Donations
The Institute welcomes donations to support our research.
To make a donation or to find out more about the important role research plays in the long-term future of agriculture,
click here | | Estimating the Value of Environmental Services Provided by Australian Farmers is now available
Changes in management practices over recent decades in Australia have made the farm sector more sustainable, and also delivered billions of dollars worth of environmental services for the community, but the value of these environmental services to the community is not recognised.
This is the key finding of research which was released on Monday 28 July, which was carried out by Gillespie Economics and Professor Jeff Bennett of the Australian National University for the Australian Farm Institute, with joint funding from Dairy Australia and Australian Wool Innovation.
The paper, Estimating the Value of Environmental Services Provided by Australian Farmers is now available to purchase online, click here
Alternatively, call the Institute on (02) 9690 1388 or to download an order form, click here
May 2008 Farm Policy Journal
new kids on the block - emerging agricultural exporters 
At a time when daily headlines regularly highlight the international ‘food security crisis’ and world governments implement emergency measures to limit food price inflation, it is easy to forget that many so-called developing nations have rapidly expanded their agricultural capacity over recent decades, and now dominate international markets. When the
current global food supply-demand imbalance is resolved in coming years, (high commodity prices are already stimulating expanded production) these developing nation agricultural exporters will be even bigger competitors for Australian agriculture in global markets than they have been up until the present time. Understanding the changes that are occurring in the agriculture sectors of these emerging competitors will be an important element of Australian agriculture’s future ability to remain globally competitive.
To view this edition, click here
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Membership/Subscription
The Institute is an independent organisation that conducts research into farm policy issues to benefit Australian agriculture.
There are a wide range of membership and publication subscription alternatives designed to meet the requirements of individuals, organisations, libraries and small business:
- Corporate Membership
- Individual Membership
- Student Membership
- Journal Subscription
- Institutional Journal Subscription
- Institutional Publication Subscription
Click here to find out more about membership and subscription options or contact the Institute to discuss the best option for you or your organisation.
| | April 2008 Farm Institute Insights 
The Institute's quarterly newsletter includes a feature article, information about the Institute's activities and regular columns on farm policy issues.
The latest edition of the newsletter includes:
An article by Mick Keogh (Executive Director of Australian Farm Institute) about how agriculture is set to boom with a changing climate.
An overview of the Institute's latest event - the Agriculture, Greenhouse & Emissions Trading Summit.
A review of recent farm policy developments within Australia and Internationally
An outline of the May edition of the Farm Policy Journal
To access the free newsletter, click here
Agriculture, Greenhouse & Emissions Trading Summit
Bringing together representatives from the entire agriculture sector, the Summit provided a comprehensive, industry-wide analysis of the implications of the ETS.
The Institute would like to thank all those who attended for what was an extremely successful two days.
Further post-conference information will soon be available on the website.
To view the finalised agenda, click here.
February 2008 Farm Policy Journal
biosecurity policy - safe trade or safety trade-off? 
Getting biosecurity policy right has always been a ‘wicked’ policy issue for Australian agriculture. While champions of free agricultural trade, Australian farmers are constantly reminded that one minor biosecurity slip can have horrendous economic and social consequences, and the damage arising from a breach may persist for many years. These issues are discussed in the latest addition of the Farm Policy Journal.
Papers in this edition of the Journal include discussion of:
- International trade rules associated with quarantine and biosecurity issues
- International perceptions of the Australian quarantine processes
- The trade off between free trade and Australia's current 'clean' biosecurity status
To view this edition, click here
January 2008 Farm Institute Insights 
The Institute's quarterly newsletter includes a feature article, information about the Institute's activities and regular columns on farm policy issues.
In the latest edition: the feature article, which is an exert from a speech made by National Farmers' Federation President David Crombie at the Farm Institute's Annual Agriculture Roundtable Conference, provides a view of what the Australian Agriculture sector will be like in 2020. Excerpts from the opening address provided by Ambassador Bruno Julien of the European Commission have also been included.
Plus: A discussion of developments in farm environmental service payment policies; an outline of the Institute's latest research on the Changing demand of Animal Protein in Asia; a review of farm policy developments within Australia and internationally including a US Farm Bill update and Fuel targets reinvigorate rural economies; and a preview of the February edition of the Farm Policy Journal on biosecurity and quarantine.
To access the free newsletter, click here
Research Report NOW AVAILABLE
The Implications for Australian Agriculture of Changing Demand for Animal Protein in Asia
The Australian Farm Institute, in conjunction with the Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation (RIRDC), carried out research to gain a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities arising from changing diets in Asia.
Growing consumer affluence in developing economies, especially those in Asia, is leading to increased growth in demand for animal protein and a slowing in the growth of demand for carbohydrates. Coupled with global growth in the use of food grains for biofuel production, the growth in animal protein demand is resulting in major – some suggest fundamental – changes in global agricultural markets.
Members: log in to view an electronic copy of the Full Report or to request a hardcopy, contact the Institute
Non-members: to purchase a copy of the Full Report, click here
November 2007 Farm Policy Journal
animal welfare – consumer passion or fashion?
Critical to the future success of water reforms will be a careful policy approach recognising the full complexities of water management and the full participation of the irrigation industry, according to water experts writing in the latest edition of the Farm Policy Journal.
Papers in this edition of the Journal include discussion of:
- the National Water Initiative and the National Plan for Water Security
- opportunities for the modernisation of irrigation methods and infrastructure
- water quality in the Murray-Durray Basin
To view this edition, click here
2007 Agriculture Roundtable Conference: presentations now available to download
Presentations from the Institute's 2007 Agriculture roundtable Conference, held in Melbourne on 8–9 November, are now available, click here
The presentations cover the following topics:
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Climate Change Policy and Emissions Trading
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Water
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Labour and Skills in Agriculture
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Food Marketing and Trade
Greenhouse Policy & Emissions Trading Discussion Paper NOW AVAILABLE
National and international policy responses to human-induced climate change present Australian agriculture with both threats and opportunities. The future success of agriculture in Australia will depend very much on how adequately the sector positions itself in responding to this issue.
For this reason, the Institute recently completed a discussion paper for the NSW Farmers' Association designed to help farmers understand climate change, existing and proposed government responses to it, and the implications for Australian agriculture.
The paper, The New Challenge for Australian Agriculture: How do you muster a paddock of carbon?, is now available to purchase online, click here
Alternatively, call the Institute on (02) 9690 1388 or to download an order form, click here
MEMBERS: please contact the Institute or use the order form to purchase the discussion paper at the member rate.
Research Program
The following research reports are due for release in the coming year:
Estimating the Value of Environmental Services Provided by Australian Farmers
Enhancing the Customer Focus of Australian Agriculture Phase 2:
Practical implications for Australian farmers and customer requirements for accreditation of farm produce
For more information about the Institute's Research Program, click here |
