Department of Environment and Primary Industries
2013–14 Annual Report
Additional departmental information available on request
In compliance with the requirements of the Standing Directions of the Minister for Finance, details in respect of the items
listed below have been retained by the department and are available to the relevant ministers, Members of Parliament
and the public on request (subject to freedom of information requirements, if applicable).
Contents
a)
A statement that declarations of pecuniary interests have been duly completed by all relevant officers of the
department.................................................................................................................................................................. 2
b)
Details of shares held by senior officers as nominee or held beneficially in a statutory authority or subsidiary .......... 2
c)
Details of publications produced by the department about the activities of the department and where they can be
obtained ...................................................................................................................................................................... 2
d)
Details of changes in prices, fees, charges, rates and levies charged by the department for its services, including
services that are administered .................................................................................................................................... 2
e)
Details of any major external reviews carried out in respect of the operation of the department. ............................... 2
f)
Details of any major research and development activities undertaken by the department that are not otherwise
covered either in the report of operations or in a document which contains the financial statement and report of
operations ................................................................................................................................................................... 3
g)
Details of overseas visits undertaken including a summary of the objectives and outcomes of each visit ................ 24
h)
Details of major promotional, public relations and marketing activities undertaken by the department to develop
community awareness of the services provided by the department.......................................................................... 58
i)
Details of assessment and measures undertaken to improve the occupational health and safety of employees, not
otherwise detailed in the report of operations ........................................................................................................... 58
j)
General statement on industrial relations within the department and details of time lost through industrial accidents
and disputes, which are not otherwise detailed in the report of operations............................................................... 59
k)
List of major committees sponsored by the department, the purpose of each committee and the extent to which the
purposes have been achieved .................................................................................................................................. 59
l)
Details of all consultancies and contractors including ............................................................................................... 59
m)
Departmental Objective Indicator report: Farm Services .......................................................................................... 59
To ensure the department is meeting its accountability and compliance requirements, some of this additional information
has been included in the Annual Report where relevant.
The information is available on request from:
Carolyn Jackson
Acting Executive Director, Finance and Planning
Department of Environment and Primary Industries
8 Nicholson Street
East Melbourne Victoria 3002
Telephone: (03) 9637 8696
Email: carolyn.jackson@depi.vic.gov.au
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
1
a) A statement that declarations of pecuniary interests have been duly completed
by all relevant officers of the department
Declarations of pecuniary interests have been duly completed by all relevant officers.
b) Details of shares held by senior officers as nominee or held beneficially in a
statutory authority or subsidiary
No shares are held by a senior officer as nominee or held beneficially in a statutory authority or subsidiary.
c) Details of publications produced by the department about the activities of the
department and where they can be obtained
Publication
Date produced
Availability
Department of Environment and
Primary Industries Annual Report
2012-13
September 2013
Available online
(www.depi.vic.gov.au) or from our
Customer Service Centre on 136 186
Department of Primary Industries
Annual Report 2012-13
September 2013
Available online
(www.depi.vic.gov.au) or from our
Customer Service Centre on 136 186
d) Details of changes in prices, fees, charges, rates and levies charged by the
department for its services, including services that are administered
Details of fees and charges are available on the department's website at www.depi.vic.gov.au.
e) Details of any major external reviews carried out in respect of the operation of
the department
Major external reviews
Conducted by
Purpose
Released
Operating Water
Infrastructure Using Public
Private Partnerships
Victorian
Auditor-General
To assess the operational effectiveness of public
private partnerships for water and waste water
treatment.
21 Aug 2013
Implementation of the
Government Risk
Management Framework
Victorian
Auditor-General
To determine whether satisfactory progress has
been made by departments, and a selection of
agencies, in developing appropriate risk
management frameworks and in applying risk
management principles in their organisations.
30 Oct 2013
Managing Victoria’s Native
Forest Timber Resources
Victorian
Auditor-General
To determine whether native forest timber
resources on public land are being managed
productively and sustainably.
11 Dec 2013
Oversight and Accountability
of Committees of
Management
Victorian
Auditor-General
To determine whether the governance and
support that DEPI provides to Committees of
Management enables them to effectively and
efficiently manage Crown land reserves.
5 Feb 2014
Administration and
Effectiveness of the
Environment Contribution
Levy
Victorian
Auditor-General
To determine the effectiveness of DEPI’s
administration of the Environment Contribution
Levy and funded initiatives.
25 Jun 2014
Managing Consultants and
Contractors
Victorian
Auditor-General
To assess whether selected public sector
agencies are effectively managing consultancies
and contractors.
25 Jun 2014
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
2
f) Details of any major research and development activities undertaken by the
department that are not otherwise covered either in the report of operations or in
a document which contains the financial statement and report of operations
Major research and
development
Conducted by
Purpose
Victorian Climate
Initiative
Bureau of Meteorology and the
CSIRO
To provide appropriate guidance on climate
variability, predictability, and change that will:
improve forecasts of water availability in the
short-term (seasonal to interannual
timescales); and
underpin an improved assessment of the
risks to water supplies from changes in
climate over the medium to longer term.
Delineation of river
toe and bank full
lines.
CRC Spatial Information
To semi-automate the production of river bank lines
for the rivers within the Index of Stream Condition
network
Management
intervention
monitoring of Riparian
vegetation
ARI
To monitor the effects of various forms of
management intervention on riparian vegetation
condition
River monitoring and
assessment program
Environment Protection Authority
(EPA)
To assess the inter-relationship between catchment
land use/catchment clearing and riparian zones and
how this is reflected in the aquatic biota.
Invasive animals
research and
development program
ARI
To improve decision-making processes and the costeffectiveness of rabbit management.
To identify the chemicals in the scent mark odour that
are sending the territorial signal and to use them to
make artificial territorial boundaries that will exclude
wild dogs from areas with vulnerable livestock.
To develop a greater understanding and knowledge
to improve the cost-effectiveness of the management
of wild dogs, foxes and other fauna.
Using a temporalspatial economic
model of serrated
tussock spread
Biosciences Research Division,
DEPI
To model the effects of four different realistic
management strategies within an infestation of
serrated tussock that would produce standardised
economic and environmental metrics to enable DEPI
to compare costs and benefits over the differing
levels of government investment.
Improved fish health
management for
integrated inland
aquaculture through
Better Management
Practices
DEPI in collaboration with
University of Melbourne
To determine the main causes of death and disease
in farmed Murray Cod across the Eastern states of
Australia.
Abalone population
surveys throughout
coastal Victoria
Fisheries Victoria supervises the
work undertaken by contractors.
Annual survey of abalone populations to assess the
status of the stocks and inform Total Allowable Catch
settings for the commercial fisheries.
Develop methods to
estimate the total
recreational catch of
Southern Bluefin
Tuna (SBT)
Fisheries Victoria, University of
Tasmania, ABARES
To determine the most practical and cost effective
way to estimate total recreational catch of SBT in
south eastern Australia.
Stocking of fish for
inland fisheries
Fisheries Victoria
Produce or purchase fish (both native and salmonid)
for improving angling opportunities in inland Victoria
Estimate the total
recreational catch of
key target species
taken over 1 year in
South Australia
Fisheries Victoria
Provide total recreational catch estimates for the most
important species shared with commercial fishermen.
This provides current monitoring of resource sharing
and is routinely undertaken as a legislated
responsibility in South Australia.
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
3
Major research and
development
Conducted by
Purpose
Develop best
management
guidelines for Murray
cod farmers to
identify and manage
disease on their fish
farms
DEPI veterinary staff and
Fisheries Victoria scientists
Improve the early detection, diagnosis and treatment
of diseases most frequently encountered on Murray
cod farms
Determine the most
important habitat for
calamari in Port
Phillip
Fisheries Victoria
Determine where calamari mostly spawn and the
most important areas for shelter and feeding within
Port Phillip.
Marine and Estuarine
Finfish Monitoring
and Assessment
Program
Fisheries Victoria
To assess the biological sustainability of Victoria’s
key marine and estuarine finfish species/stocks and
current fisheries management settings using
biological, fisheries and fisheries-independent
information.
Abalone Stock
Assessment
Fisheries Victoria
Assess the biological sustainability of Victorian
abalone fisheries against scientifically derived metrics
of performance. Effectively informed harvest strategy
decisions to a scale commensurate with regulatory
requirements.
Development of a
harvest management,
governance and
resource sharing
framework for a
complex multi-sector,
multi-jurisdiction
fishery: the southeast Australian
‘western’ snapper
stock
Fisheries Victoria
Develop new monitoring approaches for recreational
effort and catch, management advice and harvest
strategy modelling tools and a proposed framework
for sharing snapper catch across commercial and
recreational sectors, as well as between state and
commonwealth jurisdictions.
Snapper acoustic
tagging
Fisheries Victoria
Use acoustic tagging to determine snapper
movement patterns within Port Phillip Bay and
between Port Phillip Bay and coastal waters.
Snapper stock
structure
Fisheries Victoria/SARDI
collaboration
Use otolith chemistry and otolith microstructure to
resolve regional population structure of snapper
between Victoria and South Australia.
New and innovative
approaches to
monitoring smallscale recreational
fisheries
Fisheries Victoria
Evaluate and validate the utility of volunteer angler
fishing diary programs as cost-effective for provision
of monitoring data for stock assessment of
recreational fisheries in Victoria. In doing so, guide
the development of recreational-based methods for
the assessment of fisheries resources throughout
Australia
Blue-eye trevalla
stock structure
Fisheries Victoria – contract with
CSIRO
Use otolith chemistry methods and age/length data to
inform stock structure analyses of blue-eye trevalla
between offshore seamounts and the continental
shelf
Near shore artificial
reefs
Fisheries Victoria
Implement and evaluate near shore artificial reefs at
three locations in Port Phillip Bay
Estuarine and
offshore artificial reefs
Fisheries Victoria
Plan and implement estuarine artificial reefs in east
Gippsland estuaries, and an offshore artificial reef off
Torquay
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
4
Major research and
development
Conducted by
Purpose
Spawning sources,
movement patterns,
and nursery area
replenishment of
spawning populations
of King George
whiting in southeastern Australia closing the life history
loop
Fisheries Victoria – contract with
Deakin University Melbourne
Use otolith chemistry methods to resolve population
structure and spawning sources of King George
whiting in south-eastern Australia.
Preparing Fisheries
For Climate Change_
South East Australian
Program
Fisheries Victoria - contract with
IMAS (Institute for Marine and
Antarctic Studies)
Conduct case studies to inform climate change
implications and adaptation options for key fisheries.
Indonesian Fisheries
development
(AUSAid)
Fisheries Victoria, Deakin
University, Halu Oleo University
(Indonesia), Dinas Kelautan dan
Perikanan (Indonesia)
Develop mariculture sector in SE Sulawesi, with
emphasis on enhancing technical capability and
adoption of better management practices by smallholder producers, and encouraging collaboration
between producers, research institutions and
provincial government.
National Burning
Project
Australasian Fire and
Emergency Service Authorities
Council
To develop a national approach to prescribed burning
in reducing community, environmental and
operational risks associated with bushfires.
Vehicle Mounted Drip
Torch
DEPI Resource Support Unit /
Fire Equipment Development
Committee (FEDC)
The MK8 vehicle mounted drip torch is a piece of
equipment that has been developed by DEPI and
SEM Ballarat to provide an efficient and safe tool for
use in planned burning operations in well vegetated
areas in Victoria. The MK9 VMDT prototype is
currently being developed to further enhance and
improve the MK8 prototype.
Assessing and
incorporating social,
economic, ecological
and community safety
values of forests in
bushfire risk decisionmaking
University of Melbourne
This project explores public values in relation to
bushfire risk management decision making in the
context of relatively closely settled areas of the
metropolitan fringe of Melbourne - the Dandenong
and Yarra Ranges, the Warburton Valley and into
parts of West Gippsland. The project has three
interrelated parts to support DEPI to integrate social,
economic, ecological and community safety values,
into bushfire risk decision making.
Otway's Social
Research Project
CFA
Action research asking whether facilitated dialogue
can add value to the bushfire management planning
processes in high hazard and high complexity
environments.
Incendiary Cultures
University of Melbourne.
Assessment of local values and perceptions and how
these influence individual and community decision
making.
SEE impacts of 201314 Season (BNHCRC
Schedule 20).
TBC through Bushfire and
Natural Hazards CRC
(BNHCRC)
To describe the actual and potential costs and
benefits of bushfire preparedness and response
operations through the assessment of specific case
studies and an evaluation of overall fire season
analysis.
Smoke- Impacts on
Community Health
and Social
Perceptions (BCRC
Schedule 8 and 8a)
University of Tasmania
consortium through Bushfire and
Natural Hazards CRC
Understanding and management of community health
responses to smoke requires knowledge of
physiological and psychological response of
vulnerable communities, and the likely levels of
smoke these groups may encounter through a better
understanding of smoke emissions (BCRC Schedule
10) and transportation (BCRC Schedule 9). Assess
smoke impact thresholds on communities - DEPI
contribution to EPA, DEPI, VicHealth funded project.
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
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Major research and
development
Conducted by
Purpose
IFER Core ProgramSocio-economic
University of Melbourne
This project will address the questions: how can we
improve community value of Victoria’s public forests;
how can we best asses, monitor and report
community value; and how can community values be
incorporated into risk management decision making?
Drought IndexVictorian Spatial and
Temporal Drought
Index and Drought
Factor
University of Melbourne
This project will develop a spatial and dynamic
Drought Index and Drought Factor to improve
bushfire predictions and to determine the potential
impact of planned burning. (Extension of PHOENIX
Rapid-fire Project).
Severe Fire
Behaviour - Improved
Planning Responses
(BCRC Schedule 2)
University of Melbourne through
the Bushfire and Natural
Hazards CRC
This project enables the programming of Phoenix
Rapid fire to support bushfire management and other
planning responses (land use, energy sector, and
road) risks. It leverages off the BCRC Risk Tools
Project focus on integration of atmospheric processes
in modelling framework
Fire behaviour and
suppression
effectiveness
reconstruction
DEPI through the Bushfire and
Natural Hazards CRC
Reconstruction of the spread and behaviour of the
2009 Black Saturday Bushfires to enhance and
validate fire behaviour science and predictive
technologies.
2009 Black Saturday
and Other Large Fire
Events - Moisture and
Atmospheric
Conditions Project
(BCRC Schedule 3)
University of Wollongong
through the Bushfire and Natural
Hazards CRC
Review and reconstruction of landscape moisture and
atmospheric factors associated with 2009 Black
Saturday Bushfire.
Fire Transition Across
Urban Boundaries
(BCRC Schedule 6)
CSIRO through the Bushfire and
Natural Hazards CRC
Fire transitions across urban boundaries is taking a
higher resolution look at historic fire events with the
aim of identifying factors that influence the exposure
and vulnerability of homes and communities. This
project aims to integrate a range of sources of data
and information including historic fires, as well as new
knowledge in relation to the climatology of major fires,
landscape moisture conditions, and fuel combustion.
Probability of Fire
Ignition and
Escalation (BCRC
Schedule 7)
RMIT/Melbourne
University/University of Toronto
through the Bushfire and Natural
Hazards CRC
This project will develop a probabilistic framework for
prediction of natural and human caused ignitions.
Improved bushfire
hazard (for planning
and building) and
decision-making
University of Melbourne
Provide an improved scientific and technical basis for
bushfire risk assessment and management through
finalizing fuel and bushfire hazard (for building and
planning) layer using updated vegetation information,
and scope and design next generation approaches to
hazard mapping and planning and building decisionmaking.
Bushfire Climatology
(BCRC Schedule 1)
Monash through the Bushfire
and Natural Hazards CRC
Develop regional climatology's (risk and planned
burning) for use in risk based fire management
planning.
Landscape Moisture
Modelling (BCRC
Schedule 4)
CSIRO through the Bushfire and
Natural Hazards CRC
This project will develop models to predict the
flammability of forest fuels in the landscape as a
result of changes in fuel moisture content through the
drying and wetting of fuels via exposure to the
weather and sun.
Fire Severity Rating
(BCRC Schedule 5)
Monash through the Bushfire
and Natural Hazards CRC
Develop new fire danger rating/risk assessment
measures - based on power of fire/energy release
measures using national/international case studies.
Smoke Transportation
Modelling (BCRC
Schedule 9)
CSIRO/CAWCR/DFES/Monash
through the Bushfire and Natural
Hazards CRC
This project will develop a linked fire behaviour/fuel
consumption and atmospheric model to predict
smoke generation/accumulation - transportation
modelling and evaluation component.
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
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Major research and
development
Conducted by
Purpose
Smoke - Emissions
Modelling (BCRC
Schedule 10)
CSIRO/CAWCR/DFES/Monash
through the Bushfire and Natural
Hazards CRC
This project will develop linked fire behaviour/fuel
consumption and atmospheric model to predict
smoke generation/accumulation - emission modelling
component.
Fire Severity Mapping
Review (Remote
sensing techniques)
(BCRC Schedule 13)
Bushfire and Natural Hazards
CRC
This project will:
1. Review the state of knowledge and practice for fire
severity mapping using remotely sensed and other
spatial information – with a focus on dissected
forested environments;
2. Provide advice on current methods using other
spatial information and their known limitations for
assessment of fire severity;
3. Provide advice on critical knowledge gaps and a
science and development program for addressing
these.
Analysis of Rapid Eye
imagery to map fire
severity and ground
truth (BCRC
Schedule 14)
TBC through Bushfire and
Natural Hazards CRC
This project will analyse Rapid-Eye imagery and
ground truth data for 32 planned burns to determine:
Which vegetation indices produce the most accurate
classification? (consider NDVI, EVI and SAVI);
Which supervised classification algorithm produces
the most accurate classification? (consider MLC,
MDC, SVM and Parallel Piped);
To what extent does image differencing improve
classification accuracy?
Which method for atmospheric and topographic
correction provides the most desirable outcome?
How does vegetation structure affect the accuracy of
the classification? and;
What is the accuracy of the classification in a range of
forest cover and slope conditions?
It will support the development of improved field
sampling techniques through field sampling to assess
the influence plot size, and statistical analysis of field
sampling results.
Multiplatform Analysis
(BNHCRC Schedule
21)
TBC through Bushfire and
Natural Hazards CRC
To analyse imagery from five different remote sensing
platforms and ground truth data for ten planned burns
in order to determine the advantages and
disadvantages of each platform to the Planned Burn
Severity Mapping Project.
Planned burn
mapping in Victoria
using remote sensing
(BNHCRC Schedule
22)
TBC through Bushfire and
Natural Hazards CRC
Science based
Monitoring,
Evaluation and
Reporting
TBC through Bushfire and
Natural Hazards CRC
1. To identify management options for planned burn
mapping which capture changes in time and space,
including horizontal and vertical changes in
vegetation structure using remote sensing
technologies, in a manner which is of known cost and
known accuracy.
2. To report on the annual fuel management program
in Victoria.
3. To capture data on the effectiveness of the annual
fuel management program as a critical input into a
risk-based approach to strategic bushfire
management planning.
The objectives of this project are:
1. To scientifically review and refine DEPI’s existing
approach to monitoring, evaluation and reporting of
bushfire management outcomes;
2. To develop and document refined methods and
evaluation approaches to support a consistent
approach to data collection and evaluation of
management effectiveness and bushfire management
outcomes by the Bushfire Risk Landscape (BRL)
teams.
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
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Major research and
development
Conducted by
Purpose
Relationships
between flora, fauna,
habitat attributes and
vegetation growth
stages in Victorian
Tall Wet Forests
University of Melbourne
This project aims to refine the ecosystem resilience
inputs into adaptive fire management and planning for
Victorian Tall Wet Forests. It will gather new and
collate existing (flora, fauna and structural) data, and
test, model and further develop the relationships
between fauna, habitat attributes and vegetation
growth stages and resilience for this ecosystem. The
objectives are to provide new and collate existing
data to test and model the relationships between
flora, fauna, habitat attributes and vegetation growth
stages in Victorian Tall Wet Forests; use these
models to refine the ecosystem resilience inputs into
adaptive fire management and planning; and test and
refine the models as part of a fire planning case study
in the Tall Wet forests of Victoria (Central East
Bushfire Risk Landscape)
Managing Scale and
Uncertainty in Fire
Management
Planning (BCRC
Schedule 11)
La Trobe/ Deakin/DFES/ARI
through Bushfire and Natural
Hazards CRC
This project will develop remote sensing techniques
to assess fire severity and patchiness on fuel
hazard/habitat structure in foothill forests. It will
consider research/plot scale to landscape scale bridging across the landscape.
