Gippsland started the planning for a regional food plan – possibly the first in the nation – with two well-attended forums in Bairnsdale and Warragul In July.
About 50 people joined the discussions starting with soil health and ranging across skills and public well-being.
The visioning group is chaired by Dr Nicola Watts from the East Gippsland Food Cluster who wants” a living dynamic, changing plan”. Also involved in steering the project are Regional Development Victoria and Regional Development Australia, Agribusiness Gippsland and the DPI.
The meetings were facilitated by Michael McAllum's and after the sessions Nicola reported that the next steps would include
1. continuation of the conversation/engagement process
2. formation of a working group to drive the development of the regional strategy (I am interested in expressions of interest from people interested in being involved in this)
3. development of a strategy
Michael McAllum told the Warragul session: “You cannot have a food production system relying on cheap oil,” he said, adding that future customers will be more discerning shoppers. Usual retail structures are being replaced by new forms, for example, online shopping. “The current supermarket system is probably at its limits,” he said.
Dr Danielle Auldist the executive officer of GippsDairy said: “We need to keep an eye on the core business as well as encourage other business. We have people who are really good turning pasture into protein.” She also noted the need for broadacre farming in terms of trade.
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Gippsland gets its act together at ABARES/AGI We did it! We organised a conference that booked out motels from Drouin to Morwell. We had more than 100 people each day share insights into agribusiness. And if we didn’t completely shift rain clouds to all of Victoria’s dry areas we made a good attempt. And all organised inside eight weeks.
Agribusiness Gippsland organised the Australian Bureau of Agricultural Resource Economics and Science (ABARES) regional conference and the annual Victorian agribusiness forum.
The event attracted attendees from Canberra, Sydney and across Victoria, who reported it booked out motels from Drouin to Morwell.
We saw up to140 people a day plus about 100 people attending the dinner, while the summit included a presentation by the Victorian Minister for Primary Industries, Peter Walsh.
Agribusiness Gippsland hosted the summit – the second time in three years that the not-for-profit group has staged the peak gathering of the state’s agribusiness operators.
Agribusiness Gippsland chair, Alex Arbuthnot AM said:“This was a conference of real worth to the agribusiness community. Mick Keogh’s description of carbon trading was the first time many of us fully understood this issue, David McKinna’s insights into supermarket tactics were a real eye-opener and the influence of Asia’s rise was repeated over and over – we ignore it at our peril.
“We got the latest ABARES data on every sector of relevance to Gippsland and heartening news that agricultural lending was among the most robust of all sectors.
“In addition to all that we heard some compelling case studies in cropping from Ben Morris, in dairying from Graeme Nicolls and in horticulture from Helen Armour.”
Agribusiness Gippsland secured rights to host the ABARES conference and the summit less than eight weeks earlier. Valuable support came from Regional Development Australia, Regional Development Victoria, Trees Victoria and the Department of Primary Industries.
Mr Arbuthnot added: “Every shire council in Gippsland supports us with seeding funding, and we are proud to return to the region an event of this calibre.
“The quality of the content and the presentation of the event – assembled in such a short time – really stamped Gippsland as a leader in regional cohesion,” Mr Arbuthnot said.
…ALSO: Addressing the conference dinner Andrew Broad, VFF president warned that horticulture was the big vulnerability for Australian agricultural exports. “We are very good at producing starch and protein, such as red meat and dairy products, and production without large labour resources. But the area where we will be challenged will be with some horticultural products. We’re just not competitive on wages, skills and price for the product.”
He warned that Australia had to build up agricultural exports to counter an eventual downturn in mining. “We are too reliant on the mining boom; that will run down,” he said.
Mr Broad noted the decline of Asian language skills in Australian school curriculum, leaving us ill-prepared to deal with our greatest export customer of the future.
He said the EU would slowly lose its capacity to produce food and the US was burdened with massive debt. “The ability of the US to be a global force might be diminishing. There are some factors that are still strong but overall, there are ramifications for us,” he added.
…MEANWHILE: Agriculture is a star client for Australian banks, according to a leading financier. Addressing the conference, Brenton Sellars from National Australia Bank noted farming’s financial rigour.
“In terms of performance, agriculture has been outstanding compared with other sectors,” he said. “Your debts and doubtful debts remain very low. As a whole, agriculture is right at the top end of portfolio performance.”
He noted that farm prices were a strong economic engine for the sector. “We’re facing some scarcity of good land, and also foreign investment in land – that’s a strong driver.”
However, he said the growth in agri-finance was being driven by family farms seeking to expand rather than corporate investment.
“A lot of the better operators are scaling up their business,” he said.
Trends he identified were increased interest in sustainable agriculture funds and foreign investment “They’re looking for return, but they’re also looking for strong, quality food supply.”
Mr Sellars agreed that official figures should incorporate agribusiness, rather than just farming activities. Alex Arbuthnot, chair of Agribusiness Gippsland noted:“By adding agribusiness into the agriculture mix, it would triple the value of the sector and show that, together, we account for about half of the value of the Victorian economy.”
Mr Sellars added: “The post-farmgate sector is very dynamic and we could possibly see increased foreign investment in that sector.”
…PLUS: Gippsland dairy farmers are likely to earn more than the national average in 2010/11, with predicted farm cash incomes of $127,000.
Latest data delivered at the Gippsland OUTLOOK conference revealed the regional dairy farmers out-earned the national prediction of $100,000.
They also out-earned the state average of $92,000, a figure reflecting the ongoing impact of drought on northern Victoria, according to ABARES Peter Collins.
