U.S. CAP Economic Modeling

Following the release of its Blueprint for Legislative Action, the U.S. Climate Action Parntership (USCAP) conducted extensive analysis of the economic impacts of climate legislation. The USCAP analysis was conducted using two economic models similar to those employed by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Energy Information Agency in their review of climate legislation.

Key findings include:

* A well designed climate policy is compatible with robust economic growth of about 2.7 percent per year. GDP is projected to increase approximately 70-71 percent between 2010 and 2030, as compared to approximately 71-72 percent in the no-policy case.
* The average annual household cost of implementing the Blueprint, defined as a reduction in real consumption from the no-policy case, is projected to be $57, $89, and $269 in 2015, 2020, and 2030, respectively. All figures are in undiscounted 2005$.

http://www.pewclimate.org/uscap/economic-modeling

Productivity growth in Australian agriculture

Increased production has been almost entirely a result of productivity improvements, however recent analysis suggests that agricultural productivity growth may be slowing. Although drought has had a strong effect on agricultural productivity in recent years, a number of other factors have also been identified as contributing.

Read this ABARE report here.

Food miles and carbon labelling

In the food miles campaign, consumers are encouraged by some environmental, community and farmer groups to purchase products with lower food miles, mainly to reduce energy use in transport and, hence, carbon emissions in the food supply chain. In recent years, there has also been increasing interest in carbon labelling to provide consumers with reliable information on the carbon footprint of food and other products. Find out how this affects the agricultural sector in this ABARE research report.

Seasonal forecasting in Australia

This report considers long-term meteorological forecasting in Australia including issues such as: Australia’s unique climate and weather; who does our forecasting; how seasonal forecasts are made; how seasonal forecasts are used and ways to improve forecasting models.

Read the report written by the 'Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Innovation' here.

Pig farming

Read the transcipt or watch the video of the recent Sixty Minutes segment (20/11) on pig farming here.

Farm Biosecurity Newsletter

Read the 20th edition of Farm Biosecurity newsletter. Topics covered include: Screw Worm Fly, avoiding citrus diseases and pests, and restrictions on canola exports to China.

The Swingle Plant Anatomy Reference Collection

The Plant Anatomy Digital Archive features over 1,700 images from more than 250 species of plants collected from all over the world. The images are digitized micrographs of parts of plants that were sectioned, stained, and permanently mounted to a glass slide.

The "Plant Anatomy Animations" consist of transforming images of consecutive microtome sections, providing "a new perspective on how plants are constructed in three dimensions.

http://swingle.miami.edu

Rising sea levels

Rising sea levels will bring significant change to Australia’s coastal zone in coming decades.

There is a lack of knowledge in many cases as to how coastal environments will respond to sea-level rise, but the risk of beach loss, salinisation of wetlands and inundation of low-lying areas and reefs beyond their capacity to keep pace must be considered in regional decision-making.

Access this Department of Climate Change report here.

Landcare review

Following the 20th anniversary of Bob Hawke's launch of the Decade of Landcare, this 'Agricultural Science' article presents an agenda to rejuvenate the Landcare program, sustainable agriculture and natural resource management.

Written by Australia's first National Landcare Facilitator, Andrew Campbell. Read here.

Australia, the region and the world: the challenges ahead

On Friday, 6 November 2009, the Honourable Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister of Australia, spoke at the Lowy Institute for International Policy on 'Australia, the region and the world: the challenges ahead'.

http://www.lowyinstitute.org/Publication.asp?pid=1167

World Summit on Food Security

The global food insecurity situation has worsened and continues to represent a serious threat for humanity. With food prices remaining stubbornly high in developing countries, the number of people suffering from hunger has been growing relentlessly in recent years.

The global economic crisis is aggravating the situation by affecting jobs and deepening poverty. FAO estimates that the number of hungry people could increase by a further 100 million in 2009 and pass the one billion mark.

World Food Summit in 2009

CSU Institute for land, water and society

The latest Connections newsletter (issue 19) focussing on 'Research for a sustainable future' is available here. Read about green jobs, fish swimming ability and more...

ABS stats

This publication contains preliminary estimates of principal agricultural commodities and livestock numbers for 2008-09. National comparative data for the previous two years are also available. The data are based on a response rate of 79% from the 2008-09 Agricultural Survey.

Read 7111.0

Don’t wait for Copenhagen

Stepehn Howes is Professor of Economics at the Australian National University. He has written an article published in Asialink saying that countries shouldn't wait for an international agreement, but need to be encouraged to compete with each other to reduce emissions and develop new technologies.

Access here.

ABS wheat and meat

Stats relating to grain stored, grain used and grain committed. Access here.
Stats relating to livestock slaughterings and meat production. Access here.