Growth Stage and
Habitat Analysis
(BCRC Schedule 12)
La Trobe/ Deakin/DFES/ARI
through Bushfire and Natural
Hazards CRC
This project will help us understand and develop
models for growth stage, habitat development and
use at a landscape scale for use in assessing fire
management outcomes.
Wombat Fire Effects
Study Areas
University of Melbourne
This project re-samples the Wombat Forest’s
research study sites after 25 years of repeated
application of planned burning to provide evidence
about the ecological effects of long term repeated
planned burning.
Otway's HawkEye
ARI
Enhancement of the Otway's Landscape Mosaic
Burning project to assess faunal associations with
habitat values.
Mallee HawkEye
La Trobe & Deakin Universities
Assessment of flora and fauna responses to fire
events (planned and unplanned) and regimes to
improve fire management outcomes in Mallee
ecosystems.
Landscape Moisture
Modelling (BCRC
Schedule 4)
CSIRO through the Bushfire and
Natural Hazards CRC
This project will develop models to predict the
flammability of forest fuels in the landscape as a
result of changes in fuel moisture content through the
drying and wetting of fuels via exposure to the
weather and sun.
Bushfire Spatial Data
Models and Ignition
Data (BNHCRC
Schedule 25)
TBC through Bushfire and
Natural Hazards CRC
The objectives of this project are to conduct a study
to integrate three historic bushfire datasets: DEPI
ignition point, CFA ignition point and DEPI fire
perimeter data.
Fire Severity Rating
(BCRC Schedule 5)
Monash through the Bushfire
and Natural Hazards CRC
Develop new fire danger rating/risk assessment
measures - based on power of fire/energy release
measures using national/international case studies.
Smoke Transportation
Modelling (BCRC
Schedule 9)
CSIRO/CAWCR/DFES/Monash
through the Bushfire and Natural
Hazards CRC
This project will develop a linked fire behaviour/fuel
consumption and atmospheric model to predict
smoke generation/accumulation - transportation
modelling and evaluation component.
Smoke - Emissions
Modelling (BCRC
Schedule 10)
CSIRO/CAWCR/DFES/Monash
through the Bushfire and Natural
Hazards CRC
This project will develop linked fire behaviour/fuel
consumption and atmospheric model to predict
smoke generation/accumulation - emission modelling
component.
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
8
Major research and
development
Conducted by
Purpose
Fire Severity Mapping
Review (Remote
sensing techniques)
(BCRC Schedule 13)
Bushfire and Natural Hazards
CRC
This project will:
1. Review the state of knowledge and practice for fire
severity mapping using remotely sensed and other
spatial information – with a focus on dissected
forested environments;
2. Provide advice on current methods using other
spatial information and their known limitations for
assessment of fire severity;
3. Provide advice on critical knowledge gaps and a
science and development program for addressing
these.
Analysis of Rapid Eye
imagery to map fire
severity and ground
truth (BCRC
Schedule 14)
TBC through Bushfire and
Natural Hazards CRC
This project will analyse Rapid-Eye imagery and
ground truth data for 32 planned burns to determine:
Which vegetation indices produce the most accurate
classification? (consider NDVI, EVI and SAVI);
Which supervised classification algorithm produces
the most accurate classification? (consider MLC,
MDC, SVM and Parallel Piped);
To what extent does image differencing improve
classification accuracy?
Which method for atmospheric and topographic
correction provides the most desirable outcome?
How does vegetation structure affect the accuracy of
the classification? and;
What is the accuracy of the classification in a range of
forest cover and slope conditions?
It will support the development of improved field
sampling techniques through field sampling to assess
the influence plot size, and statistical analysis of field
sampling results.
Multiplatform Analysis
(BNHCRC Schedule
21)
TBC through Bushfire and
Natural Hazards CRC
To analyse imagery from five different remote sensing
platforms and ground truth data for ten planned burns
in order to determine the advantages and
disadvantages of each platform to the Planned Burn
Severity Mapping Project.
Managing fire to
protect biodiversity,
carbon and build
resilient landscapes.
ARI, Melbourne University
To improve the understanding of biodiversity and
carbon from different fire management practices in
native forests.
Helping Victorian
recreational fishers
habitat
ARI, Corangamite CMA
To engage Victorian recreational fishers to encourage
involvement in natural resource management and
biodiversity protection.
Science for the
Melbourne Strategic
Assessment Program
2013-14
ARI, Parks Victoria
To contribute well targeted and justified research
design, implementation and analytical input, and
research coordination to the Melbourne Strategic
Assessment Program (MSA) The MSA will assist
DEPI to report on progress towards commitments
about biological conservation and ecological change.
Riparian intervention
monitoring project
ARI, SWED, Various CMAs
To build evidence to demonstrate the return on
investment in riparian management.
Snowy Project eFlow Monitoring &
Assessment Project
ARI, Parks Victoria, NSW Office
of Water
To address the priority activities which are seen to
provide the most critical information to stage 1 of the
project, and are focussed on the estuarine portion of
the system which has high environmental, social and
economic importance.
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
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Major research and
development
Conducted by
Purpose
MDBA Carp
Literature Review
ARI, SARDI
To provide an up to date review of relevant carp
literature from recent research publications and
management documents.
Recovering
Threatened Species
and Communities
ARI
To support DEPI in meeting statutory obligations
arising from the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act
including Action Statements, Actions for Biodiversity
Conservation (ABC) systems, Recovery Teams and
expert advice.
Develop
performance,
operation and
maintenance
guidelines for
fishways and fish
passage works
ARI
To develop performance, operation and maintenance
guidelines for fishways and fish passage works.
VEPP Galaxiid
Conservation Projects
2013-15
ARI
To undertake the conservation actions including
translocation to establish new locations, detection
and removal predators and breeding to bolster
numbers.
System scale higher
tropic order
responses to
environmental
watering: Large
bodied native fish
growth and
population responses
to flows in the Murray
main-channel
ARI
To outline a method by which data and
methodologies from existing 'The Living Murray'
(TLM) monitoring programs are harnessed to provide
a line of evidence between TLM watering events and
large bodied fish responses.
Aquatic Health
Monitoring Project
ARI, Murray Local Land Services
To provide a robust framework for evaluation and
adaptive management of the diverse riparian and
aquatic habitats in the region, whilst optimising
potential synergies with other programs, agencies
and stakeholders.
Thomson and
Macalister rivers
Victorian
Environmental Flows
Monitoring and
Assessment Program
(VEFMAP)
ARI
To provide information on species distribution,
abundance, size structure and fish condition and to
continue to investigate how spawning of Australian
Grayling is affected by environmental flow releases.
Port of Hastings
waterbird surveys
2014
ARI
To provide detailed information about waterbird
populations and habitat use in the western region of
Western Port and to estimate waterbird diversity and
abundance in summer and winter in the north arm of
Western Port.
Snowy Project Wetland Inventory &
Assessment
ARI, Parks Victoria
To assess the wetland values, threats and condition
for the lower Snowy region.
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
10
Major research and
development
Conducted by
Purpose
Western Treatment
Plant Waterbird
Monitoring 2013-2014
ARI, Melbourne Water
To gather appropriate data that allows Melbourne
Water to monitor eight nationally significant
populations (diving ducks, grazing waterfowl,
dabbling ducks, filter-feeding waterfowl, grebe, ibis) at
the Western Treatment Plant (WTP) and report
annually to the Federal Government for Environment
Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
compliance on populations trend.
VEPP: Plains wanderer
ARI, Parks Victoria
To restore the grassland habitat of the Plainswanderer at two key reserves in north-central
Victoria, Terrick Terrick National Park and Bael Bael
Grassland Conservation Reserve.
VEPP Threatened
Species Monitoring
ARI
To maximise the likelihood of detecting changes due
to management interventions and to support the
collection of evidence to test the assumptions about
the relationships between management actions,
threat mitigation and asset condition.
Forest Biodiversity Central Highland
Special Purpose
Zones
ARI, LFE
To develop an effective landscape approach to the
management of threatened species that provides
opportunities for sustainable timber production while
managing biodiversity at a species and landscape
scale.
Response of fish to
commonwealth
environmental water
delivery in Goulburn
River and Broken
Creek
ARI, Melbourne University
To investigate spawning responses of Golden Perch
to environmental flow releases.
Snowy Project Floodplain Drainage
& Infrastructure
Assessment
ARI
To provide an inventory of the location, type, purpose
and current condition of drainage infrastructure
present in the lower Snowy floodplain.
Murray Fishways
Assessment
ARI
To conduct assessment of newly constructed
fishways at Lock 3 and Lock 11.
Riparian Monitoring
Plan
ARI
To develop a monitoring program for riparian
management that targets priority locations and
relationships for investigation over the short-medium
term (5-10 years) and develop a framework for
intervention monitoring.
Curiosity Bait for
Feral Cats
ARI
To test the field efficacy for a humane felid specific
toxin and bait delivery system (Curiosity bait for feral
cats) in arid South Australia.
The effects of
planned fire on
predator-prey
interactions for
landscape resilience
Management of soil
health in Australian
Viticulture
ARI
To analyse the impact of planned fire on the relative
distribution, population dynamics and habitat
selection of both predators and native mammals in
forested environments subjected to planned burns.
Biosciences Research Division
Dairy Futures
Co-Operative
Research Centre
(DFCRC) 2.2.3 Bull
Biosciences Research Division
To provide evaluation for industry of the physical,
chemical and biological indicator tests for soil heath
and provide information which enables management
changes to be made in vineyards to improve vine
performance and sustainability.
To improve the reliability of genomic estimated
breeding values (EBVs) and persistence of reliability
across generations and between breeds.
Genomes on the
Cloud
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
11
Major research and
development
Conducted by
Purpose
Improved almond
pest and microbial
management
Biosciences Research Division
To increase the understanding of the biology,
development and spread of aflatoxin producing
Aspergillus spp. in almond farms and the value chain.
Pulse Breeding
Australia (PBA) Field
Pea Breeding
program
Pulse Germplasm
Enhancement
program - resistance
to bio
PBA Lentil Breeding expansion project
Biosciences Research Division
To deliver new field pea varieties developed to
increase grain yield potential, reduce crop input costs,
reduce crop risk and maintain grain market access.
Biosciences Research Division
To provide improved germplasm, screening methods
and genetic knowledge to PBA breeders to deliver
better pulse varieties faster to Australian growers.
Biosciences Research Division
Veterinary Laboratory
Services
Biosciences Research Division
Vic Arbovirus Disease
Control
Biosciences Research Division
DFCRC Project 1.6.a
Endophyte
Technologies
Biosciences Research Division
To deliver new lentil varieties traits combined for high
and reliable yield, disease resistance, tolerance to
abiotic stresses, harvestability and resistance to
herbicides to improve reliability of yield and quality on
the diverse soils and variable climates that are
characteristic of southern Australia.
To provide rapid, accurate and efficient diagnostic
services, technical capability and approved
quarantine facilities for DEPI responses to incursions
of animal pests and pathogens.
To provide a surveillance program for arboviruses
and vector mosquito species utilising rapid molecular
diagnostic capability for the Victorian Department of
Health for public health outcomes.
To discover, characterise and enable designer
endophyte-grass associations that improve pasture
production in the Australian dairy industry.
DFCRC Project 1.6.b
Driving Genetic Gain
and Enabling Capture
through Hybridisation
Control
DFCRC Project 1.6.c
Genomics Assisted
Varietal Sub-selection
for Improved Trait
Performance
Phase 2 - Molecular
Markers
Biosciences Research Division
To develop and deliver a transformational platform
maximising the capture of heterosis and genetic gain
through hybridisation control in a commercial hybrid
ryegrass breeding scheme.
Biosciences Research Division
To develop genomics assisted varietal sub-selection
for improved trait performance of forage grasses.
Biosciences Research Division
To deliver more reliable and high-yielding pulse
varieties, with better resistance to various biotic and
abiotic stresses through the use of relevant molecular
markers. The project will focus on validation of the
closely-linked markers for key traits of interest in field
pea, lentil, chickpea and faba bean for
implementation into PBA breeding programs.
DFCRC Program
2.4.3: Novel
strategies to breed
dairy cattle for
adaptation& reduced
methane emission
Genomic Assisted
Breeding in Phalaris
Biosciences Research Division
To develop genomic breeding values (DNA test) to
enable farmers to select bulls and heifers for lower
lifetime methane emissions.
Biosciences Research Division
Tomato potato psyllid
and Liberibacter
ecology
Biosciences Research Division
To describe new pre-breeding traits and develop
breeding technologies for the phalaris species that
will enable the rate of genetic gain in phalaris
breeding programs to be increased.
To provide a scientifically validated list of NZ and
Australian TPP and CLsol crop and non-crop host
plants that could potentially serve as overwintering,
breeding and feeding sites or reservoirs. This
information helps biosecurity agencies in Australia to
improve their monitoring and cultural management by
focusing on these host plant species.
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
12
Major research and
development
Conducted by
Purpose
Australian Grains
Genebank - Phase 2:
2013 - 2017
Biosciences Research Division
Australian National
Quality Assurance
Program (ANQAP)
Vet Quality
Assurance
Biosciences Research Division
To improve the effectiveness and efficiency of
germplasm introduction, quarantine, storage and
maintenance, and information management to
provide researchers and breeders with the
information needed to utilise germplasm to the benefit
of the grains industry.
Under the ANQAP provide a proficiency testing
program for diagnostic laboratories in the
Australasian region for aquatic diseases. Proficiency
testing is used by a laboratory to assess its capability
to perform diagnostic testing to an outcome
consistent with other laboratories performing the
same test.
Increasing the genetic
potential of sheep
through breeding
Biosciences Research Division
To investigate new statistical approaches to increase
the accuracy of genomic breeding values for
reproduction, growth, and meat quality in sheep
Development of
mass-trapping
methods for codling
moth females in
disrupted orchards
Biosciences Research Division
Using next-generation
genetics to accelerate
variety improvement
in bread wheat,
durum and barley
Australian Dairy Herd
Improvement Scheme
Renewal
PBA Chickpea National Breeding
Program
Biosciences Research Division
To deliver an additional non- chemical control option
that will complement the use of mating disruption,
entomopathogenic nematodes, coding moth
granulosis virus and the parasitic wasp mastrus
ridens for codling moth management in Australian
pome fruit orchards.
To provide the pre-breeding sectors for bread wheat,
durum and barley with direct and supported access to
next-generation DNA technologies that can be used
to rapidly genotype plants.
Wildlife Exotic
Disease
Preparedness
Program (WEDPP) Avian Influenza
Breeding tools to
predict gene effects
influencing adaptation
Management of
Potato Late Blight in
Papua New Guinea
Biosciences Research Division
Establishing a SNP
Genomic Resource
for the Australian
Biosciences Research Division
DFCRC Program 1.1
Designer Grasses &
Forages
DFCRC Program 1.2
Designer Clovers
Biosciences Research Division
DFCRC Program 1.3
Designer EndophyteForage Grass
Associations
Biosciences Research Division
Biosciences Research Division
Biosciences Research Division
Biosciences Research Division
Biosciences Research Division
Biosciences Research Division
To improve the genetics of the Australian Dairy Herd
by calculating Australian Breeding Value from Herd
Recording Data.
To deliver superior new field pea varieties with
increased productivity and profitability for field pea
growers and which will expand the crops adaptation
range in Australia with a breeding focus on improving
yield potential, yield reliability and general adaptation,
particularly for lower rainfall climates.
To undertake diagnostic PCR testing for avian
influenza virus (AIV) of targeted wild bird species
identified as being the biggest risk for the
transmission of avian influenza to the Victorian
poultry industry.
To develop molecular breeding tools to predict gene
effects influencing wheat adaptation and grain quality
in dry environments
To develop an integrated disease management
strategy for smallholder farmers in the highlands of
PNG that combines late blight-resistant germplasm
with optimal fungicide and cultural management
practices.
To develop an SNP genomic resource for the
Australian wheat industry that will support current and
future breeding and research applications including
an integrated, high-density and high-resolution SNP
genetic map to improve genome coverage and
marker density in wheat.
To develop and deliver high impact traits in designer
forage grasses including perennial ryegrass, tall
fescue and warm-season grasses
To develop and deliver high impact traits in designer
forage legumes including white clover and
alfalfa/lucerne.
To develop and implement optimised designer
endophyte-grass associations for use in pasture
breeding and production.
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
13
Major research and
development
Conducted by
Purpose
Suppressive soils:
Can we find a
microbial finger-print?
Biosciences Research Division
Monitoring soil
biology with high
resolution genomic t
Biosciences Research Division
Reducing impact of
the red-headed
cockchafer beetle
DFCRC Program
2.1.1 Optimal
breeding scheme
design und
Biosciences Research Division
To characterise the soil microbial community of
suppressive and conducive soils using low and high
resolution molecular techniques to discover the traits
of a suppressive soil, and identify structural and
functional signatures, if present.
To develop meaningful soil biological indicators
based on genomic technologies and to facilitate
access and utilisation of the information via the
interactive website, http://soilquality.org.au.
To develop guidelines for farmers on the early
detection and management of red-headed cockchafer
DFCRC Program
2.2.1 Accelerated
Dairy Cattle
Genomics
DFCRC Program
2.4.1 Improving feed
conversion efficiency
Biosciences Research Division
Australian Canola
Germplasm
Enhancement
Taxonomy Collection
/ Biosystematics
Biosciences Research Division
Genetic technologies
for adaptation to
climate change
Sheep CRC 4.1.1
Information Nucleus Design & Analysis
Biosciences Research Division
Adapting to
agricultural pests and
diseases under future
climate
Vector-borne disease
transmission under
future climate
Apple and Pear
Productivity project
Biosciences Research Division
Australian Potato
Research Program
Phase 2 - pathology
Biosciences Research Division
Biosciences Research Division
Biosciences Research Division
Biosciences Research Division
Biosciences Research Division
To provide dairy farmers with guidelines on how best
to use genomic information in making on farm
breeding decisions, and to assist Genetics Australia
(Australia’s largest dairy cattle breeding company) to
optimise their breeding program to ensure maximum
genetic gains, while managing the rate of inbreeding
when genomic breeding values are used for selection
decisions.
To improve the rate of genetic gain for profitability in
the Australian dairy herd by 100% by increasing the
accuracy of genomic selection
To improve feed conversion efficiency and lifetime
profitability of the Australian dairy herd through
genetic markers and biomarkers - validation and
implementation
To deliver advanced canola germplasm with
improved blackleg resistance to all canola breeding
companies operating in Australia.
To maintain and curate the plant pest (insects, mites
and nematodes) and diseases (primarily fungi)
taxonomy collection for plant health activities,
particularly to respond to biosecurity, market access,
other emergency and plant and animal health R&D
issues.
To develop improved plant genetics for adaptation to
climate change in cereals and pastures.
To develop practical management, selection and
genetic technologies that improve reproductive
efficiency and that are rapidly adopted by sheep
producers
To develop a framework for decision making to
respond to the impact of climate change on plant
biosecurity.
Biosciences Research Division
To assess the sensitivity and specificity of the
Luminex® technology for detection of flaviviruses.
Biosciences Research Division
To develop pest and disease management tools that
will allow the Victorian pome fruit industry to remain
viable and to protect the biological assets integral to
their production system.
To develop disease control strategies for soil borne
diseases of economic importance to the Australian
processing potato industry through manipulation of
nutrients and soil health factors to induce disease
suppressive conditions.
