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RIRDC Completed Projects in 2005-2006 & Research in Progress as at June 2006

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Agroforestry and Farm Forestry  COMPLETED PROJECTS 2005–2006
Project No.	Project title	Researcher	Organisation	Phone No.
Goal 1 Improve information delivery and increase decision-making capacity of all agroforestry stakeholders
CVF-1A	(NHT) Communicating sustainable forest management for the private forest resource in East Gippsland and Central Victoria	David Fisken	Central Victorian Farm Plantations	03 5341 7759
DIR-1A	(NHT) (NHT) Native vegetation data sets on freehold lands within NSW	Keith Emery & Ian Geers	Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources	02 9895 6161
GAL-7A	Rural display units for rural supply agents: innovative solutions for informative dissemination	Michael Rooney	Greening Australia Ltd	02 6281 8585
TA045-08	Travel grant for Andrew Lang to attend IUFRO Small Forestry Conference in Denmark and visit the USA and Canada (May-Jun 05)	Andrew Lang	SMARTimbers Cooperative Ltd	03 5596 2164
UM-63A	Australian Master TreeGrower: enhancing farmer participant in farm forestry practice, research and development	Rowan Reid	School of Resource Management, The University of Melbourne	03 8344 5011
WS045-08	Acacia utilisation and management workshop 27–30 April 2006 in Melbourne	Chris Beadle	University of Tasmania, School of Agricultural Sciences	03 6226 7911
WS056-08	(NHT) Sponsorship of Avon Wheatbelt private native forestry field day	Monica Durcan	AVONGRO Wheatbelt Tree Cropping Incorporated
Goal 2 Develop products and markets including environmental services, and new agroforestry systems to meet regional NRM objectives
CSC-2A	Development of new chemical products from lignin	Michael Zachariou	CSIRO Molecular and Health Technologies	03 9545 2321
CSF-65A	Evaluation of product value and sawing and drying efficiencies for low rainfall hardwood thinnings	Russell Washusen	ensis-Wood and Fibre Quality	03 9545 2173
CSW-35A	Building regional Australia’s capacity to initiate markets for ecosystem services	Stuart Whitten	CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems	02 6242 1683
DNT-32A	Evaluation of the wood quality and utilisation potential of plantation grown Khaya senegalensis	Don Reilly	Department of Business, Industry and Resource Development	08 89992316
USC-7A	Wood quality analysis from high value, mixed species, agroforestry systems	Kevin Glencross & J Doland Nichols	Southern Cross University	02 66203650
UWA-83A	Florasearch (stage 2): Selection and development of multi-purpose perennial species for large-scale crop development in the wheat-sheep belt of southern Australia	Mike Bennell & John Bartle	Department of Water, Land & Biodiversity Conservation, SA	08 8303 9674
WS056-10	JVAP Direct Seeding workshop (December 2005)	Bruce Munday	Clear Connections	08 8538 7075
Goal 3 Develop agroforestry designs that optimize social, economic and environmental factors at the paddock, farm and regional-landscape scale
CAL-6A	Phase farming with trees—field validation and extension	RJ Harper	Forest Products Commission, WA	08 9475 8824
DAV-221A	(NHT) (NHT) Sustainability of private native forestry in Victoria: following implementation of the Native Vegetation Management Framework	Helen Vaughan & Cain Trist	Department of Primary Industries (Victoria)	03 96584350
FAY-3A	Developing a framework for the role of trees in controlling dryland salinity	Fay Lewis	Fay Lewis Consulting	08 9298 8699
GAQ-1A	Assessment of Central and South East Queensland 12–25 year old farm forestry trials	Karen Steele	Greening Australia Queensland (Inc)	07 3902 4411
SGO-1A	Modelling for sustainable production of salt-tolerant eucalypt hybrids on saline discharge sites	Glenn Dale	Saltgrow Pty Ltd	07 3311 1410
UMA-18A	(NHT) Vegetation and biodiversity response of eucalypt regrowth forest to thinning and grazing	Ross J Peacock	Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University	02 9850 8191
DAW-106A	Managing tree/pasture competition with perennial forage species	Paul Sanford and Rob Sudmeyer	Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia	08 9892 8475 or 08 9083 1129
Goal 4 Facilitate new policy and institutional arrangements that stimulate agroforestry investment
CAR-2A	(NHT) Sustainability of private native forestry	David Thompson	Centre for Agricultural & Regional Economics Pty Ltd	02 6771 3833

Goal 1 Improve information delivery and increase decision-making capacity of all agroforestry stakeholders
 

Project title:	(NHT) Communicating sustainable forest management for the private forest resource in East Gippsland and Central Victoria
RIRDC Project No.:	CVF-1A
Start Date:	31-Jan-06
Finish Date:	30-May-06
Researcher:	Mr David Fisken
Organisation:	Central Victorian Farm Plantations 313 Yendon Egerton Road Lal Lal VIC 3352
Phone:	03 5341 7759
Fax:	03 5341 7759
Email:	dfisken@cvfp.org.au
Objectives	The overall aim of the project is to provide two well-organised, pro-active and targeted workshops to effectively communicate practical silvicultural and sustainability principles, including the results of recent private native forest (PNF) sustainability projects, to landholders and relevant Natural Resource Management bodies including local government and Catchment Management Authorities.  Two-day workshops are planned for both East Gippsland and Central Victoria as these regions have the most active management of the PNF resource in the State. Workshops will utilise regionally specific existing and newly prepared forest management material as a basis for promoting the sustainability of private native forestry and will be delivered by a core team of experts. Workshops will be targeted to audience requirements.
Background	Victoria has a significant private native forest resource. This resource is important for the maintenance of regional biodiversity and it may provide valuable agricultural benefits and timber production. Interest from the timber industry in the commercial value of PNF is increasing. Many PNF owners have only limited knowledge of appropriate silviculture and sustainable management requirements. At the same time the policy and regulatory framework surrounding PNF management is seen to be complex and discouraging.
Research	Two regional workshops were held to examine the policy and regulatory framework pertaining to PNF management, to discuss recent research into the sustainability of PNF management, to promote the principles of ecologically sustainable forest management, and to provide some practical guidance on appropriate silviculture. These workshops were attended by private landholders and forest managers, State agency representatives, local government and CMA staff.
Outcomes	Information about the potential extent of the PNF resource in Gippsland and Central Victoria has been recently developed and was discussed during the workshops. Local government and CMA staff were able to be informed of research findings which demonstrate that PNF management and utilisation can be undertaken in an ecologically sustainable manner. Private landholders and forest managers were given an appreciation of the requirements of the planning process and gained some understanding of the principles of ecologically sustainable forest management.
Implications	The workshops provided a very useful opportunity for all stakeholders to better understand the way in which the current native vegetation regulations impact on PNF managers. Recent research has shown that active PNF management can easily meet the threshold requirements under the Victorian Native Vegetation Framework. There was a degree of agreement that based on this understanding, it would be reasonable for local government to attempt to streamline the approvals process and to be prepared to be more supportive of permit applications for PNF management. There are opportunities to develop the skills of PNF managers in order to improve the commercial and environmental values of their private native forest.
Publications	Report to RIRDC: "David Fisken & Helen Vaughan (in review) Two workshops on sustainable management of the private native forest resource in East Gippsland and Central Victoria. Report prepared for Joint Venture Agroforestry Program.