“World butter prices are likely to fall but milk powder and cheese process are expected to hold firm due to high demand from China, Russia and the Middle East,” he said.
Australian milk production is due to lift 2%, mainly due to increased herd numbers, (“after a decade of decline”) and increased yield per cow, Mr Collins said.
…LASTLY: A few special thank-yous to Mark Cockerill and the Lardner Park team, Di Carson and Bronwyn Debenham. We also thank the following Gippsland-based businesses that donated products and services: Claire de Lune Winery, Krowera Olives, Meeniyan Motel, Clearly Delicious, Moos at Meeinyan, Tarwin Valley Wines, Mille Fiori Honey and Golden Creek Olives. Please support them as they have supported us.
Early results from an Agribusiness Gippsland/University of Melbourne survey of young people employed in farming and agribusiness shows a strong positive correlation between post-secondary schooling and income levels.
The survey, covering 57 people aged up to 45 in a variety of professions related to agriculture, showed 97% were ‘very satisfied’ with their career choice.
Asked their financial expectations in the next five years, 75% expected to be better-off, despite voicing concerns about the potential effects of the high $A and the carbon tax.
Four post-grads studying their Masters at the University of Melbourne School of Business and Management spent two weeks conducting the survey in behalf of Agribusiness Gippsland.
They presented their initial findings at the regular dinner of the South Gippsland Agribusiness Professionals at Inverloch on July 13.
The four young women – all from China – Chen, Janet, Nicole and Ruth will be completing their survey with the aid of their study supervisors once the semester resumes. We will be presenting the final report when it becomes available.
They stayed on and visited farms and some had the experience of helping feeding out, reviving some sick lambs and rounding up beef cattle. A couple got their first ride in a ute.
Despite the cold, they fell in love with Gippsland and a couple have asked if any local accounting firm or other business would consider using them for work experience during the next semester break, as their visa allows this. Contact Sue Elston at the university on s.elston@unimelb.edu.au or 90355642.
HUGE thanks to Bass Coast Shire Council’s Ros Jenzen, as well as GippsDairy’s Danielle Auldist, SFS’s Nikki Hellyer and James and the South Gippsland Agribusiness Professionals Group. Also thanks to Community College Warragul, Des Williams from DPI, Anna Langley and Ian McFee.
Combet comes to town An invited audience of about 150 people at Kernot Hall, Morwell heard the Minister for Climate Change explain Government policy, the day after Canberra flagged its first serious consideration of a carbon tax.
The important day-long forum, staged with assistance from Latrobe City Council, was organised by Agribusiness Gippsland with RMIT University and the Gippsland Trades and Labour Council.
Peter Fairbrother of RMIT University facilitated the day-long event. John Parker of the CFMEU proposed that the Latrobe Valley could find itself stranded by the shift away from fossil fuels. “If you don’t forward plan you’re going to miss the boat,” he warned. “Gippsland has certainties and resources; we just have to make sure we’re in front of things.
“We expect all tiers of government to be standing alongside us while we make the transition,” he told Mr Combet and other MPs as well as municipal leaders.
He recalled the devastation wrought on local workforce by the shift to privatisation “The chains went on the gates and the people were out of work. This time we want to do it differently.”
Latrobe mayor Cr Darryl White noted that the Latrobe Valley “is due to be more affected by the low-carbon economy that any other part of Australia” and added: “It’s fantastic to see regional leadership on this issue.”
Fellow speaker MP Russell Northe added: “We cannot afford to lose any jobs as a result of the transition to a low-carbon economy.” and detailed the government initiatives to help achieve this. “We need to identify the new jobs and we need to identify existing businesses that can expand,” he said.
Mr Combet detailed the fact that Australia was lagging other developed nations in tackling carbon emisisons and that a carbon tax had proven the best way to drive innovations.
“The carbon farming initiative might be the mechanism that allows farmers and other land use managers to earn income streams through their farming activities, If these credits comply with the Kyoto arrangement, those credits could be purchased by the power stations,” he said.”It’s an important economic opportunity generally, but especially for this region.”
Agribusiness Gippsland chair Alex Arbuthnot raised concerns that farming, though initially exempt for a proposed carbon tax, would face onflow costs in fuel. Healso noted that dairy processing, a heavily export-centric industry in Gippsland, did not have trade-exposed status protection pending. Mr Combet replied: “I know the circumstances of dairy farming and when we put forward the CPRS there was a package for the food processors, I am very mindful of the issue.”
Other questioners included Andrew McEwan, formerly of South Gippsland Shire who suggested there would be greater take-up of carbon farming without the 100-year encumbrance on plantations. Mr Combet said it was an issue to be considered. Leongatha South dairy farmer Max Jelbart argued that a proportion of the carbon tax income must be used for R and D.
The afternoon sessions saw a wide-ranging speaker line-up covering successes in alternative technologies and improved operating systems. As one attendee commented: “Every time I went to leave, I thought I’d just hang around for the next speaker … and then the next … and then before I knew it, the day was finished!”
ASPHALT OR AGRICULTURE? The Big Question gets the Big Airing over two lunches in October, each with a speaker to really stir your thoughts on the way we plan to house, feed and water our future population. Agribusiness Gippsland is launching its lunchtime forums, and we’re hugely proud to offer these first two speakers – one on Friday, October 22 and the other on Monday October 25. Come to one or come to both. Maybe even stay for the weekend! FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, Leongatha: Ian Wills is Honorary Associate Professor at Monash University’s department of economics. He holds a PhD (Agricultural Economics) from the University of Illinois and a MAgrSc (Hons) University of Melbourne. In early 2008 he was elected Distinguished Fellow of the Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society. He argues it makes better economic sense to mass-transport food than create a mass-commute from far-flung residential developments. MONDAY, OCTOBER 25, Cowes:George Seitz MP is Chair of the Outer Suburban/Interface Services and Development Committee. He led the State Government Inquiry into Sustainable Peri-Urban Agri-Business which held a hearing in Gippsland. Now he returns to the region to detail what his panel recommended and why.
