AgFax launch

21/9/95

A new fax system that provides 24-hour access to rural information was launched today by Primary Industry Minister Monty House.

AgFax allows farmers, pastoralists, consultants, scientists, students, the finance industry and marketers access to very specific and up-to-date information using a facsimile machine.

It has been developed by the Department of Agriculture's Management and Distribution of Information Group.

The new system was demonstrated at the Mingenew Expo which the Minister officially opened today.

"This system is part of our priority to modernise the Department of Agriculture's State-wide communication network to improve farmer and regional business access to information," Mr House said.

"Our aim is to support the increasing professionalism of agriculture by providing efficient and useful services relating to market information, production techniques and the latest business practices."

Access to faxback-based information (similar to AgMemos) requires a fax machine that has a hand set, or is associated with a telephone.

On connection, the user hears a brief introduction, then can select the required information using a numeric index.

The AgFax service can be dialled from a fax machine on 1902 990506 or 0055 10700. It costs 50 cents per minute.

AgFax is constantly expanding and already holds more than 900 documents covering some 200 subjects ranging from chemical usage in crop varieties to taxation policies.

Because agricultural production is seasonal and dynamic, the contributors to AgFax continually update or replace their documents at any time using their fax machines. 

The subject index is then updated so that users can request the latest indexes and have access to the most recent information.

The AgFax system has been under client and contributor evaluation for about six months.

"The Deparment of Agriculture has a wealth of infomation and as part of the Agricultural Portfolio Review this service will ensure better client service," Mr House said.

Mr House said during its development, AgFax attracted interest from the education and mining industries, and from South Australian, Queensland, and Tasmanian agricultural extension agencies, and from the Tennessee Valley Authority in the USA.

Media contact:  Will Henwood 481 2044 or 041 9901500

Department of Agriculture, Manager, Management and Distribution of Information: Tony Kubicki (09) 368 3748