 
 

Project title:	(NHT) Native vegetation data sets on freehold lands within NSW
RIRDC Project No.:	DIR-1A
Researcher:	Mr Keith Emery
Organisation:	Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources (NSW) PO Box 3720 Parramatta NSW 2124
Phone:	02 9895 6161
Fax:	02 9895 7742
Email:	keith.emery@dipnr.nsw.gov.au
Objectives	·1 Identify and locate spatial data sets that provide relevant information on native vegetation over freehold lands. Sources include federal, state and local government agencies and community groups. ·2 Retrieve spatial data sets and metadata statements and store within a dedicated archive. ·3 Where the data sets are part of a multiple attribute data set, separate the appropriate vegetation layers, store within a dedicated archive and prepare metadata statements.
Background	Previous reviews of native vegetation data sets of freehold lands have failed to identify a number of relevant data sets. This is because the information, often recording the spatial extent of woody vegetation, tree canopy cover and features of vegetation condition are within multiple-layered or multiple attribute data sets. These multiple attribute data sets are often recorded under a title that does not easily indicate the presence of vegetation information and particularly with older data sets, the metadata statements are minimal. An additional problem has been that whilst the projects have identified many of the data sets, they have not brought them together into a single directory. Thus, whilst these data records may be tabulated, it’s not been easy for potential users to access them.
Research	Data sets were searched, collated and reviewed. The written report outlines data sets obtained, their descriptive statistics, and recommends improvements to future metadata statements for mapping and inventory data.
Outcomes	A substantial amount of new native vegetation data sets have been identified through this project. List of native vegetation data sets on private lands created. These data sets and information about them have been stored in a separate area. Majority of these have been made available through the internet at http://www.nratlas.nsw.gov.au
Implications	This project has shown that meta-data statements (describing content, quality, currency and availability of data etc) often contain insufficient detail. Nevertheless, through this project, mapping data has been collated and is now more available for CMAS.
Publications	Geers, I. and Emery, K. (in press) Native vegetation data sets on freehold lands within NSW – An Audit. A report to JVAP by NSW DIPNR. RIRDC publication

Project title:	Rural display units for rural supply agents: innovative solutions for informative dissemination
RIRDC Project No.:	GAL-7A
Researcher:	Mr Michael Rooney
Organisation:	Greening Australia Limited PO Box 74 Yarralumla ACT 2600
Phone:	02 6281 8585
Fax:
Email:	mrooney@greeningaustralia.org.au
Objectives	The proposed outcomes of the project were: ·1 Customers of between 6–10 rural suppliers/centre have access to up-to-date relevant information distributed in a coordinated fashion ·2 Rural suppliers have access to display area and an opportunity for community service ·3 Greening Australia and source providers are kept up to date on relevancy of research publications and their popularity ·4 Information providers are given regular feedback on publication distributions
Background	JVAP, Land and Water Australia and Greening Australia decided to try a new way to address difficulties in getting information to the rural sector, particularly those outside Landcare and environmental networks which are regularly exposed to NRM information.
Research	The Rural Display Units (RDU) project utilised existing Greening Australia networks in south-east NSW to engage rural suppliers to host display stands or RDU containing environmental publications, and to monitor interest in the publications displayed between April to September 2005. Eight RDU were established and managed in major rural townships within 2 hours drive of Canberra. Each display contained 16 relevant environmental publications selected for each local region. The publications were selected to have some relevance to the southeast NSW agricultural region, and were chosen from pre-existing brochure-sized publications available from RIRDC, JVAP, Land & Water Australia, and Greening Australia.
Outcomes	More than 2200 publications were distributed through the RDU. The most popular included technical and localised publications relating to birds, paddock trees, weeds and general farm management. The 5 publications most taken by users (in order) were: ·5 Bringing Birds Back – Glovebox guide ·6 Paddock Trees – Brochure ·7 Lyndfield Park – Booklet ·8 Look after your natural assets—Booklet ·9 African Lovegrass fact sheet
Implications	As a result of this project, Greening Australia has partnered with the Upper Murrumbidgee Catchment Coordinating Committee (UMCCC) which is made up of local Landcare, environmental and government groups, in an ‘Adopt a Display’ program. Community groups and nominated individuals have been encouraged to adopt a local RDU and continue to organise for publications to be displayed. RDU will continue to play an ongoing role in disseminating environmental information to the community. Longer term displays, using publication material specifically produced and targeted to the local region are recommended for trial in other regions, with ongoing resources to replace publication stocks and monitor usage of the material. It is also a reminder that we need to resource information dissemination as an equal part of the PRODUCTION – PUBLICATION – DISSEMINATION product cycle. Given ongoing resources, there could be potential for proactive hosts of rural supply outlets to play a greater role in directing people to information and possibly setting up and managing RDU independently.
Publications	Streatfield, S. and Morris, J. (2006) Rural display units: innovative solutions for informative dissemination. RIRDC Publication No. 06/031

 
 
 
 

