COMPLETED PROJECTS
National Dryland Salinity Program
Australia's National Dryland Salinity Program was a collaborative research and development effort that investigated the causes of, and solutions to, the national problem of dryland salinity between 2003 and 2004.
The first five-year phase of the program was completed in 1998. It focussed on improving the understanding of the causes of dryland salinity and on establishing a collaborative national focus on the R&D effort. A larger, second five-year phase was completed in 2003. This phase continued to identify and research the knowledge gaps in the understanding of the causes and impacts of dryland salinity. It also investigated the socio-economic arrangements that encourage or impede appropriate management of salinity, new production options using saline resources and management of saline landscapes.
In 2003-04, Kiri-ganai Research was selected to oversee the Enhanced Communications Year of the NDSP. During this year, the program synthesised everything it had learnt of the past ten years and produced four key documents, each directed towards particular stakeholders including catchment managers, leading producers and their advisers, policy makers, and people with a general interest in salinity.
Website: www.ndsp.gov.au
Inquiry into Impacts and Trends in Soil Acidity
Soil acidification is a significant issue for the sustainability of farms and landscapes across Australia. In 2003-04, the Victorian Parliament's Environment and Natural Resources Committee reviewed the impacts and trends of acidification and the implications for public policy. Dr Price of Kiri-ganai Research was appointed to provide expert advice to the Committee on the preparation of the content, conclusions and recommendations of the Committee's report.
Website: http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/enrc/inquiries/soilacidity/
Review of Land & Water Australia's Future Landscapes Program
Since 1998, Land & Water Australia has been at the cutting edge of the use of a range of disciplines and methods to explore the design criteria and the enabling environment for profitable alternative resource uses that are sustainable and in-tune with the inherent characteristics of Australia's unique land scapes and climate. A Futures Program was established in 2002 with an emphasis on understanding how global and national trends may impact on future landscapes and economies (including population, living standards, environmental change and energy supply).
Kiri-ganai Research was selected to undertake a mid-term review of this program and to advise on its future directions. A confidential report was submitted and accepted by the LWA Board in december 2004.
Website: www.lwa.gov.au/arenas.asp?section+27
Business case for a Cooperative Research Centre for Climate Risk Management
Australia's is the most variable climate of all the inhabited continents of earth. It is critical, then, that Australia develop a collaborative research approach to supporting the climate risk management strategies of Australian farmers and businesses.
Kiri-ganai Research was selected to assist a consortium of 5 State and 3 Commonwealth government agencies, seven universities and some of Australia's largest private sector companies including the AWB Limited and Suncorp Ltd, to develop a business case for the establishment of a Cooperative Research Centre focusing on the research and development of climate risk technologies.
The business case was one of a limited number to pass through two selection stages. The collaboration was unsuccessful at the final hurdle, requiring greater industry contributions, which will be forthcoming in the consortium's next bid.
Coordination of an Australian Delegation to the International Salinity Forum, USA 2005
The inaugural International Salinity Forum was convened in Riverside, California USA on 25-27 May 2005. Dr Richard Price of Kiri-ganai Research was a member of the international organising committee overseeing the planning of the forum. In addition to a making a major contribution to the conference organisation, Kiri-ganai Research coordinated and led a delegation of 37 Australian salinity scientists attending the forum. The highlight of Australia's participation in the forum included hosting an "Australia Night" gala event held on 25 May to highlight Australia's salinity science efforts, and a field tour of Utah involving a sub-set of seventeen scientists. Both these events were coordinated by Kiri-ganai Research, with the assistance of the CRC for Plant-based Management of Dryland Salinity, the Utah Department of Food and Agriculture and Consuming Passions.
Website: www.waterresources.ucr.edu
Intensification of apple and pear orchards
Apple and Pear Australia Limited, under a joint Inustry Partnership Program initiative with the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, commissioned Kiri-ganai Research to develop a workplan to establish a network of intensive focus orchards with the aim to increase the adoption of intensive apple and pear production systems. Australia's apple industry in particular is confronted with an urgent need to increase its competitiveness in the light of potential apple imports from New Zealand. The adoption of modern, highly intensive production practices will go some way to meeting this perceived threat.
Kiri-ganai Research's approach resulted in the development of a detailed National Intensification Extension Strategy for the apple and pear industries. At the centre of the strategy are tactics to establish both intensive focus orhards and a network of monitoring blocks across Australia. APAL have taken this startegy and intend to set it within its broader strategic plan for the future of apple and pear production.
