R[0]="2076"; T[0]="Growers told to manage paraquat use to avoid resistant ryegrass"; A[0]="By ... Editor"; Dn[0]="20070823"; Dt[0]="Thursday 23 August 2007"; Acats[0]="a03a72a85"; B1[0]="      Leading weeds researcher Dr Chris Preston has warned that growers risk the development of paraquat resistance in annual ryegrass if the herbicide "; B2[0]="is not used correctly... "; B3[0]=" "; B4[0]=" "; B5[0]=" "; S1[0]="      Leading weeds researcher Dr Chris Preston has warned that growers risk the development of paraquat resistance in annual ryegrass if the herbicide "; S2[0]=" is not used correctly.
     
      * Leading researcher warns paraquat resistance may develop in annual ryegrass
    "; S3[0]="   * Populations of paraquat-resistant ryegrass found recently in South Africa
      * Growers must correctly use paraquat and apply at recommended "; S4[0]=" rates Dr Preston, of the CRC for Australian Weed Management, spoke at the recent Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Updates at Eudunda and Lameroo "; S5[0]=" and urged growers to correctly use paraquat if targeting annual ryegrass.
      Dr Preston said populations of paraquat-resistant annual ryegrass had been found "; S6[0]=" recently in South Africa.
      In examining this paraquat-resistant annual ryegrass, Dr Preston found that low rates of about 500ml per hectare "; S7[0]=" would select for resistance, whereas higher rates of 1.3L per hectare and above were much less likely to do so.
      'Paraquat "; S8[0]=" is unusual in this respect,' Dr Preston said.
      'Usually we expect high rates to select for resistance faster than low rates, but "; S9[0]=" occasionally with some herbicides and some weeds the situation can be reversed.
      'It is likely resistance evolved in South Africa because growers "; S10[0]=" there were using paraquat to treat big plants that were past tillering.
      Paraquat is not as effective a treatment on such large "; S11[0]=" plants.' Dr Preston said although there had been no reports of paraquat-resistant annual ryegrass in Australia, growers should be aware that this was a problem "; S12[0]=" waiting to happen.
      'Paraquat resistance could be coming to Australian ryegrass so management strategies must be put in place,' he said.
  "; S13[0]="     'Correct use of paraquat in southern Australian cropping systems will increase the life of the chemical.' Dr Preston said the double-knock strategy, an "; S14[0]=" application of glyphosate followed by a paraquat-based herbicide, could aid the development of resistance if not used correctly.
      'Growers who are dropping "; S15[0]=" the rate of the paraquat part of the double knock risk selection for paraquat resistance,' he said.
      'Growers shouldn't back-off on the "; S16[0]=" rates, especially the rate of paraquat.' Dr Preston recommended growers use the double knock wisely to increase the life of paraquat.
      'The "; S17[0]=" best strategy may not be to use the double knock every year with low rates of paraquat,' he said.
      'It may be "; S18[0]=" better used to tackle the worst weedy paddocks and at the recommended rates.' During his GRDC Updates presentation, Dr Preston gave growers information on the "; S19[0]=" latest resistance developments including the emergence of resistance to 2,4-D and Group B herbicides in Indian hedge mustard.
      'In the past "; S20[0]=" year we have confirmed 2,4-D resistance in a population of Indian hedge mustard from South Australia,' he said.
      'This population is also "; S21[0]=" resistant to Group B herbicides and to other Group I herbicides, which is worrying as Group I herbicides are often used to control Group B-resistant "; S22[0]=" broadleaf weeds.' Dr Preston urged growers to follow best practice weed management to reduce the incidence of resistance.
      'Weed management in intensive "; S23[0]=" cropping should be a multi-year management plan and growers must keep abreast of emerging resistance issues,' he said... "; R[1]="2050"; T[1]="Pesticides still pouring into reef waters"; A[1]="By ... Editor"; Dn[1]="20070823"; Dt[1]="Thursday 23 August 2007"; Acats[1]="a03a37a42"; B1[1]="      Eight of the 10 main rivers flowing into Great Barrier Reef waters have breached Queensland's water quality guidelines, polluting the country's most "; B2[1]="valuable tourist attraction with increased amounts of toxic chemicals... "; B3[1]=" "; B4[1]=" "; B5[1]=" "; S1[1]="      Eight of the 10 main rivers flowing into Great Barrier Reef waters have breached Queensland's water quality guidelines, polluting the country's most "; S2[1]=" valuable tourist attraction with increased amounts of toxic chemicals.
      The herbicides atrazine and diuron were present at river mouths, inshore reefs and "; S3[1]=" intertidal seagrass monitoring locations, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority report said.
      Monitoring over the past 12 months confirmed pesticides were "; S4[1]=" 'an ubiquitous contaminant' in the inshore areas of the reef, the Annual Marine Monitoring Report 2006 said.
      The report was released on "; S5[1]=" Friday after the Herald reported concerns in environmental circles that it had been withheld for several months.
      Environmental groups say that despite "; S6[1]=" knowing about the problem for decades, the Queensland and federal governments have not done enough to protect the reef from pastoral and sugar cane plantation "; S7[1]=" activities that are pouring mud and chemicals into rivers.
      'I don't think Australians would accept that level of toxicity in the Great "; S8[1]=" Barrier Reef,' said a reef expert at WWF-Australia, Nick Heath.
      'These pesticides are used on the ground to kill weeds and will "; S9[1]=" have the same effect in the ocean.' The high level of pollution could not come at a worse time because of the reef's vulnerability to "; S10[1]=" rising ocean temperatures caused by climate change.
      By 2030, coral bleaching - the death of coral caused by the warming of the "; S11[1]=" oceans - could result in a dramatic fall in the number of visitors to the reef.
      A recent travel and tourism conference "; S12[1]=" in Sydney grappled with the threat to the reef and other natural tourism attractions such as rainforests from greenhouse gas pollution emitted by, among other "; S13[1]=" things, air travel.
      The Reef Water Quality Protection Plan released by the Australian and Queensland governments in October 2003 aimed to halt "; S14[1]=" and reverse the decline in the quality of water entering the reef within 10 years.
      The 2006 report, the second annual report "; S15[1]=" so far, indicated that that may be a bigger challenge than originally thought, noting that the use of pesticides in the reef's catchments had increased "; S16[1]=" in recent years, particularly in agricultural and urban areas.
      It singled out diuron and atrazine as the main problems.
      "; S17[1]=" Diuron is used to control weeds by inhibiting photosynthesis, which means plants cannot convert sunlight into energy to grow.
      Atrazine, most widely "; S18[1]=" used by the sugar cane industry, is used to control annual grasses and broadleaf weeds by inhibiting photosynthesis.
      Mr Heath said that "; S19[1]=" three years ago, in a draft report, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority said it believed sugar cane farmers were over-applying pesticides by 75 "; S20[1]=" per cent.
      'The next key step would be for the agency to finalise its report with recommendations and I think they should "; S21[1]=" ban atrazine and diuron tomorrow,' he said.
      The monitoring also detected banned organochlorine pesticides in mud crabs collected along the reef coast "; S22[1]=" from seven of the 11 rivers sampled.
      Pollutants detected included PCBs, dieldrin and the breakdown products of DDT.
      However, "; S23[1]=" the report noted the level of pollutants found in the mud crabs was well below food safety standards and said the tissue sampled was not "; S24[1]=" usually eaten.
      'The ecological consequences of chronic low-level exposure to these types of pollutants are yet to be fully understood, although laboratory "; S25[1]=" experiments have demonstrated their acute toxicity to seagrass and corals,' the report said... "; R[2]="1973"; T[2]="Mystery toxins force closure of oyster bay"; A[2]="By ... Editor"; Dn[2]="20070319"; Dt[2]="Monday 19 March 2007"; Acats[2]="a03a88"; B1[2]="      One of South Australia's major oyster-growing bays has been closed indefinitely after the discovery of mysterious toxins.... "; B2[2]=" "; B3[2]=" "; B4[2]=" "; B5[2]=" "; S1[2]="      One of South Australia's major oyster-growing bays has been closed indefinitely after the discovery of mysterious toxins.
      Scientists from "; S2[2]=" the state's Primary Industries Department have found pinnatoxins in both oysters and razorfish in Franklin Harbour, on the Eyre Peninsula.
      Primary Industries "; S3[2]=" spokesman Geoff Raven says they are not known to cause any human health problems, but the sale and movement of shellfish from the bay has "; S4[2]=" been halted as a precaution.
