R[0]="1429"; T[0]="Prices soar at organic wool sale"; A[0]="By ... Editor"; Dn[0]="20060927"; Dt[0]="Wednesday 27 September 2006"; Acats[0]="a11a25"; B1[0]=" Prices have soared at Australia's first organic wool sale in Melbourne, with some fleeces fetching up to 50 cents a kilogram more "; B2[0]="than non-organic... "; B3[0]=" "; B4[0]=" "; B5[0]=" "; S1[0]=" Prices have soared at Australia's first organic wool sale in Melbourne, with some fleeces fetching up to 50 cents a kilogram more "; S2[0]=" than non-organic.
Three-hundred bales of wool from South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland have been auctioned.
Elders "; S3[0]=" spokesman Michael Blake says the difference in price was stark and more organic auctions are likely to be held down the track.
"; S4[0]=" 'We had two of the largest buyers in Australia bidding against each other to take these levels above the normal market for the type on "; S5[0]=" the day,' he said.
'The finer end of the wool went to 50 cents and higher above its equivalent.
"; S6[0]=" 'The middle microns, say 21, 21-and-a-half, it was a good 30 to 50 cents above the equivalent fleece types.
'And the coarser "; S7[0]=" microns - well 22 was about as coarse as it went - they were more like 35, 45 cents above the equivalent.'.. "; R[1]="1099"; T[1]="Export Potential for Organics - opportunities and barriers"; A[1]="By ... RIRDC Publication No 06/061"; Dn[1]="20060713"; Dt[1]="Thursday 13 July 2006"; Acats[1]="a11"; B1[1]=" As part of an ongoing research program into Organic Systems, the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) commissioned a study to "; B2[1]="investigate the export potential for the Australian organic sector, particularly from the perspective of opportunities and barriers... "; B3[1]=" "; B4[1]=" "; B5[1]=" "; S1[1]=" As part of an ongoing research program into Organic Systems, the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) commissioned a study to "; S2[1]=" investigate the export potential for the Australian organic sector, particularly from the perspective of opportunities and barriers.
The study was primarily "; S3[1]=" a desk study, but was also able to draw on findings from another in-market analysis that was in progress.
The related analysis "; S4[1]=" included field research in key markets in Asia, Europe and the United States of America (US).
The resulting report concludes that for "; S5[1]=" nearly all organic products, in virtually all the developed economies, demand outstrips supply.
Also, the market potential for Australian organic products "; S6[1]=" are likely to be greater in markets where: o Australia is a globally competitive producer of the standard product category o Australia has "; S7[1]=" a greater reputation regarding capability and integrity in the supply chain o Australia has seasonal products in a unique window of opportunity o "; S8[1]=" Australia has unique or differentiated products o Australia has geographic proximity to the market (particularly in the case of perishable products.
"; S9[1]=" Demand for organic foods is being driven by: o growing consumer concern about chemicals in food and the environment o health consciousness "; S10[1]=" o specific dietary and allergy conditions o the perception of organic tasting better o the desire to get 'back to basics'.
"; S11[1]=" In terms of identifying market prospects, the report concludes that the key driving factors of demand are:- population; consumer affluence and sophistication; degree of "; S12[1]=" environmental and health consciousness; the safety and integrity of local food supply; and the availability of a local organic industry supply chain.
"; S13[1]=" The key constraints to the growth of the Australian organic export industry are:- lack of consistent product supply and year-round availability; the price premium, "; S14[1]=" poor eye appeal and shelf presence; inconsistency of product quality; short shelf life; distance to market; and lack of consumer confidence in the authenticity of "; S15[1]=" labels.
Demand for organics is more likely to be stronger for products within the following parameters: o those which have "; S16[1]=" heavy use of chemicals in their conventional production systems o products eaten with a minimum of preparation o products which have a distinct "; S17[1]=" taste profile and are eaten for enjoyment o products for infants and growing children o products eaten primarily for their nutritional attributes.
"; S18[1]=" The report concludes that the higher prospect markets for Australian organic exports are Japan, Continental Europe, the United Kingdom (UK), the US and "; S19[1]=" Southeast Asia.