Project title:	Travel grant for Andrew Lang to attend IUFRO Small Forestry Conference in Denmark and visit the USA and Canada (May-Jun 05)
RIRDC Project No.:	TA045-08
Researcher:	Mr Andrew Lang
Organisation:	SMARTimbers Cooperative Ltd 141 Skipton Road Lismore VIC 3324
Phone:	03 5596 2164
Fax:
Email:	andrewlang@smartimber.com.au
Objectives	The Joint Venture Agroforestry Program funded this travel to enhance understanding of features of successful cooperatives and models of management, harvest, handling, certification, value adding and promotion that are relevant to non-industrial private forestry Australia wide. This study trip is relevant to SMARTimbers and other existing and prospective non-industrial private forestry operations in Australia, for example, small farm holdings.
Background	Finding and maintaining markets for product from farm forestry cooperatives, who are often in competition with large industrial companies, is difficult. Effective harvest of small dispersed woodlots, value-adding, quality control and promotion are key to a cooperative’s success, as well as having suitable quantity and continuity of supply to meet buyers’ needs.
Outcomes and Implications	In Sweden and Denmark, NIPF ‘non-industrial private forestry’ is the norm and supplies the majority of industrial timber (the same applies for Norway and to an even greater degree, Finland). In these countries NIPF owner associations manage establishment, management, planning and harvest for members. They have many of the answers in the process for managing certification, and for the handling of material and membership on a larger scale. They show the scope for the provision of extension services by association officers in a most focused, cost effective and responsive way, in liaison with the government forestry departments, which demonstrates intelligently developed government policy and legislation going back 100 years. In Lithuania, and to varying degrees in other Baltic and eastern European countries, NIPF is just emerging, as forest lands previously nationalised are being returned to former owners. Out of this complex situation, the first entrepreneurial individuals and associations are emerging, who are value-adding timber and improving mismanaged or neglected forest. In the Canadian province of British Columbia, most of the industrial log supply is from state-owned forest, or corporation-controlled land, by very large-scale processes. The USA states of Wisconsin and Minnesota fall between these extremes with close to half of forest products coming from NIPF, although, harvest is infrequently overseen by grower’s associations. Within this USA scene are small operators and co-operatives making a good living by value adding their forest products, and in some cases, taking it right to the point of installation in buildings. However, the spread of this approach, and consequent large-scale new NIPF plantings, is clearly retarded by confused state and federal government policy. Some large US plantings of biofuel species – willow and poplar – are stimulated by state and federal government policy, but the process is highly subsidised in an environment of relatively untaxed fossil fuels.
	The trip sought answers to these questions: ·10 How do we manage Australian Forestry Standard (AFS) group certification as a small and isolated body? I found the answer, at least partially, in Sweden.  ·11 How do we harvest thinnings cost effectively? The answer is that on our small disconnected scale no one I found was yet doing it cash neutral or positive. We have to develop our own system, or modify a Scandinavian system.  ·12 How do we value-add cost effectively to small diameter straight logs? The Scandinavians do it as the main part of their processed volume, but it requires scale. Several other solutions came out of North America. ·13 How do we negotiate the jump from sub-commercial to commercial scale? The Eco-Lumber example in Vancouver, British Columbia (BC) was the closest example to SMARTimbers situation, and about two years further in time. I was also looking for: ·14 ways that governments could stimulate NIPF? – I saw many different options in the USA, Scandinavia, and Canada ·15 what the potential was for biomass fuel energy production? – Södra in Sweden, all of Finland’s regions, and the federal US government are all exploring different options ·16 how the cooperative could diversity and add to our income stream? – the Kickapoo Woods co-operative demonstrated one way.
Publications	Travel report available from RIRDC on request.  See also Plantations 20:20 website, for Lang (2006) Ways to develop Victorian private forestry: Report from a study trip over May & June 2006.

Project title:	Australian Master TreeGrower: enhancing farmer participant in farm forestry practice, research and development
RIRDC Project No.:	UM-63A
Researcher:	Rowan Reid
Organisation:	School of Resource Management Faculty of Land and Food Resources The University of Melbourne VIC 3010
Phone:	03 8344 5011
Fax:	03 8344 4665
Email:	rfr@unimelb.edu.au
Objectives	Objectives of this phase of the Australian Master TreeGrower Program include: ·1 Deliver at least 24 regional MTG programs ·2 Extension of JVAP research and development through the distribution of JVAP publications and inclusion of JVAP project researchers as MTG presenters. ·3 The expansion of the monitoring and evaluation process to include more participatory techniques for measuring the outcomes of the MTG program. ·4 Design and delivery of MTG refresher courses ·5 The integration and expansion of farm forestry information sources between the MTG program, the MTG www site, the National Farm Forestry Information Service and the Multimedia Agroforestry Design Program. ·6 Contribute to the development of a stronger, better skilled and more knowledgeable base amongst land managers throughout Australia.
Background	The MTG is a comprehensive outreach and extension package that started in 1996 and aims to ensure that the development of agroforestry is driven by the aspirations and opportunities of farmers and supported by the interests of industry, governments and community groups. International experience suggests that increasing farmer (or small private owner) participation in forestry can have quite different social, economic and environmental impacts to that of industrial or government forestry.
Research	By the end of 2005, seventy regional Master TreeGrower landholder education programs had been conducted involving over 1400 participants and more than 30 partner organisations making it the possibly the largest outreach program of its type in the world.
Outcomes	The MTG approach is one of facilitating participatory learning. The program includes transfer of technology, problem solving, education and elements that are aimed at facilitating participatory development (See publications). The results of the internal continuous monitoring and evaluation program and two national external reviews confirm that the program has had an impact on the perceptions, enthusiasm and activity of participants. Participants believe they’re making better management decisions and a greater contribution to farm forestry research, development and extension within their regions, particularly through their participation in regional farm forestry networks.
Implications	The success of the MTG program has redefined farm forestry extension in Australia and provided a comprehensive and targeted mechanism for extending agroforestry research.
Publications	R. Reid (2003) A conceptual framework for farm forestry and agroforestry – helping target extension in Australia. Paper presented at the Extension Forestry – Building capacity through collaboration. IUFRO Forestry Extension Conference Troutdale, Oregon, Sept. 28 – Oct. 2, 2003. http://www.iufro.org/iufro/iufronet/d6/wu60603/troutdale03-proceedings.pdf pages 277-290 R. Reid (2004) Subsidies: The sacred cow of agroforestry extension? Paper Presented at the 1st World Congress of Agroforestry: Working together for sustainable land-use systems. 27th June to 2nd July, Orlando, Florida, USA R. Reid (2004) Facilitating farmer participation in timber production, Presentation to the International Workshop on Small-holder Timber Production, 29 November to 1 December 2004 Nairobi, Kenya Reid R. (2004) Farm forestry extension. In Elevitch, C.R.(ed) 2004. The Overstorey Book: Cultivating Connections with Trees, 2nd Edition. Permanent Agriculture Resources, Holualoa, Hawaii, USA. Pages 249–252 Reid, R. and P. Stephen 2001 The Farmer’s Forest: Multipurpose forestry for Australian Farmers. 168 pp. Australian Master TreeGrowers Inc. Colac. 2000 copies printed Reid R. and P. Stephen 2004 Integrating forestry into farms. In Elevitch, C.R.(ed) 2004. The Overstorey Book: Cultivating Connections with Trees, 2nd Edition. Permanent Agriculture Resources, Holualoa, Hawaii, USA. Pages 231–235 Reid R. and Stephen P. (2007), The Australian Master TreeGrower Program-Development, delivery and impact of a national outreach and education program (1996-2004). RIRDC Publication No. 06/029 Stephen, P. and Reid, R. (2003), The Australian Master TreeGrower Program 1996–2002. Development, delivery and impact of a national agroforestry education program, Proceedings of the Eight North American Agroforestry Conference, 23–25 June 2003, Oregon State University; http://www.missouri.edu/~afta/8thNAAC/8thNAACprog.htm

