Changing Farming Systems - Case Studies Assessing the Financial Implications

The ability to adapt to changing circumstance is a determinant of future farm prosperity. Managers need to assess the performance of their current farming system and alternative farming options to identify possible profitable management changes. This paper uses the STEP (Simulated Transitional Economic Planning) model to provide case study analyses of the financial implications of changing a farming system. STEP simulates the process of transition allowing the user to assess the financial costs and benefits of transition. The case studies examined in this paper use financial data from farms at Wickepin, and Meckering in Western Australia. The case studies demonstrate how the rate of transition into a new farming system can affect the distribution of profit, and how environmental benefits can alter the profitability of a transition strategy.Farm Management,

Economic evaluation of a weed-activated sprayer for herbicide application to patchy weed populations

Spatial distribution of weeds in a crop is patchy. Traditional boom sprayers waste herbicide by applying it to areas where weed density is already low. A new technology, Weed Activated Spray Process (WASP), uses sensors to detect the presence of weeds and control spray nozzles accordingly. The economic benefits of this technology to extensive crop farmers in Western Australia are investigated using a model based on the economics of information. Existing technology is likely to reduce profits because the weed density at which it switches off spraying is too high. Even if sensitivity to low densities could be improved, likely benefits of pre‐crop usage would still be very low or negative.Crop Production/Industries,

Climate change response strategy

Climate change and policies introduced to reduce emissions will affect the agricultural sector and will lead to social and economic outcomes. In addressing the Western Australian Government\u27s priority plan for the agriculture and food sector, the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia has a number of roles it can play to assist industry to adapt and respond to climate change. This document provides a balanced and coordinated strategic direction for climate change activities by identifying and prioritising key actions to be achieved over the next five years. The strategy is split into four chapters: emissions abatement, carbon sinks, adapting to climate change, and communication within the Department and with other governments. Each chapter provides an overview, review of progress to date, key outcomes sought and a prioritised list of future works that will contribute to achieving the outcomes. The actions listed in the strategy provide a framework for the Department on climate change, and our climate change initiatives will align with this strategy.https://researchlibrary.agric.wa.gov.au/bulletins/1007/thumbnail.jp

A review of the economics of regenerative agriculture in Western Australia

There is no published work detailing the economics of regenerative agriculture in Western Australia. Of the work completed in other jurisdictions and nations captured in this review, the profitability of regenerative agriculture compared with conventional agriculture was variable, although generally lower. The loss of income associated with the transition from conventional agriculture to regenerative agriculture is a significant barrier to adoption, although it is enterprise-sensitive. Farmers who are operating regenerative agriculture systems self-report higher levels of wellbeing. Conventional agriculture and regenerative agriculture are overlapping approaches. The literature presented in this review is mostly based on small samples, case studies or models. There are hazards in extrapolating this information to represent regenerative agriculture performance more generally

Framework for developing climate change adaptation strategies and action plans for agriculture in Western Australia

The Framework aims to assist users to design a process which will allow them to prepare a Climate Change Adaptation Response Strategy or Action Plan. This is done by offering a choice of methodologies, allowing users to map out a process that suits their needs

