This edition:

• lists current industry projects for which Compost Australia and the state compost working groups have current funding for, or are actively pursuing funding for implementation.
• lists current government projects that are budgeted organics programs for implementation via state government agencies across Australia for the current financial year.
• documents outcomes of the 2006 Recycled Organics Industry R&D forum held in Adelaide.
• documents recent upgrades to the functionality of the www.rolibrary.com catalogue to increase the relevance and use for demand creation and communication to markets.
• lists a significant number of new information resources that have been added to the catalogue.

Congratulations to the entire team in South Australia for an excellent forum. The convenors for 2007 have a challenge in front of them to match the quality and effort of the South Australians.

Angus Campbell, Recycled Organics Unit

September 2006 saw the 2nd Recycled Organics Industry R&D forum held in Adelaide and was convened by Flinders Bioremediation & EcoResearch. The forum was attended by 74 delegates over 2 days. Day 1 and half of day 2 were an opportunity for researchers and industry representatives from around Australia to:
      •   Network throughout the industry;
      •   Showcase research to avoid duplications;
      •   Create collaborative opportunities;
      •   Identify and lobby funding bodies for additional research funds;
      •   Develop a shared vision for R&D across Australia;
      •   Develop a national research framework.

A workshop was held in the afternoon of Day 2 with the aim to:
      •   Identify key research areas to feed into a national research framework;
      •   Create collaborative opportunities;
      •   Identify funding bodies for additional research funds.

Key outcomes of the forum are documented below.

Existing Research
Research presented at the forum can be clustered under the following themes:
      •   Field trials of compost;
      •   Biological processes;
      •   Promotion/marketing;
      •   Integrated biosystems and catchment management;
      •   Specific markets;
      •   Cost benefit analysis.

Key Issues
The forum documented the following as key issues facing the sector:
•   Three of the regions (SA, NSW and NZ) identified that a government shift      towards waste minimisation and recovery was helping the industry, while      Queensland identified a lack of support from the government as an      impediment to the industry.
•   Demand varied across the regions, with Queensland finding it difficult to      source enough green waste to keep up with demand whereas NSW, SA,      Tasmania and Victoria had problems of oversupply to varying degrees.      Competition from other industries (chicken manures etc) were seen as      damaging the industry in SA and Queensland, while NSW and WA identified      the cost of compost as being a hindrance to further market growth.
•   Being unable to adequately identify the benefits of compost was a major      concern in three states (NSW, SA and WA).
•   Improving quality criteria and certification was an issue in SA, Tas. and WA.
•   Each state/country was developing niche markets.

Key Research Priorities from 2006 forum
A long list of new research ideas were suggested. These key research areas can be summarised as identified below. The highest priority issues identified by the participants (in order of priority) for further research were:
1.   Marketing and education;
2.   Sustainable agricultural systems;
3.   Biological processes;
4.   Standards;
5.   Specific marketing opportunities.

Each of these areas is consistent with research priorities identified in the “Industry Roadmap” (available for download from www.compostaustralia.com). A wide range of potential co-investors is identified for each of the priority research areas in the workshop facilitation final report.

********

Key Research Priorities from 2005 forum
The priorities from the inaugural 2005 R&D Forum are listed below for reference and comparison.

Research and development priorities 2005
The 2005 forum defined the following as research and development priorities for the sector, all of which target gaps in knowledge of the agronomic performance of recycled organics products, integration into farm management systems, and the value equation for the grower:

1.  Define the relationship of soil carbon to farming systems.
2.  Quantify irrigation water savings.
3.  Quantify N & P mineralisation / nutrient contribution over       time.
4.  Categorising compost products for different applications:
     •   Product development;
     •   Performance longevity;
     •   Compost maturity;
     •   Disease suppression.
5.  Quantify off-farm benefits (environmental services value       realised by the community).
6.  Determine efficacy of inoculants from compost to soils.
7.  Determine the preferred application timing (to optimise       benefit/minimise risk).
8.  Define “carbon based agriculture” – “What is soil       health?”
9.  Scope and develop a field trial protocol

Key Policy Issues 2005
The forum documented the following as key issues facing the recycled organics industry:

1.  Need for effective incentives / disincentives (regulatory      and financial) for the diversion and recovery of organic      materials:
     •  Who pays for compost quality?
     •  Who pays for “environmental services” or sustainability          value?
2.  Need for level playing field, environmental/health risk      based regulation of all products to land.
3.  How can we sustain productive and healthy soils?
4.  Land use planning – loss of agricultural production zones      to urban development.

