R[0]="1169"; T[0]="Tas Agriculture - Gearing Up To Meet The Challenges Ahead"; A[0]="By ... Editor"; Dn[0]="20060721"; Dt[0]="Friday 21 July 2006"; Acats[0]="a05a57a69"; B1[0]="      The innovation of Tasmanian farmers and the policies of the Tasmanian Government are working to ensure our agricultural sector is well placed "; B2[0]="to face the challenges of the next ten years... "; B3[0]=" "; B4[0]=" "; B5[0]=" "; S1[0]="      The innovation of Tasmanian farmers and the policies of the Tasmanian Government are working to ensure our agricultural sector is well placed "; S2[0]=" to face the challenges of the next ten years.
      Opening the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology Symposium in Launceston today "; S3[0]=" Minister for Primary Industries and Water David Llewellyn said the theme of the symposium 'Tasmanian agriculture in 10 years time - confronting the challenges', is "; S4[0]=" very appropriate in the current climate.
      'Our agricultural sector is important so it's vital it is prepared to face the challenges ahead "; S5[0]=" which include price squeezing, increased overseas competition and competing demands for land.
      'Tasmanian agriculture has a proud history of evolving in response "; S6[0]=" to international and local pressures and the Tasmanian Government continues to work with industry to face the future.
      'The State Labor Government "; S7[0]=" recently announced several initiatives included in the SMART Farming (Sustainable Management of Agricultural Resources in Tasmania) package to help ensure Tasmanian agriculture is ready for "; S8[0]=" the challenges ahead.
      'SMART Farming will help protect our pure-produce branding which is vital to winning and keeping new international markets by "; S9[0]=" providing a $4 million boost to our quarantine border protection system,' Mr Llewellyn said.
      The SMART Farming package also contains: · "; S10[0]=" $7.5 million to develop water initiatives to make the sector more sustainable · a $6 million investment to develop two "; S11[0]=" key research centres for dairy and vegetables, through the upgrade of research and development programs at the Elliott and Forthside Research and Demonstration Stations.
  "; S12[0]="     · $1 million assisting farmers and fishers increase their knowledge and their business and farming skills through the development "; S13[0]=" and delivery of information services.
      · a boost to farm education by providing increased funds to the school farms.
"; S14[0]="       · $1.4 million to the Fisheries Research Development Corporation to encourage fisheries and aquaculture industries, matching industry payments dollar-for-dollar.
"; S15[0]="       Mr Llewellyn said the State Labor Government is always ready to work with Tasmanian farmers to help them become more innovative and "; S16[0]=" to maximise their future opportunities.
      'With a better understanding of future challenges and therefore better preparation for those challenges, I'm confident Tasmanian "; S17[0]=" farmers will continue to make an important contribution to our State in the future,' Mr Llewellyn said... "; R[1]="1167"; T[1]="Education officials voice concerns over plan to weigh children"; A[1]="By ... Editor"; Dn[1]="20060721"; Dt[1]="Friday 21 July 2006"; Acats[1]="a04a09a10a53"; B1[1]="      Measuring and weighing children for a nationwide survey aimed at reducing childhood obesity has raised concerns in Tasmania.... "; B2[1]=" "; B3[1]=" "; B4[1]=" "; B5[1]=" "; S1[1]="      Measuring and weighing children for a nationwide survey aimed at reducing childhood obesity has raised concerns in Tasmania.
      Education "; S2[1]=" Minister David Bartlett, joins Health Minister Lara Giddings and State School Parents and Friends president Jenny Branch, who are against a plan that labels young "; S3[1]=" children as being overweight.
      'We have a comprehensive suite of programs across our schools and I believe that if we are "; S4[1]=" going to tackle the obesity problem in Tasmania and across Australia it begins at home,' he said.
      'Schools are just a reflection "; S5[1]=" of the wider society and while I do believe that through schools we need to provide education, healthy choices within our canteens and fitness programs, "; S6[1]=" I am a bit concerned about a program that looks at weighing and measuring because of the dangers that it can cause.
      "; S7[1]=" 'I have no problem with programs that are evidence based, that we research and base our programs on good hard data, but I have concerns "; S8[1]=" for kids that can be labelled for life through if these sorts of programs aren't constructed very carefully.' The $3million national nutrition survey is part "; S9[1]=" of obesity fighting measures announced this week by Federal Health Minister Tony Abbott... "; R[2]="1158"; T[2]="Sheep and lamb market alert"; A[2]="By ... Editor"; Dn[2]="20060720"; Dt[2]="Thursday 20 July 2006"; Acats[2]="a07a25a27a57"; B1[2]="      Following widespread rain across most parts of the eastern states lamb yardings dropped significantly in some areas resulting in the dearer trend "; B2[2]="of last week continuing.
      Numbers at MLA's NLRS reported saleyards so far this week have fallen by 27% with Ballarat the only "; B3[2]="saleyard to record increased supply... "; B4[2]=" "; B5[2]=" "; S1[2]="      Following widespread rain across most parts of the eastern states lamb yardings dropped significantly in some areas resulting in the dearer trend "; S2[2]=" of last week continuing.
      Numbers at MLA's NLRS reported saleyards so far this week have fallen by 27% with Ballarat the only "; S3[2]=" saleyard to record increased supply.
      Notwithstanding the rain numbers typically are on the decline at this time of year which provides the "; S4[2]=" opportunity for some processors to close for maintenance.
      Additional competition has been noted in southern markets as some South Australian processors are "; S5[2]=" now back in the market following their maintenance breaks.
      Overall the market consisted of an equal spread of trade and heavy lambs, "; S6[2]=" although restocker and feeder lambs were still offered in reasonable proportions.
      The start of new lamb selling season was noticeable at SA "; S7[2]=" Livestock Exchange with a number of consignments in the market on Tuesday.
      Lamb market on way up A combination of the reduced "; S8[2]=" supply and keen competition from all sectors of the market supported a rise across all categories in the order of 15¢ to 50¢/kg cwt.
  "; S9[2]="     Restocker lambs ranged from 30¢ to 45¢ dearer on the same time last week generally averaging from 348¢ to 370¢, although the tops "; S10[2]=" reached 400¢/kg cwt.
      Merino and light lambs experienced a stronger market selling up to 32¢ higher with the eastern state indicators at "; S11[2]=" 323¢ and 329¢/kg cwt respectively.
      Trade lambs experienced the larger rises in the market with 3 scores approaching the 400¢ mark; lifting "; S12[2]=" 48¢ to 398¢/kg cwt.
      Overall the trade indicator finished Tuesday at 385¢/kg cwt.
      Heavy lambs were from 18¢ to "; S13[2]=" 35¢ dearer and the indicator finished at 358¢/kg cwt.
      Sheep numbers fall 68% A 68% fall in sheep numbers at MLA's NLRS "; S14[2]=" reported saleyard saw most categories represented, although there was a reasonable percentage of plain lightweight sheep.
      There was competition from all buyers; "; S15[2]=" however restocker interest was most noticeable on suitable ewes and wethers to grow out.
      Prices increased from 5¢ to 24¢/kg cwt and "; S16[2]=" were dependant on condition.
      The eastern state mutton indicator finished Tuesday at 216¢ which is a rise of 6¢/kg cwt on last "; S17[2]=" week... "; R[3]="1157"; T[3]="China plan to protect environment"; A[3]="By ... Editor"; Dn[3]="20060720"; Dt[3]="Thursday 20 July 2006"; Acats[3]="a05a07a42a63"; B1[3]="      China plans to spend 1.4 trillion yuan ($175bn) over the next five years on protecting its environment.... "; B2[3]=" "; B3[3]=" "; B4[3]=" "; B5[3]=" "; S1[3]="      China plans to spend 1.4 trillion yuan ($175bn) over the next five years on protecting its environment.
      The sum "; S2[3]=" - equivalent to 1.5% of China's annual economic output - will be used to improve water quality, and cut air and land pollution and soil "; S3[3]=" erosion.
      China has some of the world's most polluted cities and waterways.
      Beijing has often overlooked protecting the environment "; S4[3]=" in the rush to develop its economy - but now it is paying the price, a BBC correspondent says.
      A chemical spill "; S5[3]=" in a river near the city of Harbin last year drew international attention, as water supplies to almost four million people had to be suspended "; S6[3]=" for nearly a week.
      Soil pollution Under the plan, sewage treatment plants will be built in 10 river valleys to reduce the "; S7[3]=" harmful impact of waste water from cities.
      Money will also be spent on cutting levels of sulphur dioxide and dust in large "; S8[3]=" cities.
      The state-owned Xinhua news agency said money would be used to curb soil pollution, which has contaminated agricultural produce.
    "; S9[3]="   The agency quoted Zhou Shengxian, director of the State Environmental Protection Administration, as saying that every year 12 million metric tonnes of grain were "; S10[3]=" polluted by heavy metals that had found their way into the soil... "; R[4]="1155"; T[4]="Nut growers look to overseas markets"; A[4]="By ... Editor"; Dn[4]="20060720"; Dt[4]="Thursday 20 July 2006"; Acats[4]="a08a18"; B1[4]="      Macadamia nut growers are looking offshore for markets for their near record production levels.... "; B2[4]=" "; B3[4]=" "; B4[4]=" "; B5[4]=" "; S1[4]="      Macadamia nut growers are looking offshore for markets for their near record production levels.
      With falling consumer demand here "; S2[4]=" in Australia, growers are taking advantage of reduced tariffs for value-added products which were introduced as part of the United States Free Trade Agreement.
  "; S3[4]="     Jim Twentyman from Suncoast Gold Macadamias in south-east Queensland says tariffs will be reduced to zero by 2008.
      'At the "; S4[4]=" moment, because of the duty reason, we're having to have that packed and processed in the USA so we believe from next year we'll be "; S5[4]=" able to do the packaging and processing in Australia,' he said.
      'That'll save us in the end several hundred thousand dollars and "; S6[4]=" give us greater cost opportunities to compete in the US.'.. "; R[5]="1152"; T[5]="Foreign buyers warn Australian sheep too expensive"; A[5]="By ... Editor"; Dn[5]="20060720"; Dt[5]="Thursday 20 July 2006"; Acats[5]="a07a08a25"; B1[5]="      Overseas buyers of live sheep are complaining that Australian livestock prices are too high.... "; B2[5]=" "; B3[5]=" "; B4[5]=" "; B5[5]=" "; S1[5]="      Overseas buyers of live sheep are complaining that Australian livestock prices are too high.
      In the Middle East, importers "; S2[5]=" are warning that live sheep from countries like Somalia and India are constantly undercutting Australian mutton in the marketplace.
      Jasem Al Dhahi "; S3[5]=" from the Emirates Livestock and Meat Trading Company in Dubai says the price of Australian sheep has jumped four times in the past month, and "; S4[5]=" his customers are looking elsewhere.
      'In the last four ships now, the prices get high, high, high,' he said.
      "; S5[5]=" 'I cannot in the future buy more sheep from Australia.
      In the past maybe I buy 15,000, the next ship I will "; S6[5]=" say send me 7,000.' Meanwhile, another shipload of Australian live sheep has just been unloaded at the port of Jebel Ali, near Dubai.
    "; S7[5]="   About 12,000 are now being held at one of the Middle East's most modern feedlots.
      The feedlot is one of the "; S8[5]=" most advanced facilities of its type in the Middle East.
      The conditions are extremely hot at 50 degrees in the sun, but "; S9[5]=" under the 34 hectares of shadecloth it is a more respectable 45 degrees Celcius.
      When full, the housing facility can accommodate about "; S10[5]=" 90,000 Australian sheep.
      The most recent shipment arrive after a 16-day journey from Fremantle, with no evidence of foot soreness or too "; S11[5]=" much heat stress, and are fed water that is specially cooled by big refrigeration units.
      From here the sheep will go to "; S12[5]=" supermarkets and butcher shops where they are cut into legs, loins and chops and sold under the banner of Australian mutton... "; R[6]="1151"; T[6]="Farm group rethinks GM crops ban support"; A[6]="By ... Editor"; Dn[6]="20060720"; Dt[6]="Thursday 20 July 2006"; Acats[6]="a04a12"; B1[6]="      The New South Wales Farmers Association has withdrawn its support for a ban on genetically modified (GM) crops.... "; B2[6]=" "; B3[6]=" "; B4[6]=" "; B5[6]=" "; S1[6]="      The New South Wales Farmers Association has withdrawn its support for a ban on genetically modified (GM) crops.
      The "; S2[6]=" association has passed a motion asking for the immediate lifting of the state's moratorium on GM crops.
      Grain producer Michael Matthews says "; S3[6]=" it is a victory for progressive farmers.
      'This is a technology that we have to have to be able to compete on "; S4[6]=" the world stage.
      Without this technology we're going to be sinking further and further behind,' he said.
      'This technology "; S5[6]=" is all about producing greener crops, cleaner crops, healthier crops, crops grown with 70 per cent less herbicide and are more friendly to our environment.
