Effective communication of research results enhances adoption and ensures the best returns from investment in research and development (R&D). In selecting R&D projects for the new Farming and Fishing Health and Safety Collaborative Partnership 2009-2012, a wide range of concerned stakeholders were consulted. Projects identified as a result of this process included a ‘plain English’ compendium of recent research and this document is a result of that request. It outlines the valuable work completed by the Joint Venture in Farm Health and Safety between 2002 and 2008 and is an important tool in the dissemination of research results.