NRM on Farms February 2013

7/29/2019 NRM on Farms February 2013

1/17

1

1

February 2013

CLIMATE

NSW seasonal outlook

The national outlook for February to April2013 indicates an average to drier seasonfor NSW, with average to coolertemperatures, due to warmer than normalwaters in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.htt ://www.bom. ov.au/climate/ahead/?ref=ftr

Ocean temperaturesInternational climate models indicate that seasurface temperatures in the equatorial PacificOcean are expected to remain neutral at leastuntil the southern hemisphere autumn.http://www.ospo.noaa.gov/Products/ocean/sst/anomaly/index.html


2/17

2

El Nino developmentsEl Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) indicatorsin the tropical Pacific remain at neutral levelsand are likely to continue into the southernhemisphere autumn. A clearer indication ofPacific Ocean conditions for 2013 will emerge

over the next few months. Sustained SOIvalues above +8 may indicate a La Nia event,sustained negative values below 8 mayindicate an El Nio event. Values between +8

and 8 generally indicate neutral conditions.http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/enso/

IOD developmentsThe Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) is currentlyneutral, with the latest IOD index value at0.1C for the week ending 27 January. TheIOD typically has limited influence onAustralia during the summer.http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/enso/indices.shtml

January soil moistureAWAPs soil moisture maps for January 2013 show very little topsoil moisture in westernNSW, with average levels in eastern NSW (below left); and wetter subsoils in the stateswest, and drier subsoils in the east (below right). Blue is wetter than the 1961-1990 averagefor the time of year; red is drier.

http://www.eoc.csiro.au/awap/

January heatwaveJanuarys average maximum temperature was the highest on record for Australia due largelyto the heatwave during the month which coincided with the late onset of the northernAustralian monsoon, which prevented moisture and tropical cloud from moderating inlandtemperatures. The heatwave set records in every State and Territory. Read the specialclimate statement at the website below.http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/statements/scs43e.pdf


3/17

3

Third warmest January for NSWThe past month was the third warmest NSW January on record and the warmest since 1939.The average maximum was 3.66C above the historical average of 35.34C. The averageminimum was 1.92C above the historical average of 19.61C. Much of inland NSW recordeda minimum 8C above normal on 18 January.

Above left: NSW January temperature deciles. Above right: NSW January rainfall deciles.http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/month/nsw/summary.shtml

Ex-cyclone Oswaldbrings rainMost of the east coast ofQueensland and the NSW coastnorth of Illawarra experienced veryheavy rainfall from 22 to 29 January2013 leading to record flood peaks inthe Queenslands Burnett catchmentand NSWs Clarence catchment.Almost all of the east coast from theHunter north to Cape York receivedat least 200 millimetres n the event.The highest NSW total was 1046millimetres at Upper Rous River. Themost extreme daily falls occurred on28 January over the Gold Coast hinterland (744 mm) and NSW Border Ranges (539 mm).http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/statements/scs44.pdf

Australias climate in 2012Australia had near-average rain and above-averagetemperatures during 2012, but the average annual

values conceal a year of contrasts, with above-averagerain early in the year (top right) and reduced rainfall inwinter and spring (below right). The 20032012 decadewas the fifth-warmest 10-year period on record.http://www.bom.gov.au/announcements/media_releases/climate/change/20130103.shtml


4/17

4

NSW in 2012NSWs 2012 climate was characterised by wet and cool conditions for January-March anddry conditions for the rest of the year. The JanuaryMarch maximum temperature was 1.6Cbelow average, and the JulyDecember maximum temperature was 1.7C above. The staterainfall average for JanuaryMarch was the third wettest for NSW since records began in

1900, resulting in widespread flooding across much of the state. The combination of a stronghigh pressure ridge and a positive Indian Ocean Dipole event in late winter resulted in thedriest April-December period since 2006.Below: NSW rainfall deciles for 2012

January February March

April May June

July August September

October November December

http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/annual/nsw/summary.shtml


5/17

5

Link between global warming and rainfall extremesAnalysis of 8326 weather stations around the world has found that the rainfall extremes areincreasing, and the increase is linked to warming of the atmosphere. Rainfall intensityincreased 5.9% to 7.7% for each degree of heat. Three to five degrees of warming by theend of the 21st century could mean as much as a 35% increase in extreme rainfall intensity.http://journals.ametsoc.org/doi/abs/10.1175/JCLI-D-12-00502.1