"; S6[6]="       'If we're not producing these crops, we're not going to be winning our spot on the supermarket shelves.'.. "; R[7]="1150"; T[7]="Councils say water initiative hurting rates revenue"; A[7]="By ... Editor"; Dn[7]="20060720"; Dt[7]="Thursday 20 July 2006"; Acats[7]="a05a07a40a48"; B1[7]="      New South Wales local councils say they are facing a dramatic drop in rates revenue as a result of the National Water "; B2[7]="Initiative... "; B3[7]=" "; B4[7]=" "; B5[7]=" "; S1[7]="      New South Wales local councils say they are facing a dramatic drop in rates revenue as a result of the National Water "; S2[7]=" Initiative.
      Under the water reform process, land and water titles are being separated which is expected to cause a drop in rates "; S3[7]=" for irrigated land.
      Councils now have to come up with a new rating formula to make up the difference.
      "; S4[7]=" The Nationals' Member for Murrumbidgee, Adrian Piccoli, is calling on the State Government to give councils more time and more help to make the changes.
"; S5[7]="       'The Victorian Government has postponed the implementation of these new council rating structures by two years,' he said.
      'I've "; S6[7]=" written to the NSW Government asking them to do the same thing because my fear is here in NSW it'll be introduced, it'll be a "; S7[7]=" bit of a disaster, and we'll see legal action from some ratepayers who're going to challenge their rate assessments.'.. "; R[8]="1144"; T[8]="Pulp mill integrated impact statement released"; A[8]="By ... Editor"; Dn[8]="20060718"; Dt[8]="Tuesday 18 July 2006"; Acats[8]="a07a39a42"; B1[8]="      Timber company Gunns has released an integrated impact statement for its proposed pulp mill at Bells Bay in northern Tasmania.... "; B2[8]=" "; B3[8]=" "; B4[8]=" "; B5[8]=" "; S1[8]="      Timber company Gunns has released an integrated impact statement for its proposed pulp mill at Bells Bay in northern Tasmania.
    "; S2[8]="   The company says the $1.4 billion project will create 4,000 jobs during construction and add hundreds of millions of dollars to the value of "; S3[8]=" export woodchips.
      Environmental groups are worried the mill could result in more logging in native forests, although that has been rejected by "; S4[8]=" project manager Les Baker.
      'Not one tree will be cut down or one tree planted as a result of this project,' he "; S5[8]=" said.
      'It simply transfers 60 per cent of Gunns export chips [that otherwise go to Asia] where its value added to a "; S6[8]=" pulp mill in Tasmania.
      'Woodchips are sold for about $90 a tonne where as pulp is sold for approximately $800 a tonne "; S7[8]=" so it's a terrific value adding project.' The statement will be open for public comment for 10 weeks... "; R[9]="1142"; T[9]="NZ butter suspended from Europe"; A[9]="By ... Editor"; Dn[9]="20060718"; Dt[9]="Tuesday 18 July 2006"; Acats[9]="a08a26"; B1[9]="      The world dairy market looks set to further weaken after the suspension of New Zealand butter from Europe.... "; B2[9]=" "; B3[9]=" "; B4[9]=" "; B5[9]=" "; S1[9]="      The world dairy market looks set to further weaken after the suspension of New Zealand butter from Europe.
      The "; S2[9]=" European Court of Justice made the ruling after a German company challenged New Zealand's import licence.
      New Zealand's exports to Europe make "; S3[9]=" up about 15 per cent of the total world butter trade.
      Rabobank dairy analyst Tim Hunt says Australian farmers will feel the "; S4[9]=" effects.
      'Fonterra and the New Zealand Government are working hard to reverse the decision but if the issue is not resolved and "; S5[9]=" trade resumed within four to six months we're going to have a lot of butter looking for a new home on the global market,' he "; S6[9]=" said.
      'And that's not good news for Australian exporters, it will probably be redirected to markets in competition with our products and "; S7[9]=" that's occurring at a time when there's already considerable pressure on dairy fat prices.'.. "; R[10]="1133"; T[10]="We could be energy superpower: Howard"; A[10]="By ... Editor"; Dn[10]="20060718"; Dt[10]="Tuesday 18 July 2006"; Acats[10]="a05a08a36a42"; B1[10]="      Australia has a 'massive opportunity' to become an energy superpower, John Howard declared yesterday as he outlined plans for uranium, oil, coal "; B2[10]="and solar technology export and development... "; B3[10]=" "; B4[10]=" "; B5[10]=" "; S1[10]="      Australia has a 'massive opportunity' to become an energy superpower, John Howard declared yesterday as he outlined plans for uranium, oil, coal "; S2[10]=" and solar technology export and development.
      In another signal that he intends to contest the next election, the Prime Minister challenged Kim "; S3[10]=" Beazley on nuclear power and climate change and called on the premiers to 'think big' to solve Australia's water shortages.
      Claiming prior "; S4[10]=" rights to the water initiatives and a pragmatic, and rational approach to governing, Mr Howard also undercut Peter Costello's two-week-old vision for solving water shortages.
"; S5[10]="       Mr Howard's global approach to uranium exports, nuclear power, clean coal technology and oil exploration fitted with a domestic approach on trading "; S6[10]=" water rights and recycling sewage and stormwater in the cities.
      'Man's hunger for energy, and all this involves, will profoundly shape geopolitics "; S7[10]=" this century, perhaps even more so than last century,' Mr Howard said at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia lunch in Sydney yesterday.
  "; S8[10]="     'Energy security concerns are assuming the sort of strategic significance once reserved for territorial security.
      'Australia can, and should, supply "; S9[10]=" domestic and world economies with low-cost energy.
      'As an efficient, reliable supplier, Australia has a massive opportunity to increase its share of "; S10[10]=" global energy trade.
      'With the right policies, we have the makings of an energy superpower.' Mr Howard highlighted his nomination in March "; S11[10]=" of water as one of five national challenges and his role in a $25billion energy deal with China.
      The Prime Minister said "; S12[10]=" motorists were 'long-suffering' because of high petrol prices, which were driven by tensions in the Middle East, and that the Government would encourage more oil "; S13[10]=" exploration in Australia and offshore.
      'Australia remains relatively unexplored, particularly for petroleum in frontier offshore areas.
      Encouraging further exploration "; S14[10]=" is a high priority for the Government,' Mr Howard said.
      He also said the record oil prices were changing the economics of "; S15[10]=" nuclear energy and that Australia 'cannot absent itself from global developments surrounding nuclear energy'.
      'We are part of the nuclear fuel cycle, "; S16[10]=" whether we like it or not,' he said.
      Mr Howard said Australia's vast coal reserves would continue to supply world power and "; S17[10]=" that technological advances in producing clean coal were essential and exportable.
      Challenging Labor's policy on restricting uranium mining and backing the Kyoto "; S18[10]=" agreement to limit greenhouse emissions, Mr Howard said the ALP's position was 'hypocritical, irrational andweak'.
      'The real question is whether Australia should "; S19[10]=" fully consider our interests and responsibilities in the global nuclear energy debate or whether we succumb to a dogma of denial,' he said.
    "; S20[10]="   Mr Howard said nuclear power cut greenhouse emissions and 'the Australian Government is not in the business of economic hairshirts, wishful thinking and empty "; S21[10]=" gestures'.
      He said the Kyoto agreement was flawed because it did not treat two of the world's biggest greenhouse emitters, China and "; S22[10]=" India, in the same way it treated the other, the US, and that it had distorted economies 'without any environmental benefit'.
      However, "; S23[10]=" Opposition Leader Kim Beazley backed his party's policies and said Mr Howard 'has had 10 years to tackle the consequences of global climate change and "; S24[10]=" has done nothing'.
      'The only thing you can do if you are serious on climate change is to start with the ratification "; S25[10]=" of the Kyoto agreement and move on to setting realistic targets for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by Australia, followed up by a sensible emissions "; S26[10]=" trading regime,' Mr Beazley said in Perth yesterday.
      'That's Labor Party policy.
      That's what the rest of the world "; S27[10]=" is doing.
      That's the future.' On water issues, Mr Howard strongly backed the position of the Parliamentary Secretary on Water, Malcolm Turnbull, "; S28[10]=" who has advocated establishing a market price for water through trading water rights and helping to alleviate urban water shortages through the use of recycled "; S29[10]=" sewage and stormwater.
      'I believe we need nothing short of a revolution in thinking about Australia's urban water challenges,' Mr Howard said.
"; S30[10]="       'There is little or no reason why our large cities should be gripped permanently by water crises,' he said... "; R[11]="1131"; T[11]="We must accept nuclear power: PM"; A[11]="By ... Editor"; Dn[11]="20060718"; Dt[11]="Tuesday 18 July 2006"; Acats[11]="a05a36a42"; B1[11]="      Prime Minister John Howard has warned Australians they must accept nuclear power and drought-proof their capital cities, in a speech outlining his "; B2[11]="long-term vision for the nation's energy and water use... "; B3[11]=" "; B4[11]=" "; B5[11]=" "; S1[11]="      Prime Minister John Howard has warned Australians they must accept nuclear power and drought-proof their capital cities, in a speech outlining his "; S2[11]=" long-term vision for the nation's energy and water use.
      In the Sydney speech - which has reignited speculation that Mr Howard is "; S3[11]=" planning to contest the next election - Australians were warned they would 'pay a price' in the future if they do not engage in the "; S4[11]=" debate on nuclear energy.
      Mr Howard said Australia could not afford to 'bury its head in the sand' on the issue "; S5[11]=" of nuclear power.
      'Australia cannot absent itself from global developments surrounding nuclear energy,' Mr Howard told the Committee for Economic Development "; S6[11]=" of Australia forum.
      'With close to 40 per cent of the world's known low-cost uranium deposits, for Australia to bury its head "; S7[11]=" in the sand on nuclear energy is akin to Saudi Arabia turning its back on global oil developments.' He warned that if Australia did not "; S8[11]=" engage in the debate 'we will pay a price'.
      Mr Howard also called for a 'revolution' in addressing the nation's water "; S9[11]=" challenges, saying water restrictions should not have to be tolerated.
      'The simple fact is there is little or no reason why our "; S10[11]=" large cities should be gripped permanently by water crises,' he said.
      'Our goal should be to drought-proof our large coastal cities.
  "; S11[11]="     'Having a city on permanent water restrictions makes about as much sense as to have a city on permanent power restrictions.' "; S12[11]=" Mr Howard urged the SA, NSW and Victorian Governments to move quickly towards water trading arrangements.
      River Murray Minister Karlene Maywald said "; S13[11]=" SA was 'ready and our borders are open to trading'.
      Labor's environment spokesman Anthony Albanese said Mr Howard had 'failed to offer "; S14[11]=" anything new to Australians concerned about climate change, water shortages and rising petrol prices'.
      Mr Howard's speech came as an AC "; S15[11]=" Nielsen Poll showed most voters wanted Mr Howard to stay on as leader.
      Labor was found to have increased its two-party preferred "; S16[11]=" vote by 1 point to 52-48... "; R[12]="1125"; T[12]="Driving on-farm productivity over the next 20 years"; A[12]="By ... Editor"; Dn[12]="20060717"; Dt[12]="Monday 17 July 2006"; Acats[12]="a07a55a57a93"; B1[12]="      On farm-efficiency will replace productivity as the key to ensuring a vibrant long-term future for the New Zealand sheep industry.... "; B2[12]=" "; B3[12]=" "; B4[12]=" "; B5[12]=" "; S1[12]="      On farm-efficiency will replace productivity as the key to ensuring a vibrant long-term future for the New Zealand sheep industry.
    "; S2[12]="   Speaking at the Department of Agriculture and Food's Sheep Updates today (13 July), leading NZ agribusiness consultant Peter Fennessy said the challenges to maintain "; S3[12]=" the momentum of increasing productivity in the New Zealand Sheep Industry could not be underestimated.
      'The reality is that the international market "; S4[12]=" will ultimately determine the future of the sheep industry.
      While the medium-term market prospects are bright, an ongoing focus around on-farm efficiency "; S5[12]=" will be critical,' Mr Fennessy from AbacusBio Limited said.
      Mr Fennessy said New Zealand currently exported the same amount of lamb as "; S6[12]=" in the late 1980s, from a ewe flock which was 40 per cent smaller.
      'This represents a major increase in productivity from "; S7[12]=" 13 to 21 kilograms of meat per ewe, due mainly to increases in weaning percentage and carcase weight,' he said.
      'While there "; S8[12]=" are opportunities to further increase ewe productivity, the focus must be on factors that impact on overall efficiency of the farming business, which includes both "; S9[12]=" income and expenditure.' The team at AbacusBio is developing a method of analysis based on breaking down the primary drivers that improve financial efficiency, such "; S10[12]=" as feed consumed, feed conversion efficiency, product price and costs.
      'Further gains can then be made by breaking down the four 'drivers' "; S11[12]=" to see what improvements can be made, and assess their impact on profitability,' he said.
      Mr Fennessy said the data required for "; S12[12]=" such an in-depth analysis was usually collected by farmers, but the analysis provides a new way of interrogating the data to better understand the underlying "; S13[12]=" factors that drive productivity.
      He said they currently use about eight key indicators including live weight at mating, scanning percentage, weaning percentage, "; S14[12]=" lamb growth rate pre and post-weaning, selling dates of lambs, carcase weight and ewe deaths.
