CURRENT PROJECTS
National coordination and management of Grain and Graze
Kiri-ganai Research was selected to coordinate this five year program, which deals with the on-farm and regional sustainability of mixed farming businesses across the medium rainfall zone of Australia.
The program is funded by Meat and Livestock Australia, Grains R&D Corporation, Land & Water Australia and Australian Wool Innovation Ltd. It is a unique program in that it is a collaboration between industry groups and catchment management authorities across Australia attempting to change practices on-farm so that not only are they at least 10% more profitable, but also help achieve the resource management targets set out in catchment plans.
The program runs from 2003-2008.
Website: www.grainandgraze.com.au
Secretariat Services: eWater Cooperative Research Centre
Kiri-ganai Research provides secretariat services to Dr Don Blackmore, Chairman of the eWater Cooperative Research Centre.
eWater is a collaborative research venture comprising 31 industry, government and university partners across eastern Australia that aims to produce practical products bringing to bear the economic, commercial and environmental benefits from the smart management of water.
Website: www.ewatercrc.com.au
Secretariat Services: CSIRO Water for a Healthy Country
Kiri-ganai Research provides secretariat services to Dr Don Blackmore, Chairman of CSIRO's Water for a Healthy Country flagship initiative.
Water for a Healthy Country is a national research program focusing on water, its uses and values. Its scientists are developing the technologies and information needed to protect Australia's rural and urban landscapes and ecosystems, provide safe and clean drinking water, manage our rivers, wetlands and estuaries, and ensure the sustainable use of our water resources.
Website: www.cmis.csiro.au/healthycountry/
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 will be convened in Adelaide, Australia over 30 March to 4 April 2008.
Kiri-ganai Research is providing technical guidance to the International Organising Committee, which will comprise representatives of the CRC for Plant Based Management of Dryland Salinity, CRC for Landscape Environments and Mineral Exploration, the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, CSIRO Land & Water and the Murray-Darling Basin Commission. New members will come on board as the Forum gathers momentum.
Dr Price represented Australia on the International Organising Committee for the First International Salinity Forum, and also coordinated the attendance of a 37-strong delegation of Australian scientists at that Forum.
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, has 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 involves a consultation phase over Septyember 2008, a number of workshops and the preparation of discussion papers.
The plan will be finalised in time for a launch at the national annual macadamia conference on 31 October 2008.
Website: www.macadamias.org