The project was completed in July 2005.
Website: www.apal.org.au
Vegetable Industry Partnership -Taking Stock and Setting Directions
This Industry Partnership Program project was a joint venture between the Australian vegetable industry and the Australian Government. The project was designed to support the vegetable industry in evaluating its current situation and to develop practical strategies and actions to improve industry performance and sustainability.
The final project report, The Australian Vegetable Industry: Taking Stock and Setting Directions, recommended the immediate establishment of a Vegetable Industry Development Group to rally industry leaders across the supply chain to oversee the implementation of seven Foundation Projects. The Foundation Projects address: strategic planning, industry leadership and structures, global industry analysis, production and processing benchmarking, market development, information provision and decision support, and business skills development.
Website: www.ausveg.com.au
Development of a strategic plan for the Australian Vegetable Industry
Following acceptance of the report, Taking Stock and Setting Directions for the Future of the Australian Vegetable Industry, prepared by Kiri-ganai Research in late 2005, the company was asked to prepare a strategic plan for the industry.
The objectives of the project were to 1) generate a cohesive and coordinated national direction for repositioning the Australian vegetable industry and enhance its profitability and growth in a global market; 2) attain across-industry and whole of value chain ownership of the plan; and 3) enlist the commitment of stakeholders to participate and invest in initiatives for implementation of the plan.
The project culminated in the development of the Vegvision 2020 plan, launched by Federal Minister for Agriculture, Peter McGauran, on 14 September 2006. The Plan encompassed five strategies, dealing with Consumers, Markets, Competitiveness, Information and Leadership. The Australian government committed $3 million towards implementation of the plan under its Industry Partnership Programme.
Website: www.avidgroup.net.au
Taking Stock and Setting Directions for the Australian Rice Industry
This Industry Partnership Programme project was a joint venture between the Australian rice industry and the Australian Government. The project was designed to support the vegetable industry in evaluating its current situation and to develop practical strategies and actions to improve industry performance and sustainability.
The rice industry is currently undergoing institutional reform, with deregulation of the domestic market, and the project should provide insights to assist the industry and its growers remain viable and environmentally sustainable post-deregulation.
Website: www.rga.org.au
Refinement of a survey of NSW Wine-grape growers
The NSW Department of Primary Industries is undertaking a long-term project to improve the sustainability of NSW wine-grape growers. As part of this project officers of the Department designed a survey to determine an initial benchmark of growers' knowledge and practices so as to determine the impact of the project upon its completion. Kiri-ganai Research was asked to use its social research and survey design expertise to refine the survey and to make recommendations on the most effective way to undertake it.
The survey design was completed at the end of October 2006, and the NSW DPI commenced survey trials in November. Dr Jennifer Andrew undertook the project on behalf of Kiri-ganai Research.
Future R, D & E concerning saline land management within agricultural systems
The Sustainable Grazing on Saline Lands (SGSL) initiative of Land Water & Wool, supported jointly by Australian Wool Innovation Ltd and Land & Water Australia, came to completion after five years in December 2006. Leading up to its completion, Kiri-ganai Research was asked to prepare a business case for a second phase of the initiative, and to summarise the knowledge base accumulated on grazing saline lands to that point in time.
The project worked closely with regional groups and researchers involved in SGSL, and with the Cooperative Research Centre for Plant-based Management of Dryland Salinity. The CRC is a joint sponsor of the project, and the knowledge summary that arose from the project will form a part of the CRC's 'prospects' publications. The completed business plan was submitted to AWI and is presently being reviewed. However, elements of the business case were used to support the successful application to establish a new CRC for Future Farm Industries.
The project was completed in December 2006.
Website: www.futurefarmcrc.com.au
Taking Stock and Setting Directions for the Australian Wine Grape Industry
This Industry Partnership Programme project was a joint venture between the Australian wine grape industry and the Australian Government. The project was designed to support the industry in evaluating its current situation and to develop practical strategies and actions to improve industry performance and sustainability.
Kiri-ganai Research officers visited a variety of Geographical Indication (GI) regions in most states; talked to more than 160 wine grape growers, winemakers and industry service providers; and analysed industry data and information on its performance and contribution to the Australian economy.
This project identified five strategic imperatives as those that must be addressed by the industry in future in order to achieve this vision: marketing, structural change, supply chain relationships business competitiveness and improved leadership and representative structures.