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
14
Major research and
development
Conducted by
Purpose
Dairy Futures CRC
Biosciences Research Division
Molecular markers for
pulse breeding
programs
Biosciences Research Division
Capturing the
therapeutic value of
dairy bioactives
Harnessing the
Biological Potential of
Australian Crop
Biosciences Research Division
DFCRC is an integrative multi-disciplinary, largescale, systems biology approach in bioscience for
transformational through-value chain impact in dairy
to
1) improve the profitability of dairy cows through
genomic selection with a focus on priority industry
traits including fertility and feed conversion efficiency
and
2) to develop knowledge, technologies and tools for
an integrative platform of forage genetics innovation.
To integrate world class capabilities in molecular
marker discovery, mapping, phenotyping and
breeding to deliver the tools PBA breeders require
and demand to implement molecular markers into
their breeding programs.
To identify and characterise novel high value
components of milk.
Biosciences Research Division
To co-ordinate the National GRDC Soil Biology
Initiative including funding projects that fit within key
thematic area with a focus on introducing new
biotechnologies to address regionally specific issues.
APRP2 - International
diagnostics
Biosciences Research Division
To deliver information on key factors driving
development of soil borne disease to potato growers.
Managing Carob
Moth in Almonds
Biosciences Research Division
Weed Risk
Assessment
Biosciences Research Division
Western Grasslands
Reserve pt 1a Adaptive Farming
Biosciences Research Division
Development of
molecular diagnostic
tools to detect pa
DFCRC 1.6 Next
Generation Genomic
Selected Breeding in
Plant Biosecurity
CRC Parent
Biosciences Research Division
To develop a good understanding of carob moth as
an almond pest; develop and evaluate strategies to
minimise nut infestation by carob moth; and inform
industry of ‘best bet’ practices for management of the
pest.
To determine the benefits of weed management
strategies by integrating dispersal models and
economics.
To implement ‘adaptive management’ to reduce the
impact of unpalatable grasses (including Nassella
species) and reduce nutrient levels on former
cropland (de-rocked and fertilised pasture).
To develop molecular diagnostic tools to detect
endemic and exotic pathogens of Prunus species for
Australia.
To develop and deploy a platform for next-generation
molecular breeding of grass-endophyte.
Bacterial Pathovars
Biosciences Research Division
PEQ Grains
Biosciences Research Division
DFCRC Program
2.3.11 Improving the
Quantity and Quality
of Fertility Data
Biosciences Research Division
Improvement and
implementation of
brown rot disease
forecasting
Biosciences Research Division
Biosciences Research Division
Biosciences Research Division
To develop next-generation diagnostic tests for high
priority pests and diseases (with a focus on those
exotic to Australia) of relevance to the horticulture
and grains industries.
To develop robust, pathovar-specific diagnostic tools
for the detection of high consequence
phytopathogenic bacteria that threaten Australian and
U.S. plant industries.
To develop new tools for field grains surveillance and
diagnostics of high priority exotic pests
To provide data from a nucleus of 100 herds with
complete records on pregnancy testing, mating dates
and calving dates to the Australian Dairy Herd
Improvement Scheme (ADHIS) to increase
phenotype data on Australian herd fertility.
To add precision to two predictive tools by improving
understanding of brown rot epidemiology and
infection risk forecasting. It will provide the stone fruit
industry with enhanced disease prediction systems to
improve decision making on fungicide use and new
strategies to improve brown rot control.
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
15
Major research and
development
Conducted by
Purpose
Milk Systems Biology
Biosciences Research Division
Harnessing soil
biological functions to
improve grapevine
management
Biosciences Research Division
Controlled
Environments
Biosciences Research Division
To generate a comprehensive description of milk
composition, the dynamics of structural assembly and
the milk microbiome in the value chain will enhance
product management and diversity in the dairy
industry.
To evaluate and apply the most appropriate soil
biological analyses to determine the relationship
between soil type and vine management and a range
of existing vine health and juice quality
characteristics.
To support staff and operating costs for controlled
environment facilities at Horsham
FACE - Pests &
Diseases
Biosciences Research Division
Western Grasslands
Reserve Part 1b Adaptive Carbon
Biosciences Research Division
Anthrax : Enhanced
Diagnostics
Biosciences Research Division
Victorian Field Crop
Nematology Project
(Phase 2)
Biosciences Research Division
Plant Laboratory
Diagnostic Services
Biosciences Research Division
To provide disease investigation and diagnosis,
surveillance for priority diseases (early warning) and
biosecurity responses for incursions for plant pests
and diseases of importance to Victoria and Australia.
Large Scale Symbiota
Biosciences Research Division
NVT: Increasing
grower management
of crop diseases
through resistance
knowledge
National barley foliar
pathogen variety
initiative program
Victorian Integrated
Disease Management
Project
Biosciences Research Division
To provide rapid, commercial-scale deployment of
designer endophytes to pasture grass species in the
dairy industry
To improve grower management of crop disease
through increased disease assessment and
assignment of disease ratings of AUSVAR and NVT
wheat, durum and triticale lines
National Nematology
Project
Biosciences Research Division
National Crown Rot
Epidemiology and
Management
Biosciences Research Division
Biological Control of
Elm Leaf Beetle
Biosciences Research Division
Biosciences Research Division
Biosciences Research Division
To determine the wheat crown rot and barley yellow
dwarf virus (virus and vector) dynamics under
elevated CO2
To implement ‘adaptive management’ to reduce the
impact of unpalatable grasses (including Nassella
species) and reduce nutrient levels on Austrostipa
pasture
To gain a better understanding of anthrax disease
ecology in Australia, which will help in the
development of improved tools for predicting and
managing anthrax incidents and outbreaks.
To provide information on the field tolerance and
resistance of newly released cultivars to the important
nematodes that limit yield in south-eastern Australia.
To develop germplasm with resistances to multiple
diseases in lines that are attractive to barley breeding
programs
To assist grain farmers and their advisors to minimise
the effects of grain production by providing them with
sufficient knowledge and disease management
strategies.
To develop improved strategies for grain growers to
minimise losses associated with root lesion
nematodes. This project will conduct field
experiments nationally to develop new knowledge on
root lesion nematodes that will be used to develop
improved methods for management for Australian
grain growers.
To deliver new knowledge on the economic impact of
crown rot on commonly grown and newly released
wheat and barley varieties with potentially improved
resistance in combination with rotation selection,
fungicide application and other management
strategies.
To develop biological control management strategies
for invasive weeds.
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
16
Major research and
development
Conducted by
Purpose
HeatFACE
Agriculture Research Division
SPDS-DA pasture
and soil responses to
Phosphorus (P) and
Potassium (K)
Agriculture Research Division
Future Forages
Future Farms
Agriculture Research Division
Healthy Soils
Agriculture Research Division
By 30 June 2017 grain growers, the grains industry
and pre-breeders are aware of the potential of at least
three N management options and at least three trait
options to reverse reductions in grain protein while
allowing growers to capitalise to the maximum
possible extent on yield gains resulting from the ‘CO2
fertilisation effect’. Grains industry and growers are
aware of the potential impact of increased disease
risk under eCO2 on quality and yield.
By June 2015, industry practitioners, government,
and scientists will better understand the current
condition of Victorian dairy soils and the impact of
farm management practices on productivity and soil
health.
Clearer definition of the value proposition for
Genetically Modified (GM) legume and grass forage
options for the Australian dairy industry.
By June 2014, government, industry practitioners and
scientists will better understand the current condition
of Victorian dairy soils and the impact of farm
management practices on productivity and soil health.
PBA Lentil
Agriculture Research Division
Classifying
Agricultural Land
Agriculture Research Division
Using metabolomics
to improve
productivity
Agriculture Research Division
Tree water
productivity
Agriculture Research Division
National Primary
Industries
Research,
Development and
Extension Framework
(NPIRDEF)
Commitments
Enhanced Nitrogen
(N) use efficiency
Agriculture Research Division
Productive dairy
feeding systems
Agriculture Research Division
Improve Nitrogen (N)
& Carbon (C)
utilisation in High
Rainfall Zone (HRZ)
crop systems
Dairy systems welfare
Agriculture Research Division
Agriculture Research Division
Agriculture Research Division
New pulse cultivars with enhanced quality traits that
reflect the market trend for improved quality and
defined seed composition.
Regional Growth Planning will be informed by a
consistent statewide approach to identification and
mapping of 'Food Production Areas' (using bestavailable DEPI data)
By December 2015 new techniques and insights into
soil processes will be available to Future Farming
Systems Research (FFSR) scientists responsible for
developing more productive and viable agricultural
production systems.
Victorian fruit tree producers equipped with
information and protocols to underpin site-specific
yield assessment and irrigation water use targets for
improved on-farm productivity.
DEPI is recognised for leadership in feedbase and
nutrition for the Dairy industry and feedbase for red
meat and high rainfall cropping
The dairy industry is using new knowledge and
innovations for improved nitrogen management
decisions, which will profitability increase production
while reducing nitrogen losses to the broader
environment.
A more profitable dairy industry through more flexible
and efficient feeding systems and strategies that
optimise production cow performance health and
welfare
Management strategies used by advisers and policy
makers that increase the efficiency of nitrogen and
carbon utilisation in High Rainfall Zone Cropping
Systems whilst minimising nitrous oxide emissions.
Policy makers, dairy industry leaders, veterinarians,
animal welfare organisations and the general public,
are better informed of the animal welfare status of
Victorian dairy practices, enabling the development of
communication programs and management practices
to optimise animal welfare and assure the community
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
17
Major research and
development
Conducted by
Purpose
Profitable pear
systems
Agriculture Research Division
Victorian Resources
Online (VRO)
Knowledge of
Victoria's resource
base
Soil Carbon in
Eastern Australia
Agriculture Research Division
Improve global competitiveness and revitalise the
Australian Pear Industry by developing orchard
management systems for the unique varieties
released by DEPI through increasing the value of
production per hectare, improving water and nutrient
use efficiency, and reducing reliance on pesticides.
By June 2016, 80% of suitable FFSR and 80% of
Land Health research/practice change knowledge can
be accessed via the web.
Inhibitors to reduce
nitrogen loss in dairy
systems
Agriculture Research Division
Profitable stone fruit
systems
Agriculture Research Division
Precision fertigation
of apple orchards
Agriculture Research Division
Dealing with climate
volatility
Agriculture Research Division
Grain productivity
system
Agriculture Research Division
Lamb systems
welfare
Agriculture Research Division
Catchment scale
impacts of farming
systems
Agriculture Research Division
Pastures under low
phosphorus inputs
Agriculture Research Division
Water Management
Review
Agriculture Research Division
Border irrigation
innovation
Agriculture Research Division
Agriculture Research Division
Policy makers, scientists and key industry groups
better understand how soil Carbon sequestration
contributes to soil productivity and greenhouse gas
mitigation and farmers can make more informed
decisions about managing soil carbon under the
Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI) (or alternative
schemes).
Policy makers, scientists, and farm advisors are
aware of the efficacy of nitrogen inhibitors as tools to
enable farmers to improve nitrogen use efficiency of
dairy systems.
A more profitable summerfruit industry resulting from
targeted production systems which deliver high value
products with uniform composition and quality which
consistently meet market expectations.
Increase the value of apple and pear production per
hectare through lowering expenditure on fertiliser,
increasing capacity to meet market specification and
reducing the loss of nutrients off-site.
Policy makers, pre-breeders and industry advisors
aware of tactics and strategies to reduce the impact
of extreme events (heat waves and frost) to enable
farmers to achieve more reliable grain production.
Advisers, researchers and policy makers have access
to information to improve on-farm productivity,
through identifying the relative impact of different
biophysical, genetic and management factors that
constrain grain crops from realising their full (water
limited) yield potential under commercial paddock
conditions. Advisers and funders can make more
informed assessments of strategies aimed at
improving the on-farm productivity of grains.
Industry and government formulation of evidencebased animal welfare policies that improve lamb
welfare and enable industry development welfare
practices that optimises animal productivity.
Improved understanding and management of
hydrological responses and trade-offs between
agricultural production and water resources by policy,
industry and water authorities.
Sheep producers increase their phosphorus use
efficiency by exploiting the capacity of certain pasture
species to access stored phosphorus.
An information framework for use by Farm Services
Victoria (FSV), consultants, agribusiness
(agronomists, breeders, farmers, processors, industry
groups) and media to develop media outputs.
By March 2014, the feasibility of computer modelling
of bay hydraulics with microtopography modification
and the potential adoption of potential bay
modifications will have been established
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
18
Major research and
development
Conducted by
Purpose
Unlocking
groundwater potential
Agriculture Research Division
Genomics for
accelerated dairy
breeding
Agriculture Research Division
Milk protein links with
dairy cow fertility
Agriculture Research Division
Surface irrigation
performance
feedback
Agriculture Research Division
By June 2016, industry, farmers and water managers
will gain a better understanding of where additional
groundwater resources can be developed for long
term agricultural production.
This project will allow dairy farmers to select breeding
animals with demonstrably reduced methane
emissions per litre of milk produced and improved
adaptation to heat stress by incorporating the latest
methods of developing selection tools, including the
use of DNA markers (genomics).
Dairy farmers and their advisors will have information
with which to predict and manage the fertility of their
herd.
A new approach to whole-of-farm water management
that enables dairy irrigators, service providers and
natural resource managers to improve farm water
performance and associated natural resource impacts
Irrigation
management
information systems
Agriculture Research Division
By 2017 the web-based irrigation management
information system will enable improved irrigation
management and planning by irrigators in the
Victorian Dairy, Horticulture and Viticulture industries.
Improved feed
characterisation
Agriculture Research Division
Soil moisture
mapping in HRZ
Agriculture Research Division
Lamb foundations II
Agriculture Research Division
Integration of low
methane pastures
Agriculture Research Division
Quantifying
productivity trade-offs
Agriculture Research Division
Through improved feed characterisation, researchers
will be confident in predicting the influence of feed
composition on livestock productivity, product
composition and quality.
Key producers, agronomists and policy makers in
South West Victoria are utilising soil moisture data to
estimate seasonal productivity and therefore reducing
risk
Lamb value chain participants (Sheep Genetics,
leading producers, buyers/processors/retail) are
provided with guidelines enabling producers to
change farm management of ewe nutrition during
pregnancy, the forage system and sire selection to
improve productivity, meat quality, meat colour and
retail shelf-life.
Land managers, industry groups, consultants and
policy makers can access information on the
integration of sheep, pastures and management to
reduce methane emissions.
Sheep genetics, industry groups, consultants and
policy makers can access information on the
heritability of methane production and feed efficiency,
and the correlation with reproductive traits in sheep
Feedbase innovation
for lamb systems
Agriculture Research Division
Managing stubble
loads
Agriculture Research Division
Premium quality
pulse grains
Agriculture Research Division
Rapid analytics for
soil productivity
Agriculture Research Division
Scientists, leading producers, extension and service
providers are supplied with agronomic and animal
management packages that increase reproductive
rate, milk production and lamb survival by increasing
dry matter production and nutritive characteristics of
the pasture feedbase during late pregnancy and
lactation
The overall impact of this project will be increased
profitability & sustainable performance of farms
employing stubble retention and an increase in the
farms and extent of land benefiting from this system.
Platform technologies developed for objective testing
of pulse quality traits in lentil, field pea, chickpeas and
faba beans which has the ability to be adapted for
industry use.
By 2016 DEPI has new capacity to deliver robust
comprehensive data on key soil properties for
understanding and modelling agricultural productivity
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
19
Major research and
development
Conducted by
Purpose
Maximise stone fruit
production efficiency
Agriculture Research Division
Best management practice guidelines for stone fruit
growers, extension practitioners and ancillary
industries. They will provide science based
knowledge to optimise rootstock and training system
during early stage of production. This will optimise
fruit size, uniformity and quality which will improve
marketability and increase profitability.
Optimal ripening
protocols for stone
fruit
Agriculture Research Division
Adaptation tipping
points for Australian
fruit trees
Agriculture Research Division
Lifetime Materials
Agriculture Research Division
Improve the profitability and sustainability of
Australian pome & stone fruit industries by optimising
harvest maturity and maximising eating quality to
consistently satisfy consumers and increase export
opportunities.
This project will produce: • physiology datasets for
winter chill and flowering phenology, fruit surface
responses to high temperatures, potential yield,
validation of physiological model (MaluSim) under
Australian conditions• datasets to quantify the
influence of netting on fruit temperature thresholds
• maps of lead times to tipping points for winter chill
and effectiveness of adaptation options; spring frost
risk and effectiveness of adaptation options; extreme
heat exposure and effectiveness of adaptation
options; potential yield and effectiveness of
adaptation options
• scientific papers for peer review, grower magazine
articles, presentations at a science or industry
conferences (domestic and internationally), grower
workshops for feedback from industry and technical
and project progress reports
Appropriate targets for managing non-Merino ewes
will improve resource allocation (time, allocation of
capital, feed supply), increase pasture utilisation,
decrease supplementary feeding costs and increase
farm income per hectare. Lifetime maternal guidelines
will therefore result in more efficient and socially
responsible meat production systems leading to
significant industry wide productivity growth. This will
occur through:
· Improved efficiency as a result of a 10% increase in
stocking rate and 20% increase in meat produced per
hectare by producers with non-Merino ewe production
systems
· Decreased costs to producers resulting from a 10%
decrease in supplementary feeding
· Improved social impact through improved animal
welfare due to increased lamb survival by 10% and
decreased ewe mortality by 30%.
Linking grape and
wine measures
Agriculture Research Division
FACE - Soils
Agriculture Research Division
FACE - Wine grape
productivity & climate
variability
Agriculture Research Division
A better understanding of the interaction of grape
maturity, vineyard management and winemaking on
tannin extraction that provides knowledge for
selecting harvest date, viticultural management and
winemaking techniques that have the greatest impact
on tannin extraction while maintaining overall wine
quality.
Pre-breeders incorporating findings into breeding
programs, grain growers aware of implications and
impact of eCO2 on grain yield and quality, and,
Government aware of landscape & industry impact of
options to improve productivity in the longer term.
Industry and government making well informed and
reliable decisions about the consequences of higher
CO2 and temperatures on the wine grape industry
and adapting to a changing environment.
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
20
Major research and
development
Conducted by
Purpose
Assessing
management options
for enhanced soil
phosphorus
Premium fruit
Agriculture Research Division
Grain growers and their advisers have enhanced
capacity to achieve more efficient phosphorus
management in dryland grain production systems
across Australia.
High value horticulture: Develop fruit systems which
deliver high value products with predictable
composition and quality which meet specifications.
Sheep CRC 4.2.1
Information Nucleus Operations (FFSR)
Agriculture Research Division
Strategies to manage
the impact of smoke
taint in Australian
wine
Stepping up grain
production in the High
Rainfall Zone
Agriculture Research Division
Nutrient and water
use efficiency in
pome fruits
Agriculture Research Division
Measuring the impact
of farming systems on
soil condition
Agriculture Research Division
Forage assemblies
Agriculture Research Division
Enhancing quality
traits in pulses
Agriculture Research Division
Reducing methane
emissions from cattle
Agriculture Research Division
Managing data for
science
Agriculture Research Division
Building experimental
data model
Agriculture Research Division
Agriculture Research Division
Agriculture Research Division
The Information Nucleus is a world first innovation for
sheep that will provide next generation information to
industry. The Information Nucleus is a unique
concept, which integrates sophisticated genetic
design and analysis with comprehensive
measurement of biological and production
parameters. It will allow breeders and commercial
producers to quickly exploit new technology and
molecular information to achieve more rapid genetic
improvement in their flocks and across the whole
sheep industry. The Information Nucleus will also
provide the base for core research activities in other
CRC programs and enhance the application of results
by industry.
Wine industry and fire management decision makers
making evidence-based decisions to minimise the
incidence of smoke taint in wine from prescribed
burning and wildfires.
This project will generate a better understanding of
the production potential of wheat and canola in the
HRZ, identify superior traits for breeding programs
and identify management practices required for the
yield potential to be realised.
Optimised management of water and nutrients for
quality apple and pear production so that soil health is
improved and local water resources are protected.
By June 2014, DEPI will have state-of-the-art soil
information systems that deliver quality controlled
data for Victorian soils and landscapes. This will
improve the quality of model outputs of soil and
catchment processes, increase certainty in landscape
analysis (e.g. for land capability), and support better
soil management for Victorian farming systems and
the environment.
