40pc of Livex aid money claimed

Just less less than 40 percent of the funds made available in financial assistance payments to individuals and businesses affected by the Federal Government’s June 2011 suspension of live exports to Indonesia was claimed. The Federal Government made $30 million available to affected parties in the form of $5000 business assistance payments and $20,000 business hardship grants. Individual entities could claim up to $25,000 each. Information provided by Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry officials to this week’s Senate Estimates hearings showed that the $3.9m was paid out in $5000 payments and $7.9m in $20,000 grants before the program ended, representing a total of $11.8m. The unused funds, totalling $18.2m, would be redirected back into the Government budgets, officials said.

Aust hoping for Russian roo-entry in 2012

The Federal Government says extensive work is underway with state regulatory bodies and importers in Russia to reinstate Australia’s kangaroo meat export trade to the market. Russia was Australia’s largest market for kangaroo meat until it suspended imports in September 2009, citing sanitary concerns. Prices for Australian shooters have since slumped and State Government surveys have revealed significant growth of kangaroo populations in the past two years. Greg Read from DAFF’s Biosecurity Food Division told Monday’s Senate Estimates hearings on Monday that he had met with his counterparts from the Russian Veterinary Authority in Berlin, Germany, in January. “We are endeavouring to seek to secure a technical visit from Russia later this year to look at that revised system with a view to recommencement of that trade.” Mr Read said. He said work with China to address hygiene and animal welfare issues was also advancing well, with hopes the Chinese market may also open to kangaroo meat imports.

AQIS inspection standards challenged

NSW Nationals senator John Williams took AQIS officials to task at the Senate Hearings on Monday for inspection standards on imported machinery. Senator Williams produced images of an air-cleaner from a D4 Caterpillar dozer that was imported by a farmer at Inverell in NSW. The farmer was charged over $2000 by AQIS when it landed in Brisbane which included $1140 for steam cleaning, $450 cartage and the $148 AQIS fee. The photographs, taken after the machine was approved by AQIS and delivered to Inverell, showed that dirt still in the pre-cleaner of the air-cleaner.  AQIS officials said imported machinery was subjected to strict regulations and was cleaned to a satisfactory condition. AQIS said it would investigate the individual issue raised by Senator Williams. “To pay $2000 to have it cleaned and have it sent out to the countryside in that sort of condition is putting our industries at risk,” Senator Williams said. “I think you should tighten your inspectors' standards when it comes to importing machinery to see that we do not import diseases and put our industries at risk in Australia here.”

Best of Brahman Beef on the Stonegrill at Beef Australia 2012

A select line of 90 Brahman steers is being prepared at the Melbrig Feedlot, Mundubbera, ahead of Australia’s national beef exposition, Beef Australia 2012, where the prime beef will be served exclusively at the Ascot Stonegrill Restaurant. The initiative is the result of a special promotional alliance between Beef Australia 2012, the Ascot Stonegrill Restaurant and the Australian Brahman Breeders Association (ABBA), which was launched on Monday at the Ascot Hotel in Rockhampton. “This promotion will show beef lovers from around the world the extraordinary quality, taste and tenderness of properly cooked beef from well-prepared cattle,” ABBA General Manager John Croaker said. Ascot Stonegrill Restaurant Owner Will Cordwell said the restaurant, which was a feature of the last two Beef Australia events in 2006 and 2009, would be expanded at Beef Australia 2012 to include a takeaway beef burger stand. Beef Australia 2012 Chief Executive Officer Roger Desailly said the alliance was just one of a number of initiatives to showcase the enjoyment and health benefits of eating beef during the exposition, to be held in Rockhampton from May 7-12.
• More information on the alliance, as well as a list of restaurants to be on the grounds at Beef Australia 2012, is available from the Beef Australia website, www.beefaustralia.com.au

Hands-on fencing course at Tamworth

The New South Wales Department of Primary Industries will conduct a PROfarm short-course on fencing practices in Tamworth in March. The one-day course is for people seeking basic conventional fencing knowledge and skills and includes fence design, layout and types for different classes of stock and properties. It will be be held at the Tamworth Agricultural Institute (TAI) at 4 Marsden Park Road, Calala, on March 1. The course, to be delivered by Tamworth TAI trainder Allan Thomas, covers basic costs of fencing, fencing knots, straining fences,  putting in posts, end assemblies and swinging gates. The cost is $250 ex GST, which includes the “Fending Ag Guide” with photographs, diagrams and practical tips, and a certificate of attendance. Foe registrations, which close on February 23, contact NSW Department of Primary Industries PROfarm course organiser Julie Chapman (02) 67631285 or Cassie Gardiner on (02) 67631276 or by emailing tamworth.profarm@industry.nsw.gov.au.

‘Climate savvy grazing’ field days coming up

A new series of ‘climate savvy grazing’ field days have been organised in Central Queensland, which are aimed at helping landholders to share learnings and benefit from expert advice in managing climate change. Event organiser and Senior Scientist with the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI) Paul Jones, said the focus of the field days was to provide graziers with the tools to maximise profitability in challenging climate conditions. “The interesting thing about the events is that we have a good combination of old research information, current and new data as well as the blue-sky futuristic bio-economic modelling.The program also includes a strong focus on management of stocking rates, looking after grasses and soils, burning, spelling, monitoring, carbon cycles and land condition.” Topics to be covered include the role of pasture spelling for improving land condition; results from the Grazing Systems and Spelling Strategies Projects; climate variability and possible scenarios for CQ; carbon efficiency on a grazing property; burning to manage woody weeds and improve productivity; case study – how one producer improved profitability by decreasing stocking rate and managing stocking rate to improve animal production and land condition.The field days will be held on the following dates and locations 12 March, Melrose Rockhampton; 13 March, Rolleston Hall; 20 March, Monteagle Clermont; 21 March, Alpha Golf Club. To register for any of the events please contact Paul Jones on 07 4983 7415 or  paul.jones@deedi.qld.gov.au