Coordination of the Public Submission Process for the First Biennial Assessment of the National Water Initiative
Kiri-ganai Research completed a summary and analysis of the public submissions provided under the first biennial review of the National Water Initiative. The results were passed to the National Water Commission for incorporation into its broader review process.
In total, 109 submissions were received from the public, with about 40% from private citizens. The remainder of submissions were from private companies, public interest groups, industry bodies and catchment management authorities. Most of the submissions were made available for public scrutiny through the website of the National Water Commission. Five respondents asked that their submissions be kept confidential.
Website: www.nwc.gov.au
CRC Spatial Information: Development of an agricultural theme
The Cooperative Research Centre for Spatial information engaged Kiri-ganai Research as the leader of its agricultural theme to develop a compelling case for investing in this theme. The case involved considerable consultation with agricultural stakeholders to determine the demand for spatial information technologies and the willingness to pay for them. The project concluded in December 2007 with submission of a comprehensive investment strategy to incorporate into the CRC re-bid process which will take place in 2008.
Website: www.crcsi.com.au
Taking stock and setting directions for the Australian Turf Industry
This Industry Partnership Programme project was a joint venture between the Australian turf industry and the Australian Government. The project was designed to support the industry in evaluating its current situation and to develop practical strategies and actions to improve industry performance and sustainability.
Kiri-ganai Research officers visited a variety of turf production and maintenance sites in most states; consulted with industry members and service providers; and analysed industry data and information on its performance and contribution to the Australian economy.
A comprehensive industry report was provided in September 2007 and reported to the Turf industry's national conference in April 2008.
Website: www.turfaustralia.com.au
Biodiversity in Grain & Graze
This project won the 2008 Banksia Environmental Award under the Land and Biodiversity category.
Biodiversity in Grain & Graze (BiGG) was Australia's largest ever evaluation of biodiversity on mixed farms. A community-government-industry partnership, BiGG's innovative combination of strong science and participatory research achieved an unprecedented understanding of biodiversity on mixed farms and the social, economic and production relationship between farm management and the biodiversity of rural landscapes.
47 participating farmers managing around 170,000ha of farmland took on the role of passionate advocates for biodiversity, selling the message that biodiversity does not start and end in patches of remnant vegetation. BiGG successfully brought together governments, farmers, scientists, ecologists, catchment management authorities, industry organisations, and school children to work for a common goal.
A formal evaluation process showed BiGG's findings are influencing around 8,500 producers across Australia.
Website: www.grainandgraze.com.au
Signposts for Australian Agriculture - Industry triple bottom line reports
Signposts for Australian Agriculture (Signposts) was a partnership initiative between industry, government and research organisations. It provided access to economic, social and environmental data specific to an industry and regions to inform policy development, strategic planning and decision making, research priorities and communication on an industry's 'triple bottom line'.
Kiri-ganai Research completed triple bottom line reports under this partnership for the beef, dairy, grain and horticultural industries.
Website: www.nlwra.gov.au
Evaluation of responses to threats to biodiversity in Australia
The National Land and Water Resources Audit (NLWRA) initiated this project as part of the 2008 NLWRA National Biodiversity Assessment. The overall objective of the project was to assess the biodiversity outcomes of selected institutional responses to the threats to Australia's terrestrial biodiversity.
In this context, Kiri-ganai Research examined a range of institutional measures that are implemented nationally and in various states, territories and regions to combat key threats. The report of the evaluation was used by the NLWRA to inform an overall assessment of trends in biodiversity and the effectiveness of various institutional responses to threats. It complemented a set of case studies being conducted by the states and territories to examine biodiversity outcomes of their key mechanisms for biodiversity management.
In conjunction with the project Steering Committee, ten case studies were selected to represent a range of institutions and responses to threats to biodiversity.
• The Queensland Vegetation Management Act 1999
• The Tasmanian Midlands component of the Biodiversity Hotspots Program
• Land for Wildlife, Victoria
• Bush Heritage Australia
• Living Landscapes, Western Australia
• The Cotton industry
• Breathe Easy, Greening Australia
• The NT NRM region
• The Kuka Kanyini Watarru project, South Australia
• Brisbane City Council
Website: www.nlwra.gov.au
Convenor: 2nd International Salinity Forum
Following the success of the inaugural International Salinity Forum convened in Riverside, California in April 2005, Dr Richard Price of Kiri-ganai Research was appointed as the Convenor of the 2nd International Salinity Forum. This 2nd Forum convened in Adelaide, Australia over 30 March to 4 April 2008.
