Resilient Agricultural Practiuces - RIRDC Completed Projects in 2001-2003 & Research in Progress as at June 20023

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RIRDC Completed Projects in 2002-2003 & Research in Progress as at June 2003
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To Reslient Agricultural Systems - Completed Projects

4.2 RESILIENT AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS - RESEARCH IN PROGRESS

Sustainable production systems development


PROJECT No	PROJECT TITLE	RESEARCHER	PHONE	ORGANISATION
GAP-2A	Linking incentives - integrated policy instruments to achieve sustainable agricultural systems	Prof. Neil Gunningham	(02) 6249 3397	Gunningham & Associates Pty Ltd
MUA-1A	Economics of conservation through commercial use of wildlife - FATE	Prof. Michael Archer	(02) 9320 6110	Australian Museum
SAR-30A	Developing free range animal production systems	Dr. Phil Glatz	(08) 8303 7786	SARDI

New and emerging agri-industry systems

PROJECT No	PROJECT TITLE	RESEARCHER	PHONE	ORGANISATION
DAQ-290A	Integrated agri-aquaculture demonstration facility	Dr. Adrian Collins	(07) 3400 2024	Dept of Primary Industries (Qld)
SAR-40A	National audit of peri-urban agriculture	Mr. Peter Houston	(08) 8204 1633	SARDI
SUS-1A	Opportunities for tourism on agricultural land through mammal reintroductions	Ms. Narelle King	(07) 3875 7931	CRC for Sustainable Tourism Pty Ltd
SWT-1A	Industrial seaweed agronomy in saline drainage water evaporation basins	Mr. Robert Cordover	(02) 6282 6181	Robert Cordover T/A Seaweed Trading
UA-59A	Institutional change enabling kangaroo harvest to promote sustainable rangeland landscapes	Dr. Jocelyn Davies	(08) 8303 7889	The University of Adelaide
UWA-60A	Perennial grain crops for high water use	Dr. Ted Lefroy	(08) 9333 6442	CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems

Impediments/ Risk management

PROJECT No	PROJECT TITLE	RESEARCHER	PHONE	ORGANISATION
CSE-89A	Implementation of blue heliotrope biocontrol strategy	Dr. David Briese	(02) 6246 4045	CSIRO Entomology
CSL-14A	The farmer's road toward clean and green horticulture	Dr. Richard Stirzaker	(02) 6246 5570	CSIRO Land and Water
UMU-27A	Environmental management system for trout production in inland saline water	Dr. Alan Lymbery	(08) 9360 2729	Murdoch University

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	(07) 3214 2373	CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems
CSW-35A	Building regional Australia's capacity to initiate markets for ecosystem services	Mr. Stuart Whitten	(02) 6242 1683	CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems
UWA-73A	Investigation into legumes with pharmaceutical and aquaculture potential	Dr. Shao Fang Wang	(08) 9222 3040	University of Western Australia

Accreditation systems

PROJECT No	PROJECT TITLE	RESEARCHER	PHONE	ORGANISATION
DAV-186A	Integrating QA, EMS and ICM in the Yarra Valley - a case study	Mr. Murray McIntyre	(03) 9296 4604	Department of Primary Industries (Vic)

Sustainable Production Systems Development

Project Title Linking incentives - integrated policy instruments to achieve sustainable agricultural systems

RIRDC Project No: GAP-2A

Start Date: 9-Jan-02

Finish Date: 28-Feb-04

Researcher: Prof. Neil Gunningham

Organisation: Gunningham and Associates Pty Ltd
6 Marrakai St
HAWKER ACT 2614

Phone: (02) 6249 3397

Fax: (02) 6249 4899

Email: neil.gunningham@anu.edu.au

Objectives · To provide a policy strategy that will improve environmental sustainability, facilitate the uptake of effective risk management tools and their integration into holistic farm management, and integrate with the development of internationally acceptable accreditation/quality assurance systems. It will do so by: (i) identifying the circumstances in which combinations of different policy instruments can be more efficient and effective than single instruments; (ii) demonstrating how such combinations can enhance risk management, continuous improvement and cultural change, and better protect agri-industry from international pressure for environmentally sustainable/ healthy produce; and (iii) focussing on the means by which EMS and other voluntary codes can be integrated with market requirements, regulation and other policy instruments.

Current Progress This project is proceeding as planned. Following an extensive literature review and development of a conceptual framework, international interviews were conducted and the fieldwork for the major Australian case study (the cotton industry). A discussion paper is in draft form and will be further revised for delivery at a forum on the project anticipated to take place at the National Conference on Environmental Management Systems in Agriculture.
The argument of this paper is that the ‘taken for granted’ view of the merits of voluntary arrangements must be challenged and give way to reasoned debate about the substantial range of circumstances where they can only make a valuable contribution when combined with a range of other policy instruments, including positive and negative incentives, intervention by third parties and in some cases, an underpinning of regulation. Arguably, what is needed is a strategy that builds on the strengths of voluntary environmental management arrangements while compensating for their weaknesses by combining them with other, complementary policy instruments. If so, we must engage with a range of questions that have not so far figured substantially in the policy debate.

Project Title Economics of conservation through commercial use of wildlife - FATE

RIRDC Project No: MUA-1A

Start Date: 30-Jun-02

Finish Date: 30-Apr-07

Researcher: Prof. Michael Archer

Organisation: Australian Museum
College Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000

Phone: 02 9320 6110

Fax: 02 9320 6074

Email: mikea@austmus.gov.au

Objectives · The project will be conducted in two stages. An initial literature review and model development will enable a decision to be made on whether to progress to the monitoring of field trials and economic analyses of the commercial use of Australian native wildlife within the FATE Program over a five-year period.
· The second stage if supported, will assess the prospective and actual economic effects of the integration of native wildlife enterprises into the operation of groups of existing grazing properties, mainly in the marginal rangelands of New South Wales. It will monitor the economic dimensions of three to five Wildlife Management Conservancies (trial sites each of several properties) incorporating wildlife tourism enterprises, the sale of bush plants and animals for conservation works, bush tucker production, in particular kangaroo products, and the production of ecosystem services. A series of reports will be produced, to assist participants in the planning and establishment of new enterprises, to assess the actual economic effects of these activities over the period, and to compare the profitability of conventional grazing systems in the case study regions with the profitability of the modified or mixed systems of land use.

Current Progress A literature review has been completed and is being updated. The idea of using native plant and animal species for private commercial gain is neither new nor unusual. The report of a recent inquiry by the Victorian Parliament contains an excellent review of the range of commercial uses to which native species have been and are being put.
A farm-level economic model that allows ‘baseline’ and ‘prospective’ situations, capable of incorporating enterprises based on native plants or animals, has been obtained. It is capable of representing a wide range of production systems, multi-year operations, and the economic characteristics of the proposed Wildlife Management Conservancies.
Work is now focussing on (i) the collection of information on farm level costs, returns and production methods for enterprises based on native species, including a kangaroo enterprise; and (ii) the preparation of a discussion paper on the ways in which the returns to farmers from the production of native species depend on the structure of the value (marketing) chain.