Key Policy Statements 2005
The forum documented the following as key policy statements for the sector:

1.  Need for a clear national policy statement promoting      carbon based agriculture as fundamental to maintaining      productive soils.
2.  Need for uniform national framework for organic      products for land application.
3.  Need to develop an environmental credits trading scheme      that goes beyond carbon trading to enable/support      environmentally/sustainable agricultural practices.

Upgrade to www.rolibrary.com

Note that the www.rolibrary.com catalogue has undergone a recent upgrade, improvements include:

•  simple search now includes a check box to search only for product specifications in recognition of the development of performance based, application specific product specifications and application guidelines;

•  simple search now includes a check box to search only for product marketing resources that are targeted at communication to markets and demand creation for RO products, such as product use information sheets, posters... All such information resources are catalogued with the key words "marketing kit" for ease of extraction from the catalogue.

The Recycled Organics Unit has compiled a list of 135 information sheet publications specifically useful for the Australian recycled organics sector. 81 of these information sheets are ROU publications and are freely available from the ROU website (www.recycledorganics.com). All of the information sheets compiled can now be found through the searchable online recycled organics database www.rolibrary.com

Information sheets recently added to the www.rolibrary.com database include:

•  Recycled Organics Unit (2005). Organics recycling offers major environmental     benefits.
•  Recycled Organics Unit (2005). Conserving water using compost materials.
•  Recycled Organics Unit (2005). Reducing soil erosion with compost materials.
•  Recycled Organics Unit (2005). Sustainable landscaping using compost     material.
•  Recycled Organics Unit (2005). Using compost materials for sustainable     viticulture.
•  Recycled Organics Unit (2003). Soil testing guidelines for intensive agriculture     enterprises to inform recycled organics applications.
•  DEC NSW (2005). Using compost in roadside landscaping.
•  DEC NSW (2005). Improving water quality in catchments using compost.
•  DEC NSW (2005). Reducing the risk of herbicides in compost.
•  DEC NSW (2005). Markets for recycled organics in New South Wales.
•  Biala, J. (2002). Bio-mechanical waste treatment: the optimum solution.
•  Biala, J. (2002). Bio-mechanical waste treatment: advanced resource recovery     and low-emission landfill operations.
•  Biala, J. (2004). Compost production.
•  Biala, J. (2004). Composting reduces growers’ concerns about pathogens and     weeds.
•  Biala, J. (2004). Beneficial effects of compost use – a closer look at soil     fertility.
•  Biala, J. (2004). Avocados grow better with mulch.
•  Cox, J. (2006). Using compost and compost tea.
•  Reid, G. (2005). How to conduct your own field trials.
•  Cox, J. & Reid, G. (2005). How to encourage soil organisms.
•  Reid, G. (2005). Fumigation, inoculation and disease suppression.
•  Reid, G. (2005). Microbes and minerals.
•  Jenkins, A. (2005). Nematodes.
•  Schwenke, G. & Jenkins, A. (2005). How to build organic matter in your soil.
•  Reid, G. & Wong, P. (2005). Soil bacteria.
•  Reid, G. & Cox, J. (2005). Soil biology testing.
•  Jenkins, A. (2005). Soil fungi.
•  Reid, G. (2005). Questions to ask about soil biology products.
•  Lines-Kelly, R. (2005). The rhizosphere.
•  Jenkins, A. & Van Zwieten, L. (2003). How to use compost on farm.
•  Jenkins, A. (2004). Using compost in macadamia orchards.
•  Ekman, J. (2004). Organic materials in horticulture - their safe use.
•  Reid, G. (2004). Improving soil moisture.
•  Pittaway, P. (2000). How to dry-compost animal Carcasses.
•  Pittaway, P. (2000). How anaerobic ponds work.
•  Pittaway, P. (2000). What is a healthy soil?
•  Pittaway, P. (2000). A practical guide to on-farm co-composting.
•  Pittaway, P. (2000). Doing your own field trials with composts.
•  Pittaway, P. (2000) Maximising low-tech cotton trash composting for on-farm     use.
•  Pittaway, P. (2000). What is a quality vermicompost?
•  Pittaway, P. (2000). Getting to know the environmental vulnerabilities of your     property.
•  Pittaway, P. (2000). How plants protect themselves from competitors and     natural enemies.
•  Pittaway, P. (2000). Alternative waste management for country meat     processors.
•  Pittaway, P. (2000). How to interpret if your soil is sodic.
•  Pittaway, P. (2000). How plants acquire nutrients for growth.
•  Pittaway, P. (2000). Taking on soil microbes for sustainability.
•  Pittaway, P. (2000). When is a compost a mulch?
•  Pittaway, P. (2000). Why buy compost when manure costs much less?
•  Pittaway, P. (2000). Putting a dollar value on organic carbon in soil.
•  EPA Qld (2002). "Green waste" to charcoal & energy.
•  DPI Victoria (2004). Factsheet 1: What is compost? Compost for vegetable     growers series.
•  DPI Victoria (2004). Factsheet 2: Why use compost? Compost for     vegetable growers series.
•  DPI Victoria (2004). Factsheet 3: Getting started. Compost for vegetable     growers series.
•  DPI Victoria (2004). Factsheet 4: Choosing a supplier. Compost for     vegetable growers series.
•  DPI Victoria (2004). Factsheet 5: Using compost. Compost for vegetable     growers series.
•  DPI Victoria (2004). Factsheet 1: What is compost? Compost for wine-grape     growers series.
•  DPI Victoria (2004). Factsheet 2: Why use compost? Compost for
    wine-grape growers series.
•  DPI Victoria (2004). Factsheet 3: Getting started. Compost for wine-grape     growers series.
•  DPI Victoria (2004). Factsheet 4: Choosing a supplier. Compost for
    wine-grape growers series.
•  DPI Victoria (2004). Factsheet 5: Using compost. Compost for wine-grape     growers series.
•  Hoffmann, H. & Paulin, B. (2005). Compost, manure and flies.
•  DPI Victoria (2000). Compost.
•  DSE Victoria (2004). Using mulch to establish plants.

