BushNews and Links

BUSH TUCKER	An important Australian resource, the native or bush tucker industry, will be marketed on the domestic and international front. The Department of Primary Industry is also investigating the commercial viability of establishing a domestic olive industry. Estimates show that Australia's ability to capture 40 per cent of the domestic market would result in $10.3m for the rural industry.

AUSTRALIAN WILDFLOWERS	Wildflowers have sparked considerable interest as a potential export earner for primary producers seeding diversification alternatives. Rice flower, which is a native Australian wildflower, has attracted grower attention as a result of high prices it initially commanded in the Japanese market. Ricer flower is used as a filler flower in this market with stem lengths of 50-60 cm

EXPORT OF KANGAROO MEAT	The Australian kangaroo meat industry looked set to grow by more than A$1 million over the next year with imports now allowed by the Phillipines - AQIS said. The new market meant that Australia's expanding kangaroo meat industry would bring in more than $10m a year in export earnings. See Kangaroo Meat

ALLIGATOR WEED	Primary producers have been asked to watch out for alligator weed. This declared weed could compete with crops, cause damage to irrigation equipment, and decrease water available for producers, if it escapes into waterways. The community should NOT try to remove or dispose of it but should contact Alligator Weed Hotline 97 3222 2534 See Pests of OZ

BUY AUSTRALIAN SOCKS	Holeproof, Australia's largest manufacturer of underwear and socks, purchases more Australian wool than any other manufacturer in Australia.

TOP CLASS WOOL	The finest bale of wool ever produced in the world sold for 34,000 cents a kilogram greasy at Geelong last week, a seasonal record. The 13.4 micron bale was bought for Italy. The bale weighed 119 kg, which works out to $40,460 for the bale of shredded wool. It was granted IPP certification, the highest grading possible. The wool had a staple strength of 51 newtons/kilotex.

IRRIGATION: Burdekin	Expanded irrigation farming in the Burdekin region is poised to translate into major opportunities for Queensland's multi-million dollar apiculture industry. Worth about $300 million to the Queensland economy each year, the growth in the pollination industry is strongly linked to increased numbers of lychee, melon, avocado, kiwifruit and stonefruit production.Significantly moew hives are now needed for pollination in prime horticultural areas. Twice the number of bees were now needed for pollination.

Increase in Aussie Cheese Sales	Australia has maintained its position as the leading supplier of cheese to Japan, as well as making further inroads into lucrative EU markets, according to the Australian Dairy Corporation's annual report, tabled in Federal Parliament earlier this week. The result reflects an increase of 13pc to $198m in sales to Japan and the European Union. Australia now holds 40pc of the Japanese cheddar and processed cheese market.
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Wool	In the last year, Italy bought $587 million worth of Australian wool, 24% more than the previous year. It is now second after China, with Italy buying 16pc of our clip, with a big emphasis on the finer, higher priced wools.
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Schooling 2001 programme.	Schools on the Western Downs will receive a total of $195,250 in information technology grants announced last week by member for Western Downs Brian Littleproud.Granted under the Coalition Government's $78.2 million Schooling 2001 programme, the money wil go towards maintenance, enhancement and replacement of computers.
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On the spot Quarantine fines for travellers.	International travellers arriving in Australia who do not declare prohibited foods or other items will be fined between $55 and $110. More serious cases will be prosecuted in court. The fines, which must be paid on the spot, in Australian currency, or credit card, are part of the acceleration of a quarantine programme . From next year 41 beagles will be working at Australia's seven international airports and mail centres, sniffing out items such as fruit and vegetables, plant material, meat and meat products, eggs, reptiles, live birds and mammals and queen bees.
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Roos damage wheat crops.	Kangaroo culling programmes have been blamed for excessive damage to wheat crops, causing up to 100 acres damaged out of 2000 acres. For 70 tonnes of wheat at $179 a tonne, that's $12000 damage. This year's harsh El Nino has made wheat more attractive to kangaroos. Farmers did not like the inconvenience of having to go shooting each night after a hard day's work. Ammunition and fuel were added costs. Figures of the roo population in New South Wales has fallen from a peak of more than 9 million to 4.72 m. Kangaroos are never in any danger of extinction through being shot out through commercial harvesting.
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Buying back the farm	Dairy Farmers group has acquired Kraft's natural cheese business, giving the co-operative control of the Coon Cheese, CrackaBarrel, Fred Walker and Mil Lel brands. Dairy Farmers is 100pc owned by Australian dairy farmers and this acquisition reverses the trend of seeing Australian brands go off-shore.
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Goodbye Arnotts	Giant American firm Campbells has at last bought out Arnott's biscuits, owned and run by Australia for the last fifty years. Staff were very sorry to see the end of an era.