agriculture today - august 2012 edition...more than 200 guests – emai staff, colleagues the from...

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We’re readyWe’re ready

Photo: Alf Manciagli

PLANT health technical officerMichelle Berg (right) and technicalassistant Laura Chappell are part of

the research team working on the frontline against biosecurity threats in new$57m laboratories, completed more thana year ahead of schedule at the ElizabethMacarthur Agricultural Institute.

In a show of support for the role theInstitute plays in protecting agriculturalindustries, Premier Barry O’Farrell andPrimary Industries Minister KatrinaHodgkinson opened the labs in mid-July.

Katrina Hodgkinson paid tribute to the180 staff who “continued to dedicatetheir expertise to safeguarding our State”,during the 90-week construction.

The commitment by researchers was akey factor in the project finishing earlyand on-budget.■■ More EMAI coverage p2, 3 and 4.

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2 AGRICULTURE TODAY | Thursday, August 2, 2012● ● ● ●

NOBODY can predict the tim-ing of a major animal or plantdisease outbreak, but when the

next one inevitably comes, NSW is asready as it is possible to be.

The opening of Australia’s mostmodern laboratories – the $57 mil-lion NSW Centre for Biosecurity atthe government’s Elizabeth Mac-arthur Agricultural Institute – (EMAI)dramatically increases the capacity toquickly diagnose and research exoticand emerging diseases, to assist controland prevention.

Premier Barry O’Farrell and PrimaryIndustries Minister Katrina Hodg-kinson officially opened the facilitieslast month.

More than 200 guests – EMAI staff,colleagues the from NSW Depart-ment of Primary Industries (DPI),industry and farmer representatives,other government agencies, universi-ties and other collaborators, as well asthe media attended.

For the first time EMAI said it was ina position now to handle an escalationof multiple outbreaks at the same time,

such as Hendra virus occurring on topof avian influenza or foot and mouthdisease or a plant disease like citruscanker.

Not that anyone’s excited by thatprospect. It’s just ultimately reassuringto know the capability and resourcesexist.

Walk down the vast 100-metre longmain corridor from the virology labthrough to the plant health precinctand it’s easy to believe that in such mul-tiple events, the bench space, quaran-tine containment facilities and neces-sary equipment are in place to accom-modate the additional labour force thatwould have to be brought in to come togrips with them.

“Current turnaround times for testscan now be maintained at much high-er throughput rates associated with sig-nificant disease outbreaks,” saidEMAI’s Virology laboratory leader DrPeter Kirkland.

“This substantially greater capacitycan also be confidently sustained withgreater safety when handling high-riskdiseases such as Hendra.”

New high level quarantine contain-ment facilities expand EMAI's capacityto handle large scale emergency animal

disease outbreaks, with the highestlevel – QC2 – second only to theAustralian Animal Health laboratoriesin Geelong.

Premier O’Farrell said “hundreds ofthousands of tests on samples from

across NSW and Australia will beconducted at the centre annually.

“The plant biosecurity facilitiesare capable of handling large scaleemergency plant disease out-breaks,” he said.

And in day-to-day routine, thePlant Health Diagnostic Serviceoffers at least 110 tests.

Since the beginning of the yearthe service has completed over19,080 tests for potato viruses forone client alone.

For livestock, the State VeterinaryDisease Laboratory, for example,offers more than 200 routine diag-nostic tests and performs more

than 200,000 per year, can performaround the clock and is currentlyprocessing 100 accessions daily witha routine turnaround of three to fivedays.

Through last Christmas, some ofthe Virology laboratory staff gave uptheir time to test samples for Hendravirus from a horse after the owner’sson had been in contact with the ani-mal.

The rapid response provedthe samples were negativeand reassured the family thattheir health was not threat-ened, bringing a tribute fromDPI director general RichardSheldrake for “excellent serviceculture”.

Dr Sheldrake said the con-struction of the new centre wasthe most significant projectfor the department since EMAI

was first opened in 1990.The new biosecurity centre (below

left and right) will continue to playits key role in protecting the hugeinvestment by farmers individuallyand collectively in their enterprises,which includes maintaining the free-dom from diseases that gives NSW itsadvantage in international markets.■ Minister Katrina Hodgkinson’scomments, p4.

Moving brilliance in a tin shedRAPID completion of new laborato-ries at EMAI was partly thanks to asingle temporary laboratory builtsimultaneously, now demolished.

Along with the new laboratories, theupgrade at the Institute includedmajor refurbishment of some existingones to comply with new standards.

The entire project by CockramConstructions at the location of Johnand Elizabeth Macarthur’s original1805 land grant started in mid-2010and was completed late last year –more than a year ahead of schedule.

Groups of laboratory staff were

required to vacate their old facilities sorefurbishments could be done whilethe new labs were also being built.

Primary Industries Minister KatrinaHodgkinson praised the entire staffcommitment through a disruptedprocess, on an often dusty site whereup to 100 construction workers werepresent at any given time, with heavymachinery operating constantly.

Staff were "decanted" progressivelyinto the temporary lab with theirequipment and continued their proj-ects.

From there they moved back to their

upgraded facilities.Many staff managed two moves, dur-

ing which they had to maintain theirworkloads to the highest standards forEMAI's clients – including farmerswaiting for answers on the possibledisease status of their livestock, orcrops and industry groups and othercollaborators relying on timely deliv-ery of latest research results.

The project won the 2012 NSWPublic Works staff award in the categoryof project delivery and a range of localcompanies were contracted to supplyservices and materials.

Support from the NSW Premier – Barry O’Farrell, Primary Industries Minister Katrina Hodgkinson and DPI director generalRichard Sheldrake, discuss the capacity of the new EMAI biosecurity laboratories to handle disease outbreaks with Virologyleader Dr Peter Kirkland.

New labs ready for anything

Research scientist Huub Brouwers was one of six EMAI staff interviewed by DavidClaughton in a live broadcast during the official opening. You can hear the programby visiting the Country Hour archive at www.abc.net.au/rural/nsw, where you canalso download a podcast and listen later.

New labs ready for anythingRON AGGSCamden

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AGRICULTURE TODAY | Thursday, August 2, 2012 3● ● ● ●

SIGNIFICANT decreases in wildQueensland fruit fly (Qfly)populations can be achieved by

any of three new methods justdeveloped to release sterile adultflies.

The sterile insect technique (SIT)is a form of biological control inwhich large numbers of sterile fliesare released to flood the wild Qflypopulation, reducing the possibilityof wild flies mating to produce fer-tile eggs.

Historically, immature sterile flieshave been released, but a recentlycompleted project proved matureflies are more effective and less ofthem are required.

“In our latest project, we aimed todevelop more effective sterile insectemergence and release technologiesto improve success and cost-effec-tiveness of the SIT,” said Dr OliviaReynolds, a research scientist at theElizabeth Macarthur AgriculturalInstitute (EMAI).

“We’ve developed guidelines forpupal (cocoon stage) release, includ-ing optimal pupal loadings andrelease timings to maximise theiremergence and flight activity as ster-ile adult Qfly.

“For adult releases, we developed amethod to maximise the number ofsterile male flies that emerge, theirflight activity, longevity, persistence,abundance and mating habits.

“Trials using chilled adult fliesresulted in the development of aprotocol that similarly maximisesemergence, flight and longevity.”

Chilling is useful because chilledflies are immobile, so space require-ments (hence cost) for packaging andtransport are reduced, so too arelabour costs.

When released, flies warm and takeflight within several minutes.

“We have devised a prototype forreleasing chilled adult flies from aslow moving vehicle with an auto-mated blower – we tip chilled fliesinto a funnel and the blower fanpushes them out the other end intosurrounding vegetation,” DrReynolds said.

Choice of any of the three meth-ods depends on location and avail-able resources.

In each study, dye applied to sterileinsects before release and its persist-ence on the ptilinum (an area of thehead that flies are unable to groom)enabled researchers to distinguishbetween sterile flies and wild flies.

This method was considered excel-lent by surveillance staff at OrangeAgricultural Institute and blindmolecular testing at EMAI validatedits reliability.

Qfly is a major endemic bio-security problem and the most sig-nificant horticultural pest inAustralia.

Adults lay their eggs in ripe fruitand the larvae feed on the flesh ofthe fruit, rendering it unmarketable.

This lost production coupled withcontrol measures costs millions ofdollars annually.

Dr Reynolds, in collaboration withthe EH Graham Centre for Agri-

cultural Innovation has released andrecaptured marked sterile flies intraps to demonstrate that lowernumbers of mature protein andsugar fed sterile flies need to bereleased to achieve control, relativeto releases of immature sugar onlyfed flies.

“To minimise the required volumeof sterile flies andfurther reducecosts, we need further studies to ver-ify the number needed to suppressand/or eradicate a given wild popula-tion,” she said.

Dr Reynolds recommends releas-ing low levels of sterile males in sev-eral towns surrounding the NSWfruit fly exclusion zone (FFEZ) tosuppress wild Qfly populations andminimise pressure on the FFEZ.

“Sterile fly releases should also beused to eradicate wild Qfly out-breaks in the exclusion zone,described in a strategic release planand operating procedures devel-oped as part of this study.

“SIT should also be considered inendemic areas where orchards aregeographically isolated, or wherecontrol is being attempted on anarea-wide basis – after all, this is whatSIT was originally developed for.”

This project has been funded byHAL using the research and devel-opment funds from the citrusindustry and vegetable industrylevies and matched funds from theAustralian Government.■ Contact Olivia Reynolds,Camden, (02) 4640 6426,[email protected]

New olive varieties found lesssusceptible to anthracnose

Big chill, a blowerand mature flies

Researcher Dr Olivia Reynolds holds ahandful of live larvae in the fruit flyfactory at the Elizabeth MacarthurAgricultural Institute. Photo: Ron Aggs.

THE fungal fruit rot disease anthracnosehas led to significant losses and down-grading of Australian olive oil quality.

Wet weather associated with recentLa Nina years is to blame but in thesearch for controls for anthracnosenew olive varieties have been identifiedthat are not only higher producing butimportantly, less susceptible to the dis-ease.

At Elizabeth Macarthur AgriculturalInstitute (EMAI) near Camden, resea-rcher Len Tesoriero is helping an ento-mologist colleague from University ofWestern Sydney associate professorRobert Spooner-Hart, to develop con-trols for this disease with funding fromthe Australian Olive Industry Associationand the Rural Industries Research andDevelopment Corporation.

“The fungus causing anthracnosedisease not only causes fruit to rot anddrop as they ripen, but also increases

undesirable oxidation of the oil result-ing in a downgrading from extra virginstatus,” Dr Tesoriero said.

“Trials in olive groves in major pro-duction areas where anthracnose hasbeen prevalent have identified safe andeffective chemical controls, while com-parison of different olive varieties hasdetermined their relative disease sus-ceptibility.

“This information will allow theindustry to prioritise chemical regis-trations for olive diseases and providegrowers with objective risk manage-ment information to plan future plant-ings.”

The Australian olive industry hasexpanded rapidly over the past decade.

One property in north-westernVictoria alone has over 15 million trees.

