September 2011

Moving forward

In a major step forward FFI CRC’s directors this week reviewed and endorsed the industry use plans prepared by the Adoption Team in partnership with project and program Leaders over recent weeks. These plans apply to most projects, and link their research outputs, with preferred paths to achieve adoption of farming systems and perennial plant technologies. They update and strengthen how we will work with the agricultural industries to deliver the benefits and impacts Future Farm Industries set out to do in 2007. Expect to be involved in refining the industry use plans for the future.

Earlier this week I spoke to a Western Australian audience about my confidence that FFI CRC-developed farming systems will truly make a difference. This fact is testament to the work of a great many people who commit to the CRC while managing competing demands in their important work with Participant organisations. This is the strength and challenge for wide collaboration in a CRC such as ours. It has been an enormous privilege to work with more than 200 people over the years at FFI CRC. I thank you all for what you have done and will continue to do.

This is the last foreword I will write as CEO of Future Farm Industries CRC; today is my last day in that role. From Monday, Peter Zurzolo will be the CEO and you can be confident there will no hiccups in the transition because we have been working together on this since April.

Kevin Goss CEO

INFFER helps secure funding

The Moolort wetlands in North Central Victoria will be better managed and protected in the future thanks to Caring for Country funding recently awarded to North Central Catchment Management Authority.

North Central CMA Knowledge Broker Geoff Park said that a key factor in the CMA receiving the $919 000 grant was the INFFER analysis, which showed the value of the wetlands, and a feasible and cost-effective process to protect them.

Tedera drought tolerance

Tedera (Bituminaria bituminosa) has a remarkable array of drought tolerance mechanisms, as Kevin Foster (DAFWA) has discovered during his doctoral studies. Kevin thinks the really amazing aspects of tedera’s drought tolerance are the plant’s abilities to reduce water loss as it is not only important to catch water but plants have to conserve it as well.

Farewell Kevin

Future Farm Industries CRC’s long-standing and highly respected CEO Kevin Goss was farewelled this week. Andrew Inglis, FFI CRC Chairman, told a gathering of about 40 colleagues that it was not very often that you get a sensitive and a sensible person in one but that in Kevin, we find that combination.

“Kevin has led the management of Future Farm CRC since ithe company was established in 2007," Andrew said.

"It has been an absolute pleasure to work with him over the years. His intelligence, knowledge and good judgement have made him an asset to the CRC, and to other organisations in which he has worked."

Mallee harvester not heading West

Myrtle rust has indefinitely delayed the much-awaited return of the mallee harvester to Western Australia. The harvester has been used in trials in the eastern states near areas infected with myrtle rust. Future Farm Industries CRC said that until the risks and possible control methods were evaluated it would be unwise to move the harvester from the eastern states to Western Australia, where it has not been found to date.

EverGraze Victorian sites show promise

Five different perennial pasture species are being assessed in a grazing trial with beef on Meat & Livestock Australia Producer Demonstration Sites linked with EverGraze. The sites, in north-east Victoria, were visited by the EverGraze National Extension team during September.

Kate Sargeant, EverGraze National Team Leader, said the original intention of these sites was to look at productivity and persistence of perennials in a variable climate and the results were very encouraging. She said the sites were carrying around 20 DSE, compared to the control site which was only carrying about 8 DSE.

Funding available for young researchers

Grant applications are now open for the 2012 Science and Innovation Awards for Young People in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. If you're 18-35, this is your chance to apply for up to $22,000 to fund your project on an innovative or emerging scientific issue to benefit Australia's primary industries.

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