      The value comes from analysing the relationship "; S15[12]=" between the factors and their relationship to profit.
      Mr Fennessy acknowledged the analysis was relatively complex, however, work had commenced on developing "; S16[12]=" a software package to analyse and interpret the data.
      He said new technologies would also continue to impact at several levels of "; S17[12]=" the business.
      The greatest direct impact at the individual farm level would come through new systems of data collection, data analysis, and "; S18[12]=" the use of the information.
      Three types of technologies were singled out : ' electronic identification of individual animals using radio frequency "; S19[12]=" systems; ' measurement systems to measure and allocate feed supplies; ' systems to reduce labour such as rapid on farm diagnostics... "; R[13]="1124"; T[13]="Overseas markets strengthen for Western Australian sheepmeat"; A[13]="By ... Editor"; Dn[13]="20060717"; Dt[13]="Monday 17 July 2006"; Acats[13]="a07a08a25"; B1[13]="      WA sheep producers are ideally poised to capitalise on strengthening overseas market opportunities for sheep meat particularly in the Middle East and "; B2[13]="Africa... "; B3[13]=" "; B4[13]=" "; B5[13]=" "; S1[13]="      WA sheep producers are ideally poised to capitalise on strengthening overseas market opportunities for sheep meat particularly in the Middle East and "; S2[13]=" Africa.
      Speaking today at the Department of Agriculture and Food's Sheep Updates, Meat and Livestock Australia Market Analyst Gary McAlister reported stronger "; S3[13]=" international demand for lamb.
      Mr McAlister said the Middle East market was changing rapidly, stimulated largely by oil revenues.
      "; S4[13]=" Shopping habits were also shifting from frozen products to chilled carcases and cuts.
      'Throughout the region, international retailers are opening western style "; S5[13]=" hypermarkets, influencing the way people shop and the products they buy.
      This is causing a shift from frozen products to chilled carcases "; S6[13]=" and cuts, especially legs and square cut shoulders suitable for larger scale retailing,' Mr McAlister said.
      'The Middle East region is home "; S7[13]=" to 237 million consumers, with approximately 70 per cent under 20 years of age.
      Consumer research shows that flavour, convenience and enjoyment "; S8[13]=" will play an important role in capturing this younger generation of consumers.
      'In Japan, the development of specialist Genghis Khan restaurants has "; S9[13]=" seen consumption of lamb boom.
      And despite China's own large sheep population, exports to that country of predominately forequarter cuts are also "; S10[13]=" increasing.' Mr McAlister said another improving overseas market that should interest Western Australian was South Africa where growth in the number of middle income earners "; S11[13]=" had resulted in increased demand for lamb and mutton.
      Neck and ribs were particularly popular.
      'Growth across this range "; S12[13]=" of diverse markets is being increasingly met by Australian exporters supplying products on a cut or item basis depending on price and suitability for traditional "; S13[13]=" cooking methods in the buyer's region or country,' Mr McAlister said.
      'The ability to supply by a cut or item basis means "; S14[13]=" that exports of the 'traditional' higher value cuts to a wide range of markets including Europe and America compliments the demand from the Middle East "; S15[13]=" and Africa.' Mr McAlister said the Western Australian sheepmeat industry was ideally positioned to capture these growth opportunities due to proximity and the ability of "; S16[13]=" producers here to supply the wide range of products now in demand.
      'Future success will be reliant on the ability of the "; S17[13]=" industry to maintain high standards of production and to meet year round demand.
      The industry will also need to respond to consumer "; S18[13]=" demand for cut or item based supply, while improving supply chain knowledge and capabilities to these regions,' Mr McAlister said.
      He told "; S19[13]=" the Sheep Updates that a 10 per cent increase in the slaughter of Australian lamb in 2005 to 18.23 million head, combined with reduced supply "; S20[13]=" from New Zealand sheepmeat, had assisted the growth of Australian exports throughout the year.
      'This, combined with the increased prevalence of avian "; S21[13]=" influenza and outbreaks of foot and mouth disease in some Brazilian and Argentinean States had meant that Australian sheepmeat was more competitive in the international "; S22[13]=" markets.' Mr McAlister said Australian lamb exports in 2005 enjoyed a 26 per cent increase in volume and value on 2004 exports.
      "; S23[13]=" 'Despite stiffer competition in 2006, exports are expected to grow by five per cent and are on track at 30 June - up by 2.5% "; S24[13]=" to 72,677 tonnes,' he said... "; R[14]="1122"; T[14]="Now we will pay more for oranges"; A[14]="By ... Editor"; Dn[14]="20060717"; Dt[14]="Monday 17 July 2006"; Acats[14]="a07a18"; B1[14]="      Consumers soon are expected to be paying more for oranges because of crop losses with last month's frosts.... "; B2[14]=" "; B3[14]=" "; B4[14]=" "; B5[14]=" "; S1[14]="      Consumers soon are expected to be paying more for oranges because of crop losses with last month's frosts.
      Updated "; S2[14]=" estimates indicate about 30 per cent of the navel crop has been wiped out.
      Aside from domestic markets, the frost effect "; S3[14]=" is expected to flow on to a downturn of key U.S exports.
      Citrus Board of SA chairman Peter Walker expected a "; S4[14]=" 30 per cent drop in exports there.
      Riversun Export Pty Ltd managing director Steve Allen said that would mean the trade "; S5[14]=" would receive $24 million less than the $80 million expected.
      'It will really hurt the growers,' he said.
      "; S6[14]=" 'We were looking at 20 per cent growth for this year but the frost damage will probably take us back to where we were five "; S7[14]=" years ago.' SA Citrus Crop Estimates Committee chairman Kym Thiel expected the market for citrus to start tightening soon with the possibility of higher "; S8[14]=" prices... "; R[15]="1119"; T[15]="Japanese beef consumption constrained by supply"; A[15]="By ... Editor"; Dn[15]="20060717"; Dt[15]="Monday 17 July 2006"; Acats[15]="a08a27a62"; B1[15]="      Lower beef imports and the consequent higher prices continue to restrict Japanese beef consumption.... "; B2[15]=" "; B3[15]=" "; B4[15]=" "; B5[15]=" "; S1[15]="      Lower beef imports and the consequent higher prices continue to restrict Japanese beef consumption.
      According to the latest figures "; S2[15]=" from the Agriculture & Livestock Industries Corporation (ALIC), 60,509 tonnes of beef were consumed in Japan this May, down 11.3% on May last year.
  "; S3[15]="     In the first five months of 2005, Japan consumed 312,166 tonnes of beef - down 5% compared with 2005, down 18% compared with "; S4[15]=" 2003 (before US BSE), and 27% below 2001 levels (before Japan's first case of BSE).
      The decline on last year was for "; S5[15]=" imported product, for which consumption was down 9%, whereas domestic product was steady.
      During this period, 56% of the total beef consumed "; S6[15]=" was imported.
      In the five months to May, consumption of chicken increased 2% on 2005; however, it remains 3% lower than in "; S7[15]=" 2003 and 5% below 2001 levels.
      Pork, which has enjoyed strong growth in consumption in recent years, retreated slightly, falling 3% in "; S8[15]=" the five months to May, to 673,948 tonnes.
      However, pork consumption remains 4% higher than in the same period 2003 and 9% "; S9[15]=" higher than in the same period 2001.
      It is hoped that beef consumption in Japan will recover once US beef returns to "; S10[15]=" the market.
      In the meantime, the end of the rainy season should see an overall seasonal lift in consumption of meat over "; S11[15]=" the next month... "; R[16]="1117"; T[16]="PM asked to slow down water trading"; A[16]="By ... Editor"; Dn[16]="20060714"; Dt[16]="Friday 14 July 2006"; Acats[16]="a05a40"; B1[16]="      Farmers in Victoria's Goulburn Valley have called on the Prime Minister to slow down the pace of water trading in order to "; B2[16]="stop it destroying local farms... "; B3[16]=" "; B4[16]=" "; B5[16]=" "; S1[16]="      Farmers in Victoria's Goulburn Valley have called on the Prime Minister to slow down the pace of water trading in order to "; S2[16]=" stop it destroying local farms.
      The Parliamentary Secretary responsible for water, Malcolm Turnbull, has met farmers in Shepparton.
      They "; S3[16]=" have told him they cannot compete for local water which is being sent down the Murray to irrigate vineyards and almond farms, and that they "; S4[16]=" enjoy tax breaks through managed investment schemes (MIS).
      Mr Turnbull says he will raise the issue with Mr Howard.
      "; S5[16]=" 'I'll take back to the PM the concern that there is in the community, that the managed investment schemes have certain tax advantages,' he said.
"; S6[16]="       'That means the level playing field, the field of competition for resources, water in particular, is not level and that family farmers "; S7[16]=" are disadvantaged competing against the large corporate investors that are supported with MIS money,' he said... "; R[17]="1115"; T[17]="National Water Initiative 'off the rails'"; A[17]="By ... Editor"; Dn[17]="20060714"; Dt[17]="Friday 14 July 2006"; Acats[17]="a05a40"; B1[17]="      The New South Wales Irrigators Council says it will withdraw support for the National Water Initiative, unless the federal and state governments "; B2[17]="make radical changes... "; B3[17]=" "; B4[17]=" "; B5[17]=" "; S1[17]="      The New South Wales Irrigators Council says it will withdraw support for the National Water Initiative, unless the federal and state governments "; S2[17]=" make radical changes.
      The council's chief executive, Doug Miell, says the initiative is 'off the rails' and will place a huge financial "; S3[17]=" burden on farmers and rural communities.
      He says irrigators are most angry at a decision by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal "; S4[17]=" to back a 92 per cent increase in bulk water prices in New South Wales... "; R[18]="1114"; T[18]="Fuel prices changing rural lifestyles"; A[18]="By ... Editor"; Dn[18]="20060714"; Dt[18]="Friday 14 July 2006"; Acats[18]="a05a07a36"; B1[18]="      High fuel prices are changing how rural families live, with some dropping children's sporting commitments and car pooling with neighbours.... "; B2[18]=" "; B3[18]=" "; B4[18]=" "; B5[18]=" "; S1[18]="      High fuel prices are changing how rural families live, with some dropping children's sporting commitments and car pooling with neighbours.
    "; S2[18]="   The latest figures from the Bureau of Statistics show transport, food and groceries and recreation are the three biggest expenses for rural household budgets.
"; S3[18]="       Queensland beef producer Georgie Somerset believes country people spend more on recreation because they are spending more time on the farm.
  "; S4[18]="     'Perhaps there's a sense there of 'well we'll go and do this while it's in town, or we'll take up the opportunity to "; S5[18]=" go to a performance',' he said.
      'If you're not going to get away from where you live then you may as well "; S6[18]=" make the most of what you've got there and so yes I think there probably has been some more spending on things like a DVD "; S7[18]=" machine and a decent TV because they're actually spending more weeks at home and less weeks away on holidays.' The report has also found that "; S8[18]=" country people spend more on health, alcohol and cigarettes than those living in the cities... "; R[19]="1105"; T[19]="Wine to move out of the red shortly"; A[19]="By ... Editor"; Dn[19]="20060714"; Dt[19]="Friday 14 July 2006"; Acats[19]="a08a13"; B1[19]="      Most wine producers expect they will soon be back in the black with profits rising despite facing one of the largest gluts "; B2[19]="in Australian winemaking history... "; B3[19]=" "; B4[19]=" "; B5[19]=" "; S1[19]="      Most wine producers expect they will soon be back in the black with profits rising despite facing one of the largest gluts "; S2[19]=" in Australian winemaking history.
      Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation chief Sam Tolley said he was shocked to find that 96 per cent "; S3[19]=" of winemakers in a national survey expected their domestic and export sales revenue to rise in coming years.
      'I'm just surprised that "; S4[19]=" there is optimism that there will be a return to profitability so quickly,' Mr Tolley told The Australian.
      Vignerons have been forced "; S5[19]=" to leave grapes to rot on vines after cancelled contracts, a market oversupply and falling prices.
      Some are also considering pulling vines.
"; S6[19]="       'Our view is that it is not a problem that's going to be solved in the very short term, this year or "; S7[19]=" next year,' Mr Tolley said.
      'Those companies that are on the verge of sustainability and being viable themselves should make the hard "; S8[19]=" decisions now rather than deferring in the hope of blue skies next year.' The AWBC conducted the survey of 235 winemakers in May as part "; S9[19]=" of the AWBC and Winemakers Federation of Australia's Directions strategy.
      Despite only 16 per cent expecting price increases, most expected their businesses "; S10[19]=" to return profits over the next five years.
      But Mr Tolley feared they were being overly optimistic.
      'If they "; S11[19]=" haven't planned properly then it's blind optimism,' he said.
      Mr Tolley said it was possible that many winemakers might have written off "; S12[19]=" a poor harvest this year and were already looking towards a more fruitful vintage in the coming summer.
      'One could say if "; S13[19]=" you're at zero profitability and you're going to get something next year then that's an increase,' he said.