Other publications recently added to the www.rolibrary.com database include:

•  Recycled Organics Unit (2006). Composted mulch product specifications and     application guidelines for grape production in NSW.
•  Recycled Organics Unit (2006). Composted mulch product specifications and     application guidelines for orchard production in NSW.
•  Campbell, A. & Sharma, G. (2004). Composted mulch for sustainable and     productive viticulture.
•  Cox, J., et al. (2004). Macadamia husk compost improves soil health in     sub-tropical horticulture.
•  DEC NSW (2004). Analysis of markets for recycled organic products.
•  DEC NSW (2003). Environmental guidelines: composting and related     organics processing facilities.
•  Wilkinson, K., et al (2003). Strategies for the safe use of poultry litter in food     crop production.
•  Wilkinson, K. & Biala, J. (2001). Managing soil nutrients with compost.
•  Webster, K. (2005). Vermicompost increases yield of cherries for three years     after a single application.
•  Buckerfield, J. & Webster, K. (2003). Composted organic wastes for soil     rehabilitation.
•  Ingham, E. (2005). The compost tea brewing manual.
•  Paulin, B. (2005). Identifying the benefits of composted soil amendments to     vegetable production.
•  Paulin, B., et al. (2001). Marketing composted organics to horticulture.
•  Paulin, B. & Wilkinson, K. (2002). Tour of compost production and use in     Californian horticulture.
•  Paulin, B. (1999). Soil amendments to improve vegetable production on     sandy soils.
•  Alexander, R. (2003). Landscape architect specifications for compost     utilization.
•  WERF (2002). Evaluating risks and benefits of soil amendments used in     agriculture.
•  Standards Australia (2003). Australian standard - potting mixes AS 3743-     2003.
•  NRMMC (2002). Draft guidelines for sewerage systems biosolids     management.
•  Organic Waste Recycling Unit (2000). Management of biosolids as fertilisers     for deciduous fruit production.
•  Organic Waste Recycling Unit (1996). Value of composted biosolids as a soil     conditioner and fertiliser in the production of vegetables.
•  Centre for Land Rehabilitation, UWA (1999). Seminar papers: compost in     horticulture.
•  McPhee, J. (2002). Increasing the opportunities for use of organic wastes in     the Tasmanian vegetable industry.

Listed below, with a brief project description, are a number of specific projects/ programs that compost groups are currently pursuing funding for to implement in 2007. In an attempt to identify opportunities for cooperation and value adding, it should be very useful to view these industry initiated projects in conjunction with the listings provided below of projects/programs that are budgeted for implementation in the current financial year (2006/07) through each of the respective State agencies.

