been completed, their distribution relative to the contemporary grain belt mapped, and species having promise for further research identified. A literature review of exotic perennial grasses with potential for domestication and/or grain production has also been completed and exotic species having promise for further research identified. Contact has been made with researchers across Australia currently working on perennial grasses, including groups working on breeding and selection for grazing, turf grasses and revegetation, and research on water use and productivity of perennial grasses. As a consequence of the literature review, Microlaena stipoides and Triticum aestivum x Agropyron ponticum have been selected as the target species for this project. Germplasm collection of large seeded ecotypes of Microlaena stipoides commenced in Eastern Australia in autumn 2001 and germplasm of Triticum aestivum x Agropyron ponticum crosses have been acquired from the USA. The location of past field collections of Microlena stipoides in the south west of Western Australia have been identified from the Western Australian Herbarium’s FLORABASE database to assist germplasm collection in the summer of 2001/2002. Germination testing and propagation of accessions commenced in April 2001.

Project Title	The farmer's road toward clean and green horticulture
RIRDC Project No.:	CSL-14A
Start Date:	30/11/03
Finish Date:	01/12/00
Researcher:	Dr. Richard Stirzaker
Organisation:	CSIRO Land & Water PO Box 1666 CANBERRA ACT 2601
Phone:	(02) 6246 5570
Fax:	(02) 6246 5560
Email:	richard.stirzaker@cbr.clw.csiro.au
Objectives	To provide the land manager with a simple device to evaluate their own performance in managing water, salt and nutrients in irrigated horticulture (FullStop wetting front detector), and to assist land managers to monitor the benefits of adopting new practices worthy of the clean green label.
Current Progress	The FullStop wetting front detector is a funnel-shaped device that is filled with soil and buried at an appropriate depth in the soil. When a wetting front enters the funnel the water content increases due to convergence and free water is produced at the base of the funnel. A simple mechanical float or electrical switch detects the presence of this free water. Surveys in Australia show that < 15% of irrigators claim to use irrigation scheduling tools. The rest have thus far not been able to justify the time and expense, largely because saving water is not a sufficient priority and the subject is complex. Thus the assumption that extension of current methods will reach the majority of farmers cannot be sustained. This provides the rationale for introducing a very simple device such as the FullStop wetting front detector. The project involves passing on detectors to users and engaging them in a system of co-learning in which the users compare their current practice and knowledge against the simple information provided by the detectors – how deep the water has penetrated. The wetting front detectors also store a water sample from each front for routine measurement of nitrate and salt.

Project Title	Economic and environmental benefits / risks of precision agriculture and mosaic farming
RIRDC Project No.:	CSW-34A
Start Date:	01/07/00
Finish Date:	30/11/03
Researcher:	Dr. Brian Keating and Dr Lisa Brennan
Organisation:	CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems Long Pocket Laboratories 120 Meiers Rd INDOOROOPILLY QLD 4068
Phone:	07 3214 2373
Email:	Brian.Keating@cse.csiro.au / Lisa.Brennan@cse.csiro.au
Objectives	§ To provide those concerned with implementation of precision agriculture / mosaic farming principles with tools and processes to support better informed, more profitable decisions about the use prevision agriculture technologies. A 'bioeconomic evaluation framework' that can assess both economic and environmental dimensions of spatially variable management practices, such as precision agriculture and mosaic farming, will be designed for this task. § To achieve the first aim by collaborating with key stakeholders (eg property planners, agribusiness, other researchers) in case studies of 'real world' applications of precision agriculture / mosaic farming technolgy in an action learning approach to identify opportunities to interpret spatial variability and design tools and approaches to manage it. The case studies will explore a diverse range of possibilities for redesign of major farming systems that exploit spatial dimensions of farms through enterprise mix, soil variability and lateral hydrological processes. § To provide comment on the implications of these benefits and risks in the wider context of variability facing Australian farms, in particular that associated with climate and markets. § To promote insights arising from the project with research and industry stakeholders pursuing technological innovations such as (but not restricted to) precision agriculture or mosaic farming.
Current Progress	A research plan has been successfully negotiated with collaborating farmers and our agribusiness research partner, IAMA. This has followed discussions with various farmers and advisers revealing that while there has been substantial progress in the capture of information on spatial variability through precision agriculture technologies, less effort has gone into the bio-physical analysis and interpretation of this data and too little into the economic evaluation of management strategies that make use of the extra information on spatial variability. An important issue that has emerged in our recent discussions is how variability over time and space interact with each other and with the actions taken by the producer to manage the crop. We are exploring this issue with three case studies, based on farms where yield monitors have been used to map spatial variability. In-paddock variability is being investigated on two case study grain/cotton farms located in northern NSW. Linking closely with the CSIRO "Heartlands" research, our third "mosaic farming" case study farm is in a cropping area of the Billabong catchment, NSW. In this case, we are exploring opportunities to "rezone" paddock boundaries to provide the greatest possible economic / environmental benefit from incorporating trees and/or perennial crops into cropping systems to manage salinity-related issues. At all three sites we have started assembling existing data (eg yield maps, economic data) and measuring additional data through on-ground work (e.g. farm specific soil and weather data). These data sets are necessary to enable model (APSIM) application to explore such temporal x spatial issues for these case studies over the coming months.