Tickets cost $45 (includes GST) each for a two-course lunch. The October 22 venue is to be confirmed but October 25 sees George Seitz at the unique hideaway eatery, the Silverleaves General Store near Cowes. Tucked away in a leafy residential enclave, this is a gourmet provender disguised as the corner milk bar. They’re hoping to serve us the first of the season’s snapper caught by local fishermen. They sell seriously good Gippsland wines too. Numbers are very limited and booking preference will be given to pre-paying guests.
BOOK HERE: Cut and paste this form into a Word document and EITHER
This form will be a tax invoice for GST when completed and payment is made. To save paper/postage, no tickets will be issued, although you will receive an electronic receipt as proof of registration. No refunds, but substitutions allowed. ABN 20 185 883 721
Climate vs food = our biggest challenge: ag group
Upping food production while curbing greenhouse gas emissions will be the biggest challenge facing Gippsland farming in the next decade, according to a regional agribusiness leader.
Alex Arbuthnot AM, chair of Agribusiness Gippsland Inc said a target of cutting emissions by 20% of 2000 levels by 2020 was a tough call. Adding a growing population and market demands for more food production could stretch systems too far, he warned.
“Futurists are warning that our farmers need to double food production by 2050. There’s scarcely the land, water, human capability and technology to achieve that, even without the extra task of arresting greenhouse gas emissions,” he said.
He warned: “Imposing too-strict limits could have dire consequences for Victoria’s economy: farmers curbing their outputs, industry moving to other states or even other countries and rolling power blackouts.”
He was responding to the State Government’s White Paper on Climate Change entitled ‘Taking Action for Victoria’s Future’.
Only two of the report’s 30 pages dealt with agriculture, he noted. Yet the sector held some of the greatest promise in greenhouse gas reduction.
“We recognise our farms need to undergo significant transformation, more than the changes currently underway,” said Mr Arbuthnot, who runs a dairy farm at Nambrok. “But we need recognition of the sustainable farming initiatives already in place.”
Victorian farmers are curbing greenhouse gas emissions through innovations such as no-till agriculture, ‘green’ cleaning of dairy milking systems, solar power use and more targeted application of nitrogen-based fertilisers, he said.
“We need is all the technology and government back-up possible to put a lid on emissions,” he said.
“Farmers are used to thinking in terms inputs and outputs when it comes to production. It’s vital the policymakers recognise the same formula and help us all achieve the desired result.”
Food’s eco-footprint under spotlight at Gippsland forum
August 4, 2010: Water ain’t water … the amount of water used in growing food we eat is not the only way to judge the ‘greenness’ of what we eat.
Less water is not necessarily better if foods are grown in water-stressed areas, or if they make no use of recycled water, said Dr Brad Ridoutt (left). He was addressing the Food, Farming and Health forum staged by Agribusiness Gippsland Inc at LardnerPark near Warragul, on August 2.
More than 70 participants attended the day-long forum, which examined the sustainability of future food production.
A research leader in CSIRO’s Sustainable Agriculture Flagship, Dr Ridoutt said benchmarking the volume of water used to grow and process food is too simplistic.
CSIRO is looking at water use across the full life-cycle of different foodstuffs, taking into account local water stress where production occurs.
It has been claimed that it takes 75 litres to make a litre of beer, but 200 to produce a litre of milk. “But so what if it takes 200 litres to make that milk?” he challenged the audience. “What is the sustainability of that water being used? What is the nature of the water being used to make that milk? Is it taking water from the environment or using natural rainfall over agricultural lands?”
For example, the virtual water content of a branded 575g tomato-based pasta sauce was 202 litres and seemingly less thirsty than a branded 250g pack of chocolate-coated peanuts at 1153 litres.
However, when the researchers looked at water used in growing raw materials and at local water stress, they found a major component of the confectionery was cocoa grown in rain-rich Africa, while the tomatoes required water-intensive irrigated land.
The need to consider existing water demands on individual catchments was an important factor in calculating future water supply, Dr Ridoutt said.
“In many of the world’s existing food bowls, water is being unsustainably used,” he warned. “We will not be able to feed a growing world population by simply ramping up water use in proportion to where it is currently used.”
The day, the second of its kind run by Agribusiness Gippsland, also included speakers such as Anthony Sherry from Regional Development Victoria and MonashUniversity’s Prof Margaret Alston OAM, who discussed the different ways that men and women respond to food scarcity.
DeakinUniversity’s Associate Professor Mark Lawrence detailed the difficulties of reconciling nutrition with sustainability when rewriting the healthy diet guidelines.
The afternoon speaker line-up comprised a group of female farmers from across Gippsland. From a dairy farmer to a rabbit meat producer, olive grower, free-range egg farmer, wine-maker and a goat breeder – the speakers detailed their life stories and their efforts to make their farming enterprises sustainable.
The women had participated in the Gippsland Women Find Their Voice project, organised by Agribusiness Gippsland, co-ordinated by Jenny O’Sullivan and funded through the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).
Alex Arbuthnot AM, chair of Agribusiness Gippsland said: “The afternoon of farmer speakers was excellent – and what stood out were the presentations and stories by Gippsland women on their farming life experience. These stories were from the heart. They were open, candid and superb – if only the general public or our city friends could have heard these stories.