Dr Tesoriero said such large-scaleproduction requires a sophisticatedand skilled management team to main-

tain trees that produce quality olivesconsistently.

“Irrespective of the size of the enter-prise, Australian olive producers needaccess to pest and disease controls thatare effective, economical, don’t leaveundesirable chemical residues in oiland are safe to workers and the envi-ronment,” he said.

Locally produced olive oil is a highstandard and has won numerous inter-national awards.

Domestic olive oil production hasreduced Australia’s reliance on importsof sometimes dubious quality, whilesignificant quantities are being exportedto countries like the US.

The project is also examining con-trols for olive lace bug, a native Aust-ralian insect that attacks olives andcauses leaf damage that weakens trees.■ Contact Len Tesoriero, (02) 4640 6217,[email protected]

20thYEAR

AgricultureToday1993 - 2012

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AgricultureTodaywww.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agtodayEditor: Ron AggsT: 02 4640 6457 F: 02 4640 6400

Production Editor: Maryann JenkinsT: 02 4570 4444 F: 02 4570 4650

Advertising: Nicole WilliamsT: 02 4570 4410 F: 02 4570 [email protected]

Circulation: Distribution Enquiries T: 02 4570 4444

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Inclusion of any advertising supporting material in this publication doesnot necessarily imply endorsement of the product or company by NSW Department of Primary Industries.

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Editor: Ron AggsT: 02 4640 6457 F: 02 4640 6400Production Editor: Karina PiddingtonT: 02 4570 4463 F: 02 4570 4650Advertising: The LandT: 02 4570 4444 F: 02 4570 [email protected]: Distribution EnquiriesT: 02 4570 4444National Sales: T: 039287 9000 (Melbourne)T: 02 9313 8444 (Sydney)

4 AGRICULTURE TODAY | Thursday, August 2, 2012

primary industries www.dpi.nsw.au/agtoday www.twitter.com/nswdpi N E W S

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Court bites tiger snake man: ABathurst man who failed to manage his tigersnake so that it bit someone won’t be displayinganimals again or keeping them for display.

Peter Carter has been found guilty of illegallyexhibiting venomous snakes and for breachingsafety and licensing conditions which contributedto the serious injury of a member of the public.

Department of Primary Industries (DPI) exhibitedanimals leader Matthew Crane said the chargesstemmed from a serious life threatening incidentin 2009 where a person was bitten by a snake ata reptile training course conducted by the snakeexhibitor.

"Bathurst Local Court has found that the localsnake handler and snake catcher breached anumber of permit conditions under the ExhibitedAnimals Protection Act," Mr Crane said.

Mr Carter failed to put in place appropriatesafety procedures, including barriers to protectmembers of the public who attended his reptilecourse.

"This resulted in a life-threatening incidentwhere a member of the public was bitten by adeadly tiger snake,” Mr Crane said.

"He also exhibited three other species ofvenomous snakes without the appropriate permitsunder the Exhibited Animals Protection Act,” hesaid.

Mr Crane said an authority under the ExhibitedAnimals Protection legislation is required in NSWto display or exhibit reptiles, including mobiledisplays.

"The act sets out very clear standards to protectthe safety of the public and address variousanimal welfare, biosecurity and reporting issues,"Mr Crane said.

"The licensing system reviews applicants fortheir ability to care for the animals and to managethem appropriately during the exhibition.

"This case sends a clear signal that public safetyis taken very seriously, that negligence won’t betolerated and failure to obtain the necessaryauthorities is unacceptable,” he said.

Mr Carter has been convicted of five offencesand ordered to pay legal costs.

Making NewsMaking News

IN MID-July NSW PremierBarry O’Farrell and I had thepleasure of officiallyopening the new $57 millionbiosecurity laboratories atthe Elizabeth MacarthurAgricultural Institute (EMAI)in Sydney’s south-west.

This impressive newfacility is equipped withworld-class capabilities tomanage multiple potentiallydevastating threats at once.

The laboratories arecurrently researching swineflu, equine influenza, avianinfluenza, paramyxovirus,Hendra virus, Johne’sdisease (both cattle andsheep), theileria, myrtle rust,citrus canker and variousother pests and diseasesthat pose a constant threatto the State’s $9 billionprimary industries sector.

Thanks to NSWGovernment investment,the centre is not only well-equipped to spearheadefforts to protect NSWagainst such threats, it willalso make us the envy ofthe world.

I was pleased to have theopportunity to meet manyof the 180 staff at this high-tech facility, which employssome of the country’sleading researchers.

Thank you to everyoneinvolved in the constructionof this new facility, and forthe patience of everyone atthe centre who continued todedicate their expertise tosafeguarding our Stateduring these works.

Irrigation centenaryCONGRATULATIONS to theMurrumbidgee IrrigationArea (MIA) on reaching themajor milestone of 100years of irrigation.

I was privileged to join thecentenary of irrigationcelebrations at the recentre-enactment of “turning onthe water” forMurrumbidgee Irrigation atYanco, and it was afantastic event.

The MurrumbidgeeIrrigation Area contributesenormously to NSW, thenation and to the world infood and fibre production.

It all started withagricultural pioneer, SirSamuel McCaughey, whoconstructed channels toirrigate 2000 acres of cropson his North Yancoproperty.

Through the perseveranceof the locals, the irrigationarea of the MurrumbidgeeValley expanded anddeveloped into one of thelargest private irrigationcompanies in Australia.

The development of thisindustry has consistentlygenerated employment andpromoted business

opportunities, whilemaintaining support forregional communities.

Paying tributeWE ALL know thesignificant challenges facedby the State’s 40,000farmers and admire theirresilience and determinationto deliver the best product.

The annual NSW Farmer ofthe Year award recognisesthese extraordinary qualitiesand applications are nowopen.

The award is an initiativeof NSW Farmers and theDepartment of PrimaryIndustries, with supportfrom The Land and theRoyal Agricultural Society ofNSW.

A highlight of the launch ofthis year’s award, held aspart of NSW Farmers recentannual conference, was aphoto montage depictingmany of the finalists fromthe past eight years.

It was a proud moment tosee so many of theinspirational farmers whoare now familiar to us and Ilook forward to meeting thisyear’s farming heroes.

I encourage farmers toenter or nominate afantastic farmer.

Application forms areonline: www.dpi.nsw.gov.auor www.nswfarmers.org.au

■ You can also read thiscolumn online atwww.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agtoday

Katrina Hodgkinson

New world-classbiosecurity centre

AgQuip aphids in alcoholSAMPLES of the exotic Russian

wheat aphid preserved inalcohol will enable farmers to

inspect and identify what the pestlooks like at this year’s AgQuipField Days.

Entomologist Adrian Nicholas(pictured below left) said there willalso be images on show demon-strating the damage these pests cancause to crops like wheat and barley.

“We don’t have the Russianwheat aphid here in NSW yetthankfully but farmers still need tobe aware of the signs,” said DrNicholas.

Dr Nicholas is one of a numberof Department of PrimaryIndustries (DPI) specialist staffwho will be on hand to providehelpful information to producersas part of the display in the DPIpavilion at AgQuip at Gunnedah,from August 21 to 23.

Knowing the signs to look out for

is the key to better biosecurityand helps to reduce the risk ofintroducing unwanted pests.

“Russian wheat aphid is thesort of pest we want farmersto be vigilant about,” he said.

DPI grains industry biose-curity office Louise Rossiterwill give farmers tips, withbest practice checklists avail-able.

The recently expandedproperty identification codes(PICs) program will also beexplained.

A joint initiative betweenDPI and Livestock Health andPest Authorities, PICs are nowrequired for additional live-stock species.

The aim is to strengthenbiosecurity and improveNSW’s capacity to respond toanimal disease and food safetyincidents.

From September 1 this year any-body who keeps livestock includ-ing sheep, cattle, goats, pigs, deer,

bison, buffalo, camels, horses,donkeys, IIama, alpaca, or 100 ormore poultry birds, will berequired to obtain a PIC regardlessof whether they are trading ormoving animals.

The DPI pavilion at AgQuip willbe located at E-F / 16-17 and staffwill have information and resourcesincluding biosecurity, beef live-stock, irrigation, rural supportservices, recreational fishing tech-niques, aquatic habitat rehabilita-tion, grains, weeds, Tocal Collegepublications and PRO Farm shortcourses.■ Contact Jane Maynard,Tamworth Agricultural Institute,(02) 6766 1360.

LHPA livestock health project manager Trudy Marriott says property identificationcode traceability will greatly aid responses to animal disease outbreaks or otherfood safety issues.

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TL1856375

AGRICULTURE TODAY | Thursday, August 2, 2012 5www.twitter.com/nswdpi www.dpi.nsw.au/agtoday primary industriesN E W S

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Seeking the keyto cheap ethanolMAJOR South America

biofuel countries holdthe key to finding

breakthrough technology forconverting lignocellulose toethanol in Australia.

Three NSW Department ofPrimary Industries (DPI) sci-entists, Dr Tony Vancov, DrShane McIntosh and FabianoXimenes, have recently returnedfrom Brazil and Chile wherethey established collaborativelinks.

“We are all looking for thebest way to break down ligno-cellulose – the abundantstructural material that sup-ports all plants – into simplesugars which we can makeethanol,” said Dr Vancov.

Part of the study tour alsofocused on how Brazil andChile plan to deal with associ-ated changes in the use of land,machinery and fertiliser,impacts on soil carbon andefficiency of conversion in dif-ferent ethanol and sugar pro-duction plants.

“Our research at the Wollo-ngbar Agricultural Institute isat the forefront in this field ofscience – assessing likely biofu-el candidates derived from lowcost, ‘waste’ materials such ascrop residues or forestry thin-nings,” Dr Vancov said.

“Pilot-scale studies in Braziland Chile are providingworthwhile production ofethanol from lignocellulosics.

“They provide a greatopportunity to tackle the big-gest challenge we face – reduc-

ing the cost of converting thisplentiful ‘non-food’ resourceinto biofuel.

“Given similarities in cli-mate and feedstock, we havean opportunity to share res-earch with Brazil and Chileand apply some of their experi-ences and technology inAustralia.”

Dr Vancov said the world isinvesting in biofuel researchand development (R&D) dueto the forecast decline in worldfinite oil reserves, growingdemand for petroleum prod-ucts, record crude oil prices andgreenhouse gas benefits.

“We have been looking atwheat straw, sorghum stubbleand a number of Australiannative plants such as, planta-tion eucalypt and oil mallee asfeedstock.

“Our aim is to reduce thecosts of the process by as muchas half to make it a genuinelyviable source of fuel to replacenon-renewable fossil fuels.

“Projected greenhouse gassavings from using cellulose-

produced ethanol approaches90 per cent compared to petrolusage.”

Dr Vancov said significantresearch is also underway inthe United States, with the USDepartment of Energy pro-jecting that by 2020 twice asmuch ethanol fuel will be pro-duced from lignocellulosicsthan from starch-based crops.

The DPI scientists received a$30,000 grant from the CouncilOn Australia Latin AmericanRelations for their study tour.

The tour included visitingresearch centres, governmentinstitutes, universities andindustries dedicated to biofueland bioenergy R&D in bothChile and Brazil.