In the longer term, China, Taiwan and South Korea will also emerge as growth markets.
In "; S20[1]=" terms of product categories, the best prospects for Australia are likely to be in beef and lamb, cereal based products, processed foods, juices, beverages, wine, "; S21[1]=" jam, honey and condiments.
Prospects for perishable products, such as fruit, vegetables and dairy products, are judged to be confined to "; S22[1]=" closer markets, such as Southeast Asia.
The new knowledge generated from this study will be critical to anyone contemplating the export "; S23[1]=" potential of Australian organic agriculture... "; R[2]="979"; T[2]="Organic Industry Booming"; A[2]="By ... Editor"; Dn[2]="20060628"; Dt[2]="Wednesday 28 June 2006"; Acats[2]="a11"; B1[2]=" 'Organic products are one of the fastest growing food sectors in the world and are currently produced and consumed in over 130 "; B2[2]="countries' Andre Leu, the Chair of the Organic Federation of Australia stated... "; B3[2]=" "; B4[2]=" "; B5[2]=" "; S1[2]=" 'Organic products are one of the fastest growing food sectors in the world and are currently produced and consumed in over 130 "; S2[2]=" countries' Andre Leu, the Chair of the Organic Federation of Australia stated.
'This growth of new farms, products and numbers of consumers "; S3[2]=" has been steadily increasing over the last 20 years.
In the last 10 years the rate of growth has consistently increased in "; S4[2]=" all of the advanced economies.
Market analysts forecast annual growth rates of between 10% and 30%.
Asia and North "; S5[2]=" America are enjoying sustained annual growth of between 20-45% ' 'Market analysts forecast annual growth rates between 10% and 30% around the world.
"; S6[2]=" Asia and North America are enjoying a sustained annual growth of between 20-45%.' 'In 2004, the organic market in the USA had a "; S7[2]=" value of over A$14.7 billion, the overall European market was worth A$17.3 billion and the market in China reached A$10.7 billion.' 'Demand out strips supply "; S8[2]=" in key areas.
USDA statistics cite that organic dairy farming grew 477 percent in six years, from 1997 to 2003 in the "; S9[2]=" USA.
But the growth in organic dairy farms, acreage and animals is not keeping pace with consumer demand.
Organic "; S10[2]=" dairy sales in supermarkets are growing 36 percent annually.
To meet demand, the US is importing organic milk from New Zealand and "; S11[2]=" is about to import organic milk from Australia.
At the same time Australian organic dairy businesses cannot meet the rapidly growing demand "; S12[2]=" and need more farmers to produce organic milk to supply domestic demand.
' 'The situation in Europe is similar.
"; S13[2]=" Demand for organic milk skyrocketed 2 years ago after a scientific study showed that it was higher in nutrients.
The UK "; S14[2]=" will have a 30% shortfall this year.' 'The situation for organic grains is the same.
Industry organisations, such as the Organic Federation "; S15[2]=" of Australia, get regular requests from around the world for organic grain from Australia.
Unfortunately we cannot supply these customers as we "; S16[2]=" are importing organic flour and grains to meet our domestic demand.
We need more organic grain farmers to meet both the domestic "; S17[2]=" and export demand in this high value market.' Mr Leu stated 'The Third National Organic Conference, to be hosted by the OFA at Darling Harbour, "; S18[2]=" Sydney, 22nd and 23rd July 2006 will be an excellent opportunity to learn more and meet the leading experts.' 'Held in conjunction with the Organic "; S19[2]=" Expo to create Australia's largest organic event, the conference will be a great opportunity to see the full range of organic products and learn more "; S20[2]=" about the worlds fastest growing food industry' Andre said... "; R[3]="858"; T[3]="Convert To Organic Farming? Information To Support Your Decision."; A[3]="By ... RIRDC 05/084"; Dn[3]="20060608"; Dt[3]="Thursday 8 June 2006"; Acats[3]="a11"; B1[3]=" This project aims to provide information on organic production to broadacre grain farmers that will assist them with the organic conversion process.... "; B2[3]=" "; B3[3]=" "; B4[3]=" "; B5[3]=" "; S1[3]=" This project aims to provide information on organic production to broadacre grain farmers that will assist them with the organic conversion process.