Service providers equipped with options to enable the
development of practical, new, profitable foragebased high rainfall farming systems that better cope
with seasonal variability, reduce methane emissions
and improve productivity
New pulse cultivars with enhanced quality traits that
reflect the market trend for improved quality and
defined seed composition.
The dairy industry, international scientists, and policy
advisers provided with productive and profitable
feeding strategies that reliably reduce enteric
methane emissions.
To enhance the impact and reputation of FFSR
research through best practice data management,
shared scientific computing & enabling technologies
and services.
To provide an easy to use way of capturing and
managing large experimental datasets that is
accessible by FFSR Scientists, can be shared with
collaborators and re-used for next generation
research..
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
21
Major research and
development
Conducted by
Purpose
Agricultural & water
impacts in the
Murray-Darling Basin
(MDB)
Agriculture Research Division
Flexible forage
systems Phase 2
Agriculture Research Division
Hydraulic
parameterisation of
soils
Agriculture Research Division
Dairy Directions
Phase 2
Agriculture Research Division
FarmWeb 2.0
Agriculture Research Division
FACE - Infrastructure
Agriculture Research Division
FACE - Grain Quality
Agriculture Research Division
FACE - Wheat
Agronomy
Agriculture Research Division
Vic land use
information systems
Phase 2
Agriculture Research Division
Government, CMAs, MDBA, water authorities and
industry groups informed of the likely economic and
water resource impacts on agriculture under future
climate scenarios and associated benefit:cost
analysis, and quantification of future water resource
sustainable yields (surface and groundwater).
This project will contribute to increasing the
profitability of the dairy industry in northern Victoria
through more water use efficient and resilient forage
systems
By May 2016, the first comprehensive soil
hydrological dataset (with associated uncertainties
and digital mapping) will be available for Victoria’s
major agricultural regions to underpin agricultural
development.
Enabling the dairy industry’s leading farmers, service
providers and policy makers to be better informed
about the net benefits and risks of making strategic
changes to the farm business
The Victorian dairy industry will have access to a
smart package of on-line tools to improve on-farm
production and Natural Resource Management
(NRM) decision-making, thus enabling the industry to
self-regulate.
Pre-breeders incorporating findings into breeding
programs, grain growers aware of implications and
impact of eCO2 on grain yield and quality, and,
Government aware of landscape & industry impact of
options to improve productivity in the longer term.
Pre-breeders incorporating findings into breeding
programs, grain growers aware of implications and
impact of eCO2 on grain yield and quality, and,
Government aware of landscape & industry impact of
options to improve productivity in the longer term.
Pre-breeders incorporating findings into breeding
programs, grain growers aware of implications and
impact of eCO2 on grain yield and quality, and,
Government aware of landscape & industry impact of
options to improve productivity in the longer term.
By 2014, government, industry and the community
will have access to a single authoritative land tenure,
use, cover and ground cover dataset that will support
improved land management and land use planning
Satellite-based
irrigation water
management
Agriculture Research Division
Defining grape & wine
tannin specifications
Agriculture Research Division
Southern pulse
agronomic solutions
Agriculture Research Division
Dynamic Lamb Lamb Foundations
Agriculture Research Division
Dynamic Lamb Lamb Directions
Agriculture Research Division
By 2014, this project will deliver routine affordable
scientifically-based measurement, monitoring and
reporting systems to support high standards of
irrigation water management in Victoria.
An industry capable of clearly specifying grape quality
targets for individual wine products to meet consumer
demands.
Profitable and sustainable pulse crops resulting in
increased adoption to between 15-20% of total crop
area planted, increased average yields to 1.5 tonnes
per hectare from 1 t/ha and reduction in overall input
costs.
Dynamic Lamb outcome: Over the coming three to
four decades, the lamb industry is able to exploit and
further develop its comparative advantage,
domestically and internationally, as flexible and
resilient businesses using innovative systems to
continually improve profitability under dynamic, risky
and uncertain natural and economic circumstances.
The lamb industry's leading producers, service
providers and policy makers are better informed
about the net benefits and risks of making strategic
changes to farm businesses.
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
22
Major research and
development
Conducted by
Purpose
Dual purpose crops in
the feedbase
Agriculture Research Division
Increased productivity of lamb finishing systems by
using dual-purpose canola to increase lamb growth,
health and meat quality. Increased ewe reproductive
performance (at joining and lambing) particularly for
young ewes at their maiden joining. Management
guidelines on the use of different forages in sheep
systems that will extend the growing season and
provide specific productivity benefits.
Supplementary
Feeding Response
Functions
Agriculture Research Division
Filling Agronomic
Capability &
Knowledge Gaps
Agriculture Research Division
Statewide Salinity
Research and
Support
Agriculture Research Division
Food Science
Strategic Partnerships
The outcome of this project will be practical methods
for dairy farmers and their advisors to make more
informed decisions on which and how much
supplement to feed at particular times of lactation.
More strategic approaches to which and how much
supplement to feed over the full lactation will also be
examined.
This project will contribute to farmers more
confidently managing their feedbase resources to
optimise profit and are able to adjust their systems in
response to changing circumstances and
opportunities with predictable influence on
productivity.
By June 2014, government, industry and the
community will have access to scientifically validated
information products and up to date monitoring data
that describes salinity status and risk across key
industries and regions of Victoria.
Food related research and development programs
undertaken by CSIRO on behalf of Agriculture with
the focus on dairy food safety and dairy processing
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
23
g) Details of overseas visits undertaken including a summary of the objectives and
outcomes of each visit
Title of officer
Countries
visited
Objectives
Outcomes
Senior Irrigation
Extension Officer,
Dairy
Brazil
To build on DEPI knowledge and skills
in globally competitive and innovative
farming systems, techniques,
technologies, agricultural environmental
policies and methods of extension and
governance. To forge relationships with
overseas industry counterparts and
other important stakeholders.
The traveller developed
knowledge in Brazilian dairy
farm systems and the farm
technologies used, gained an
improved understanding of
Brazilian Government farming
environmental policies and
research and education
services, and forged a closer
relationship with Australian
dairy industry players and
Brazilian counter-parts.
Principal Research
Scientist
Canada
To present at the 6th World Congress
on Conservation Agriculture (June 22 26, 2014) in Winnipeg, Canada in
relation to the traveller's role as Grains
Research and Development
Corporation Soil Biology Initiative
Coordinator.
The traveller presented an
invited paper at the 6th World
Congress on Conservation
Agriculture in Winnipeg,
Canada. The presentation,
titled Harnessing the Biological
Potential of Australian Grain
Production Soils, highlighted
significant gains for Victorian
cereal production through
management of soil biology.
Project Officer,
Productive Soils
Canada
To present a paper at the 6th World
Congress on Conservation Agriculture
followed by a three day Conservation
Agriculture tour of USA.
The traveller visited Winnipeg,
Canada from 20 - 30 June
2014 to attend the 6th World
Congress on Conservation
Agriculture. He presented a
paper on the pragmatic
approach in the adoption of
Conservation Agriculture
practices such as minimum
tillage, stubble retention and
the use of cover crops by
Victorian high rainfall zone
farmers that has helped them
achieve significant productivity
gains.
Research Leader,
Molecular Plant
Breeding
Canada,
USA
To meet with the parent companies of
McCain Foods and PepsiCo to continue
discussions on future research
investment opportunities. The travel will
enable attendance at the Potato
Association of America annual
conference and a visit to the United
States Department of Agriculture potato
research program in Idaho and
Wisconsin.
The traveller presented two
papers at the 97th meeting of
the Potato Association of
America, which were well
received. Subsequent
meetings were held with potato
companies for investment in
DEPI research.
Senior Research
Scientist
China
To present at the biennial board
meeting and symposium of the Journal
of Integrative Plant Biology in Lijiang,
China. This will determine the future
direction of the journal, publicise DEPI
research efforts, and foster scientific
networks and collaborations.
The traveller gave an invited
talk at the biennial meeting of
the Journal of Integrative Plant
Biology in Lijiang, China on
work in Antarctic hair grass,
Deschampsia Antarctica,
publicising innovative research
by DEPI. Exposure to the
latest research findings and
technology developments in
the field of plant systems
biology was also gained.
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
24
Title of officer
Countries
visited
Objectives
Outcomes
Research Scientist
China
To deliver a presentation on biological
applications in plant disease control at
the 10th International Congress on
Plant Pathology. To expand research
and development collaboration
opportunities in agricultural
biotechnology with China.
The traveller was an invited
speaker at the International
Congress on Plant Pathology
held in China, and also visited
the Chinese Agricultural
University and Chinese
Academy of Sciences. The
International Congress on
Plant Pathology was a premier
forum to publicise DEPI’s
research. Insights gained on
well-resourced Chinese
Agricultural University and
Chinese Academy of Sciences
capabilities and research focus
will be used to explore
potential linkages of mutual
research interest.
Principal Research
Scientist, Microbiology
China
To attend the 10th International
Congress of Plant Pathology and
present results of DEPI research in
plant biosecurity in the Biosecurity and
Plant Quarantine concurrent session of
the conference.
Showcasing the continuing
success of DEPI's Plant
Biosecurity Cooperative
Research Centre Exemplar
project, the traveller
demonstrated DEPI's
capability as lead agency in
Australia in plant biosecurity
and plant pathogen
diagnostics. New collaborative
links have been established.
Deputy Secretary,
Agriculture
China
To participate in the Victorian
Government’s Super Trade Mission to
China to assist the Minister for
Agriculture and Food Security in
promoting Victorian food and fibre in
China and facilitating opportunities for
Victorian business in the country.
The traveller supported the
Minister for Agriculture and
Food Security to lead a
delegation of Victorian
agribusinesses in China. The
mission delivered significant
outcomes for participants,
strengthened Victoria's trade
engagement with China and
enabled the Minister to
progress market access
priorities.
Acting Director, Trade
and Investment
China
To travel to China to assist the Minister
for Agriculture and Food Security to
lead the Victorian Government’s Super
Trade Mission. The Super Trade
Mission will promote the Victorian food
and fibre sector and facilitate
opportunities for Victorian businesses.
The key purpose of this travel
was to support the Minister for
Agriculture and Food Security
in leading the food, beverage
and agribusiness sector as
part of the Victorian
Government’s second Super
Trade Mission to China. The
Premier and Ministers Asher
and Hodgett also travelled on
the mission to represent their
respective portfolios.
Senior Market
Manager, China
China
To work with Victoria’s key fruit export
industries (table grapes, citrus,
summerfruit and cherries) on gaining
and maintaining market access for
these products into the China market.
China is likely to be the largest market
for all these commodities in the future
and legal access is essential.
This visit program coincided
with China's Fruit and
Vegetable Trade Fair in
Beijing. This is a key event to
pursue Victoria's market
access priorities with influential
Chinese leaders in addition to
enhancing trade opportunities.
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
25
Title of officer
Countries
visited
Objectives
Outcomes
Executive Director,
Water Resources
China
To accompany a World Bank Mission
Team to Hebei and Ningxia provinces
and provide expert advice on water
rights and allocation and how these
may be applied at an operational level
in Northern China.
The trip was as the result of a
request from the World Bank
for the traveller to join a
supervisory mission as part of
the World Bank approved
Water Conservation Project
Number Two in Northern
China. The traveller was
requested to provide advice on
the establishment of water
entitlements in two pilot areas
in Ningxia and Hebei
Provinces and to help oversee
the development of land and
water management plans.
Senior Project Officer
China
To lead a delegation of Victoria’s three
largest cherry growers to work towards
improved market access for Victorian
cherries, to build relationships with
Chinese buyers and cherry growers
and to attend the Asiafruit Market
Insight Conference.
DEPI’s Trade and Investment
Branch, in collaboration with
the Victorian cherry industry,
successfully built cooperative
mutual relationships with
cherry growers, buyers and
researchers in China to
strengthen ties and improve
the prospect of gaining
airfreight market access for
Victorian cherries. The
Victorian cherry industry will
sign a Memorandum of
Understanding with the
Honghe Provincial
Government to provide
technology transfer of current
growing, propagation and
pruning expertise to strengthen
Australia’s negotiating position
in upcoming market access
discussions.
Executive Director,
Biosciences Research
China,
Germany,
Turkey
To attend, as invited speaker, the
International Conference on
Engineering, Science and Technology,
Beijing, China; the 8th International
Symposium on Forage Molecular
Breeding, Istanbul, Turkey; and to meet
with executives from Dow
AgroSciences, USA and the Fraunhofer
Institute, Germany to develop research
collaboration in agribioscience.
Consolidated and expanded
scientific networks and
research and development
collaborations in Europe and
China to enhance
development of and access to
technologies for productivity
and bioprotection outcomes for
plant and animal industries in
Victoria.
Livestock Quality
Assurance Officer
Estonia
To attend the International Standard
Organisation Working Group Three
Meeting in order for DEPI's position to
be conveyed regarding key issues
affecting Radio Frequency Identification
technology, to provide exclusive in-field
expertise, and to fortify existing
relationships. The traveller is the
elected project leader for the creation
and implementation of an enhanced
worldwide standard for Radio
Frequency Identification devices.
The traveller attended both the
International Committee of
Animal Recording
Subcommittee for Animal
Identification and the
International Standard
Organisation Working Group
Three Project Group meeting
to review current and future
livestock identification
standards and review
implementation requirements.
The traveller reviewed
international issues around
identification and tabled
various resolutions for these
issues.
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
26
Title of officer
Countries
visited
Objectives
Outcomes
Australian Dairy Herd
Improvement Scheme
Project Leader
France
To participate in the annual Interbull
meetings as part of the Service Level
Agreement between the Australian
Dairy Herd Improvement Scheme and
DEPI. To attend the European
Association of Animal Production
meeting to exchange the latest
scientific developments in dairy
genetics and genomics.
Both meetings gave an
overview of recent scientific
developments in dairy genetics
and genomics. Presentations
at the Interbull meeting
concentrated on the
implementation of genomics
and Interbull’s plans to run an
international genomics
evaluation, Genomic Multiple
Across Country Evaluation. At
the European Association of
Animal Production meeting,
causative mutations were
presented for lethal
recessives, previously
identified by haplotypes.
Principal Research
Scientist, Invertebrate
Sciences
France
To give four oral presentations at the VI
International Phylloxera Symposium in
Bordeaux, France as a member of the
scientific organising committee. To
meet with existing and potential new
collaborators in phylloxera related
research activities.
The traveller's participation in
this conference highlighted
DEPI's continued international
leadership in the management
of the biosecurity pest grape
phylloxera, which poses a
serious threat to sustainability
of Victorian viticulture industry,
and opened up strong
opportunities for collaborative
linkages with Chinese and
European research groups.
Research Scientist,
Spatial Information
Sciences
France
To present research undertaken by the
Understanding Soils and Farming
Systems project at the First
GlobalSoilMap Conference, and to be
exposed both to new techniques and
Digital Soil Mapping professionals from
around the world. The traveller is a
member of the National Digital Soil
Mapping Advisory Group, which aims to
build capacity and deliver Digital Soil
Mapping products for Australia and
Victoria.
Investment in the
Understanding Soils and
Farming Systems project has
enabled research scientists to
deliver quality controlled digital
soil information for Victoria that
aligns with global programs.
This digital soil information will
support modellers and
researchers to achieve the
Victorian Government's goal to
double food and fibre
production in Victoria by 2030.
Senior Research
Scientist
France
To attend, present, build collaboration
and obtain International feedback on
modelling temperature response of
wheat crops at the Agricultural Model
Intercomparison and Improvement
Project meeting in Clermont-Ferrand,
France.
The engagement of the
Agricultural Model
Intercomparison and
Improvement Project has given
DEPI inside knowledge of 27
models, their strengths and
weaknesses and insights to
improve DEPI's own models.
Testing of DEPI models
against Free Air Carbon
dioxide Enrichment and other
international data should be an
ongoing activity, where model
improvements are identified
and documented in the
scientific literature.
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
27
Title of officer
Countries
visited
Objectives
Outcomes
Research Scientist,
Spatial Information
Sciences
France,
United
Kingdom
To present a paper to the
GlobalSoilMap conference on
uncertainty analysis undertaken as part
of the VIC DSM 1.0 product (state
digital soil map). The conference will
include latest advances in digital soil
mapping towards the global initiative to
deliver soil information to land
managers and policy makers. The
traveller is a former leader of the
National Digital Soil Mapping Working
Group and will also present on latest
initiatives to make soil information
accessible on this research through the
Australian Digital Soil Mapping website
(www.ozdsm.com.au). On completion
of the conference, to travel to England
to meet with a leading expert on latest
spatio-temporal modelling
methodologies towards application of
these in his PhD studies.
Investment in the
Understanding Soils and
Farming Systems project has
enabled research scientists to
deliver quality controlled digital
soil information for Victoria that
aligns with global programs.
This digital soil information will
support modellers and
researchers to achieve the
Victorian Government's goal to
double food and fibre
production in Victoria by 2030.
Senior Research
Scientist, Science
Systems Senior
Administrator
Germany
To attend the 2014 European
International Supercomputing
Conference for High Performance
Computing, Networking, Storage and
Analysis (ISC’14) in Leipzig, Germany
and the associated Technical/Tutorial
program.
Summary of outcomes will be
provided in the 2014-15
Annual Report.
Chief Fire Officer
Germany
To attend the International Liaison
Committee to discuss issues relating to
the 6th International Wildland Fire
Conference set for Pyeongchang,
South Korea during October 2015.
As a member of the advisory
committee for the 2015
International Wildland Fire
Conference, it was great for
the traveller to be able to meet
with the International Liaison
Committee along with the
conference organising
committee. These committees
were able to discuss the key
planning issues and the
traveller was able to put
forward the thoughts of
Australia and New Zealand in
bushfire management. The
opportunity to discuss topics of
interest and gain the view of
other countries that face
similar issues was invaluable.
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
28
Title of officer
Countries
visited
Objectives
Outcomes
Livestock Quality
Assurance Officer
Germany,
Malaysia
To attend the ISO Working Group
Three Meeting in order for DEPI’s
position to be conveyed regarding key
issues affecting Radio Frequency
Identification technology; to provide
exclusive in-field expertise; and to
fortify existing relationships. To assess
and commission electronic livestock
scanning equipment as part of an
Australian Government Department of
Agriculture funded project in Malaysia.
The traveller attended the
International Committee of
Animal Recording
Subcommittee for Animal
Identification to review current
and future livestock
identification standards and
review implementation
requirements. In addition, the
traveller reviewed international
issues around identification
and tabled various resolutions
for these issues. The traveller
also completed the first Radio
Frequency Identification
equipment installation in
Kluang, Malaysia as part of the
project agreement between
DEPI and the Australian
Government Department of
Agriculture.
Research Scientist
Germany,
Austria,
Netherlands
To showcase research outcomes from
a four-year project on native endophytic
fungi and their benefit to Australian
agriculture. Research will be presented
at an international conference and
leading agricultural research facilities
across Europe, which will also enable
collaborations to be established or
bolstered and the acquisition of the
latest knowledge in endophyte
research.
The European trip established
linkages with key companies
and research groups in Europe
investigating endophytes in
agriculture, and has enabled
exchange/implementation of
new knowledge and
techniques into DEPI
endophyte programs that will
improve pasture productivity
for dairy and red meat
industries in Victoria, and to
ensure their long term
sustainability.
Senior Research
Scientist, Soils
Germany,
France
To attend the International Union of Soil
Science Division One inaugural
conference on Soils in Space and
Time, and the First GlobalSoilMap
Conference.
DEPI soil scientists have
raised the profile for DEPI
research by collaborating
internationally in the
production of a GlobalSoilMap
and by organising an
international workshop on soil
change in Australia for 2014.
DEPI research was presented
in three papers at the
GlobalSoilMap conference in
France.
Director, Investment
and Partnerships
India
To accompany a horticulture industry
delegation to India to investigate
research opportunities in Bangalore.
Specifically, the Almond Board of
Australia has been requested by
Horticulture Australia Limited to provide
three industry people, including those in
the research field, who could contribute
to the delegation. DEPI is the lead
research agency for almonds under the
National Primary Industries research,
development and extension framework.