“We will definitely engage inmore joint R&D programswith Chilean and Brazilianproduction and research facil-ities in our pursuit of low-costbiofuel,” said Dr Vancov.■ Contact Tony Vancov,Wollongbar, (02) 6626 1359,[email protected]

Phot

o: R

anda

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aham

BREEDING specialist AllanCasey will talk goat producersthrough the finer points ofbreeding to boost meat produc-tion at a free information day atOrana Station, Ivanhoe onAugust 9.

Mr Casey will discuss producers’breeding objectives and demon-strate how to select the rightgoats.

John Vagg’s Orana Station pollgoat herd, with more than 15years of breeding experience,will be in the yards for thehands-on session.

Goat producers can expect togain valuable insights into futureopportunities for their industry.

Discussion topics will includebreeding and selection for imp-roved productivity, marketing,goat health, parasite manage-ment and the National LivestockIdentification System.

Department of Primary Indu-stries (DPI) livestock officerTrudie Atkinson said a forum ofindustry representatives andmarketing advisers has also beendrawn together to discuss cur-rent and future marketing oppo-rtunities.

NSW Trade and Investmentexport adviser Ian Sanders saidAsian and Middle East meat andlive trade markets, including theexport of breeding stock, offerpotential for producers who canmeet the requirements.

Domestic goat meat markets

will be discussed, with BlairBrice from Meat and LivestockAustralia (MLA) on hand toanswer questions.

An additional drawcard, NSWworm control co-ordinatorStephen Love, will discuss cur-rent worm management.

The information day supportedby MLA, will also mark thelaunch of a new handbook basedon goat industry case studies.

Produced by DPI graduateofficer Allie Jones, the handbookshowcases local goat enterprises,including Orana and surround-ing stations in the Ivanhoe andWilcannia areas.

The new handbook was in parta catalyst to the day and is nowhelping to consolidate the wealthof knowledge which has comeout of the goat industry generatedby producer experience andknow-how, research and marketintelligence.

Producers are asked to bring achair for the day from 8.30amuntil 4.30 pm, lunch and smokowill be provided.

Registration closes MondayAugust 6.

– BERNADETTE YORK■ Contact Trudie Atkinson (02) 6880 8041,[email protected]

LEFT: Boer-cross goats at TasmanStation, near Ivanhoe.

Goats on the go

LEFT: DPIscientists TonyVancov, FabianoXiemenes andShane McIntoshare shown arounda Chileanbioenergy

pretreatmentfacility byTereitaMarzialetti.

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www.dpi .nsw.gov.au

attention: Irrigation ConsultantsNSW Sustaining the Basin: Irrigated Farm ModernisationNSW Department of Primary Industries invites suitably qualified & experienced Irrigation Consultants to submit Expressions of Interest to carry outirrigation farm water use efficiencyassessments in the NSW Border Rivers, Gwydir, Namoi/Peel and Macquarie/Cudgegong water management areasfrom1st August 2012.

Specifically, Irrigation Consultants willbe required to identify current irrigationsystem performance and determinepotential water savings from on-farmirrigation infrastructure investment.

Funding for this service is beingprovided by the Australian Government’s ‘Water for the Future’ Initiative.

An Expression of Interest form can be found at:www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/info/sustainingthebasin

Expressions of Interest are to be submitted by 5 pm 14 August 2012 to:

E: [email protected]

Post: STBIFMWagga Wagga Agricultural InstitutePMB Wagga Wagga NSW 2650

F: 02 6938 1852

All enquiries to Rod Jackson,NSW Department of Primary IndustriesT: 02 6799 1537M: 0429 901 [email protected]

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Water quality: A turnout of41 landholders for the firstDepartment of Primary Industries(DPI) farm dam biodiversity andwater-quality course funded bythe NSW Environmental Trust hasconfirmed the investment was onthe money.

A series of 10 workshops arebeing rolled out across the Statefollowing the success of theoriginal pilot course which DPIdelivered under contract to the

Sydney Catchment Authority.NSW DPI project officer Tony

Cox said the course is designedto generate positive on and off-farm results.

“Improved water quality leadsto production, biodiversity andenvironmental benefits,” Mr Coxsaid.

“The workshops concentrateon boosting water quality andbiodiversity by managinggroundcover, inflow areas,

drainage lines, stock, shelterbelts, shade trees, vegetation inand around dams, and froghabitat.”

The first of the 10 new NSWEnvironmental Trust-fundedcourses ran in Boorowa lastmonth, with others due to run inArmidale on August 9 andGoulburn on August 30.■ Contact Tony Cox,Orange, (02) 6391 3885,[email protected]


Expect the dual purposecereal trials to do wellWITH a total of 55 new

dual-purpose cerealvarieties being tri-

alled across the State, farmerscan expect a comprehensiveperformance report from NSWDepartment of Primary Indus-tries (DPI).

DPI technical specialist forgrains services Peter Matthewssaid trials funded by theGrains Research and Devel-opment Corporation were cur-rently underway at Cowra,Culcairn, Somerton and Purl-ewaugh.

“These trails build on astrong history of testing cerealvarieties for grazing and grainproduction to successfully fitinto mixed grazing systemsacross NSW,” Mr Matthewssaid.

“Dual-purpose cereal cropsare top performers in the grossmargin stakes as they generateincome from grain sales andlivestock production.”

This year the DPI is testing 21wheat, 18 oat, one cereal rye,

seven barley and eight triticalevarieties by growing them atthe different sites under com-mercial best-practice condi-tions.

The crops are grazed by sheepthrough the vegetative grow-ing period and managedthrough to harvest when thegrain yields are measured.

Dry-matter production isassessed at regular intervalsduring the growing season.

Results from the 2012 evalu-ation trials will be available inthe 2013 NSW DPI WinterCrop Variety Sowing Guide andon the DPI website early nextyear.■ Contact Peter Matthews, 0427 007 395,[email protected]

RIGHT: DPI farm supervisor BradPalmer inspects the dual-purpose cereal crop trials at theCowra Agricultural Research andAdvisory Station. These cropswere sown on April 3 and have been grazed once sinceplanting.

What? Hearing losscosts how much!STAGGERING levels of pre-ventable hearing loss are occ-urring among Australian farm-ers at a huge cost to the ruraleconomy.

They are listening withoutprotection – machinery andtools like tractors and chainsaws and livestock like squeal-ing pigs in sheds at feedingtime are examples.

NSW Department of Pri-mary Industries livestock offi-cer Bob Kilgour said earmuffsand plugs are readily availableto provide hearing protection.

“Recent research shows thatmore than half of Australia’sfarmers are likely to sufferfrom premature hearing lossthrough occupational noiseexposure,” Mr Kilgour said.

“The numbers are staggering– almost all farmers over theage of 55 who have beenexposed to loud noise suffersome degree of hearing loss.

“This is largely preventableand the most alarming statisticis that only 18 per cent offarmers wear hearing protec-tion while working with heavymachinery.”

Mr Kilgour said many farm-ers probably don’t realise howquickly and easily permanentdamage is done.

“Thirty seconds on a chain-saw with no hearing protectioncan be enough to inflict per-manent damage,” he said.

“Just think about the littlejobs you do where you may notbother to put on the earmuffs.

“Knocking two or threelengths of wood off that log for

the fire tonight or cutting up abit of steel with the anglegrinder could severely affectyour hearing.”

Mr Kilgour said while there isa fair bit of debate and atten-tion given to rollover protec-tion on quad bikes, industrialdeafness from farming is sel-dom mentioned.

“Hearing loss and deafness is

a much more insidious farmhealth and safety issue as itdirectly affects so many people,” he said.

Government agency Aust-ralian Hearing has reportedthat hearing loss costs theeconomy close to $12 billion ayear with almost 160,000 peoplenot working because theycan’t hear well enough.

– BERNADETTE YORK

BERNADETTE YORKOrange

NSW DPI farm assistant Dylan Hohnberg wears hearing protectionduring work at the Trangie Agricultural Research Centre.

El Nino and drought don’talways go hand in hand

THE outlook for theAugust to October periodprojects dry conditionswest of the divide.

The outlook suggests a60 per cent to 70pcchance for drier thanaverage conditions overthe coming three monthsfor western NSW.

For coastal NSW theodds are even for eitherdrier or wetter thanaverage conditions.

So are we in an El Ninoor not?

Close but not yet.Recent weeks have seen

climate indicatorsapproach El Ninothresholds and then easeslightly.

While indicators such asthe Southern OscillationIndex (SOI), sea surfacetemperatures and trade

winds have eased; suchshort-term changes arecommon and to beexpected.

A quick check of theinternational modelssuggest that El Ninothresholds are likely to bereached sometimebetween late winter andspring 2012, althoughthese same modelsindicate there is a strongpossibility that the eventwill remain marginal.

The affects of the El NinoSouthern Oscillation arenot like flicking a switch,so we can already see theinfluence of the warmerPacific Oceantemperatures in theBureau’s seasonal outlook.

Fortunately, El Nino anddrought do not always gohand in hand.

To take the Murray-Darling Basin as anexample, six out of 10 ElNino years will see winter-spring rainfall greater than150 millimetres.

On the eastern seaboard

of NSW the affects of ElNino on winter-springrainfall are weak.

Here eight in every 10years receive winter-springrainfall greater than250mm.

So even if we do moveinto an El Nino in latewinter or spring theoutlook is far from grim.

Fortunately, July broughtsome very welcome rainsin western regions,replenishing soil moisturejust as it was getting low.

Some areas aroundBroken Hill and Menindeein the far west broke Julydaily records with some ofour older stations seeingtheir highest daily falls forJuly in over 100 years.

The Bureau ofMeteorology’s officialseasonal outlook can befound at:http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/ahead/rain_ahead.shtml■ This column is also onlineat www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agtoday

AgToday

reports on the latest Agri Research &

ManagementInformation

(Inserted into The Land each month& view online

www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agtoday)

Showcase yourproducts & servicesin the August edition

Features include:✓✓ Crops & Grains✓✓ Livestock

(including biosecurity)

✓✓ SoilsCall the sales team today on:

02 4570 4410or email:

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WOOL and lamb meat prof-itablility have come underpressure in 2012, so relatively,

one is not necessarily a more or lessattractive option in the short term.

Using average profit through 50years of weather for an enterprisewith the relevant prices and costsapplied for each year, GrassGro mod-elling is keeping a close eye onchanges, trends and market implica-tions.

Grassgro shows how well an enter-prise suits the pasture supply for thelocation and the latest analysis up-dates previous work using currentprices from January 1 to June 30, 2012.

“For the 2012 assessment, I havelooked at a number of locations usedin the Southern Livestock Adapt-ation 2030 project,” said Departmentof Primary Industries (DPI) grazingtechnical specialist Phil Graham.

As part of this project, producers ateach location agreed that the modelwas doing a realistic job for theirlocalities.

All prices have declined in 2012.Lamb is back 17 per cent, mutton

30pc, 18- micron wool 24pc, and 20-micron wool – three pc compared tothe 2011 average.

The value of surplus sales has fallen,as has the purchase price of replace-ment ewes.

“Adding to this years’ decline, Ihave increased costs so that variablecosts comprise about 39pc of totalincome,” Mr Graham said.