 
 

Project title:	Acacia utilisation and management workshop 27–30 April 2006 in Melbourne
RIRDC Project No.:	WS045-08
Researcher:	Chris Beadle
Organisation:	C/- University of Tasmania School of Agricultural Sciences Private Bag 55 Hobart TAS 7001
Phone:	03 6226 7911 or 0409 906 719
Fax:	03 6226 7942
Email:	chris.beadle@csiro.au
Objectives	The current workshop had a focus on utilisation, markets and new opportunities for Acacia species.
Background	The Blackwood Industry Group organises international workshops for the dissemination of the latest research in blackwood and other Australian Acacia species that show promise for wood production and environmental benefits. This is the fourth in the series of workshops.
Research	The ‘Acacia utilisation and management workshop’ was held 26–29 April 2006 in Melbourne and N-E Victoria.
Outcomes	The workshop commenced on Wednesday 26 April with a display (The Brilliance of Blackwood) of guitars (Maton Guitars), furniture (Davis) and turned items (Guilio Marcolongo) made from blackwood. This three-hour forum was at the Horticultural College at Burnley and the makers each gave a presentation about the features of their goods and industries.  Twenty-four papers were presented at the workshop in four sessions, the first at Lardner Park, the others at the Marylands Conference Facility in Marysville: ·1 Utilisation and wood quality (six papers) ·2 Marketing (seven papers) ·3 Silviculture (four papers) ·4 Acacia species and natural resource management (seven papers) Visits to plantations were also made: ·1 Lardner Park. Twenty-year-old stand used to demonstrate on-site sawing, and thinning strategies. ·2 Bunyip (John Goy) to inspect a provenance trial. ·3 Kilmore (Alan McNab) to inspect blackwood with Acacia mearnsii nurse crop in a broader farm forestry operation.
Implications	The workshop attracted 55 registrations, including 10 from New Zealand. It provided the first in-depth analysis of the broader issues that challenge the marketing of blackwood. Information over a wide range of topics flowed from a workshop that demonstrated its value as a mechanism for the exchange of accurate information between those involved in the blackwood industry. The key issues are the value of the wood, particularly in Australia, the continuity of supply of top quality logs, particularly from the native forest resource, and the vagaries of the market though the last appears to be fairly stable at the moment.
Publications	The draft papers were distributed at the workshop. The final version will be published by RIRDC: C.L. Beadle and A.G. Brown (Eds) (in press) Acacia Utilisation and Management: Adding Value. Proceedings of a Blackwood Industry Group (BIG) Workshop Victoria, 26–29 April 2006, RIRDC publication

Project title:	(NHT) Sponsorship of Avon Wheatbelt private native forestry field day
RIRDC Project No.:	WS056-08
Researcher:	Monica Durcan
Organisation:	Avongro Wheatbelt Tree Inc.
Phone:	08 9291 8249
Fax:
Email:	mdurcan@iinet.net.au
Objectives
Background and Outcomes	A field day on private native forest management in the Avon region was held on 11 November 2005 and attended by almost 30 people. The participants visited Wandoo and Jarrah native forest and issues discussed included on-ground assessment of forest values and preparation of stand-level management plans.
Implications	Improved understanding of legislation, regulation and sustainable management of private native forests in this region.
Publications	Nil

Goal 2 Develop products and markets including environmental services, and new agroforestry systems to meet regional NRM objectives
 

