Projects featured in this booklet highlight the diversity of the research commissioned by the National Program for Sustainable Irrigation and the practical outcomes they offer for irrigation sustainability and productivity.

Here, we feature the five collaborative industry based programs that Land & Water Australia manages under its Industries Arena. These programs bring together investment from the rural RDCs, the Australian and state governments, and private companies. They create a direct connection between research and on-farm application, with many of the programs working directly with farmers to tap into their wealth of experience.

The Future Woolscapes Sub-program examined a range of key issues that may impact on the world and thus the wool industry over the next 25 years. Some of the issues considered by the project included climate change, environmental and animal welfare press

Outcomes of an expert workshop scoping social and institutional research questions in support of the implementation of the National Water Initiative

A snapshot of Land & Water Australia's plans for 2005-2010

The findings of this evaluation are encouraging in terms of national benefit. Analysis of 25 separate innovations - which make up about one quarter of Land & Water Australia's total portfolio - shows a return of $1.5 billion against a research cost (present value) of $392 million, or almost 4 to1. If just the Land & Water Australia component of the research investment is considered, there is a return of almost $300 million (present value) from a research cost (present value) of $77 million. Among these projects, returns varied from as low as 1.1 to 1, to as high as 28 to 1. These estimates are conservative as some environmental and social returns are difficult to quantify and were therefore not counted.

Motivation and awareness presented through five grower case studies of the benefits of more sustainable approaches to rangeland management.

The Groundwater Flow Systems Framework is a powerful support tool, developed to guide investment decisions for salinity management. A powerful support tool - Groundwater Flow Systems Framework - has been developed to guide investment decisions for salinity management. This full report and its companion summary report (PK030627), describe how the Framework can aid regional natural resource management groups in identifying appropriate salinity management options. They outline how results for well understood catchments can be extrapolated to other catchments where a similar groundwater flow system operates. Published by the Murray Darling Basin Commission

The Tropical Rivers R&D Program is building capacity and understanding so that the best available knowledge can be used to achieve sustainable natural resource management in tropical Australia. In recognising the information gaps, the Tropical Rivers R&D Program is now working with partners and engaging with relevant states, the Northern Territory, Indigenous people and other stakeholders to guide its research along four themes