Using Yass as an example (graph 1),Mr Graham is looking at how profitshave changed over the time periods,2005-09, 2009, 2010, 2011 and now2012.

“Then the question is what effectdoes changing location have on theseresults?” Mr Graham said.

Using prices and costs from lastyear, animal genetics are constantbut the time of lambing, sales andany other variables have been alteredto suit the locality (graph 2).

The lowest performing enterprise isset at 100 for each location and therest are expressed as a percentage.

“The main point of the work is tolook at the profitability over time ofenterprises at a particular location

rather than compare between loca-tions,” Mr Graham said.

Graph 3 uses the same parameters,except the prices and costs for 2012.

“The major change is the improve-

ment in the 20- micron wool enter-prise, because it has sustained theleast decline in price.

“Relative performance does changeslightly from one location to another

and reflects how well enterprisesmatch their pasture supplies.”■ Contact Phil Graham, Yass, 0428 272 552,[email protected].


What’s the effect of declining prices?

GRASSGRO modelling sets soil, animaland pasture factors as constants andmatches them to historical local weatherdata for long periods, mostly 1960 to2010.● Average prices and costs for differentperiods analyse relative performanceover time.●The stocking rate for each enterprise isadjusted to place the same grazingpressure on the land, at true comparison.●The animal factors for each enterprise

are based on industry averages, forexample, prime lambs have a 35 percent higher marking percentagecompared to Merino 18- micron.●The main point of GrassGro modellingis to look at the profitability of enterprisesover time at a particular location, ratherthan compare between locations.This way, producers can estimate how

their enterprises may fare as pasturesupplies vary in future under changingclimate at their locations.

How GrassGro worksHow GrassGro works

Dorper dung DNA helps develop strategiesTHE quest to uncover what givesDorpers the edge over Merinos inthe expansive rangelands of NSW,has led researchers to extract plantDNA from sheep dung.

DPI rangelands researcher at theTrangie Agricultural ResearchCentre Yohannes Alemseged saidthe DNA is contributing to a studywhich aims to develop grazingmanagement strategies to supportrangeland producers who havemoved to non-traditional meatbreeds.

“The most popular new breed isthe Dorper and we have workedclosely with farmers to under-stand how the animals browse anduse the landscape,” Dr Alemsegedsaid.

“Now we are testing the theorythat these animals perform well inharsh environments because theyare better able to convert low-quality feed.

“We are analysing paddocks byidentifying the plant species and

comparing which species Merinosand Dorpers leave behind,” hesaid,

“This information will be cross-referenced with the plant specieswe have found in their dung sam-ples by using DNA barcoding.

“Sheep feed efficiency is beingmeasured in trials at Wagga Waggawhere we are monitoring nutrientdigestibility against their intake oflow and high-quality feed,” DrAlemseged said.

“Dorper behaviour and manage-ment requirements vary from tra-ditional Merinos and we also needto assess their impacts on range-land resources.”

The project has also recognisedthe potential goats have in range-land systems and in consultationwith local graziers, the DPI hasproduced interim managementguidelines for Dorper sheep andfarmed goats.

Stocking rates, reproduction andgrazing management require-

ments will be explored.Management strategies and rec-

ommendations from the study,funded by the Lower MurrayDarling Catchment ManagementAuthority, are due to hit publica-

tion in 2013.– BERNADETTE YORK

■ Contact Yohannes Alemseged,Trangie, (02) 6880 8035,[email protected].

A DPI study is exploring how Dorpers graze and use the landscape in thewestern rangelands of NSW as researchers develop grazing managementstrategies to benefit production and the environment. Photo: Greg Curran.

LEFT: DPIgrazingtechnicalspecialist PhilGraham, withcolleague, soilcarbonresearcherSusan Orgill, ata Yass fieldday.

20thYEAR

AgricultureToday1993 - 2012

August 2012Border Rivers-Gwydir CMAChair’s Column

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The Border Rivers-Gwydir CMA works with people in localcommunities to help them look after their land for futuregenerations.We strive for balanced production and conservationwithin resilient landscapes.There are a number of projects thatthe Border Rivers-Gwydir CMA will be delivering in 2012-13,some of which are a continuation of projects implemented in2011-12 and all of which provide excellent opportunity forlandholders and the broader community to boost their bottomline as well as the ecological health of their land.The Tycannah and Gurley Creeks (south of Moree) landscapeconnectivity project aims to increase habitat connectivity andagricultural productivity across Northern NSW.This project willlink the Darling Riverine Plains to the western slopes of theGreat Dividing Range, protecting important remnants ofthreatened ecological communities, increasing the condition ofscattered remnant vegetation, controlling key threats andincreasing habitat connectivity through revegetation.In 2012-13 there are a number of projects which focus onmanagement of invasive species including the Harrisia CactusImpact Reduction Project in the north west of the Border Rivers-Gwydir catchment.While building on the momentum of HarrisiaCactus control in previous years, the project also aims to protectthreatened ecological communities, boosting both the biodiversityand production values of the region.The Vertebrate Pests Project targets groups of landholders toundertake coordinated programs to control pigs, foxes, rabbits,goats, cats, wild dogs and deer for the benefit of both agriculturalproduction and biodiversity.This project will work collaborativelywith existing programs that are being undertaken across thecatchment by other organisations, such as the Livestock Health& Pest Authority, New England North West Landcare andNational Parks & Wildlife Service.The Rebuilding the West: Flood Recovery & Future Readinessfor Climate Variability project will assist landholders to betterprepare for and respond to climate change and natural disasters,particularly through stabilising and revegetating riparian areas toreduce erosion and improve biodiversity.This project will see theBorder Rivers-Gwydir CMA team provide support to landholdersaffected by the devastating floods of early 2012 by helping themto rebuild environmental resilience on their properties.The West to East Riparian Zone Linkages project aims to createbiodiverse habitat linkages in and adjacent to riparian zones,benefiting soil, water, atmosphere and biodiversity.The projectwill assist landholders to fence, protect, revegetate and providealternative stock water along priority riparian zones and will alsoinclude a locally endemic seed collection contract.Projects in the west of the Border Rivers-Gwydir CMA area aimto develop a strong community understanding of the need forand commitment to natural resource management change.Opportunities exist for landholders to improve the managementof native vegetation and habitat as well as improve soil healthand water quality on their properties through improved grazingmanagement, revegetation, fencing, and weed and pestmanagement.For further information about any of the Border Rivers-GwydirCMA projects contact the Inverell office on 02 6728 8020, Moreeon 02 6757 2550, Glen Innes on 02 6732 2992, Armidale on 026773 5269 or Goondiwindi on 07 4671 4302.


primary industries www.dpi.nsw.au/agtoday www.twitter.com/nswdpi S H E E P & W O O L

● ● ● ●

SINCE the release of land transportstandards, livestock owners havebeen encouraged to consider care-fully which of their stock are fit toload for transport.

Requirements defined by theAustralian Animal Welfare Stand-ards for the Land Transport ofLivestock will be compulsory by law.

Replacing the State and TerritoryModel Codes of Practice for the wel-fare of animals, the new standardswill be mandatory in all States andwill be implemented in NSW inOctober this year.

It will be an offence to load ortransport an animal in a way thatmay or is likely to cause it unneces-sary harm.

The responsibility to ensure ani-mals are correctly prepared and ableto cope with the journey frombeginning to end rests with the per-son in charge of them at any point inthe transport chain.

The comprehensive and recentlyrevised publication from Meat andLivestock Australia (MLA), Anational guide to the selection of ani-mals fit to transport Revised edition2012 – Is it fit to load? provides guid-ance for anyone involved in theprocess.

Is it fit to load? is available from theMLA website listed below.

It is essential that producersobserve their animals carefully

before transport for health andinjury which may render them unfitfor the journey.

Producers must then adopt meas-ures set out in the standards to dealappropriately with these animalsand minimise risks to their welfare.

It is the responsibility of any per-son in charge of an animal or ani-mals not to cause unnecessaryharm.

According to Is it fit to load? an ani-mal is unfit for any type of landtransport if it:● is not strong enough to under-take the journey;● cannot walk normally, bearingweight on all legs;● is severely emaciated or visiblydehydrated;● is suffering from severe visibledistress or injury;● is in a condition that could causeit increased pain or distress duringtransport;● is blind in both eyes; or ● is in late pregnancy.

The publication also highlights theimportance of preparing livestockfor transport, including such factorsas planning the journey, facilities,stockmanship skills, ensuring app-ropriate rest stops occur throughoutthe journey and that an emergencyplan is available if required.

Correct preparation is importantto minimise stress levels, potential

for injury and other issues that mayaffect animal welfare.

A person responsible for animalsthat may be unfit to load has threeoptions.

These include recovering the ani-mal and transporting it when it is fit,euthanasing the animal humanely(using procedures set out in thestandards), or consulting a veteri-narian for their advice regardingrecovery and transport.

Further advice and information isavailable from any State or Territorygovernment department of primaryindustries, the federal Departmentof Agriculture, Fisheries andForestry.

– JANE KELLY■ Visit www.livestockwelfare-standards.net.au and search “Is itfit to load” on the MLA website atwww.mla.com.au/Publications-tools-and-events.

Under new legislated animal welfare standards, responsibility to ensureanimals are correctly prepared and able to cope with a journey frombeginning to end rests with the person in charge of them at any point in thetransport chain.

Feed to ensure lambsurvival this springAT LAMBING time in Augustthe key message is aboutensuring sufficient feed tokeep mothers and lambs alive.

“Ewes at lambing need 2.5times more feed of betterquality than a dry ewe,” saidsheep livestock officer atDubbo Edward Joshua.

“The feed needs to be at least12 megajoules of metabolis-able energy per kilogram and12 per cent or preferably 14-16pc crude protein and sheneeds to be in fat score 3-3.5 toprovide milk from what thefeed lacks from her bodystores.”

If pregnancy scanning hasbeen done during mid-preg-nancy, then nutrition, spaceand shelter can be more finelytuned to manage separateneeds.

When it’s dry, ewes not car-rying a lamb can be consid-ered for sale, while ewes thatbear twins can have feedresources and pastures focusedon them to increase lambbirthweight and ewe fat scorein preparation for lambingand lactation.

Single bearing ewes need lessfeed to contain lamb birth-weight so they can comfort-ably bear and rear their singlelamb.

The benefits of providing forthe separate needs of eachclass of ewes within a flockwith better nutritional man-agement are improved repro-duction, better lamb survival,increased ewe wool produc-tion, more lambs weaned,increased progeny fleeceweight and quality, improved

ewe health and survival, andbetter animal welfare.

Achieving these goals meanshaving more lambs to sell orto select for flock performanceimprovement.

Twin lamb bearing ewes canbe maintained in the breedingflock for longer and theirprogeny identified to con-tribute the breeding program.

Avoid pregnancy toxaemiaby feeding a balance of energyand protein – 250 grams/head/day of cereal grain or lupins ina regulated self feeder for twinbearing ewes will support theirnutrition by providing concen-trated energy feed and protein-rich green pasture.■ Contact Edward Joshua,(02) 6881 1275,[email protected].