      'There is very little known about them around the world, so that's why our people are working "; S5[2]=" with the South Australian Research and Development Institute and the Department of Health just to confirm that there's no problem with these particular substances, and "; S6[2]=" then we can reopen the Franklin Harbour area,' he said.
      'We'll just keep the area closed, undertake some fairly intensive sampling and "; S7[2]=" find out as much as we can before we reopen the area.'.. "; R[3]="1947"; T[3]="Fertiliser prices jump"; A[3]="By ... Editor"; Dn[3]="20070304"; Dt[3]="Sunday 4 March 2007"; Acats[3]="a03a07"; B1[3]="      A massive price hike in the cost of fertiliser this week is causing headaches for grain growers hoping for a decent cropping "; B2[3]="season... "; B3[3]=" "; B4[3]=" "; B5[3]=" "; S1[3]="      A massive price hike in the cost of fertiliser this week is causing headaches for grain growers hoping for a decent cropping "; S2[3]=" season.
      Rising global commodity prices have driven costs up by between $60 and $100 a tonne.
      Victorian Farmers Federation "; S3[3]=" spokesman Ian Hastings says the jump will be a problem for many.
      'This is going to have quite an impact on our "; S4[3]=" budgets, but I'm hoping at this stage anyway that farmers have done their budgeting correctly and have allowed a little bit of slack and are "; S5[3]=" able to cope with it,' he said.
      'It is quite an impost and when you add to that the cost of controlling "; S6[3]=" summer weeds, which we all have been having to do, it certainly does blow some budget figures out.'.. "; R[4]="1929"; T[4]="Great Barrier Reef at risk from sediment plumes"; A[4]="By ... Editor"; Dn[4]="20070222"; Dt[4]="Thursday 22 February 2007"; Acats[4]="a03a42a88"; B1[4]="      A stunning series of satellite imagery of Australia's Great Barrier Reef released by the CSIRO shows for the first time visual confirmation "; B2[4]="of the theory that sediment plumes travel to the outer reef, and beyond... "; B3[4]=" "; B4[4]=" "; B5[4]=" "; S1[4]="      A stunning series of satellite imagery of Australia's Great Barrier Reef released by the CSIRO shows for the first time visual confirmation "; S2[4]=" of the theory that sediment plumes travel to the outer reef, and beyond.
      The remotely sensed images, taken from February 9 to "; S3[4]=" 13 this year, challenge conventional thought that sediment travelling from our river systems into the GBR is captured by the longshore current and travels no "; S4[4]=" more than 10 to 15km offshore, affecting only the inner Great Barrier Reef Lagoon and the inner reef corals.
      Images captured by "; S5[4]=" CSIRO show large plumes of terrestrial material following unconventional patterns and travelling quite fast as far as 65 to 130km, to the outer reef and, "; S6[4]=" in some instances, travelling along the outer reef and re-entering the reef.
      The plumes are the result of heavy rainfalls in northern "; S7[4]=" QLD around late January to early February 2007, with the resulting flood waters carrying a larger sediment load than during regular rainfall and river flow.
"; S8[4]="       As such floods have not occurred for a while the accumulated material in the creeks ands rivers coupled with increased sediment runoff "; S9[4]=" from the land is causing a significant transport of terrestrial material to all areas of the affected reefs and reef waters.
      'While "; S10[4]=" extreme coastal events have been captured by remote sensing before, this is the first time they can be seen and analysed straight after the event "; S11[4]=" as there are now more satellites imaging the Earth and CSIRO has invested in fast information delivery systems.' Managers of the GBR have long been "; S12[4]=" examining the effects of run-off of sediments, including pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers, on the reef corals.
      The images challenge the traditional school "; S13[4]=" of hydrological modelling, which says sediment plume movement in the mid to northern GBR usually go north and never directly flow to the outer reef "; S14[4]=" is spared the direct effects of such river floods.
      'A re-think is needed now that we know where flood plumes go,' says "; S15[4]=" CSIRO scientist Arnold Dekker, 'and what this means as organic micropollutants may be travelling to parts of the reef scientists hadn't thought to look before.' "; S16[4]=" The images were taken from NASA's MODIS satellite by GeoScience Australia's Alice Springs site for a new product being developed by the Wealth from Oceans "; S17[4]=" Flagship to track coastal and ocean events in real-time, building on the technology behind the successful SENTINEL [external link] bushfire tracking system.
      "; S18[4]=" While extreme coastal events have been captured by remote sensing before, this is the first time they can be seen and analysed straight after the "; S19[4]=" event as there are now more satellites imaging the Earth and CSIRO has invested in fast information delivery systems... "; R[5]="1838"; T[5]="New glyphosate resistance threat"; A[5]="By ... Editor"; Dn[5]="20070129"; Dt[5]="Monday 29 January 2007"; Acats[5]="a03"; B1[5]="      The future of farming systems around the globe is under threat with the discovery in New South Wales of the world's first "; B2[5]="suspected case of glyphosate resistance in barnyard grass... "; B3[5]=" "; B4[5]=" "; B5[5]=" "; S1[5]="      The future of farming systems around the globe is under threat with the discovery in New South Wales of the world's first "; S2[5]=" suspected case of glyphosate resistance in barnyard grass.
      NSW Department of Primary Industries said concerns were first raised by the Northern Grower "; S3[5]=" Alliance following a routine inspection of properties in the northern cropping zone.
      Seed from suspicious plants sent to Dr Peter Boutsalis of "; S4[5]=" Plant Science Consulting and The University of Adelaide have tested positive and a further test is required to validate the initial diagnosis.
      "; S5[5]=" NSW DPI technical specialist for weeds, Andrew Storrie, said the early warning would allow farmers to manage the invasive weed this season.
      "; S6[5]=" 'Barnyard grass is a highly competitive weed of summer crops and fallows in New South Wales and Queensland, with each plant producing up to 42,000 "; S7[5]=" seeds,' Mr Storrie said.
      'Growers are left with few options as there is already resistance to herbicide mode-of-action groups A, B and "; S8[5]=" C overseas, and one population in northern NSW is resistant to atrazine - group C.' The GRDC-funded herbicide resistance management project for the northern grains "; S9[5]=" region, a joint initiative of NSW DPI and Queensland DPI & F, identified barnyard grass as one of the prime candidates for developing glyphosate resistance "; S10[5]=" in the near future.
      Yet, despite repeated warnings of the threat of glyphosate resistance developing in several important species, the herbicide has "; S11[5]=" been unwisely relied upon as the only weed control in fallow.
      Mr Storrie said a study of the paddock history and current "; S12[5]=" situation with surviving barnyard grass plants strongly support Dr Boutsalis' test results, which suggests the glyphosate resistant barnyard grass will be present on other farms.
"; S13[5]="       'The plants were found in a paddock with a long history of winter cropping and summer fallow weed control relying solely on "; S14[5]=" glyphosate, with 15 to 20 applications over a five year period.
      'Therefore, farmers in the northern cropping zone must now check for "; S15[5]=" barnyard grass plants that have survived one or more applications of glyphosate, and provide seed for resistance testing.' Mr Storrie said growers would have to "; S16[5]=" act now if they are to have any hope of controlling barnyard grass in the future as the weed has a long-lived seedbank.
    "; S17[5]="   'One season of poor control can set paddocks up for many years of high weed numbers and difficult control, so growers must stop the "; S18[5]=" seed set,' he said.
      'Cultivation buries the seed which will survive for many years, and stock will spread seed to other paddocks.
"; S19[5]="       'Spray with a high rate of paraquat or Spray.SeedŽ - a second application might be needed if the plants are large - "; S20[5]=" and keep controlling new germinations until the end of the season.' A new control regime will be required next summer in all paddocks to prevent "; S21[5]=" resistance.
      A minimum of two control tactics must be used on each flush of barnyard grass to obtain total control.
    "; S22[5]="   NSW DPI plans to conduct field trials to determine management options when seasonal conditions improve... "; R[6]="1805"; T[6]="Crop damage prompts spray drift warnings"; A[6]="By ... Editor"; Dn[6]="20070123"; Dt[6]="Tuesday 23 January 2007"; Acats[6]="a03"; B1[6]="      Damage to southern Queensland cotton crops from herbicide spray drift has prompted warnings to spray operators that they face fines of up "; B2[6]="to $7000 where there is demonstrated negligence or contravention of chemical label requirements... "; B3[6]=" "; B4[6]=" "; B5[6]=" "; S1[6]="      Damage to southern Queensland cotton crops from herbicide spray drift has prompted warnings to spray operators that they face fines of up "; S2[6]=" to $7000 where there is demonstrated negligence or contravention of chemical label requirements.
      Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries regional inspector Geoff "; S3[6]=" Cahill said cotton producers from Bowenville to Cecil Plains and in the Goondiwindi district had reported crop damage consistent with the exposure of phenoxy-type herbicides "; S4[6]=" such as 2,4-D.
      Mr Cahill said the reported damage varied in severity and might not cause yield losses, but there could be "; S5[6]=" more severe unreported damage and more to come if spraying guidelines were not closely followed.
      He said because of rainfall patterns and "; S6[6]=" high grain prices, more grain sorghum than cotton had been planted on the Darling Downs.
      He said grain sorghum could also be "; S7[6]=" affected by both herbicide and insecticide drift, causing either yield loss or market access issues resulting from residues in grain.
      This "; S8[6]=" meant growers and spray contractors needed to be careful about where and when they sprayed.
      'There have been reports of people spraying "; S9[6]=" in the middle of the day in hot conditions,' he said.
      'Temperatures above 30 degrees, low humidity, gusting strong winds or inversions "; S10[6]=" can result in herbicides being carried for several kilometres from the intended target site.
      'It is important to be aware of chemically "; S11[6]=" sensitive crops and people in the area, particularly in the downwind spray zone.
      'The best weather for spraying is a light, steady "; S12[6]=" wind and moderate temperatures.
      High humidity is a bonus because it reduces droplet evaporation,' he said.
      Mr Cahill said "; S13[6]=" the best spray nozzle system to use for herbicide application was one that produced the largest droplet for the circumstances.
      Chemical resellers "; S14[6]=" could provide information on those chemicals with low drift hazard ratings.
      Mr Cahill said the spray drift was a concern this season "; S15[6]=" because of the need to use herbicides for rapid weed control that enabled farmers to make the best use of soil moisture.
      "; S16[6]=" A technical publication called Spray right - reduce drift is available from the DPI&F (13 25 23)... "; R[7]="1645"; T[7]="Spray drift could sour rain's benefits"; A[7]="By ... Editor"; Dn[7]="20061117"; Dt[7]="Friday 17 November 2006"; Acats[7]="a03a72"; B1[7]="      Those involved in using herbicides for weed control after the recent rain will need to be ultra cautious to avoid damage to "; B2[7]="susceptible nearby crops... "; B3[7]=" "; B4[7]=" "; B5[7]=" "; S1[7]="      Those involved in using herbicides for weed control after the recent rain will need to be ultra cautious to avoid damage to "; S2[7]=" susceptible nearby crops.
      Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries senior summer cereals industry development officer, Greg Salmond of Pittsworth, said 30-100mm of "; S3[7]=" rain in parts of southern Queensland would necessitate spraying to control weeds over the next two weeks before planting crops such as sorghum, maize and "; S4[7]=" cotton.
      Mr Salmond said the next few weeks were a high-risk time for emerging crops that could be inadvertently damaged by herbicides.
"; S5[7]="       He said past incidences of herbicide damage identified poor communication between neighbouring farmers, and between clients and spraying contractors, as a major "; S6[7]=" cause.
      'It's a matter of talking with neighbours to find out what crops are emerging or growing near the target area.
  "; S7[7]="     'This information then has to be relayed to on-farm workers and contractors so they can take appropriate precautions,' he said.
      "; S8[7]=" Mr Salmond said it was also important to seek professional advice on the best herbicide to use for the target weeds and the paddock to "; S9[7]=" be treated.
      'For example there may no need to use a mixture of herbicides if the spectrum of weeds only requires treatment "; S10[7]=" with a non-volatile knockdown product.' He said using accurately calibrated spray equipment that delivered large droplets would also help reduce the risk of herbicides drifting "; S11[7]=" to non-target crops.
      Mr Salmond said it would be a shame if the planting opportunity provided by the rain were affected by "; S12[7]=" accidental damage.
      'Planning, communication and attention to detail will help avoid this,' he said... "; R[8]="1572"; T[8]="Spray coverage a concern in vineyards"; A[8]="By ... Editor"; Dn[8]="20061027"; Dt[8]="Friday 27 October 2006"; Acats[8]="a03a13"; B1[8]="      A visiting specialist in vineyard plant disease management has identified inadequate spray coverage as a major cause of control failure.... "; B2[8]=" "; B3[8]=" "; B4[8]=" "; B5[8]=" "; S1[8]="      A visiting specialist in vineyard plant disease management has identified inadequate spray coverage as a major cause of control failure.
    "; S2[8]="   Speaking at a Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries workshop in Stanthorpe, plant pathologist Trevor Wicks said investigations of the failed grape disease control "; S3[8]=" usually led to poor coverage of the fungicide used.
      Dr Wicks is the principal horticulture pathologist for the South Australian Research and "; S4[8]=" Development Institute, and was in Stanthorpe to speak at a vineyard disease management and spray application workshop.
      A similar workshop was held "; S5[8]=" in the South Burnett.
      Speaking on the control of the most troublesome diseases, powdery and downy mildew and botrytis, Dr Wicks said "; S6[8]=" the spray interval was another cause of inadequate disease control.
      'Intervals of 14-21 days are too long when vines are growing vigorously "; S7[8]=" and plants get a new leaf every two or three days,' he said.
      'Spraying at an interval of 7-10 days will give "; S8[8]=" a far better result when the vine is growing vigorously or in wet weather.' Dr Wicks said the type of sprayer used in a management "; S9[8]=" program also influenced the results.
      'Spray rigs with multiple fans and direct blast axial fans give the best results,' he said.
  "; S10[8]="     DPI&F wine industry development officers Tony Hassall and Cameron Playsted organised the workshop to provide wine grape growers with the latest information on "; S11[8]=" fungicides and their application.
      Mr Hassall said that the 30 local growers who attended the Stanthorpe presentation had given very positive feedback "; S12[8]=" and would incorporate some of the ideas gained into their spray programs... "; R[9]="1552"; T[9]="New rules cut chemical spray drift threat"; A[9]="By ... Editor"; Dn[9]="20061020"; Dt[9]="Friday 20 October 2006"; Acats[9]="a03"; B1[9]="      Thanks to a newly introduced 2,4-D broadleaf herbicide label requirement that stipulates that this chemical can only be applied using course droplet "; B2[9]="nozzles, potential spray drift damage impacting on young cotton crops is being addressed... "; B3[9]=" "; B4[9]=" "; B5[9]=" "; S1[9]="      Thanks to a newly introduced 2,4-D broadleaf herbicide label requirement that stipulates that this chemical can only be applied using course droplet "; S2[9]=" nozzles, potential spray drift damage impacting on young cotton crops is being addressed.
      Warm weather conditions have prompted a quick germination of "; S3[9]=" early planted cotton in Central Queensland and during the next six to eight weeks, the emerging plants are extremely susceptible to chemical spray drift damage.
"; S4[9]="       Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries cotton development extension officer Doug Sands said that for the past three to four years, cotton "; S5[9]=" crops on the Central Highlands and in the Dawson Valley had been adversely affected by 2,4-D herbicide spray drift during November and December.
    "; S6[9]="   'While there is always a risk of damaging hail storms within the next couple of months, growers are cautiously confident that the annual spray "; S7[9]=" drift damage threat will no longer be a serious issue,' Mr Sands said.
      Mr Sands, who works in cooperation with the Cotton "; S8[9]=" Research and Development Corporation and Cotton CRC, said the bulk of the spray drift damage was caused by the phenoxy type chemicals such as 2,4-D "; S9[9]=" and Starane predominantly used for the control of emerging broadleaf weeds in fallow paddocks following spring and early summer storm rains.
      'Nearly "; S10[9]=" all the previous cotton spray drift crop damage which has hit the Emerald Irrigation Area has been attributed to 2,4-D moving off target trapped in "; S11[9]=" meteorological inversion layer air movements,' Mr Sands said.
      'Applying coarse droplets according to the ASAE S572 regulatory definition of spray nozzle standards "; S12[9]=" will ensure that the bulk of the spray volume will actually get on the target plant and the ground.
      'Coarse droplets are "; S13[9]=" just too heavy to remain suspended in thermal air movement so the chances of the herbicide being caught up in inversion layers and moving many "; S14[9]=" kilometres off the targeted paddock will be greatly reduced,' he said.
      Mr Sands said that with a zero 2006-07 water allocation from "; S15[9]=" the Fairbairn Dam, irrigated cotton planting on the Central Highlands had been slashed from an annual expectation of 18,000 to 20,000 hectares to just 4000ha "; S16[9]=" this year.
      Only growers with limited carryover water allocation from last year and those who had been able to buy tradeable water "; S17[9]=" had taken the opportunity to plant.