Ozone hole changes ocean flowThe hole in the Antarctic ozone layer has caused changes in the way that waters in thesouthern oceans mix and resulted in strengthening of westerly winds near the ocean surface.Waters originating at the surface at sub-tropical latitudes are mixing into the deeper ocean ata much higher rate than 20 years ago, and the reverse is true for waters closer to Antarctica.http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/01/130131144106.htm

Climate and wheat on the Darling DownsA study of wheat growing on the Darling Downs in a changing climate found that for irrigatedscenarios yield increased with earlier sowing dates and increasing temperature, but

decreased for the non-irrigated scenario.http://www.publish.csiro.au/view/journals/dsp_journal_fulltext.cfm?nid=40&f=CP11324

1990 IPCC predictions proving accurateClimate predictions made by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in 1990 areproving remarkably accurate, probably because the greenhouse-gas-induced warming islargely overwhelming radiative forcings of secondary importance on the 20-year timescale.http://www.nature.com/nclimate/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nclimate1763.html

Climate change concerns varyNCCARFs second Australian national survey of public perceptionsof climate change in August 2011 found that respondents acceptedthe reality of climate change and were concerned about itsimplications, possibly due to the extreme weather events in 2010-2011. In contrast, a 2012 ABS survey found concern about climatechange had decreased from 73 per cent in 2007-08 to 57 per cent in2011-12 possibly due to good rainfall across much of Australia overthe last few years.http://www.nccarf.edu.au/content/final-report-released-public-risk-perceptions-understandings-and-responses-climate-changehttp://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/mf/4626.0.55.001

Funding for regional NRM planning for climate change

Australian Government funding will help Australias 54 regional NRM organisations plan forclimate change impacts on the land. Stream 1 funds will help organisations identify where inthe landscape climate change adaptation and mitigation activities should occur. Stream 2funds will support development of scenarios about the impacts of climate change (water,temperature, storms) which can be used for medium term land use planning. Applications forStream 1 funds close on 26 February 2013.http://www.environment.gov.au/cleanenergyfuture/regional-fund/index.html


6/17

6

CLIMATE RESOURCES

Free CliMate appCliMate, a free app developed for the Managing Climate Variability Program, allows farmersto interrogate climate records for the past 60 years to learn about rainfall, temperature,radiation, as well as derived variables such soil water and soil nitrate. A web version will be

released in March.https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/australian-climate/id582572607?mt=8

BoM rainfall deficiency reportsRainfall deficiency reports record significant rainfall deficiencies that may impactcommunities, industries and farmers.http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/drought/drought.shtml

Victorian climate change risksThe Victorian government has released a paperanalysing key risks that climate change presents to

the state, including impacts on biodiversity andprimary production, drought, flood, bushfires andheatwaves.http://www.swipedigital.com/cfes/

Climate disaster resilienceA study into how communities recover from disasters such as fires, drought, floods andcyclones found disaster resilience depends on support from family and friends; a sense ofplace and connection to the community; financial capacity and preparedness; and trust inclimate change communication sources.http://www.nccarf.edu.au/publications/recovery-disaster-resilience-adaptability-climate-change

The human impact of extreme weatherThis media brief from the Climate Institute looks at the physical, mental and emotionalimpacts of extreme weather.http://www.climateinstitute.org.au/verve/_resources/TCI_HeatwavesHumanToll_MediaBrief_9January2013.pdf

Forecast explorer NSWBoMs Forecast Explorer NSWprovides three or six hourly forecastsfor seven days on a 6 km grid, makingit an excellent planning tool for

farmers. The interactive site allowsusers to select the day and theweather parameter, includingmaximum and minimum temperature,humidity, chance of and likely rainfall,weather, and wind.http://www.bom.gov.au/forecasts/graphical/public/nsw/index.php


7/17

7

Climate change adaptation navigatorThis web-based application tool is designed to assist local and state governments andregional organisations adapt to the impacts of climate change. It covers ten different planningstages, provides information on climate science and climatic changes, and includes casestudies from Victorian local government.http://www.adaptation-navigator.org.au/

Can crops withstand more heat waves?In many cereal crops such as wheat, chickpea and rice, the reproductive stage is sensitive tohigh temperatures, so it is important to target physiological traits such as pollen viability forheat tolerance.http://theconversation.edu.au/can-crops-withstand-more-heat-waves-11498