"; S2[3]=" Consumer demand for organic produce is increasing rapidly, yet the rate of farm conversion to organic agricultural systems is still relatively slow.
"; S3[3]=" In economic terms, this means that opportunities for increasing organic exports are being missed.
Two important reasons for the "; S4[3]=" slow rate of conversion are the inadequate provision of information to farmers on organic production, and the relative isolation (geographic, information support) of farmers who "; S5[3]=" wish to convert their farms.
This project addresses both these issues through the provision of timely information, and the opportunity for farmers "; S6[3]=" to attend an annual workshop... "; R[4]="74"; T[4]="SA biodynamic producers to share their skills"; A[4]="By ... Editor"; Dn[4]="20060222"; Dt[4]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[4]="a02a11"; B1[4]=" South Australian primary producers will be sharing their biodynamic farming techniques during the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement (IFOAM) World Congress "; B2[4]="in Adelaide September 20-23 to encourage more growers to take up this unique form of sustainable farming... "; B3[4]=" "; B4[4]=" "; B5[4]=" "; S1[4]=" South Australian primary producers will be sharing their biodynamic farming techniques during the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement (IFOAM) World Congress "; S2[4]=" in Adelaide September 20-23 to encourage more growers to take up this unique form of sustainable farming.
Based on Austrian Rudolf Steiner's "; S3[4]=" approach to farming, biodynamics is a method of agriculture which seeks to actively work with nature.
Predating organic agriculture, biodynamics is the "; S4[4]=" oldest non-chemical agricultural movement.
Adelaide Hills producers are keen to share their biodynamic skills and experiences, having attended a series of biodynamic "; S5[4]=" agriculture workshops, funded by FarmBis.
Providing a basic introduction into biodynamics, the on-farm workshops have been very popular with producers wanting to "; S6[4]=" take a holistic approach to farming.
The workshops are conducted by Education Officer, Cheryl Kemp and Course Facilitator, Hamish Mackay of Biodynamic "; S7[4]=" Agriculture Australia, but would not have the attendance they achieve without FarmBis support.
According to Cheryl, the workshop teaches farmers interested in "; S8[4]=" converting to a sustainable land management system how to develop natural soil fertility, improve water use, biodiversity, biodynamic sprays and planting programs.Learning outcomes of the "; S9[4]=" course includes increased water holding capacity, tilth and humus of soils, risk management assessment plans for insects and crop diseases and the implementation of sustainable "; S10[4]=" horticultural practices.
'People are seeing things go wrong on their properties such as a drop in yield or out of control weeds "; S11[4]=" and often come to the biodynamic agriculture workshop to learn about a different method of tackling these problems,' Cheryl said.
During a "; S12[4]=" tour of a local farm, participants of the workshop get to enjoy a hands-on approach to learning by creating their own compost.
"; S13[4]=" 'Compost is important for soil fertility and there are many simple ways in which compost can be made from materials on farms and we encourage "; S14[4]=" everyone to own cows on their property for the recycling of nutrients,' Cheryl said.
A planting calendar using the movements of the "; S15[4]=" planets and the stars may sound more akin to astronomy than agriculture, but Cheryl said a planting calendar is vital for climate risk assessment and "; S16[4]=" management.
'We teach farmers how to use precautionary measures to determine times to spray or plant and this results in much healthier "; S17[4]=" crops,' she said.
Anton van Klopper employs biodynamic agricultural techniques on his Basket Range farm and also works on Ngeringa Vineyards, owned "; S18[4]=" by close friend Erinn Klein at Mount Barker, which was the site of the last biodynamics agriculture workshop in May this year.
"; S19[4]=" 'Decades of experience with biodynamic methods using homeopathic remedies, have shown that soil qualities can be promoted and degradation reversed by the correct application of "; S20[4]=" biodynamic techniques,' Anton said.
'Biodynamic agriculture gives the earth a face-lift by building humus in.. ";