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 83037786

Fax: 08 83037689

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 Pigs and chickens may one day graze the stubble of some harvested cereal paddocks as part of the growing organic food industry. Positive results were obtained in the project, which aimed to develop a sustainable free-range pig and poultry production systems making optimal use of cropping land between growing seasons.
A separate free-range pig and poultry production system was established with the animals integrated into the pasture/cropping rotation. Sheep were used to provide the comparison with traditional agriculture. The project showed that pigs and chickens performed well in exploiting harvested paddocks. Sheep were very effective in grazing some weeds, while poultry preferred weed seeds. Pigs also were effective in grazing weeds. This raises the possibility that sheep and poultry could be grazed together in some circumstances to control weeds, as could sheep and pigs. Pigs and poultry were able to obtain a considerable portion of their feed from the paddocks. The system could have significant scope within the organic food industry.

New and Emerging Agri-industry Systems

Project Title Integrated agri-aquaculture demonstration facility

RIRDC Project No: DAQ-290A

Start Date: 7-Jan-01

Finish Date: 30-Nov-04

Researcher: Dr. Adrian Collins

Organisation: Department of Primary Industries (Qld)
Bribie Island Aquaculture Research Centre
PO Box 2066
WORRIM QLD 4507

Phone: 07 3400 2024

Fax: 07 2408 3535

Email: Adrian.Collins@dpi.qld.gov.au

Objectives · To stimulate interest and uptake of sustainable and synergistic farming systems, in particular, the intergration of aquaculture with irrigated agriculture. A practical demonstration site will be established on a commercial cotton and grain farm on the Darling Downs, Queensland, as a focus for the demonstration of environmental, social and economic benefits of complementary farm diversification.

Current Progress The integrated aquaculture demonstration site was established at Loch Eaton, Dalby, in 2001. During the 2002/2003 season this site was extensively refitted by the operator McVeigh Brothers Inc. Commercial development of the system has led to significant improvements in performance and capability. To date, activity has focused on the production of silver perch, with golden perch and Murray cod growth being investigated on a smaller scale. Future commercial activity will focus on Murray cod production. Cod have potential to provide better farm returns and are suited to a wider range of climatic conditions. Monitoring of water quality, pesticide movement and water use has been ongoing. This monitoring demonstrates that integrated aquaculture can be successfully implemented in cotton and grain farming regions. Chemical uptake experiments demonstrate that pesticides used in cotton and grains production are rapidly cleared from fish and pose no risk to the animal or consumer. Interest in integrated aquaculture is strong with numerous farm tours, field days, industry groups and individuals continuing to visit the demonstration site. The first Shed Meeting, held in late 2002, was attended by up to 50 local growers, interstate farmers and DPI researchers and extension staff. Further meetings are planned for mid/late 2003. At the 2003 Cotton Week, the projects activities were presented to 500 school children, their teachers, community representatives and members of the public. The integrated aquaculture decision tool software will assist those interested in integration to scope its viability in their situation. This package is currently being tested prior to release in late 2003.

Project Title National audit of peri-urban agriculture

RIRDC Project No: SAR-40A

Start Date: 10-Jan-02

Finish Date: 31-Mar-04

Researcher: Mr. Peter Houston

Organisation: South Australian Research and Development Institute
PIRSA Sustainable Resources Group
GPO Box 1671
ADELAIDE SA 5001

Phone: (08) 8204 1633

Fax: 08 8303 9555

Email: houston.peter@saugov.sa.gov.au

Objectives · Increase awareness amongst policy makers, industry and the community of the economic significance, key characteristics and features of peri-urban agriculture in Australia. This will be a resource for state and local government policy makers regarding current statutory (land use) and strategic planning arrangements related to peri-urban agriculture in Australia. It will provide a point of reference and stimulus for future initiatives and strategies related to peri-urban agriculture, whether by RIRDC, which currently supports many of the industries located in peri-urban regions, or by other agencies or industry.

Current Progress Work is progressing on draft summaries describing agriculture in each State’s peri-urban regions. Using a range of maps and graphs, major and selected minor industries are being summarised in terms of value of production, production area, production volume, number of establishments, and employment.
This part of the Audit project uses data from the ABS Agricultural Census collections for 1992-93 to 1996-97 to generate average annual values and show trends at the Statistical Local Area (SLA) level. The latest available data from the 2000-01 Agricultural Census is also provided.
Additional information from non-ABS sources, including field-work, research and reports by departments of agriculture, university researchers and local government in each State is included where available and appropriate.
Other work undertaken, and still being refined, includes provisional mapping of peri-urban regions in each State.
All of this material will be available for limited release on CD-ROM in July 2003 to permit review of the draft summaries by project partners in each State and the project’s Reference Panel. Following the review, summaries and nominated peri-urban regions may be amended.

Project Title Opportunities for tourism on agricultural land through mammal reintroductions

RIRDC Project No: SUS-1A

Start Date: 6-Jan-02

Finish Date: 11-Dec-04

Researcher: Ms. Narelle King

Organisation: CRC for Sustainable Tourism Pty Ltd
1 Tania Drive
Highton Vic 3216

Phone: 041 988 3519

Email: n.king@mailbox.gu.edu.au

Objectives · The project will enhance the ability of landowners to benefit economically from tourism based on reintroduced mammals. The project will deliver a manual for landowners describing how to carry out reintroductions and manage them for tourism. The project report will outline administrative barriers to success, highlighting existing constraints relating to government regulations.
· The manual and project report will be published by RIRDC further to acceptance by the Corporation.

Current Progress Pilot tours have been conducted at Western Plains Zoo Flora and Fauna Reserve to investigate the best ways to satisfy tourists and earn financial returns. Tour guests were drawn from hotels and caravan parks in Dubbo, as well as interested locals. The guests were surveyed to determine their satisfaction with the tours and their willingness-to-pay for the tours. Data was collected on the number of animals seen and the ability of guests to get close to them, and on the optimal times and locations for viewing, to determine the best types of tours for viewing wildlife.
The responses of animals to tourists and ways to minimise negative impacts of the tours have also been investigated. The animals’ behaviour and flight distances were observed. The first draft of a journal publication on this research has been completed, and is being edited.
A review of Australian sites currently attempting to integrate reintroductions and tourism has commenced, with a number of sites being identified and key people within them contacted. Some sites in Western Australia have been visited.
A review of the policy and legal environment surrounding reintroductions incorporating tourism has also commenced through legal texts and internet research.

Project Title Industrial Seaweed agonomy in saline drainage water evaporation basins

RIRDC Project No: SWT-1A

Start Date: 25-Aug-01

Finish Date: 30-Nov-05

Researcher: Mr. Robert Cordover

Organisation: Robert Cordover T/A Seaweed Trading
PO Box 116
CURTIN ACT 2605

Phone: 0429 990 120

Email: cordover@bigpond.com

Objectives · To make profitable use of saline wastewater in the Murray Darling Basin, the project will introduce and develop agronomy and aquaculture technologies for agarophyte and carrageenophyte seaweed cultivation. Export markets for these industrial seaweeds have been identified and a whole-of-chain approach will include improvement of harvest quality and post harvest handling to market. Australian industry has expressed an interest in processing the raw seaweed into industrial food thickeners that are currently all imported and raw materials will be supplied for pilot extraction and processing of gels.