      Irrigators on the Dawson-Callide system had progressed to a full planting season of up to 6000ha "; S18[9]=" and would now be reliant on further summer rainfall to replenish the Dawson River in-stream weirs for future water allocations.
      Mr Sands "; S19[9]=" said the quick germination and emergence of this season's cotton thanks to the warmer soil temperatures usually meant there would be fewer incidences of seedling "; S20[9]=" diseases such as Rhizoctonia and Pythium... "; R[10]="1531"; T[10]="Farmers urged to adhere to Chemical Withholding Periods"; A[10]="By ... Editor"; Dn[10]="20061017"; Dt[10]="Tuesday 17 October 2006"; Acats[10]="a03"; B1[10]="      Farmers controlling locusts with insecticide are reminded to comply with withholding periods for stock and harvested crops destined for both the domestic "; B2[10]="and export markets... "; B3[10]=" "; B4[10]=" "; B5[10]=" "; S1[10]="      Farmers controlling locusts with insecticide are reminded to comply with withholding periods for stock and harvested crops destined for both the domestic "; S2[10]=" and export markets.
      Department of Agriculture and Food locust incident manager Simon Merewether said withholding periods applied to any pasture and "; S3[10]=" crop being sprayed and needed to be adhered to avoid product being rejected at market.
      'It is important to avoid meat "; S4[10]=" residues by not putting stock back on the pasture until the chemical has broken down,' Mr Merewether said.
      'In terms of harvested "; S5[10]=" crops, any chemical residue detected could result in a rejection of the product and the loss of export markets.' Mr Merewether reminded farmers the "; S6[10]=" withholding period stated on the insecticide label for meat was only for product destined for the domestic market, not the export market.
      "; S7[10]=" 'Some chemicals used for locust sprays are not registered in some countries to which we export.
      These countries require that there "; S8[10]=" be no detectable residues of these chemicals in products exported to their country,' he said.
      'As a result these export markets "; S9[10]=" require different withholding periods for different chemicals.' Specific information on the insecticide withholding periods is available in the 'Locust spraying and withholding periods information "; S10[10]=" sheet' found at www.agric.wa.gov.au - clicking on the Australia Plague Locust link.
      This can be categorised into the following components: ' "; S11[10]=" Export Animal Feed Interval (EAFI) - the time that must elapse between applying the chemical and allowing the animals back onto the pasture to feed; "; S12[10]=" ' Export Slaughter Interval (ESI) - the time which animals must be on clean feed before slaughter if the withholding period of EAFI has not "; S13[10]=" been complied with (If clean feed is not available, then comply with the EGI); ' Export Grazing Interval (EGI) - the time that must "; S14[10]=" elapse before slaughter if animals have remained on crop or pasture that has been sprayed.
      If animals are removed before the EGI "; S15[10]=" expires, they must remain on clean feed for the remainder of the EGI or the ESI if it is shorter than the EGI time remaining.
"; S16[10]="       ' Harvesting Withholding Period (WHP(H)) - the number of days that must elapse between the application of insecticide and harvest or "; S17[10]=" harvest and feeding of harvested pasture/crop to livestock (domestic market only).
      ' Grazing withholding period (WHP(G)) - The number of days "; S18[10]=" that must elapse between application of insecticide and grazing of livestock (domestic market only)... "; R[11]="1502"; T[11]="Chemical ban will see return to old-fashioned farming: grain growers"; A[11]="By ... Editor"; Dn[11]="20061006"; Dt[11]="Friday 6 October 2006"; Acats[11]="a03"; B1[11]="      Grain growers say they will be forced to return to old-fashioned and inefficient farming methods, due to a new chemical ban.... "; B2[11]=" "; B3[11]=" "; B4[11]=" "; B5[11]=" "; S1[11]="      Grain growers say they will be forced to return to old-fashioned and inefficient farming methods, due to a new chemical ban.
  "; S2[11]="     The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority has banned the use of 24 weed killers containing chemicals known as 2,4-D short chain esters, "; S3[11]=" due to concerns about contamination of vineyards and horticultural crops.
      Garry Hansen from the South Australian Farmers Federation says grain growers will "; S4[11]=" be forced to use more expensive chemicals, which they cannot afford in the current climate.
      'The farmers may well decide that the "; S5[11]=" extra cost is impinging on their bottom line and revert back to using old farming systems, such as cultivation, which is, I think would be "; S6[11]=" a disaster for the environment,' he said... "; R[12]="1412"; T[12]="Pulp mill admits gross dioxin error"; A[12]="By ... Editor"; Dn[12]="20060921"; Dt[12]="Thursday 21 September 2006"; Acats[12]="a03a39a42"; B1[12]="      The case for the country's largest forest industry project, the Gunns pulp mill, has been rocked by an admission that toxic dioxin "; B2[12]="emissions to Bass Strait will be 45 times greater than first stated... "; B3[12]=" "; B4[12]=" "; B5[12]=" "; S1[12]="      The case for the country's largest forest industry project, the Gunns pulp mill, has been rocked by an admission that toxic dioxin "; S2[12]=" emissions to Bass Strait will be 45 times greater than first stated.
      Only days before the closing of public comment on the "; S3[12]=" $1.4 million Tasmanian mill, a consultant said human error had led to the mistaken claim.
      The consultant said yesterday the dioxin content "; S4[12]=" in millions of litres of effluent to be discharged into the strait each day would still be far less than Tasmania's prescribed maximum, and Gunns "; S5[12]=" said the water would be safe to swim in.
      Opponents seized on the error to question the 7500-page integrated impact statement for "; S6[12]=" the project, and call for more time to deal with it.
      Of all the polluting effects of a large-scale pulp mill, the "; S7[12]=" production of dioxins, even in tiny amounts, is among the most politically sensitive.
      Dioxin emissions helped consign the $1 billion Wesley Vale "; S8[12]=" mill proposal to oblivion in 1989.
      The Gunns pulp mill, to be built on the Tamar River north of Launceston, will pipe "; S9[12]=" up to 73 million litres of treated effluent into Bass Strait each day, the impact statement says.
      The Melbourne consultant Toxikos said "; S10[12]=" an error in transcription in their office led to the mistaken claim that dioxin emissions from the Gunns mill would be 0.074 picograms per litre "; S11[12]=" of effluent.
      One picogram equals one millionth of a gram.
      In a letter of correction, Toxikos director Roger Drew "; S12[12]=" said the level should be 3.376 picograms a litre, which was still far below the 13 picogram limit set by state guidelines.
      "; S13[12]=" 'This was simply a very embarrassing human error,' Mr Drew said.
      Toxikos said a heavy consumer of fish caught around the outfall "; S14[12]=" would find that their dioxin intake increased by a 'very small' amount compared with the natural background, remaining about 23 per cent of tolerable monthly "; S15[12]=" intake.
      The Tasmanian Greens MP Kim Booth said a fundamental error in such a critical area as the impact on human health "; S16[12]=" of dioxin must affect the assessment process.
      The Wilderness Society's campaign director, Geoff Law, said more time was needed to account for "; S17[12]=" the new information.
      The executive chairman of Gunns, John Gay, said the identification and public notification of the error should give the "; S18[12]=" public confidence in the scientific rigour that had been applied by independent experts appointed by Gunns... "; R[13]="1269"; T[13]="Few problems expected from Japanese changes"; A[13]="By ... Editor"; Dn[13]="20060810"; Dt[13]="Thursday 10 August 2006"; Acats[13]="a03a62"; B1[13]="      Japan has introduced a new approach to the regulation of residues of agricultural chemicals in imported foods and beverages.... "; B2[13]=" "; B3[13]=" "; B4[13]=" "; B5[13]=" "; S1[13]="      Japan has introduced a new approach to the regulation of residues of agricultural chemicals in imported foods and beverages.
      "; S2[13]=" The approach is consistent with that adopted by most advanced countries, including Australia, in that it is based on a 'positive listing' of substances that "; S3[13]=" can be applied in, say, a vineyard, with limits on their residues in the harvested fruit.
      Japanese authorities considered the maximum limits "; S4[13]=" that apply in Australia when determining their own and, therefore, do not expect to experience problems with wine imported from this country.
      "; S5[13]=" I recently met with officials of the responsible Japanese authority in Tokyo and they confirmed that the revised arrangements will not result in any new "; S6[13]=" certification or testing requirements for Australian wine at the time of export.
      They will be conducting random inspections, and testing, of imported "; S7[13]=" beverages, but Australian wine is considered to present a low risk and will therefore not be the focus of this inspection regime, at least in "; S8[13]=" the short term.
