season’s greetings to all dpifmers · web viewthe author would like to acknowledge his...

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Katherine Research Station PO Box 1346, Katherine NT 0851 Phone (08) 8973 9739 Fax (08) 8973 9777 [email protected] ISSN 0394-9823 www.dpif.nt.gov.au EDITION 320- August 2014 Feeding strategies for early-weaned calves Tiago Alves Correa Carvalho da Silva, Research Officer/PhD Candidate – The University of Queensland A new research project experiment has commenced at the Katherine Research Station (KRS) to explore the interaction between liveweight at weaning and dry season growth and the effect of these on growth in the subsequent wet season. The experiment, which is funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, will be conducted in the new 30 pen complex constructed at KRS (Photo 1 and 2). Extensive cattle production systems across northern Australia face conditions of variable pasture quality and quantity throughout the year. Growth of young cattle over the wet season can be 120 to 150 kg while low weight gains or weight loss occurs in the dry season when pasture quality and availability are low. Protein supplements may be used to avoid liveweight loss and promote the growth of weaners during the dry season to achieve liveweight targets for mating of heifers or turn-off of steers. Weaners that undergo low or negative growth in the dry season are able to grow faster in the wet season than counterparts that exhibit growth during the dry season. This physiological phenomenon is known as compensatory growth (Figure 1). Compensatory growth over the wet season reduces the difference in liveweight at the end of the wet season of weaners that had different growth rates during the dry season. The degree of compensation may be influenced by the liveweight of the weaner under restriction, the duration and severity of the restriction in the dry season and the duration of the compensatory period. Brahman heifers were selected at weaning from two commercial cattle stations in the Katherine district. Two Katherine Rural Review Page | 1 Contents: Feeding strategies for early-weaned calves............................1 Degradable mulch trials.............................................................. New varieties of lucerne & peanuts being trialled at KRS........ Figure 1. An example of full compensation of liveweight of weaners that underwent a period of liveweight loss.

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Page 1: Season’s Greetings to all DPIFMers · Web viewThe author would like to acknowledge his scholarship funding body: CAPES Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, Brasília - DF

Katherine Research StationPO Box 1346, Katherine NT 0851

Phone (08) 8973 9739Fax (08) 8973 9777

[email protected] 0394-9823

www.dpif.nt.gov.au

EDITION 320- August 2014

Feeding strategies for early-weaned calvesTiago Alves Correa Carvalho da Silva, Research Officer/PhD Candidate – The University of Queensland

A new research project experiment has commenced at the Katherine Research Station (KRS) to explore the interaction between liveweight at weaning and dry season growth and the effect of these on growth in the subsequent wet season. The experiment, which is funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, will be conducted in the new 30 pen complex constructed at KRS (Photo 1 and 2).

Extensive cattle production systems across northern Australia face conditions of variable pasture quality and quantity throughout the year. Growth of young cattle over the wet season can be 120 to 150 kg while low weight gains or weight loss occurs in the dry season when pasture quality and availability are low. Protein supplements may be used to avoid liveweight loss and promote the growth of weaners during the dry season to achieve liveweight targets for mating of heifers or turn-off of steers.

Weaners that undergo low or negative growth in the dry season are able to grow faster in the wet season than counterparts that exhibit growth during the dry season. This physiological phenomenon is known as compensatory growth (Figure 1). Compensatory growth over the wet season reduces the difference in liveweight at the end of the wet season of weaners that had different growth rates during the dry season. The degree of compensation may be influenced by the liveweight of the weaner under restriction, the duration and severity of the restriction in the dry season and the duration of the compensatory period.

Brahman heifers were selected at weaning from two commercial cattle stations in the Katherine district. Two groups of heifers were selected from each station; early (120 kg liveweight) and normal (180 kg liveweight) weaned heifers. All of the heifers will be fed Sabi grass hay (approximately 3-4% crude protein) ad libitum with increasing amounts of copra meal fed to achieve different growth rates (-0.1 to 0.8 kg/day) over five to six months during the dry season. At the start of the wet season the heifers will be transferred to Victoria River Research Station where they will graze as a single mob for four years.

Katherine Rural Review P a g e | 1

Contents:

Feeding strategies for early-weaned calves.........................1

Degradable mulch trials..........................................................