“Several times during the day we were asked to compile their stories into a book. That’s something we might have to investigate with funding agencies.
“We were also asked to make this an annual event. Again, we will have to investigate the funding possibilities.
He said that several of the women had already been asked to talk to other groups. “We welcome this because we believe they put some 'dirt under the fingernails' of the food sustainability debate,” Mr Arbuthnot said.
Agribusiness Gippsland welcomes inquiries from Landcare groups, school groups, service clubs, food and agriculture groups – any organisation seeking a speaker with a fascinating tale to tell. Simply phone the group’s executive officer on 0402 267 802.
The forum was co-ordinated by Jenny O’Sullivan and Sue Webster and funded by DAFF, the West Gippsland CMA and the DPI.
Striving, not starving – how farmers can face down famine
August 4, 2010: Famine and food riots are a result of global climate change in the developing world … and the way people respond is sometimes determined by their sex, according to an expert in gender and climate change research.
Professor Margaret Alston OAM, Head of Department of Social Work and of the Gender, Leadership and Social Sustainability (GLASS) research unit, MonashUniversity was addressing farmers in Gippsland on Monday.
“Our research also shows men and women respond differently to threatened food and water security,” she said.
“In our Indian research, rural women reported they adapted by eating less, leaving more food for family members. Like their Australian counterparts, they also work off-farm for income. Men respond by working harder and taking loans.”
Professor Alston was addressing the Food, Farming and Health forum staged by Agribusiness Gippsland Inc at LardnerPark near Warragul, on August 2.
More than 80 participants attended the day-long forum, which examined the sustainability of future food production.
She said: “The health consequences of climate change might include exposure to extremes of weather, increased airborne pollutants and more transmissible diseases as well as reduced water quality and biodiversity loss,” she said. “However, ongoing stress on food production puts farmers in a good position.
“As an individual on a farm there’s a lot you can do. International efforts such as the Copenhagen Climate Change Forum did not achieve its objectives, so efforts to address climate change must come from the bottom up. I think you have more power than you realise.
“Build your area as a site that can be taken into consideration if an ETS comes into effect, for example. People internationally are looking for good ideas and we can start them.”
She praised the work of Baw Baw Shire, especially its commitment to Transition Towns – a movement seeking lower greenhouse gas emissions and more local self-sufficiency. “The shire is doing really good things, it’s quite inspirational,” she said.
Nutrition guidance embracing environmental concerns August 4, 2010: Nutritionists are increasingly recognising the importance of informing consumers about the impact of food choices on the environment as much as health considerations, a leading Australian nutritionist has told farmers.
“There is a dynamic two-way relationship between food and environmental sustainability,” said Associate Professor Mark Lawrence (left) of the World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre for Obesity Prevention at DeakinUniversity.
“Our food choices have implications for environmental sustainability and the environment has implications for the food system's sustainability.”
He was addressing the Food, Farming and Health forum staged by Agribusiness Gippsland Inc at LardnerPark near Warragul, on August 2.
More than 80 participants attended the day-long forum, which examined the sustainability of future food production.
Prof Lawrence said: “Food recommendations now are extending from simply providing advice about our biological health to now take into consideration social concerns.
“These factors include food availability, affordability and accessibility and culture as well as economic considerations such as trade and local employment. Critically, they also include environmental considerations – food sustainability is food security,” he said.
“There are synergies with these considerations. For example, generally the more highly processed food products are the least nutritious and have the highest environmental impact.”
Referring to his own food policy research, he warned that nutraceuticals and “highly medicalised food” might not be the solution.
“When you start taking junk food, process it to death and then put vitamins back in, it seems we’re being distracted from the food security, nutrition and food sustainability priorities,” he said.
“I’m not a big fan of so-called functional foods. I’m seeing too much R&D going into supporting marketing expensive functional foods.
“Investment is not being directed towards supporting production of primary foods that Australian farmers are so good at providing and that are needed to help promote a secure food supply and healthy eating.”
He also stressed the need for government food purchasing to take into account nutrition and sustainability criteria.
“Food-buying for prisons, hospitals, nursing homes, schools and other institutions is funded by taxpayer dollars. There is a responsibility that public sector food provision should lead from the front. It should provide for the public good in terms of modelling good nutrition and sustainability practice,” he said.
He endorsed the work of the leading food policy advocacy group, the Food Alliance funded by VicHealth, to organise and advocate to ensure sustainable food security and healthy eating among Victorians.
“Later this month the Food Alliance will be holding its first meeting to kick off this area to advocate for mandatory nutrition and sustainability standards for public sector food,” he said.
A proposal to allow houses on farming land north of Sale could compromise agricultural production, according to a Gippsland agribusiness group.
However, areas of Pearsondale and along the ridge to Kilmany would be well-suited to residential development, according to the submission by Agribusiness Gippsland Inc (AGI).
The industry-good group was making a submission to Wellington Shire’s recent review of land use.
AGI chair Alex Arbuthnot AMpraised most land use changes suggested in the review, but added: “The proposal to zone long term residential land north of Sale, taking up very highly productive irrigation land should be opposed – especially the farm land up to the Myrtlebank Road.”
He also cautioned that the review could allow fragmentation of the MID, where the current minimum of 2ha for a dwelling could be reduced to 1ha.
Mr Arbuthnot welcomed the review’s support for the economic engine of agribusiness in the region.
“We recognise the growing importance of the Gippsland region as becoming the major food-producing region for the State,” he said. “The impact of the most recent population growth predictions on Cardinia, Baw Baw and Bass Coast Shires, along with climate change impacts, make it absolutely imperative that productive rural land is protected throughout Gippsland.