      There have been reports that some importers have construed the new procedures incorrectly and demanded onerous analytical requirements from "; S9[13]=" their Australian suppliers.
      With the assistance of the Australian Embassy in Tokyo, our Japanese office recently organised a seminar to reassure wine "; S10[13]=" importers that no additional inspection or testing is mandated by the new regime.
      Winemakers are reminded of the excellent AWRI document at "; S11[13]=" www.awri.com.au/agrochemicals/mrls through which they can keep abreast of developments in international markets and receive advice on appropriate vineyard protocols.
      This information also "; S12[13]=" assists in devising and amending the spray diaries that winemakers require from their growers... "; R[14]="1248"; T[14]="Herbicide resistance could double weed control"; A[14]="By ... Editor"; Dn[14]="20060805"; Dt[14]="Saturday 5 August 2006"; Acats[14]="a03a85"; B1[14]="      Central Queensland grain growers have been warned that development of herbicide resistant weed species could double their current annual weed control costs "; B2[14]="to as much as $100 per hectare... "; B3[14]=" "; B4[14]=" "; B5[14]=" "; S1[14]="      Central Queensland grain growers have been warned that development of herbicide resistant weed species could double their current annual weed control costs "; S2[14]=" to as much as $100 per hectare.
      Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries senior weed agronomist at Emerald Vikki Osten led a "; S3[14]=" series of five integrated weed management workshops at Biloela, Moura, Kilcummin, Capella and Gindie in late July.
      Ms Osten and fellow agronomist "; S4[14]=" Michael Widderick (Toowoomba) sent a strong message to growers urging them to become proactive and not reactive when it came to designing control programs for "; S5[14]=" high risk target weeds in Central Queensland.
      'If landholders stop weeds from seeding by mixing up their weed management practices, it follows "; S6[14]=" that they will not perpetuate the potential for a build-up of herbicide resistance on their farms,' Ms Osten said.
      Ms Osten said "; S7[14]=" many Central Queensland growers engaged in wide-row planting under zero tillage were placing an increasing reliance on the four most widely used differing mode-of-action herbicides "; S8[14]=" glyphosate, Ally, atrazine and 2,4-D.
      'Within the past 20 years, weed densities across Central Queensland's predominantly open downs and brigalow-scrub soil cultivation "; S9[14]=" have been slowly but steadily increasing and too few growers are utilising non-herbicide options for weed control,' Ms Osten said.
      'Glyphosate - "; S10[14]=" a Group M mode-of-action chemical - is regarded as a low cost, effective herbicide so it is most commonly used weed control spray across all "; S11[14]=" seasons.
      'It is virtually the only herbicide used to control summer grasses.
      'What we are encouraging growers to do "; S12[14]=" is to mix up their herbicide group selection and adhere to the advice 'when you are onto a good thing - DON'T stick to it'.
"; S13[14]="       'Growers have to think seriously about how selection pressure on weeds leads to herbicide resistance,' Ms Osten said.
      Ms "; S14[14]=" Osten said the higher the percentage of weeds that are killed by the herbicides with the same mode-of-action, the higher the selection pressure for resistance.
"; S15[14]="       'Operators applying a lethal dose of herbicide achieve better weed control but there is higher selection pressure.
      With continued "; S16[14]=" use of the same mode-of-action herbicide, selection for the resistance gene is higher when using a lethal dose,' Ms Osten said.
      Ms "; S17[14]=" Osten said alarm bells should be ringing when growers noticed small patches of surviving weeds where others had been controlled or where three major weed "; S18[14]=" species may have been targeted but only two were subsequently controlled.
      Resistance can be naturally present in a weed population at an "; S19[14]=" extremely low frequency but that genetic variability becomes much greater in very weedy paddocks.
      Ms Osten said that simplified herbicide costs from "; S20[14]=" a typical grain sorghum-wheat rotation showed the average Central Queensland grower outlaid $48/ha/year on weed control.
      In a scenario where glyphosate resistant "; S21[14]=" sweet summer grass was a problem, the use of alternative, additional herbicides increased that cost to $84 to $100/ha/year - and that was a recurring "; S22[14]=" annual cost until the resistant seed bank was exhausted.
      Ms Osten said a 2004 Central region risk assessment weed survey identified that "; S23[14]=" barnyard grass, liverseed and sweet summer grass exposed to continuous glyphosate sprays under zero and minimum till farming systems were deemed to be at a "; S24[14]=" high risk of developing resistance.
      Where Ally was used for summer and winter weed control, parthenium was identified as a high risk "; S25[14]=" whereas common sowthistle treated with glyphosate posed a moderate to high risk.
      Ms Osten said African turnip and sowthistle in a winter "; S26[14]=" wheat fallow were at moderate risk of developing resistance to Ally.
      Other weeds of significance were sesbania, native jute, black pigweed and "; S27[14]=" Mexican poppy... "; R[15]="1246"; T[15]="Wheat nutrient needs under scrutiny"; A[15]="By ... Editor"; Dn[15]="20060805"; Dt[15]="Saturday 5 August 2006"; Acats[15]="a03a22"; B1[15]="      The Central Queensland Sustainable Farming Systems project is currently conducting research to help refine recommendations relating to the phosphorus, zinc and potassium "; B2[15]="requirements of winter crops... "; B3[15]=" "; B4[15]=" "; B5[15]=" "; S1[15]="      The Central Queensland Sustainable Farming Systems project is currently conducting research to help refine recommendations relating to the phosphorus, zinc and potassium "; S2[15]=" requirements of winter crops.
      Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Emerald-based senior experimentalist Maurie Conway said the accepted practice was for "; S3[15]=" grain growers to apply varying rates of DAP, MAP, super phosphate or Starter Z fertiliser basically as a crop nutrient insurance.
      Mr "; S4[15]=" Conway said that with yield responses being quite variable coupled with a continued tightening of grain industry profit margins, producers were looking for a better "; S5[15]=" indication of when applied fertilisers delivered an economic response.
      'With industry support, this project is looking a number of Central region cropping "; S6[15]=" sites where the soil has already been tested to ascertain the levels of phosphorus, potassium and zinc in the top 10cm of the soil profile,' "; S7[15]=" Mr Conway said.
      'Many of the wheat crops under scrutiny are now quite well advanced so we are currently cutting plant material "; S8[15]=" samples to be tested for the three trace elements.
      'This will provide some answers on how efficient the wheat plant is in "; S9[15]=" extracting these elements from the soil, particularly phosphorus which ranks second to nitrogen as the next most important nutrient for plant productivity,' Mr Conway said.
"; S10[15]="       Mr Conway said that from the range of soil test samples taken from the open downs and red brigalow scrub soils, the "; S11[15]=" highest level of soil phosphorus was 16 parts per million but the majority ranked below 12ppm.
      'Based on the soil and plant "; S12[15]=" testing comparisons, we should be a step closer to understanding what the minimum acceptable soil phosphorus levels are before additional fertiliser is justified,' he said.
"; S13[15]="       'It is a similar story with zinc where the plant only requires a very small amount to maintain healthy growth.
    "; S14[15]="   'Low levels of phosphorus and zinc are exacerbated by long fallow disorder that occurs following prolonged dry seasons where soil microbiological activity has been "; S15[15]=" severely impacted.
      'Applying phosphorus and zinc to address potential long fallow disorder will ensure these vital elements are available to the plant.
"; S16[15]="       Where soil microbial life is deemed healthy, the trials should deliver some answers on how well the wheat can access zinc and "; S17[15]=" when it will be required,' Mr Conway said... "; R[16]="1160"; T[16]="High dioxins for Sydney fishermen"; A[16]="By ... Editor"; Dn[16]="20060720"; Dt[16]="Thursday 20 July 2006"; Acats[16]="a03a09a86"; B1[16]="      Blood tests on Sydney Harbour commercial fishermen and their families have found that every one of them has dangerously high levels of "; B2[16]="dioxins in their bodies... "; B3[16]=" "; B4[16]=" "; B5[16]=" "; S1[16]="      Blood tests on Sydney Harbour commercial fishermen and their families have found that every one of them has dangerously high levels of "; S2[16]=" dioxins in their bodies.
      The test results, which will be released to the families today, show all 95 people tested have dioxin "; S3[16]=" levels between twice and 10 times the Australian average.
      Information obtained by The Daily Telegraph shows the dioxin levels are generally "; S4[16]=" higher in the older people tested, although the figures are also alarming for the fishermen's children.
      And the fact that every "; S5[16]=" person tested positive could have serious ramifications for recreational anglers and consumers who have eaten significant quantities of seafood caught in the Harbour.