      'It may be an "; S14[19]=" improvement from a bad negative.'.. "; R[20]="1104"; T[20]="Anti-mill group predicts Tamar, Tassie, boom and gloom"; A[20]="By ... Editor"; Dn[20]="20060714"; Dt[20]="Friday 14 July 2006"; Acats[20]="a04a05a39"; B1[20]="      Real estate values in the Tamar Valley would suffer a boom and bust cycle if the proposed Gunns Ltd pulp mill was "; B2[20]="built, an anti-mill group claimed yesterday... "; B3[20]=" "; B4[20]=" "; B5[20]=" "; S1[20]="      Real estate values in the Tamar Valley would suffer a boom and bust cycle if the proposed Gunns Ltd pulp mill was "; S2[20]=" built, an anti-mill group claimed yesterday.
      Tasmanians Against Pulp Mill spokesman Bob McMahon said the 30 billion litres a year of effluent "; S3[20]=" pumped into Bass Strait would devalue waterfront property values.
      'Their real estate values are going to go plummeting,' he said.
  "; S4[20]="     However, he said that during the construction period property values would boom -- followed by a bust when the workforce moved out.
"; S5[20]="       'George Town real estate will be very highly priced for the first two years while the mill is being constructed, but "; S6[20]=" then it will go bust,' he said.
      'The people along the north coast will see only the bust.' The anti-mill "; S7[20]=" group has emerged from the Tamar Residents Action Committee, which dissolved after the departure of co-ordinator Les Rochester.
      Mr McMahon said "; S8[20]=" the mill effluent would contain sediment, heavy metals and chemical compounds including the persistent organic pollutants such as dioxins.
      He said "; S9[20]=" the effluent would come ashore with tides, causing significant environmental devaluation and a consequent drop in property values at Greens Beach, Low Head, Bell Buoy "; S10[20]=" Beach and Beechford.
      The emission point would be 4km offshore from a point 6km east of Low Head.
      "; S11[20]=" He said people would stop visiting the coastal regions and would not want to buy properties overlooking a 'poisonous sea'.
      "; S12[20]=" The anti-mill group has concerns about an expected 30-40 per cent rise in log truck traffic on the East Tamar Highway.
      "; S13[20]=" The $1.4 billion mill is expected to process up to 4 million tonnes of woodchips at Long Reach and there would be extra woodchip exports.
"; S14[20]="       Gunns Ltd is expected to lodge its integrated impact statement with the Resource Planning and Development Commission today... "; R[21]="1095"; T[21]="Rural communities count cost of fuel"; A[21]="By ... Editor"; Dn[21]="20060713"; Dt[21]="Thursday 13 July 2006"; Acats[21]="a07a36a48"; B1[21]="      Spiralling petrol prices are doing far more damage to the hip pockets of rural Australians than anything else.... "; B2[21]=" "; B3[21]=" "; B4[21]=" "; B5[21]=" "; S1[21]="      Spiralling petrol prices are doing far more damage to the hip pockets of rural Australians than anything else.
      As "; S2[21]=" city petrol prices again pushed through the $1.45-a-litre mark in Adelaide yesterday, a report from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows just how much country "; S3[21]=" people, who pay even more, are affected.
      Households in capital cities and urban centres of more than 100,000 people spend about "; S4[21]=" $930 a week on goods and services.
      Those in rural areas spend about $851 while residents in towns and small cities spend "; S5[21]=" $809 a week.
      What that money is spent on varies substantially on where you live.
      Residents in SA's "; S6[21]=" major urban areas spend $834 a week on goods and services.
      The most expensive bill is food and non-alcoholic beverages at "; S7[21]=" $138 a week, followed by housing at $128.
      Transport rates third at $126 a week.
      In rural SA, "; S8[21]=" residents spend $808 a week on goods and services and $90 goes to paying off the mortgage.
      Transport is the biggest expense "; S9[21]=" at $154 a week while $143 is spent on food and beverages.
      Kate Russell, 35, said petrol was her biggest expense "; S10[21]=" as she filled up her car at Port Lincoln.
      She commutes from Coomunga, 15km west of the city, six times a week "; S11[21]=" at a cost of $80.
      'I understand (that fuel transport costs increases the country price) but there are boats that come "; S12[21]=" in here all the time and I don't see why the expense should be so much greater,' she said.
      'I have had "; S13[21]=" to work through half my lunch break to earn more money in a working week to pay the bills.'.. "; R[22]="1087"; T[22]="WTO negotiations deadlocked"; A[22]="By ... Editor"; Dn[22]="20060713"; Dt[22]="Thursday 13 July 2006"; Acats[22]="a05a07a08"; B1[22]="      Effort is continuing in order to keep the Doha Round of World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations 'alive', despite recent meetings in Geneva "; B2[22]="(29 June to 1 July) failing to make any real progress... "; B3[22]=" "; B4[22]=" "; B5[22]=" "; S1[22]="      Effort is continuing in order to keep the Doha Round of World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations 'alive', despite recent meetings in Geneva "; S2[22]=" (29 June to 1 July) failing to make any real progress.
      WTO Director General Pascal Lamy has been charged with trying to "; S3[22]=" find a way through the current impasse, via discussions (currently in progress) with a number of major WTO members.
      Key to an "; S4[22]=" outcome will be a narrowing of the differences in agricultural market access, with commentators calling on the European Union to further improve its offer on "; S5[22]=" tariff reductions and the US to upgrade its proposal on reforming agricultural domestic supports.
      The Doha Round, underway since 2001, has the "; S6[22]=" mandate of delivering 'substantial improvements in market access'.
      As such, the Australian red meat industry, which exports to over 100 countries globally, "; S7[22]=" is monitoring the negotiations closely and is supporting the Australian Government's aim of pursuing an ambitious outcome... "; R[23]="1084"; T[23]="Opportunities for Aussie food in Japan and Taiwan"; A[23]="By ... Editor"; Dn[23]="20060713"; Dt[23]="Thursday 13 July 2006"; Acats[23]="a08a10a62a63"; B1[23]="      The increasing popularity of high end supermarkets coupled with food service industry demand in Japan and Taiwan is opening up export opportunities "; B2[23]="for Australian businesses and prompting Austrade to hold Australia-wide seminars... "; B3[23]=" "; B4[23]=" "; B5[23]=" "; S1[23]="      The increasing popularity of high end supermarkets coupled with food service industry demand in Japan and Taiwan is opening up export opportunities "; S2[23]=" for Australian businesses and prompting Austrade to hold Australia-wide seminars.
      Austrade's Osaka-based Senior Trade Commissioner, Michael Clifton said as far as Japan "; S3[23]=" is concerned export opportunities are growing as mid-to-high end supermarkets fuel demand for innovative and niche products.
      'There's a fast-paced retail culture "; S4[23]=" with rapid product turnover in Japan where an economic revival is well underway,' Mr Clifton said.
      'Japan has strong GDP growth of "; S5[23]=" two-to-three per cent and rising consumer confidence, which is often described as a consumer led recovery.' Austrade's Taiwan-based Senior Trade Commissioner, Jeff Turner said "; S6[23]=" the latest figures show Taiwan's food retail market grew by 4.3 per cent to reach a value of $24.3 billion.
      'Taiwan "; S7[23]=" has one of the highest per-capita food spends in the region, fuelled by high disposable incomes, low unemployment and a strong preference for convenient, healthy "; S8[23]=" and hygienic products,' Mr Turner said.
      'Hypermarket and convenience stores continue to grow in Taiwan, as consumers have come to expect "; S9[23]=" more choice and convenience for buying food.
      In addition, the increasingly ageing population will affect the food industry sector in Taiwan.
  "; S10[23]="     There'll be more online grocery shopping with home delivery services for the elderly.
      The home meal replacement sector is booming "; S11[23]=" and there's increasing interest in functional products with effects on anti-aging and other health benefits,' he said.
      Tasmania-based Cradle Mountain Honey, exports "; S12[23]=" its Leatherwood honey to Japan.
      Proprietor and part-founder of the company, Yeonsoon Bourke said the size of Japan's population of over 120 "; S13[23]=" million makes it a good export market.
      'We're presently selling our Leatherwood honey to three different markets in Japan.
    "; S14[23]="   One is a supermarket chain, the second is a niche gourmet outlet with internet sales and the third is a souvenir business,' Ms Bourke "; S15[23]=" said.
      'Without Austrade we wonder if our efforts to export would ever have reached fruition.
      Austrade has supported us "; S16[23]=" in Tasmania and has played an important part in the communication chain by liaising with customers in Japan and helping with Customs clearances.' Queensland-based Suncoast "; S17[23]=" Gold Macadamias is currently exporting to Taiwan's bakery industry.
      Sales Manager, Jeremy Roberts said long-term relationship building and good representation on the "; S18[23]=" ground in Taiwan has helped them secure a smooth running export arm of the business.
      'If you have a large customer base "; S19[23]=" in Taiwan it's very important to have a very tight supply chain, which we've developed,' Mr Roberts said.
      Japan food opportunities include: "; S20[23]=" Mango, cheese, confectionery, macadamia nuts and related products, jams, pates, beef and lamb, honey, juices, lobster, oysters, abalone, eucalyptus oil, citrus, dried fruit, potatoes, blueberry, "; S21[23]=" asparagus, onion, broccoli and lemon myrtle products.
      Wine exports to Japan have increased by value and volume.
      Taiwan food "; S22[23]=" opportunities include: Meat, beef, beef offal, lamb, goats meat (Australia is the number one supplier), seafood, lobster, abalone, spanner crab.
      Fruit including "; S23[23]=" kiwi, citrus, persimmon, tomato, apple, stone fruits, pear and table grapes.
      Dairy products and value-added dairy ingredients, liquid milk, fresh cheese and "; S24[23]=" ice cream.
      Also opportunities for packaged food and wine, particularly red wines, beer, juice, organic produce and organic food and beverage products.
"; S25[23]="       To register for Austrade's Japan and Taiwan Food & Beverage seminars visit www.austradeevents.com.au/japantaiwan2.
      The free seminars will feature an "; S26[23]=" update on business conditions, market trends and business opportunities in Japan and Taiwan.
      Participants are encouraged to bring along their products for "; S27[23]=" assessment by Austrade specialists.
      Seminar dates: Melbourne (31 July), Bendigo (1 August), Launceston (2 August), Sydney (3 August), Parramatta (4 August), "; S28[23]=" Perth (7 August), Margaret River (8 August), Adelaide (9 August), Brisbane (10 August), Bundaberg (11 August)... "; R[24]="1077"; T[24]="Soil test - then invest"; A[24]="By ... Editor"; Dn[24]="20060712"; Dt[24]="Wednesday 12 July 2006"; Acats[24]="a02a03a07a72"; B1[24]="      Dryland grain growers and graziers need to have a better understanding of the yield potential and productivity of their land if they "; B2[24]="are to match their economic expectations with escalating land values... "; B3[24]=" "; B4[24]=" "; B5[24]=" "; S1[24]="      Dryland grain growers and graziers need to have a better understanding of the yield potential and productivity of their land if they "; S2[24]=" are to match their economic expectations with escalating land values.
      Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries soil management research scientist Stuart Buck "; S3[24]=" said extensive soil testing was the only real guide to determining the productive capability of the land.
      'For those primary producers contemplating "; S4[24]=" investing in agricultural land or embarking on a cropping venture anywhere on the Central Highlands and Dawson Callide, the well worn adage - try before "; S5[24]=" you buy - certainly applies to soil testing,' Mr Buck said.
      'The soil test advice extends beyond farmers and needs to be "; S6[24]=" understood by agribusiness consultants and bankers as insidious subsoil constraints will limit production options,' Mr Buck said.
      Mr Buck said the "; S7[24]=" term 'subsoil constraints' refers to any soil factor that limits the uptake of plant nutrients and restricts the availability of water to the plant root "; S8[24]=" system.
      'The constraint can be physical, such as subsoil basalt in open downs soil types, or chemical, such as high chloride and "; S9[24]=" exchangeable sodium in brigalow soil types.
      'Chemical constraints are difficult to diagnose without a soil test and research is indicating that chloride "; S10[24]=" is the primary problem factor,' Mr Buck said.
      'Central Queensland growers have noted that some crops can have a degree of salinity "; S11[24]=" tolerance to sodium chloride so we have embarked on a 2006 trial to investigate the tolerance levels of selected winter cereals and chickpea varieties,' Mr "; S12[24]=" Buck said.
      A Dawson Valley subsoil constraints trial involves two soil types within the same paddock comparing a heavy black cracking clay "; S13[24]=" with low level constraints to a brown highly constrained soil that tended to crust and seal.
      Mr Buck said the black soil "; S14[24]=" had a chloride reading ranging from 27mg/kg on the surface to 600mg/kg in the lower root zone whereas the chloride for the high constraint brown "; S15[24]=" soil ranged from 10mg/kg to more than 1000mg/kg.
      Following 50mm of early April rain on the zero till trial paddock, the cereals "; S16[24]=" and chickpea were deep planted to 6cm on 37.5cm rows using a moisture-seeking tine opener and Janke press wheels.
      'We chose Kennedy, "; S17[24]=" Baxter, Lang and Rees as the bread wheat varieties; Yalleroi and Wollaroi durum wheats; Grout and Mackay variety barley; and Jimbour and Moti chickpeas to "; S18[24]=" compare their performance on the constrained soils,' Mr Buck said.