Current Progress Goulburn-Murray Water made six trial ponds available within the Girgarre (Victoria) saline water evaporation basin. Underground water is pumped into the three-bay basin to lower water tables on surrounding arable farmland. Water for the seaweed experiments is mixed from the bays to provide a wide range of experimental salinities. A second site with different water qualities from Girgarre was selected in a dryland salinity region of western Victoria at Jeparat.
Three varieties of a native Australian seaweed agarophyte, Gracilaria chilensis were selected for agronomy experiments at the Girgarre evaporation basin. Salinity limits were consistent with the literature that suggested a wide range of salinity and water quality tolerance. Other trials suggested that high concentrations of iron inhibited growth and viability of the seaweed. Nitrogen and Phosphorous are usually supplemented for growth, though potassium is also required at Girgarre,
Gracilaria viability was not affected by temperatures as low as 4^oC, though growth was very slow over winter. This is attributed to short day length with insufficient light intensity to drive high rates of seaweed growth necessary for commercial production. Seaweed grew well until April, but didn't start showing growth again in early August.

Project Title Institutional change enabling kangaroo harvest to promote sustainable rangeland landscapes

RIRDC Project No: UA-59A

Start Date: 3-Jan-02

Finish Date: 4-Jan-05

Researcher: Dr. Jocelyn Davies

Organisation: The University of Adelaide
Department of Agronomy and Farming Systems
Roseworthy Campus
ROSEWORTHY SA 5371

Phone: (08) 8303 7889

Fax: (08) 8303 7979

Email: jocelyn.davies@adelaide.edu.au

Objectives · Recommendations and stakeholder support for institutional and policy changes which will result in a more sustainable commercial kangaroo industry, based on analysis of institutional settings and interfaces between stakeholders development from case studies which examine social, cultural and economic parameters affecting harvest decisions.

Current Progress The question of how social and institutional factors impact on kangaroo management is being examined in three South Australian case study areas: · Marla region – outside dog fence; large properties; few field processors (shooters).
· Port Augusta region – inside dog fence; large and small properties; many field processors.
· Northern Flinders Ranges – inside dog fence; large and small properties; some field processors live locally with others based elsewhere.
In each case study region, in-depth interviews are being conducted with up to 10 landholders and the field processors who harvest their property. Interviews are also being conducted with meat processors, harvest regulators and Aboriginal people.
Preliminary research findings suggest that lack of flexibility in the regulatory institutions for kangaroo management limits industry development. The question of why only about half of the available quota is taken in SA is generating interesting and varied responses. Key issues to emerge are terrain and accessibility; tag allocation system; and economic considerations. These issues are being explored further in interviews and through analysis of spatial data. Further, the perspectives and aspirations of Aboriginal people for kangaroo harvest vary considerably with cultural concerns precluding industry involvement in some cases and keen interest in industry development and operation elsewhere.

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 Forty six accessions of Microlaenastipoides are currently being grown in field plots at the UWA Field Station, Shenton Park; 34 from northern NSW/southern Queensland were established in 2001, and 12 from the south west of WA were established in 2002. All have been assessed for the following agronomically desirable characteristics for grain production:

Seed yield & its components Plant architecture & harvestability

spikelet yield (seed in husk) culm number and length

spikelet number per culm seed head height above foliage

seed to husk ratio plant height

seed yield (target 1 t/ha) leaf biomass

seed size (target 8 mg) habit (erect/semi erect/prostrate)

seed set (%) shatter score

culm weight synchrony of seed maturity

In 2002/03, spikelets (seed + husk) were collected over an 8-week period. The ranges in variation of the main results are shown below.

WA (1^st year) NSW (2^nd year)

Spikelet Yield (g/plant) 1.8±1.1 to 5.1±0.8 1.0±0.6 to 4.2±0.4

Spikelet number/culm 17.7±0.7 to 24.4±3.2 being evaluated

Seed Yield (g/plant) 0.4±0.1 to 2.4±0.4 0.1±0.1 to 2.4±0.4

100 Seed Weight (mg) 299±22 to 666±32 129±29 to 368±21

Seed Set (%) 28±5 to 81±7 12±10 to 98±1

Culm Weight (g/plant) 4.6±1.9 to 9.4±2.1 being evaluated

Culm Number/plant 11±5 to 27±7 being evaluated

Culm Length (mm) 698±10 to 917±47 being evaluated

Leaf Biomass (g/plant) not collected 5.4±0.7 to 20.8±4.6

Seed yield ranges from 11 to 195 kg/ha (NSW, 2^nd year) and 33 to 196 kg/ha (WA, 1^st year). These yields were measured at lower plant densities than are likely to be experienced under broad acre production (~8 versus ~23 plants/m²) and in the first two years, prior to maximum yields being achieved. It is expected that yields from the WA accessions for the next season (2003/04) will be 25-50% higher than the 2002/03 season.

Impediments/Risk Management

Project Title Implementation of blue heliotrope biocontrol strategy

RIRDC Project No: CSE-89A

Start Date: 1/7/02

Finish Date: 30/6/04

Researcher: Dr David Briese

Organisation: CSIRO Entomology
GPO Box 1700
CANBERRA ACT 2601

Phone: (02) 6246 4045

Fax: (02) 6246 4000

Email: david.briese@csiro.au

Objectives · The immediate outcome of this project will be to release into the field additional agent(s) for the biological control of blue heliotrope that have been approved by quarantine authorities and will complement the already released leaf beetle. These will complete the complementary suite of agents attacking different parts of the weed and will maximise the chances of effective biological control.

Current Progress Longitarsus sp. flea-beetles were collected from blue heliotrope plants in Argentina in autumn 2002. A rearing protocol was developed at the University of Buenos Aires, enabling a shipment of 64 adults to be sent to the Black Mountain Quarantine Facility, Canberra. These beetles were reared according to the protocol established in Argentina and F1 progeny used to study their life-cycle. Blue heliotrope seedlings were grown under controlled conditions, enabling the root zone to be observed periodically. Adult Longitarsus lived up to 8 weeks, feeding and mating on the leaves. Females entered the soil and laid eggs onto the plant roots. After hatching, larvae fed on the fine hair roots, destroying them. Mature larvae pupated in the soil and new adults then emerged to feed on leaves and repeat the cycle. The time for development from egg to adult was about 8 weeks. These observations provided the first record of the complete life-cycle of this flea-beetle. Experiments in quarantine showed that the most accurate host-specificity tests to determine the host range of Longitarsus would be no-choice larval survival tests. Testing of Longitarsus against a list of approved test plants has started and is expected to continue for the next 12 months.