Agricultural emissions

Agricultural emissions are a significant source of Australia's greenhouse gas emissions yet they will be excluded from the initial stage of the Rudd Government's proposed CPRS, with a view to incorporating them from 2015. This paper examines Treasury's modelling of the likely impact of the CPRS on the agricultural sector.

Click here to access The Australia Institute report.

Paddock to plate

The Australian Conservation Foundation commissioned this report to explore the future of the Victorian food system in a carbon-, water-, energy- and nutrient-constrained world. 24 policies are suggested to assist Victoria to deliver healthier foods, healthier profits and healthier landscapes.

Access report here.

19th Farm Biosecurity News

This edition includes information about: the winners of the inaugural Farm Biosecurity Award; the Plant Health Experience Register (PHER); animal health workshops; and a national fruitfly plan.

Access here.

Cubbie going to administrators

Australia's largest irrigation operation, the controversial Cubbie Station in south-east Queensland, will be in the hands of administrators McGrath Nicol by the close of business today.

Read The Land article here.

Father and son team win Innovation Award

A former geologist turned olive grower and his son who have managed to reduce water use on their farm by up to 50 percent are the inaugural winners of the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) Olive Innovation Award.

Read more here.

Inquiry into climate change and environmental impacts on coastal communities

On Monday 26 October 2009, the House Standing Committee on Climate Change, Water, Environment and the Arts presented its report on the inquiry into climate change and environmental impacts on coastal communities.

Report

Food security

Ian Macdonald, Minister for Primary Industries, has unveiled a plan called "Research for Action – Productivity and Food Security". The Minister said research, improvements in technology and working with industry partners are some of the best ways to improve agriculture productivity and conquer the food shortage. Read The DPI report here.

CSU wine

One of Charles Sturt University (CSU) Winery’s sparkling wines has taken out the trophy for best sparkling in the prestigious 2009 NSW Wine Awards.

Read the CSU News article for more information.

Ag census

The ABS is seeking feedback on the list of items to be collected as part of the 2010-11 Agricultural Census.

Any suggestions? Read more information here.

Australian water reform 2009

This National Water Commission report records significant achievements in water reform across Australia. It covers all states and territories, groundwater and surface water systems, and urban and rural areas.

Click here to read.

The Corporate Energy Efficiency Project

The project is a multi-year research and communications effort to identify and highlight the most effective methods used by companies to reduce their energy consumption and lower their related greenhouse gas emissions.

http://www.pewclimate.org/energy-efficiency

Latest ABS stats

Read the latest ABS wheat stats here.
Read the latest ABS livestock stats here.

Rice without pesticides

A Charles Sturt University expert in pest management is lending a hand to help control insect pests in South East Asia that are devastating the region’s main food crop, rice.

Read the CSU news report here.

Australian vegetable growing farms, 2007-08

Although adverse seasonal conditions in many vegetable growing regions in 2007-08 led to a fall in average yields and lower vegetable production, average farm cash incomes of vegetable farms declined by only 3 per cent. Read more in this ABARE report.

Agricultural commodities produced, 2007-08

This ABS publication contains final estimates of gross and local values of production of major agricultural commodities for all states, territories and Australia for the year ended 30 June 2008.
Read here.

Higher Australian $ affects commodity export earnings

Australia’s farm export earnings are forecast to fall marginally in 2009-10, after increasing strongly in 2008-09. This and other commodity forecasts for 2009-10 are contained in the September issue of Australian commodities, released today by ABARE.

Agribusiness managed investment schemes

This report by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services considers managed investment schemes structure and investor protection issues.

Download options here.

Great Barrier Reef outlook report 2009

This report by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority provides an overview of the past and present condition of the environmental, economic and social values of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) and presents its possible future.

The report highlights the fact that the GBR is one of the most diverse and remarkable ecosystems in the world and remains one of the most healthy coral reef ecosystems. Climate change, continued declining water quality from catchment runoff, loss of coastal habitats from coastal development and a small number of impacts from fishing are identified as the priority issues reducing the resilience of the GBR.

Access here.

Farm BioSecurity News

Articles about the citrus industry, Hendra virus, third swine flu incursion, pork safety, Anthrax incident in Northern Victoria and more.

Access here.

American bee journal

Great website for bee lovers. Monthly and weekly articles from 1861 - 1900.

Access here.

Australian Crop Report, September 2009

The outlook for winter crop production is variable across the Australian grains belt because of patchy rainfall in some regions, according to ABARE’s September issue of the crop report.

Dr Terry Sheales, Deputy Executive Director of ABARE, states that despite the variable conditions across regions, the winter grains harvest is forecast to increase in 2009-10.

Access the report here.

Viticulture and wine science programs at CSU

Charles Sturt University has experienced a dramatic rise in enrolments in its viticulture and wine science programs at the same time the Australian wine industry is feeling the pinch of the global financial crisis and an oversupply of grapes worldwide.