      'At this stage, Baxter appears to be the most tolerant of the "; S19[24]=" wheats.
      'Both durum wheat selections are showing a higher sensitivity and the chickpea plantings are highly intolerant with little root penetration into "; S20[24]=" the subsoil.' Mr Buck said that if soil tests revealed high chloride levels, chickpeas were not an option and depending on the level of subsoil "; S21[24]=" constraints, crop choice would be restricted.
      On high subsoil constraint soils, pasture may be the best solution.
      Mr Buck "; S22[24]=" said that under good seasonal conditions with ample soil moisture or irrigation, many crops can perform on constrained soils but under dry growing conditions, subsoil "; S23[24]=" constraints were a major issue severely limiting productivity... "; R[25]="1068"; T[25]="Oil production limit reached: expert"; A[25]="By ... Editor"; Dn[25]="20060712"; Dt[25]="Wednesday 12 July 2006"; Acats[25]="a07a36a42"; B1[25]="      An international oil industry expert says the limit of global oil production has been reached.... "; B2[25]=" "; B3[25]=" "; B4[25]=" "; B5[25]=" "; S1[25]="      An international oil industry expert says the limit of global oil production has been reached.
      Academic and former National "; S2[25]=" Iranian Oil Company executive Dr Ali Samsam Bakhtiari has told the Financial Services Institute in Sydney the world's oil fields are producing as much oil "; S3[25]=" as they can.
      He says giant fields in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait are struggling to meet production targets.
      Dr "; S4[25]=" Bakhtiari says the massive output declines in the North Sea oil fields and Mexican oil fields will have a major economic impact.
      "; S5[25]=" 'Crude oil is the master domino,' he said.
      'When you tumble crude oil, all the other dominos tumble.' Dr Bakhtiari says for "; S6[25]=" the first time in 150 years, the world is entering an era in which it cannot have all the oil it wants.
      "; S7[25]=" He says there are five years left to plan priorities for the use of crude oil.
      'Some countries don't even know what "; S8[25]=" is happening,' he said.
      'Some huge companies don't even know what is happening and they are going to be ambushed and trapped "; S9[25]=" and they are going to panic.
      'The worst thing you can do is to panic when the prices are going to go "; S10[25]=" sky-high.'.. "; R[26]="1065"; T[26]="Wine exports jump"; A[26]="By ... Editor"; Dn[26]="20060710"; Dt[26]="Monday 10 July 2006"; Acats[26]="a08a13"; B1[26]="      Wine exports jumped 12 per cent during the last financial year but prices suffered, according to new figures from the Wine and "; B2[26]="Brandy Corporation... "; B3[26]=" "; B4[26]=" "; B5[26]=" "; S1[26]="      Wine exports jumped 12 per cent during the last financial year but prices suffered, according to new figures from the Wine and "; S2[26]=" Brandy Corporation.
      Seven hundred and thirty eight million litres were exported, with wineries selling a large amount of bulk wine to reduce "; S3[26]=" surplus stocks.
      The average price per litre though fell 9 per cent to $3.80... "; R[27]="1064"; T[27]="Citrus growers set to export to China"; A[27]="By ... Editor"; Dn[27]="20060710"; Dt[27]="Monday 10 July 2006"; Acats[27]="a08a18"; B1[27]="      Strict quarantine measures have finally been agreed upon to send citrus fruit into China, with the first exports due to leave later "; B2[27]="this month... "; B3[27]=" "; B4[27]=" "; B5[27]=" "; S1[27]="      Strict quarantine measures have finally been agreed upon to send citrus fruit into China, with the first exports due to leave later "; S2[27]=" this month.
      Growers had hoped China would help solve some of Australia's oversupply problems, but Judith Damiani says it is not yet "; S3[27]=" known how much fruit will be exported this year.
      Ms Damiani says prices are also uncertain.
      'The quarantine requirements "; S4[27]=" make it fairly difficult to put a lot of volume of fruit into that China market,' she said.
      'So we will have "; S5[27]=" to start very slowly, we'll have to do some trial shipments initially and after two years we will have to look at amending the protocol "; S6[27]=" and making it easier to ship there.' Richie Roberts from Renmark says his fruit company will start packing fruit for China early next week.
  "; S7[27]="     'We're very keen to get several containers to China just to test the market because there's so much work that the industry's put "; S8[27]=" in to get access,' he said.
      'It's a shame if we don't put the effort in now to get the fruit there.'.. "; R[28]="1052"; T[28]="US growers slam sham Australian wheat deal"; A[28]="By ... Editor"; Dn[28]="20060708"; Dt[28]="Saturday 8 July 2006"; Acats[28]="a04a05a08a22"; B1[28]="      US Wheat Associates has accused Australia of putting together a sham deal to sell wheat to Iraq.... "; B2[28]=" "; B3[28]=" "; B4[28]=" "; B5[28]=" "; S1[28]="      US Wheat Associates has accused Australia of putting together a sham deal to sell wheat to Iraq.
      Loading has "; S2[28]=" begun in Geelong of the first shipment of wheat to Iraq since a ban was imposed on trade with AWB earlier this year.
    "; S3[28]="   US Wheat Associates claims the Wheat Australia consortium's 350,000 tonne contract is just a way for AWB to get around the ban.
    "; S4[28]="   It accuses AWB of selling to Iraq from its wheat pool through the consortium.
      Rebecca Coleman says AWB still controls the "; S5[28]=" pricing.
      'We think that the Wheat Australia situation is pretty much a shell game, a sham and a way that allows for "; S6[28]=" AWB to continue to funnel wheat to Iraq and avoid the sanctions that are currently in place,' she said.
      Ms Coleman says "; S7[28]=" Iraq is now one of the US's top 10 wheat customers.
      She says Iraq is going to find out sooner or later "; S8[28]=" that the latest arrangement with Australia is a sham... "; R[29]="1051"; T[29]="Federal Govt backs dam if green issues addressed"; A[29]="By ... Editor"; Dn[29]="20060708"; Dt[29]="Saturday 8 July 2006"; Acats[29]="a05a40a66"; B1[29]="      The Federal Government says it will support a dam on the Mary River, as long as environmental issues are addressed.... "; B2[29]=" "; B3[29]=" "; B4[29]=" "; B5[29]=" "; S1[29]="      The Federal Government says it will support a dam on the Mary River, as long as environmental issues are addressed.
    "; S2[29]="   The Queensland Premier confirmed this week a dam would go ahead at Traveston Crossing near Gympie.
      Federal Environment Minister Ian Campbell "; S3[29]=" says there are environmental issues to address, and if they are met the Commonwealth will be in favour of the dam.
      Senator "; S4[29]=" Campbell says crucial nation-building projects like the Mary River dam can be compatible with good environmental outcomes and that is what the Federal Government will "; S5[29]=" insist on when the state government refers the project to the Commonwealth.
      Local members of Parliament Warren Truss and Alex Somlyay are "; S6[29]=" against the dam and have been lobbying Senator Campbell to reject it... "; R[30]="1042"; T[30]="Menus change as fruit, vegie prices soar"; A[30]="By ... Editor"; Dn[30]="20060708"; Dt[30]="Saturday 8 July 2006"; Acats[30]="a07a09"; B1[30]="      The high price of fruit and vegetables around South Australia has forced cafes and bars to change their menus.... "; B2[30]=" "; B3[30]=" "; B4[30]=" "; B5[30]=" "; S1[30]="      The high price of fruit and vegetables around South Australia has forced cafes and bars to change their menus.
      "; S2[30]=" Bananas and cucumbers in particular are being used less - or have disappeared off the menu altogether.
      For the first time "; S3[30]=" in more than 40 years, Gilbert Place Pancake House had to drop bananas from its menu.
      All banana meals were removed "; S4[30]=" from the menu for a month, said owner Julie Coole.
      Now they are back - but at higher price.
      "; S5[30]=" The restaurant's most popular item, the Jamaican Banana, had gone up from $10.90 to $12.50, while the banana split and milkshake had also gone "; S6[30]=" up almost $2 each.
      'People are banana starved,' Ms Coole said Ms Coole said once the restaurant decided to put bananas back "; S7[30]=" on the menu, the take-up was 'unbelievable'.
      'We used two boxes of bananas within 24 hours when we usually use four "; S8[30]=" boxes a week,' she said.
      The Pancake House was paying $180 per box for bananas compared to $10 six months ago.
"; S9[30]="       'The cost percentage on banana dishes is a lot higher than it should be but we want to keep producing them,' she "; S10[30]=" said.
      Bananas rose from about $2/kg to more than $14.99/kg after most of the expected crop was devastated by Cyclone Larry "; S11[30]=" in Queensland in March.
      Boost Juice bars have replaced fresh bananas with imported 100 per cent banana puree.
      "; S12[30]=" Chief operating officer Simon McNamara said the company didn't want to pass on the price increases for bananas to customers.
      'Many "; S13[30]=" of our smoothies contain bananas so it was never an option for us to take these items off the menu - not even for a "; S14[30]=" short time.' Bananas are not the only produce selling at high prices.
      Cucumbers, snow peas, zucchinis and green beans have "; S15[30]=" also risen significantly.
      Adelaide Produce Markets Ltd price reporter Wendy Helps said the unseasonally cold weather had contributed to the price rise.
"; S16[30]="       Produce was not growing as quickly as it usually did at this time of year.
      'The only "; S17[30]=" reason for the price rise in cucumbers is due to the very cold weather and frosts we have experienced - there is a shortage,' Ms "; S18[30]=" Helps said.
      'Extra cucumbers, green beans, snow and sugar-snap peas and zucchinis are being sourced from interstate.' Subway restaurants nationally "; S19[30]=" have been forced to reduce the number of cucumber slices on a foot-long sub from six to three because of the shortage.
      "; S20[30]=" Tracy Steinwand, regional director for Australia and New Zealand Subway, said this was the first time such action had been taken.
      "; S21[30]=" 'We wanted to adjust our formula nationally through the nasty period,' she said.
      'We still wanted to offer our customers "; S22[30]=" the full flavoured sandwich they have come to expect without taking cucumber away altogether.'.. "; R[31]="1030"; T[31]="Dam likely to get federal go-ahead"; A[31]="By ... Editor"; Dn[31]="20060708"; Dt[31]="Saturday 8 July 2006"; Acats[31]="a05a40a66"; B1[31]="      Federal Environment Minister Ian Campbell wants to give the green light to the controversial Traveston Dam north of Brisbane.... "; B2[31]=" "; B3[31]=" "; B4[31]=" "; B5[31]=" "; S1[31]="      Federal Environment Minister Ian Campbell wants to give the green light to the controversial Traveston Dam north of Brisbane.
      "; S2[31]=" In comments set to devastate those still fighting the project, Senator Campbell yesterday told The Australian he would use his powers to enhance, not block, "; S3[31]=" the dam on the Mary River.
      'Crucial nation-building projects like the Mary Dam can be compatible with good environmental outcomes and this "; S4[31]=" is the balance we will be seeking,' he said.
      Local Labor members, the Greens, the Democrats, the Queensland Coalition and federal Transport "; S5[31]=" Minister Warren Truss oppose the dam, with Mr Truss last week predicting it would be difficult for the project to meet commonwealth environmental conditions.
  "; S6[31]="     Mr Truss said the dam, which would flood part of his electorate of Wide Bay, threatened three endangered species.
      He "; S7[31]=" claimed that reduced flows from the Mary River into Hervey Bay would damage the Great Sandy World Heritage Area and internationally protected wetlands.
    "; S8[31]="   Senator Campbell said the Government would ensure the requirements of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act were met.
      'It's a "; S9[31]=" basic tenet of the Howard Government that we take a constructive approach to economic growth and building major infrastructure,' he said.
      'We "; S10[31]=" always seek to do that in a way that balances important environmental consequences.
      That's what I will seek to achieve when the "; S11[31]=" Queensland Government refers the project to us.
      'There are environmental issues that we'll need to address with them, but the commonwealth is "; S12[31]=" in favour of development, notwithstanding environmental issues at the Traveston site.' University of NSW professor of biology Jean Joss said she had asked academic colleagues "; S13[31]=" around the world to write to Senator Campbell in a last-ditch attempt to block the dam.
      Professor Joss said it would lead "; S14[31]=" to the extinction of the Queensland lungfish, one of the world's oldest animals.
      The state Opposition has demanded the state Government release "; S15[31]=" all reports on dams and water issues to prove Mr Beattie's claim that the Traveston Dam is the best way to solve the region's water "; S16[31]=" crisis... "; R[32]="1026"; T[32]="Federalism isn't working: NSW farmers"; A[32]="By ... Editor"; Dn[32]="20060707"; Dt[32]="Friday 7 July 2006"; Acats[32]="a05a48"; B1[32]="      Australia's federal system is broken and needs urgent attention, a NSW Farmers' Association spokesman says.... "; B2[32]=" "; B3[32]=" "; B4[32]=" "; B5[32]=" "; S1[32]="      Australia's federal system is broken and needs urgent attention, a NSW Farmers' Association spokesman says.
      Association spokesman Mal Peters "; S2[32]=" said Australians were disenchanted with the existing three-tiered government structure and were paying the price for resisting reform.
