SPONSORSHIP PROSPECTUS

Transcription

1 SPONSORSHIP PROSPECTUS

2 The Organisation Central West Farming Systems (CWFS) was formed in 1998 as a farmer based research group with the motto of Farmers Advancing Research. The Principle aim of the organisation is: To be the leading regional group effectively demonstrating, extending and promoting farming innovation to assist farmers in managing their businesses for long term economic, social and environmental viability. The group is managed by an Executive Committee comprising of 14 farmers, elected from our membership at each Annual General Meeting and representatives from our major funding/project partners and agribusiness. CWFS currently has over 400 members. These are predominantly farmers, although we are also strongly supported by private advisors, agribusiness, research organisations and universities. CWFS employ a multidisciplinary staff including a Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Senior Research Advisor, Research and Extension Agronomists, Farmer Trials Extension Officer, Technical Assistants, Women & Youth Project Officer and Administration & Finance Officers. Core funding for our activities derive from Industry and Government funding programs. Our major funding partners currently include the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), Department of Agriculture, Fishing and Forestry (DAFF), and the Department of Primary Industries (DPI). Our office is located at the Agricultural Research and Advisory Station at Condobolin, which is ideally central to our region. The Region CWFS covers an area of appproximately 14 million hectares across the low rainfall region of Central West NSW. Rainfall is historically winter dominant and ranges from 550 mm/year in the east to below 400 mm/ year in the western areas of the region. CWFS currently operates 11 regional sites that work in a paired system. These pairs are: Nyngan and Tottenham; Alectown, Wirrinya and Gunning Gap; Lake Cargelligo and Euabalong; Weethalle and Ungarie; and Merriwagga and Rankins Springs. Trials are also conducted annually at our Lachlan Irrigation Research Advisory Council (LIRAC) site and at the Condobolin Research Station. Each regional site is hosted by a CWFS member and managed by a regional site farmer committee supported by CWFS staff and local private agribusiness advisors.

3 Activities and Outputs Regional Sites Each year we run pre-season planned meetings, in-crop walks and a number of field days at our regional sites. Each site s demonstration and extension activities reflect locally specific issues as identified by their respective committee. A new feature introduced in 2013 was local farmer participation in the ongoing assessment activities occurring at their regional sites. Annual Publications CWFS produces an Annual Research Harvest Report and Best Practices Guide featuring the results from all CWFS trial sites, along with papers covering relevant topics from other farming systems and research groups. Newsletters and Fact Sheets CWFS produce four newsletters annually along with relevant and timely fact sheets for members. Member Infomation Service Our members receive fortnightly updates and bulletins via through our Member Information Service. We also keep our members updated utilising social media, specifically Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Website Our recently revamped website is constantly updated with reports of our activities, photos, podcasts and upcoming events. We also have a members only section where we post regional site trial plans, publications and research results. GRDC Grower & Farm Business Updates CWFS works with the GRDC to bring annual Grower and Farm Business Updates to the region. Bus Trips, Workshops and Other Activities Workshops are organised on a regular basis and bus trips are arranged as topical issues arise. Expert speakers are invited to present at these extension activities. Website: Blogs: Central West Farming Systems Central West Farming Systems CWFS@CWFS_Condo

4 Current Projects & Research Activities Rain, Grain & Stubble Maintaining profitable farming systems with retained stubble in the Central West of NSW or Rain, Grain & Stubble for short, is a five year project involving all eleven CWFS Regional Trial Sites and is one of ten local GRDC D&E projects operating as part of an initiative across the GRDC Southern Region. Skills, information and ideas are shared with other CWFS projects to promote innovation and synergies in D&E activities. Rain, Grain & Stubble is combining the results of previous research projects and the experience of CWFS, our project partners and local farmers to address the various on-farm management issues that are experienced within a retained stubble cropping system. The project outcomes are being extended to landholders and advisors to assist them to maintain and improve the profitability and sustainability of their operations. A new aspect of this project is the establishment of on-farm case studies to address issues of what farmers are actually experiences in their retained stubble cropping systems. It will identify and record what farmers are trialling to address the issue, and offer the services of CWFS to value add to their initiative. Lime In this project, CWFS works collaboratively with the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA) proposed project, Soil acidity is limiting grain yield to develop and deliver regionally relevant project outputs for CWFS districts. Active involvement in the DAFWA project ensures the scientific rigor of the project that allows the development of regional specific producer confidence and skills capacity in diagnosing acidity limitations to crop growth, and developing amelioration strategies based on local risks and returns to liming. CWFS uses its website to allow industry to access publications and decision support tools that underpin the knowledge required to manage soil acidification. Controlled Traffic Farming in the Low Rainfall Zone This project is examining the impact that compaction has on farming production in the low rainfall zone. The project is a collaboration between the Australian Controlled Traffic Farming Association (ACTFA), Agriculture Victoria, Society of Precision Agriculture Australia (SPAA), South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), Mallee Sustainable Farming Systems (MSFS) and Birchip Cropping Group (BCG). CWFS hosts one of three CTF sites. This project aims to quantify the loss in production compaction causes to enable an economic justification to implementing controlled traffic farming. Early Sow This project aims to increase the proportion of total farm wheat area planted to appropriate varieties prior to 1st May, either dry, or following early autumn rain. This project hopes to develop robust regional guidelines describing seasonal suitability for early sowing and appropriate varieties, and management to optimise harvest index and maximise yield of early sown wheat. There are four trial locations in the southern grains region in conjunction with five grower groups using a collective inquiry model of research. Overdependence of Agrichemicals The aims of this project are to investigate alternative methods to reduce farmer reliance on Agrichemicals using methods such as sowing direction, harvest weed seed capture and brown manuring. This project has a strong partnership between the Graham Centre and the low rainfall farming systems groups: CWFS, South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), Mallee Sustainable Farming Systems (MSFS) and Birchip Cropping Group (BCG). This partnership ensures that a focus is retained upon relevant methods of reducing external input costs for the low rainfall areas of the NSW, Victorian and North Eastern SA GRDC southern regions, whilst maintaining adherence to both scientific and economic considerations.

