This report details the findings of a five year research project examining the effects of Phase-Farming with Trees on adjacent agriculture.  Phase-Farming with Trees (PFT) has been identified as a new agroforestry system with potential salinity reduction and income diversification benefits.  A key aim of PFT is to use trees to minimise groundwater recharge and subsequent salinisation and thus improve the situation for (subsequent) agriculture. PFT is similar to phase cropping with perennial pasture species; a woody biomass crop is grown until stored soil water is exhausted in three to five years.  The woody crop is then harvested and conventional annual crops or pasture grown until soil water content is sufficient to repeat the rotation.  This project aimed to resolve some of the uncertainties related to PFT effects on soil, agricultural yield and costs. 2008, 68pgs, 08/122

This report reviews the literature and previous research, to determine the potential for integrating forage shrubs into farming enterprises in low rainfall south-eastern Australia.  The report focuses on the 250-650 mm rainfall zone which encompasses the drier mixed-farming belt (grazing and cropping). The review addresses the distribution of forage shrubs, their production and environmental roles, as well as their economic potential. The report will be of particular interest to farm managers, agricultural and environmental researchers, investors and policy-makers with an interest in the role of forage shrubs in agricultural practices and the environment. 2008, 67pgs, $20

This report examines the effects of forest thinning, or thinning and grazing, on vegetation biodiversity and structure in three long-term experiments in intensively managed forests. The experiments were established in 1954, 1988 and 1991 and repeatedly monitored until 2005. The report contrasts the initial trends available in the first years after treatment to the medium-term results evident today, and discusses their relevance to contemporary private native forest management.    2008, 88pgs, $15, 08/043

Biodiversity surrogates and their compiled metric scoring systems are increasingly used by governments to monitor compliance with environmental standards and certification schemes, and to direct natural resource management investments to on-ground activities. Biodiversity surrogates and related metrics were developed as techniques to rapidly assess vegetation condition and to rank the expected habitat biodiversity value. The metrics include assessment of forest stands relative to regional benchmarks, and the connectivity to nearby remnant vegetation.     This report uses four case studies in northern NSW, eastern Victori a and southern Tasmania, to exam ine the applicability of biodiversity metrics to assessing the ecological sustainability of private native forestry under different forest management inputs.    78pgs, $25, 2008, 08/004

This report presents the results of a field trial using phase farming with trees, a system designed to grow tree crops in short rotations of 3-5 years to intentionally deplete soil water as a buffer for agriculture in areas prone to dryland salinity.  The trial showed that on suitable soils, a short tree phase will deplete soil water sufficiently to allow a subsequent return to agriculture for a 11-20 year rotation. Biomass production from the tree phase was also measured, with a view to emerging biomass energy and biofuel production systems.  Some of the technical and policy issues that need resolution before this farming system can be introduced in southern Australia are discussed. 2008, 08/002, 33pgs

This report evaluates a range of older-age species trials established in central and south east Queensland low to medium rainfall zones.  The report provides information on the success and failure of potential plantation species, and identifies which of the early forestry tree plantings are suitable for further research.  The information is useful as there is little published data on older-age growth of species in low to medium rainfall regions on Queensland. 2008, 08/003, 59pgs