Climate-smart landscapesThis US paper concludes that agricultural systems need to take a landscape approach toimprove food security and rural livelihoods and adapt to climate change. Three featurescharacterise a climate-smart landscape: climate-smart practices at the field and farm scale;

diversity of land use across the landscape; and management of land use interactions atlandscape scale.http://www.agricultureandfoodsecurity.com/content/1/1/12

Global climate policy impacts on livestock and land useThis PNAS paper provides an integrated assessment of the linkages between land-basedclimate policies, development, and food security, with a particular emphasis on abatementopportunities and impacts in the livestock sector.http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2012/09/26/1108772109

Witness king tidesWitness king tides is a community photo project to help communities understand whereseawater will reach as sea levels rise.http://www.witnesskingtides.org/

Adaptive capacity of SEQResearch into the adaptive capacity of south-east Queensland concludes that the majorissue is not the availability of physical resources but the dominant social, political andinstitutional culture of the region.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10113-012-0394-2/fulltext.html

NCCARF climate publicationsThe National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility has published a number ofresearch publications in the past 12 months which can be accessed at the website below.http://www.nccarf.edu.au/publications4


8/17

8

EMISSIONS

CFI eligible offsets projectsSix agriculture-based projects have been declared eligible offsets projects under section 27of the CFI Act. They include three projects to destroy methane generated from manure inpiggeries, two to quantify carbon sequestration by permanent environmental plantings of

native species, and one to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through early dry seasonsavannah burning. The remaining 21 projects declared eligible to date deal with landfill gasfrom legacy waste. Eligible offsets projects are for activities that achieve greenhouse gasabatement and have been declared eligible by the Clean Energy Regulatorhttp://www.cleanenergyregulator.gov.au/Carbon-Farming-Initiative/Register-of-Offsets-Projects/Pages/default.aspx

Update of CFI methodologies guidelinesThe Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency has revised the guidelines andtemplate for submitting methodologies for the Carbon Farming Initiative. All methodologyproposals submitted to the DOIC after 28 February 2013 must use the updated version of thetemplate.

http://www.climatechange.gov.au/en/government/initiatives/carbon-farming-initiative/methodology-development/methodology-guidelines.aspx

CFI methodologies webinarA webinar update on CFI methodologies on 5 December 2012 is now available online.http://www.climatechange.gov.au/government/initiatives/carbon-farming-initiative/events.aspx

Carbon Farming Initiative NewsThis online newsletter is published whenever new information becomes available. Tosubscribe, go to the website below.http://www.climatechange.gov.au/en/government/initiatives/carbon-farming-initiative.aspx

Comments sought on carbon farming skill setsAgriFood Skills Australia is inviting feedback on the proposed new skill sets and units ofcompetency being developed as part of a nationally accredited qualification for carbonfarming service providers. The required skill set will depend on whether a person wishes toact as an adviser, aggregator or project manager. Feedback for this consultation round willclose on 15 February 2013.http://www.agrifoodskills.net.au/?page=carbonfarming&terms=carbon+and+farming

New book on nitrous oxide mitigationThis book offers an extensive look at mitigation techniques to reduce emissions fromagricultural soils and fertiliser nitrogen sources.http://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-94-007-5364-8/page/1

Global climate action mapThe Climate Institute has developed thismap to summarise high-level nationalactions on climate change.http://globalclimateactionmap.climateinstitute.com.au/


9/17

9

WATER

Water use on Australian farms 2010-11Australia's total agricultural water use in 2010-11 was 7,551 gigalitres, 38% less than in2004-05.Almost two thirds was used in the Murray-Darling Basin. NSW and Queensland use

the most water. Cotton and rice were the main users of NSW irrigation water, accounting for67% of all irrigation water in the state. NSW had the greatest number of irrigating agriculturalbusinesses, over a quarter of all such businesses in Australia.http://www.ausstats.abs.gov.au/ausstats/subscriber.nsf/0/75AC7CE617382D67CA257A2B0017A1D9/$File/46180_2010-11.pdf

NSW water storagesNSW water storages are at 65%of capacity compared with 74%at this time last year. Somestorages, such as Lake Keepit,are over 50% down on their

January 2012 levels.http://water.bom.gov.au/waterstorage/awris/?ref=ftr#urn:bom.gov.au:awris:common:codelist:region.state:newsouthwales