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

RIRDC Project No: CSL-14A

Start Date: 01/12/00

Finish Date: 30/11/03

Researcher: Dr. Richard Stirzaker

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

Phone: (02) 6246 5570

Fax: (02) 6246 5965

Email: richard.stirzaker@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 was designed to be a simple and user-friendly tool to help land managers think about water and nutrient management on their own farms. The aim of the project is to get land managers to assess their own performance and give them the confidence and impetus to change practice where necessary. This might be a change to their irrigation, fertilizer or salt leaching practices, redesign of the irrigation system or the purchase more sophisticated monitoring tools.
In this final year of the project, work has focused on using the wetting front detector to monitor nitrogen and salt movement. The detector traps a sample of water from the wetting front and this can be monitored on a routine basis. Simple field tests such as the use of nitrate colour strips and measurement of EC have been compared with laboratory analysis of major solutes. Detectors have also been compared with the conventional method of soil solution sampling – the suction cup. The data is being used to construct rules as to how farmers can improve nitrogen and salt management from simple on-farm measurements.

Project Title Environmental management system for trout production in inland saline water

RIRDC Project No: UMU-27A

Start Date: 8-Jun-01

Finish Date: 8-Jun-04

Researcher: Dr. Alan Lymbery

Organisation: Murdoch University
Division of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences
MURDOCH WA 6150

Phone: (08) 9360 2729

Fax: (08) 9310 4144

Email: alymbery@central.murdoch.edu.au

Objectives · To increase environmental and economic sustainability of rainbow trout production in inland saline water by developing an environmental management system (EMS) for fish production and designing a marketing strategy to capitalise on consumer preference for quality food produced in an environmentally friendly way.

Current Progress The effluent from four different trout production systems was sampled over a 12-month period and analysed for water quality. There were significant loadings of total nitrogen, ammonia, nitrate/nitrite, total phosphorous and salinity in the effluent from all systems. The load of nutrients and salt discharged from trout farms may potentially impact on downstream riverine communities. A simulation model of nutrient cycling in inland saline trout ponds has been developed and is being used in conjunction with the water quality data to evaluate the environmental risks from trout farm effluent. A literature review of mitigation techniques for nutrient and salt discharge has been conducted, and constructed wetlands were identified as a sustainable, cost-effective method of reducing nutrient and salt loads in effluent. Experimental wetlands have been constructed using different plant species and are currently being tested for their efficiency in nutrient and salt removal under different conditions. A survey of inland saltwater trout consumers was conducted to test responses to environmental management and product quality information. Although the overwhelming majority of consumers recognised the importance of sustainable production, their willingness to pay more for products purely because they are produced in accordance with an environmental management system was less obvious. A more detailed consumer survey is currently being prepared.

New Technology Systems - Management

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

RIRDC Project No: CSW-34A

Start Date: 7-Jan-00

Finish Date: 30-Nov-03

Researcher: Dr. Lisa Brennan

Organisation: CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems, Queensland Bioscience Precinct
306 Carmody Road
St Lucia, QLD, 4067

Phone: 07 3214 2373

Fax: 07 3214 2308

Email: Lisa.Brennan@csiro.au

Objectives · 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.
· 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.
· 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.
· 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 This project has continued to explore the knowledge gap between the operation of precision agriculture technologies (i.e. spatial data capture) and the final step of taking informed action, based on the data captured, to manage spatial variability to achieve an economic and/or environmental benefit. Of particular interest is the significant issue of interaction between spatial and temporal variability, and how this has implications for the actions taken by a farmer to manage cropping land. We have explored the potential of crop simulation models to aid the interpretation of spatial variability, observed through yield maps, on the project’s three case study sites in NSW. For selected sites within paddocks on each of the case study farms, a simulation model (APSIM) was configured to represent these sites using the soil characterization and crop monitoring data collected throughout the duration of the project. The model was then used to assess alternative management options that exploit spatial variability and the findings were discussed during meetings with collaborating farmers. Examples discussed included comparing the optimum economic benefit achievable by applying nitrogen uniformly to a paddock to the benefit achievable by applying different rates of nitrogen to two or more management zones. In another case study, the benefit attributable to changing the vegetation mix on an area of cropping land was discussed. Feedback from collaborating farmers to date indicates that this research is aiding their interpretation of observed spatial variability on their cropping land.

Project Title: Building regional Australia’s capacity to initiate markets for ecosystem services

RIRDC Project No: CSW-35A

Start Date 30-May-02

Finish Date 30-May-05

Researcher: Mr. Stuart Whitten

Organisation: CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems
GPO Box 284
Canberra ACT 2601

Phone: 02 6242 1683

Fax: 02 6242 1705

Email: stuart.whitten@csiro.au

Objectives · To build the capacity of regional communities in Australia to initiate markets for ecosystem services including biodiversity, carbon, salinity mitigation and water quality.

Current Progress The potential theoretical impediments to practical application of markets for ecosystem services have been identified. These can be grouped into the following broad areas: · defining goods that have sufficiently marketable characteristics;
· designing suitable mechanisms and overcoming costs to trade in these goods; and,
· application of these concepts at the regional level within a broader natural resource management agenda and toolbox.
These theoretical concepts have been applied in the context of a robust pilot selection methodology and identification of key facilitative mechanisms and institutions in each of three case study areas. The resultant potential MBIs are the ‘best bet’ or ‘low hanging fruit’ opportunities that are potential target pilot markets.
‘Best bet’ ecosystem services market opportunities
Case study
Potential pilot market
Goulburn Broken Catchment
· Development offsets for water quality and biodiversity impacts.
· Salinity and water property rights for dryland salinity management.
Murrumbidgee Catchment · Cap and trade applying to net recharge of groundwater aquifers from irrigation.
· In-stream salinity management.
Blackwood Basin · Planting trees to protect road infrastructure.
· Beyond fencing –landscape reconstruction in the WA wheat-belt.
Other collaborative pilots · Corridor retention in the Desert Uplands of Queensland.
· Identifying regulation / MBI tradeoffs in nutrient management
· Leveraging private investment in environmentally positive landuse management (with Greening Australia).

Project Title Investigation into legumes with pharmaceutical and aquaculture potential

RIRDC Project No: UWA-73A

Start Date: 7-Jan-02

Finish Date: 31-Jul-06

Researcher: Dr. Shao Fang Wang

Organisation: University of Western Australia
CLIMA
35 Stirling Highway
CRAWLEY WA 6009

Phone: (08) 9222 3040

Fax: (08) 9325 7767

Email: swang@ccwa.wa.gov.au

Objectives · Develop a capacity for chemical analysis of legumes such that species from the unique University of Western Australia genebank with valuable pharmaceutical or aquaculture benefit can be developed.
· Undertake chemical identification of isoflavonoids and bioactive compounds from legumes and asses their efficacy in mammalian breast/prostate cancer proliferation assays.
· Generate a basic knowledge of the chemistry of legume germplasms such that cultivars can be developed to suit specific industries.
· Develop cultivars for specific industries.