Kiri-ganai Research provided technical guidance to the International Organising Committee, which comprised representatives of Australia, USA, Middle East, Pakistan and China. Partners in Australia included the CRC for Plant Based Management of Dryland Salinity, CRC for Landscape Environments and Mineral Exploration, CRC for Future Irrigation, the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Department of Environment & Heritage, CSIRO Land & Water, National Water Commission and the Murray-Darling Basin Commission.
Over 500 people, including around 80 international delegates attended the forum, delivering around 240 keynote and concurrent session papers.
Website: www.internationalsalinityforum.org
Strategic Plan for Australian Macadamia Industry
The Australian Macadamia Industry through its peak body, the Australian Macadamia Society, and its industry research and marketing body, Horticulture Australia Ltd, engaged Kiri-ganai Research to prepare a five year strategic plan for the period 2008-2013. The plan will guide industry investments and communications over this time, and help develop relationships across different sectors of the industry.
The project involved a consultation phase over September 2008, a number of workshops and the preparation of discussion papers.
The plan was launched at the national annual macadamia conference on 31 October 2008.
Website: www.macadamias.org
National Coordination of Grain & Graze
The Grain & Graze program ran for five years over 2003 to 2008. Over 39,000 Australian farmers were aware of it, over 8,000 egaged with it, over 6,000 actively participated, and approximately 3,700 adopted recommended practices (2,900) or ceased non-recommended practices (800) directly attributable to Grain & Graze advice. The program returned an average profit of 9% to farmers and a 4:1 return on investment to funding partners.
The program was conducted across nine regions spread throughout the medium rainfall zone of Australia. It has been considered a revolutionary experiment in combining bottom-up regional processes with complex interdisciplinary systems research processes, national triple bottom line targets and new methods of extension methods that focus on story-telling.
The following is a synthesis of the many insights attained through Grain & Graze's research investments. Where possible, the synthesis combines lessons learnt across several projects.
• It is not the mix of pastures, crops, livestock and resource use that counts, but the flexibility to change the mix as required that is the key to profitable and environmentally sensitive mixed farming
• Decision making on mixed farms is more than complicated; it is complex
• Non-traditional extension methods are required to meet the demands of complex decision making
• A number of mixed farming strategies improve farm profit and sustainability under specific conditions
• There is no unique relationship between sustainability and enterprise mix
• Production risk is not a major influence on farmers' decision making – in fact, some desirable practices increase risk
• The relationship between mixed-farming and biodiversity is integral to the productive and natural health and wealth of mixed-farms and across landscapes.
• Institutional arrangements still do not effectively support successful mixed-farming as well as they might otherwise, however, Grain & Graze teaches us much about the management of large, collaborative, complex programs
Website: www.grainandgraze.com.au
Stocktake of Social & Institutional R&D on Adaptive Agriculture
In its final year, the Social and Institutional Research Program of Land & Water Australia (LWA) supported three stocktakes of the state of knowledge on adaptive agriculture, community capacity and indigenous land management. Kiri-ganai Research undertook the first of these stocktakes, focusing on the contribution of SIRP projects to adapative agriculture and the identification of research gaps for future social and institutional research investment.
Kiri-ganai Research couched adapative agriculture in the broader context of sustainable agriculture, cautioning that adaptation does not necessarily in itself lead to sustainability. The published report identified a range of priorities for future social and institutional research. It also urged restraint on redirecting limited research funds towards extravagant communication activities.
The project was completed in June 2009.
Website: http://lwa.gov.au/files/products/social-and-institutional-research-program/pn30174/pn30174_0.pdf
Impacts of red meat production on biodiversity: a review and comparison with alternative protein production industries
All food production systems are under increasing pressure to comply with societal expectations that the produce is not only of good nutritional value but is sustainably produced. This review, undertaken for Meat & Livestock Australia, and completed in September 2009, compared the performance of the red meat industry against white meat, plant-protein and other protein production systems against a range of biodiversity pressures through a review of over 500 peer reviewed and other scientific sources.