New national OJDmanagement plan

NSW Farmers Association will hold aseries of information meetings aroundthe State during August for producers

interested in the new national ovine Johne’s dis-ease (OJD) management plan.

A five-year OJD management plan will starton January 1 next year, after a six-month tran-sition period that began in July.

The sheep peak bodies – SheepMeat Councilof Australia and WoolProducers Australia –announced at the beginning of this year thatchanges were coming.

Under the plan there will only be two areas –a Control Area and a Protected Area.

Control Areas will be where OJD is endemicor there is no active regional plan to deal withthe disease.

The Protected Area will have a flock preva-lence of less than one per cent, have a RegionalBiosecurity Plan in place and be actively pre-venting and controlling the ongoing risk ofinfection.

NSW exclusion areas are well positioned toapply for protected area status.

The NSW Exclusion Area currently comprises

the Western, Darling and New EnglandLivestock Health and Pest Authorities (LHPA),plus the old Coonabarabran Board part of thecentral north LHPA.

Entry requirements for sheep moving into theProtected Area will be announced shortly by thepeak bodies, to enable producers in low preva-lence areas to start thinking about whether theywant to be within one.

It will take a majority of producers withintheir area voting for Protected Area status insurveys to be held in coming months.

Sheep producers in Control Areas will still beable to manage their risk of introducing OJD bypractising good biosecurity, including insistingon a Sheep Health Statement to allow assess-ment of any introduced sheep, or participatingin the SheepMAP program.

Gudair vaccination is recommended on allproperties in the current medium and highprevalence areas.

– ROB BARWELL■ Contact your local NSW FarmersAssociation representative or Rob Barwell,(02) 6938 1654, or visit www.ojd.com.au.

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Old school tool can lift lamb numbers

IDENTIFYING ewes with wet anddry udders may have become aneglected art, yet the use of this

old-school tool at weaning could seethe national flock swell, according tothe Department of Primary Indus-tries (DPI).

DPI livestock researcher GordonRefshauge, said the two top tools tolift lamb survival were identifyingwet and dry ewes and ultrasoundpregnancy scanning.

“The best way to select competentewes capable of rearing lambs is toidentify ewes with wet udders fromthose with dry udders at marking orweaning,” Mr Refshauge said.

“It’s a simple tool which can easilybe integrated into the operation atpractically no-cost.

“Dry ewes with no udder tissue,and ewes which have lambed and losttheir progeny with small amounts oftissue should be identified as theyhave demonstrated that they are notcompetent mothers.”

Figures from the Cowra AgriculturalResearch and Advisory Station showthat identifying wet and dry ewesoffers significant opportunities toimprove short- and long-term lambweaning rates.

Mr Refshauge said that 60 percentof lambs which died were born to27pc of ewes and by removing eweswho lose their lambs, weaning ratescould immediately improve.

“Selecting the most fertile andcompetent mothers over ewes wholose their lambs also delivers long-term genetic gains for the flock withhigher lamb survival rates into thefuture,” he said.

“Scanning is also an important toolas it allows producers to adjust man-agement to suit the ewe’s nutritionalneeds to support twins and singles anddeliver healthy lambs.

“Once those lambs are on theground, the ewe has to rear them andit’s up to producers to ensure the rightewes have been selected for the task.

“By using these two tools to selectewes, producers can expect to see asignificant impact on weaning ratesdue to their selection of the most fer-tile and competent mothers.

“They will also be increasing thenumber of young animals availablefor selection every year.”

Mr Refshauge recommends thatMerino ewes be given two chancesand if they are found to be dry for asecond time in their life, they shouldbe removed from the flock.

“The only exceptions are udderbreakdown and ewes requiring assis-tance to lamb – these ewes should belet go without a second opportunity.”

“In crossbred flocks emphasis onreproduction needs to be higher anddry ewes should be removed afterone failure.”

■ Contact Gordon Refshauge,Cowra, (02) 6349 9715, [email protected]

BERNADETTE YORKOrange

LEFT: DPI livestock research officer Gordon Refshauge will identify wet and dryudders on the ewes at the Cowra Agricultural Research and Advisory Station(above) at marking and weaning.

Grass seeds may puncture a pelt within days of being picked up, causing “pin hole” damage and scarring of the pelt, reducingsaleable skin area.

Seed contaminationcutting lamb returnsSEED contamination in lambskins and carcases has increasedthanks to the explosion of grassseed species after wet summers.

Barley grass, spear grass and wiregrass continue to be a major con-cern for NSW lamb processors,each capable of causing significantproduction and economic lossesfrom the farm gate through to theprocessing sector.

While many producers attemptto reduce the risk of seed con-tamination through spray-top-ping, grazing management (incl-uding the use of feedlots andfodder crops during high riskperiods) and strategic shearing,many may not be aware of thedegree of seed contamination inown-bred or store lambs pur-chased for finishing on-farmuntil they send lambs for slaugh-ter.

Grass seeds may puncture a peltwithin days of being picked up,causing “pin hole” damage andscarring of the pelt, reducingsaleable skin area.

Trial work has shown that asfew as 25 seeds in a lamb canreduce daily liveweight gain byup to 50 per cent.

Seeds can also increase the riskand incidence of diseases such ascheesy gland, pink eye, tetanusand scabby mouth and increaselosses due to downgraded prod-uct.

Slowing of slaughter chains,additional trimming time, car-case losses, lower dressing per-centages, loss or downgrading ofsaleable skin and sheep meatproducts or condemnation ofcarcases due to seeds all reduceprocessing efficiencies.

Unfortunately many processorsmust budget for these losses,which ultimately impacts onboth an individual producer andoverall industry returns.

Since the introduction of theNational Livestock IdentificationSystem, processors have the abil-ity to identify individual produc-ers and/or specific areas withinNSW where grass seed contami-nation is an issue.

Many processors deliberatelysource stock directly off-farm orselectively buy from regions orsaleyards where grass seed risk ofcontaminating skins and carcasesis lower.

Consequently, competition forlamb in some higher risk areas isreduced and lamb values affected.

Despite sluggish overseasdemand, skins continue to be asignificant income earner, con-tributing between eight to 10pcof a lamb’s total value.

Given current lamb prices, pro-ducers have to extract every dol-lar from every lamb, so it pays tokeep lambs out of the grass seedthis spring and summer.

Once the seed is through theskin, there is no way of removingit.

Lamb producers need to be astep ahead of the seed and pre-pare low seed paddocks beforethe problem occurs to ensurehigh lamb growth rates and thedelivery of a high quality prod-uct.

– GEOFF DUDDY

■ Download Winning AgainstSeeds from www.mla.com.auand/or contact your local NSWDPI livestock officer.

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Chasing two new Basin invadersALLIGATOR weed has been dis-

covered in the Namoi Riverand water hyacinth in the

Dumaresq River – two new invasionsof serious aquatic weeds in theMurray-Darling basin in north west-ern NSW.

While relatively common along thecoast, neither of the two have previ-ously been found in these westernflowing rivers.

Both species are weeds of nationalsignificance (WoNS).

Twelve small infestations of alliga-tor weed have been found both up-stream and downstream of Gunnedah.

Water hyacinth has been found inthree discrete pools between Min-goola and Bonshaw.

It is believed that recent floods havecarried these weeds into the riversfrom sources upstream that are yet tobe discovered.

“Both species are known tobe illegally used as orna-mental plants in domesticwater gardens and inornamental dams andare sometimes sold orswapped for this pur-pose,” said Department ofPrimary Industries (DPI)weeds officer Phil Blackmore,Armidale.

“Every effort is being made to erad-icate these infestations which poseserious threats to agriculture andbiodiversity in the Darling Rivercatchment if allowed to escape fur-ther downstream.”

“Early detection of both infesta-tions by diligent local government

weeds inspectors has increased theprobability of success in eradicatingthem west of the Divide.”

All NSW local control authoritieshave early detection strategies andprograms in place through theirregional Weed Action Program (WAP)projects funded through DPI grants.

Local government weeds inspectorsare tackling the difficult task of find-ing weed infestations.

Apart from being aquatic weeds,detection is made more challengingby the large amounts of flood debris,including logs and other vegetationin the rivers and on the banks.

Namoi Catchment ManagementAuthority is supporting their effortsby providing resources including aboat to help the inspection effort.

“The situation in the DumaresqRiver is complicated by the State bor-

der running along the centre of thestream,” Mr Blackmore said.

“As a free floating weed,patches of water hyacinthcan be in NSW in themorning and Queens-land in the afternoondepending on the way

the wind is blowing.“Where a stream is suffi-

ciently narrow, water hyacinthcan be contained using a floating

boom.“Biosecurity Queensland is co-oper-

ating in carrying out inspections andcontrol works, making good use oftheir amphibious vehicle with help alsofrom Goondiwindi regional council.”

Both species block water flow andbecause they increase the surface area

of the water body they are growing in,they can significantly increase theevaporation loss.

They also replace native species, blockstream flow and irrigation uptakes anddestroy native fish habitats.

Alligator weed poses a particularthreat as it can grow on dry land aswell as water.

Both species can float and spreadvegetatively, alligator weed by stemfragments and water hyacinth byproducing daughter plants.

Alligator weed does not produce seedin Australia, however water hyacinthdoes.

Water hyacinth seed is long livedand can lead to new outbreaks many

years after growing plants werethought to have been eradicated.

Both species show an exceptionallyhigh growth rate when seasonal con-ditions and water temperatures warmin late spring and through the sum-mer.

Control of both species presentsspecial difficulties.

Growing in aquatic and riparianareas limits the range of herbicidesthat are available for use in these sit-uations.

Alligator weed impedes the translo-cation of herbicides into the root sys-tem making it difficult to achieve akill through foliar application.

DPI is the lead agency for national

co-ordination of management effortsand a full time national co-ordinatoris employed at Grafton.

Alligator weed has been a WoNSsince 1999 and the national manage-ment strategy implementation isalmost complete.

Water hyacinth has only recentlybeen added to the WoNS list – itsNational Strategy and program is inthe first stages of development.

■ Contact Phil Blackmore,Armidale (02) 6738 8504,[email protected] Charles Mifsud, Grafton, (02) 6640 1662,[email protected].

ABOVE and INSET: Water hyacinth in the Dumaresq River about five kilometres downstream from the village of Mingoola.

Windmill grass researchyields a breakthroughNSW grain growers have received good newson a new permit that allows better manage-ment of the troublesome weed, windmill grass.

Windmill grass is rapidly climbing the ranksas one of Australia’s most wanted fallow weeds.

“It has the ability to invade many fallow pad-docks in western regions of NSW,” said weedstechnical specialist Tony Cook.

“Other States have considered this weed as ahigh priority, such as Western and SouthAustralia.”

Although registered for its control, glyphosate-based sprays are marginally effective, especiallywhen the weed gets larger.

In addition, some populations in central west-ern NSW have been confirmed as glyphosateresistant.

“Essentially we almost have a registration‘black hole’ for this weed,” said Mr Cook.

Apart from glyphosate, other fallows-basedoptions will not work as a single spray.

Mr Cook stressed, “advisors are rather limitedwith the advice they can offer.