Outcomes of the visit are the
possible development of
collaborative research projects
between Australia and India,
which could be funded by
Horticulture Australia Limited
and industry for the almond
(Almond Board Australia) and
pome fruit (Apple and Pear
Australia Limited) sectors. A
closer connection was also
developed with senior
Horticulture Australia Limited
staff and board members who
accompanied the delegation.
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
29
Title of officer
Countries
visited
Objectives
Outcomes
Deputy Secretary,
Corporate Services
India
To explore a trade opportunity with the
Survey of India for implementation of a
national topographic mapping program
and a national Global Navigation
Satellite System service.
An Australian delegation
visited the Survey of India in
Hyderabad on 6 February
2014 at the invitation of the
Surveyor General of India, Dr
Swarna Subba Rao. As part of
the visit, the delegation gave a
series of presentations and
conducted a workshop with the
Surveyor General, Additional
Surveyor General and
Directors of Survey of India to
scope the potential trade
opportunity. The Australian
delegation also had the
opportunity to visit the Indian
Institute of Surveying and
Mapping, Hyderabad. An
Indian delegation is proposed
to visit Victoria in October
2014 to progress the next
stage of the potential trade
opportunity.
Biosecurity Operations
Manager
India
This visit constitutes the fourth of six
contact sessions over the 18 month
Australian Rural Leadership Program.
This highly regarded program broadly
aims to build leadership capability and
capacity in a rural context.
The Australian Rural
Leadership Program provides
the opportunity to expand
leadership skills and
knowledge, through diverse
learning experiences, and
access to networks available
by few other means. The
Indian session provided
valuable insight into the Indian
culture, agriculture, trade, rural
issues and the challenges
faced by leaders in one of the
world’s fastest growing
nations.
Senior Science Officer
Indonesia
To undertake travel and activities
required to meet project outputs,
including review of progress, meetings
with key regional stakeholders and
development of Better Management
Practices documentation, as part of the
project Institutional Support for
Sustainable Mariculture Development
in Southeast Sulawesi, funded by
AusAID.
Feedback from Project
counterparts indicates strong
support and uptake of Better
Management Practices to
farming. Meetings with
wholesalers indicated that,
because of competition, close
loyalties were maintained
between growers and buyers.
Recent impacts of unusual
severe flooding in the region
have seen significant loss of
production (up to 100 per cent
for some commodities).
Capacity building in the region
was highlighted through
improved interactions between
regional fisheries staff,
university staff and villages
farmers.
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
30
Title of officer
Countries
visited
Objectives
Outcomes
Dairy Extension
Officer
Indonesia
To contribute to the IndoDairy project
proposal to the Australian Centre for
International Agricultural Research to
commence in January 2014. The trip
will confirm commitment from the
project partner (the International Centre
for Agricultural and Rural Development)
regarding the proposal objectives and
personnel, as well as meet with milk
cooperatives (KUDs) to identify a
suitable collaborator for the delivery of
the project.
The IndoDairy project team
visit to West Java in November
2013 led to the identification of
suitable collaborators for the
project, including milk
cooperatives and processors.
Valuable feedback and
discussions were held with
Indonesian partner
organisations, which have
allowed the team to progress
with submitting the final project
proposal for approval by the
Australian Centre for
International Agricultural
Research in early 2014.
Director, Dairy
Services
Indonesia
To contribute to phase two submission
of the IndoDairy project proposal to the
Australian Centre for International
Agricultural Research to commence in
January 2014. The trip will confirm
commitment from the project partner
(the International Centre for Agricultural
and Rural Development) regarding the
proposal objectives and personnel, as
well as meet with milk cooperatives
(KUDs) to identify a suitable
collaborator for the delivery of the
project.
The IndoDairy project team
visit to West Java in November
2013 lead to the identification
of suitable collaborators for the
project, including milk
cooperatives and processors.
Valuable feedback and
discussions were held with
Indonesian partner
organisations, which has
allowed the team to progress
with submitting a final project
proposal for final review by the
Australian Centre for
International Agricultural
Research in early 2014.
Market Manager,
ASEAN
Indonesia
To attend the 18th meeting of the
Australia-Indonesia Working Group on
Agriculture, Food and Forestry
Cooperation to be held in Bandung,
Indonesia 17-18 February 2014. An
additional visit program to potato
production regions will also be
coordinated by the travelling officer
involving Victorian potato production
experts and Indonesian extension
groups.
Progress toward market
access for seed potatoes from
Victoria and South Australia
has been made and the
Working Group for Agriculture,
Food and Forestry
Cooperation meeting
continues to provide
contemporary information and
networks which are valued by
Victoria’s agriculture sector.
Senior Scientist
Indonesia
To undertake travel and activities
required to meet outputs number five
and six of the project Institutional
Support for Sustainable Mariculture
Development in Southeast Sulawes,
funded by AusAID. These include
project review and delivery of Best
Management Practices Training and
final stakeholder workshops.
A Best Management Practices
training workshop and a final
project stakeholder workshop
were completed. Final project
evaluation and a sociological
survey of stakeholders were
also completed. Outcomes of
these workshops and surveys
indicated overwhelming
support for the Institutional
Support for Sustainable
Mariculture Development in
Southeast Sulawesi project,
and also assisted in identifying
areas that require further
development during the next
phase of the project.
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
31
Title of officer
Countries
visited
Objectives
Outcomes
Team Leader,
Horticultural Services
North
Indonesia,
Singapore,
Thailand
To lead a six day outbound mission of
eight to ten grower/exporters in
collaboration with Apple and Pear
Australia Limited to Indonesia,
Singapore and Malaysia to develop
pear exports. This travel is a DEPI
contractual agreement with Apple and
Pear Australia Limited to build pome
fruit markets in selected Asian
countries.
This travel provided the
Australian pear industry an
opportunity to evaluate, access
and compete in Southeast
Asian markets. There are real
market opportunities where
industry can efficiently
compete and industry is
motivated to work together to
realise this. Increased trade
did occur as a direct result of
this travel.
Senior Research
Scientist
Italy
To attend and present at the 3rd
International Elm Conference in
Florence, Italy.
The Friends of the Elms Inc.
awarded a travel grant to the
traveller to support his
attendance at the 3rd
International Elm Conference
in Italy in October 2013. The
traveller presented a paper on
the pest and disease status of
Australia’s elms, met with
leading Dutch elm disease
researchers, and learned of
recent advances in the
prevention and control of
Dutch elm disease, a major
biosecurity threat to Australia.
Livestock Quality
Assurance Officer
Italy
To meet with the International
Committee of Animal Recording
Subcommittee and the ISO Working
Group Three project teams. To convey
DEPI's position regarding key issues
affecting Radio Frequency Identification
technology at these meetings, to
provide exclusive in-field expertise, and
to fortify existing relationships.
The traveller attended the
International Committee of
Animal Recording
Subcommittee for Animal
Identification to review current
and future livestock
identification standards and
review implementation
requirements. In addition to
this, the traveller reviewed
international issues around
identification and tabled
various resolutions for these
issues.
Research Scientist,
Plant Pathology
Italy,
Germany
To present DEPI’s barley disease
resistance research findings and
expand collaborative links with
international researchers at the
International Workshop on Barley Leaf
Diseases in Milan, Italy. To increase
knowledge of crop protection strategies
for barley diseases through a visit to
BASF (Limburgerhof) and Haldrup
(Ilshofen), Germany.
The traveller used an industry
award to present DEPI’s barley
disease resistance research
findings and expand
collaborative links with
international researchers at the
International Workshop on
Barley Leaf Diseases in Italy.
He also increased his
knowledge of crop protection
strategies for barley diseases
through a visit to BASF,
Germany.
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
32
Title of officer
Countries
visited
Objectives
Outcomes
Executive Director,
Agriculture Research
Japan
To meet with senior staff and scientists
from Mitsubishi Chemical Corp, Kaiteki
Institute and Mitsubishi Plastics Agri
Dream Co. Mitsubishi through the
Kaiteki Institute and Mitsubishi Plastics
Agri Dream Co. have developed new
technologies to minimise water use and
optimise product quality during
protected cropping. DEPI have
commenced a collaborative research
program to test the technology in
Australia. The traveller will present
Mitsubishi with a business plan to
develop a Centre of Excellence for
protected cropping in Victoria. This is
seen as an important project that will
build the relationship between
Mitsubishi and the State of Victoria and
lead to further investment by the
company in the State.
The traveller visited Mitsubishi
Plastics Agri Dream Co. and
Kaiteki Institute in Tokyo,
Japan. Outcomes of the visit
are to expand an existing
hydroponic production project
to pre-commercial pilot scale.
If successful, a commercial
facility will be built in Victoria.
A business case for the
development of a joint Centre
for Protected cropping
Research was well received
and research infrastructure
could be incorporated in the
commercial facility.
Group Leader, Plant
Production Sciences
Japan
To meet with senior staff and scientists
from Mitsubishi Chemical Corp, Kaiteki
Institute and Mitsubishi Plastics Agri
Dream Co. Mitsubishi through the
Kaiteki Institute and Mitsubishi Plastics
Agri Dream Co. have developed new
technologies to minimise water use and
optimise product quality during
protected cropping. DEPI have
commenced a collaborative research
program to test the technology in
Australia. The traveller will present
Mitsubishi with a business plan to
develop a Centre of Excellence for
protected cropping in Victoria. This is
seen as an important project that will
build the relationship between
Mitsubishi and the State of Victoria and
lead to further investment by the
company in the State.
The traveller visited Mitsubishi
Plastics Agri Dream Co. and
Kaiteki Institute in Tokyo,
Japan. Outcomes of the visit
are to expand an existing
hydroponic production project
to pre-commercial pilot scale.
If successful, a commercial
facility will be built in Victoria.
A business case for the
development of a joint Centre
for Protected cropping
Research was well received
and research infrastructure
could be incorporated in the
commercial facility.
Market Manager,
North Asia
Japan
To coordinate the official launch of
Victorian/Australian table grapes in
Tokyo. The launch builds on the
recently negotiated market access
protocol permitting Australian grapes to
be exported to Japan for the first time
and the Japan Australia Economic
Partnership Agreement. Victoria
accounts for 94 per cent of Australia’s
table grape exports and this initiative
will deliver new trade outcomes and
economic benefits for the state aligned
to the Food to Asia Action Plan.
DEPI’s Trade and Investment
Branch, in collaboration with
the Australian Table Grape
Association, successfully
delivered the promotional
launch of Victorian/Australian
table grapes in Japan. The
launch generated significant
interest in sourcing Australian
table grapes, particularly with
the forecast reduction in tariffs
from the Japan-Australia
Economic Partnership
Agreement.
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
33
Title of officer
Countries
visited
Objectives
Outcomes
Policy Officer
Japan,
China
To travel with the Minister for
Agriculture and Food Security and the
Premier on the Super Trade Mission to
China, and with the Premier on an
official visit to Japan, primarily to
provide support to members of the
Food and Agriculture into Asia
taskforce travelling with the Minister
and Premier.
The traveller accompanied the
Minister for Agriculture and
Food Security and the Premier
on the Super Trade Mission to
China, and accompanied the
Premier on an official visit to
Japan, primarily to provide
support to members of the
Food and Agriculture into Asia
taskforce travelling with the
Minister and Premier. The trip
increased trade and
investment links in food and
agriculture.
Senior Market
Manager Japan,
Korea and USA
Japan,
South Korea
To lead a delegation of Victorian agrifood businesses to Japan immediately
following the Department of State
Development and Business
Innovation/DEPI led Super Trade
Mission to China in mid-October 2013.
DEPI is continuing its
collaborative research
partnership with The Kaiteki
Institute and Mitsubishi
Plastics Agri Dream through
the expansion of the
hydroponic vegetable project
at Knoxfield to pre-commercial
status. DEPI will pursue
opportunities to leverage this
partnership to facilitate an
investment in a full scale
commercial hydroponic facility
in Victoria. New export
opportunities to Japan and
Korea will be pursued in the
table grape, lamb and beef
industries.
Senior Research
Scientist, Soils
Korea
To participate in the 20th World
Congress of Soil Science. To meet with
leading experts in phosphorus soil
science that DEPI is collaborating with.
To learn about the latest results and
techniques from leading soil scientists.
Engagement with soil
scientists at the World
Congress of Soil Science
highlighted DEPI’s
interpretation of soil
information for ecosystem
service delivery, agricultural
productivity, threats to the soil
resource (e.g. from erosion)
and how these can be linked
through integration of satellite
imagery vegetation indices
with soil and landscape
information.
Research Scientist,
Soil Physics
Korea
To participate in and present two
scientific papers at the 20th World
Congress of Soil Science. To explore
opportunities to network and visit
institutions that deal with innovative
approaches to improving soil health
such as subsoiling and sub-surface
water retention technology. The
applicant has submitted abstract for two
papers titled "Quantification and
visualisation of dairy pasture soil
macroporosity using a computed
tomography scanning technique" and
"Sampling design and the predictive
accuracy of pedotransfer functions."
The traveller presented DEPI
research on soil structure and
soil hydraulic properties at the
20th World Congress of Soil
Science, South Korea.
Learnings from the Congress
will improve DEPI’s research
and development capability
and methodologies to increase
soil productivity and better
manage Victorian soils.
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
34
Title of officer
Countries
visited
Objectives
Outcomes
Research Scientist,
Soil Chemistry
Korea
To participate in the 20th World
Congress of Soil Science. To present
DEPI's current research on the use of
metabolomics in understanding soil
chemistry and how that knowledge may
be used to increase productivity of
farms, in particular in relation to organic
phosphorus. To meet with leading
experts in phosphorus soil science that
DEPI is collaborating with, and to learn
about the latest results and techniques
from leading soil scientists.
The traveller successfully
presented DEPI research on
using metabolomics to
understand biogeochemical
processes in dairy soils. The
presentations at the World
Congress of Soil Science,
South Korea, enabled the
traveller to discuss the
research with international
scientists, and gain insight into
new research techniques that
could be used for DEPI
research.
Manager, Information
and Communications
Unit
Malaysia
To present as a guest speaker at the
Intelligence, Surveillance,
Reconnaissance Asia Conference.
The Intelligence, Surveillance,
Reconnaissance Asia
conference assisted in
understanding future direction
of intelligence surveillance,
reconnaissance and spatial
industries that DEPI can work
with and build on for fire
management. The
presentation assisted in raising
DEPI’s profile in this industry
sector. This conference
assisted in developing
relationships with key suppliers
and contractors.
Research Scientist,
Invertebrate Sciences
Malaysia
To assist with the organisation and
delivery of the AusAID-funded ASEAN–
Australia–New Zealand Free Trade
Area Economic Co-operation Work
Programme Regional Diagnostic
Network training activity on the
Diagnostics of Scale Insects of
Agricultural/Quarantine Importance
aimed to address gaps in Southeast
Asian expertise.
The traveller contributed to the
development of plant pest
diagnostic capability in ASEAN
countries, hence enhancing
Victorian reputation/profile,
and interacted with trainees,
potentially generating future
collaborative activities between
Victoria and these countries.
The capability
developed/enhanced by
Victorian scientists on these
exotic species will benefit
Victorian
agricultural/horticultural
industries in preparedness as
well as sharing
information/capability on
emerging pest threats.
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
35
Title of officer
Countries
visited
Objectives
Outcomes
Principal Research
Scientist, Invertebrate
Sciences
Malaysia
To assist with the organisation and
delivery of the AusAID-funded ASEAN–
Australia–New Zealand Free Trade
Area Economic Co-operation Work
Programme Regional Diagnostic
Network training activity on the
Diagnostics of Scale Insects of
Agricultural/Quarantine Importance
aimed to address gaps in Southeast
Asian expertise.
The traveller contributed to the
development of plant pest
diagnostic capability in ASEAN
countries, hence enhancing
Victorian reputation/profile,
and interacted with trainees,
potentially generating future
collaborative activities between
Victoria and these countries.
The capability
developed/enhanced by
Victorian scientists on these
exotic species will benefit
Victorian
agricultural/horticultural
industries in preparedness as
well as sharing
information/capability on
emerging pest threats.
Director, Animal
Biosecurity and
Welfare
Malaysia
To advise on a broader traceability trial
of an electronic identification system to
track animal movements from the point
of export in Australia to the point of
slaughter in Malaysia. To attend a
meeting with various senior veterinary
officials followed by site visits to farms
and feedlots.
The traveller was invited by the
Australian Department of
Agriculture to travel to
Malaysia and provide highlevel advice to the Malaysian
Government on livestock
identification and tracking
systems, with a particular
emphasis on sheep and goats.
Product Manager
Malaysia
To attend the XXV Federation
Internationale des Geometres (FIG)
(International Federation of Surveyors)
Congress in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
from 15–21 June 2014. The traveller is
a Vice-Chair of Commission 1, which
reports on professional standards and
practice in the spatial industry.
The traveller attended the XXV
Federation Internationale des
Geometres (FIG) (International
Federation of Surveyors)
Congress in Kuala Lumpur. As
part of FIG Commission, the
traveller was able to catch up
with international colleagues
and attended many of the
conference presentations on
management of spatial issues.
The traveller will continue to
lead a working group in FIG
Commission focussing on the
role of women in the Surveying
and Spatial industry.
Market Manager,
ASEAN
Malaysia,
Indonesia,
Republic of
the
Philippines
To assist with the coordination of the
Minister for Agriculture and Food
Security’s attendance at the
Department of State Development,
Business and Innovation’s Super Trade
Mission to Southeast Asia and to
explore opportunities for trade
development in the Philippines.
The visit program leveraged
the Department of State
Development, Business and
Innovation’s Super Trade
Mission to Southeast Asia to
host horticulture and meat
exporters, peak industry
representatives, key
stakeholders and Victoria’s
Minister for Agriculture and
Food Security to develop
strategic relationships and
maximise trade opportunities
in Malaysia and Indonesia.
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
36
Title of officer
Countries
visited
Objectives
Outcomes
Deputy Secretary,
Agriculture
Malaysia,
Indonesia,
Thailand
To support the Minister for Agriculture
and Food Security promote trade and
investment opportunities for Victorian
food and agribusinesses on the
Victorian Government’s Super Trade
Mission to Southeast Asia.
The traveller supported the
Minister for Agriculture and
Food Security to lead a
delegation of 25 Victorian
agribusinesses in Malaysia,
Indonesia and Thailand. The
traveller also joined the
Minister in meetings with
government and businesses to
progress market access and
trade priorities for Victoria.
Senior Market
Manager, China
Malaysia,
Thailand,
Hong Kong,
China
DEPI is a partner in a three-year project
with Apple and Pear Australia Ltd to
build exports of Australian apples into
Asia. The traveller is responsible for
market development of the project. The
travel will deliver on the DEPI
commitments for 2013-14.
Apple and pear growers,
packers and exporters
travelled to Malaysia, Thailand
and Hong Kong to participate
in retail promotions, attend
Asia Fruit Logistical and meet
with potential new customers
as part of the joint DEPI and
Apple and Pear Australia
Limited project. New business
has occurred as a result of this
trip with plans for an extended
retail promotion program next
year.
Team Leader,
Horticultural Services
North
Malaysia,
Thailand,
Hong Kong,
China
To support the apple and pear industry
to capitalise on opportunities across
four key growth markets, Malaysia,
Thailand, Hong Kong, and in the near
future China. To lead an outbound
mission of eight to ten
growers/exporters in collaboration with
Apple and Pear Australia Limited to
build first hand understanding to deliver
DEPI targeted services to industry.
This travel supported the apple
and pear industry to have a
more informed understanding
of the opportunities and the
steps needed to begin or
increase exports to Southeast
Asian markets, and provided
the confidence for industry to
further invest to access and
effectively compete in Asian
markets. Trade did occur as a
direct result of the travel.
Leading Animal
Health Officer, Animal
Welfare
Nepal
To attend field training and gain
experience in Foot and Mouth Disease
in Nepal, organised by the Australian
Government Department of Agriculture
under auspices of the European
Commission for the Control of Foot and
Mouth Disease and Food and
Agriculture Organisation of the United
Nations.
