Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia
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Rural Business Development Corporation 2024 Annual Report
No full textChair foreword
I am pleased to present the 2023-24 Annual Report of the Rural Business Development Corporation (RBDC). The role of the RBDC is to administer approved assistance schemes, carry out research and give advice to the Minister for Agriculture and Food. As a board we are deeply committed to ensuring that the Corporation is responsive to the needs of the state’s regional and rural businesses and communities.
The Corporation’s support for rural businesses in WA, principally through the administration of financial assistance, remains as vital as ever. The past year has seen many of the state’s primary producers experience challenging seasonal conditions. The RBDC is pleased to be overseeing the 2024 Drought Response Interest Free Loan Scheme on behalf of the Western Australian Government. This scheme will enable businesses to cover the costs of stockfeed, water and transportation and complements the broader package of support to farmers. The Corporation was also represented on the 2024 Dry Season Taskforce and recognised this as an effective mechanism to share information and find ways to support the agriculture industry.
The RBDC has continued to administer the Australian Carbon Credit Units Plus stream of the Carbon Farming and Land Restoration Program. The program provides financial assistance for carbon farming projects that deliver Australian Carbon Credit Units in addition to one or more of the program’s five priority co-benefits. These include biodiversity and conservation, agricultural productivity, soil health, salinity mitigation and Aboriginal economic and cultural outcomes. With the third round of the program launched earlier in the year, it has been pleasing to see strong interest from the industry in new carbon farming projects.
I wish to acknowledge the contributions made by my fellow RBDC directors to the development of rural and regional intelligence and independent advice to support the minister.
I particularly wish to thank departing Director, Ms Tara Chambers, for her enthusiastic and pragmatic support to our operations since joining the board in 2019. I welcome the appointment of Ms Sue Middleton, who joined the board in 2023, and brings significant experience across agribusiness and regional development.
I thank the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer, Ms Heather Brayford, for her close working relationship with the board and acknowledge the support provided to the RBDC from across the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
Over the coming year the RBDC will be closely overseeing our current programs and continuing to examine opportunities for new supports to the industry. We will maintain our focus on collaboration with a range of key stakeholders to inform our advice to the Western Australian Government.
Andrew Clark Chai
The social and economic dimensions of one of the world’s longest-operating shark fisheries
No full textContext Social and economic information is limited for coastal commercial and recreational fisheries, particularly shark fisheries, which are perceived as unsustainable and as targeting sharks for fins.
Aims To characterise the social and economic dimensions of one of the world’s few long-standing sustainable shark fisheries.
Methods We reviewed historic data and surveyed stakeholders to understand the economic and social dimensions of the shark fishery currently operating in Western Australia.
Key results Since the fishery’s historic peak, there has been a substantial reduction in the number of operating vessels and ports due to management intervention. For the vessels that have remained, catches and catch rates increased through time. Fishers sold only flesh and fins, whereas processors also sold cartilage. Revenue mostly originates from the domestic sale of flesh, not fins. This fishery provides additional social and economic returns through the employment of an average of 102 people per annum, the supply of local fresh seafood to communities and the expenditure of most of operational costs in local government areas. In addition, the average annual market value through the supply chain was A20.9 × 106).
Conclusions Our study is the first step towards a more comprehensive valuation of the societal contribution of sustainable shark fisheries.
Implications This novel information has a range of applications, from developing social and economic objectives in fisheries harvest strategies to empowering government agencies when making decisions on natural resource management
Fisheries Science Update - Crabbing in Cockburn Sound
No full textKey points: 2024 stock assessment outcomes The Cockburn Sound blue swimmer crab resource spans the waters of Cockburn Sound and Owen Anchorage north to the port of Fremantle. The Cockburn Sound crab stock is assessed periodically by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) via weight of evidence stock assessments. Despite most of Cockburn Sound remaining closed to blue swimmer crab fishing since 2014, crab abundance levels have shown little increase. Current modelling suggests that Cockburn Sound now supports a notably lower crab population than in the early 2000s and can sustain a significantly reduced annual catch. This change is understood to be environmentally driven, as measures implemented to reduce the nutrient load entering Cockburn Sound have reduced primary productivity and thus food for crabs
Hay production
No full textThere are specific requirements for hay for the export market that are different to usual on-farm requirements. These include earlier cutting times, green hay colour, low moisture content, freedom from weeds, and thin-strawed varieties.
Some oat varieties do not meet the exporter’s standard and therefore will not be accepted for delivery. Growers interested in the export market should check with individual exporters for their requirements.
Variety information can be found in the department’s current Western Australian crop sowing guide, available on the website at dpird.wa.gov.au
Agricultural groundcover update March 2024
No full textIn March, over 10% (1,577,000 ha) of the arable farmland in the south-west of Western Australia had less than 50% vegetative groundcover, which is inadequate to prevent wind erosion. The northern grainbelt had the highest risk of wind erosion and over 20% of this farmland had inadequate groundcover. About 1.3% (191,000 ha) of arable land had a high to very high risk of wind erosion because groundcover was less than 30%
Innovation - food waste
No full textJoin us for an enlightening session with Nick Stamatiou from Whole, where we\u27ll delve into the realm of food waste innovation. Nick will share insights into Whole\u27s transformative mission to combat food waste and revolutionise the way we approach food production and consumption
Variations in life-history traits in exploited and unexploited populations of Perth herring (Nematalosa vlaminghi): evidence for density-dependent growth?
No full textResults supported the hypothesis of faster growth in exploited populations because of density-dependent processes. Environmental factors may also have contributed to trait differences between populations
Breakout - Practicalities of ESG – How to Prepare, Plan and Respond to the Green Economy
No full textThis workshop is designed to help businesses respond to growing demands to disclose not only emissions data, but broader ESG information.
While there is a major focus on carbon emissions and disclosure, there is increased pressure to disclose supply chain impacts on topics such as waste, water management, packaging, sourcing/procurement, employment practices, and customer/employee health and safety.
This 90-minute workshop will focus on four key areas: An overview of the ESG landscape and how it is reshaping trade lines and competition. The ESG essentials including stakeholder expectations, reporting landscape, data, strategy and communication. Case study discussion on energy transition, climate-related financial disclosures and natural capital. Peer group discussion and sharing.
Participants of the workshop will receive the Practicalities of ESG Guide which will provide steps towards planning, preparing and responding to key market drivers to help businesses remain resilient and competitive.
Speakers Karien Erasmus, RSM Australia, Associate Director, ESG & Climate Services Elizabeth Ploetz, RSM, Manage
South West Development Commission
No full textSouth West Development Commission boundaryhttps://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/gis_maps/1050/thumbnail.jp