    "; S6[16]="   New South Wales Health officials admit, because so little is known about the dioxins, they can not say what the health consequences will "; S7[16]=" be for the men, their wives and children.
      However, the NSW Government - which for four months labelled the tests unnecessary "; S8[16]=" and refused to conduct them - is now promising special health assistance to the families.
      When contacted by The Daily Telegraph "; S9[16]=" last night, Health Minister John Hatzistergos said his department will introduce measures and assistance to the fishermen's GPs to ensure they are fully informed.
  "; S10[16]="     He said that when the fishermen and their families are given their results at Concord Hospital this morning, they also will receive "; S11[16]=" written advice addressed to their GPs.
      'We will also be convening a seminar to give the family GPs information on dioxins,' "; S12[16]=" Mr Hatzistergos said.
      'We will be establishing an ongoing link to the Health Department where GPs can contact the experts and get "; S13[16]=" advice.
      'It has been decided that because family GPs know their patients' medical histories, it is better for them to monitor "; S14[16]=" them, but we want to provide them with as much help as we can.' The blood tests were conducted about 10 weeks ago, although "; S15[16]=" the families became concerned about their health in January, when commercial fishing was banned in Sydney Harbour after elevated levels of dioxins were discovered in "; S16[16]=" prawns and bream.
      Virtually all the fishermen, their wives and children have always eaten large amounts of their catch - meaning "; S17[16]=" they have been exposed to higher levels of dioxins.
      It is understood that the levels of dioxins found in the families "; S18[16]=" was similar to that of fishing communities elsewhere, such as Finland and Canada.
      Australia's average levels are lower than other countries, "; S19[16]=" with some having levels three times higher than here.
      Fishing was banned in Homebush Bay in 1998, but in January this "; S20[16]=" year the Government banned commercial fishing in the Harbour - and advised anglers to eat just 150g of fish a month - after elevated levels "; S21[16]=" of dioxins were found in seafood.
      Homebush Bay is the source of virtually all the dioxins found in fish caught elsewhere "; S22[16]=" in the Harbour.
      Dioxins bio-accumulate, so a fish that has never been in Homebush Bay can have elevated levels of dioxins "; S23[16]=" because of the other marine life it has eaten... "; R[17]="1077"; T[17]="Soil test - then invest"; A[17]="By ... Editor"; Dn[17]="20060712"; Dt[17]="Wednesday 12 July 2006"; Acats[17]="a02a03a07a72"; B1[17]="      Dryland grain growers and graziers need to have a better understanding of the yield potential and productivity of their land if they "; B2[17]="are to match their economic expectations with escalating land values... "; B3[17]=" "; B4[17]=" "; B5[17]=" "; S1[17]="      Dryland grain growers and graziers need to have a better understanding of the yield potential and productivity of their land if they "; S2[17]=" are to match their economic expectations with escalating land values.
      Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries soil management research scientist Stuart Buck "; S3[17]=" said extensive soil testing was the only real guide to determining the productive capability of the land.
      'For those primary producers contemplating "; S4[17]=" investing in agricultural land or embarking on a cropping venture anywhere on the Central Highlands and Dawson Callide, the well worn adage - try before "; S5[17]=" you buy - certainly applies to soil testing,' Mr Buck said.
      'The soil test advice extends beyond farmers and needs to be "; S6[17]=" understood by agribusiness consultants and bankers as insidious subsoil constraints will limit production options,' Mr Buck said.
      Mr Buck said the "; S7[17]=" term 'subsoil constraints' refers to any soil factor that limits the uptake of plant nutrients and restricts the availability of water to the plant root "; S8[17]=" system.
      'The constraint can be physical, such as subsoil basalt in open downs soil types, or chemical, such as high chloride and "; S9[17]=" exchangeable sodium in brigalow soil types.
      'Chemical constraints are difficult to diagnose without a soil test and research is indicating that chloride "; S10[17]=" is the primary problem factor,' Mr Buck said.
      'Central Queensland growers have noted that some crops can have a degree of salinity "; S11[17]=" tolerance to sodium chloride so we have embarked on a 2006 trial to investigate the tolerance levels of selected winter cereals and chickpea varieties,' Mr "; S12[17]=" Buck said.
      A Dawson Valley subsoil constraints trial involves two soil types within the same paddock comparing a heavy black cracking clay "; S13[17]=" with low level constraints to a brown highly constrained soil that tended to crust and seal.
      Mr Buck said the black soil "; S14[17]=" had a chloride reading ranging from 27mg/kg on the surface to 600mg/kg in the lower root zone whereas the chloride for the high constraint brown "; S15[17]=" soil ranged from 10mg/kg to more than 1000mg/kg.
      Following 50mm of early April rain on the zero till trial paddock, the cereals "; S16[17]=" and chickpea were deep planted to 6cm on 37.5cm rows using a moisture-seeking tine opener and Janke press wheels.
      'We chose Kennedy, "; S17[17]=" Baxter, Lang and Rees as the bread wheat varieties; Yalleroi and Wollaroi durum wheats; Grout and Mackay variety barley; and Jimbour and Moti chickpeas to "; S18[17]=" compare their performance on the constrained soils,' Mr Buck said.
      'At this stage, Baxter appears to be the most tolerant of the "; S19[17]=" wheats.
      'Both durum wheat selections are showing a higher sensitivity and the chickpea plantings are highly intolerant with little root penetration into "; S20[17]=" the subsoil.' Mr Buck said that if soil tests revealed high chloride levels, chickpeas were not an option and depending on the level of subsoil "; S21[17]=" constraints, crop choice would be restricted.
      On high subsoil constraint soils, pasture may be the best solution.
      Mr Buck "; S22[17]=" said that under good seasonal conditions with ample soil moisture or irrigation, many crops can perform on constrained soils but under dry growing conditions, subsoil "; S23[17]=" constraints were a major issue severely limiting productivity... "; R[18]="1058"; T[18]="Govt urged to fund alternatives to 1080 poison"; A[18]="By ... Editor"; Dn[18]="20060710"; Dt[18]="Monday 10 July 2006"; Acats[18]="a03a42a86"; B1[18]="      The Wilderness Society wants the Tasmanian Government to fund studies into the cost-effectiveness of non-lethal techniques to control browsing animals.... "; B2[18]=" "; B3[18]=" "; B4[18]=" "; B5[18]=" "; S1[18]="      The Wilderness Society wants the Tasmanian Government to fund studies into the cost-effectiveness of non-lethal techniques to control browsing animals.
    "; S2[18]="   A draft report on a $4 million project to find alternatives to the poison 1080 is recommending a choice of strategic options for managing "; S3[18]=" damage caused by browsing mammals.
      The 1080 alternative draft will be reviewed by the Department of Primary Industry and Water and the "; S4[18]=" Federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry before being released to the general public.
      Wilderness Society spokeswoman Gemma Tillack says they want "; S5[18]=" to see more use of non-lethal methods to minimise the damage browsing wildlife does to crops.
      'The cost-benefit analysis for these non-lethal "; S6[18]=" techniques haven't been shown and the same goes for the lethal techniques they're talking about, so we obviously need to think about how we're going "; S7[18]=" to allocate this $4 million in funds, and also we really need to prioritise the research that we're going to be doing,' she said... "; R[19]="1025"; T[19]="Great care needed if pasture fertilised with poultry litter"; A[19]="By ... Editor"; Dn[19]="20060707"; Dt[19]="Friday 7 July 2006"; Acats[19]="a03a25a26a27a33"; B1[19]="      Cattle and sheep owners are reminded to take great care if they spread poultry litter on their pastures.... "; B2[19]=" "; B3[19]=" "; B4[19]=" "; B5[19]=" "; S1[19]="      Cattle and sheep owners are reminded to take great care if they spread poultry litter on their pastures.
      Some "; S2[19]=" recently reported cattle deaths in the State's South East may have been caused by pasture that was newly fertilised with poultry litter, says Tasmania's Chief "; S3[19]=" Veterinary Officer, Dr Rod Andrewartha.
      'It is most important that poultry litter is fully incorporated into the soil before any cattle or "; S4[19]=" sheep are put onto the pasture.' While the deaths are still under investigation, there are various diseases that can be caused by cattle or sheep "; S5[19]=" eating even small quantities of poultry litter.
      'The general rule is that if you can still see the poultry litter in the "; S6[19]=" pasture, it's too early to graze,' Dr Andrewartha said.
      'For most of the year, it takes about three weeks for poultry litter "; S7[19]=" to disappear into the ground.
