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Ag's carbon scheme inclusion delayed: More research needed
The South Australian Farmers' Federation has welcomed an extension of the deadline for agriculture's coverage under the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme to 2013.
However, SAFF believes the five years leading up to a crucial “reassessment” of farming's status in the emissions trading regime must be used to iron out the many uncertainties, unknowns and difficulties surrounding agriculture's role.
SAFF natural resources committee chair Sharon Starick has called for “significant investment” by governments to research these issues in the time available.
“Neither government nor farmers can afford to be complacent about what looks like a seven year delay for agriculture in the carbon scheme,” Ms Starick said.
“A firm decision will happen in 2013, and we will need every minute before then to devise realistic ways of measuring, monitoring and verifying emissions as they apply to agricultural processes, as well as accounting rules.”
She also says it will be essential to research whether farming participation would have a significant adverse impact on trade in agricultural products.
“The green paper suggests compensation for energy-intensive trade-exposed firms in order not to undermine Australia's competitiveness, but over the next seven years agriculture will receive no compensation as a trade exposed industry because it is not included in the scheme,” Ms Starick said.
“Meanwhile, farmers will still face higher input costs.”
Ms Starick said SAFF does not support the inclusion of farming without first solving the practical aspects of an emissions trading scheme.
“We question the assertion that farming will be able to reduce the increased energy costs by making gains in energy efficiency, given that best practice in the agricultural, forestry and fishing sector have already reduced emission by over 40 per cent since 1990,” she said.
“That's difficult to improve on, and unlikely that our sector will receive retrospective credit for that.” 
AWB wheat seminar coming to Loxton
Loxton will host one of a series of wheat marketing seminars being held across South Australia by AWB on August 1.
The seminars, which will feature AWB managing director Gordon Davis and AWB Pool general manager David Johnson, aim to give South Australian wheat growers an insight into the future direction of the nation's wheat industry under the new wheat marketing system.
Mr Davis said AWB was well placed to compete for wheat in the new market, given its long history and extensive knowledge of Australian growers and their international customers.
“The changes in the wheat marketing system come at a time of historically high prices and significant price volatility,” Mr Davis said.
“There will be great opportunities for growers in 2008 and at these seminars we will be showing growers our pooling and wheat marketing options for the coming season, and talking about the market outlook.”
Mr Davis said growers could also find out more about the company's plans to amend its constitution at its general meeting on August 21.
“Supporting our constitution amendments will help AWB become a stronger company by improving its corporate governance, reducing its costs and improving its access to capital, which will help AWB perform better for its grower clients and shareholders,” he said.
The Loxton wheat marketing meeting will be held at the Loxton Hotel/Motel at 4.30pm on August 1.
Top merino and poll merinos on display
The Karoonda and Districts Stud Merino Field Day will be held this Friday and organisers are expecting some outstanding quality merino and poll merino sheep to be on display.
Event co-ordinator Ric Ridgway said Mallee stud breeders have continued to set higher and higher benchmarks for their quality, dual purpose sheep.
“The determination of the principals to continually and successfully seek further improvement and progress is not only deserving of the highest praise, but your attendance on the day,” he said.
“In 2007, studs from this area achieved some of the highest prices in South Australia at the Adelaide Royal and Classings Classic ram sales, with recognition of this quality also flowing through to on-property sales, where most studs recorded excellent clearances and averages, despite the seasonal conditions prevailing at that time.
“The annual Mallee district off-shears sales again commanded prices at the top end of those anywhere in South Australia.”
Mr Ridgway said a feature of this year's field day will be the presentation by Sam Gill from MerinoSelect, who will outline the group's sire evaluation program.
“We will also be holding a fibre/meat class for our hogget rams for the first time at this year's field day along with our traditional long and short wool classes,” he said.
“Carcass scanning will be demonstrated by Stefan Spiker, from Advanced Livestock Services, and some hands-on assessment of rams from one of our members who is using MerinoSelect.”
Mr Ridgway said Don and Peter Cotswold, of Cotswold Stud, have stepped down from the field day committee.
Mr Ridgway hopes those who attend the field day will give their sponsors due consideration when looking for products and services in specialty areas.
“We are proud of the quality of the sheep we produce in this area and to be able to present them before you,” he said.
“We seek your honest assessment and appraisal and are confident you will be impressed.”
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