Compost Australia
There are several projects at the proposal stage while funding is currently being sort. These projects therefore, are yet to be confirmed until the beginning of 2007. They are:

•   Annual national industry survey
  Compost Australia is continuing to implement and expand participation in the annual Recycled Organics industry national survey.
  For information contact: Angus Johnston or Angus Campbell
  
•   Industry Development Program 2007-2009

The purpose of this project is to improve the quality of RO products being sold across the entire Industry and minimise the negative impact of poor quality products on developing markets.
The project is national in scope and will involve all state compost working groups.
For information contact: Angus Johnston or Ken Hirst or Garry Kimble


•   Research & Development Forum 2007-2009

The R&D Forum brings together researchers, academics and the RO Industry to share information, coordinate projects and plan for the coming year.
The project is national in scope and will involve all state compost working groups.
For information contact: Angus Johnston or Angus Campbell or Richard Stewart


•   Industry Brand Marketing Program 2007-2009

The purpose of this project is to expand the markets for recycled organic products in order to create sufficient demand to match the growing supply of organic input material (as identified in the Roadmap). This project is intended to market Compost Australia, the RO Industry and (generically) the RO products that the Industry manufactures. The Brand and associated ‘look’ will provide the banner under which Compost Australia communicates with the purchasers of RO product.
The project is national in scope and will involve all state compost working groups.
For information contact: Angus Johnston or Rob Niccol or Geoff Richards


Compost New South Wales (CNSW)

•   Grow the Organisation’s Corporate Knowledge

This project is to provide a pool of funds, which can be accessed to support members of Compost NSW to attend conferences, seminars, training programs, etc. By attending such events, they can gain new knowledge and techniques, which will be of benefit to the industry as a whole, which is represented by Compost NSW.
Compost NSW, Compost Australia, other state Compost Working Groups
For information contact: Garry Kimble or Tony Emery


•   Phylloxera Compliance Agreement for shredded green organics

CNSW intend to use the CA-05 DPI Phylloxera Compliance Agreement as a model and develop a Compliance Agreement for the movement of shredded green organics from Phylloxera Infested Zones (PIZ) or Phylloxera Risk Zones (PRZ) to other parts of NSW.
This project is NSW specific targeting all who handle green organics and want to expand their markets or for those who want options other than landfill. Also potentially relevant to Victoria.
For information contact: Tony Emery or John Vyse


•   Preparation of submission for exemption under 3F regulations

The NSW Department of Environment and Conservation, Environment Protection and Regulation Division are required under the amended POEO Act to gazette regulations to ban application of waste materials (fertilisers, fuel and fill) to land. The regulations have not been drafted. In order for the Compost industry (members of Compost NSW) to remain viable an exemption for compost, must be gained form DEC EP&R Division, so that compost can be legally applied to land. An application for exemption must be supported by a submission which shows that the risks of using properly processed composts in agricultural, horticultural and domestic gardening applications are minimised, and the materials are safe to use
NSW specific.
For information contact: Tony Emery or Garry Kimble or Angus Johnston


•   NSW Market Transition Seminar Series/Workshops
  This project is intended to disseminate the information gathered and presented in the CNSW Advocacy project (funded by WMAA in 2006). This will be achieved by presenting information (gathered in 2006) at a series of workshops and seminars (depending on the audience) in NSW. Additional local speakers will also be invited to present case studies of successful/unsuccessful contract arrangements.
  NSW specific, but also adaptable to other states.
  For information contact: Tony Emery or Rob Niccol
  
  
  Compost Victoria
  no information provided by publication deadline
  
  Compost South Australia
  no information provided by publication deadline
  
  Compost Queensland
  no information provided by publication deadline
  
  
  Recycled Organics Western Australia (ROWA)
•   Compost Australia Communications Plan 2007

During 2006 WMAA funding Recycled Organics Western Australia (ROWA) to prepare a communications plan for their group. Recognising that there would be significant overlap with national communications needs ROWA has agreed to implement this project in a national context using Western Australia as a pilot.
The project is specifically designed to align national and state communication strategies. It applies to all state compost working groups and the national division.
For information contact: Angus Johnston or Andy Gulliver

This section of eNews provides a soapbox platform for industry stakeholders to communicate burning issues and to initiate discussion.

We have our disclaimer in place, so with due regard to defamation law, go for your lives.

The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the ROU or sponsors.

Recycled Organics Unit, The University of New South Wales
www.recycledorganics.com • rou@unsw.edu.au