      He backed a call "; S3[32]=" from Federal Treasurer Peter Costello to 'completely recast' federalism and seize full control of the economy from the states.
      'Australia is the "; S4[32]=" only economic power in the world that has not undertaken a reform of its government system and we are now starting to pay the price "; S5[32]=" of not doing so,' Mr Peters said in a statement... "; R[33]="1018"; T[33]="Beattie to face protests at dam site launches"; A[33]="By ... Editor"; Dn[33]="20060707"; Dt[33]="Friday 7 July 2006"; Acats[33]="a05a40a66"; B1[33]="      Hundreds of protesters will confront Premier Peter Beattie when he visits communities on Brisbane's rural fringe today and tomorrow to announce two "; B2[33]="controversial dam sites - but it appears only federal intervention can stop the projects... "; B3[33]=" "; B4[33]=" "; B5[33]=" "; S1[33]="      Hundreds of protesters will confront Premier Peter Beattie when he visits communities on Brisbane's rural fringe today and tomorrow to announce two "; S2[33]=" controversial dam sites - but it appears only federal intervention can stop the projects.
      After months of debate and community outcry, Mr "; S3[33]=" Beattie is expected this morning to announce at Beaudesert, south of Brisbane, that a dam will be built on the Logan River at Tilleys Bridge "; S4[33]=" near Rathdowney, 25km southwest of the town.
      And tomorrow he will tell residents of Gympie, north of Brisbane, that a much larger "; S5[33]=" dam, elevated on the Government's list of infrastructure priorities, will be built at Traveston Crossing on the Mary River.
      The proposed Traveston "; S6[33]=" dam has already triggered a mutiny from the MP for the neighbouring seat of Noosa, Cate Molloy, who was disendorsed after storming out of the "; S7[33]=" state ALP conference last month.
      While hundreds of millions of dollars will need to be spent resuming properties and compensating affected residents, "; S8[33]=" the Government is determined to push ahead with the dams.
      It appears the protesters' only hope is with continuing environmental studies and "; S9[33]=" possible intervention by federal Environment Minister Ian Campbell.
      Mr Beattie has repeatedly emphasised that the dams are needed to provide water for "; S10[33]=" the rapidly expanding southeast corner of Queensland.
      More than 1000 people are moving into the region every week, a trend that has "; S11[33]=" been consistent for several years and is putting an enormous strain on infrastructure, including roads and water.
      'The longer we go without "; S12[33]=" rain, the worse the situation gets,' Mr Beattie said yesterday, after a longer than usual cabinet meeting in Brisbane.
      'We need to "; S13[33]=" focus on the water needs of the entire southeast region, not just one town or shire.' Cabinet also approved legislation that will force all new "; S14[33]=" homes built in the state's southeast to include water-saving measures such as rainwater tanks.
      Mr Beattie said he was getting tanks installed "; S15[33]=" in his own home, a Queenslander in Brisbane's inner north.
      'And yes, I expect all Labor members of parliament who live in "; S16[33]=" this region to also take similar measures to preserve water,' he said.
      Southeast Queenslanders have been asked to reduce by 10 per "; S17[33]=" cent the amount of water they use daily - down from an average 300 litres per person per day to 270 litres.
      "; S18[33]=" 'Everybody has to make a sacrifice to reduce the amount of water we use, or else this strategy has no chance of succeeding,' the Premier "; S19[33]=" said.
      'We must do everything we can to save every drop of this precious resource and ensure we have adequate supplies to "; S20[33]=" meet the needs of our growing state.' Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg pledged to abandon the two dams if the Coalition won the next state election, "; S21[33]=" due by next May.
      'We will throw out these two dam proposals, and instead build a series of four smaller dams in "; S22[33]=" a range of catchments where we can maximise rainfall inflow, and there will be a fresh water grid,' he said.
      'We will "; S23[33]=" build the dams for the right reasons, not wrong reasons.' The Coalition has nominated alternative sites for dams on tributaries of the Mary River at "; S24[33]=" Amamoor Creek, and the raising of the existing Borumba Dam... "; R[34]="1017"; T[34]="Canberra threat to rewrite GST deal"; A[34]="By ... Editor"; Dn[34]="20060707"; Dt[34]="Friday 7 July 2006"; Acats[34]="a05a07"; B1[34]="      THE Howard Government may change the landmark GST agreement with the states and territories to place conditions on how they spend $39 "; B2[34]="billion in annual revenues... "; B3[34]=" "; B4[34]=" "; B5[34]=" "; S1[34]="      THE Howard Government may change the landmark GST agreement with the states and territories to place conditions on how they spend $39 "; S2[34]=" billion in annual revenues.
      In a move that will trigger another brawl with the Labor premiers, senior Government advisers have been discussing "; S3[34]=" tightening controls.
      The issue could be talked about as early as next Tuesday when cabinet meets to discuss another wave of national "; S4[34]=" reforms, including measures to tackle diabetes.
      The push for a new form of federalism gathered pace yesterday, with Health Minister Tony Abbott "; S5[34]=" predicting a 'withering away' of state powers to become glorified branch offices of Canberra.
      As John Howard yesterday backed Peter Costello's quest "; S6[34]=" to take over regulation of the ports, senior sources said the broader issue of federal-state relations was also likely to be discussed.
      "; S7[34]=" The Prime Minister will meet the premiers three days after the cabinet meeting, on July 14, at the Council of Australian Governments summit, where the "; S8[34]=" GST deal could be on the table.
      'This would be very much a last resort,' one well-placed source said, of whether the "; S9[34]=" GST deal could be changed.
      It reflects the seriousness of the debate over how the states spend billions of dollars in GST "; S10[34]=" revenue.
      Under the current inter-governmental agreement, the states have control over how they spend the revenue supplied by Canberra.
      "; S11[34]=" The GST payments are forecast to reach $39 billion in 2006-07, and Canberra is pushing for a greater say in how the money is spent.
"; S12[34]="       The Treasurer sparked a brawl with the Labor states over the weekend by calling for a new form of federalism.
    "; S13[34]="   He wants Canberra to take responsibility for key economic and regulatory functions, broadening this list yesterday to include roads and other land transport functions.
"; S14[34]="       Mr Abbott, who has previously backed a commonwealth takeover of hospitals, endorsed the Treasurer's scathing appraisal of the states.
      "; S15[34]=" 'What we have been witnessing and will continue to witness is the withering away of the states,' Mr Abbott told The Australian yesterday.
    "; S16[34]="   'I think it's inexorable, I think it's inevitable, and while I don't foresee in my political life any formal move towards abolishing them, I "; S17[34]=" think as time goes by they will become less like sovereign governments and more like branch offices of Canberra.' Foreign Minister Alexander Downer backed Mr "; S18[34]=" Costello's call for the states to give up some regulatory functions.
      'The fact is that state governments are doing an inadequate job "; S19[34]=" and the public want a proper job done,' he said in Melbourne.
      On Sunday, Mr Costello said the Government should take over "; S20[34]=" ports and key markets, including gas, water and electricity.
      As he arrived in Solomon Islands yesterday for a meeting of Pacific finance "; S21[34]=" ministers, he signalled the proposal could be extended to roads and rail.
      'We now have a national economy.
      If "; S22[34]=" (the Government) is going to be responsible for the national economy, it would help if it were able to influence key export infrastructure and other "; S23[34]=" areas which are critical to the national economy,' he said.
      'The commonwealth is increasingly engaging in interstate rail and interstate road.
  "; S24[34]="     It also means other areas of policy, I think, should have a national focus.' The Treasurer warned that the Government could still consider "; S25[34]=" legislative powers to force the outcome but would prefer to work co-operatively with the states.
      The Labor premiers have condemned Mr Costello's "; S26[34]=" agenda as a naked power grab.
      Mr Howard used more cautious language, saying the public was more interested in quality service delivery.
"; S27[34]="       But he backed Mr Costello's push to streamline regulation of export infrastructure... "; R[35]="1005"; T[35]="Truss threat to block Premier's dam site"; A[35]="By ... Editor"; Dn[35]="20060630"; Dt[35]="Friday 30 June 2006"; Acats[35]="a05a40a66"; B1[35]="      The federal Government could intervene to block Queensland Premier Peter Beattie's plans for a massive dam in southeast Queensland.... "; B2[35]=" "; B3[35]=" "; B4[35]=" "; B5[35]=" "; S1[35]="      The federal Government could intervene to block Queensland Premier Peter Beattie's plans for a massive dam in southeast Queensland.
      "; S2[35]=" Having previously raised concerns about the project cutting the Bruce Highway, federal Transport Minister Warren Truss said yesterday the Howard Government would not allow the "; S3[35]=" Traveston dam to be built on the Mary River, north of Brisbane, unless it complied with environmental standards.
      'I think it is "; S4[35]=" going to prove difficult for them to do that,' Mr Truss said.
      Mr Beattie is expected to announce next week state cabinet's "; S5[35]=" final decision on whether to proceed with the huge project, which would inundate 1000 properties in 76sqkm of the scenic Mary Valley to provide water "; S6[35]=" for the booming Brisbane region.
      Queensland Water Minister Henry Palaszczuk recently admitted Traveston was fourth on a consultants' list of recommended dam "; S7[35]=" sites.
      Following revelations in The Australian, Mr Palaszczuk was also forced to admit that 35m of soil was drilled through before rock "; S8[35]=" was reached, indicating potential difficulties building a dam wall and with water seepage.
      Mr Truss said the dam, which would flood part "; S9[35]=" of his electorate of Wide Bay, would need Canberra's approval because it had potential impacts on three areas covered by federal environmental legislation.
    "; S10[35]="   The dam could affect the survival of three species of federally listed endangered wildlife, including the Queensland lungfish.
      Because of reduced "; S11[35]=" flows from the Mary River into Hervey Bay, the dam could affect the Great Sandy World Heritage Area and protected wetlands listed under the Ramsar "; S12[35]=" convention.
      Mr Truss said Canberra had given approval for the construction of the Paradise dam on the Burnett River, north of Traveston, "; S13[35]=" which also had potential environmental impacts.
      'This proposal is different because the range of problems with the Mary River is much greater,' "; S14[35]=" he said... "; R[36]="998"; T[36]="Apply now for Science and Innovation Awards"; A[36]="By ... Editor"; Dn[36]="20060628"; Dt[36]="Wednesday 28 June 2006"; Acats[36]="a04a53a54a55a93"; B1[36]="      The Australian Government's Science and Innovation Awards for Young People in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry aims to encourage people between the ages "; B2[36]="of 18 and 35 years to use science, technology and innovation to advance the future of agriculture, fisheries, forestry, food and natural resource management industries... "; B3[36]=" "; B4[36]=" "; B5[36]=" "; S1[36]="      The Australian Government's Science and Innovation Awards for Young People in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry aims to encourage people between the ages "; S2[36]=" of 18 and 35 years to use science, technology and innovation to advance the future of agriculture, fisheries, forestry, food and natural resource management industries.
"; S3[36]="       Applications for the 2006 Science and Innovation Awards have now opened.
      If you would like more information on "; S4[36]=" the 2006 Science and Innovation Awards, please e-mail ScienceAwards@brs.gov.au ... "; R[37]="987"; T[37]="Confront water issue: Costello"; A[37]="By ... Editor"; Dn[37]="20060628"; Dt[37]="Wednesday 28 June 2006"; Acats[37]="a05a40"; B1[37]="      Australia would not be able to support future generations if it failed to confront the issue of water head on, Treasurer Peter "; B2[37]="Costello said today... "; B3[37]=" "; B4[37]=" "; B5[37]=" "; S1[37]="      Australia would not be able to support future generations if it failed to confront the issue of water head on, Treasurer Peter "; S2[37]=" Costello said today.
      'We would like a growing population and increasing water resources is a big part of that,' Mr Costello told "; S3[37]=" Southern Cross radio today.
      'On the driest continent on earth if we want to maintain our agriculture, and our standards of living "; S4[37]=" we will have to solve the water problem.' Mr Costello said science might one day solve the water problem, but in the meantime it was "; S5[37]=" necessary to 'build proper storage, conserve it, price it and ultimately produce more of it'.
      It was also important for Australia to "; S6[37]=" tackle its waning birth rate, he said.
      'If we want to be a strong country, with a strong defence force in a "; S7[37]=" difficult region, which plays a significant role in world affairs, we will have to deal with population,' Mr Costello said.
      'If we "; S8[37]=" don't lift our fertility rates we will have a preponderance of old people being supported (by a base) of working people, and that will be "; S9[37]=" a big problem for us in 30 years.'.. "; R[38]="983"; T[38]="Inquiry into price of petrol"; A[38]="By ... Editor"; Dn[38]="20060628"; Dt[38]="Wednesday 28 June 2006"; Acats[38]="a05a07a36a56"; B1[38]="      Oil company executives will be forced to explain high and volatile petrol prices to a new parliamentary inquiry.... "; B2[38]=" "; B3[38]=" "; B4[38]=" "; B5[38]=" "; S1[38]="      Oil company executives will be forced to explain high and volatile petrol prices to a new parliamentary inquiry.
