Gary Baxter was employed with TAFCO part-time from 2007 until June 2102 as Project Officer for the "SMARTchoice" project and subsequent R & D Projects funded through a range of initiatives from LandCare, RIRDC and HAL.
The SMARTchoice project was funded until June 2011. The project demonstrated and promote the adoption of sustainable production techniques in the former tobacco production areas of NE Victoria. Implementing sustainable production techniques through soil management, crop nutrition, water use efficiency and crop production will underpin the project whilst building the capacity of land owners to assess new land use options to improve long term economic viability.
TAFCO secured funds to retain a part time information officer to assist with the development of horticultural and other niche crop industries in the Ovens, King & Kiewa areas of North East Victoria.
Gary was engaged as a Chestnut Biosecurity Officer assisting the Chestnut Industry to improve biosecurity awareness within the industry as a result of the recent chestnut blight outbreak. This position was been funded through Horticultural Australia and chestnut grower levies for one day per week which concluded in July 2012.
A farmers handbook Guide to on-farm Carbon Management
AgriFutures Aust has recently released a resource to farmers to better understand on-farm carbon management
This is the link to ‘A farmer’s handbook to on-farm carbon management’
The Financial Impact of 2020 Summer Bushfire Smoke on the Wine Regions of North East Victoria.
May 2020 report commissioned by The Rural City of Wangaratta with the assistance of the North East Catchment Management Authority, attempts to quantify the financial losses incurred by grape and wine producers in the Wine Australia geographic indications of King Valley, Alpine Valleys, Beechworth, Rutherglen and Glenrowan, commonly known as the zone of North East Victoria; and the subsequent impact on the national economy.
The Australian Alpine Valleys Agribusiness Forum [AAVAF] was established in 1997 by North East Victorian community leaders with the aim of developing sustainable agribusiness across the region and operated until October 2011. TAFCO were represented on the Board and have archived some of the valuable reports put together by this organisation.
The AAVAF covered the municipalities of Alpine, Indigo and Towong, the Rural City of Wangaratta, Rural City of Benalla and the City of Wodonga and represented 500 members that included individuals, agribusinesses, companies, government agencies and statutory authorities. The organisation ran a regular program of events and forums and at its peak, was widely considered to be Victoria's premier agribusiness forum.
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DAIRY
Future Dairy Supply for Alpine Valleys North East Victoria 2010
EVERGRAZE
Newsletter 1st December 2007 File Size 1.96MB |
Newsletter 2nd April 2008 File Size 1.30MB
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Green Tea Study and Growers Guide Report 2006 File Size 49KB
WINE
Wine Bottling Report 2007 File Size 2.89MB
This RIRDC report provides detailed information on the potential for growing hazelnuts in Australia, possible production areas and the characteristics and productivity of a range of varieties. It is the culmination of twelve years of research. It is intended to provide valuable information for existing hazelnut growers, those planning to grow hazelnuts, potential investors in the hazelnut industry, individual advisers and policy makers
The Potential to Produce Pumpkin Seed for Processing in North East Victoria
Report Released into the Potential to Produce Pumkin Seed in North East Victoria
An established pumpkin seed processing company, looking to source additional Australian-grown pumpkin seed for its operation, has identified a number of potential future production areas, includingthe north east of Victoria. For farmers on ex-tobacco farms in the Ovens, King and Kiewa valleys, their conversion to the production of pumpkin seed potentially fits well with their region and circumstances.
Like any farmers wishing to diversify or find alternatives to a crop-based industry that has faced closure, these farmers need good information on the agronomy of a potential new crop, the suitability of their area and circumstances for producing that crop, and information about potential markets. Prior to this study, there was little information published on the potential of an edible pumpkin seed industry in Australia.
PASTURE ESTABLISHMENT & IMPROVEMENT
Friday 2nd March 2012 10.30a.m to 12 noon
In store at TAFCO followed by BBQ lunch
Smyth Seeds agronomist Tom Dickson together with DPI’s Sue Briggs (Soil, water, climate group) will be conducting a short in store workshop on Pasture establishment & improvement. Tom and Sue can assist in your decision making about pasture species that suit your soil and climatic conditions. DPI have offered further assistance for farmers interested in more detailed farm planning through additional workshops.
POST FLOOD LUCERNE INFORMATION DAY
Wed. 22nd SEPTEMBER 2010
10.45 a.m. for 11.00 a.m. start
Lunch provided
TAFCO and the SMARTchoice project staff would like to invite you to attend an information session to discuss lucerne management. This opportunity has been organised in light of the recent flooding event but will also have a more general lucerne management focus.
The aim of the meeting is to provide the opportunity to hear a recognised expert in lucerne production but who has also had experience with lucerne flooding issues.
TAFCO has been involved with the‘Alpine Valleys Agrifood’ initiative as reported in previous Newsletters.
Whilst marketing and investment attraction are pivotal elements in progressing this initiative, the business development role of working with existing supply chain operators and local farmers is of critical importance."
This is an update on the Commonwealth funded Caring For Our Country SMARTchoice project. The project has the general aim of supporting land owners in the Upper River Valleys of North East Victoria deal with land use change. There is part time staff involvement and the project is coordinated through TAFCO in Myrtleford. The SMARTchoice project has a funded role to assist landowners deal with soil moisture monitoring, product quality assurance, soil ‘health’ and general land management issues.