Friday, 15 September 2017

Australia's Pest Free Areas

Australia’s vast continent, regional environmental conditions and significant commitment and investment to the effective management of Mediterranean fruit fly and Queensland Fruit Fly provides for internationally recognised fruit fly pest free areas to facilitate trade of horticultural commodities susceptible to these pests.  To watch the short video produced by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, follow the Find out More link which will take you to YouTube.

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Wednesday, 6 September 2017

Climate Change Innovation Grants - Victoria

$3.8 million in competitive grants funding for innovative climate change mitigation and adaptation projects across Victoria, with a focus on regional areas. Successful projects will receive $50,000-$300,000 in funding.

Projects could include:

• on farm water/solar/pump tech innovations
• weather station warning networks, soil moisture probes - to warn against local climate thresholds, avoid nitrogen when soils watelogged (nitrous oxide benefits etc)
• innovations that reduce soil erosion/soil carbon losses or grow it
• innovative use of agri-waste to provide local heat/energy solutions
• livestock data systems that reduce turnoff times
• maybe fund deployment/pilot of some equipment or tech that complements existing projects

or any project with an adaptation component, or emissions reduction focus - or both!

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Friday, 1 September 2017

Early signs indicate “biggest year ever” for Aussie #cherries

After the good news that Vietnam will be improving its import protocols for Australian cherries ahead of the 2017-18 season, preliminary crop forecasts are looking very positive too.

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