“I commend the Wellington Shire for updating the planning scheme to ensure productivity and growth through appropriate future strategic actions.”
He highlighted the report’s concerns over soil salinity. “It is very important that we are vigilant on this important degradation issue,” he said.
AGI supported the review’s recommendations for agritourism, both at farm scale and at district centres and suggested tours of key agribusinesses such as Maffra cheese; the Warren’s robotic dairy, the Covina vegetable farm and, taking a cue from Bega, MG dairy showcase tours.
Mr Arbuthnot said: “I congratulate Wellington Shire on the review, for looking objectively at the future and for recognising the importance of food and agribusiness to the region.”
Independent report into rural land use planning Issues such as housing development on arable land, including subdivisions of small holdings, were on the agenda for the Future Farming Rural Planning Group.
This independent group was appointed by the Minister for Planning to make recommendations as to how the planning system can support the agricultural industry and best respond to change. Their report - Future Farming Improving rural land use – is now available on line.
Here is a summary of the recommendations:
- A Victorian Rural Area strategy subject to a regular five-yearly review
- Regulatory provisions for rural-specific planning issues
- A new Govt-based rural planning team
- Using case studies to form planning templates
- Support municipalities seeking to formulate strategy plans
- Important farmland to be identified and protected
- Right to farm acknowledged
- Restricting new housing within rural zones, but more lenient provision for ag worker accommodation
- Tighter sustainability requirements, including bushfire protection
- Green Wedge Zones introduced around regional cities
- Wider range of zones to accommodate agribusinesses
- New overlay on water catchment and recharge areas
- Retain the right to establish small private dams without planning approval
- Regionally-based monitoring of councils’ planning decision-making
- Permits decided by independent delegated groups
In summary: “In recommending more restrictive controls on establishment of dwellings in rural areas the Group has been mindful of the vast array of living and settlement opportunities across Victoria’s rural areas; in the Group’s view such controls would not seriously disadvantage the rural community relative to proximity between the home and workplace. The tighter controls on dwellings will also reduce speculation and the inflated value of rural land arising from the ability to direct that land to a residential rather than farming purpose. Some of Victoria’s most productive areas have been commandeered for their amenity rather than their productive value.”
Findings mow down soil C hope Optimising soil carbon levels through growing grass would require Gippsland farmers to triple pasture production, according to newly presented data.
A literature review conducted by GippsDairy and presented to the last Agribusiness Gippsland (AGI) board meeting revealed the scale of the task if farmers tried to sequester air-borne carbon into the soil by using pasture plants.
This technique, called biosequestration, was also under the spotlight in the past month as AGI presented to a State Government hearing at Traralgon. ABOVE: Dr Ras Lawson (left) with (L to R) MPs Joanne Duncan, Craig Ingram and Nathan Murphy. Underlining the message at the two events was the difficulty in achieving viable levels of biosequestration. There was also difficulty benchmarking, measuring and maintaining those levels.
GippsDairy executive officer Dr Danielle Auldist attended the April AGI board meeting at Lardner Park to discuss the findings of the literature review which was written by Dairy Australia for GippsDairy and others to use. The work was undertaken by leading soil scientist Dr David McKenzie.
She said: “The important thing is for farmers to know is that maximum pasture production means soil organic carbon (SOC) content is nearly maximum too – they should be proud of this.
“Farms or areas with degraded soil could copy best management practices on dairy farms to increase the amount of vegetation grown and, therefore, the SOC content.
“On good pasture, SOC is high. In Gippsland we could focus on improving ground cover and capturing more SOC but, to boost SOC from 3% to 5% within the top 10cm – we would need to triple pasture production in West Gippsland,” she said. “And that is without accounting for stocking rate increases or for drought-affected years.”
Dr Auldist noted that growing that amount of grass in future drier conditions could be more challenging. Fertiliser needed to boost dry matter production will also be more costly.
“To compete economically SOC would have to be priced at $150-260/tCO2. On the Chicago exchange, it’s currently about US15c tonne,” she said.
“The numbers don’t stack up, so keep on doing a good job of growing grass and making milk”.
Measurement is subject to in-field errors of more than 20%. Samples are affected by sampling depth, different chemistry methods, calcium carbonate modules, surface and root materials.
Rates of SOC decomposition are affected by soil type, rainfall, temperature, erosion and treatments such as cultivation, Dr Auldist said.
“All this adds up to the devil in the detail.It is incredibly hard to get a handle on SOC.”
Discussing biochar – charring carbon to optimise uptake and hold it in an inert form – she said science did not yet understand biochar’s interactions with soil microflora/fauna and nutrients. “And whatever the effects are, they will be long-lasting,” she warned. “The science is saying ‘it looks good’ but we need to check it out before we launch into something we don’t know much about.”
Meanwhile, in Traralgon on April 19, AGI was invited to present to a State Government Environment and Natural Resources Committee hearing into biosequestration.
AGI deputy chair Dr Ras Lawson warned that many factors – including $ return – make pasture an unlikely C sink.
Scientists do not yet appear to have the technology to accurate measure SOC at paddock level, he told the panel.
MPs Craig Ingram, Joanne Duncan and Nathan Murphy heard Dr Lawson explain AGI’s past involvement in the soil C issue.
AGI had helped sponsor a visit by soil C identity Christine Jones and had also overseen a federally funded project benchmarking SOC levels in East Gippsland.