The review found that when past practices are taken into account, red-meat production systems make a higher relative contribution to a range of pressures on biodiversity compared to the highly regulated, indoor intensive industries such as chicken-meat and pork. However, the review also found that many initiatives of the beef and sheep industries have the potential to improve the management of biodiversity. In order to minimise the impact of beef and sheep meat systems on biodiversity, the conservation of natural resources has to become a core and integral part of production systems rather than perceived as an optional extra if times are good. The growing number of innovative land managers implementing sustainable land and water management can be used as examples to others and their practices applied more widely. The conclusions of the project suggest that stewardship payments for the ecosystem services (such as carbon, water and biodiversity) provided by the farming community to the wider society warrants further consideration.
Strategic Plan for the Australian Banana Industry
The Australian Banana Industry through its peak body, the Australian Banana Growers Council, and its industry research and marketing body, Horticulture Australia Ltd, engaged Kiri-ganai Research to prepare a five year strategic plan for the period 2009-2014. The plan will guide industry investments and communications over this time, and help develop relationships across different sectors of the industry.
The project also included an Industry Development Needs Assessment, providing guidance on future extension and communication activities in support of the Strategic Plan.
The plan was adopted by the industry in August 2009.
Website: www.abgc.org.au
Industry Development Needs Assessment for the Nursery & Graden Industry
The Nursery and Garden Industry is unique among the horticultural industries in that it is not part of the mainstream food sector. It is, however, a significant contributor to the Australian economy. Over 2009, the industry has undertaken an assessment of its industry development needs, and sought assistance from Kiri-ganai Research to review the efficacy of this assessment and to align it to the expectations of Horticulture Australia Limited.
The project was completed early October 2009 and delivered a five point plan to build the long-term capacity of the Nursery & Garden Industry to enhance its professionalism.
Website: www.ngia.com.au
Lake Eyre Basin Rivers Assessment Implementation Plan
The Australian Government's Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and Arts, together with the State and local community partners associated with the Lake Eyre Basin (LEB) sought to develop a LEB Rivers Assessment Implementation Plan to identify how regular on-going monitoring of key indicators would be implemented within the LEB Agreement Area. To assist in this process, Kiri-ganai Research was asked to :
1. undertake a review of achievements to-date under the LEB Rivers Assessment;
2. undertake a review of the LEB Rivers Assessment methodology and recommend on an approach and key indicators to be monitored, their scale and frequency (including rationale for decisions);
3. support the development and documentation of governance arrangements;
4. develop a business model (including the cost of monitoring,
managing data and report; funding for future monitoring and possible
funding arrangement).
The project developed a detailed Implementation Plan based on the principles of Strategic Adaptive Management (SAM), and when implemented, could represent the largest application of SAM internationally.
Website: www.lebmf.gov.au/
Northern Territory Natural Resource Management Board Strategic Plan
The Natural Resource Management Board (NT) is the regional NRM organisation for the Northern Territory. It has been the main delivery agent of NRM investments in the NT since 2005. The Board's aim is to work with the NT community to implement and build on the vision and aspirations of the Northern Territory Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan.
Kiri-ganai Research was commissioned by the Board to design and run a strategic planning process with the Board members and staff; and to draft organisational documents including a strategic plan; organisational structure (including broad roles and responsibilities and reporting arrangements), annual business/operational plan and an evaluation strategy.
The project was completed at the end of December 2009 for implementation over 2010-2015.
Website: www.nrmbnt.org.au
Strategic Plan for the Nursery and Garden Industry
The Nursery and Garden Industry is unique among the horticultural industries in that it is not part of the mainstream food sector. It is, however, a significant contributor to the Australian economy. Over 2009, the industry undertook an assessment of its industry development needs, and sought assistance from Kiri-ganai Research to prepare its strategic plan for 2010-2013.
The plan as prepared was approved in February 2010, with five objectives directed towards meeting an industry vision of "A unified Australian nursery and garden industry that is productive, profitable and sustainable."
Website: http://www.ngia.com.au/Category?Action=View&Category_id=44
Agroecological Planning Groups scoping study
This study developed a plan for the Grains R&D Corporation to improve its capacity to identify critical issues facing the grains industry and better translate these into appropriate investment responses. The study looked at the relationship between the various component parts of GRDC in the investment process, and also how these components relate to key stakeholder groups, including farming systems groups based on agro-ecological zones.
The report presented to the Board of the GRDC in April 2010, titled "Gained in Translation", took a cross-disciplinary approach to exploring investment analysis options, including advocating the principles of good translation that are practiced in language translation.
Website: www.grdc.com.au