Current Progress There is a large untapped potential for the utilization of forage legumes as sources of protein (for aquaculture feed), dietary phytohormones and new drugs in industries other than mainstream agriculture.
The aims are to develop a capacity for chemical analysis of legumes such that species with valuable pharmaceutical or aquaculture benefit can be developed. The project is progressing well. Chemical identification of isoflavonoids and bioactive compounds from legumes has been undertaken and their efficacy in mammalian breast cancer proliferation assays assessed.
The project commenced in July 2002 with the growth of a targeted group of forage legumes for study of anticancer activities. Fifty alcoholic and aqueous extracts from pasture legumes and twenty-four alcoholic extracts from pulses were prepared for screening their efficacy in mammalian breast cancer proliferation assays. This method has been developed for assessing total extracts, fractions and pure compounds.
A total of twenty-five alcoholic extracts showed anti-cancer activities. The toxicity of the most active fourteen extracts has undergone preliminary assessment in normal human breast cells. Using a bioassay-guided fractionation approach, identification of active anticancer active compounds from these active alcoholic extracts is underway.
Thirty-four species and varieties of pasture legume seeds were identified that may suit the aquaculture feed phase of the project. The total protein contents of these legume seeds were measured with up to 40% of protein content for some seeds. Total lipid contents and fatty acid profiles from these seeds were determined. Additional chemical analyses of these seeds are being carried out.

Accreditation Systems

Project Title Integrating QA, EMS and ICM in the Yarra Valley – a case study

RIRDC Project No: DAV-186A

Start Date: 01/01/01

Finish Date: 30/11/03

Researcher: Ms. Jane Fisher

Organisation: Department of Natural Resources and Environment (Vic)

Phone: 03 9210 9243

Fax: 03 9800 3521

Email: Jane.Fisher@dpi.vic.gov.au

Objectives · To develop and test a model regional environmental management system (EMS). The project aims to develop a prototype or model for linking farm QA & BMP’s to a regional EMS using consultative and negotiated methods.

Current Progress Industry interest in a regional EMS has grown in the last year. A regional environmental position statement has been developed with participation and endorsement from the nursery, flower, grape, dairy, apple, strawberry, rubus and vegetable industries.
The project is linked with a DPI funded project, Developing Regional Environmental Best Management Practices for Viticulture (BMP’s), which will be published in June 2003. The self-assessment tool (SAT), and record keeping systems which form the basis of the regional EMS will also be available then.
The BMP’s and the SAT have been endorsed as the brand standard by the Yarra Valley Centre for Agribusiness’ regional branding project.
A training program has been piloted and is undergoing FarmBiz accreditation. A paper was presented at the 2^nd National Wine Industry Environment Conference, Adelaide, 2001.

Project Title	Linking incentives - integrated policy instruments to achieve sustainable agricultural systems
RIRDC Project No:	GAP-2A
Start Date:	9-Jan-02
Finish Date:	28-Feb-04
Researcher:	Prof. Neil Gunningham
Organisation:	Gunningham and Associates Pty Ltd 6 Marrakai St HAWKER ACT 2614
Phone:	(02) 6249 3397
Fax:	(02) 6249 4899
Email:	neil.gunningham@anu.edu.au
Objectives	· To provide a policy strategy that will improve environmental sustainability, facilitate the uptake of effective risk management tools and their integration into holistic farm management, and integrate with the development of internationally acceptable accreditation/quality assurance systems. It will do so by: (i) identifying the circumstances in which combinations of different policy instruments can be more efficient and effective than single instruments; (ii) demonstrating how such combinations can enhance risk management, continuous improvement and cultural change, and better protect agri-industry from international pressure for environmentally sustainable/ healthy produce; and (iii) focussing on the means by which EMS and other voluntary codes can be integrated with market requirements, regulation and other policy instruments.
Current Progress	This project is proceeding as planned. Following an extensive literature review and development of a conceptual framework, international interviews were conducted and the fieldwork for the major Australian case study (the cotton industry). A discussion paper is in draft form and will be further revised for delivery at a forum on the project anticipated to take place at the National Conference on Environmental Management Systems in Agriculture. The argument of this paper is that the ‘taken for granted’ view of the merits of voluntary arrangements must be challenged and give way to reasoned debate about the substantial range of circumstances where they can only make a valuable contribution when combined with a range of other policy instruments, including positive and negative incentives, intervention by third parties and in some cases, an underpinning of regulation. Arguably, what is needed is a strategy that builds on the strengths of voluntary environmental management arrangements while compensating for their weaknesses by combining them with other, complementary policy instruments. If so, we must engage with a range of questions that have not so far figured substantially in the policy debate.

Project Title	Economics of conservation through commercial use of wildlife - FATE
RIRDC Project No:	MUA-1A
Start Date:	30-Jun-02
Finish Date:	30-Apr-07
Researcher:	Prof. Michael Archer
Organisation:	Australian Museum College Street SYDNEY NSW 2000
Phone:	02 9320 6110
Fax:	02 9320 6074
Email:	mikea@austmus.gov.au
Objectives	· The project will be conducted in two stages. An initial literature review and model development will enable a decision to be made on whether to progress to the monitoring of field trials and economic analyses of the commercial use of Australian native wildlife within the FATE Program over a five-year period. · The second stage if supported, will assess the prospective and actual economic effects of the integration of native wildlife enterprises into the operation of groups of existing grazing properties, mainly in the marginal rangelands of New South Wales. It will monitor the economic dimensions of three to five Wildlife Management Conservancies (trial sites each of several properties) incorporating wildlife tourism enterprises, the sale of bush plants and animals for conservation works, bush tucker production, in particular kangaroo products, and the production of ecosystem services. A series of reports will be produced, to assist participants in the planning and establishment of new enterprises, to assess the actual economic effects of these activities over the period, and to compare the profitability of conventional grazing systems in the case study regions with the profitability of the modified or mixed systems of land use.
Current Progress	A literature review has been completed and is being updated. The idea of using native plant and animal species for private commercial gain is neither new nor unusual. The report of a recent inquiry by the Victorian Parliament contains an excellent review of the range of commercial uses to which native species have been and are being put. A farm-level economic model that allows ‘baseline’ and ‘prospective’ situations, capable of incorporating enterprises based on native plants or animals, has been obtained. It is capable of representing a wide range of production systems, multi-year operations, and the economic characteristics of the proposed Wildlife Management Conservancies. Work is now focussing on (i) the collection of information on farm level costs, returns and production methods for enterprises based on native species, including a kangaroo enterprise; and (ii) the preparation of a discussion paper on the ways in which the returns to farmers from the production of native species depend on the structure of the value (marketing) chain.

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 83037786
Fax:	08 83037689
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	Pigs and chickens may one day graze the stubble of some harvested cereal paddocks as part of the growing organic food industry. Positive results were obtained in the project, which aimed to develop a sustainable free-range pig and poultry production systems making optimal use of cropping land between growing seasons. A separate free-range pig and poultry production system was established with the animals integrated into the pasture/cropping rotation. Sheep were used to provide the comparison with traditional agriculture. The project showed that pigs and chickens performed well in exploiting harvested paddocks. Sheep were very effective in grazing some weeds, while poultry preferred weed seeds. Pigs also were effective in grazing weeds. This raises the possibility that sheep and poultry could be grazed together in some circumstances to control weeds, as could sheep and pigs. Pigs and poultry were able to obtain a considerable portion of their feed from the paddocks. The system could have significant scope within the organic food industry.