“Those levels were fairly reasonable under high-production agricultural systems,”Dr Lawson told the panel. “At 5%, they represent relatively high levels of C, and even the lowest figure was approaching 3%. The state of soil C in East Gippsland is relatively high.”
He noted that SOC levels in West Gippsland – at Ellinbank – were about the same level.
Dr Lawson then drew upon the Dairy Australia/GippsDairy literature review which noted the need to triple pasture production..
“I think the problem with that – if farmers are going to grow that much extra dry matter – is that they will be more inclined to feed that to grazing animals to produce milk and meat than just leave it there,” he said.
An extra tonne dry matter fed to a dairy cow meant between $200 and $300 extra income, far higher than current C prices, he noted.
More inputs – such as fertiliser – would be needed to produce the extra grass, and fertiliser is a cost as well as a source of greenhouse gas, he warned.
The volatility of SOC could also present farmers with a challenge, he added. Questioned by Ms Duncan, Dr Lawson said: “We’re dealing with a dynamic system and a farmer is going to have to keep managing that system if you’re contracted to a specified level of soil C.”
Questioned by Mr Ingram, Dr Lawson explained that productivity levels in agriculture suggest a biosequestration through pasture was unlikely. “It’s a very big ask to be able to do it using pasture. We’re going to need a major breakthrough in pasture production to make this happen,” he said.
Mr Ingram, who chaired the panel’s hearing, thanked Dr Lawson for presenting a complex scientific issue in easy-to-understand terms.
Agriculture in VECCI's business footprint April 21, 2010: Agribusiness Gippsland was among the invited delegates attending a VECCI business workshop in Morwell.The workshop is one of ten being held across the State in the lead up to the VECCI Regional Convention, which will be held on October 14-15.
VECCI CEO Wayne Kayler-Thomson attended the workshop which saw about 40 business leaders discuss the top issues for the ongoing prosperity of Gippsland.
Restoring trade skills through technical schools, optimising wastewater use for agriculture and industry and boosting the capacity of Traralgon airport were some of the suggestions raised at the workshop.
Five delegates from the workshop will be selected to present Gippsland’s case at the October state convention.
Mr Kayler-Thomson said: “In a year that will see at state election and most likely a federal election, the convention provides a platform for regional businesses to highlight their concerns and suggestions directly into the Government and Opposition.” Above: Agribusiness Gippsland executive officer Sue Webster at the workshop.
Boosting rural women’s sustainability record
April 6, 2010:
Agribusiness Gippsland (AGInc) will soon be seeking female primary producers with a commitment to sustainable farming, following funding of an innovative ambassadorial program.
‘Nurturing the land nourishing the people: Gippsland women finding their voice’, will see 24 Gippsland women from various sectors trained to explain sustainable farming motives and methodologies to audiences within and beyond the agricultural sector.
We have secured a Recognising Women Farmers grant from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to run a series of workshops providing women with speaking opportunities and encouraging them to articulate their vision.
The project will be run by AGInc in conjunction with Tarwin farmer and Enviromeat founder Jenny O'Sullivan. The program involves two initial workshops of 12-15 participants. One workshop will be in South/West Gippsland and the peri-urban area of the Port Phillip region, and the other in East Gippsland. The women will later be involved in a larger workshop for 100 people.
Clusters meeting offers brainfood
March 15, 2010: Agriculture, government, unions, conservationists came along to two Gippsland sessions with Rodin Genoff – an international expert on economic clusters. Last week saw meetings at Leongatha and Morwell organised by South Gippsland Shire. Regions and cities facing a downturn in manufacturing industries have used Genoff’s ‘cluster’ strategy to evolve into whole-supply-chain companies. He explained the strategy that distils the regional skills base, creates collaboration across companies develops an investment possibility and attracts JV capital. He cited his successes at the City of Playford, north of Adelaide, as well as projects in north Queensland and Denmark. Among the possibilities raised at the Morwell meeting were - developing a company offering ‘smart’ packaging technologies for the food industry; - developing a company offering fouled water treatment technologies; - attracting investment capital into the region from Melbourne; - seeking investment from firms in Newcastle and the NW Shelf to develop mining/gas technology companies in the LaTrobeValley; - greater use of regional universities to provide skills in governance and commercialisation; - a Gippsland ‘food cluster’ with matched branding; - an annual regional conference … held in the Melbourne CBD The European experience had proven very successful, albeit driven by “the blunt instrument of tax concessions”, he said. The Austrian region of Styria had gone from “a metal-banging manufacturing base” of 18% unemployment prone to economic downturns, to a high-end producer of medical instrumentation by using its basic capabilities, increasing its knowledge of electronics and adding some higher-level technologies. Hallmarks of companies best-suited to the model are SMEs of up to 650 staff; Australian owned or in charge of their own cost-centres; already operating with an open and collaborative structure and often acting as leaders in the business and wider community. He said candidate companies tend to be long-established and headed by CEOs aged 40 to 45 who want to boost ongoing company revenue or by older CEOs who want to optimise the books. He favours working with companies led by MDs from accounting, engineering, science or sales backgrounds. Generalist MDs, including the MBA-brigade, generally are less-responsive to the challenge of forming clusters, he said.
Elkington’s Gippsland vision: Capital and jobs
January 29, 2010: More private sector clout for regional development and job, jobs, jobs – the man newly-tasked to link Gippsland with the Australian and Victorian governments this week laid out his wish list.
Richard Elkington, chair of the new Regional Development Australia (RDA) group for Gippsland, explained his vision for the area.
RDA is a partnership between the Australian, state and local governments to develop and strengthen regional communities and aims work with all sectors to create an economic, social and environmental vision for each region.