      If there is prolonged dry weather, it may take more than three weeks.' He said that livestock "; S8[19]=" owners also need to be aware that fertilising pasture with poultry litter also has implications to Australia's BSE free status.
      Poultry feed "; S9[19]=" contains some meat, meat meal and may contain other animal product.
      This is known as Restricted Animal Material (RAM) which must never "; S10[19]=" be fed to ruminant animals.
      The ban on feeding RAM to ruminants is essential to maintaining Australia's status as being free of "; S11[19]=" Mad Cow Disease.
      'We carry out regular biosecurity audits to assure our major trading partners that they can buy our meat and "; S12[19]=" dairy products with confidence' Dr Andrewartha said.
      'Our high standards set us apart from many of our competitors and enable us to "; S13[19]=" access lucrative overseas markets.
      'I appeal to all livestock owners to make sure they do the right thing.
      "; S14[19]=" 'It's fine to use poultry litter to fertilise pasture if, and only if, all ruminant animals are kept off that pasture until all the "; S15[19]=" poultry litter has disappeared into the ground.'.. "; R[20]="992"; T[20]="Workshops to weed out resistance"; A[20]="By ... Editor"; Dn[20]="20060628"; Dt[20]="Wednesday 28 June 2006"; Acats[20]="a03a54"; B1[20]="      Central Queensland grain growers are generally well aware of the increasing risk of herbicide resistance but designing a cost-effective long term weed "; B2[20]="management strategy is viewed by many as a time-consuming, daunting challenge... "; B3[20]=" "; B4[20]=" "; B5[20]=" "; S1[20]="      Central Queensland grain growers are generally well aware of the increasing risk of herbicide resistance but designing a cost-effective long term weed "; S2[20]=" management strategy is viewed by many as a time-consuming, daunting challenge.
      Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries extension officer Jessica Mowat and "; S3[20]=" weed agronomists Vikki Osten, Michael Widderick and Gavin Lotz will deliver five free workshops next month to enable participating growers to develop individual weed management "; S4[20]=" programs that will address the risk of herbicide resistance.
      The workshop series has funding support from the Central Queensland Sustainable Farming Systems "; S5[20]=" Project and the Northern Region Herbicide Resistance Risks and Prevention Project.
      Ms Mowat said the strategic weed management workshops would run from "; S6[20]=" 8.30am to 4.30pm starting at Biloela Research Station conference room on July 20; Moura Memorial Club July 21; Kilcummin Community Hall July 24; Capella Cultural "; S7[20]=" Centre July 26 and Gindie Tennis Club July 27.
      'Our goal is to encourage growers to come along and ultimately design their "; S8[20]=" own Integrated Weed Management (IWM) strategy based on a range of options to control high risk target weeds in Central Queensland,' Ms Mowat said.
  "; S9[20]="     Ms Mowat said the interactive workshop presentation format had been well received by 20 industry consultants and DPI&F research and extension officers.
  "; S10[20]="     'It has been specifically developed for Dawson-Callide and Central Highlands grain growers using local case studies and relevant trial results to ensure the "; S11[20]=" information is practical and covers topical weed management issues,' Ms Mowat said.
      'Workshops will be restricted to 15 participants to enable growers "; S12[20]=" to interact through hands-on activities and then be able to confidently design IWM strategies to match their particular enterprise.' Ms Mowat said that while all "; S13[20]=" workshop expenses were covered by project funds, grower registration was essential.
      If demand was high, there was potential to hold similar workshops "; S14[20]=" next year.
      Growers can register at the DPI&F tent at Ag-Grow field days from July 13-15 or call Jessica Mowat 4983 7424 "; S15[20]=" or Vikki Osten 4983 7406 at Emerald DPI&F office... "; R[21]="919"; T[21]="New Holland support rigorous fertiliser spreader testing"; A[21]="By ... Editor"; Dn[21]="20060615"; Dt[21]="Thursday 15 June 2006"; Acats[21]="a01a03"; B1[21]="      Building on its reputation of being Australia's leading farm improvement group, Kondinin Group recently applied its expertise to the rigorous testing of "; B2[21]="fertiliser spreaders... "; B3[21]=" "; B4[21]=" "; B5[21]=" "; S1[21]="      Building on its reputation of being Australia's leading farm improvement group, Kondinin Group recently applied its expertise to the rigorous testing of "; S2[21]=" fertiliser spreaders.
      New Holland supplied Kondinin Group with two TVT155 tractors for the testing which took place at Wagga Wagga, New South "; S3[21]=" Wales, earlier this year.
      Kondinin Group engineer Tim Andrew said the tractors were well suited to the testing process as they were "; S4[21]=" fitted with infinitely variable transmissions.
      'The machines allowed the power take-off and hydraulic settings determined by the fertilizer spreaders to be adjusted "; S5[21]=" independently of ground speed, which had to remain the same for all tests,' said Mr Andrew.
      'We approached New Holland to support "; S6[21]=" the testing as they offered the leading edge infinitely variable transmission technology and do not manufacture or market fertiliser spreaders, ensuring that Kondinin Group maintained "; S7[21]=" independent test results,' he said.
      Kondinin Group was most grateful for the ongoing support received from New Holland through local dealership Great "; S8[21]=" Southern Motors.
      Dealership sales manager Ross Salan and New Holland tractor product manager Don Forrester frequently assisted with the tractors during testing.
"; S9[21]="       Mr Forrester said New Holland holds Kondinin Group's contribution to Australian agriculture in high esteem and was happy to support the recent "; S10[21]=" tests.
      'Kondinin Group's research efforts provide both farmers and manufacturers with valuable information.
      For this reason we supported this "; S11[21]=" project and will endeavour to help with similar projects in the future,' said Mr Forrester.
      The tractors were used to test spreaders "; S12[21]=" from Amazone, Bogballe, Bredal, Gason, Grizzly, Lely, Marshall, and Vicon.
      Landaco and Comspread spreaders were tested on machines supplied by the manufacturers.
"; S13[21]="       The tests were also supported by the Australian Fertiliser Services Association, who ran the Accuspread fertiliser spreader certification programme, and Hi-Fert fertilisers "; S14[21]=" who supplied product used in the tests.
      The soon to be released test results will be published in the August edition of "; S15[21]=" Kondinin Group's Farming Ahead magazine... "; R[22]="915"; T[22]="Karratha liquid ammonia leaves for Taiwan"; A[22]="By ... ABC"; Dn[22]="20060613"; Dt[22]="Tuesday 13 June 2006"; Acats[22]="a03a08"; B1[22]="      The first shipment of liquid ammonia from the Burrup Fertiliser plant in Karratha has left the Port of Dampier in north-west Western "; B2[22]="Australia... "; B3[22]=" "; B4[22]=" "; B5[22]=" "; S1[22]="      The first shipment of liquid ammonia from the Burrup Fertiliser plant in Karratha has left the Port of Dampier in north-west Western "; S2[22]=" Australia.
      Forty-thousand tonnes of ammonia will be exported to a company in Taiwan to manufacture fertiliser.
      The company has "; S3[22]=" agreed to buy the plant's total output for the next 20 years.
      Burrup Fertilisers says it is still assessing the feasibility of "; S4[22]=" building another plant to produce ammonium nitrate, which is used to make explosives.
      The emerging iron ore company formerly known as Sherlock "; S5[22]=" Bay Nickel, has changed its name to Australasian Resources.
      Australasian's directors are currently in India looking for business partners for its Balmoral "; S6[22]=" deposit in the Pilbara... "; R[23]="848"; T[23]="Aflatoxin warning on feeding drought affected peanut hay to animals"; A[23]="By ... Editor"; Dn[23]="20060607"; Dt[23]="Wednesday 7 June 2006"; Acats[23]="a03a32"; B1[23]="      Continuing dry times in the Burnett is leading the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries to issue an alert to livestock owners "; B2[23]="on the dangers of aflatoxin poisoning of animals from some baled peanut hay... "; B3[23]=" "; B4[23]=" "; B5[23]=" "; S1[23]="      Continuing dry times in the Burnett is leading the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries to issue an alert to livestock owners "; S2[23]=" on the dangers of aflatoxin poisoning of animals from some baled peanut hay.
      DPI&F principal development extension officer Greg Mills said producers "; S3[23]=" purchasing baled peanut hay to feed livestock are advised to read the DPI&F note 'Avoid aflatoxin poisoning of livestock' to ensure they were aware of "; S4[23]=" the dangers of feeds which may contain high levels of aflatoxins.