Project Title	Integrated agri-aquaculture demonstration facility
RIRDC Project No:	DAQ-290A
Start Date:	7-Jan-01
Finish Date:	30-Nov-04
Researcher:	Dr. Adrian Collins
Organisation:	Department of Primary Industries (Qld) Bribie Island Aquaculture Research Centre PO Box 2066 WORRIM QLD 4507
Phone:	07 3400 2024
Fax:	07 2408 3535
Email:	Adrian.Collins@dpi.qld.gov.au
Objectives	· To stimulate interest and uptake of sustainable and synergistic farming systems, in particular, the intergration of aquaculture with irrigated agriculture. A practical demonstration site will be established on a commercial cotton and grain farm on the Darling Downs, Queensland, as a focus for the demonstration of environmental, social and economic benefits of complementary farm diversification.
Current Progress	The integrated aquaculture demonstration site was established at Loch Eaton, Dalby, in 2001. During the 2002/2003 season this site was extensively refitted by the operator McVeigh Brothers Inc. Commercial development of the system has led to significant improvements in performance and capability. To date, activity has focused on the production of silver perch, with golden perch and Murray cod growth being investigated on a smaller scale. Future commercial activity will focus on Murray cod production. Cod have potential to provide better farm returns and are suited to a wider range of climatic conditions. Monitoring of water quality, pesticide movement and water use has been ongoing. This monitoring demonstrates that integrated aquaculture can be successfully implemented in cotton and grain farming regions. Chemical uptake experiments demonstrate that pesticides used in cotton and grains production are rapidly cleared from fish and pose no risk to the animal or consumer. Interest in integrated aquaculture is strong with numerous farm tours, field days, industry groups and individuals continuing to visit the demonstration site. The first Shed Meeting, held in late 2002, was attended by up to 50 local growers, interstate farmers and DPI researchers and extension staff. Further meetings are planned for mid/late 2003. At the 2003 Cotton Week, the projects activities were presented to 500 school children, their teachers, community representatives and members of the public. The integrated aquaculture decision tool software will assist those interested in integration to scope its viability in their situation. This package is currently being tested prior to release in late 2003.

Project Title	National audit of peri-urban agriculture
RIRDC Project No:	SAR-40A
Start Date:	10-Jan-02
Finish Date:	31-Mar-04
Researcher:	Mr. Peter Houston
Organisation:	South Australian Research and Development Institute PIRSA Sustainable Resources Group GPO Box 1671 ADELAIDE SA 5001
Phone:	(08) 8204 1633
Fax:	08 8303 9555
Email:	houston.peter@saugov.sa.gov.au
Objectives	· Increase awareness amongst policy makers, industry and the community of the economic significance, key characteristics and features of peri-urban agriculture in Australia. This will be a resource for state and local government policy makers regarding current statutory (land use) and strategic planning arrangements related to peri-urban agriculture in Australia. It will provide a point of reference and stimulus for future initiatives and strategies related to peri-urban agriculture, whether by RIRDC, which currently supports many of the industries located in peri-urban regions, or by other agencies or industry.
Current Progress	Work is progressing on draft summaries describing agriculture in each State’s peri-urban regions. Using a range of maps and graphs, major and selected minor industries are being summarised in terms of value of production, production area, production volume, number of establishments, and employment. This part of the Audit project uses data from the ABS Agricultural Census collections for 1992-93 to 1996-97 to generate average annual values and show trends at the Statistical Local Area (SLA) level. The latest available data from the 2000-01 Agricultural Census is also provided. Additional information from non-ABS sources, including field-work, research and reports by departments of agriculture, university researchers and local government in each State is included where available and appropriate. Other work undertaken, and still being refined, includes provisional mapping of peri-urban regions in each State. All of this material will be available for limited release on CD-ROM in July 2003 to permit review of the draft summaries by project partners in each State and the project’s Reference Panel. Following the review, summaries and nominated peri-urban regions may be amended.

Project Title	Opportunities for tourism on agricultural land through mammal reintroductions
RIRDC Project No:	SUS-1A
Start Date:	6-Jan-02
Finish Date:	11-Dec-04
Researcher:	Ms. Narelle King
Organisation:	CRC for Sustainable Tourism Pty Ltd 1 Tania Drive Highton Vic 3216
Phone:	041 988 3519
Email:	n.king@mailbox.gu.edu.au
Objectives	· The project will enhance the ability of landowners to benefit economically from tourism based on reintroduced mammals. The project will deliver a manual for landowners describing how to carry out reintroductions and manage them for tourism. The project report will outline administrative barriers to success, highlighting existing constraints relating to government regulations. · The manual and project report will be published by RIRDC further to acceptance by the Corporation.
Current Progress	Pilot tours have been conducted at Western Plains Zoo Flora and Fauna Reserve to investigate the best ways to satisfy tourists and earn financial returns. Tour guests were drawn from hotels and caravan parks in Dubbo, as well as interested locals. The guests were surveyed to determine their satisfaction with the tours and their willingness-to-pay for the tours. Data was collected on the number of animals seen and the ability of guests to get close to them, and on the optimal times and locations for viewing, to determine the best types of tours for viewing wildlife. The responses of animals to tourists and ways to minimise negative impacts of the tours have also been investigated. The animals’ behaviour and flight distances were observed. The first draft of a journal publication on this research has been completed, and is being edited. A review of Australian sites currently attempting to integrate reintroductions and tourism has commenced, with a number of sites being identified and key people within them contacted. Some sites in Western Australia have been visited. A review of the policy and legal environment surrounding reintroductions incorporating tourism has also commenced through legal texts and internet research.

Project Title	Industrial Seaweed agonomy in saline drainage water evaporation basins
RIRDC Project No:	SWT-1A
Start Date:	25-Aug-01
Finish Date:	30-Nov-05
Researcher:	Mr. Robert Cordover
Organisation:	Robert Cordover T/A Seaweed Trading PO Box 116 CURTIN ACT 2605
Phone:	0429 990 120
Email:	cordover@bigpond.com
Objectives	· To make profitable use of saline wastewater in the Murray Darling Basin, the project will introduce and develop agronomy and aquaculture technologies for agarophyte and carrageenophyte seaweed cultivation. Export markets for these industrial seaweeds have been identified and a whole-of-chain approach will include improvement of harvest quality and post harvest handling to market. Australian industry has expressed an interest in processing the raw seaweed into industrial food thickeners that are currently all imported and raw materials will be supplied for pilot extraction and processing of gels.
Current Progress	Goulburn-Murray Water made six trial ponds available within the Girgarre (Victoria) saline water evaporation basin. Underground water is pumped into the three-bay basin to lower water tables on surrounding arable farmland. Water for the seaweed experiments is mixed from the bays to provide a wide range of experimental salinities. A second site with different water qualities from Girgarre was selected in a dryland salinity region of western Victoria at Jeparat. Three varieties of a native Australian seaweed agarophyte, Gracilaria chilensis were selected for agronomy experiments at the Girgarre evaporation basin. Salinity limits were consistent with the literature that suggested a wide range of salinity and water quality tolerance. Other trials suggested that high concentrations of iron inhibited growth and viability of the seaweed. Nitrogen and Phosphorous are usually supplemented for growth, though potassium is also required at Girgarre, Gracilaria viability was not affected by temperatures as low as 4^oC, though growth was very slow over winter. This is attributed to short day length with insufficient light intensity to drive high rates of seaweed growth necessary for commercial production. Seaweed grew well until April, but didn't start showing growth again in early August.