As part of the Australian
Government Department of
Agriculture and DEPI funded
training, a visit was undertaken
to Nepal to undertake training
in disease recognition of Foot
and Mouth Disease. This
training was very informative
and real time Foot and Mouth
Disease lesions were
observed.
Leading Animal
Health Officer,
Emergency
Preparedness
Nepal
To attend field training and gain
experience in Foot and Mouth Disease
in Nepal, organised by the Australian
Government Department of Agriculture
under auspices of the European
Commission for the Control of Foot and
Mouth Disease and Food and
Agriculture Organisation of the United
Nations.
The traveller participated in the
European Commission for the
Control of Foot and Mouth
Disease course in Kathmandu,
Nepal from 5 - 9 May 2014.
Field visits were made to an
outbreak in the Mulpani district
within the Kathmandu valley.
Diseased livestock (cattle)
were examined and sampled,
an epidemiological survey
conducted and a visit to a local
goat market selling 6,000
goats weekly during this time.
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
37
Title of officer
Countries
visited
Objectives
Outcomes
Regional Training
Officer
Nepal
To attend field training and gain
experience in Foot and Mouth Disease
in Nepal, organised by the Australian
Government Department of Agriculture
under auspices of the European
Commission for the Control of Foot and
Mouth Disease and Food and
Agriculture Organisation of the United
Nations.
Attending the European
Commission for the Control of
Foot and Mouth Disease Real
Time Training course was a
very positive and educational
experience. It drew together a
lot of the traveller's prior
training and understanding as
an Animal Health Officer, and
combined it with practical
experiences, the opportunity to
observe an exotic disease, and
introduced the traveller to the
field of epidemiology and how
the disease is likely to spread.
Leading Animal
Health Officer,
Emergency
Preparedness
Nepal
To attend field training and gain
experience in Foot and Mouth Disease
in Nepal, organised by the Australian
Government Department of Agriculture
under auspices of the European
Commission for the Control of Foot and
Mouth Disease and Food and
Agriculture Organisation of the United
Nations.
The European Commission for
the Control of Foot and Mouth
Disease Real Time Training
course in Nepal gave the
traveller an excellent
opportunity to build on
previous knowledge of Foot
and Mouth Disease, its effect
on communities and the
importance of farm biosecurity.
The experience has also given
the traveller an insight into how
much Foot and Mouth Disease
infection in a herd would cost a
farmer.
Animal Health Officer
Nepal
To attend field training and gain
experience in Foot and Mouth Disease
in Nepal, organised by the Australian
Government Department of Agriculture
under auspices of the European
Commission for the Control of Foot and
Mouth Disease and Food and
Agriculture Organisation of the United
Nations.
The traveller successfully
completed a Foot and Mouth
Disease Real Time Training
course in Nepal. The traveller's
knowledge and skills regarding
Foot and Mouth Disease have
developed greatly. These skills
will facilitate the early
identification and reduction in
spread of the disease in the
event of an outbreak in
Victoria.
Leading Animal
Health Officer,
Emergency
Preparedness
Nepal
To attend field training and gain
experience in Foot and Mouth Disease
in Nepal, organised by the Australian
Government Department of Agriculture
under auspices of the European
Commission for the Control of Foot and
Mouth Disease and Food and
Agriculture Organisation of the United
Nations.
Attending the European
Commission for the Control of
Foot and Mouth Disease Real
Time Training course was a
very positive and educational
experience for the traveller. It
gave a practical element to the
theory training received as an
Animal Health Officer. It
introduced the traveller to the
field of epidemiology and
allowed her to develop some
basic skills in this field. The
opportunity to network and
develop working relationships
with staff from other
Government agencies was
invaluable.
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
38
Title of officer
Countries
visited
Objectives
Outcomes
Animal Health Officer
Nepal
To attend field training and gain
experience in Foot and Mouth Disease
in Nepal, organised by the Australian
Government Department of Agriculture
under auspices of the European
Commission for the Control of Foot and
Mouth Disease and Food and
Agriculture Organisation of the United
Nations.
The traveller's participation in
the Foot and Mouth Disease
training gave first-hand
experience with Foot and
Mouth Disease, recognising
and dealing with the disease
and associated biosecurity
issues. The traveller has
returned to Australia with the
skills necessary to identify
Foot and Mouth Disease
lesions, age Foot and Mouth
Disease lesions and identify
the most appropriate sampling
techniques.
Leading Animal
Health Officer,
Emergency
Preparedness
Nepal
To attend field training and gain
experience in Foot and Mouth Disease
in Nepal, organised by the Australian
Government Department of Agriculture
under auspices of the European
Commission for the Control of Foot and
Mouth Disease and Food and
Agriculture Organisation of the United
Nations.
Attending the Foot and Mouth
Disease training was an
exceptional opportunity for the
traveller's professional learning
and development. With the
combination of theory and
practical Foot and Mouth
Disease identification
experience, the traveller can
now build on her learnings and
implement them into the work
within DEPI.
Leading Animal
Health Officer
Nepal
To attend field training and gain
experience in Foot and Mouth Disease
in Nepal, organised by the Australian
Government Department of Agriculture
under auspices of the European
Commission for the Control of Foot and
Mouth Disease and Food and
Agriculture Organisation of the United
Nations.
Following the Matthews report
2011, it was recognised that
early detection of Foot and
Mouth Disease will determine
our response and success in
dealing with the event of an
outbreak of Foot and Mouth
Disease in Australia. This
training was a wonderful
opportunity for those who have
regular contact with livestock
to gain first-hand experience
with recognising and dealing
with the disease. The traveller
identified many risk factors in
the transmission of Foot and
Mouth Disease in Nepal, which
will hinder their aim to
eradicate this disease by 2020.
Apart from learning to identify
Foot and Mouth Disease
lesions, the traveller also learnt
the most appropriate sampling
techniques in accordance with
those lesions.
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
39
Title of officer
Countries
visited
Objectives
Outcomes
Principal Veterinary
Officer, Livestock
Management Systems
Nepal
To attend field training and gain
experience in Foot and Mouth Disease
in Nepal, organised by the Australian
Government Department of Agriculture
under auspices of the European
Commission for the Control of Foot and
Mouth Disease and Food and
Agriculture Organisation of the United
Nations.
The traveller's capability to
detect and respond to an
incursion of Foot and Mouth
Disease has been enhanced
through the participation in
Real Time Foot and Mouth
Disease training courses in
Foot and Mouth Disease
endemic countries such as
Nepal by government animal
health professionals, private
veterinarians and industry
stakeholders. As a participant,
the traveller gained skills in the
clinical assessment, sampling
and laboratory diagnosis of
Foot and Mouth Disease and
the epidemiological
assessment of disease spread
and control.
Leading Animal
Health Officer, Animal
Welfare
Nepal
To participate in real time Foot and
Mouth Disease training in Nepal,
organised by the Australian
Government Department of Agriculture
under auspices of the European
Commission for the Control of Foot and
Mouth Disease and Food and
Agriculture Organisation of the United
Nations.
Participated in a training
course arranged by the
Australian Government
Department of Agriculture in
Nepal to study Foot and Mouth
Disease. The training has
facilitated enhanced
preparation in Victoria and
nationally to recognise Foot
and Mouth Disease, should it
enter Australia.
Principal Veterinary
Officer, Aquatic
Animal Health
Nepal
To participate in real time Foot and
Mouth Disease training in Nepal,
organised by the Australian
Government Department of Agriculture
under auspices of the European
Commission for the Control of Foot and
Mouth Disease and Food and
Agriculture Organisation of the United
Nations.
As part of the European
Commission for the Control of
Foot and Mouth Disease
project, a visit to Nepal was
made to undertake training in
the recognition, diagnosis and
epidemiology of Foot and
Mouth Disease in ruminants.
The training provided the
opportunity to develop
capability as a planning
manager and epidemiologist
within DEPI for emergency
response to exotic disease
outbreaks. Learnings will be
shared with colleagues within
DEPI.
District Veterinary
Officer
Nepal
To participate in real time Foot and
Mouth Disease training in Nepal,
organised by the Australian
Government Department of Agriculture
under auspices of the European
Commission for the Control of Foot and
Mouth Disease and Food and
Agriculture Organisation of the United
Nations.
As part of the Australian
Government Department of
Agriculture funded training, a
visit was undertaken to Nepal
to undertake training in
disease recognition of Foot
and Mouth Disease. This
training was very informative
and real time Foot and Mouth
Disease lesions were
observed.
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
40
Title of officer
Countries
visited
Objectives
Outcomes
District Veterinary
Officer
Nepal
To participate in real time Foot and
Mouth Disease training in Nepal,
organised by the Australian Department
of Agriculture under auspices of the
European Commission for the Control
of Foot and Mouth Disease and Food
and Agriculture Organisation of the
United Nations.
As part of the Australian
Government Department of
Agriculture funded training, a
visit was undertaken to Nepal
to undertake training in
disease recognition of Foot
and Mouth Disease. The
training was highly informative
and real time Foot and Mouth
Disease lesions were
observed.
Curator, Australian
Grains Genebank
Norway,
United
Kingdom
To deposit Australian Grains Genebank
germplasm reserve at DEPI Horsham
in the Global Seed Vault Svalbard,
Norway. To visit Millennium Genebank
United Kingdom, discuss best practice
procedures and safety precautions for
genebank, for application in DEPI at the
Australian Grains Genebank.
The traveller visited the United
Kingdom and Norway to
observe genebank best
practice, and deposit 7,143
seed samples into the
Svalbard Global Seed Vault.
Relationships were initiated
that will lead to collaborative
partnerships with DEPI for the
establishment of worlds’ best
practice, investment in
Australian Grains Genebank
projects and capacity building
programs.
Leader, Australian
Grains Genebank
Norway,
United
Kingdom
Deposit unique Australian Grains
Genebank seed material into the
Svalbard Global Seed Vault, Norway.
Develop relationships with leaders and
researchers at the Millennium
Seedbank, United Kingdom and the
Nordic Genebank (Svalbard) to develop
world’s best practice management and
operational procedures for the
Australian Grains Genebank.
The traveller visited the United
Kingdom and Norway to
observe genebank best
practice, and deposit 7,143
seed samples into the
Svalbard Global Seed Vault.
Relationships were initiated
that will lead to collaborative
partnerships with DEPI for the
establishment of worlds’ best
practice, investment in
Australian Grains Genebank
projects and capacity building
programs.
District Veterinary
Officer
Republic of
the
Philippines
To undertake a scoping study on behalf
of the Australian Government
Department of Agriculture to advise the
Republic of the Philippines government
on the design and implementation of a
national livestock identification and
traceability system.
As part of an Australian
Government funded project for
the Philippines Department of
Agriculture, the traveller visited
the Republic of the Philippines
to inform the planning and
implementation of a national
cattle identification and
traceability system.
Technical Lead,
Software
Development
Republic of
the
Philippines
To undertake a scoping study on behalf
of the Australian Government
Department of Agriculture to advise the
Republic of the Philippines government
on the design and implementation of a
national livestock identification and
traceability system.
As part of an Australian
Government funded project for
the Philippines Department of
Agriculture, the traveller visited
the Republic of the Philippines
to inform the planning and
implementation of a national
cattle identification and
traceability system.
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
41
Title of officer
Countries
visited
Objectives
Outcomes
Manager, Animal
Health and Welfare
Republic of
the
Philippines
To undertake a scoping study on behalf
of the Australian Government
Department of Agriculture to advise the
Republic of the Philippines government
on the design and implementation of a
national livestock identification and
traceability system.
As part of two Australian
Government funded projects
for the Philippines Department
of Agriculture, the traveller
visited the Republic of the
Philippines to assist with the
planning and implementation
of a national cattle
identification and traceability
system, and to provide advice
on implementation of animal
welfare legislation.
Principal Project and
Legislation Officer,
Animal Welfare
Republic of
the
Philippines
To join Australian Government
Department of Agriculture officials on a
scoping mission to the Republic of the
Philippines for meetings with
government and industry stakeholders
to understand existing animal welfare
legislation and provide guidance to
support implementation of federal
legislation incorporating animal welfare
elements at the field level.
As part of an Australian
Government funded project for
the Philippines Department of
Agriculture, the traveller visited
the Republic of the Philippines
to provide advice on the
implementation of their animal
welfare legislation to achieve
World Organisation for Animal
Health (OIE) complaint
standards.
Principal Project and
Legislation Officer,
Animal Welfare
Republic of
the
Philippines
To meet with Department of Agriculture
staff in Manila and complete an
Australian Government funded project
by presenting and discussing findings
from livestock traceability and animal
welfare legislation studies undertaken
in July and August 2013.
As part of an Australian
Government funded project for
the Philippines Department of
Agriculture, Animal Biosecurity
and Welfare staff visited the
Philippines to present the final
reports for two scoping studies
relating to the implementation
of World Organisation for
Animal Health (OIE) standard
animal welfare legislation and
a livestock traceability system
in the Philippines.
Principal Veterinary
Office, Disease
Surveillance
Republic of
the
Philippines
To meet with Department of Agriculture
staff in Manila and complete an
Australian Government funded project
by presenting and discussing findings
from livestock traceability and animal
welfare legislation studies undertaken
in July and August 2013.
As part of an Australian
Government funded project for
the Philippines Department of
Agriculture, the traveller visited
the Philippines to present the
final reports for two scoping
studies relating to the
implementation of animal
welfare legislation compliant
with international standards
and a livestock traceability
system in the Philippines.
Manager, Market
Analysis
Saudi
Arabia
To visit Saudi Arabia to renew DEPI
involvement in this market. Market
development is the main objective,
involving assessment of demand, the
facilitation of export opportunities for
meat and grains and preparation for a
Ministerial visit to the region in 2014.
Saudi Arabia imports meat,
grain, dairy and horticulture
products from Victoria.
Currently population growth is
three per cent and
supermarket sales growth is
over 10 per cent. Increasing
exports to this market requires
strong relationships with
buyers. This visit prepares for
a visit by the Minister for
Agriculture and Food Security
in 2014, aimed at relationship
development and increased
trade.
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
42
Title of officer
Countries
visited
Objectives
Outcomes
Executive Director /
Chief Information
Officer
Singapore
To speak at FutureGov Forum in
Singapore on 22 April, as a
replacement key note speaker and
interactive discussion leader for Mr
Grantly Mailes, Chief Technology
Advocate for the State of Victoria.
This travel provided
opportunities to research and
build knowledge of leading
government ICT development
and the innovative application
of ICT in Asia-Pacific region,
and the potential for ongoing
partnerships, collaboration and
learning. The traveller met with
global ICT companies to learn
about new and innovative
products, related government
projects and innovative
application of technology in
government; and met with new
and emerging ICT companies
and researched their products
and potential application in
departments or across the
Victorian Government.
Senior Project Officer
Singapore
To attend the Safe Cities Asia 2014
conference to be held in Singapore
from 26 - 29 May 2014 as an invited
speaker.
Outcomes gained from
attending the Safe Cities Asia
2014 conference as an invited
speaker include gaining insight
into recent developments in
global information,
communication and technology
initiatives, and presenting
DEPI as a world leader in the
effective and efficient use of
Information and
Communications Technologies
at this international
conference. The presentation
was received well and has
fulfilled requests for copies of
the presentation. The traveller
met with representatives from
other Emergency Management
agencies to discuss and
understand benefits and
efficiencies gained from
implementing new technology.
Senior Market
Manager, Indonesia
and Philippines
Singapore,
Vietnam
To travel to Singapore and Vietnam to
deliver Trade and Investment branch
country engagement strategies with
particular emphasis on investment in
Singapore, and market access for
horticulture and red meat in Vietnam.
Key outcomes of this visit to
Singapore and Vietnam were
an improved understanding of
the agribusiness investment
sector, its operation and
priorities, and opportunities to
develop trade and improve
market access in Vietnam.
Senior Research
Scientist
South Africa
To undertake collaborative research
with Rhodes University on the
biocontrol of a significant Victorian
weed, to meet with collaborators and
deliver an invited presentation at the
14th International Symposium on
Biological Control of Weeds.
This travel supported the
formation of a partnership with
leading biological control
scientists from South Africa’s
Rhodes University to expand
DEPI’s efforts in developing
effective biocontrol strategies
for the management of serious
aquatic weeds.
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
43
Title of officer
Countries
visited
Objectives
Outcomes
Market Manager,
North Asia
South Korea
To conduct in market capitalisation
activities in South Korea for recently
acquired market access for table
grapes in South Korea.
DEPI’s Trade and Investment
Branch, in collaboration with
the Australian Table Grape
Association, successfully
delivered the promotional
launch of Victorian/Australian
table grapes in South Korea.
The launch generated
significant interest in sourcing
Australian table grapes,
particularly with the forecast
reduction in tariffs from the
Korea-Australia Free Trade
Agreement.
Acting Director, Trade
and Investment
Thailand
To oversee the implementation of a
Victorian summerfruit supermarket
promotion with key retailers in over 40
Bangkok stores, and to attend and
support companies exhibiting at Food
and Hotel Asia, Asia’s largest food
trade show.
DEPI’s Trade and Investment
Division arranged promotional
activities for Victoria’s
Summerfruit industry in
Thailand in April 2014.
Victorian nectarines and plums
were promoted in 49
supermarkets leading to
immediate sales of $120,000
and very positive feedback
from Thai consumers. Thai
importers have expressed
strong interest in importing
more fruit in the 2015 season.
Senior Market
Manager, China
Thailand
To assist with the coordination of the
Minister for Agriculture and Food
Security’s attendance at the
Department of State Development,
Business and Innovation’s Super Trade
Mission to Southeast Asia as well as to
explore opportunities for trade
development.
DEPI’s Trade and Investment
Branch arranged a visit
program for the Minister for
Agriculture and Food Security
and 18 accompanying
companies to Thailand as part
of the Southeast Asia Super
trade mission. The mission
was an opportunity for the
Minister to gain a better
understanding of the
significant agrifood
opportunities in the Thai
market and for the
accompanying delegates to
meet key potential customers.
Market Manager,
ASEAN
Thailand,
Malaysia,
Indonesia
To travel to Indonesia, Thailand and
Malaysia to deliver Trade and
Investment branch country engagement
strategies with particular emphasis on
hosting a visit program for businesses
seeking alternative market
opportunities for potatoes in Indonesia,
Thailand and Malaysia.
This travel supported the
Victorian potato industry to
have a more informed
understanding of the
opportunities and the steps
needed to begin or increase
exports to Indonesia, Malaysia
and Thailand markets.
Research Leader,
Invertebrate Sciences
The
Netherlands
China
To deliver a keynote address at the
Food and Agriculture Organisation of
the United Nations' first international
conference on the use of insects as
food. The applicant has been invited to
be a keynote speaker at the conference
with all costs covered. To also visit the
South China Agricultural University in
Guangzhou.
The use of insects as human
food or as animal feed is seen
by the Food and Agriculture
Organisation of the United
Nations as one future way of
addressing global food security
problems, and the traveller's
participation at the first
international conference on
this topic has made DEPI a
potential leader in this field in
Australia.
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
44
Title of officer
Countries
visited
Objectives
Outcomes
Research Scientist,
Dairy Nutrition
The
Republic of
Ireland
To undertake a collaborative project
between DEPI and Teagasc Moorepark
(the Irish Agriculture and Food
Development Authority), which will be
published and contribute to the
traveller's PhD.
The traveller visited Teagasc
to conduct collaborative
research as part of her PhD
with her PhD supervisor. The
research revisited the
methodology of the n-alkane
technique; a technique used
for estimating intake in pasture
based feeding systems. This
trip will result in the application
of this technique to dairy
research conducted in Victoria,
peer reviewed journal paper/s
and continued collaboration
with Teagasc.
Research Scientist,
Farming Systems
Economics
The
Republic of
Ireland
Travel will involve visiting Teagasc,
Moorepark as part of the scientist
exchange under the Memorandum of
Understanding between DEPI and
Moorepark. Key objectives of the visit
include: understanding the methods
and approaches used in economic
analyses carried out by Teagasc;
examining which approaches could be
appropriate for use in DEPI research
projects; further developing networks
and links to the Teagasc livestock
systems modelling team, exploring
opportunities for collaborative projects;
and progressing projects already of
common interest e.g. supplementary
feeding responses project.