$100 million forinfrastructure upgradesFive regional organisations and irrigation businesses in the southern MDB will share in $100million to upgrade on-farm infrastructure: Ricegrowers Association of Australia Inc, IrrigationEfficiency Partners Pty Ltd, Fruit Growers Victoria Limited, the South Australian Murray-Darling Basin NRM Board, and Waterfind. Projects include laser levelling of paddocks,

upgrading overhead irrigation, replacing flood irrigation, modernising drip irrigation systemsand installing soil moisture monitoring and automation equipment.http://www.environment.gov.au/water/policy-programs/srwui/irrigation-efficiency/index.html

SA cuts MDB contributionThe SA Government will cut its future contribution to river operations, maintenance andnatural resource programs in the MurrayDarling Basin. The decision follows the NSWGovernments decision in June 2012 to cut its contribution.http://www.mdba.gov.au/media_centre/media_releases/Statement-from-MDBA-Chair

Nutrient management for better water qualityCommunity expectations for water quality, stricter standards from international markets, andincreasing costs for purchased nutrients mean that improving nutrient-use efficiency andreducing nutrient losses will be a necessary part of Australia livestock production systems inthe future, according to a paper in the December issue ofCrop and Pasture Science. .http://www.publish.csiro.au/nid/40/paper/CP12154.htm


10/17

10

Banking water undergroundStoring surplus water underground during wet periods for use in dry times will help Australiaprepare for drought. Spare water can be stored by channelling water to sand or gravel bedswhere it can filter down into the aquifer. The Burdekin region of Queensland is alreadystoring about 45GL of water underground each year for use in agriculture and horticulture.http://theconversation.edu.au/banking-water-underground-for-our-future-11031

Commonwealth environmental water holder appointedDavid Papps is the new Commonwealth environmental water holder, responsible forrejuvenating wetlands and rivers in the Murray-Darling Basin.http://www.environment.gov.au/minister/burke/2012/mr20121130.html

SOILS

SoilMapp appSoilMapp for iPad is a free app that provides soilinformation at any location in Australia. It allows

users to view maps, photographs, satelliteimages and data about local soils, and learnabout the soil on their property, including physicaland chemical characteristics such as acidity,carbon, water storage capacity, salinity anderodibility.https://wiki.csiro.au/display/soilmappdoc/SoilMapp+Home

Use of ground rock fertilisersA RIRDC study into use of certified organic nutrients on beef grazing pastures found thatground rock fertilisers were sufficient to supply pasture with phosphorus and potassium

during the conversion phase to organic production. The fertilisers altered the compositionand relative abundance of soil microorganisms and changed some microbial activities.https://rirdc.infoservices.com.au/items/12-069

Soil and sustainable foodIn the 2012 Leeper Soil Science Lecture in November, Professor John Crawford from theUniversity of Sydney spoke on the interaction between physical and biological processes insoil and their contribution to soil resilience.http://www.land-environment.unimelb.edu.au/deanslectures/

Guiding principles for sustainable biochar

The International Biochar Initiative has developed 13 guiding principles for a sustainablebiochar industry. The principles cover soil health, greenhouse gases, energy efficiency,feedstocks and production systems.http://www.biochar-international.org/sites/default/files/Guiding_Principles_Sustainable_Biochar.pdf

Biochar fact sheet:This four page brochure from GRDC summarises the current state of knowledge on biochar.http://www.grdc.com.au/Resources/Factsheets/2013/01/Biochar-Factsheet


11/17

11

Biosolids drying plant opensVictoria has opened Australias largest biosolids drying plant near Geelong to convertsewage biosolids into fertiliser. Wet biosolids are now piped to the drying plant instead ofbeing trucked to drying bays to dry in the sun and wind.http://www.barwonwater.vic.gov.au/about/news-blog/water-minister-opens-biosolids-plant

New dung beetle bookRenowned dung beetle expert Dr Bernard Doube and organic agriculture expert TimMarshall have produced a new publication on the benefits and use of dung beetles: Dungbeetles: a friend to farmers and the environment.http://www.dungbeetlesolutions.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Dung-Beetle-Promo-flyer-with-form.pdf

Soils: Principles, properties and managementThis book is intended for undergraduate and graduate students who study soil as a naturalresource. It emphasises the ecological and agrological functions of soil in the context of foodsecurity and biodiversity and has a special focus on current soil issues such as soildegradation and climate change.http://www.springer.com/environment/soil+science/book/978-94-007-5662-5

