Landmark's $4 million boost to CRC of the future 01 May 2007
Big pastoral house, Landmark, has committed $4 million to the Future Farming Industries Co-operative Research Centre which is aimed at developing new and resilient farming systems.
The Future Farming Industries Co-operative Research Centre (FFI CRC) is a seven-year initiative aimed at developing new farming systems to deliver greater profits and environmental stability to Australian farmers.
The FFI CRC will seek to integrate perennial (including native) plants into broadacre farming systems to improve profits, combat a variable and changing climate, fight salinity and generate new industries and regional jobs.
Landmark general manager, Graeme Jacobs, said that Landmark was participating to fulfill a key link in the transition of the FFI CRC's research outcomes into practical and profitable business applications.
"Landmark is proud to be a partner in the FFI CRC because we are keen to be involved in a project that will transform Australian farming systems," Mr Jacobs said.
"This joint venture has come at an important time for Australian agriculture, with the effects of drought and its economic implications being felt by farmers everywhere.
"We see our role as providing the knowledge, goods and services that will enable growers to capitalise on opportunities created by FFI CRC technologies and systems.
"Education will be a critical element in the successful up-take and implementation of these new plant species and farming systems.
"Landmark agronomists are committed to providing the highest level of advice to farmers on the management of soil and cropping problems; providing practical solutions that are environmentally sustainable, and maximising productivity and profitability - hence the FFI CRC is an ideal fit for us."
Landmark is one of 16 partners in the FFI CRC which also includes a number of research and development organisations, tertiary institutions and State government agencies across Australia. The FFI CRC will be launched on July 1, 2007, and has initial funding of $114 million for seven years.
The FFI CRC will focus its investment in four areas:
* Creating new commercial perennial plants;
* Designing new farming systems;
* Creating new industries based on new woody crops;
* Managing resources in catchments
--------------------------------------------------------- Elders takes lead in sustainable farming initiative 01 May 2007
Australia's contribution to more sustainable global agricultural production has taken on a new dimension.
An Australian Chapter of the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative Platform - members of which include some of the world's largest food companies - was launched in Sydney today, with the agribusiness leader, Elders, announced as the foundation member.
The SAI Platform's overall aim is the development of sustainable agricultural practices worldwide.
With Australia being a key participant in the global agricultural system, SAI Platform believes it is important that its activities and principles be extended to Australia.
The launch of the Australian Chapter at Elders' Sydney office was attended by key Australian food industry and agribusiness representatives as well as SAI Platform president, Hans Joehr.
Mr Joehr is the Corporate Head of Agriculture at Nestle in Switzerland. Nestle, along with Unilever and Danone, was a founding member of the platform whose membership also includes companies such as McDonalds, Kraft, Sara Lee, Fonterra, Dole and McCain.
Mr Joehr said the global SAI Platform gathered and developed knowledge on sustainable agriculture which it then shared with food chain stakeholders to reach a common understanding on the concept and its long-term implications.
He said the SAI Platform's Australian Chapter would assist participants in the nation's food and fibre chain in improving their understanding of the principles, practices and policies relating to sustainability in the Australian agricultural sector.
"Ultimately, what we are aiming for is an increase in the value of sustainably-produced food and fibre products from mainstream Australian agriculture," Mr Joehr said.
Elders' group general manager of strategy and business development, John McKillop, said Elders' role as foundation member of the Australian Chapter reflected the company's increasing commitment to the concept of sustainability in agriculture and related agribusiness activities.
Mr McKillop said the SAI Platform supported agricultural practices and production systems that preserved the future availability of current resources and enhanced their efficiency.
"It's a principle to which Elders also subscribes," Mr McKillop said.
"Elders is a large, diverse agribusiness whose core focus is the provision of products and services for the nation's primary producers. As a company we've been working alongside Australian farmers for almost 170 years.
"Elders' involvement in Australian agriculture doesn't end at the farm gate. In fact, our company is responsible for the establishment and development of successful long-term trading links between our primary producers and the global customers and end-users of their goods.
"Elders recently joined forces with Landcare Australia to form the Elders Landcare Farming Partnership to promote and encourage uptake of environmentally sustainable practices on Australian farms."
Mr McKillop said consumers throughout the world were becoming more demanding of products derived from sustainable management systems.
"I sincerely hope other Australian food and agriculture businesses will join Elders in supporting and becoming involved in this exciting and worthwhile initiative."
