Farming systems and production management

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://elibrary2.sugarresearch.com.au/handle/11079/13844

Research outcomes: Growers and harvesters benefit from the ongoing research in productivity improvement, production management and agronomical techniques. Developed technologies and management practices that enhance productivity and demonstrate a high rate of return on investment.

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2007 - 20102

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    Investment analyses for the Managing Climate Variability Program
    (2007) Agtrans Research and Consulting; AGEC Consulting
    The Managing Climate Variability Program (MCVP) managed by Land and Water Australia (LWA) is scheduled to be completed by June 2007. In accord with LWA policy, the impact of the program required assessment and the impacts subjected to a cost benefit analysis (CBA). At the same time, prospective analyses were required to demonstrate potential benefits from new investment in a second phase of MCVP that would commence later in 2007. Four impact analyses were carried out, all including a cost benefit analysis. The first two were analyses of historical investments. The second two were prospective investments that could be considered for future investment by MCVP. The four analyses were: 1. Investment Performance of the Managing Climate Variability Program 2. Example of Analysis of a Natural Resource Management Impact 3. Prospective Analysis of Increased Forecast Skill 4. Prospective Analysis of Further Investment in Yield Prophet Assumptions for valuing benefits were made in a consistently conservative manner in all four analyses. Sensitivity analyses were conducted for those variables that were thought to be uncertain or key drivers of the investment criteria. Ratings were given to the confidence in each analysis. The ratings included one for the coverage of benefits and a second for the degree of certainty in the assumptions.
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    National Program for Sustainable Irrigation
    (2010)
    The National Program for Sustainable Irrigation was a unique collaboration as it involved governments, irrigators, water providers and researchers from across Australia. It covered every aspect of irrigation from dam management and water delivery, through on-farm management, to sustainable landscape environmental measures. The program has contributed to; • major increases in the efficiency and productivity of irrigation water, • significant reductions in salinity to the Murray Darling Rivers, • greater knowledge and technical capacity of irrigators and irrigation professionals. NPSI partners invested $5.2 million between 2006 - 2012, which led to an additional $6.5 million of co-investments in projects. Benefit cost ratios from investments in irrigation research consistently have been high, between 7 and 14 to one. Equally important have been environmental benefits and human capacity building. In total, 42% of funds were invested in projects that have increased knowledge, 37% that increased efficiency and 21% of invested funds have delivered a demonstrable industry economic impact. Tangible benefits to irrigators have resulted due to improved knowledge of water use efficiency benchmarks and tools, the ability to quantify water losses and better management strategies being put into practice. NPSI has been active in building improved skills, knowledge and decision making of end users via workshops, training events and publications. NPSI played a collaborative role in feeding information from research through to extension networks and sales/technical representatives, then on to the farm. The flagship publication “Irrigation Essentials” provides a snapshot of the latest NPSI research and development that is improving technology, enabling the sharing of knowledge and practice change across all agricultural commodities and horticultural industries. It provides case studies that demonstrate how research and good ideas may be adopted and provides sources of additional information on key topics. Sixty individual case studies have been published. The economic pay off from NPSI II was estimated to deliver at least $13.7m (present value terms) to the Australian economy. Against a total NPSI II investment of $9.1m (present value terms) this represents a positive pay off on funds invested. The net present value was estimated at $4.6m which represents a return of $1.50 on every dollar invested in NPSI II. If benefits are only compared against the cost of projects that have delivered an economic benefit (21% of total costs) the return would be $7.20 for every dollar invested across those projects. The program commissioned an external evaluation of its operations in 2011