New varieties of lucerne & peanuts being trialled at KRS......

Pasture rejuvenation regimes under scruitiny.........................

KRS hosts visitors from Brazil and Japan...............................

DPIF Annual Bull Clearance...............................................10

Round the Region...................................................................

Pastoral Market Update.................................................14-15

Katherine region events calendar.......................................16

Figure 1. An example of full compensation of liveweight of weaners that underwent a period of liveweight loss.

Page 2: Season’s Greetings to all DPIFMers · Web viewThe author would like to acknowledge his scholarship funding body: CAPES Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, Brasília - DF

The experiment will determine dry and wet season liveweight gain and skeletal growth and longer-term effects on reproductive performance and frame size.

This experiment will provide information on the likely wet season response and the subsequent reproductive performance of heifers after dry season supplementation for different classes of weaners. Producers will then be able to use this information to make decisions on dry season supplementation of weaner heifers to achieve their specific production targets.

For further information regarding this experiment please contact Tiago Silva ([email protected]) or Kieren McCosker ([email protected]) at the Katherine Research Station.

The author would like to acknowledge his scholarship funding body: CAPES Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, Brasilia - DF 70040-020, Brazil.

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Photo 2. The new pen complex at KRS with experiment heifers fed Sabi grass hay and copra meal.

Photo 1. Heifers consuming copra meal in the new pen complex.

Page 3: Season’s Greetings to all DPIFMers · Web viewThe author would like to acknowledge his scholarship funding body: CAPES Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, Brasília - DF

Degradable mulch trialsS. Smith and H. Wallace, Plant Industries, Darwin

Plastic mulch is commonly used in the Northern Territory (NT) in conjunction with drip tape irrigation for growing sweet melons and vegetables. The irrigation tape can be buried slightly or can be laid on the soil surface and then covered with the plastic mulch. Plastic mulch helps to control weeds, improve water use efficiency by lowering evaporation and increase crop yields.

It is estimated that the NT has 987 hectares under melon production. Based on 1.5 metre rows, this equates to 6.6 km of plastic mulch per hectare. The total length of plastic mulch used in the NT every year is therefore 6514 km. Based on a common commercial roll being 2.3 km long, approximately 2832 rolls of plastic mulch are used per year. As each roll weighs 66 kg, the total weight of plastic mulch waste for disposal every year is 187 tonnes. This does not take into account the plastic mulch used on other vegetables, such as Asian melons, cucumber, okra and snake beans. Therefore, the total amount of plastic mulch to be disposed of every year in the NT is close to 200 tonnes.

Over the past few years, degradable mulch technology has been developing to tackle the problem of plastic waste disposal. The technology belongs to the manufacturer, and is often protected commercially. Some mulches are made from cellulose or starch and break down through normal biological processes. Other mulches are made from normal polyethylene that contains a chemical-degrading agent that shortens the length of the polyethylene chain, making it more exposed to microbial degradation.

Even though the technology to degrade plastic mulch is a positive outcome, there are management risks with its use. Questions remain about the breakdown of these mulches to greenhouse gases, the toxicity of breakdown products, the possibility of small pieces of mulch creating a mess and the efficacy of the products compared with conventional mulches. Cost comparisons show that some degradable mulch is approximately 15 to 30% more expensive than conventional mulch.

Trials in the NTThe Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries, in collaboration with the NT Farmers Association, AgNova, Econverte and Novomont conducted simple trials at Berrimah Farm in 2012 and 2013 to determine the efficacy of biodegradable mulches for use in the NT. A number of vegetables, including sweet corn, tomatoes, eggplants, pumpkins, and watermelons were grown using plastic mulch. The trials were conducted during both the wet and dry seasons. The results were as follows:

Degricover - 2012-13 wet season Econverte Degricover ‘three month’ and ‘six month’ (black) was useful in the wet season of 2012-13 and remained intact from when it was laid on 6 December 2012, with only small amounts of splitting until watermelons were harvested in February 2013. It did eventually split during and after harvesting the watermelons; it continued to break down until 22 April 2013, when the remaining mulch was pulled up so that the ground could be reworked for a dry season crop.