Project title:	Development of new chemical products from lignin
RIRDC Project No.:	CSC-2A
Researcher:	Michael Zachariou
Organisation:	CSIRO Molecular and Health Technologies Private Bag 10 Clayton South VIC 3169
Phone:	03 9545 2321
Fax:	03 545 2446
Email:	Michael.Zachariou@csiro.au
Objectives	·17 A literature review that targets large scale uses of lignin (not lignosulphonates) which includes phenol-derived products. The review includes website reviews, patents, published literature and conference proceedings.  ·18 Selection of the most readily available, sustainable source(s) of low-cost lignocellulosic biomass in regional Australia suitable for enzymatic and/or microbial processing. ·19 A library of chemical products produced via biotransformation using syringaldehyde, vanillin, guaiacol and catechol as feedstocks ·20 A library of microbes that can degrade lignin derived from low rainfall trees (eucalypts) that are tolerant to acid pH conditions and high temperatures (as demanded by lignin source).
Background	Lignocellulosic materials such as wood derived from plantations, or agricultural wastes like straw, rice hulls wheat husks and corn stover can be used as feedstocks for production of liquid fuels such as ethanol. The use of these materials is viewed as having the potential to address the environmental issues of dry land salinity and global warming resulting from fossil fuel use. This project aims to develop technology that will enable the use of lignin from Australian native wood species as a feedstock to obtain precursors to plastics, herbicides, and other large volume commodity chemicals. By adding value to lignin and reducing the cost of ethanol, the development of industries that utilise biomass as a resource is expected to occur resulting in rejuvenation of the rural sector and a highly skilled regional workforce. This project aims to add value to lignin by modifying some of the more abundant lignin components using microorganisms. The modified components may then be used in a range of industries such as the manufacture of plastic, pesticides and adhesives.
Research	Catechol, vanillin, guaiacol and syringaldehyde were chosen as the small molecules (i.e. ‘lignin monomers’) that can be produced in significant quantities from the lignin residue generated after fractionation of hardwood. Over 50 experiments (using the lignin monomers as feedstocks) were completed with CSIRO’s Evolver technology which generated a diverse library of 164 microorganisms. In addition to being capable of metabolising at least one of the lignin monomers, several of the microorganisms in the library have the capacity to grow in acidic, alkaline or salty environments and at low (16°C) and high (55°C) temperatures and therefore may be unique. Several metabolic intermediates derived from the lignin monomers were produced by the microorganisms some of which have been tentatively identified. Over 1500 isolates were screened against the four lignin monomers and 12 compounds were produced by some of the fungal isolates. Any isolate that produced compounds using the lignin monomers has been catalogued in a library for future reference. Some large volume uses for some of the compounds (such as the manufacture of pesticides and plastics) were identified. Lignin from steam explosion of birch wood (chosen as representative of lignin from eucalypt species) was produced specifically for the project and used as a substrate for isolation of microorganisms capable of lignin degradation at low pH and elevated temperatures. No microorganisms capable of lignin degradation at pH 2.0 and 60°C were recovered.
Outcomes	·21 Selection of small molecules that can be derived from waste lignin streams ·22 Generation of a large library of microorganism the produce chemicals from small molecules derived from lignin. ·23 Identification of uses for some of the microbial products
Implications	The outcomes of this project are first steps towards the development of technology that will enable capture of value from lignin waste streams thereby offsetting the cost of ethanol. Ultimately, this technology will aid in developing new rural industries, reduce Australia’s greenhouse emissions and dependence on fossil fuels.
Publications	No publications have been produced at this stage.

Project title:	Evaluation of product value and sawing and drying efficiencies for low rainfall hardwood thinnings
RIRDC Project No.:	CSF-65A
Researcher:	Dr Russell Washusen
Organisation:	enis-Wood and Fibre Quality ensis-the joint forces of CSIRO and Forest Research Private Bag 10 Clayton South VIC 3169
Phone:	03 9545 2173
Fax:	03 9545 2133
Email:	Russell.Washusen@csiro.au
Objectives	This project aims to generate financial information on the recovery of high-value dried clearwood boards and non-conventional green structural products from small diameter (<35 cm diameter) pruned Corymbia spp (spotted gum). The trees aged 10–18 years will be thinned from plantations in the medium to low rainfall areas (500–750 mm) of Australia that are to be grown to full rotation age of 25–40 years. The sawing strategies used will produce high throughput rates and high recoveries of solid wood and rapid low cost drying strategies will be developed for clearwood boards. The objectives were: ·1 To conduct trials in 18-40 cm SED pruned Corymbia spp. (spotted gum) logs sourced from thinning operations in medium to low rainfall areas of southern Australia to determine product quality, recovery and value for 5 log grades segregated on diameter and visible surface defects. ·2 To develop rapid kiln drying schedules for back-sawn spotted gum. ·3 Using product value, wood drying information and log feed rates, model financial performance of a green field mill with CSIROMILL to determine mill door prices for the 5 log grades using a modernised sawmill capable of replicating the sawing and wood drying methods that were used in the trials.
Background	There have been a number of projects conducted across Australia that have assessed the technical feasibility of processing young plantation-grown eucalypts for production of high quality solid wood products (FWPRDC Report PN04.3002). While these projects report information on technical feasibility but have produced little information on the cost of production and implications for mill door log values. In some of the most recent trials an existing native forest eucalypt sawmill was identified by Washusen et al.(2004) (FWPRDC Report PN03.1315) as capable of processing small diameter pruned logs. With the application of appropriate drying methods a modernized mill of the type may viably process small diameter pruned spotted gum sourced from commercial thinning operations or clearfall harvests.
Research	Sawing trials in the mill produced information on wood quality and recovery and the results from drying experiments were used to estimate final product value and commercial drying times. This information together with calculated log feed rates was used to model the sawmill performance with CSIROMILL a deterministic modelling system designed to simultaneously calculate IRR and mill door log values for specific processing systems. On this occasion CSIROMILL modules tested included (i) a modernised sawmill capable of reproducing the sawing methods employed in the trials with kiln capacity to dry wood from green and (ii) the same sawmill coupled with air-drying sheds and kilns.
Outcomes	The modelling indicated that a mill with 80,000 m3 log input could be established and process all but one of the log grades profitably. At an IRR of 20% the mill door prices for kiln-drying option were $126, $86, $65 and $45 for pruned log grades 1 to 4. Grade 1, 2, 3 and 4 logs have an SED range of 35-40 cm, 30-35 cm, 25-30 cm and 18-25 cm respectively. These grades are largely defect free on the log surface. Grade 5 logs could not be sawn profitably, these logs have no diameter restriction but carry significant visible surface defect. Similar log values were calculated for the air-drying option.
Implications	This project has shown that with appropriate technology the most modern hardwood sawmills in Australia are capable of processing plantation-grown eucalypts profitably. The particular mill modelled has good capacity to process logs of 15 cm to 80 cm small end diameter. These logs may be sourced solely from pruned plantations or more likely from a combination of native forest and plantation sources. This capacity greatly restricts the reliance on establishing large areas of plantations in an area reliant primarily on conventional agricultural production.
Publications	Washusen, R. (in press) Evaluation of product value and sawing and drying efficiencies for low rainfall hardwood thinnings. RIRDC publication