New book: Know soil know lifeKnow soil know life is a new book from the Soil ScienceSociety of America targeted at high school andundergraduate students. It is produced by the societyseducation committee, which has also launched aneducation website Soils4teachers.https://www.soils.org/story/2013/jan/thu/know-soil-know-lifewww.soils4teachers.org

Keyline farming video 1955This video, made by the Bank of NSW in 1955, explainsthe keyline farming systems developed by PA Yeomans on his North Richmond farm to holdwater in the soil.http://vimeo.com/13323213

YouTube soil videosYouTube has become a popular medium for soil promotion. Check the links below.The Soil Science Society of America: The Story of Soil, www.iheartsoil.orgTechnical University in Berlin: The day soil died www.youtube.com/user/mediasoilFAO: Soils www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8TyaL2DAPAGlobal Soil Week: Lets Talk About Soil http://vimeo.com/53618201

BIODIVERSITY

Need for biodiversity protection in high rainfall zoneA new CSIRO report says paddock trees and rocky outcrops play a vital role in biodiversityprotection in Australias high rainfall zone where improved pastures and cropping are havinga significant impact on the diverse ecological communities that exist in native grasslands.http://www.ecosmagazine.com/paper/EC13001.htm


12/17

12

Paddock trees and pasture yieldsA recent study has found that mature scattered paddock trees do not compromise pastureyield but drought pressure changes tree-pasture interactions. Management options exist toconserve and restore scattered trees in agricultural landscapes, but new policies are requiredto support their widespread adoption by farmers.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167880912004550

Large tree declinePopulations of large old trees are rapidly declining in many parts of the world, with seriousimplications for ecosystem integrity and biodiversity.http://news.anu.edu.au/2012/12/07/large-old-trees-in-rapid-global-decline/

Snow Gums to River Reds'Snow Gums to River Reds' is a 25 minute film about the Eucalyptus species from MountKosciuszko to the Murray River around Albury NSW. The film was completed in November2012, and tells a story of a handful of the 30 or so Eucalypts found in the area, through thepeople who live and work along the route from Australia's highest peak to the banks of the

Murray River. The film has been produced by the Slopes2Summit (S2S) conservationpartnership, part of the Great Eastern Ranges Initiative. You can view it online.http://vimeo.com/53914853

Farmer management of native vegetationABARES research the way native vegetation is managed on agricultural land has found thatmost farmers manage native vegetation for both environmental and production benefits andmany intend to do more. However, there is a need for greater clarity and certainty aboutgovernment native vegetation management programs and regulations.http://adl.brs.gov.au/data/warehouse/9aal/2012/nvmald9aalm/NatVegManageOnAgLand20121116_Ver1.0.0.pdf

Fodder saltbush provides habitatNative saltbush planted for stock fodder in the MurrayMallee has proved excellent habitat for the sleepy lizard(Tiliqua rugosa). The saltbush plantings in the study wereall about 10 years old and the site was surrounded bycereal crops on all sides and isolated from roadsideremnants of native vegetation.http://www.futurefarmonline.com.au/announcements/saltbush-offers-biodiversity-benefits

Bee Friendly planting guideA new book, Bee Friendly: A planting guide for

European honeybees and Australian native pollinators,provides ideas and choices of plant species toencourage honeybees and Australian pollen- and nectar-using fauna, including mammals, insects and birds. TheRIRDC publication includes planting choices for homegardens, parks, paddocks and forests.https://rirdc.infoservices.com.au/items/12-014


13/17

13

Pollinator diversity is importantA Swiss study of pollinating insects found that diversity of the pollinator community is asimportant as numbers of pollinators, highlighting the need for conservation and restoration ofthe pollination community as a whole.http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/early/2012/09/28/rspb.2012.1621.full.pdf

Ferals prefer cropping landscapesA Queensland study has found that vertebrate pest management needs to target highlyfragmented cropping landscapes where foxes and feral cats occur more frequently than inintact native woodlands and pasture landscapes.http://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/WR12008.htm

Fox control program wins awardCentral West Livestock Health and Pest Authority has won the Australasian WildlifeManagement Societys inaugural practitioners award for its Goonoo fox control program.http://www.feral.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/FXCS6_goonoo-fox.pdf

Living Australia AtlasThe online Atlas of Living Australia contains information on all the known species in Australiafrom museums, herbaria, community groups, government departments, individuals anduniversities. A free OzAtlas app is also available.www.ala.org.au