Outcomes of this travel include
establishing international
contacts and up-skilling of staff
by exposure to new or different
techniques; identifying
common areas of interest to
both DEPI and Teagasc with
the view of developing
collaborative research
proposals; and promoting
awareness of the work carried
out in DEPI.
Deputy Executive
Director, Agriculture
Research and
Development
The
Republic of
Ireland,
United
Kingdom
To travel with Dairy Australia's
Managing Director to meet with senior
leaders of Irish and British dairy
organisations, including Teagasc (the
Irish Agriculture and Food Development
Authority), DairyCo, and DairyUK. The
traveller will use these meetings to
benchmark DEPI science and to further
discuss staff exchange with Teagasc,
with whom DEPI has a Memorandum of
Understanding.
The traveller accompanied
Dairy Australia executives on a
visit to Irish and English dairy
research and development
organisations for the purpose
of identifying collaboration
opportunities and innovations
and practices of relevance to
Australia. Whilst DEPI's dairy
research and development is
world-leading, there are
opportunities for mutual benefit
by greater collaboration,
especially with Ireland.
Senior Research
Scientist, Meat
Science
Turkey
To attend the International Congress of
Meat Science and Technology in
Turkey. This Conference provides an
opportunity to hear and discuss the
latest research in the areas of muscle
quality and meat science, including
muscle biology and biochemistry, novel
meat sources, meat sustainability,
animal welfare and slaughter, and meat
based functional foods. The travel will
also provide an opportunity to discuss
DEPI's current research and
development with other scientists
working in this area.
The traveller presented
outcomes from his research at
the International Congress of
Meat Science and Technology
held in Turkey. Many
delegates read the work and
discussed the findings with the
traveller.
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
45
Title of officer
Countries
visited
Objectives
Outcomes
Research Scientist,
Molecular Genetics
Turkey
To attend the 8th International
Symposium on Molecular Breeding of
Forage and Turf, in Istanbul, Turkey
from 9 - 12 June 2014 as invited
speaker, to present over 10 scientific
papers (oral and poster presentations)
and to expand research and
development collaboration
opportunities in agricultural
biotechnology for pastoral industries.
The traveller visited Istanbul,
Turkey to attend, give oral and
poster papers and successfully
promote DEPI scientific
achievements at the 8th
International Symposium on
Molecular Breeding of Forage
and Turf, hosted by Sabanci
University from 9 - 12 June
2014.
Research Scientist
Turkey
To attend the 8th International
Symposium on Molecular Breeding of
Forage and Turf, in Istanbul, Turkey
from 9 - 12 June 2014, to present
seven scientific papers (oral and poster
presentations) and to expand research
and development collaboration
opportunities in agricultural
biotechnology for pastoral industries.
The traveller visited Istanbul,
Turkey to attend, give oral and
poster papers and successfully
promote DEPI scientific
achievements at the 8th
International Symposium on
Molecular Breeding of Forage
and Turf, hosted by Sabanci
University from 9 - 12 June
2014.
Research Leader,
Molecular Genetics
Turkey
To attend the 8th International
Symposium on Molecular Breeding of
Forage and Turf, in Istanbul, Turkey
from 9 - 12 June 2014 as invited
speaker, to present over 10 scientific
papers (oral and poster presentations)
and to expand research and
development collaboration
opportunities in agricultural
biotechnology for pastoral industries.
The traveller visited Istanbul,
Turkey to attend, give oral and
poster papers and successfully
promote DEPI scientific
achievements at the 8th
International Symposium on
Molecular Breeding of Forage
and Turf, hosted by Sabanci
University from 9 - 12 June
2014.
Senior Research
Scientist
Turkey
To attend the 8th International
Symposium on Molecular Breeding of
Forage and Turf, in Istanbul, Turkey
from 9 - 12 June 2014 as invited
speaker, to present over five scientific
papers (oral and poster presentations)
and to expand research and
development collaboration
opportunities in agricultural
biotechnology for pastoral industries.
The traveller visited Istanbul,
Turkey to attend, give oral and
poster papers and successfully
promote DEPI scientific
achievements at the 8th
International Symposium on
Molecular Breeding of Forage
and Turf, hosted by Sabanci
University from 9 - 12 June
2014.
Research Manager,
Soil Sciences
Uganda
To attend and present at the 6th
International Nitrogen Conference:
N2013. This international conference
will provide a key opportunity to share
recent findings on the science of
nitrogen in agriculture and the
environment. To also visit the
University of Missouri and work with
Associate Professor John Lory and his
team, who are collaborative partners in
existing project work funded by the
Geoffrey Gardiner Dairy Foundation
and DEPI.
The traveller attended the 6th
International Nitrogen
Conference in Kampala,
Uganda with more than 200
delegates from more than 30
countries. The traveller
delivered an invited paper and
gained a greater
understanding of international
challenges of ‘too little and too
much’ nitrogen and the
implications for future
research, industry and policy
activities.
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
46
Title of officer
Countries
visited
Objectives
Outcomes
Deputy Secretary,
Agriculture
United Arab
Emirates,
Iraq, Oman
To visit the United Arab Emirates, Iraq
and Oman to support a Ministerial
delegation and provide government
representation and networking support
for exporting companies. The
delegation will be used to gain access
to importing business and government
officials for trade development and
assessment of food demand and
investment needs.
The traveller supported the
Minister for Agriculture and
Food Security to lead a
delegation of Victorian
agribusinesses in the United
Arab Emirates, Oman and
Iraq. The traveller also joined
the Minister in promoting
Victoria’s food and agriculture
strengths in meetings with Iraq
and Omani governments and
private enterprises.
Secretary, DEPI
United Arab
Emirates,
Oman
To visit the United Arab Emirates and
Oman to support a Ministerial
delegation to promote Victorian
agricultural industries in the Middle
East, by exploring immediate market
opportunities and building relationships
to support longer term engagement.
Minister for Agriculture and
Food Security and Minister for
Water, Peter Walsh and senior
DEPI officials participated in
the Victorian Government
Super Trade Mission to the
Middle East. This included a
presentation to the Food
Security Summit in Dubai, and
engagement with government
and private companies in the
United Arab Emirates, Oman
and Iraq. Victoria’s role in food
security was promoted,
supporting agricultural export
opportunities. Victorian
organisations that participated
in the trade mission expect to
generate over $118 million in
additional export sales over
the next two years.
Agriculture and Food
Security
Communications
Manager
United Arab
Emirates,
Saudi
Arabia
To support the Middle East Super
Trade Mission, providing
communications and media advice and
support for the Secretary. The
delegation will be used to gain access
to importing business and government
officials for trade outcomes and
investigation of investment needs.
Summary of outcomes will be
provided in the 2014-15
Annual Report.
Market Manager,
Middle East and India
United Arab
Emirates,
Saudi
Arabia,
Oman
To support the Minister for Agriculture
and Food Security in a visit to the
Middle East market as part of the
Victorian Government Super Trade
Mission to the Middle East. Support for
companies attending the mission will
also be provided.
The traveller visited the United
Arab Emirates, Oman and
Saudi Arabia to support the
Minister for Agriculture and
Food Security's visit with
senior DEPI representatives
and Victorian exporters. The
role of Victoria in food security
was promoted and
engagement with Iraq and
Oman governments occurred.
Director, Technology
Commercialisation
USA
To attend contractually-required
Agriculture Victoria Services-Dow
AgroSciences collaborative research
and development meetings. The
agreement involves five sponsored
research and development projects, for
which the traveller fulfils intellectual
property management and governance
responsibilities on the joint Research
and Steering Committees.
Commencement of a new
major biosciences research
and development project
aiming to establish a worldleading designer canola
technology platform for
molecular breeding of elite
canola varieties with quality
and argonomic performance
tailored to the future needs of
canola growers.
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
47
Title of officer
Countries
visited
Objectives
Outcomes
Executive Director,
Biosciences Research
USA
To attend (as Member/Chair of the
Research and Steering Committee)
contractually set DEPI/Agriculture
Victoria Services-Dow AgroSciences
Alliance research and development
Research and Steering Committee
meetings and corresponding four
project progress reviews in Indianapolis
USA.
The DEPI delegation attended
Research and Steering
Committee Meetings for four
sponsored research programs.
All projects were reported to
be meeting milestones and
within budget. Feedback from
commercial partners was
highly positive. Intellectual
Property issues in relation to
all projects were raised and
fully explored.
Senior Research
Scientist
USA
To attend contractually set
DEPI/Agriculture Victoria Services-Dow
AgroSciences Alliance Research and
Steering Committee meetings and
corresponding four project progress
reviews in Indianapolis USA.
The DEPI delegation attended
Research and Steering
Committee Meetings for four
sponsored research programs.
All projects were reported to
be meeting milestones and
within budget. Feedback from
commercial partners was
highly positive. Intellectual
Property issues in relation to
all projects were raised and
fully explored.
Senior Research
Scientist, Molecular
Genetics
USA
To attend contractually set
DEPI/Agriculture Victoria Services-Dow
AgroSciences Alliance Research and
Steering Committee meetings and
corresponding four project progress
reviews in Indianapolis USA. The
traveller has management, project
leader and science delivery
responsibilities for three of these
projects.
The DEPI delegation attended
Research and Steering
Committee Meetings for four
sponsored research programs.
All projects were reported to
be meeting milestones and
within budget. Feedback from
commercial partners was
highly positive. Intellectual
Property issues in relation to
all projects were raised and
fully explored.
Senior Research
Scientist
USA
To attend contractually set
DEPI/Agriculture Victoria Services-Dow
AgroSciences Alliance Research and
Steering Committee meetings and
corresponding four project progress
reviews in Indianapolis USA. The
traveller has management and science
delivery responsibilities for two of these
projects.
The DEPI delegation attended
Research and Steering
Committee Meetings for four
sponsored research programs.
All projects were reported to
be meeting milestones and
within budget. Feedback from
commercial partners was
highly positive. Intellectual
Property issues in relation to
all projects were raised and
fully explored.
Research Leader,
Computational Biology
USA
To attend contractually set
DEPI/Agriculture Victoria Services-Dow
AgroSciences Alliance Research and
Steering Committee meetings and
corresponding four project progress
reviews in Indianapolis USA. The
traveller has management and science
delivery responsibilities for two of these
projects.
The DEPI delegation attended
Research and Steering
Committee Meetings for four
sponsored research programs.
All projects were reported to
be meeting milestones and
within budget. Feedback from
commercial partners was
highly positive. Intellectual
Property issues in relation to
all projects were raised and
fully explored.
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
48
Title of officer
Countries
visited
Objectives
Outcomes
Research Scientist
USA
To attend contractually set
DEPI/Agriculture Victoria Services-Dow
AgroSciences Alliance Research and
Steering Committee meetings and
corresponding four project progress
reviews in Indianapolis USA. The
traveller has management and science
delivery responsibilities for two of these
projects.
The DEPI delegation attended
Research & Steering
Committee Meetings for four
sponsored research programs.
All projects were reported to
be meeting milestones and
within budget. Feedback from
commercial partners was
highly positive. Intellectual
Property issues in relation to
all projects were raised and
fully explored.
Research Manager,
Dairy Production
Sciences
USA
To attend the 26th Discover
Conference on Food Animal
Agriculture-Dairy Feed Efficiency as an
Australian representative at the request
of Dairy Australia.
The traveller attended the
American Dairy Science
Association Discover
conference on Dairy Feed
Efficiency held in Naperville,
USA at the request of Dairy
Australia. The key observation
was that DEPI research into
the genetics of feed efficiency
is at the leading edge of
research in the world.
Senior Manager,
Environment Reform
USA
To participate in the Environment
Protection Authority Ambassador’s
program focusing on Contaminated
Environments (land and groundwater).
USA discussions will focus on the
opportunities for transforming
environmentally stressed sites and the
key public policy drivers and regulatory
approach to achieve safe and feasible
redevelopment.
The traveller met with officials
in New York State, New York
City, New Jersey and
Pennsylvania. The trip
provided an opportunity to
examine regulatory practices
and supporting programs and
identify best practice models
for remediation of legacy
contaminated environments.
This will directly inform the
current review of the Victorian
policy and statutory framework
for the management of legacy
contamination, led by DEPI in
collaboration with the
Environment Protection
Authority and the Department
of Transport Planning and
Local Infrastructure.
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
49
Title of officer
Countries
visited
Objectives
Outcomes
Chief Fire Officer
USA
To participate in, on behalf of the
Forest Fire Management Group, the
National Wildfire Coordinating Group
planning held in Boise, Idaho, and the
International Association of Wildland
Fire Smoke Symposium in Washington
DC.
Meeting with the National
Wildfire Management Group
offered a great opportunity on
behalf of the department and
the Forest Fire Management
Group to substantiate existing
relationships and to foster new
ones. It also allowed the
agreement between the USA
and DEPI to be revised and
the operating plan be updated.
This is greatly important given
the firefighter exchanges that
occur in times of need.
Attendance at the Smoke
Symposium offered a chance
to view and hear the latest
research that is happening in
the USA, as smoke
management is a never ending
challenge to DEPI in its role as
a bushfire response agency
and as a land manager
delivering an increased
Planned Burning Program.
Research Scientist,
Invertebrate Sciences
USA
To present DEPI’s internationally
unique research on insect/disease/plant
interactions under elevated CO2 at the
Entomological Society of America,
which is the leading event for the world
of entomology. To visit researchers
from Michigan State University and
University of Idaho.
The traveller attended the
Entomological Society of
America conference during
which he presented DEPI
research on pests and
diseases under future climate.
The traveller met with
collaborators and faculty
members from universities
across the USA and gave an
oral presentation to faculty
members and students at
Michigan State University.
Research Scientist,
Plants
USA
To develop capability and succession
planning in almond research,
development and extension, which is a
priority for DEPI.
The traveller met and toured
with almond researchers and
producers, and attended the
Almond Board of California's
annual conference. The
traveller discussed issues
which the Californian almond
industry is facing and their
current and future research
plans and attended the UC
Davis Almond researchers’
annual discussion group,
meeting with all their key
faculty and the majority of their
technical staff.
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
50
Title of officer
Countries
visited
Objectives
Outcomes
Systems Manager,
Advanced Scientific
Computing
USA
To attend the 2013 International
Conference for High Performance
Computing, Networking, Storage and
Analysis (SC13) and associated
technical/tutorial program.
Attendance at the 2013
International Conference for
High Performance Computing,
Networking, Storage and
Analysis built on the
knowledge of DEPI staff,
enabling the implementation of
an HPC facility that is tightly
integrated with the
requirements of its users,
resulting in maximum benefit
from the investment. The High
Performance Computing
(HPC) facility at AgriBio
underpins Biosciences
Research’s science program,
keeping DEPI at the forefront
of the field.
Research Leader,
Computational Biology
USA
Present two invited talks at the Plant
and Animal Genome Conferences, the
pre-eminent genomics conference to
maintain currency of DEPI knowledge
in this area; working meetings with
partners in the 1000 bull genomes
project, a major project operated by the
Dairy Futures Cooperative Research
Centre.
The traveller was an invited
speaker at two sessions of the
Plant and Animal Genome
conference, with presentations
titled "Genome wide
association using imputed
sequence data in dairy cattle:
The 1000 Bull Genomes
Project ", and "Reconstructing
the genetic history of cattle
and potential impact on future
gains in the beef and dairy
industries". During the
conference, a number of side
meetings were held with
partners in the 1000 Bull
Genomes Project, with the aim
of identifying strategies to
improve genetic gain in dairy
and beef cattle, using next
generation sequencing
technology.
Executive Director,
Biosciences Research
USA
To attend the Plant and Animal
Genome XXII Conference in San
Diego. To attend (as member/chair of
the Research and Steering Committee)
a contractually set DEPI/Agriculture
Victoria Services-Dow AgroSciences
Alliance research and development
Project Technical Committee Meeting
in Portland, USA to discuss and review
current five collaborative sponsored
research and development projects.
The outcomes of the trip
include gaining insight into the
latest developments in the field
of Plant Genomics and
reporting on progress to Dow
AgroSciences in all projects
funded by them as part of their
sponsored research and
development program with
Agriculture Victoria Services.
Such reporting meets DEPI's
contractual agreement with
Dow AgroSciences.
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
51
Title of officer
Countries
visited
Objectives
Outcomes
Research Leader,
Plant Functional
Genomics
USA
To attend contractually set
DEPI/Agriculture Victoria Services-Dow
AgroSciences Alliance research and
development Research Committee
meetings and corresponding five
project progress reviews in conjunction
with attendance at Plant and Animal
Genome XXII Conference.
The outcomes of the trip
include gaining insight into the
latest developments in the field
of Plant Genomics and
reporting on progress to Dow
AgroSciences in all projects
funded by them as part of their
sponsored research and
development program with
Agriculture Victoria Services.
Such reporting meets DEPI's
contractual agreement with
Dow AgroSciences.
Senior Research
Scientist, Molecular
Genetics
USA
To attend contractually set
DEPI/Agriculture Victoria Services-Dow
AgroSciences Alliance research and
development Research Committee
meetings and corresponding five
project progress reviews in conjunction
with attendance at Plant and Animal
Genome XXII Conference.
The outcomes of the trip
include gaining insight into the
latest developments in the field
of Plant Genomics and
reporting on progress to Dow
AgroSciences in all projects
funded by them as part of their
sponsored research and
development program with
Agriculture Victoria Services.
Such reporting meets DEPI's
contractual agreement with
Dow AgroSciences.
Senior Research
Scientist,
Computational Biology
USA
To attend contractually set
DEPI/Agriculture Victoria Services-Dow
AgroSciences Alliance research and
development Research Committee
meetings and corresponding five
project progress reviews in conjunction
with attendance at Plant and Animal
Genome XXII Conference.
The outcomes of the trip
include gaining insight into the
latest developments in the field
of Plant Genomics and
reporting on progress to Dow
AgroSciences in all projects
funded by them as part of their
sponsored research and
development program with
Agriculture Victoria Services.
Such reporting meets DEPI's
contractual agreement with
Dow AgroSciences.
Senior Research
Scientist, Molecular
Plant Breeding
USA
To attend contractually set
DEPI/Agriculture Victoria Services-Dow
AgroSciences Alliance research and
development Research Committee
meetings and corresponding five
project progress reviews in conjunction
with attendance at Plant and Animal
Genome XXII Conference.
The outcomes of the trip
include gaining insight into the
latest developments in the field
of Plant Genomics and
reporting on progress to Dow
AgroSciences in all projects
funded by them as part of their
sponsored research and
development program with
Agriculture Victoria Services.
Such reporting meets DEPI's
contractual agreement with
Dow AgroSciences.
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
52
Title of officer
Countries
visited
Objectives
Outcomes
Senior Research
Scientist,
Computational Biology
USA
To attend contractually set
DEPI/Agriculture Victoria Services-Dow
AgroSciences Alliance research and
development Research Committee
meetings and corresponding five
project progress reviews in conjunction
with attendance at Plant and Animal
Genome XXII Conference.
The outcomes of the trip
include gaining insight into the
latest developments in the field
of Plant Genomics and
reporting on progress to Dow
AgroSciences in all projects
funded by them as part of their
sponsored research and
development program with
Agriculture Victoria Services.
Such reporting meets DEPI's
contractual agreement with
Dow AgroSciences.
Director, Technology
Commercialisation
USA
To attend the Plant and Animal
Genome XXII Conference in San
Diego, to attend contractually-required
Agriculture Victoria Services-Dow
AgroSciences collaborative research
and development meetings, and to
qualify opportunities to commercialise
DEPI-created technologies of interest
to Dow AgroSciences. The agreement
involves five sponsored research and
development projects. The traveller
fulfils intellectual property management
and governance responsibilities on the
Research and Steering Committees.
Meetings were independently
held in San Diego with North
Dakota State University and
Washington State University to
explore interest in acquiring a
licence to Agriculture Victoria
Services' herbicide tolerance
trait technology in barley.
Senior Veterinary
Officer, Pigs
USA
To attend pre-conference workshops
and numerous educational sessions at
the American Association of Swine
Veterinarians Annual Meeting in San
Diego, California.