Project Title	Institutional change enabling kangaroo harvest to promote sustainable rangeland landscapes
RIRDC Project No:	UA-59A
Start Date:	3-Jan-02
Finish Date:	4-Jan-05
Researcher:	Dr. Jocelyn Davies
Organisation:	The University of Adelaide Department of Agronomy and Farming Systems Roseworthy Campus ROSEWORTHY SA 5371
Phone:	(08) 8303 7889
Fax:	(08) 8303 7979
Email:	jocelyn.davies@adelaide.edu.au
Objectives	· Recommendations and stakeholder support for institutional and policy changes which will result in a more sustainable commercial kangaroo industry, based on analysis of institutional settings and interfaces between stakeholders development from case studies which examine social, cultural and economic parameters affecting harvest decisions.
Current Progress	The question of how social and institutional factors impact on kangaroo management is being examined in three South Australian case study areas: · Marla region – outside dog fence; large properties; few field processors (shooters). · Port Augusta region – inside dog fence; large and small properties; many field processors. · Northern Flinders Ranges – inside dog fence; large and small properties; some field processors live locally with others based elsewhere. In each case study region, in-depth interviews are being conducted with up to 10 landholders and the field processors who harvest their property. Interviews are also being conducted with meat processors, harvest regulators and Aboriginal people. Preliminary research findings suggest that lack of flexibility in the regulatory institutions for kangaroo management limits industry development. The question of why only about half of the available quota is taken in SA is generating interesting and varied responses. Key issues to emerge are terrain and accessibility; tag allocation system; and economic considerations. These issues are being explored further in interviews and through analysis of spatial data. Further, the perspectives and aspirations of Aboriginal people for kangaroo harvest vary considerably with cultural concerns precluding industry involvement in some cases and keen interest in industry development and operation elsewhere.

Project Title	Implementation of blue heliotrope biocontrol strategy
RIRDC Project No:	CSE-89A
Start Date:	1/7/02
Finish Date:	30/6/04
Researcher:	Dr David Briese
Organisation:	CSIRO Entomology GPO Box 1700 CANBERRA ACT 2601
Phone:	(02) 6246 4045
Fax:	(02) 6246 4000
Email:	david.briese@csiro.au
Objectives	· The immediate outcome of this project will be to release into the field additional agent(s) for the biological control of blue heliotrope that have been approved by quarantine authorities and will complement the already released leaf beetle. These will complete the complementary suite of agents attacking different parts of the weed and will maximise the chances of effective biological control.
Current Progress	Longitarsus sp. flea-beetles were collected from blue heliotrope plants in Argentina in autumn 2002. A rearing protocol was developed at the University of Buenos Aires, enabling a shipment of 64 adults to be sent to the Black Mountain Quarantine Facility, Canberra. These beetles were reared according to the protocol established in Argentina and F1 progeny used to study their life-cycle. Blue heliotrope seedlings were grown under controlled conditions, enabling the root zone to be observed periodically. Adult Longitarsus lived up to 8 weeks, feeding and mating on the leaves. Females entered the soil and laid eggs onto the plant roots. After hatching, larvae fed on the fine hair roots, destroying them. Mature larvae pupated in the soil and new adults then emerged to feed on leaves and repeat the cycle. The time for development from egg to adult was about 8 weeks. These observations provided the first record of the complete life-cycle of this flea-beetle. Experiments in quarantine showed that the most accurate host-specificity tests to determine the host range of Longitarsus would be no-choice larval survival tests. Testing of Longitarsus against a list of approved test plants has started and is expected to continue for the next 12 months.

Project Title	The farmer's road toward clean and green horticulture
RIRDC Project No:	CSL-14A
Start Date:	01/12/00
Finish Date:	30/11/03
Researcher:	Dr. Richard Stirzaker
Organisation:	CSIRO Land & Water PO Box 1666 CANBERRA ACT 2601
Phone:	(02) 6246 5570
Fax:	(02) 6246 5965
Email:	richard.stirzaker@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 was designed to be a simple and user-friendly tool to help land managers think about water and nutrient management on their own farms. The aim of the project is to get land managers to assess their own performance and give them the confidence and impetus to change practice where necessary. This might be a change to their irrigation, fertilizer or salt leaching practices, redesign of the irrigation system or the purchase more sophisticated monitoring tools. In this final year of the project, work has focused on using the wetting front detector to monitor nitrogen and salt movement. The detector traps a sample of water from the wetting front and this can be monitored on a routine basis. Simple field tests such as the use of nitrate colour strips and measurement of EC have been compared with laboratory analysis of major solutes. Detectors have also been compared with the conventional method of soil solution sampling – the suction cup. The data is being used to construct rules as to how farmers can improve nitrogen and salt management from simple on-farm measurements.

Project Title	Environmental management system for trout production in inland saline water
RIRDC Project No:	UMU-27A
Start Date:	8-Jun-01
Finish Date:	8-Jun-04
Researcher:	Dr. Alan Lymbery
Organisation:	Murdoch University Division of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences MURDOCH WA 6150
Phone:	(08) 9360 2729
Fax:	(08) 9310 4144
Email:	alymbery@central.murdoch.edu.au
Objectives	· To increase environmental and economic sustainability of rainbow trout production in inland saline water by developing an environmental management system (EMS) for fish production and designing a marketing strategy to capitalise on consumer preference for quality food produced in an environmentally friendly way.
Current Progress	The effluent from four different trout production systems was sampled over a 12-month period and analysed for water quality. There were significant loadings of total nitrogen, ammonia, nitrate/nitrite, total phosphorous and salinity in the effluent from all systems. The load of nutrients and salt discharged from trout farms may potentially impact on downstream riverine communities. A simulation model of nutrient cycling in inland saline trout ponds has been developed and is being used in conjunction with the water quality data to evaluate the environmental risks from trout farm effluent. A literature review of mitigation techniques for nutrient and salt discharge has been conducted, and constructed wetlands were identified as a sustainable, cost-effective method of reducing nutrient and salt loads in effluent. Experimental wetlands have been constructed using different plant species and are currently being tested for their efficiency in nutrient and salt removal under different conditions. A survey of inland saltwater trout consumers was conducted to test responses to environmental management and product quality information. Although the overwhelming majority of consumers recognised the importance of sustainable production, their willingness to pay more for products purely because they are produced in accordance with an environmental management system was less obvious. A more detailed consumer survey is currently being prepared.