“It appears cultivation, an option some growerstend to oppose, is the only valid option.”

The new permit now allows the use of thedouble knock technique.

It involves an initial spray with quizalofop-based products (for example, Targa) and a follow-up spray within seven days withparaquat.

It is only valid for NSW growers and is inforce until March 31, 2017.

Trial results from the Grain Orana Alliancesuggest this treatment will usually result in atleast 95 per cent control.

“It is important to note that weeds must notbe bigger than the early tillering stage withoutmoisture stress for this technique to work,”said Mr Cook.

Beneficial impacts of the new permit are thepreservation of soil via no-till and minimumtill cropping systems, as well as flow-on bene-fits of these systems, moisture conservationand better soil structure.

Further, advisors and researchers can now

publish or advise more flexible options for graingrowers.

For growers battling glyphosate resistance,this permit will allow an alternative tactic andthus combat increasing glyphosate resistance.

“Although this is an important first step forwindmill grass management, we need to maintainthe research effort and aim at some investigationstowards pre-emergence options,” said Mr Cook.

It is anticipated that other State agencies willrequest the Australian Pesticides and VeterinaryMedicines Authority (APVMA) to extend thispermit beyond NSW.

Most of this success is courtesy of MaurieStreet, from the Grain Orana Alliance and theGrains Research and Development Cor-poration that funds his research.

DPI was responsible for assessing the permitand ensuring that it was applicable to all NSWgrowers.■ Download the pesticide permit, number13460, from the APVMA websitewww.apvma.gov.au/permits/search.php orcontact Tony Cook, Tamworth, (02) 6763 1250, [email protected].

A new permit now allows a double knock againstwindmill grass.

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Department of Primary Industries bookshopFencing AgGuide – a practical handbook (Cat. No. B137)Fencing AgGuide containsover 120 diagrams and 12chapters including: Why build a fence?; Start at the

end; Posts; Corners; Wires;Timber; Gates; Pulling down a fence: Safety and Law and fences.

Order your hardcopy for$25.00 or download fromiTunes for $12.99.

w w w.dpi .nsw.gov.au/bookshopor phone 1800 028 374

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Confusion over fleabane species PRESENCE of multiple fleabane speciesthat now heavily invade cropping andpasture lands in south eastern Australiaoften confuse growers and advisors.

The invasiveness of flaxleaf fleabaneis associated with its prolific seed pro-duction and its long-range transporta-tion of small wind-blown seeds, andeffective control options are limited.

“There are seven fleabane speciesnaturalised in Australia,” said seniorresearch scientist at Wagga WaggaHanwen Wu.

“Among these species, flaxleaf flea-bane, tall fleabane and Canadian flea-bane are the three most common, withflaxleaf predominant.”

Flaxleaf fleabane often grows in closeproximity to tall fleabane or Canadian

fleabane and in some cases all threespecies can grow together.

This provides great opportunity forpotential natural hybridisation betweenspecies.

There is potential for genetic compat-ibility between flaxleaf and tall fleabane.

Dr Wu said a suspected intermediateform between tall and Canadian flea-bane has also been found in Wagga,with the vegetative parts resemblingtall fleabane, but the reproductive partsare similar to Canadian fleabane.

“Further study is needed to confirmthe natural hybridisation process andto evaluate its potential impact on her-bicide resistance evolution and themanagement of the weed,” he said.

“These fleabane species are often

morphologically confusing, particularlyat early growth stages.”

The table summarises key biologicalfeatures to assist identification of thethree species.

Correct identification is an impor-tant step toward effective managementof species as they differ in their com-petitiveness and in their response toherbicide applications, due to the var-ied leaf micro-structures.

A successful fleabane managementprogram requires integration of effec-tive herbicides, tactical cultivation, cropand pasture competition, mowing, andgrazing.■ Contact Hanwen Wu, WaggaWagga, (02) 6938 1602,[email protected]

DPI research agronomist David Officercollects samples of cabomba as part of monitoring an infestation at Tea Gardens.

Keeping cabombaout of Great LakesMANAGERS in the Great

Lakes region are pio-neering the use of a new

aquatic herbicide to destroy oneof Australia’s worst aquatic weedsbefore it spreads.

Cabomba was once a popularaquarium plant that is now a seri-ous weed in many waterways anda weed of national significance.

The plant forms dense under-water thickets that can displacenative plants and significantlyreduce fish stocks.

“Severe infestations can also posea safety risk to swimmers as theplants can be hard to see and it’spossible for swimmers to getentangled in the thickets,” saidthe Department of PrimaryIndustries’ (DPI) Andrew Petroes-chevsky.

Great Lakes noxious weeds ins-pector Terry Inkson said cabom-ba poses a significant risk towaterways in the Great LakesCouncil area.

“Nine cabomba infestations inthe local government area all arecontained ponded waterways suchas farm dams,” Mr Inkson said.

“But each could spread if they gounmanaged.

“It could threaten the significantbiodiversity values of the Ramsarwetlands of Myall Lakes NationalPark, should it get there,” he said.

In 2011, the Mid-North Coast

Weeds Committee received aCaring for our Country grant todestroy cabomba infestations thatpose a threat to the Myall Lakeswetlands.

The frontline weapon is therecently released Shark herbicide,which was approved for registra-tion by the Australian Pesticidesand Veterinary Medicines Auth-ority in 2011 for use againstcabomba after research by DPI.

According to Mr Inkson, the her-bicide provides the only feasiblesolution.

“Being a submerged plant cab-omba is very difficult to control.”

“There are no biological controlsavailable and other options such asmechanical removal or temporarily

draining dams do not provide along term solution – the weed justcomes back after a few months.

“We are pioneering the use of thisproduct so we will be workingclosely with DPI and the herbicidemanufacturer to gauge its perform-ance.”

Recent wet weather caused adelay but with resumption the goalis now to destroy infestations byJune 2013.

Mr Inkson said results of the firstherbicide applications were pro-mising.■ Contact AndrewPetroeschevsky, Grafton, (02) 6640 1618,[email protected]

Great Lakes Council noxious weeds inspector Terry Inkson uses an Argoamphibious vehicle on a farm dam infested with cabomba at Topi Topi, inthe Great Lakes region. Photo: Terry Schmitzer.

Dr Hanwen Wu monitors multiple autumn and winteremergences of flaxleaf fleabane.

Flaxleaf fleabane in the centre foreground andCanadian fleabane filling the background.

Tall fleabane with faxleaf fleabane behind(right).

Phot

o: Te

rry In

kson

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Limited successwith bio-control

Declutter, come online

I AM a hoarder butsometimes it is good to getrid of clutter for a freshperspective.

Last year my husbandGordon and I had a bookblitz at home, packing thecontents of three bookcases we hadn’t read inyears off to a Lifeline bookfair and replacing themwith walls full of photomemories.

Now we find if we needinspiration for a dinnerparty or other homeactivities we no longerreach for a book but surfthe net.

I recently discovered thevirtual pinboard platformcalled pinterest so have awhole new way to feed myhoarding tendencies.

I am also using theinternet at work to get themost up-to-dateinformation.

I have just started anoffice blitz to sort throughpaper filled filing cabinets,books and reports I haveaccumulated over the past19 years, working with theRural Women’s Network(RWN).

I am aiming for freshspace to gain newperspectives around work

and the way I manageinformation and interact.

According to Australia’schief statistician Brian Pink“… in order to remaincompetitive in aninternational environment,a farmer is more likely tobe found with a laptop andsophisticated farmingequipment, and are morethan twice as likely to havea degree as they were justa single generation ago,and over two-thirds of farmbusinesses now use theinternet for businessoperations”.

Now workplaces can beanywhere – at home infront of the computer, outin the paddock or in a caféusing a smart device.

Social media is justanother way of deliveringinformation that we needto make part of our lives.

Platforms such as twitterare providing a democraticand dynamic way for like-minded people to haveglobal conversations likenever before.

The @AgChatOZ Tuesdayevening twitterconversations are a greatplace to plug in and startconversations around ruralissues.

Each week there is adifferent focus topic.

Developing a large baseof followers who mayspread the word aboutwhat we do can build

reputations and connect usto people and potentiallyuseful information andideas.

It can also enhance theimportant role of face toface encounters – forexample, we hope to seeyou at the 2012 NSW ruralWomen’s Gathering beinghosted by Parkes fromOctober 12 to 14.

The organising committeehas an array of workshopsand speakers planned,including author andjournalist Jessica Rowe,2012 NSW RIRDC Awardwinner and @AgChatOZfounder Danica Leys, andcurrent NSW Woman of theYear Fran Rowe.

Registrations are nowopen, with everyone invitedbut I do warn you, onceyou have been this uniqueannual weekend event, youwill be hooked forever.■ Visithttp://parkesruralwomensgathering.wordpress.com,www.abs.gov.au,www.agex.org.au/Apps/Book/Apps/Book.pdfand on twitter:@agchatoz■ Follow Soniaon twitter@NSW_RWN orread her blog athttp://nswruralwomensnetwork.wordpress.com● This edition of Ag Today is alsoonline atwww.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agtoday

ANUMBER of insectshave been released tocontrol tiger pear in

Australia – the most successfulbeing a cochineal.

There are a number of coch-ineal species that damage vari-ous cactus species but inAustralia, only Dactylopiusaustrinus, damages tiger pear(Opuntia aurantiaca).

Attempts to use cochinealfound on other cacti for controlof tiger pear is always unsuc-cessful.

Research has shown that control with cochineal is depe-ndent on temperature andrainfall.

Wet summers, such as lastsummer in NSW, result in an

increase in tiger pear popula-tions, while dry summers resultin a decrease, provided coch-ineal is present.

In wet times tiger pear growsmore rapidly than the insectscan destroy segments, while indry times the reverse is true.

Insects will never remove theproblem entirely so chemicalcontrol or manual removal isrequired in areas of high humanuse.

However, in most pasturesthe cost of chemical or manualcontrol is not justified.

It is easy to overlook segmentsand these grow into new plants.

In a number of cases manytimes the value of the land hasbeen spent on attempts to

eradicate tiger pear.On occasions it can be bene-

ficial to introduce more coch-ineal where numbers havedecreased for various reasons.

This means that for this cac-tus, one has to live with theproblem and wait for driertimes for cochineal control.

Tiger pear, is native to SouthAmerica and considered to bea weed in Australia and SouthAfrica.

The moth larvae of Cacto-blastis cactorum, and to a lesserextent moth larvae of Tucu-mania tapiacola can alsodamage the weed.■ Contact John Hosking,Tamworth, (02) 6763 1129,[email protected]

Tiger pear at Tamworth – one segment has been destroyed by the cochineal. Photo: John Hosking.

Hopes for gall mite tosweep away broom BROOM or Scotch broom,(Cytisus scoparius), is a prob-lem of pastures in some higherrainfall regions of NSW.

It is largely found in openforest areas and is now a prob-lem in a number of areas, thegreatest being on the Barr-ington Tops.

In early 2010 a gall-formingmite, Aceria genistae, was rele-ased at the Barrington Tops andgalls were found on nearbybroom plants in early 2012.