Mr Elkington was addressing a public meeting, organised by Agribusiness Gippsland, in Traralgon on Thursday.
Attendees from East Gippsland to Warragul came to hear the man chairing the 10-member volunteer panel tasked with sending policy ideas to Spring St and Canberra – and helping business, local government and community organisations secure funding.
As Executive General Manager People and Positioning at Loy Yang Power, Mr Elkington envisioned more commitment to the region from the private sector.
“I’m not just saying that because I am employed in the energy industry. It’s beyond just getting brown coal products out of the valley. As a citizen of Gippsland, I want to see the region grow and prosper,” he said.
“I believe we must develop with the Australian and Victorian Governments a regional plan that’s attractive to the private sector. I just want to get hold of Gippsland’s regional plan and give it to potential investors and ask ‘would you invest in Gippsland … and if not, what would it take’?
“We should be making direct representation to the private sector and assessing its priorities of what it requires to make investment in Gippsland,” he said.
“That way, Gippsland creates its own destiny.”
Underlining these initiatives were jobs, he said. “If we’re not focussing on delivering economic development and jobs then, from my point of view, I think we will havefailed. Of course, we also need to have economic development in balance with social and community development and sustainability.
“What’s been interesting to date has been the view of Gippsland from the outside. We are clearly viewed as a place that has got its act together.
“I think what impresses government is that here’s a region that can work as one, with a clear sense of direction and priorities, and will support one another in those priorities.
“We now have the opportunity to demonstrate a united Gippsland community view. I think we’re on a winner.
“Let’s hear what the community wants and let’s go and advocate for it. Let’s not sit back and wait for government to make decisions about our future.”
Mr Elkington said the work carried out by the Regional Manager’s Forum and the Gippsland Local Government Network was excellent and he praised the former Gippsland Area Consultative Committee – the body replaced by the RDA.
“Gippsland is seen by Spring St and Canberra to have already a robust planning process with a single regional plan. That is not the case universally. So we already have a sound regional plan just requiring some finessing for submission to the Australian Government,” he said.
The panel, appointed for three years, has until mid-year to endorse the existing regional plan and submit it to government.
The regional plan will then be monitored and updated annually.
Chairing the meeting was Agribusiness Gippsland’s Alex Arbuthnot, a member of the RDA panel. He added: “And in three years time I hope to come back and to talk about something we’ve achieved for Gippsland.”
Population projections give thought for food State Government predictions of population growth might be too conservative and the impacts on state resources under-estimated, a Gippsland agribusiness leader has warned.
Agribusiness Gippsland Inc chairman Alex Arbuthnot said the State Government’s White Paper ‘Securing our Natural Future’ needed to face the looming challenge of food security.
The White Paper predicts a Victorian population increase of 2m to 3m in 30 years, concurrent with a 0.8m sea rise by 2100.
“I suspect the population projection is an underestimation,” Mr Arbuthnot said. “Coupled with the loss of valuable land through sea inundation – the situation could be worse than they think.
“Land, water, labour, capital – those are the things that we must safeguard if Victoria, and especially Gippsland, is to continue to grow food and fibre,” he said.
“For example, the White Paper examines the outer-urban and green wedge area, but farmers have little faith in this plan as policy appears to be compromised continually. Prime Gippsland farmland is still being snatched up for housing development. “
Mr Arbuthnot praised the paper’s practical proposals, such as stronger support for volunteers.
Consolidating several groups into a Gippsland Natural Resource and Catchment Authority (NRCA) was another positive, he said. “This is good for Gippsland as it links coastal sustainability with regional development and means fewer organisations.”
Developing a statewide natural resources management plan would see new planning referral powers for NRCAs – these also cover land use change but will be restricted to major developments.
“That should bring a sigh of relief for farmers,” Mr Arbuthnot said. “The last thing we need is more regulation.”
What farmers do need is for the Government to meet the same standards as other landowners, he said.
And the White Paper agrees, stating that public land should be managed a ‘core resilient ecosystem’.
“If the Government could deliver on this it would be an outstanding achievement,” Mr Arbuthnot said. “One-third of Victoria is public land and if the state could manage this to a high standard, our biodiversity would be protected and sustained. This means a quality standard of fire management, pest management and people management.”
Throughout the document, there is a call for increased payments for biodiversity and eco-services.
Mr Arbuthnot said: “This is a very important tool to have in the mix, but if the community wants farmers to retain biodiversity at the cost of using land for production, then someone has to compensate.A Landcare grants program might be still the best investment tool. Carbon payment is a new consideration, but landowners will have to be wary.”
The White Paper refers to the need for research. “This is to be applauded,” Mr Arbuthnot said. “Climate adaptation will see us working even more closely with nature, and research will deliver the information we need to know.”
Annual report Agribusiness Gippsland Inc. report to Annual General Meeting, January 2010
Chairman’s report
2009 has been a year of success – a year that Agribusiness Gippsland has established an identity and a voice for Gippsland agribusiness.
AGI has delivered two outstanding events - the Victorian Agribusiness Summit at Cowes, PhillipIsland and a Healthy Food conference at Warragul.These were leadership events and played an important step in highlighting the importance of food production and agribusiness to the state and region.
AGI has been successful in obtaining funding for a number of project grants and the delivery of the East Gippsland Soil Carbon project with DPI was a real achievement and will provide a base for future projects.
An outstanding achievement has been the development of a new promotional and information tool – Gippy AGchat – now stretching out to nearly 2000 members every three weeks.
AGI is very appreciative of its partnerships with local government and other regional groups and offers a big thanks for their support.
The recognition that Gippsland is resource-rich and is a potential food bowl for Victoria is gathering momentum.