      Yesterday, "; S2[38]=" the Federal Government agreed to a Labor proposal to examine crude oil prices, refining costs, wholesale prices and retail petrol prices.
      It "; S3[38]=" will explore price fluctuations between regions and over time, as well as any impediments to competition.
      The Opposition Leader, Kim Beazley, said "; S4[38]=" 'ridiculous' petrol pricing practices would be exposed.
      'One set of fuel prices at the weekend, another set of fuel prices in the "; S5[38]=" middle of the week … quite clearly something is going on here that requires an explanation.' Labor claimed it had forced an 'arrogant' government to "; S6[38]=" open the petrol price probe, which is expected to start in mid-August and report on October 9.
      But the Government is sceptical.
"; S7[38]="       Numerous inquiries and investigations in the past have failed to uncover evidence that petrol prices are rigged.
      A spokesman "; S8[38]=" said the Finance Minister, Nick Minchin, was 'very happy' to work with Labor to facilitate the inquiry.
      'Although we note there has "; S9[38]=" been 44 inquiries into petrol prices since 1983,' he said.
      Kerry O'Brien, Labor's transport spokesman, said the Government had finally 'sniffed the "; S10[38]=" wind of public opinion'.
      George Brandis, the Liberal chairman of the Senate economics committee, which will host the inquiry, said the Government "; S11[38]=" was responding to motorists' concerns.
      'It's just emerged [yesterday] that the Government has agreed to the inquiry, which rather suggests we're not "; S12[38]=" being as arrogant and high-handed as some would say,' he said.
      The committee will have the power to compel witnesses, including oil "; S13[38]=" executives, to attend.
      Disputes within the committee will be resolved by the chairman or, failing that, by a vote of committee members... "; R[39]="981"; T[39]="Fuel tax breaks passed"; A[39]="By ... Editor"; Dn[39]="20060628"; Dt[39]="Wednesday 28 June 2006"; Acats[39]="a06a07a36a56"; B1[39]="      Controversial new laws simplifying fuel tax breaks passed Parliament late last night, amid claims they will cripple Australia's emerging biofuels industry.... "; B2[39]=" "; B3[39]=" "; B4[39]=" "; B5[39]=" "; S1[39]="      Controversial new laws simplifying fuel tax breaks passed Parliament late last night, amid claims they will cripple Australia's emerging biofuels industry.
  "; S2[39]="     Renegade Nationals senator Barnaby Joyce broke ranks with his coalition colleagues and voted in favour of Australian Democrats' amendments to the bill which "; S3[39]=" would have maintained the biofuels industry's slight advantage over the next nine years while it established itself.
      He had threatened to cross "; S4[39]=" the floor over the laws, but after Labor supported their passage through the Senate, Senator Joyce registered his opposition by siding with the Democrats instead.
"; S5[39]="       The Government said the new system, to be introduced next month, would lower compliance costs, reduce tax on business and remove the "; S6[39]=" fuel tax burden from thousands of businesses and households.
      But the minor parties argued the move would hurt the biofuels industry, as "; S7[39]=" grants it already attracts would be on par with the revised cost of fuel.
      Under the new system, businesses would be entitled "; S8[39]=" to a tax credit on fuel used for their enterprise.
      Businesses would get credits on kerosene and for fuel used in electricity "; S9[39]=" generation for domestic use.
      The move would bring ordinary fuel concessions into line with current concessions given to biodiesel fuel, effectively removing "; S10[39]=" its competitive advantage.
      Senator Joyce argued the push would cripple the biofuels industry, which currently receives tax concessions of its own.
  "; S11[39]="     Biodiesel is a more environmentally-friendly, alternative fuel, produced from domestic, renewable resources such as canola oils, animal fats, and waste vegetable oils.
  "; S12[39]="     Senator Joyce said the move could be devastating for regional Australia, where a host of smaller biodiesel and ethanol producers have emerged in "; S13[39]=" the last few years.
      '(The legislation) is not a stimulus package for a bio-renewable fuel industry,' he told parliament.
      "; S14[39]=" '(This) is basically saying that, with your payment of capital, you have to compete with an established market that is immensely bigger than yours.' Australian "; S15[39]=" Democrats leader Lyn Allison said the legislation had the potential to cause serious damage to Australia's biofuels industry.
      'As a result of "; S16[39]=" this legislation, depending on a whole range of factors, biodiesel would be severely disadvantaged,' she said.
      'At the present time the biodiesel "; S17[39]=" blend has an advantage on the market - at 2007 that changes.' But Liberal frontbencher Richard Colbeck said the move will continue the government's policy "; S18[39]=" of providing fuel tax relief.
      'Under the fuel tax credit system all fuel, including petrol consumed off-road for business purposes, will become "; S19[39]=" effectively tax free over time,' he said.
      'This will provide fuel tax relief to a number of business for the first time "; S20[39]=" and benefit business involved in manufacturing, quarrying, construction, primary production, mining or commercial power generation.'.. "; R[40]="971"; T[40]="US beef production forecast to rise"; A[40]="By ... Editor"; Dn[40]="20060621"; Dt[40]="Wednesday 21 June 2006"; Acats[40]="a07a08a27a60"; B1[40]="      According to the June 2006 USDA Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Outlook, second quarter beef production in the US is anticipated to have "; B2[40]="been 6.65 billion pounds (3.016 million tonnes cwt), a 7% increase on the same period last year... "; B3[40]=" "; B4[40]=" "; B5[40]=" "; S1[40]="      According to the June 2006 USDA Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Outlook, second quarter beef production in the US is anticipated to have "; S2[40]=" been 6.65 billion pounds (3.016 million tonnes cwt), a 7% increase on the same period last year.
      Similarly, production for 2006 is "; S3[40]=" anticipated to reach 26.1 billion pounds (11.839 million tonnes cwt), 6% above the 2005 total.
      According to the report, US beef production "; S4[40]=" during April was 5% greater than April 2005 production.
      Cattle on feed inventories on 1 May 2006 were the largest on record "; S5[40]=" since the series began in 1996.
      Feedlot placements were down 2% on April 2005, but were 2% above April 2004.
    "; S6[40]="   Deteriorating pasture conditions due to the drought in the US are of increasing concern to cattle producers.
      There was some good "; S7[40]=" rain recently in the Eastern Plains and Corn Belt; however, most of the country - especially the south-west - remains very dry.
      "; S8[40]=" Despite this, 95% of the corn crop is in fair to excellent condition for the time of year, although 1 May hay stocks are at "; S9[40]=" their lowest point in three years... "; R[41]="968"; T[41]="Paper maker adds new zoo poo to roo poo"; A[41]="By ... Editor"; Dn[41]="20060621"; Dt[41]="Wednesday 21 June 2006"; Acats[41]="a07a39a55a93"; B1[41]="      After having worldwide success with a paper made from kangaroo poo, a company in north-western Tasmania has signed up with Sydney's Taronga "; B2[41]="Zoo to make use of its elephant waste... "; B3[41]=" "; B4[41]=" "; B5[41]=" "; S1[41]="      After having worldwide success with a paper made from kangaroo poo, a company in north-western Tasmania has signed up with Sydney's Taronga "; S2[41]=" Zoo to make use of its elephant waste.
      Creative Paper will make a range of stationary, for sale in the zoo's gift "; S3[41]=" shop.
      The company's Joanna Gair says the first elephant dung delivery was in a fine paper-making state by the time it arrived "; S4[41]=" in the post.
      'It had been in transit for just over a week so it was fairly ripe by the time that "; S5[41]=" we'd received it,' she said.
      'But oddly enough the more decomposed the dung is it's actually a little bit easier for paper "; S6[41]=" making, so there's no problem as far as that's concerned and it goes through a very extensive and hygienic process where all the bacteria is "; S7[41]=" boiled away, so what you're left with is a remarkably strong, good quality fibre that's really great to work with.'.. "; R[42]="966"; T[42]="More wool processing goes offshore"; A[42]="By ... Editor"; Dn[42]="20060621"; Dt[42]="Wednesday 21 June 2006"; Acats[42]="a07a08a25"; B1[42]="      The shipment of the Australian wool processing industry to Asia continues to gather pace.... "; B2[42]=" "; B3[42]=" "; B4[42]=" "; B5[42]=" "; S1[42]="      The shipment of the Australian wool processing industry to Asia continues to gather pace.
      Elders has announced it will "; S2[42]=" start fitting out its new Chinese factory with equipment from its former Geelong plant in the next few weeks.
      However, the company "; S3[42]=" still has not made a decision on what it will do with equipment from its Parkes plant, in New South Wales.
      Will "; S4[42]=" McEwin, the general manager for Elders in China, says the former Geelong plant should be in full operation by early next year.
      "; S5[42]=" 'It will be effectively what Geelong was, which was scouring as well as combing, right the way through to top and then we also have "; S6[42]=" a link into the larger Nanchang group which is our partner in China and they go right the way through to suit making,' he said.
"; S7[42]="       'In terms of costs it will certainly be significantly reduced - around about half what the cost was in Geelong.
    "; S8[42]="   That doesn't necessarily mean the new China plant is more efficient, it's just on a cost front it is hard to beat the local "; S9[42]=" labour rates.'.. "; R[43]="964"; T[43]="Demand keeps beef prices up"; A[43]="By ... Editor"; Dn[43]="20060621"; Dt[43]="Wednesday 21 June 2006"; Acats[43]="a07a08a27"; B1[43]="      Global beef prices are tipped to remain solid, with strong demand for Australian beef and live cattle exports.... "; B2[43]=" "; B3[43]=" "; B4[43]=" "; B5[43]=" "; S1[43]="      Global beef prices are tipped to remain solid, with strong demand for Australian beef and live cattle exports.
      The "; S2[43]=" US drought, and lacklustre US exports because of mad cow disease, should underpin this bouyant demand for several months, at least.
      Steve "; S3[43]=" Kay, the editor of US Cattle Buyers Weekly, says the American drought is slowing production, but the biggest single influence is still the inability of "; S4[43]=" the US to export to Japan and Korea.
      'When the United States gets back into those two key Asian markets, and also "; S5[43]=" is able to start sending more beef to those other markets, then that additional amount of beef that's to be produced in the United States "; S6[43]=" will act to bring down prices in those key Asian markets,' he said... "; R[44]="958"; T[44]="Farmers accused of tree attacks, water grab"; A[44]="By ... Editor"; Dn[44]="20060621"; Dt[44]="Wednesday 21 June 2006"; Acats[44]="a04a05a40a51"; B1[44]="      Allegations that NSW cotton farmers in the state's north-west have illegally cleared hundreds of hectares of land, including stands of river red "; B2[44]="gums, and diverted flood-plain water to their properties, are being investigated by the NSW Government... "; B3[44]=" "; B4[44]=" "; B5[44]=" "; S1[44]="      Allegations that NSW cotton farmers in the state's north-west have illegally cleared hundreds of hectares of land, including stands of river red "; S2[44]=" gums, and diverted flood-plain water to their properties, are being investigated by the NSW Government.
      The investigation follows raids carried out in "; S3[44]=" April by government officers and police on other properties in the Warren, Marthaguy and Coonamble districts, where illegal clearing was allegedly carried out by landowners.
"; S4[44]="       The Department of Environment and Conservation discovered the clearing and flood-plain harvesting on four properties between the towns of Warren and Carinda "; S5[44]=" between November last year and February when its officers flew over the area to monitor river flows in the threatened Macquarie Marshes.
      "; S6[44]=" On one property, officers saw about 73 hectares of cleared land, with at least 60 large piles of vegetation, including river red gums, some of "; S7[44]=" which were alight.
      They passed the information on to the Department of Natural Resources in April, saying that because the areas were "; S8[44]=" large and the impact on the marshes significant, the clearing should be investigated.
      A spokeswoman for the latter department, Lisa Miller, said "; S9[44]=" it had begun to investigate the alleged breaches of the Native Vegetation Act.
      'All allegations of illegal clearing are taken extremely seriously "; S10[44]=" by DNR,' said Ms Miller.
      'For example, compliance action recently undertaken in the Warren area was the specific result of allegations of "; S11[44]=" land-clearing near the Macquarie Marshes.
      The results of those investigations are currently being finalised.' The Macquarie Marshes are one of the largest "; S12[44]=" semi-permanent wetlands in south-eastern Australia, and internationally recognised because of their importance for bird breeding.
      In recent decades, cattle grazing and irrigation "; S13[44]=" for cotton and wheat have severely depleted natural water flows, damaging wildlife and native vegetation.
      Last year, the State Government announced a "; S14[44]=" plan to restore the marshes by buying back water for the environment.
      However, the Government needed to do more than just buy "; S15[44]=" back water for the marshes, according to a waterbird and river ecology scientist at the University of NSW, Richard Kingsford.
      It must "; S16[44]=" protect the flood plains, wildlife habitats and river red gum communities.
      'The red gums are part of the river system,' he said.
"; S17[44]="       'You might be looking after the water but you have to look after other parts of the system, too.' It was common, "; S18[44]=" particularly in catchments such as the Gwydir and the Border rivers, for landowners to harvest floodwater, he said.
      'There is potential for "; S19[44]=" people to take water that has not been allocated to them.