GRDC weeds appGRCD has developed a weeds app to help growers identify the most common weeds insouthern Australia. The app includes photographs of growth stages and calendars to showwhich month/s the weed is likely to be present in the paddock.http://www.grdc.com.au/Resources/App-Store

Prospectus for biodiversity investment 2013-14The Australian Government s One land - many stories: Prospectus of investment providesan overarching framework of the Australian Government's priorities for funding conservationand improving natural resource management in 201314, including target areas, nationalpriorities and available grant funding.http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/publications/prospectus/pubs/prospectus.pdf

FOOD

Australias role in global food security

This paper from the Office of the Chief Scientist says Australias most valuable assets tosupport food security in our region and the world are our knowledge of agricultural science,and the ingenuity our farmers have used to produce food on a continent fraught withenvironmental challenges. We are well placed to apply the outcomes of agricultural R&D inAustralia and developing countries, across a range of commodities.http://www.chiefscientist.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/OPS5-FoodSecurity-ForWeb-2.pdf


14/17

14

Climate-friendly food productionThis Worldwatch report highlights six strategies that arehelping food producers mitigate or adapt to climate change:build soil fertility, incorporate agroforestry, grow food in urbanareas, grow cover crops, conserve and recycle water, and

preserve biodiversity and native species.http://www.worldwatch.org/system/files/188%20climate%20and%20ag_FINAL.pdf

Global food: Waste not want notThis report from the Institute of Mechanical Engineersestimates that 3050% (1.22 billion tonnes) of all foodproduced is wasted due to poor practices in harvesting,storage, transport, and market and consumer management.http://www.imeche.org/Libraries/Reports/Global_Food_Report.sflb.ashx

Hungry City forum 2012Hungry City 2012 was an international forum held in France in December to review urbanfood governance and supply issues around the world. Presentations on food policy, supplychains, and periurban agriculture are available at the website below.http://eng.iufn.org/?page_id=414

LAND USE

Changes to Queenslands strategic cropping land mapThe Queensland Government has announced changes to its strategic cropping land mapthat identifies areas that should be protected from development and maintained for food andfibre production. The original map encompassed areas no longer highly suitable for cropping.

The standard conditions code for resource activities has also been revised to reduce theneed for complex assessments and associated fees for activities with a low risk of adverselyimpacting strategic cropping land.http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/land/planning/strategic-cropping/index.html

Legislation protects SA wine areasSouth Australias McLaren Vale and Barossa Valley regions are now protected from urbansprawl thanks to legislation which came into effect on 18 January and will ensure that theland continues to be used for to produced globally recognised gourmet food and wine. Formore information, go to the website below and type Barossa protection in the search line.http://www.sa.gov.au/

Rural and peri-urban land use policy in AustraliaThis paper discusses the pressures and drivers of land use change, community valuesascribed to land use and the policy tools that can be used to facilitate the distribution of landuses to maximise the total value to the community.http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/about-us/publications/economics-and-policy-research/2012-research-papers/meeting-policy-challenges-of-rural-and-peri-urban-land-use-in-australia


15/17

15

Social impacts of land use changeA study of land use change in south-east Australia found that local residents were not alwaysaware of the extent and nature of land use change, and had difficulty attributing socialchanges and their impacts to the land use changes that underlie them. The felt impacts ofland use change appeared dependent on a person's awareness of that change, and on theirbeliefs about the causes of social change.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0743016712000526

Rural land ownership in AustraliaThis RIRDC report into rural land ownership across the sixstates of Australia between 2004 and 2008 found that 4 percent of rural land changed ownership each year.Australia: https://rirdc.infoservices.com.au/items/12-038NSW: https://rirdc.infoservices.com.au/items/12-128

Peak farmlandA study in the Population and Development Review

suggests that the amount of land used for growing cropsaround the world has peaked, due to a slowing down in therate of population increase and agricultural innovation.http://phe.rockefeller.edu/docs/PDR.SUPP%20Final%20Paper.pdf

Landscape agronomyThe concept of landscape agronomy is that research on agricultural landscapes shouldintegrate both the influence of the landscape on farming practices, and the role of farmers inshaping patterns and processes in the landscape. This paper describes how landscapeagronomy can help explain the relationship between farming practices, landscape patternsand natural resources.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10980-012-9802-8#