AGI seeks your support to ensure that food and agribusiness has a key role in the future wealth of Gippsland.
Gippsland brand and Gippsland products are gaining recognition. Planning for a Gippsland agribusiness future with our partners and members is our goal and we seek your support.
A big thanks to Sue Webster, our EO, and to our volunteer board members who work tirelessly for AGI and its vision.
Executive officer’s report
2009 has seen Agribusiness Gippsland broadening its network and confirming its reputation for results.
All reports to State and Federal funders were delivered in the calendar year.They were:
East Gippsland benchmarking soil C to DAFF
Dairy plan to Gardiner Foundation
YAP report to DAFF
Victorian Agribusiness Summit report to RDV
Food Farming and Health report to VicHealth.
Agribusiness Gippsland delivered customised services/forums for each of its local government supporters. There were:
BassCoast: Victorian agribusiness summit and peri-urban discussions
Baw Baw: Food Farming Health forum
Casey/Cardinia: SE Water panel representation
Latrobe: Diversify your Income forum
South Gippsland: Sustainability forum and membership on planning reference committee
Wellington: Agritourism (two forums)
During the year AGInc representatives attended many meetings, including:
Peri-urban interface hearing
Gippsland Climate Change network
South Gippsland planning reference committee
RDVCSIROBassCoast scoping
Lardner field days 2011 expo
Gippy AGchat is read by nearly 2000 stakeholders and 2010 should see this asset becoming an income generator.
We welcomed the inclusion of Mark Cockerill on our board during the year.
None of this would have been possible without the support and wisdom of the board, and I would especially like to thank treasurer Chris Shearer and chair Alex Arbuthnot for their assistance.
Treasurer’s report
Agribusiness Gippsland Inc. traded successfully during the year ended 30 June 2009, generating a net surplus of $14,769. This result was achieved despite the difficult trading conditions which prevailed over the year. 2008-2009 was a period of adjustment for Agribusiness Gippsland Inc.
Revenue increased to $62,250 due to continuing generous support of local government in Gippsland, along with surpluses generated from projects undertaken and conferences convened during the period.
Expenses were contained within budget for the year and totalled $44,592.
The major change in the operation for the year was the retirement of Bronwyn Debenham from the position of part-time Executive Officer. This position was filled by the recruitment of Susan Webster, who took up the position in 2008.
The outlook for 2009-2010 remains good. The year will see the completion of the two planned conferences and projects budgeted for the year.
Finals honour for Agribusiness Gippsland Agribusiness Gippsland is among the 10 category finalists of the agricultural and rural development category of a national award. More than 200 entries were received in the Rural and Outback awards. Agribusiness Gippsland chair Alex Arbuthnot said: “Even if we don’t win the top prize, it’s heartening that out efforts have been recognised,” he said. “We’re a not-for-profit group run by a committee of volunteers and rely on the support of many others. “They include the BassCoast, South Gippsland, Baw Baw, Cardinia, Casey, LatrobeCity and Wellington Shires, the State and Federal Government and other agencies.”
Big wins at business awards
Skyhooks v Sherbs was the only hint of competition at the 2009 Bendigo Bank Gippsland Business Awards night at Traralgon on Friday.
The mood among the finalists was a lot more cordial. “Awesome” and “thanks” were probably the evening’s most-used words.
Daryl Braithwaite revived great rick memories– even Baw Baw’s Cr David Balfour was on his feet – while some of Gippsland’s best businesses got the spotlight treatment.
Winner of the agriculture, forestry and fisheries category was Riverbank Stockfeeds, with AgriSolutions of Darnum named runners-up.
LongwarryFoodPark won the award for Environment and Sustainable Business Practice and Leftrade-Omega 3, the retail arm of the Lakes Entrance Fishermen’s Co-Op, was named best retailer. Runner-up in that category was Lillico’s Clearly Delicious Produce Store.
The tourism and accommodation title went to Chestnut Hill Country Retreat near Metung and the hospitality award went to Toora’s Royal Standard Hotel – clearly a popular winner from the audience reaction.
Morwell-based Mercus won the manufacturing and fabrication award for its work reviving the briquetting plant and its continued success in winning major contracts. A runner-up in that category was Meeniyan Stockfeed.
And in the property, finance and business services, we should mention finalists SED Gippsland. While not the eventual winner, they have been supportive of Agribusiness Gippsland and it was good to see them up on the stage.
The evening featured some excellent fare – the seared beef fillet was a standout and there was good cheer from Brandy Creek Wines of Drouin East with its 2004 Pinot Noir/Chardonnay champenoise, 2008 unwooded Chardonnay and 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon.
It was a night of who’s who, headed by local MPs Darren Chester and Russell Northe. The awards committee, headed by Marcus Fraser, recognised its secretary Leo Billington with the 2009 award of merit.
The evening was put together by events organiser and committee member Pat Coles of Traralgon, who mentioned she plans soon to run business breakfasts in BassCoast and Leongatha.
Fellow board member Peter Butler attended the evening as a freshly-minted banker. The former regional face of VECCI takes on business banking – including agribusiness – for Westpac at Traralgon.
Among the chat of the evening was discussion about the Gippsland Area Consultative Committee, which had a wind-up function in Traralgon with about 120 attendees earlier in the week. The replacement body, Regional Development Australia is expected to get up and going in October, once the GACC finally winds up next month.
And thanks to all the folk who said kind things about GippyAGchat. We try.
Optimising soil carbon levels through growing grass would require Gippsland farmers to triple pasture production, according to newly presented data. 
ised at the workshop.