      You don't want to lose that environmental flow to irrigators.' Reece "; S20[44]=" Turner,of the Wilderness Society, said alleged large-scale illegal clearing near the Macquarie Marshes 'put the Iemma Government to shame'.
      'Iemma has announced "; S21[44]=" $118 million for environmental flows for NSW's stressed wetlands with a particular focus on the Macquarie Marshes,' Mr Turner said.
      'But his "; S22[44]=" Government has failed to stop illegal land-clearing occurring right on the back door of these internationally recognised marshes.
      'The NSW Government has "; S23[44]=" hundreds of cases of alleged illegal land-clearing sitting on its desk and has failed to bring one successful prosecution in the last two years … "; S24[44]=" What is needed is political will from the Premier to follow through with the three-year-old promise to end land-clearing.'.. "; R[45]="955"; T[45]="Cockatoo may pulp proposal for mill"; A[45]="By ... Editor"; Dn[45]="20060621"; Dt[45]="Wednesday 21 June 2006"; Acats[45]="a04a05a07a39"; B1[45]="      A $650 Million pulp mill in South Australia is under threat from the red-tail black cockatoo, despite the bird never being seen "; B2[45]="on the planned site... "; B3[45]=" "; B4[45]=" "; B5[45]=" "; S1[45]="      A $650 Million pulp mill in South Australia is under threat from the red-tail black cockatoo, despite the bird never being seen "; S2[45]=" on the planned site.
      The Environment Department in Canberra insists the project needs federal approval because of the potential dangers it poses "; S3[45]=" to the rare cockatoo, for which the closest feeding spot is 4km away.
      The developer of the Penola Pulp Mill, due "; S4[45]=" to begin production by 2009, warned yesterday that the intervention could threaten the project, which is expected to generate more than 600 jobs during construction "; S5[45]=" and permanently employ 120 people.
      It would produce 350,000 tonnes of pulp a year.
      The mill's project manager, "; S6[45]=" John Roche, told The Australian he was alarmed by the Environment Department's move, given that federal Environment Minister Ian Campbell had blocked a Victorian wind "; S7[45]=" farm because of a perceived threat to the orange-bellied parrot.
      Senator Campbell's decision to bar the Bald Hill wind farm sparked "; S8[45]=" a state rights brawl between Canberra and Victoria, with the Bracks Government launching a Federal Court challenge in an attempt to overturn the decision.
  "; S9[45]="     The wind farm battle also exposed a number of other projects around the country that were investigated after being identified by Senator "; S10[45]=" Campbell's department as potential threats to native wildlife.
      Under the pulp mill plan, Penola intended to remove seven 200-year-old river red "; S11[45]=" gums that contained hollows potentially suitable for nesting by the cockatoos, which number about 1000 and are listed as nationally threatened species.
      "; S12[45]=" Mr Roche said he was concerned by the decision, given the Bald Hills wind farm block.
      'It plays on our "; S13[45]=" mind because that was a project that was fully approved and then turned over,' he said.
      A spokesman for Senator Campbell "; S14[45]=" said last night the minister could not comment while the department was conducting the approval process.
      The department will investigate whether "; S15[45]=" removing the trees would harm the cockatoo.
      If the tree removal were found to threaten the future of the cockatoo, Senator "; S16[45]=" Campbell could veto the project.
      In a submission to the department, Penola acknowledged the seven river red gums contained large hollows "; S17[45]=" suitable for nesting by the cockatoo.
      It said that while 95 per cent of cockatoo nesting activities were within 2km of "; S18[45]=" known foraging sites, the planned pulp mill was 4km to 5km from the nearest foraging site.
      Anecdotal evidence from landowners indicated no "; S19[45]=" cockatoos had been seen nesting in the trees.
      As a compromise, Penola plans to set aside a 200ha conservation area with "; S20[45]=" hundreds of mature trees, including river red gums.
      Birds South-East president Bryan Haywood welcomed the compromise last night and said birdwatchers did "; S21[45]=" not want the project stopped.
      However, he said they were opposed to unnecessary clearing of potential nesting habitat as it took more "; S22[45]=" than 100 years for a hollow to develop in a tree.
      Mr Roche said the mill was now subject to environmental "; S23[45]=" and planning assessments at a local, state and federal level.
      The project would be considered for approval by the local council over "; S24[45]=" the next three months.
      'There has probably been tens of thousands of these trees cut down in the past 10 years for "; S25[45]=" plantations,' he said.
      The project could be at risk if the approval process was not completed quickly, he said.
    "; S26[45]="   'The cockatoos are the most significant environmental hurdle we face.
      All of the other work is done.
      Air, "; S27[45]=" noise, water.
      There is no impact.'.. "; R[46]="953"; T[46]="Aussie wine exports rocket"; A[46]="By ... Editor"; Dn[46]="20060621"; Dt[46]="Wednesday 21 June 2006"; Acats[46]="a08a13"; B1[46]="      Winemakers in southern countries such as Australia and Chile have seen exports rocket over recent years as northern Europe and the United "; B2[46]="States lap up wine from the so-called New World, according to research published today... "; B3[46]=" "; B4[46]=" "; B5[46]=" "; S1[46]="      Winemakers in southern countries such as Australia and Chile have seen exports rocket over recent years as northern Europe and the United "; S2[46]=" States lap up wine from the so-called New World, according to research published today.
      Wine from the southern hemisphere surged to account "; S3[46]=" for more than 20 per cent of current world exports, from less than two per cent in the early 1980s, said a study by the "; S4[46]=" Paris-based International Organisation of Vine And Wine (OIV).
      Australia saw the most dramatic figures, with exports more than doubling to 7000 hectolitres "; S5[46]=" in 2005 from 3100 in 2000.
      Chile's wine exports surged to 4200 hectolitres from 2600 in the same period, while South Africa, "; S6[46]=" Argentina and New Zealand also saw at least a doubling of the amount of wine they dispatched to foreign dining tables.
      Britain "; S7[46]=" was the biggest consumer of these southern wines, putting away more than 4.5 million litres in 2005, ahead of key consumers the United States (three "; S8[46]=" million), Canada, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Japan and France.
      The blossoming of the New World's wine industries made southern hemisphere countries' share "; S9[46]=" of world production leap to 18 per cent in 2005 from 14 per cent in 1996, the OIV said, while overall harvests for 2006 were "; S10[46]=" up in almost all the southern countries surveyed.
      The notable exception to the trend of increased harvests was Australia, where the harvest "; S11[46]=" dipped slightly from 14 million litres in 2005 to 13.3 million this year.
      Meanwhile some countries - Brazil, Peru and Uruguay - "; S12[46]=" have seen a fall in exports since 2000... "; R[47]="947"; T[47]="Beattie favours Mary River dam"; A[47]="By ... Editor"; Dn[47]="20060619"; Dt[47]="Monday 19 June 2006"; Acats[47]="a05a40a66"; B1[47]="      A massive dam on the Mary River is still the Beattie Government's favoured solution to the water crisis in southeast Queensland, even "; B2[47]="though alternative projects are more advanced and less contentious... "; B3[47]=" "; B4[47]=" "; B5[47]=" "; S1[47]="      A massive dam on the Mary River is still the Beattie Government's favoured solution to the water crisis in southeast Queensland, even "; S2[47]=" though alternative projects are more advanced and less contentious.
      With cabinet due to choose the location of two new dams from three "; S3[47]=" sites by the end of the month, Premier Peter Beattie said yesterday the Traveston dam proposal provided the best long-term solution, even though it has "; S4[47]=" raised significant environmental concerns and widespread protests.
      The largest of the proposed dams, on the Mary River north of Brisbane, is opposed "; S5[47]=" by the state Coalition, the Greens, local community and Aboriginal groups, a Uniting Church minister and sidelined Labor MP Cate Molloy.
      Concerns "; S6[47]=" have been raised about poor geology, arsenic contamination and the potential impact on lungfish and Mary River cod.
      Long-term rainfall trends have "; S7[47]=" been used to cast doubts over the Traveston option, along with the smaller alternatives being considered on the Logan River, south of Brisbane.
    "; S8[47]="   But Mr Beattie said his Government was forced to take action because councils had failed to secure a long-term water supply for booming greater "; S9[47]=" Brisbane.
      Mr Beattie said councils wrongly expected rain to come, but the worst drought in 100 years had forced the Government to "; S10[47]=" accelerate infrastructure programs, introduce demand minimisation policies and take greater control of water policies.
      'I think we've had enough indecision and two "; S11[47]=" dams will be built, one of them at Traveston,' Mr Beattie said from Beijing, where he is leading a trade mission.
      While "; S12[47]=" engineering and environmental reports still have to be completed on the Traveston option, Mr Beattie said its larger capacity was the obvious drawcard, and two "; S13[47]=" other sites on the Mary River had already been rejected.
      'We can actually build a dam that will deliver what people need,' "; S14[47]=" the Premier said.
      The Government wants to dam the Mary and Logan rivers by the end of 2011.
      The "; S15[47]=" two Logan River dam options were announced 14 months ago, but the Government fast-tracked its plans in April when it unexpectedly declared the Traveston option "; S16[47]=" a priority.
      On the Logan River, sites at Wyaralong and Tilleys Bridge are still being evaluated, with a preferred option likely to "; S17[47]=" be decided by cabinet next week.
      But the Tilleys Bridge option, near Rathdowney, has been slammed by residents, who say that the "; S18[47]=" area has been in drought for 20years.
      'If this dam goes through, it will be the third empty dam here within 30 "; S19[47]=" kilometres,' said cattle farmer Karen Masen.
      For the past year the nearby Maroon dam has been at 22 per cent capacity, while "; S20[47]=" Moogerah dam has been only 8 per cent full... "; R[48]="943"; T[48]="Farmers urged to fill out census forms"; A[48]="By ... Editor"; Dn[48]="20060619"; Dt[48]="Monday 19 June 2006"; Acats[48]="a04a05a48"; B1[48]="      Australia's first farm census in five years is expected to confirm the impact of drought on the nation's rural communities.... "; B2[48]=" "; B3[48]=" "; B4[48]=" "; B5[48]=" "; S1[48]="      Australia's first farm census in five years is expected to confirm the impact of drought on the nation's rural communities.
    "; S2[48]="   The Australian Bureau of Statistics has begun mailing out 190,000 census forms to primary producers across Australia.
      The census is "; S3[48]=" being launched today.
      Spokeswoman Karen Connaughtson says it is important farmers fill out the forms and return them as soon as possible.
"; S4[48]="       'It's only done once every five years, so it is important that we get a complete picture because it is a sort "; S5[48]=" of [a] stocktake of farming across Australia,' she said.
      'There's no financial information requested on the forms, we're asking details about production, "; S6[48]=" sheep numbers, cattle numbers and a few questions on water use, tree planting and natural resource management.'.. "; R[49]="927"; T[49]="Open water market would help ailing river system"; A[49]="By ... Editor"; Dn[49]="20060619"; Dt[49]="Monday 19 June 2006"; Acats[49]="a05a08a40"; B1[49]="      Establishing an open market for water would be more effective in saving the Murray-Darling basin than the federal Government's $700 million blueprint "; B2[49]="to preserve supplies... "; B3[49]=" "; B4[49]=" "; B5[49]=" "; S1[49]="      Establishing an open market for water would be more effective in saving the Murray-Darling basin than the federal Government's $700 million blueprint "; S2[49]=" to preserve supplies.
      The Productivity Commission has concluded that plans to fix pipes, cover canals and reduce salt could lead to less "; S3[49]=" water being available for environmental flows in the ailing river system.
      Despite years of project planning and a $500 million budget boost "; S4[49]=" to the Murray-Darling Basin Commission in the May budget, no extra water has entered the Murray to date, but governments are confident the 500-billion-litre target "; S5[49]=" can be met by 2009.
      The draft report on rural water use suggests governments are deliberately dumping salt water into the Murray-Darling "; S6[49]=" Basin system and flushing it through to the sea near Adelaide.
      Water for regular flushes in the winter months could be bought "; S7[49]=" in the same way as environmental flows in the summer.
      The current system of pumping water to evaporation basins was expensive and "; S8[49]=" led to water loss, it says.
      Parliamentary Secretary for Water Malcolm Turnbull said water savings through repairing pipes and canals 'had not "; S9[49]=" been exhausted'.
      He said the Government was implementing a plan to buy back some water for the Murray from irrigators who had "; S10[49]=" made savings through implementing efficiency measures.
      Buying water on the open market was a 'widely held but controversial view', Mr Turnbull said.
"; S11[49]="       The report says: 'Saving water via major infrastructure works to achieve environmental objectives is often costly compared with other options and may "; S12[49]=" not increase water available for the environment.' Water saved through infrastructure investment is commonly described as a water saving, but the savings could be illusory "; S13[49]=" because the 'saved' water was removed from return flows to the river and groundwater via seepage and run-off.
      Irrigators would not need "; S14[49]=" to sell their water licences to save the Murray.
      The report says the Living Murray Initiative would be more effective if there "; S15[49]=" were wider options for buying water, including leasebacks, option-style contracts that kick in when it rains heavily, and trading allocations.
      Environmental managers "; S16[49]=" and associations, utilities and urban water users should be able to enter water markets, because that would set a true value for water... ";