Many galls were present on afew plants, raising hopes thatthe mite would cause signifi-cant damage to the broom.

In New Zealand this mite hascaused significant damage tobroom in some areas, decreas-ing flowering and seeding andin some cases causing plantdeath.

For large scale broom infes-tations biological control isthe only option and it is hopedthe mite will bring about a sig-nificant reduction of the weed.

No deliberately introducedbiological agents were knownto have established in theBarrington Tops until last

summer, after a long runningbio-control program that firststarted in 1990.

The program has been fundedby the NSW government,CSIRO and Hunter PastoralCompany.

The first agent, a twig-min-ing moth, Leucoptera sparti-foliella, was released in Feb-ruary 1993.

Two other agents, a psyllid,Arytainilla spartifoliella, and aseed bruchid, Bruchidius villo-

sus, were first released in 1994and 1995 respectively.

None of these three appears tohave established at the Barr-ington Tops although all haveestablished in southern NSW.

Broom is native to Europeand this is where the biologicalcontrol agents have beensourced.■ Contact John Hosking,Tamworth, (02) 6763 1129,[email protected].

Broom gall on the Barrington Tops. Photo: John Hosking.

Commonwealth Bank AgQuip Field DaysBlack Jack Road Gunnedah, Tuesday 21 to Thursday 23 August 2012

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DPI is gearing up to attend the 40thCommonwealth Bank AgQuip Field Days –Australia’s largest field

days located in the heartof one of Australia’s richest agricultural andgrazing land regions in northern NSW.

Visit us at E/F–16/17where you can meet DPI staff and collect helpful information and resources.

www.dpi .nsw.gov.au/eventswww.farmonl ine.com.au/events/agquip/home

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IAN and Kaye Beard run 280 cowson 720 hectares of mixed choco-late, red and sandy soils, west of

Merriwa.They produce Limousin-cross

calves destined for the heavy butchershop trade via the Scone saleyards.

In the search for pasture to fill thesummer feed gap between the springflush from native pastures until win-ter forages can be grazed, Ian sowedRhodes grass-based tropical pasturesfive years ago.

While those paddocks have provideda solid backup of dry feed duringUpper Hunter dry spells, he has sowna Premier digit base in the last twoyears.

His most recent paddock of Premierdigit, Bambatsi panic, lucerne andarrowleaf clover, plus a small amountof Rhodes grass impurity was sowntwo weeks prior to Christmas inDecember last year.

Outstanding growing conditionsmeant the eight hectare paddock wasgrazed by weaners just six weeks laterand has been carrying one cow andcalf per hectare since mid February.

The pasture was still producingseed heads to replenish the seed bankat a field day in mid-April.

The Beards have found the digitpastures to be palatable and produc-tive and more frost tolerant than theRhodes grass.

“We can graze the digit well intoJune which allows us to get grazingoats well established,” Mr Beard said.

“That’s important in a year like this,where the oats have been set back bya really dry autumn and severe rustinfection.”

The legume content of the pasturesis maintained by sowing them at thesame time as the tropical grasses, withthe regular addition of arrowleafclover seed that Ian harvested fromhis own paddocks several years ago.

All tropical pastures get 150 kilo-grams/ha of urea in late spring tobolster nitrogen levels.

Mr Beard has also been satisfiedwith the Consul lovegrass-serradella-arrowleaf clover pastures establishedon the lighter country.

“While it’s not as good as thePremier digit, it’s a lot better thananything else I could grow in thosepaddocks.

“Surprisingly, we’ve found it hardto establish the tropicals on the blacksoils.”

To meet his marketing goal of pro-ducing a 380-390kg yearling (toweigh 360-370kg in the saleyardsafter curfew), Mr Beard often creepfeeds the calves in late autumn andwinter.

Due to outstanding growing condi-tions, he estimates that 30 per cent ofcalves grown this year will meet thosetargets directly off the cow.

The intake of grain from creepfeeders varies according to pastureconditions but can reach four kilo-grams per head per day during win-ter prior grazing on forage oats.

Up until 2006, the Beards ran a self-replacing herd, but they continuallyfound it difficult to predict thepotential for heifers to go on andproduce the best calves.

Since then they have purchased all

of their replacement cows.“You have to be patient and also

have some extra pasture on hand tobe able to buy cows when others needto sell.

“This year we’ve kept on some oldcows, as we haven’t been able toreplace them with the right article.

“We try to buy black baldies but will

also take Angus or Hereford cows,” hesaid.

Approximately one third of theherd calves in autumn and theremainder calving in spring, enablingthem to sell calves year round.■ Contact Todd Andrews, (02) 6544 4904,[email protected].

Tropical pastures valuable at MerriwaTODD ANDREWSScone

British cross Euro calves are creep fed on tropical pastures or forage oats and soldat 380 to 390 kilogram liveweight to produce a 200kg carcase.

AT BEEF Australia a couple ofmonths ago a new cross oftwo breeds was introduced tocattlemen in an impressive“look at me” marketingepisode.

It appeared newsworthybecause one of thecomponent breeds (British)had itself only beenintroduced to Australia threeor so years ago.

The cross was to aBrahman, so the animallooked great, as a lot ofindicus/taurus first-crossanimals do.

The bull would have had afair bit of hybrid vigourbecause of the mix of the twobreeds and much of thiswould have been in creatingthe phenotype presented.

I’m sure there were plenty ofmarketing ideas about thebeginning of a new breed thatwould fill a perceived gap inour industry.

But the bottom line is thiswas just a crossbred animal.

It may or may not go on tobe a breed and not everyoneinvolved may become rich inthe journey.

Most of the 70 or so breedsof cattle in Australia wereprobably created at sometime by combining olderbreeds.

Some undoubtedly usedbreeds that either no longerexist or are no longercommercially viable.

But all true breeds that wesee have one thing incommon.

They breed progeny that are

very similar in mostcharacteristics to themselves– some cattlemen would saythey breed “true”.

When a large population ofgenetically similar cattle arebred randomly amongstthemselves the resultinggeneration of progeny showsimilar expression of traits.

As this type of matingcontinues for a fewgenerations, the variation inthe way the cattle performand look reduces.

This is the way new breedsare formed.

The population has to belarge enough to preventinbreeding but still get similartype animals.

This takes time, money andneeds large numbers of cattleto get it right.

The industry has seen many

“composite” cattle developedover the last 15 years.

Some are true compositesand could be considered tobe breeds.

There are some on their wayalong this journey, whilstothers are still just crossbredcattle.

They’re all good but thevariation in the progeny theythrow will be different.

The bull some cattlemensaw up north a few monthsago has a journey ahead ofhim.

Eventually his grand-progeny may achieve goodthings but there’s plenty ofproven breeds to ensure aprofitable commercial herdwhile we’re waiting.

■ This column is online atwww.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agtoday

Cattlemen know a new breedwill never appear overnight

RESISTANCE of cattle worms toanthelmintics (drenches) is an emerg-ing issue for cattle producers inAustralia.

Worms have significant economicimpact on grazing livestock, includingcattle, and drenches are an importantcontrol agent, along with grazing man-agement, livestock nutrition, and ani-mal genetics.

“Until recently, drench resistance ofsheep worms grabbed all the headlines,”said veterinarian and State worm con-trol with the Department of PrimaryIndustries Stephen Love, Armidale.

“Cattle producers perhaps remainedsmugly indifferent.

“Reports filtered across the Tasmanindicating that primary producers inNew Zealand were running into prob-lems with resistant round worms in cat-tle, not just in sheep,” he said.

Drench resistance trials in variousparts of Australia, including NSW, overthe last few years indicate there is aproblem here as well.

These field trials – which compare theeffect of drenching on worm egg counts(WECs) before and after treatment –have shown that resistance (less than 95per cent reduction of WECs) is nolonger uncommon and affects all themain broad-spectrum drench groupfamilies and all the important round-worms.

The drench groups affected are thelevamisole (“LEV” or “clear”), the benz-imidazole (“BZs” or “white”) and themacrocyclic lactone (“ML” or “mectin”)families.

“The roundworms becoming resistantinclude small brown stomach worm,Ostertagia, perhaps the most importantworm of cattle in temperate regions ofAustralia,” Dr Love (pictured) said.

“Also involved are small intestinalworm, Cooperia, and the Tricho-strongylus group of worms – stomachhair worm and black scour worm.

“Also on the list is resistance of liverfluke, which affects a wide range of ani-mals including sheep, cattle, goats andalpaca.”

What can farmers do?Dr Love says in the first place, check to

see how well broad-spectrum drenchesare working on the roundworms in thecattle.

“This is easily done using aDrenchCheck, which simply involvesdoing a worm egg count on a mob ofcattle on the day they are drenched, andthen again 14 days later,” he said.

In the case of liver fluke, a fluke WECis done on the day a flukicide is given,and again 28 days later.

Another option is a test (fluke faecalantigen test) being trialled by CharlesSturt University at Wagga Wagga withsupport from Virbac.

For more information, contact yourVirbac area manager or LivestockHealth and Pest Authority district vet-erinarian.

“Secondly, farmers should rotatebetween different broad-spectrum fam-ilies, instead of using one group all thetime,” Dr Love said.

“This applies to flukicides as well.”“Even better than using single-active

broad-spectrum drenches is to usecombination drenches, which combinetwo or more unrelated broad-spectrumactives.

“Lastly producers need to reduceunnecessary drenching for round-worms, particularly in adult cattle.”

■ Contact Dr Stephen Love,Armidale, (02) 6738 8519,[email protected]

Cattle drench resistanceis becoming an issue

Ian Beard with his old mate Toby.

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THE concept of food security has been receiv-ing attention for some time and now the termsoil security is being recognised as a globalchallenge equal to climate change.

The world’s population is increasing rapidly,as well as the pressure on our food supplies.

To secure food production and supply weneed to secure our soil, keep it in place andimprove it so it is healthy and capable of pro-ducing food for the long term.

In September, the International Union forConservation of Nature will meet to discussthe preparation of an international environ-mental law instrument for soil.

The security of soil, rights and responsibili-ties for sustainable use of soils, implementa-tion tools and the threats to soil security andecological standards will be raised.

At the garden and farm scale we can con-tribute individual efforts.

We can provide organic matter to feed thesoil organisms whose activities make nutrientsavailable to plant roots and improve soil struc-ture so that it stores soil moisture.

We can ensure that there is groundcover tokeep soil in place and prevent it blowing orwashing away.

Growing plants is the ideal way to learn aboutsoils and what they need to promote healthyand strong growth.

But farmers and gardeners need their effortsto be supported more broadly.

We need community awareness of soil’s cru-cial role so that people value and protect soilfrom damage, in much the same way we valueand protect clean water.

Government policy needs to support soilsthrough support for research, and prevention

of activities that degrade and “mine” soil fertility.At a soil security forum held at Sydney

University last month, Netherlands soil scien-tist John Bouma described soil security as a“wicked problem” with no single solution – aproblem that needs to be tackled on a numberof fronts.

Forum speakers all agreed that building soilcarbon is one of the most urgent priorities forbuilding soil security.

Storing carbon in the soil reduces atmosphericcarbon emissions, builds soil fertility and storessoil water.

