Economic Analysis of Perennials (FP29)

This project is supplying expertise to the economic analysis of south eastern Australia and Western Australia farming systems so interested parties can make informed judgements about the adoption of new practices and technologies developed by FFI CRC.

Economists involved in this project will conduct analyses of the economic, risk and management implications of changing crop and livestock systems to utilise perennial plants under conditions of change and volatility in economic and environmental conditions. As part of this process, existing economic analytical techniques will be reviewed and adapted to address the imperatives of FFI CRC programs with emphasis on risk and viability.

The project will work closely with the technical researchers investigating the agricultural systems of interest, and the farmers operating these systems.

Objectives:

• Support technical projects and programs of the CRC with information about the economics, risk and management of changed crop (including woody crop) and livestock systems incorporating perennial plants to allow researchers and managers to make informed judgements about likely adoption of new practices and technologies being developed by the CRC
• Provide information to extension and training activities of the CRC to inform adoption decisions by landholders
• Develop the human capacity and methods to determine whether potential changes that incorporate perennial plants into crop and animal systems are profitable.

For more information visit the MIDAS page or email project leader, Bob Farquharson.

The CRC also runs a farm workshop, called Future Farm Business that goes into the economic risks involved with having perennials on the farm, go here to find out more.