SUSTAINABILITY

Agricultural social trendsThe number of farmers in Australia fell by more than 100,000 between 1981 and 2011, a 40per cent decrease. The median age of farmers is now 53, nearly one in four farmers is aged65 or more, and half of Australias farmers work 49 hours or more a week. People in farmingfamilies are more than twice as likely as those in other families to do voluntary work for anorganisation or group (39% compared with 19%). These figures are included in theAustralian Bureau of Statistics latest edition of its quarterly Australian Social Trends.http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/[email protected]/Lookup/4102.0Main+Features10Dec+2012

http://www.ausstats.abs.gov.au/ausstats/subscriber.nsf/LookupAttach/4102.0Publication11.12.121/$File/41020_ASTDec2012.pdf

Cancer risk from agricultural chemicalsA growing number of well-designed epidemiological and molecular studies providesubstantial evidence that the pesticides used in agricultural, commercial, and home andgarden applications are associated with excess cancer risk, says a recent review publishedin journal CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. This risk is associated both with those


16/17

16

applying the pesticide and, under some conditions, those who are bystanders to theapplication.http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.3322/caac.21170/full

Sustainability award for SA wineryThe Barossa Valleys Kalleske Wines has won a SA sustainability award for its farming

practices which include use of green-manure cover crops to suppress interrow winter weeds,mechanical control of undervine weeds, composting of winery waste for use as vineyardfertiliser, on site solar electricity generation, and rainwater harvesting. The farm, vineyardsand winery use certified organic and biodynamic methods.http://kalleske.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/kalleske-honoured-with-sustainability.html

Caring for our Country: Sustainable agriculture fundingThe delivery of the second phase of Caring for our Country will be through two streams:sustainable agriculture and sustainable environment. The focus of the five year sustainableagriculture stream is sustainable production of food, innovative practices, reduced impact ofweeds and pests, improved management of the natural resource base, and a skilled andcapable Landcare community. A mix of funding approaches will be used to deliver these

objectives, including community landcare grants. Applications forthe first round of these grants close on 20 March.http://www.nrm.gov.au/funding/agriculture/clg/index.html

Community owned rural catchmentmanagementThis NZ publication is designed for people interested in themanagement of catchment scale projects. It looks at the nine keystages and seven key enablers for community ownership ofprojects, six questions for strategic thinking, information oncollaborative planning and management, incentives and

regulations, and includes several case studies.http://www.landcare.org.nz/files/file/890/Community%20Catchment%20Guide.pdf

Promoting primary industries to a new generationThe primary industries sector embraced social media and the internet in 2012 to connect tothe next generation. Here are some examples.Im farming and I grow it (US): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48H7zOQrX3UBill Bailey introduces FACE UK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7rHoWKpS1AYeo Valley commercial (UK): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOHAUvbuV4oStephs ag adventures (Aus): http://stephsagventures.com/Australian Year of the Farmer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFUZ_j2cCe0


17/17

17

EVENTSFebruary 5-8 Linking sustainability, environment and human well-being, Canberra

http://societyforhumanecology.org/she-xix-2013-canberra-australia/

February 18-21 Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network Symposium, Canberrahttps://events.cievents.com.au/au/getdemo.ei?id=2643&s=_4P40PQ86B

February 22 Meeting future water supply challenges, Sydneyhttp://www.legalwiseseminars.com.au/8th-annual-water-symposium

February 25-27 First International Controlled Traffic Farming Conference, Toowoombawww.actfa.net

March 5-6 Outlook 2013: Future food, future farming, Canberrahttp://www.daff.gov.au/abares/outlook

March 5-7 National water education conference, Sydneyhttp://www.awa.asn.au/4th_NEC.aspx

March 20-21 3rd National Sustainable Food Summit, Melbournehttp://www.3pillarsnetwork.com.au/p3_Events-Resources.html?&event=88

April 7-12 International Symposium on Soil and Plant Analysis, Queenstown NZ

www.isspa2013.com

April 10-11 National water congress, Sydneyhttp://abcevents.net.au/water/

June 24-27 Climate adaptation 2013http://www.nccarf.edu.au/conference2013/

October 8-11 Greenhouse 2013: the science of climate change, Adelaidehttp://www.greenhouse2013.com/

24-27 March 2014 Soil change matters symposium, Bendigo

MAILING LISTTo subscribe to NRM on farms, email Rebecca Lines-Kelly at [email protected].

Documents

NRM on Farms February 2013