Project Title	Economic and environmental benefits / risks of precision agriculture and mosaic farming
RIRDC Project No:	CSW-34A
Start Date:	7-Jan-00
Finish Date:	30-Nov-03
Researcher:	Dr. Lisa Brennan
Organisation:	CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems, Queensland Bioscience Precinct 306 Carmody Road St Lucia, QLD, 4067
Phone:	07 3214 2373
Fax:	07 3214 2308
Email:	Lisa.Brennan@csiro.au
Objectives	· 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. · 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. · 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. · 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	This project has continued to explore the knowledge gap between the operation of precision agriculture technologies (i.e. spatial data capture) and the final step of taking informed action, based on the data captured, to manage spatial variability to achieve an economic and/or environmental benefit. Of particular interest is the significant issue of interaction between spatial and temporal variability, and how this has implications for the actions taken by a farmer to manage cropping land. We have explored the potential of crop simulation models to aid the interpretation of spatial variability, observed through yield maps, on the project’s three case study sites in NSW. For selected sites within paddocks on each of the case study farms, a simulation model (APSIM) was configured to represent these sites using the soil characterization and crop monitoring data collected throughout the duration of the project. The model was then used to assess alternative management options that exploit spatial variability and the findings were discussed during meetings with collaborating farmers. Examples discussed included comparing the optimum economic benefit achievable by applying nitrogen uniformly to a paddock to the benefit achievable by applying different rates of nitrogen to two or more management zones. In another case study, the benefit attributable to changing the vegetation mix on an area of cropping land was discussed. Feedback from collaborating farmers to date indicates that this research is aiding their interpretation of observed spatial variability on their cropping land.

Project Title:	Building regional Australia’s capacity to initiate markets for ecosystem services
RIRDC Project No:	CSW-35A
Start Date	30-May-02
Finish Date	30-May-05
Researcher:	Mr. Stuart Whitten
Organisation:	CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems GPO Box 284 Canberra ACT 2601
Phone:	02 6242 1683
Fax:	02 6242 1705
Email:	stuart.whitten@csiro.au
Objectives	· To build the capacity of regional communities in Australia to initiate markets for ecosystem services including biodiversity, carbon, salinity mitigation and water quality.
Current Progress	The potential theoretical impediments to practical application of markets for ecosystem services have been identified. These can be grouped into the following broad areas: · defining goods that have sufficiently marketable characteristics; · designing suitable mechanisms and overcoming costs to trade in these goods; and, · application of these concepts at the regional level within a broader natural resource management agenda and toolbox. These theoretical concepts have been applied in the context of a robust pilot selection methodology and identification of key facilitative mechanisms and institutions in each of three case study areas. The resultant potential MBIs are the ‘best bet’ or ‘low hanging fruit’ opportunities that are potential target pilot markets. ‘Best bet’ ecosystem services market opportunities Case study Potential pilot market *Goulburn Broken Catchment* · Development offsets for water quality and biodiversity impacts. · Salinity and water property rights for dryland salinity management. *Murrumbidgee Catchment* · Cap and trade applying to net recharge of groundwater aquifers from irrigation. · In-stream salinity management. *Blackwood Basin* · Planting trees to protect road infrastructure. · Beyond fencing –landscape reconstruction in the WA wheat-belt. *Other collaborative pilots* · Corridor retention in the Desert Uplands of Queensland. · Identifying regulation / MBI tradeoffs in nutrient management · Leveraging private investment in environmentally positive landuse management (with Greening Australia).

Project Title	Investigation into legumes with pharmaceutical and aquaculture potential
RIRDC Project No:	UWA-73A
Start Date:	7-Jan-02
Finish Date:	31-Jul-06
Researcher:	Dr. Shao Fang Wang
Organisation:	University of Western Australia CLIMA 35 Stirling Highway CRAWLEY WA 6009
Phone:	(08) 9222 3040
Fax:	(08) 9325 7767
Email:	swang@ccwa.wa.gov.au
Objectives	· Develop a capacity for chemical analysis of legumes such that species from the unique University of Western Australia genebank with valuable pharmaceutical or aquaculture benefit can be developed. · Undertake chemical identification of isoflavonoids and bioactive compounds from legumes and asses their efficacy in mammalian breast/prostate cancer proliferation assays. · Generate a basic knowledge of the chemistry of legume germplasms such that cultivars can be developed to suit specific industries. · Develop cultivars for specific industries.
Current Progress	There is a large untapped potential for the utilization of forage legumes as sources of protein (for aquaculture feed), dietary phytohormones and new drugs in industries other than mainstream agriculture. The aims are to develop a capacity for chemical analysis of legumes such that species with valuable pharmaceutical or aquaculture benefit can be developed. The project is progressing well. Chemical identification of isoflavonoids and bioactive compounds from legumes has been undertaken and their efficacy in mammalian breast cancer proliferation assays assessed. The project commenced in July 2002 with the growth of a targeted group of forage legumes for study of anticancer activities. Fifty alcoholic and aqueous extracts from pasture legumes and twenty-four alcoholic extracts from pulses were prepared for screening their efficacy in mammalian breast cancer proliferation assays. This method has been developed for assessing total extracts, fractions and pure compounds. A total of twenty-five alcoholic extracts showed anti-cancer activities. The toxicity of the most active fourteen extracts has undergone preliminary assessment in normal human breast cells. Using a bioassay-guided fractionation approach, identification of active anticancer active compounds from these active alcoholic extracts is underway. Thirty-four species and varieties of pasture legume seeds were identified that may suit the aquaculture feed phase of the project. The total protein contents of these legume seeds were measured with up to 40% of protein content for some seeds. Total lipid contents and fatty acid profiles from these seeds were determined. Additional chemical analyses of these seeds are being carried out.

Project Title	Integrating QA, EMS and ICM in the Yarra Valley – a case study
RIRDC Project No:	DAV-186A
Start Date:	01/01/01
Finish Date:	30/11/03
Researcher:	Ms. Jane Fisher
Organisation:	Department of Natural Resources and Environment (Vic)
Phone:	03 9210 9243
Fax:	03 9800 3521
Email:	Jane.Fisher@dpi.vic.gov.au
Objectives	· To develop and test a model regional environmental management system (EMS). The project aims to develop a prototype or model for linking farm QA & BMP’s to a regional EMS using consultative and negotiated methods.
Current Progress	Industry interest in a regional EMS has grown in the last year. A regional environmental position statement has been developed with participation and endorsement from the nursery, flower, grape, dairy, apple, strawberry, rubus and vegetable industries. The project is linked with a DPI funded project, Developing Regional Environmental Best Management Practices for Viticulture (BMP’s), which will be published in June 2003. The self-assessment tool (SAT), and record keeping systems which form the basis of the regional EMS will also be available then. The BMP’s and the SAT have been endorsed as the brand standard by the Yarra Valley Centre for Agribusiness’ regional branding project. A training program has been piloted and is undergoing FarmBiz accreditation. A paper was presented at the 2^nd National Wine Industry Environment Conference, Adelaide, 2001.