Attendance at the American
Association of Swine
Veterinarians Annual
Conference provided DEPI
Biosecurity with the
opportunity to update
information on issues
impacting on the USA swine
industry. The focus of the
conference was health, welfare
and biosecurity, with emphasis
on Porcine Reproductive and
Respiratory Syndrome virus.
Linkages with key scientists
were established during
networking sessions.
Senior Research
Scientist
USA
To present a spoken paper at the 26th
International Vertebrate Pest
Conference on the impacts planned
burning and predation have on native
species.
The traveller attended the 26th
international Vertebrate Pest
Conference in the USA and
presented the findings of a
nine-year landscape scale
predator control program. The
conference covered a wide
range of pest management
topics relevant to Victoria,
including feral cat and deer
management.
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
53
Title of officer
Countries
visited
Objectives
Outcomes
Project Officer, Grains
Information Hub
USA
To visit and present, as part of a small
multi-agency group, at the national
eXtension conference in Sacramento,
making contacts from across the USA.
To visit two mid-west universities where
the current Director of eXtension in the
USA will introduce the travellers to
eXtension leaders. To visit the United
States Department of Agriculture
National Institute of Food and
Agriculture to meet with departmental
representatives and gain the
departmental perspective on eXtension.
The learnings from the
National eXtension
Conference and discussions
with eXtension professionals
will be directly applied to the
DEPI/Grains Research and
Development Corporation
eXtension pilot in Australia in
2014 and to the broader
development of online learning
tools to support the grains
industry in Australia.
Continued interaction through
international networks created
during the visit will sustain and
nurture development of new
tools.
Knowledge
Management
Specialist
USA
To visit and present, as part of a small
multi-agency group, at the national
eXtension conference in Sacramento,
making contacts from across the USA.
To visit two mid-west universities where
the current Director of eXtension in the
USA will introduce the travellers to
eXtension leaders. To visit the United
States Department of Agriculture
National Institute of Food and
Agriculture to meet with departmental
representatives and gain the
departmental perspective on eXtension.
A small DEPI delegation
visited the USA to develop a
deeper relationship with the
leaders of the USA
Cooperative eXtension
system, the national eXtension
initiative and the National
Institute of Food and
Agriculture. Key outcomes
include continued agreement
to support the eXtension pilot
in the Australian grains
industry and to create
pathways to support science
based collaborations with the
support the United States
Department of Agriculture and
the awareness of senior
representatives within the
Australian Embassy.
Knowledge
Management
Coordinator
USA
To visit and present, as part of a small
multi-agency group, at the national
eXtension conference in Sacramento,
making contacts from across the USA.
To visit two mid-west universities where
the current Director of eXtension in the
USA will introduce the travellers to
eXtension leaders. To visit the United
States Department of Agriculture
National Institute of Food and
Agriculture to meet with departmental
representatives and gain the
departmental perspective on eXtension.
A small DEPI delegation
visited the USA to develop a
deeper relationship with the
leaders of the US Cooperative
Extension System, the national
eXtension initiative and the
National Institute of Food and
Agriculture. Key outcomes
included continued agreement
to support the eXtension pilot
in the Australian grains
industry and the creation of
new pathways for DEPI’s use
of both technology and people
enabled service systems.
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
54
Title of officer
Countries
visited
Objectives
Outcomes
Senior Technical
Officer, Spatial
Information Sciences
USA
To meet with key spatial systems
developers at University of Missouri's
Centre for Applied Research and
Environmental Systems. The Centre for
Applied Research and Environmental
Systems facility are collaborators in the
current FarmWeb and Nutrient
Management project funded by DEPI
and the Gardiner Foundation. It is
intended that the traveller will spend a
week working directly with the Centre
for Applied Research and
Environmental Systems programmers
and developers on the development of
the FarmWeb platform and sharing
learnings from DEPI with our USA
partners. The traveller will also visit key
United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA) sites to investigate
current on-line initiatives in both
providing on-line access soils and land
use data (CropScape) in terms of the
technologies being developed and
whether they provide useful models for
DEPI's current on-line information
delivery programs.
This trip has significantly
enhanced DEPI FarmWeb 2.0
project outcomes through
advancing technical and
academic collaboration with
the University of Missouri,
established in 2012, and
developed new collaborative
relationships with key USDA
(soils), NASA (water
management) and key
agribusiness organisations
involved in the development of
online applications for soils
and water management.
Senior Research
Officer, Spatial
Information Sciences
USA
To meet with University of Missouri's
Centre for Applied Research and
Environmental Systems director Chris
Barnett and Associate Professor John
Lory to further develop the collaborative
program of work initiated by their visit to
Victoria in December 2012 as part of
the Gardiner Foundation FarmWeb
project. This will include discussion and
development of a draft Memorandum of
Understanding between the
organisations. To visit key sites
involved in both the development of the
extension program and USA Open
Government initiatives (United States
Department of Agriculture and NASA
sites in Virginia and California) to help
set the strategic direction for the
FarmWeb program and its role in the
provision of access to DEPI agricultural
data and knowledge.
This trip has significantly
enhanced DEPI FarmWeb 2.0
project outcomes through
advancing technical and
academic collaboration with
the University of Missouri,
established in 2012, and
developing new collaborative
relationships with key United
States Department of
Agriculture (soils), NASA
(water management) and key
agribusiness organisations
involved in the development of
online applications for soils
and water management.
Director,
Environmental Water
Resource
USA
To present at the Joint Aquatic
Sciences Meeting in Portland, Oregon
USA. This is a meeting of four leading
aquatic scientific societies and involves
a sizeable contingency of international
speakers and attendees.
The presentation outlined
Victoria's approach to the
management of environmental
water with a focus on the use
of environmental works, which
underpin Victoria's push for
reducing the water to be
recovered under the Murray
Darling Plan. This
presentation, along with a
meeting with several water
resource management
agencies to discuss
environmental water
management and policy,
facilitated valuable knowledge
exchange and learning from
other jurisdictions/countries.
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
55
Title of officer
Countries
visited
Objectives
Outcomes
Senior Research
Scientist
USA
To present at a special session entitled
‘The science and management of
environmental flows: recent
developments and remaining
challenges’ at the Joint Aquatic
Sciences Meeting 2014 in Portland
Oregon USA.
The traveller communicated
with experts from around the
world in the area of monitoring
and evaluating environmental
flows; showcased current
research into responses of
native fish to environmental
flows in Victoria; increased
knowledge of approaches to
monitoring and evaluation of
environmental flows programs;
and increased knowledge of
how this type of information
can be incorporated into the
environmental flows planning
and adaptive management.
Research Scientist,
Plant Vector Borne
Diseases
USA
To present DEPI’s internationally
unique research on insect/disease/plant
interactions under elevated CO2 at the
second Hemiptera-Plant Interactions
Symposium, which is the leading event
in the world in vector entomology. To
attend the Omics workshop associated
with the Symposium and meet with
collaborators and other researchers
from USA and Europe attending the
Symposium.
The traveller attended the
Second International
Hemiptera-Plant Interactions
Symposium during which he
presented DEPI research on
the pests and diseases under
future climate. He also
attended the Omics workshop,
met with collaborators and
faculty members from
Universities across the USA
and other countries.
Research Scientist,
Grape and Wine
Chemistry
USA
To build on existing relationships with
USA collaborators to develop new
projects in grape and wine research
and present as a speaker at the 65th
American Society of Enology and
Viticulture National Conference.
The traveller presented
winegrape tannin research at
the 65th American Society for
Enology and Viticulture
National Conference alongside
Dr Jim Harbertson from
Washington State University.
The research was a result of
international collaborations
with scientists from DEPI,
United Kingdom, USA and the
Australian Synchrotron.
Senior Technical
Officer
USA
To present as an invited speaker at the
65th American Society of Enology and
Viticulture National Conference and
develop relationships with USA
collaborators and grape and wine
scientists for the development of new
methodology and projects in grape and
wine research.
The traveller presented
winegrape tannin research at
the 65th American Society for
Enology and Viticulture
National Conference alongside
Dr Jim Harbertson from
Washington State University.
The research was a result of
international collaborations
with scientists from DEPI,
USA, the United Kingdom and
the Australian Synchrotron.
Manager, Strategic
Bushfire Planning,
Alpine and Greater
Gippsland Risk
Landscape
USA
To examine developments in
leadership training within US Forest
Fire agencies, including a “lessons
learned” approach to investigating fire
incidents and the use of “staff rides” to
deliver experiential training. To
accelerate the development of future
fire leaders by enabling key learnings
from significant incidents to be
effectively captured and shared.
The traveller gained valuable
insight into how Victoria’s fire
agencies can accelerate
experiential leadership
training, and learning and
sharing of lessons from
bushfire incidents.
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
56
Title of officer
Countries
visited
Objectives
Outcomes
Chief Plant Health
Officer
USA
To attend a Plant Health Australia
Citrus Biosecurity Study Tour for
Huanglongbing and Asian Citrus Psyllid
Preparedness. The aim is to investigate
the technical and operational
management of Huanglongbing and its
vectors in Florida and California in
order to be better prepared to respond
to an incursion of this high priority
exotic disease.
The traveller attended a Plant
Health Australia Citrus
Biosecurity Study Tour for
Huanglongbing and Asian
Citrus Psyllid in California and
Florida, USA. The tour
improved preparedness in the
event of an incursion of two of
the Citrus industries major
biosecurity threats and
improved national and
international networks to
respond to disease outbreaks
in the citrus industry.
National Rabbit
Management
Facilitator
USA
To participate in the Leadership in
Community Engagement course at
Pennsylvania State University, USA.
Participation is a critical foundation and
milestone activity for the traveller's role
as the National Rabbit Management
Facilitator and will lead to efficiencies
and collaborative opportunities.
The traveller undertook an
Invasive Animals Cooperative
Research Centre sponsored
course at Pennsylvania State
University on Leadership in
Community Engagement. The
course teachings and the
national and international
research linkages established
through the course have been
incorporated into the
Cooperative Research
Centre's Project Plan for the
traveller's position as National
Rabbit Management
Facilitator.
Research Scientist,
Pulse Agronomy
USA,
Canada
To participate in a study trip which
meets a milestone associated with a
Grains Research and Development
Corporation project. To visit the leading
pulse research groups in North Dakota,
Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta
and present pulse agronomic research
results in various forums. To expand
linkages with key scientists and
industry personnel and discuss
potential for stronger collaboration.
The traveller visited Canada
and the USA with the project
team to complete the study trip
milestone with the Grains
Research and Development
Corporation project. The
traveller and project team
presented work associated
with the Southern Pulse
agronomy program in various
forums and met with various
pulse research and industry
representatives to learn their
pulse programs and develop
collaborative opportunities for
further research.
Leader, Australian
Grains Genebank
USA,
Canada
To develop relationships with
international Genebank leaders through
participation at additional meetings of
the International Genebank Managers.
To improve germplasm conservation,
exchange and utilisation, and explore
capacity building and research
opportunities. To develop world’s best
practice management and operational
procedures for the Australian Grains
Genebank through collaboration with
Genebanks in the USA and Canada.
The traveller visited Canada
and the USA to observe
genebank best practice, and to
attend the International
Genebank Managers meeting.
Relationships were initiated
that will lead to collaborative
partnerships with DEPI for the
establishment of worlds’ best
practice, investment in
Australian Grains Genebank
projects and capacity building
programs.
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
57
Title of officer
Countries
visited
Objectives
Outcomes
Manager, ecoMarkets
USA, United
Kingdom
To attend the Valuation for Natural
Capital Accounting Workshop and to
help organise and present at the
London Group for Environmental
Accounting and the United Nations
Experimental Ecosystem Accounting
Technical Meeting.
Summary of outcomes will be
provided in the 2014-15
Annual Report.
Principal Research
Scientist, Invertebrate
Sciences
Vietnam,
Singapore
The traveller was the lead trainer of the
Australian Government Department of
Agriculture’s ASEAN-Australia-New
Zealand Free Trade Area Economic
Co-operation Work Program Regional
Diagnostic Network training activity on
the Diagnostics of Scale Insects of
Agricultural/Quarantine Importance,
held in Kuala Lumpur in August 2013.
This travel is to undertake a follow up
delivery of diagnostic mentoring and
surveys on scale insects in Singapore
and Vietnam in March and April 2014,
aimed to address gaps in Southeast
Asian expertise.
The traveller significantly
contributed to the objective of
enhancing the capacity of
ASEAN countries to identify
major scale insect pests in the
region, to promote regional
networking, and stimulate the
adoption of current diagnostic
methods. It was a great
success for both the students
and the traveller, and has led
to the formation of a network
for ongoing exchange of
images, material and
information which will benefit
food production in ASEAN
countries and biosecurity
preparedness in Australia.
h) Details of major promotional, public relations and marketing activities
undertaken by the department to develop community awareness of the services
provided by the department
Activity
Description
Cost
Public awareness
The Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Magazine
(published three times a year) provides a statewide communication
vehicle for Landcare and other community-based natural resource
management groups to share stories that illustrate best practice,
learning and new ideas. Most of the content is contributed by
community groups; however contributions on particular specialist
areas are also sought from researchers, government and others.
$131,647
Public awareness
The department sponsored the Trailfinders Australian Garden Display
at the Chelsea Flower Show in London. The Chelsea Flower Show is
one of the most prestigious and well-regarded flower shows in the
world and 2013 marked its 100th anniversary. Involvement in the
show provided an opportunity to promote Victoria and Australia as a
tourist destination; highlight the direct link between a sustainably
designed garden and stormwater and rainwater retention and
management; demonstrate Victoria as being a proactive leader in
landscape design as part of integrated water cycle management,
creating a liveable sustainable environment. It also provided the
department with an opportunity to create international and local
interest in Victorian plants, products, services and skills to the
157,000 visitors who attended the show as well as the millions of
television viewers worldwide. The exhibit was awarded a 'Gold' medal
and 'Exhibit of the Show' creating even further visibility/media
coverage of the exhibit and the department's involvement.
$350,000
i) Details of assessment and measures undertaken to improve the occupational
health and safety of employees, not otherwise detailed in the report of operations
Details of initiatives undertaken to improve the health, safety and wellbeing of employees are included in the DEPI
2013–14 Annual Report which is available at www.depi.vic.gov.au.
DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report Additional departmental information
58
j) General statement on industrial relations within the department and details of
time lost through industrial accidents and disputes, which are not otherwise
detailed in the report of operations
Information about industrial relations and time lost through industrial accidents and disputes is included in the DEPI
2013–14 Annual Report which is available at www.depi.vic.gov.au.
k) List of major committees sponsored by the department, the purpose of each
committee and the extent to which the purposes have been achieved
Details of major committees sponsored by the department are included in the DEPI 2013–14 Annual Report which is
available at www.depi.vic.gov.au.
l) Details of all consultancies and contractors including

consultants/contractors engaged

services provided

expenditure committed to for each engagement.
Information is available on request.
m) Departmental Objective Indicator report: Farm Services
‘Adoption of appropriate technology and management practices by target farmers as a result of accessing services
or information directly from DEPI or from other providers’
Farm Services (FS) has assisted Victorian farmers to improve farm productivity and profitability as a result of
participating in FS services and consequently adopting appropriate technologies and management practices.
Results from four recently commissioned social benefit cost analyses in the dairy, meat and wool, grains, and
horticulture sectors, are summarised below.
Feeding Pastures for Profit (FPFP) began in 2004 and has delivered programs to 1,400 dairy farmers across all
dairy regions in Victoria. The program supports producers to increase the proportion of directly grazed pasture,
which is the most significant factor correlating with farm income, cost and capital investment. As a result of attending
the program, participating farmers have made practice changes to increase the proportion of home grown feed. Of
the dairy farmer participants interviewed, average annual profits rose by $43,000, and 100% of participants were
satisfied, or very satisfied, with the program and would recommend the program to others. Investment in FPFP
during 2009-2012 has achieved a net benefit of $35.6M (net present value) with a benefit cost ratio of 18:1.
Established in 2010, the BetterBeef Network (BBN) delivers a suite of targeted activities to beef producers to
develop a more productive and profitable Victorian beef industry. It’s target audience is medium and large scale beef
producers with an aspiration to increase productivity. As a result of participating in BBN participants have reported
an 80% increase in knowledge and skills, 85% increase in confidence to make decisions on farm, 75% have made
on-farm changes and 98% would recommend BBN to other producers. Average farm profitability of participants are
expected to be $5,100p.a. or $14/ha p.a., and average total factor productivity growth (TFP) of 2.6%p.a. compared
with southern beef industry average TFP of 0.1% p.a. over 15 years. Over a 25 year time horizon a benefit cost ratio
of 7:1 is estimated and net present value of $15 million.
Since 2006, the Seasonal Risk Management Program (SRMP) has supported grain growers to better understand
seasonal variability and therefore improve their decisions in managing this risk. The SRMP has increased the
percentage of Victorian farmers who agree and understand that their local seasonal rainfall is influenced by one of
the four key climate drivers, which has led to a growth in use of this seasonal risk information for decision making.
Eighty-five per cent of respondents to a 2011 survey agreed that it had improved their ability to make decisions that
manage seasonal risk. Three surveys (2007, 2008 and 2010) showed 39.1% to 49.1% of respondents reported it
had positively impacted on their bottom line. Profit gains for grain farmers resulting from improved seasonal risk
management range from $7- $20 per ha per year. Investment in the SRM program has achieved a benefit-cost ratio
of 3.1:1 and a net present value of net benefits of $5.2 million.
The Victorian Mallee Irrigation Program works cooperatively with horticulture irrigators to address environmental
impacts whilst increasing the productivity of the irrigation sector. Receiving a positive benefit cost ratio, the program
has (since 2004-05):




supported more than 100 new irrigation developments, covering more than 50,000 hectares including 130 km of
buffer zones;
enabled $22.2M landholder investments in irrigation capital through approx. 1,060 incentive payments resulting in
system upgrades covering 6,500 hectares and improved irrigation scheduling on 10,500 hectares;
significant reductions in costs associated with new development of up to $50,000 for each large scale development;
enabled substantial reductions in drainage volumes and salt loads impacting on the environment, estimated reduced
salinity impact on River Murray at Morgan to be 2.24EC.
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Acronyms used:
ABARES
Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences
ABC
Actions for Biodiversity Conservation
APRP2
Australian Potato Research Program Phase 2
ARI
Arthur Rylah Institute
ASEAN
Association of South East Asian Nations
BCRC
Bushfire Collaborative Research Centre
BNHCRC
Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre
BRL
Bushfire Risk Landscape
CAWCR
Centre for Australian Weather and Climate Research
CFA
Country Fire Authority
CMA
Catchment Management Authority
CRC
Cooperative Research Centre
CSIRO
Commonwealth Science and Industrial Research Organisation
DEPI
Department of Environment and Primary Industries
DFCRC
Dairy Futures Co Operative Research Centre
DFES
Department of Forests and Ecosystem Sciences
EPA
Environment Protection Authority
EVI
Enhanced Vegetation Index
FACE
Free Air CO2 Enrichment
FEDC
Fire Equipment Development Committee
IFER
Integrated Forest Ecosystem Research
IMAS
Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies
ISO
International Organisation for Standardisation
LFE
Land Fire and Environment Group
LMB
Landscape Mosaic Burn
MDBA
Murray-Darling Basin Authority
MDC
Minimum Distance Classifier
MLC
Maximum Likelihood Classification
MSA
Melbourne Strategic Assessment Program
NDVI
Normalised Difference Vegetation Index
RMIT
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
SARDI
South Australian Research and Development Institute (Australia)
SAVI
Soil-adjusted Vegetation Index
SBT
Southern Bluefin Tuna
SEM
(Trading name ?)
SNP
Single Nucleotide Polymorphism
SVM
Support Vector Machines
SWED
Sustainable Water Environments Division
TLM
'The Living Murray'
VEFMAP
Victorian Environmental Flows Monitoring and Assessment Program
VEPP
Victorian Environmental Partnerships Program
VIC DSM
1.0
Version 1.0 of the Victorian Digital Soil Map
VMDT
Virtual Mobile Data Terminal
WGR
Western Grasslands Reserve
WTP
Western Treatment Plant
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