Strategies and characteristics of effective one-to-one literacy tutors

What makes an effective one-to-one tutor of literacy is unclear. Researchers (Anand Bennie, 2004; Chapman, Tunmer, Prochnow, 1999; Holland, 2004; Oliver, 2000) in New Zealand have investigated the effectiveness of one-to-one tutoring programmes; however there are very few studies on tutor effectiveness especially in the context of New Zealand education. The present New Zealand study explored the strategies that effective one-to-one tutors of literacy used as well as the observed and perceived characteristics distinctive to effective one-to-one literacy tutors. Three effective tutors were observed at the Hamilton Children's Reading Centre during their regular tutoring with two of their tutees over a period of four weeks. To determine the strategies used and the characteristics distinctive to the three tutors, tutoring sessions were audio-tape recorded, and observational notes were recorded. The time spent engaged in various teaching activities was recorded and tutors were required to comment on the successes and challenges of the session in a journal entry after each tutoring session. Individual and group interviews with the tutors were conducted to gain further insight into observational data and journal entries. Numerous strategies were identified during observations of the three effective tutors; the use of these strategies was further explored during individual and group interviews. The majority of each one-to-one tutoring session focused on the teaching of direct letter-sound relationships, listening to tutees read, and phonemic awareness activities. Open questions were asked more frequently than closed questions. Tutees were praised frequently. Scaffolding was observed regularly throughout tutoring sessions. The effective tutors used Questioning as their most frequent type of help and used Demonstrating least frequently. High levels of engaged teaching were maintained throughout tutoring sessions. A higher percentage of words were spoken by the effective tutors than the tutees. Written planning did not appear to play a role in the effectiveness of the tutor. Role reversal was a strategy used frequently by one of the effective tutors. Effective tutors used a variety of ways to motivate tutees to read, complete homework, and remain on task. Many characteristics of effective tutors were revealed during observations and journal entries. The perceived characteristics of effective tutors were explored during interviews with the three tutors. The ability to establish positive, caring relationships appeared to play a major role in the tutees' learning and confidence. The tutors believed being responsive to tutees' emotional needs was the most important characteristic of an effective tutor. The tutors ensured that the sessions were positive and laughter was frequently observed. Good communication was maintained with parents and tutees. The effective tutors were flexible during tutoring sessions, yet consistent with routines. The three effective tutors were knowledgeable and experienced in working with children experiencing reading difficulties. They believed effective tutors are aware of their tutees' areas of greatest need, understand their tutee, and maximise all teaching opportunities

The Visual Culture of Human Rights: The Syrian Refugee Crisis

Senior Project submitted to The Division of Social Studies of Bard College

Department of Agriculture submission to the State Sustainability Strategy

The following report was written in response to the Focus on the Future, a consultation paper for the State Sustainability Strategy for Western Australia. The report discusses: • recommendations for the Sustainability Policy Unit to consider when developing the State Sustainability Strategy. • defining sustainability and the implications for agriculture; • opportunities for moving towards a sustainable industry; • trends and challenges faced by agriculture; and • some case studies of how the agricultural sector is currently developing and implementing sustainable agricultural practices

The development of novel hetrogeneous catalysts for the hydrogenation of prochiral imines

Catalysts have been studied for the enantioselective hydrogenation of prochiral imines. Work has centred on the support of homogeneous catalysts, with the intention of establishing a heterogeneous catalyst without loss of activity. Initially, established heterogeneous systems were investigated. As the methyl pyruvate system of cinchona modified catalysts was to be used, this system was first investigated with a series of platinum catalysts. Although these results provided some interesting results they maintained that the 5% Pt/alumina catalyst was the best for this hydrogenation. Investigations using this system for prochiral imine hydrogenation resulted in the production of chiral amines. Hydrogenation of N-(1 -methylbenzylidene)-2,3-dimethylbutylamine gave encouraging percentage conversions, but unfortunately, enantiomeric excesses were particularly low. These results led to investigations on supporting a suitable homogeneous catalyst. Initial work involving Wilkinson's catalyst investigated different preparations, solvents and supports. Results achieved in this section of the study showed an increase in activity of clay and zeolite supported catalysts when run in 1,1,1-trichloroethane and ethanol, but a drop in activity when benzene was the reaction solvent. Work with imines centred around two homogeneous catalysts. BINAP and DIOP ligands were used to create rhodium and iridium centred catalysts which were used to homogeneously hydrogenate two imines (N-(1,2-dimethylpropylidene)aniline and N-(1 methylbenzylidene)-2,3-dimethylbutylamine). These catalysts were then tethered to a Montmorillonite clay support and NaY zeolite, before repeated hydrogenations of the above imines. Results achieved were very encouraging, with an increase in activity being noted for some of the supported catalysts