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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-06-04 Daily Xml
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DRYLAND FARMING RESEARCH

Ms BREUER (Giles) (14:52): My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries. What initiative has placed South Australia at the forefront of research into sustainable farming in dryland areas?

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton—Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development) (14:52): This South Australian government acknowledges the vital contribution made by the farming sector to the wellbeing of our economy. I am pleased to report that the state government is investing in a new research focus on dryland farming on Eyre Peninsula that will put us at the head of the field in helping farmers to better adjust to climate variability and climate change.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. P. CAICA: It has been there for a long while but if you listen you will know how we are doing things a little bit differently. I know you understand the importance of farming to our economy.

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. P. CAICA: Yes, all forms of farming but, in this case, we will talk about dryland farming.

An analysis of several robust low rainfall farming businesses on Eyre Peninsula, jointly funded by the commonwealth and state governments through SARDI, reported late last year about the importance of continued support for dryland farming systems, concluding that continued investment and low rainfall agricultural research, development and extension was a sound measure in terms of helping to deal with climate issues into the future.

The report found that, despite the difficult climate and weather conditions over the past five years, these businesses were not only economically viable but also engaged in modern farming practices that positively contributed to sustainable agricultural, environmental and natural resources management. I do remember some time ago—it might have been last year—where the member for Schubert alerted the house and raised with the house the matter of some of the outstanding yields that some farmers had achieved in very, very low rainfall areas. He was paying testament, of course, to the agricultural practices that were adopted by those particular farmers. I do know that the people opposite do know a little bit about this matter. The ability to innovate and adapt clearly enhanced those farmers' capacity to survive and prosper.

Recently, I announced the appointment of a low rainfall agronomy expert (Mr Roy Latta) to head up the Minnipa Agricultural Centre, where the SARDI dryland farming systems program is, indeed, a national leader. I am advised that Mr Latta has had over 20 years' experience in pasture and low rainfall mixed farming research. His team's work will build upon the existing knowledge of the needs that agricultural businesses in the lower rainfall areas have as they deal with climate variability and strive to maintain and improve sustainable levels of production.

Mr Latta has worked in South Australia, Western Australia and Victoria and was most recently science leader at the Victorian Department of Primary Industries Mallee Research Station at Walpeup. Importantly, Mr Latta maintains strong collaborations with international research groups, including a consultancy with a USA high plains farming systems project in association with Montana and Wyoming state universities and has supported pasture plant improvement projects in China.

Australia's dryland farming systems have achieved international recognition for optimising the use of available rainfall, and we can be confident in our ability to meet the challenges of climate variability and climate change in the future.

The Minnipa Agricultural Centre is highly regarded for its farmers and industry engagement. Some of the projects currently underway at the centre include: extending its Responsive Farming Systems Study, involving farmers through focus sites and group learning exercises; increasing profitability and reducing erosion with no tillage on Eyre Peninsula, which deals with the challenges of no-till farming; the Upper Eyre Peninsula crop improvement team aims to breed pulse, oilseeds and other cereal varieties that adapt to dry conditions; and developing robust and lower risk farming systems by understanding the impact of soil erosion, which aims to determine the impact of soil carbon on carbon and nutrient cycling to stimulate the disease suppression process. I know that every member of the house joins with me in welcoming the appointment of Mr Latta to his position.

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