There was no observable difference between the three month and six month Degricover. According to the manufacturer, the three month rolls were designed to break down after three months, and the six month rolls, after six months. Our experience showed that appreciable, but not total, breakdown occurred after five months in both. It should be noted that the wet season had below average rainfall, which may have affected the trial results. The crops were watered twice daily to ensure there was always moisture under the mulch.

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Page 4: Season’s Greetings to all DPIFMers · Web viewThe author would like to acknowledge his scholarship funding body: CAPES Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, Brasília - DF

Figure 1. Ecoconverte Degricover ‘three month’ on 17 December 2012, 11 days after laying

Figure 2. Ecoconverte Degricover ‘three month’ on 14 February 2013, 70 days after laying (close up)

Agnove efilm – 2012-2013 wet season Agnova efilm was not robust in the wet season of 2012-13 and started to break apart after 18 days. It was not useful as an alternative to conventional mulch. The buried portion of the mulch did, however, last longer and could still be found 10 months after laying. The supplier said that the batch used did have problems that were subsequently rectified. We have not yet tested any new product.

Figure 3. Agnova e-film on 17 December 2012, 11 days after laying

Figure 4. Agnova e-film on 7 January 2013, 32 days after laying

Degricover – dry seasonEconverte Degricover ‘three month’ black/black and white/black was useful to mulch watermelons, sweet corn, eggplants, tomatoes and pumpkins in the dry season of 2013. It was robust through the duration of all these crops and was intact from 8 May to 19 September (134 days, or just over four months). This was enough time for all the crops to go through their cycle until harvest. There was some splitting and breakdown, more in the black mulch than in the white mulch. On 26 November, the condition of the mulch was reassessed. It was found to be very fragile and split, but was still intact.

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Page 5: Season’s Greetings to all DPIFMers · Web viewThe author would like to acknowledge his scholarship funding body: CAPES Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, Brasília - DF

Figure 5. Econverte ‘three month’ white/black on 17 May 2013, 11 days after laying, with tomato seedlings

Figure 6. Econverte ‘three month’ white/black on 19 September 2013, 134 days after laying; watermelons had been harvested

Novomont – 2013 late dry seasonNovomont Mater-Bi CE04P and EF04P were laid with Econverte ‘three month’ black/black in a new trial, which started on 2 August 2013 on rough ground. The sticks and stones in the rough ground damaged the Novomont products; one row was further damaged by wind and magpie geese. The Econverte product was more resilient in this tougher environment. Pumpkins, watermelons and sweet corn were planted in this trial. By 74 days after laying (mid-October), all plastic types had split open and were very thin and brittle. The trial area was sprayed with glyphosate in early November and, after all the vegetation had died, the area was cultivated with tines (Triple K) on 20 November and most of the mulch was worked into the soil very easily. Some of the mulch got attached to the tines and was hand-cleared at the paddock edge. Very little residue was left after cultivation.

Figure 7. Novomont Mater Bi CE04P, on 19 September 2013, 38 days after laying

Figure 8. Novomont Mater Bi EF04P, on 19 September 2013, 38 days after laying

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Page 6: Season’s Greetings to all DPIFMers · Web viewThe author would like to acknowledge his scholarship funding body: CAPES Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, Brasília - DF

Conclusions No commercial degradable mulch can be confidently recommended at this stage. None of the mulches we have tested so far have been able to meet all the desired requirements. These inlcude being strong enough to withstand varied conditions at laying, remaining intact over the course of the growing season, and breaking down rapidly when cultivated at the end. Manufacturer activity in this area is highly competitive and several companies are developing degradable mulches based on a number of technologies. It is expected that with further research and development, adequate degradable mulches will be developed to suit NT conditions.

New varieties of lucerne and peanuts being trialled at KRS

Grant Cutler, Senior Technical Officer, Katherine Research Station

The Plant Industry Team has been busy in recent months establishing a peanut variety trial at Katherine Research Station. Peanuts have previously been grown successfully in the NT. The trial at KRS, sown on 2 May, is aiming to evaluate Ultra-Early (110 day) and Full-Season (150 day) new and improved experimental lines against existing cultivars, to stay up-to-date with advances in peanut breeding. So far the lines have performed well and are currently in the flowering and pegging stage of production. Anticipated harvest for the Ultra-Early lines is approximately mid-August with the harvesting of the Full-Season lines expected in mid-September (just in time for the NT Field Days).