5 Current Projects & Research Activities Cont. Women and Youth in Agriculture CWFS recognises the importance of both women and youth within the agricultural sector. Activities to support these groups have included: Numerous events including workshops, tours and presentations. CWFS Women and Youth in Agriculture conference which is held every two years. Supporting local women s groups to undertake a Diploma in Rural Business Management. Supporting and mentoring a Young Lime Champion from Condobolin High School, involving them within the Lime Project, in conjunction with the BEACON Foundation. Including a youth careers component in three major Spring field days, enabling students to engage in oneon-one converstaions on career choices with a range of Agricultural experts. Hosting a group of touring University students from colleges across the United States, visiting local farms and trial sites. Current negotiation of a Youth in Agriculture pilot program forecast to be rolled out at a national level. National Paddock Survey This project is led by BCG in association with CSIRO, farming systems groups and agronomic consultants in the Western, Northern and Southern GRDC regions. The project aims to identify the reason behind yield gaps and what is limiting cropping production. It is also ground-truthing yield prediction software Yield Prophet which is being developed to help grain growers to make informed management decisions around fertiliser applications and final yields. Irrigated Cereal & Canola Varieties This project is addressing the improvement of advisers and grower knowledge of high yielding cereal and canola varieties under irrigated systems, and specific agronomy management that will improve profitability of cereals and canola under irrigation. The research outcomes of the project will assist with the development of three tools for growers and advisers to be completed in 2017: An Irrigated Wheat: Best Practice Guidelines in Southern Irrigated Cropping Systems manual. An Irrigated Canola: Best Practice Guidelines in Southern Irrigated Cropping Systems manual. Variety Specific Agronomy Packages (VSAPs) for each node. As an irrigator, the value of the three tools for growers will be invaluable in our winter cropping enterprises. Winter cropping was a very poor cousin to summer cropping in our farming systems even ten years ago, however now we depend on this vital part of our income stream. There are so many questions that this project will provide answers for in terms of water and nutrient efficiency as well as improved varietal choice. Crop Sequencing (Completed) This important project examined the productivity and financial implications of growing broadleaf varieties of legumes or brassicas within a cropping sequence, whilst further investigating impacts upon the surrounding environment and associated management decisions. The Condobolin research site was one of five sites in low rainfall areas and the data produced provided the ability to compare results between rainfall, soil type and other site specific variables. Results have shown that selection of the correct crop in a cropping rotation can increase the Nitrogen content of soils, increase cereal output and associated gross profit margins whilst assisting in the prevention of herbicide resistance and insect pest spp.

6 Sponsorship Opportunities CWFS receives core funding for specific projects from our major funding partners. Currently these are the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), the Department of Agriculture, Fishing and Forestry (DAFF) and various collaborations with universities and other farming research groups. To underwrite these projects and aid in the development of new projects, CWFS seeks sponsorship from others within the industry. CWFS pools this money with our revenue received from membership for use in priority areas not currently covered by our specific projects. CWFS have a variety of sponsorship levels on offer. These include:

7 Sponsorship Opportunities Cont.

8 Sponsorship Opportunities Cont.

9 Sponsorship Opportunities Cont. All prices shown exclude GST The benefits outlined above are guidelines only and may be refined to suit particular sponsor requirements. CWFS are also happy to discuss additional sponsorship opportunities, for example sponsorship of specific regional site field days. Whilst in-kind support is welcome, please note that minimum financial contributions do apply to Bronze, Silver and Gold sponsor levels. Platinum and Diamond/Plus sponsors will have preference over Gold sponsors when speaking at preseason meetings and/or field days and education days if time is limited. Although verbal presence is not included in sponsorship lower than Gold level, these sponsors may be asked to present if their organisation/ skillset is relevant to the event. This will be determined by CWFS. ** NEW: At any event (within mobile coverage), live feeds to Twitter and Facebook will be posted throughout the event promoting sponsor organisations presenting on the day (or after the event depending on coverage, level of sponsorship and staff availability). With a rapidly growing base of over 850 followers both in Australia and worldwide on Twitter alone, your participation will be widely recognised. Videos of presentations/demonstrations will also be placed on our YouTube site upon request or with approval, or for your own use.

10 CONTACT CWFS Diana Parsons Chief Executive Officer Phone: Mobile: Fax: Post: PO Box 171 Condobolin NSW 2877