Read more in CSU News.

The changing face of Australian cotton

CSIRO's search for better Australian cotton varieties emphasises the importance of best practice management along the whole production line -- from grower to consumer.

This article examines the current state of Australia’s cotton industry. Download options here.

Realities vs. Misconceptions about the Science of Climate Change

The issue of climate change has received so much attention in recent years that it has become difficult for interested citizens and policymakers to separate facts from fiction. Climate change is one of the most cutting edge research fields in modern science, but the field has existed for more than a century and much knowledge has been established with high certainty and confidence. This page clears up some of the most common misconceptions about the science of climate change.

Pew Center on Global Climate Change

Realities vs. Misconceptions about the Science of Climate Change

The Core Historical Literature of Agriculture

The Core Historical Literature of Agriculture (CHLA) is a core electronic collection of agricultural texts published between the early nineteenth century and the middle to late twentieth century. Full-text materials cover agricultural economics, agricultural engineering, animal science, crops and their protection, food science,forestry, human nutrition, rural sociology, and soil science. Scholars have selected the titles in this collection for their historical importance. Their evaluations and 4,500 core titles are detailed in the seven volume series The Literature of the Agricultural Sciences, Wallace C. Olsen, series editor.

Albert R. Mann Library

http://chla.mannlib.cornell.edu

Market mechanisms for recovering water in the Murray-Darling Basin

This issues paper looks at alternative market-based mechanisms that could be used to diversify the federal government's water purchase program and secure access to the suite of entitlements necessary to restore balance to the use of the resource.

The Restoring the Balance in the Murray-Darling Basin program currently uses an open tender process as the principal way of purchasing water entitlements from willing sellers to restore environmental flows and is being implemented over a ten-year time frame. Restoring environmental flows will provide more water for high value environmental assets, as well as protect against algal bloom outbreaks, salinity and other water quality risks that threaten the health of our rivers and the livelihood of our farmers and regional communities.

This report written by the Productivity Commission can be accessed here.

Are our rivers healthy?

The significance of sharp falls in the numbers of freshwater fish, shellfish and other aquatic animals in recent centuries has been frequently overlooked by natural resource managers worldwide, including Australia, according to a study of historical records by a Charles Sturt University (CSU) researcher and his US colleague.

Read this CSU news media release here.

ABS updates

Livestock and Meat, Australia, Jul 2009
Wheat Use and Stocks, Australia, July 2009
New stats to peruse.

The Risk-Screening Environmental Indicators

The Risk-Screening Environmental Indicators (RSEI) is a computer-based screening tool developed by EPA [U.S.]that analyzes risk factors to put Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) release data into a chronic health context. RSEI is often used by government regulators, communities, journalists, industry and others to:

* Examine trends.
* Identify important emissions situations for follow-up.
* Support community-based projects.
* Initially screen potential impacts of emissions.

Australian Pest Animal Management Program

Vertebrate pests, such as rabbits, foxes and feral goats now make up over ten per cent of Australia's fauna. They have adapted and spread into most of Australia's agricultural systems and natural environments. None have been eradicated, despite considerable effort. With available control techniques, it is unlikely to be technically, economically or socially feasible to eradicate any established, widespread vertebrate pest from the Australian mainland. Therefore the focus of APAMP is on strategic, sustained best practice management of pest animals where they are causing actual rather than perceived damage.

Read more about this Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestries (DAFF) program here.

Stocks of Grain, July 2009

At the end of July 2009, Australia's bulk storage of wheat grain was estimated at 5.8 million tonnes. This is 1.2 million tonnes less than last month.

For more information read ABS 7122.0.55.001.

Wine market in China/Hong Kong

The NSW Government is launching a major strategy to help NSW wineries increase their share of the lucrative China-Hong Kong market.

Read Ian McDonald's press release (29.0kb) to discover more.

Movement recording of sheep and goats

Mandatory mob-based movement recording for sheep and goat transactions starts on 1st September.

Read more in this NSW Department of Primary Industries media release.

Cubbie Station on the market

Controversial Queensland irrigation property, Cubbie Station, which is Australia's biggest cotton producer, is on the market with the price expected to be around $450 million.

For more information read this Queensland Country Life article published on 17/08/09

Latest ABS stats

Agriculture in Focus: Farmers' Perception of a Change in Climate, 2006-07 65.6% of the 150,403 Australian agricultural businesses in 2006-07 indicated that the climate affecting their holding had changed and 62.4% reported that the perceived change in climate had an impact on their holding.


Use of the Internet on Farms, Australia, 2007-08 This release was previously named 'Use of Information Technology on Farms, Australia' and reveals that 66% of Australian farms have internet access.