A lucerne variety trial was alo planted - a follow-on from the previous wet season trials conducted at KRS. Past broad acre trials as well as the previous trial at KRS showed that lucerne persisted poorly during the Top End wet season. The crop also competed poorly with weed pressure during this time. Sown on 13 June, the current trial has been planted under replicated experimental conditions to evaluate a number of experimental lines that have shown promise in tropical climates as well as a number of unique characteristics such as salt tolerance. All lines being evaluated range from being winter active to summer active which will give a good indication of the type of lucerne suitable to the Top End.

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Photo 1. Experimental Full-Season peanut lines being evaluated at KRS

Page 7: Season’s Greetings to all DPIFMers · Web viewThe author would like to acknowledge his scholarship funding body: CAPES Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, Brasília - DF

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Page 8: Season’s Greetings to all DPIFMers · Web viewThe author would like to acknowledge his scholarship funding body: CAPES Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, Brasília - DF

Delamere trial explores pasture rejuvenation regimes

Jodie Ward, Pastoral Production Officer, Katherine Research Station

On the highly fertile black soil plains of Number 2 paddock at Delamere Station is the Delamere Spell Burn Demonstration Site. The trial is investigating whether regular wet season spelling, or a combination of regular early wet season burning followed by wet season spelling would be better at rejuvenating desirable grasses. The main pasture species of interest in the trial site is the palatable, perennial and productive, Curly bluegrass (Dichanthium fecundum).

The site is comprised of two fenced exclosures, starting 1 km from a bore and heading away from it for 1.6 km. Each exclosure contains six treatment plots of approximately 14 hectares. Originally the spelling and burning treatments were to be applied every two and every three years, but prior to the application of treatments, the demonstration was modified to be more consistent with the recommendations of the Kidman Springs Shruburn Experiment. The treatments are now as follows:

1. Wet season spelling only (no burning) – None (control), every three years, and every four years

2. Early wet season burning followed by a wet season spell – None (control), every three years and every four years

Following burning, cattle are excluded from the trial for the wet season and are allowed to graze the trial area during the subsequent dry season. In years where there is no burning or spelling, the exclosures are open to grazing at all times. DPIF staff have been conducting pasture surveys at the trial site annually since 2011.

Progress update:

In November 2010, all of the burn and spell plots were burnt to establish a level playing field between the three year and four year treatment application plots. In November 2013, the first early wet season burn treatments were applied to the ‘every three years’ plots and all in this half of the trial were spelled over the 2013/14 wet season. At the same time the plots in the ‘every four years’ half were open to grazing. The plots in the ‘every four years’ section will have their first treatment burns and spelling implemented this coming wet season.

Results to date:

The 2014 pasture survey was completed recently with the full results yet to be analysed. We hope to be able to identify trends in pasture

composition as a result of the initial burn in 2010 and also from the spelling, and burning and spelling of the every three year treatments that were applied late last year. Our pasture survey observations have confirmed that the yields of Curly bluegrass increase as distance from water increases due to historical land condition differences. We will continue to monitor the recovery of this species and others as we implement the scheduled treatments over the coming years.

More findings will be published in upcoming editions of the Katherine Rural Review.

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Figure 1. The Delamere Burn Spell Demonstration Site. Virtual boundaries are graded lines that are also used as firebreaks.

Every 3 years Every 4 years

Page 9: Season’s Greetings to all DPIFMers · Web viewThe author would like to acknowledge his scholarship funding body: CAPES Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, Brasília - DF

KRS hosts visitors from Brazil and JapanInterest in new cropping options for the Northern Territory led a delegation from Brazil and Japan to visit the Katherine region on 26 June. The visitors, associated with Japanese company Mitsui, were especially interested in the potential for soybean production in the region. During their visit to the Katherine Research Station they inspected the peanut and lucerne variety trials currently underway in the bird-exclusion zone, discussed regional soil types, and viewed guinea grass (Panicum maximum cv Alto) growing under irrigation.

Second round of Farm Finance Concessional Loans SchemeProducers in the Northern Territory are now able to access the second round of the Australian Government’s Farm Finance: Concessional Loans Scheme.