The potential of soils to sequester carbon andreduce global greenhouse emissions hasencouraged governments around the world tofund scientific research into the best ways to dothis, including agricultural activities.

Australian scientists are some of the leaders inthis field.

Building awareness of positive aspects of soilrather than focusing on degradation is alsocrucial.

At the soil security forum, US rural sociolo-gist Cornelia Flora said, “people sufferingpoverty and distress pass on their suffering tothe soil”, but doom and gloom scenarios tend todisable people from action.

Building interest in soil’s amazing capacities isfar more important.

Every soil type has a story to tell according toJohan Bouma and we need to articulate thesestories.

We all rely on soil every day – for our food,our health and to provide vital ecological serv-ices.

Challenges to the health and functionality ofour soil pose significant challenges for thefuture of humanity and the planet.

Innovative technologies are helping us pro-duce more food and building global food secu-rity, but there are few technological alternativesto the complexity and processing ability of soilsand ecosystems.■ Find this column online atwww.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agtoday



● ● ● ●

Soil security underpinsour secure food future

SAM Statham, an organic farmer fromCanowindra in the State’s central eest, hastaken out the inaugural 2012 NSW Org-

anic Pioneers Award.Department of Primary Industries (DPI) act-

ing director for skills and communities JohnNewcombe, presented the award at the openingof Sydney’s SUSTAIN Show at Moore Park.

“Sam first started growing grapes and olivesorganically in 1997 and is now widely respect-ed in organic industry circles right acrossAustralia,” Mr Newcombe said.

“Sam is a trailblazer in the organics industryand has made a significant contribution to thedevelopment of the rapidly growing sector.

“Sam’s family business ‘Rosnay’ is a certifiedorganic farm, producing winegrapes, olivesand figs as-well-as value-added products suchas olive paste, fig preserve and award-winningwines.

Mr Statham founded the Australia-NewZealand Organic Wine Show and previouslychaired the Vignerons Committee of theBiological Farmers of Australia.

He will receive a $6000 travel bursary toinvestigate other organic enterprises orresearch facilities and continue his work in theindustry.

Mr Newcombe said the judges had a toughtask in awarding the winner.

“Congratulations to all entrants and in par-ticular our other finalists which included RobFenton, a TAFE teacher from Albury, as well as

Joyce Wilkie and Michael Plane, market gar-deners from Gundaroo, near Canberra,” MrNewcombe said.

“The strength of the entries is a clear indica-tion of how the sector has grown and trans-formed into a sophisticated $504 millionindustry nationally.

More than one million hectares of land inNSW is now certified as organic and the indus-try employs an estimated 25,000 peoplenationally.

NSW has the largest number of certifiedorganic producers – 43 per cent of Aust-ralia’s organic vegetable farmers and 37pc ofAustralia’s fruit producers.

The NSW Organic Pioneers Award is co-ordi-nated by the DPI.

Gold sponsors for the event are the BiologicalFarmers of Australia (BFA) and the NationalAssociation for Sustainable AgricultureAustralia (NASAA).

Other supporters of the event include theOrganic Federation of Australia (OFA), theOrganic Food Chain, the NSW regional foodgroup, the Sapphire Coast ProducersAssociation, as well as Telstra Country, MacroWholefoods and WFI Insurance.

Judges for the award were University ofWestern Sydney professor Stuart Hill, chair ofthe OFA Andre Leu, and DPI urban agriculturalleader David Mason.■ Contact Robyn Neeson, Yanco,(02) 6951 2735 , [email protected]

The first organicpioneer awarded

Sam Statham receives his award from DPI’s John Newcombe. He also won a $6000 bursary toinvestigate other organic enterprises or research facilities.

Urban biomass wastes:New funding has been receivedfor a project that will investigatethe potential for using urbanbiomass wastes for biochar.

The project will evaluatebiochar made from green wasteand biosolids, testing its value asa soil amendment in high-valuehorticultural crops, and assessingrisks of negative impacts, suchas from heavy metalcontamination.

Lifecycle assessment will be

used to quantify the netgreenhouse gas impacts of usingurban biomass wastes forbiochar in comparison withalternative waste disposaloptions.

The University of Melbourne,Rural Climate Solutions (acollaboration between theUniversity of New England andthe Department of PrimaryIndustries) and Pacific Pyrolysis,will undertake the research.

Bounce back: Communitysupport at a personal level will bedelivered at free Quest for LifeFoundation “Bounce Back”workshops at Moree on TuesdayAugust 21, Inverell on WednesdayAugust 22 and Rowena onThursday August 23.■ Contact Cheryl Pope,Orange, (02) 6391 3948,[email protected] Jenny Croft, Gunnedah,0429 446 417,[email protected]


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Studying the effects of nitrogenHIGH potential for greenhouse

gas (GHG) emissions fromdairy pastures is under inves-

tigation at three research sites inNSW, Victoria and Queensland.

As part of the Carbon FarmingInitiative’s ‘Filling the Research Gap’program, researchers will investigatethe production and environmentalimplications of nitrogen (N) break-down inhibitors and N applicationrates.

“What we learn will contribute to thedevelopment of offset methodologiesto enable the dairy industry to partic-ipate in the carbon farming initiativeand consequently reduce dairy industrygreenhouse gas emissions,” said res-earcher Warwick Dougherty.

Australian dairy farming relies onlarge inputs of nitrogen to sustaineconomic production.

“These inputs in part contribute toextremely high soil carbon contentsand coupled with the need for irriga-tion or high rainfall mean the poten-tial for dairy pasture GHG emissionsis high,” Dr Dougherty said.

“The rate of nitrogen applied andfertiliser formulation including urea-based fertilisers treated with nitrifi-cation and urease inhibitors caninfluence N use efficiency and GHGemissions.”

Inhibitors can be used to slow downthe rate of nitrogen cycling in soils so

that its contribution to the growth ofpastures is maximised and nitrogenlosses, including emissions, min-imised.

Two field experiments will be und-ertaken using automated GHG measurement chambers to providehigh-quality emission data.

The NSW DPI research site at theElizabeth Macarthur AgricultureInstitute (EMAI) is one of three sitesbeing co-ordinated by DairyAustralia’s ‘Dairy Moving Forward’program.

The three sites encompass the keydairying regions and climatic zonesof Australia.

Other related dairy projects will belocated in southwest Victoria andsoutheast Qld.

The combination of sites will con-tribute to an improved understand-ing of emissions reduction strategiesfrom a range of soils and climates.

The research is being funded byDairy Australia and the CarbonFarming Initiative’s ‘Filling theResearch Gap’ program.

It will form part of the NationalAgricultural Nitrous Oxide ResearchProgram of 17 related projects in arange of other agricultural industries.

■ Contact Warwick Dougherty (02) 4588 2112 or Lukas VanZwieten (02) 6626 1126.

Testing for microbialactivity in your soils

Automated chambers for greenhouse gas sampling will be set up at the Elizabeth Macarthur Agriculture Institute to researchthe level of emissions from dairying pastures.

PARTICIPANTS have beenasking at recent Soil Life work-shops how to test soil formicrobiological activities.

Vast numbers of soil microbesare essential for ensuring soilfertility but they are mostlyunmeasurable on individualfarms, even with a micro-scope.

Modern techniques whichidentify types of micro-organ-isms and monitor their num-bers are laboratory-based butare only able to capture a frac-tion of the spectrum of species.

Tests which count the numberof bacteria, fungi, protozoa andnematodes in soil samples needto be interpreted with somecaution, especially if they areone-off samples.

It is difficult to make a deci-sion about what is a good orpoor level of soil microbesbecause of the effects of envi-ronmental factors on micro-bial activities, when types andnumbers can change rapidlyafter wet weather.

Biological soil quality isoften monitored by changes insoil organic carbon, as a stan-dard laboratory nutrient test.

This indicates availability oforganic matter as food formicrobes to release plantavailable nutrients.

Soil organic carbon may takeyears to show significantchanges in response to alter-ations in farm practices, suchas converting crop land topasture.

However, it is possible nowto show the effects of changesto soil moisture and landmanagement practices onmicrobial activities withinweeks.

Microbial biomass carbonmeasures the amount of soilorganic carbon present in liv-ing bacteria and fungi bynutrient testing in the lab.

Biologically healthy soil con-tains about three to five percent of the total organic carboncontained in the soil microbes.

This test needs to be done inconjunction with a measure-ment of soil organic carbonon the same soil sample.

The FDA or fluorescein diac-etate test is used to indicatethe activity of soil micro-organisms in field trials bydetecting the presence of a

broad range of enzymesreleased from living and deadmicrobes into soil. Resultsneed careful interpretation.

DNA extracted from soil isthe basis of several researchtools which can identify specificorganisms and is now usedcommercially for monitoringsome soil plant pathogens incrops.

Soil samples for microbiologi-cal tests need to be taken simul-taneously at several sites at regu-lar times to give a good pictureof how well the soil micro-organisms are functioning.

Samples may need to be storedbefore testing under refrigera-tion and sent overnight in insu-lated packs to the laboratory.

These tests are best done dur-ing spring or autumn if usedonly as a once-a-year monitor-ing program when soil condi-tions are usually optimal formicrobial activities.■ Visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/aboutus/services/das/soilsor contact the DPIlaboratories at Wollongbar,(02) 6626 1103. ■ Contact Sally Muir,Tamworth, (02) 6763 1166,[email protected].

DPI scientist joins biochar panelSENIOR research scientist DrBhupinderpal Singh has beeninvited onto a panel of inter-national experts convened byInternational Biochar Initi-ative (IBI).

The panel will identify suit-able test methodologies toquantify stable portions ofbiochar carbon for inclusionin a carbon market protocol.

IBI is leading this project toenable biochar projects toclaim greenhouse gas offsetcredits for reducing emis-sions.

Dr Singh (pictured) willprovide guidance to helpdetermine appropriate meth-odologies, based on peer-reviewed research, to meas-ure biochar carbon with atleast a 100-year life span insoil.

The 100-year life span is aprerequisite if biochar proj-ects are to qualify for carbonsequestration in soil and toenable participation by land

managers in local and inter-national carbon markets.

Dr Singh’s appointment is asignificant acknowledgementand international recogni-tion of his and DPI’s expert-ise in this area.

IBI is conducting onlinemeetings until September

2012, to seek periodic guid-ance and feedback from theconvened experts on theprocess.■ Contact BhupinderpalSingh, West Pennant Hills,(02) 9872 0148,[email protected].

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jn 1

0805

celebrating

women who

volunteer within

their rural

communities.

Hidden Treasures Honour Roll 2012Nominate a rural woman who makes your community a better place to live.Hidden Treasures acknowledges the vital volunteer roles women play within NSW ruralcommunities.

To nominate someonefrom your neighbourhood visit our websiteand complete your nomination online.

Nominations close 20 August 2012. All womennominate will be included in the 2012 Honour Roll tobe released October 2012.

w w w.dpi .nsw.gov.au/r wnFor more information cal l the

NSW Centre for Volunteer ing on 9261 3600or emai l rura l .women@dpi .nsw.gov.au

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agriculture today - august 2012 edition...more than 200 guests – emai staff, colleagues the from...

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