Project title:	Building regional Australia’s capacity to initiate markets for ecosystem services
RIRDC Project No.:	CSW-35A
Researcher:	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	The aim of this project is address practical application of the concept of markets for ecosystem services by building the capacity of regional communities in Australia to initiate markets for ecosystem services.
Background	In recent times, use of market-based instruments to facilitate enhanced protection or production of ecosystem services has achieved a high public profile through the development of water markets and the initiation of the National Market Based Instruments Pilots Program among others. However, much work remains to apply these tools in practice.
Research	When considering the practical application of markets for ecosystem services a number of potential impediments must be overcome. These can be grouped into the following broad areas: ·1 defining goods that have sufficiently marketable characteristics; ·2 designing suitable mechanisms and overcoming costs to trade in these goods; and, ·3 application of these concepts at the regional level within a broader natural resource management agenda and toolbox.
Outcomes	The project investigated six case study potential MBI applications in detail and several further applications in less detail. Guidelines for regions in identifying the need for an MBI, and what general issues to consider and principles to apply in designing it were produced. These guidelines are not and could not be a recipe book, because the actual design of an MBI should be strongly influenced by its regional and local contexts. Also, there is still much to be learned about MBIs, and some aspects of design are technically difficult, so it will usually be necessary to seek specialist advice.
Implications	Regions will be able to explore MBI opportunities with increased confidence about their role and likely success. It is anticipated that well developed MBI applications will substantially improve the sophistication with which NRM outcomes are achieved at the same time as reducing the overall costs of NRM management.
Publications	Reports in review:  Markets for ecosystem services: applying the concepts Investing in natural capital: An ecosystem services approach Market Based Instruments : A rapid assessment technique for identifying the potential for MBI application Market Based Instruments: Analytical techniques for the assessment and design of market based instruments Market Based Instruments: Case studies of MBI applications Market Based Instruments: Applying MBIs in a regional context Several refereed journal publications are in preparation.

Project title:	Evaluation of the wood quality and utilisation potential of plantation grown Khaya senegalensis
RIRDC Project No.:	DNT-32A
Researcher:	Mr Don Reilly
Organisation:	Department of Business, Industry and Resource Development (NT)
Phone:	08 89992316
Fax:	08 89992316
Email:	don.reilly@nt.gov.au
Objectives	·24 To gain a better understanding of post harvest handling and treatments of Khaya senegalensis to optimise timber qualities and utilisation potential. ·25 Obtain fundamental wood properties, sawn recovery rates and plywood recovery rates to determine utilisation and applications to enhance marketing potential of the timber. ·26 To provide investors and growers with more information about rotation lengths best suited to the species/environment interaction and the wood qualities at various stages and/or log classes. ·27 Provide preliminary information on the drying behaviour of various age classes and board sizes of plantation grown Khaya senegalensis. This preliminary information would form the basis of a recommended drying schedule.
Background	During 2003, the Northern Territory’s Department of Business Industry Resource Development (DBIRD), in partnership with the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) initiated a processing and utilisation study to characterise Australian plantation-grown K. senegalensis. Building from a series of provenance trials planted by CSIRO near Darwin, NT, from 1972–74, a genetic improvement program is currently being established, with the aim of producing superior genetic stock to underpin the establishment of plantations. JVAP assisted this breeding work in an earlier project DNT-27A. Thirty-eight of the best trees (32 year-old) from these trials were harvested from two sites near Darwin, Gunn Point and Howard Springs, were selected for the study. Clonal material was taken from each of these trees in order to preserve the available gene pool of genetic material. Currently, the international trade in mahogany from African countries is very limited. This is due in part to the increasing difficulty in sourcing natural-grown mahogany. Supply is limited due to over harvesting and political instability in several of the big producing countries.
Research	The objective of this study was to assess processing, seasoning, wood quality and utilisation characteristics of the sampled trees, with the combined aims of characterising the ‘potential’ properties of future K. senegalensis plantations and to make direct inferences on individual trees that wee selected for a genetic improvement program.
Outcomes	Australian grown plantation K. senegalensis produces an aesthetically pleasing timber with marketable colour and figure attributes. The wood appears to be suitable for clear-finished or stained high-value applications, such as contemporary and reproduction furniture, cabinetry, windows, doors, and interior joinery. Further, the wood properties of the study timber support the use of this timber for these applications. However, a number of issues may affect the profitability of converting plantation logs to high-value appearance grade timber, namely, wandering pith, the proportion of stem under heartwood at a young age (relative to native grown material), and the development of decay, and therefore stain. All of these issues could potentially be addressed through breeding and correct silviculture.
Implications	Based on the findings of this study of processing, utilisation and wood quality properties, Australian plantation grown K. senegalensis has proven to be a prime candidate species for the ‘dry’ northern tropics of Australia. The continuing Tree Improvement Program for K. senegalensis in the Northern Territory can utilise data obtained from this study for the purpose of future selection and identifying important timber characteristics for inclusion or elimination from the program.
Publications	Armstrong, M; Reilly, D; Lelievue, T; Hopewell, G; Redman, A; and Francis L (in review) Evaluation of the Wood Quality and Utilisation Potential of Plantation grown Khaya senegalensis (African mahogany). Report submitted to the Joint Venture Agroforestry Program. RIRDC report . To date extracts from the JVAP report have used to produce articles published in the following publications: ·28 Armstrong, M., Lelievre, T., Reilly, D., & Robertson, B. Evaluation of the wood quality and utilisation potential of plantation grown Khaya senegalensis (African mahogany). (In Bevege, D.I., Bristow, M., Nikles, D.G. and Skelton, D.J. (eds). 2004. Prospects for high-value hardwood timber plantations in the ‘dry’ tropics of northern Australia. Proc. of a Workshop held 19-21 October, 2004, Mareeba, Queensland. Published as a CD-ROM by Private Forestry North Queensland Association Inc., Kairi, Qld. ·29 Armstrong, M. 2005. Khaya senegalensis (African mahogany): Candidate species for sawlog focused hardwood plantations in the dry tropics. Australian Forest Grower 27 (4): pp28 – 29. ·30 Armstrong, M. 2005. Khaya senegalensis (African mahogany): Candidate species for sawlog focused hardwood plantations in the dry tropics. Australian Timberman  ·31 Armstrong, M. 2005. Khaya senegalensis (African mahogany): Candidate species for sawlog focused hardwood plantations in the dry tropics. Australian Joinery Magazine  ·32 Reilly, D. F. Visual presentation on the K. senegalensis evaluation of the wood quality and utilisation program and the value it has for an on-going Tree Improvement Program  ·33 Nikles, D. G., Reilly, D. F and Robertson, R. M. 2004. Conservation and genetic improvement in the Northern Territory (Australia) of Khaya senegalensis (African mahogany) – a valuable tree species endangered in parts of its homelands. Working Paper in: Bevege, D. I., Bristow, M., Nikles, D.G. and Skelton, D. (eds). 2004. ‘Prospects for high-value hardwood timber plantations in the ‘dry’ tropics of northern Australia’ Proc. Of a Workshop held 19-21 October, 2004, Mareeba, Queensland. Published as CD ROM by Private Forestry North Queensland Association Inc., Kairi, Qld.