Eligible producers in the agricultural, pastoral, livestock, horticultural, aquacultural or apicultural (beekeeping) industries can submit their applications between 1 July 2014 and 30 April 2015 for the 2014–15 program.

Loans are for less than 50 percent of eligible commercial debt and this year the minimum loan amount has been reduced from $250 000 to $100 000 to enable smaller enterprises to access the scheme. The maximum loan amount remains at $1 million.

The Farm Finance Scheme in the Northern Territory will continue to be delivered by QRAA in Brisbane. QRAA is a specialist administrator of government financial assistance programs to the rural sector. All application forms are available from the NT Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries.

Advice and support regarding scheme guidelines is provided through the department’s Farm Finance Promotions Officer, David Collinson, at [email protected] or phone 8936 4089.

Further information, including scheme guidelines and application forms, is available from the DPIF website http://www.nt.gov.au/d/Primary_Industry or email [email protected]

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Photo 1. (L-R) DPIF technical officer Grant Cutler and Plant Industry Director Bob Williams discussing crop variety trials at KRS with visiting soybean agronomists, marketers and their Australian partners.

Page 10: Season’s Greetings to all DPIFMers · Web viewThe author would like to acknowledge his scholarship funding body: CAPES Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, Brasília - DF

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Page 11: Season’s Greetings to all DPIFMers · Web viewThe author would like to acknowledge his scholarship funding body: CAPES Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, Brasília - DF

DPIF Annual Bull ClearanceOur excess Selected Brahman and Composite bulls are sold each year. Normally this is done by a tender process. This year we have decided to give a different method a try…

Bulls will be available for viewing at theNT Field Days at the Katherine Research

Station, 18-19 September 2014.The animals will then be auctioned on

Friday 26 September using AuctionsPlus online auction website.

More details are to follow, however feel free to contact us for more information. If you would like to be put on the mailing list for the Bull Clearance as well as other Selected Brahman and Composite tenders please contact the Douglas Daly Research Farm (Spud Thomas, [email protected], 08 8978 2442) or the Katherine Research Station (Whitney Dollemore, [email protected] or 08 8973 9749).

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Page 12: Season’s Greetings to all DPIFMers · Web viewThe author would like to acknowledge his scholarship funding body: CAPES Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, Brasília - DF

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Page 13: Season’s Greetings to all DPIFMers · Web viewThe author would like to acknowledge his scholarship funding body: CAPES Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, Brasília - DF

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Page 14: Season’s Greetings to all DPIFMers · Web viewThe author would like to acknowledge his scholarship funding body: CAPES Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, Brasília - DF

Round the Region

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Left: Good kill of woody tree and shrubs from a burn October 2013 on the late 6 yearly burn treatment at Kidman Springs Fire Experiment red soil site.

Right: Pasture sampler extraordinaires, Helen McMillan, Dionne Walsh and Robyn Cowley preparing to tackle another chilly morning out on the quad bikes at Kidman Springs

Left: Ali Sarkhosh,Technical Officer, preparing to start spraying mites in melons.

Page 15: Season’s Greetings to all DPIFMers · Web viewThe author would like to acknowledge his scholarship funding body: CAPES Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, Brasília - DF
Page 16: Season’s Greetings to all DPIFMers · Web viewThe author would like to acknowledge his scholarship funding body: CAPES Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, Brasília - DF

Katherine region events calendarEvent Location DateBeetaloo Rotational Grazing Pilot Field Day Beetaloo Station 10

[email protected]

NT Field Days Katherine Research Station

18–19 September

[email protected]

North Australia Food Futures Conference Darwin 4-5

[email protected]

Please email us with updates of events happening in your area: [email protected]

.

DisclaimerWhile all care has been taken to ensure that information contained in this publication is true and correct at the time of publication, the Northern Territory of Australia gives no warranty or assurance, and makes no representation as to the accuracy of any information or advice contained in this publication, or that it is suitable for your intended use. No serious business or investment decisions should be made in reliance on this information without obtaining independent and professional advice or both in relation to your particular situation.

Reproduction of Rural Review articlesThe Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries (DPIF) welcomes the reproduction of articles appearing in this newsletter, but requests that the technical information be confirmed with the editor or author, prior to publication. The department also requests that acknowledgement be made for any original work sourced from the Katherine Rural Review.

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