Project Title	Environmental Partnerships: Combining sustainability and commercial advantage in the commercial sector
RIRDC Project No.:	ACL-1A
Start Date:	03/09/98
Finish Date:	02/09/01
Researcher:	Prof. Neil Gunningham
Organisation:	Australian Centre for Environmental Law (ACEL Consulting) PO Box 142 LYNEHAM ACT 2602
Phone:	(02) 6249 3397
Fax:	(02) 6249 4899
Email:	neil.gunningham@anu.edu.au
Objectives	To provide a policy strategy which will improve the environmental sustainability of the Australian agricultural sector and its profitability and market share through the development of "environmental parnterships" between producers, retailers, government and environmental organisations. Key elements will include:identifying the circumstances in which such partnerships might be formed enhancing environmental performance, commercial prospects and market share of Australian agriculture; andpreconditions for their success.
Current Progress	This project is approaching the final agreed milestones. To date, completed milestones include a review of the literature on environmental partnerships, including in particular, international developments, and the preparation of a conceptual framework on environmental partnerships. Since then, and a series of major and minor case studies (including field work) have been completed in a variety of agricultural sectors both within Australia, and internationally (especially in California and Europe, with the OECD),. These include Tasmanian onion growers, rice growers of Coleambally and elsewhere, vegetable growers of Victoria, potato growers in Wisconsin, Californian rice growers, Southcorp wines and the ACF, Banrock Station and Wetland Care Australia, the US EPA’s Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program, the Greenhouse Challenge, environmental covenants in The Netherlands, Core Values in the Northeast of the US, Sainsbury’s supermarkets, the Conservation Trust of NSW, the OECDs initiatives on voluntary agreements, and others. Having conducted the preliminary research (milestones 1 –2) and the industry case studies (milestones 3-5), attention has since been focussed on the compilation and critical analysis of this material into a coherent and concise draft report. This has now been completed. The report comprises three parts (with subsidiary chapters). First, an introduction and necessary contextual background to environmental partnerships. Second, a description of environmental partnerships according to type, in particular, industry to government, industry to environmental NGO, industry to industry, and multi-party partnership models. And third, policy discussion of what is necessary to create successful environmental partnerships. This draft report has been distributed to a broad and numerous representative sample stakeholders for critical feedback and comment. Following distribution of draft report, it is anticipated that two targeted workshops will be held to discuss possible future directions of environmental partnerships in Australia.

Project title	Credible ‘Clean and Green’ – Alternative EMS Options
RIRDC Project No.	CSL-15A
Start date	15/10/00
Finish date	30/10/03
Researchers	Mr Mike Young and Dr Thea Mech
Organisation	Policy and Economic Research Unit CSIRO Land and Water Adelaide Laboratory, Waite Road, Urrbrae, South Australia Postal address: PMB 2, Glen Osmond, SA 5064
Phone	08 8303 8419
Fax	08 8303 8582
Email	Mike.Young@adl.clw.csiro.au Thea.Mech@adl.clw.csiro.au
Objectives	Preparation of a report ‘The Design and Development of Environmental Management, Audit and Certification Systems’. Identification of appropriate industry or regional opportunities. Preparation of briefing papers. Preparation and submission of a final synthesis report.
Current progress	Work on this project began on 26 March 2001. Since then, progress has been made in defining the structure of the final synthesis report, as well as the research approach to deliver it. Importantly, CSIRO Land and Water has cultivated two working relationships that will have a synergistic effect on this project’s outcomes. First, a close association has been forged with the Environmental Management Systems Working Group (EMSWG) of the Sustainable Land and Water Resources Management Committee (SLWRMC). The purpose of this group is to identify the role of government in facilitating the design and development of Environmental Management Systems (EMS) and credible certification schemes for agriculture in Australia. Second, CSIRO Land and Water has partnered with URS to develop an Environmental Audit and Certification System (EA&CS) for irrigation in the Murray-Darling Basin as part of A Murray-Darling Basin Commission (MDBC) initiative. Other progress includes commencement of a literature review relating to EMS design and development. Also, a preliminary review of on-going projects relating to EMS for Australian agriculture has been undertaken. A revised report outline has been prepared and is available to interested parties.

Project Title:	Adoption of environmental management systems (EMS) in agriculture - Case studies, a compendium of BMPs and an on-going newsletter
RIRDC Project No.:	DAN-187
Researcher:	Genevieve Carruthers
Organisation:	Agriculture NSW Wollongbar Agricultural Institute Bruxner Highway WOLLONGBAR NSW 2477
Phone:	(02) 6626 1237
Fax:	(02) 6628 3264
Email	genevieve.carruthers@agric.nsw.gov.au
Objectives	There are three main outcomes 1) Case studies of adoption of systematic environmental management approaches in agriculture 2) a compendium of agri-industry best management practices, codes of practices, production protocols and similar addressing sustainable management of farm resources 3) a quarterly newsletter/web-site that provides information on the use of EMS in Australian and overseas agriculture
Current Progress	43 interviews have been conducted with Australian and New Zealand farmers. Of these, 15 farms were using the ISO 14001 process and some had proceeded to certification against that Standard. Data are still being analysed. Preliminary results are presented here.

Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation

Rural Industries
Research & Development Corporation