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Contact Details:

David Heinjus
Carlyn Sherriff

Clare SA
Tel (08) 8842 1103
Fax (08) 8842 1766

 

eNews - December 2009

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Christmas Cheer

Why is Christmas just like a day at the office?

You do all the work and the guy with the fancy suit gets all the credit.

A reason Santa has to be a man:
No woman is going to wear the same outfit, year after year.

Welcome

Welcome to the final edition of the Bestprac e-news for 2009. Seems like yesterday that we were welcoming in 2009 and now all of sudden we are wrapping up the year and looking to 2010!

We have had a busy 2009, with two main projects driving the delivery of on-ground delivery of group meetings; Australian Pastoral Property Innovation Manual project and the FarmReady project: Implementing new practices to manage climate change variability in the Australian pastoral zone. The Innovation Manual project has been very successful and we are thrilled with the output. It really highlights the diversity of innovations being implemented on-farm across Australia to ensure the long term sustainability of our industry.

In this edition:

  1. Rain on the Rangelands Conference
  2. Bestprac Group snapshots from around the country
  3. Best Practice Health: Step 3 Exercise
  4. Innovation Manual now available
  5. WoolPoll 2009 Results
  6. AWI AGM: getting on with the business of selling wool
  7. Guidelines for Best Management Practice of Exotic Sheep Breed Management in the Rangelands
  8. Event Calendar for 2010

Achievements for 2009:

  • Successful delivery of the Australian Pastoral Property Innovation Manual project, including:
    • National Innovation Forum in Dubbo,
    • Group meetings and road trips exploring and documenting innovations,
    • Compilation of 120 innovations into the Australian Pastoral Property Innovation Manual,
  • Ongoing delivery of the FarmReady project: Implementing new practices to manage climate change variability in the Australian pastoral zone,
  • Bestprac website launch,
  • Bestprac Project was evaluated (By Roberts Evaluation) in conjunction with the Innovation Manual Project evaluation, evaluation comments included:
    • “86% of producers have investigated and 78% of producers have adopted innovation practices”
    • “The majority of Bestprac producers are proactively investigating and adopting innovations for their farm enterprises"
    • “There is evidence to suggest a reasonably strong culture of innovation among Bestprac producers”
  • Bestprac was a national finalist in two categories of the Australian Rural and Outback Awards, and
  • Ongoing commitment to the network from groups, facilitators and Australian Wool Innovation Limited.

Opportunities for 2010:

  • Funding for 2010 is secured from AWI but at a National level we are looking to secure additional funding for 2010 and then look to confirm the funding structure for 2011 and beyond,
  • In September 09 a new FarmReady application was submitted, hopefully this may provide additional funding support for the program, and
  • Local and national Forums to bring together Bestprac groups and non-Bestprac members to further develop the network and increase innovation uptake and business development opportunities.

Thank you to all of the contributors to this e-newsletter over the last twelve months. Remember, if you would like to contribute articles or events to the 2010 editions, please contact me on 08 8842 1103 or email content straight to bestprac@ruraldirections.com .

On behalf of the Bestprac team, we wish you and your families a safe and happy Christmas and New Year!

Regards,
Carlyn Mellors
Bestprac Coordination Team 

 

If you are passionate about the future of Bestprac, this is your opportunity to have your say and represent the SA participants at a national level.

The national Bestprac program currently has a vacancy - we are seeking a SA Bestprac member to represent SA on the Project Advisory Panel (PAP).

The PAP provides the opportunity to be part of strategic direction of the Bestprac program. Panel consist of one producer rep from SA, NSW, Qld and WA plus an AWI rep
This is an opportunity to play a role in the project management and advisory process for the Bestprac program. It is also a personal development opportunity to gain skills in working with an advisory committee, working in a team and in communication.

What is involved?

  • Meetings – 1 face to face (all expenses paid plus sitting fee) and 2 or 3 teleconferences per year
  • Reviewing emails on a regular basis to ensure you are up to date with project happenings
How do I get involved?

  • Give me a call 08 8842 1103 to discuss the position
  • A national meeting is proposed for 28 January in Adelaide