Project title:	Wood quality analysis from high value, mixed species, agroforestry systems
RIRDC Project No.:	USC-7A
Researcher:	Kevin Glencross & J Doland Nichols
Organisation:	Southern Cross University
Phone:	02 66203650
Fax:	02 66212669
Email:	kglenc10@scu.edu.au
Objectives	To assess wood properties from young, high value, rainforest timber species grown on previously cleared farmland. Understanding of wood properties has been used to identify commercial opportunities and markets for agroforestry products.
Background	A number of earlier JVAP projects have explored the opportunity to grow tropical species as high value wood products on farms (UQ-18A, DAQ-240A, 04/135). Realising the opportunity relies on the identification of most viable species in terms of growth performance and the value of the wood. The physical properties of the wood from young plantation grown rainforest trees were not known. Understanding the quality of the wood helps to determine economic returns, rotation length and markets.
Research	The growth of high value rainforest timber species was measured to identify those species which were most likely to produce commercially viable wood products. Wood cores were used to provide a preliminary assessment of key wood properties such as density. The collection of 170 logs from four fast growing species was carried out from tropical and subtropical sites. The wood from these logs were assessed in terms of physical properties such as stength, density, colour, shrinkage and hardness.
Outcomes	The growth of high value rainforest species has been encouraging across a range of climatic areas of eastern Australia. The management of complex mixtures of species has provided a challenge for growers when making decisions about pruning, thinning and potential products. The knowledge about wood properties of young plantation grown rainforest species helps growers to manage existing systems to maximise the production of high quality wood. The wood from young rainforest trees closely resembles the wood from mature trees in a number of key physical properties.
Implications	The experience in growing, marketing and processing premier rainforest timber grown in plantation is not well developed; therefore growers are exposed to a high degree of risk. The planting of species mixtures is an important strategy to minimise the risks to plantations from pests, diseases and climatic extremes. The mixed plantations also provide a potential diversity of timber products to help reduce economic risks. The accurate description of wood properties helps to inform processors and potential end-users so that markets can be developed to use sustainably produced rainforest timber.
Publications	Glencross, K. S. and Nichols J. D. 2005. Growth performance and review of wood quality concerns for rainforest timber species in subtropical eastern Australia. In Erskine, P.D., Lamb, D. and Bristow, M. (Eds.) 2005. Reforestation in the Tropics and Subtropics of Australia Using Rainforest Tree Species.RIRDC Publication 05/087, Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, Canberra. Glencross, K. S. 2005 Rocky Creek Dam rainforest timber plantation research. Agroforestry Today. Issue 52. School of Resource Management, University of Melbourne. Glencross, K.S. 2005. ‘Money does grow on trees’. Northern Star 10/3/05. Australian Provincial Newspapers. Lismore, NSW. Glencross, K. and Nichols, J.D. (in review) Wood quality from high value, mixed species agroforestry systems. Report to Joint Venture Agroforestry Program, RIRDC publication.

Project title:	Florasearch (stage 2): Selection and development of multi-purpose perennial species for large-scale crop development in the wheat-sheep belt of southern Australia
RIRDC Project No.:	UWA-83A
Researcher:	Mike Bennell1, John Bartle2 and Dan Huxtable2
Organisation:	1. Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation SA 2Dept Environment and conservation, WA
Phone:	(08) 8303 9674
Fax:	(08) 8303 9674
Email:	bennell.mike@saugov.sa.gov.au
Objectives	The over-arching aim is to develop new, fully commercial, broad-scale woody perennial crops for low to medium rainfall agricultural areas of southern Australia, to assist in controlling recharge associated with dryland and stream salinity, provide other natural resource benefits, and form the foundation of viable large-scale rural industries. The work to be undertaken in this project involves an expansion and completion of work started in FloraSearch stage 1 and the WA Search project, and its integration into a single project. For outcomes which have already been partly accomplished in these earlier projects, approximate percentages of completion are indicated below. The project will produce a list of 'development species', ranked in order of their suitability for commercial development, based on an assessment of their product testing results, their suitability as crop plants, their likely distribution, and their potential for improvement. In addition, the project will further develop spatial analysis tools for assessing the potential of new industries based on these development species.
Background	FloraSearch Stage 1 set the general rationale and methodology for developing commercially viable woody perennial crops for dryland agricultural areas in southern Australia. FloraSearch has evolved into a southern Australian project based in Adelaide and Perth. It builds on the evaluations conducted in FloraSearch 1 (southeastern Australia) and Search (WA) projects.
Research	A systematic survey of the native woody flora of southern Australia suitable for products is largely complete. FloraSearch has established field trials testing the performance of prospective species. The current priority species include Oldman Saltbush Atriplex nummularia for southern Australia and Orange Wattle Acacia saligna for WA, and their domestication is a central area of future work. Approximately 10 other development species have been identified for further evaluation. The Regional Industry Potential Analysis (RIPA), a GIS based economic and biophysical model, provides an opportunity to evaluate potential perennial crop industries. It incorporates improved species knowledge including productivity, product development and updated costs and returns. Many FloraSearch industries are profitable in southern Australia with returns from several industry types predicted to be potentially competitive with existing land uses.
Outcomes
Implications	Biomass, wood products, and grazing systems utilising fodder shrubs remain high priority industries. Opportunities exist for greater uses of woody biomass to generate renewable energy, with technological developments in lignocellulosics making the ethanol production from wood a future prospect.  Climate change is of increasing relevance to FloraSearch goals. The importance of carbon sequestration, renewable energy from biomass, and the realisation that agricultural systems need to incorporate the resilience of perennial species is growing.
Publications	RIRDC report in press

Project title:	JVAP Direct Seeding workshop (December 2005)
RIRDC Project No.:	WS056-10
Workshop facilitator:	Mr Bruce Munday
Organisation:	Clear Connections PO Box 375 Mount Torrens SA 5244
Phone:	08 8538 7075
Fax:
Email:	bruce@clearconnections.com.au
Objectives	The aims of this workshop were to: ·34 convene researchers and practitioners in direct seeding to confirm the recommendations identified in the final report: Improved passive and new intensive direct seeding for woody crops: A review of the scope for improvement of the technique in temperate Australia (JVAP project GAL-5A) ·35 identify specific priorities for investment by JVAP, with consideration to its objectives and available funds ·36 facilitate collaborative partnerships between potential research providers ·37 provide the basis for developing a full project proposal.
Background	The Joint Venture Agroforestry Program sought to invest in research on low cost establishment, and needed to more clearly establish research priorities specific to the Program’s objectives. JVAP sought to confirm and prioritise the 34 research and extension needs identified in the previous JVAP project GAL-5A, and use this to identify key topics for a research project. A workshop on research needs for direct seeding was held in Adelaide 7–8 December 2005, attended by 23 researchers, direct seeding practitioners and research managers from JVAP and L&WA Native Vegetation program.  The terms of reference for the workshop included that the research should aim to improve the cost-effectiveness of direct seeding relative to use of tubestock, focus on commercial woody perennial species, and work in low-to medium rainfall zones.
Research	A range of presentations were given, including: ·38 identification of a combination of soil biota (along the lines of the commercial Wattlegrow product) which enhance early establishment and survival of direct-seeded eucalypts and acacias on key site types, thereby reducing seed requirements and improving cost-effectiveness of direct seeding. The success of the product ‘Wattlegrow’ is an example of what seems possible for other species. The workshop ran a process to prioritise areas of research for the three most commercially significant genera: Acacia (but extended to Leguminaceae), Eucalyptus, Casuarina and Allocasuarina, and to Chenopodiaceae. Prioritisation was based on a crude assessment of benefit:cost. Highest priority direct seeding research topics were nominated by the group and then voted upon.
Outcomes	The workshop supported the 34 research priorities listed in the final report from the previous JVAP project GAL-5A ‘Improved passive and new intensive direct seeding for woody crops’. The workshop agreed that improving direct seeding techniques for commercial benefits would also benefit direct seeding for environmental purposes. Any project proposal must include commercial species and aim to keep costs below tubestock while improving germ success and survival.  Key research needs identified were: ·39 To work with regional experts to produce regional fact sheets containing general direct seeding advice (using interviews and recent JVAP GAL-5A literature review), local tricks of the trade for direct seeding success, and a checklist to ensure the sowing is well planned and timed, and follow-up monitoring recorded. This is needed because inexperienced operators often implement direct seeding without sufficient planning, and sow when site conditions are not suitable. This leads to unnecessarily poor direct seeding results. ·40 Reliability and uniformity of field germination: use some careful lab and field measurements to determine seed placement and moisture needs, when and why seedlings die in the field, and to relate this to the soil microsite conditions. This is needed because soil microsite conditions and very early establishment requirements are not well understood, ie what is the real window during which sowing should occur?  ·41 Post-germination survival and weed control trials to improve post-sowing establishment success. Herbicide must be used with care prior to sowing due to lack of knowledge of herbicide tolerance during germination for the range of native species sown. Weed control post-sowing can be a major problem and requires a better knowledge of overspraying tolerance by young seedlings, for key commercial eucalypt, acacia and revegetation species.
Implications	The workshop indicated that the project could also be of investment interest to mining and mineral exploration companies, to RDCs, CRC for Plant-Based Management of Dryland Salinity and to several catchment management authorities that have set ambitious revegetation targets. Various research groups agreed to seek supplementary funds and design an integrated project that meets the above criteria.
Publications	Nil

Goal 3 Develop agroforestry designs that optimize social, economic and environmental factors at the paddock, farm and regional-landscape scale
 

Project title:	Phase farming with trees—field validation and extension
RIRDC Project No.:	CAL-6A
Researcher:	Dr RJ Harper
Organisation:	Forest Products Commission, Western Australia
Phone:	08 9475 8824
Fax:	08 9475 8833
Email:	Richard.Harper@fpc.wa.gov.au
Objectives	This research will field-test the feasibility of the Phase-Farming with Trees (PFT) concept in a low rainfall area and demonstrate this to land-holders and other stake-holders. A single cycle of this system (planting – harvest) will be assessed, including quantifying the costs associated with harvest and reversion of land to agriculture.
Background	The treatment of salinity requires the rapid deployment of deep rooted vegetation over large areas. Following a JVAP scoping study (CAL-3A) we tested an innovative planting system which will use blocks of medium-high rainfall commercial species in lower rainfall areas, in ultra-short rotations (3–5 years). Despite poor long-term survival of these species, they will prior to death, or early harvest, exhaust un-saturated soil moisture and hence help restore catchment hydrological balances. Instead of relying on water to move (slowly) through the landscape to strategically (and uncertainly) placed trees, strips will be rotated across the landscape, using presently un-utilised water. Water use will be further enhanced by manipulating species, stand density and nutrient inputs. This system has the potential to de-water large areas of agricultural land, thus providing a practical solution to dryland salinity, without displacing agriculture. Similarly, it will produce large volumes of biomass suitable for ‘green’ electricity generation