      'Aflatoxin is a serious problem in rain-fed peanut crops in the "; S5[23]=" Burnett region and one which the industry minimises in nut production by advanced growing, harvesting and drying practices plus price penalties and stringent grading.
  "; S6[23]="     'However aflatoxin contamination increases in drought periods when plant defences are weakened.
      Livestock owners should be aware of the risks "; S7[23]=" of providing feeds from baled hay from failed peanut crops affected by continuing dry conditions.
      'We don't want to restrict any "; S8[23]=" farmer's incomes from trying to recover the costs of a failed crop through hay sales, but purchasers need to be aware of the risks to "; S9[23]=" their livestock from aflatoxin contamination,' Mr Mills said.
      He said peanut hay derived from higher yielding irrigated peanut production will have little "; S10[23]=" or no incidence of aflatoxins if grown to maturity and harvested under favourable conditions.
      Aflatoxin is not produced in stems and leaves "; S11[23]=" of peanut crops but attached pods in the peanut hay are the major source.
      Any practice to get rid of pods in "; S12[23]=" hay should result in a significant reduction of aflatoxin risk.
      Mr Mills said aflatoxin in feed can poison livestock if enough is "; S13[23]=" consumed and low concentrations can produce residues in milk and meat.
      Drought and high temperatures can increase aflatoxin content of peanut by-products, "; S14[23]=" maize and sorghum and contamination increases rapidly if these are not kept in dry storage.
      He said livestock owners who are purchasing "; S15[23]=" grain or mixed feeds or peanut by-products should seek a written assurance from suppliers that the material meets regulated standards for aflatoxin and any chemical "; S16[23]=" residues.
      Mr Mills said to minimise the risk of residues in milk, peanut meals and peanut hay (where as many pods as "; S17[23]=" possible have been removed during thrashing) should comprise no more than 10 per cent of the total diet of dairy cows.
      "; S18[23]=" If the hay is to be fed to mature beef cattle, it is not wise to exceed 25 per cent in the total diet and "; S19[23]=" feeding to cattle within two weeks of slaughter should be avoided... "; R[24]="594"; T[24]="Trials confirm summer weeds have major impact"; A[24]="By ... Editor"; Dn[24]="20060306"; Dt[24]="Monday 6 March 2006"; Acats[24]="a02a03a72a85"; B1[24]="      Trials by the Department of Agriculture have shown summer weeds can have a serious impact on wheat grain yield and protein and "; B2[24]="at the same time seriously reduce soil nitrogen... "; B3[24]=" "; B4[24]=" "; B5[24]=" "; S1[24]="      Trials by the Department of Agriculture have shown summer weeds can have a serious impact on wheat grain yield and protein and "; S2[24]=" at the same time seriously reduce soil nitrogen.
      The trials, funded by CRC Australian Weed Management, saw wheat grain yield down by "; S3[24]=" as much as 40 per cent in two out of three years, soil nitrogen levels down by as much as 66 per cent and grain "; S4[24]=" protein levels substantially reduced.
      'Given the weather we have had this year the timing of the trial results is very apt,' said "; S5[24]=" Department of Agriculture Senior Researcher Dr Abul Hashem, who along with Dr Shahab Pathan, carried out the trials.
      'Summer weed growth is "; S6[24]=" a real issue after recent summer rains and the messages from these trials are clear.
      It is of the highest importance for "; S7[24]=" growers to make every effort to control summer weeds,' said Dr Hashem.
      The trial was carried out between 2003 and 2005 on "; S8[24]=" sandy loam duplex soil at Merredin Research Station and measured soil nitrogen and soil water up to a depth of 90cm in January and May "; S9[24]=" (before sowing wheat crop), growth, grain yield and quality of winter wheat over three years.
      Key findings were: ˇ A combination of "; S10[24]=" summer rain and uncontrolled weeds reduced soil nitrogen within the rooting zone of crop plants by up to 66 per cent - winter crops would "; S11[24]=" have 66 per cent less nitrogen in the soil to start with in a paddock where summer weeds were not controlled.
      ˇ "; S12[24]=" Summer weeds did not use any more soil water than lost otherwise from a weed-free plot.
      This is probably because the evaporative "; S13[24]=" demand on the site during summer period was 3-4 times higher than the amount of total summer rain received.
      ˇ Wheat emergence "; S14[24]=" was reduced by 22% in 2003 only when caltrop was the dominant summer weed species.
      This means caltrop may have a strong "; S15[24]=" allelopathic effect on wheat emergence.
      ˇ Summer weeds reduced wheat grain yield by up to 40 per cent in two out of "; S16[24]=" three years.
      ˇ Wheat grain protein was substantially reduced by a combination of summer rain and summer weeds in all the three "; S17[24]=" years.
      ˇ Soil nitrogen fixed by summer weeds will be released slowly as their biomass decomposes although this released nitrogen will not "; S18[24]=" be available to wheat plants during vegetative stages when demand is high.
      'Summer weeds can also serve as green bridges for insects "; S19[24]=" and diseases.
      They can also block the seeding machine leading to poor crop establishment.
      Early treatment is essential,' said "; S20[24]=" Dr Hashem.
      Grazing is a very cheap management option for summer weeds.
      The palatability of summer weeds species such "; S21[24]=" as melons, radish, capeweed and doublegee may be increased by spraying 2,4-D amine @ 250 g ae/ha.
      Most summer weeds can be "; S22[24]=" effectively controlled by spraying a mixture of glyphosate @ 250-500 g ae/ha + 2,4-D ester @ 200-400 g ai/ha when the wind speed is between "; S23[24]=" 3-15 km/hour.
      Where there is a restriction on 2,4-D spraying or growers are not sure how summer weed herbicides are going to "; S24[24]=" affect their winter cropping plan, they should seek advice on appropriate herbicides to control summer weeds... "; R[25]="498"; T[25]="Toxic waste ends Sydney Harbour commercial fishing"; A[25]="By ... Editor"; Dn[25]="20060222"; Dt[25]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[25]="a03a04a34a42"; B1[25]="      Toxic waste in Sydney Harbour has forced authorities to end centuries of commercial fishing, warn recreational anglers not to eat too much "; B2[25]="harbour fish, and undertake a A$200 million (US$150 million) clean-up programme... "; B3[25]=" "; B4[25]=" "; B5[25]=" "; S1[25]="      Toxic waste in Sydney Harbour has forced authorities to end centuries of commercial fishing, warn recreational anglers not to eat too much "; S2[25]=" harbour fish, and undertake a A$200 million (US$150 million) clean-up programme.
      The New South Wales state government announced on Thursday an end "; S3[25]=" to commercial fishing after tests showed the level of cancer-causing dioxin in fish was almost 100 times World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended maximum levels.
  "; S4[25]="     The state's Primary Industry Minister Ian Macdonald said the dioxin, a key ingredient of the Agent Orange defoliant used in the Vietnam War, "; S5[25]=" was the result of years of industrial pollution and that further fish testing would occur.
      The NSW government will spend A$5.8 million "; S6[25]=" buying back fishing licences and compensating some 40 fishermen, some of whom have seen generations of their families haul harbour fish and prawns to sell "; S7[25]=" to seafood restaurants which dot the shoreline.
      'I have been here for 45 years fishing on Sydney Harbour and I don't want "; S8[25]=" the compensation, a lot of us don't, we want to continue fishing,' fisherman Cameron Aiello told reporters.
      Many of the fishermen are "; S9[25]=" worried their families may have been contaminated after eating dioxin contaminated fish.
      'A lot of the fishermen are concerned about their health "; S10[25]=" and the health of their families -- they have been feeding their kids seafood regularly all their lives,' said fisherman Kippa Waters.
      "; S11[25]=" Commercial harbour fishing was banned for three months in January after upstream fish tests revealed industrial waste dioxin almost 100 times WHO levels.
    "; S12[25]="   Fish caught near the harbour entrance recorded dioxin 10 times WHO levels.
      Recreational anglers have been told to eat no more "; S13[25]=" than 150g of Sydney Harbour fish a month.
      'These fishers have been doing it tough since the bans on commercial fishing were "; S14[25]=" introduced,' said Macdonald in a statement announcing the buy out of commercial fishing licences.
      'Through no fault of their own they have "; S15[25]=" been caught up in a problem caused by 100 years of industrial pollution by multinational companies like Union Carbide.' Macdonald said A$200 million was being "; S16[25]=" spent cleaning up 30 toxic sites in and around Sydney Harbour.
      State government documents have shown that between 1949 and 1976 Homebush "; S17[25]=" Bay, site of the Sydney 2000 Olympics, was used as a dumping ground for the deadly poison dioxin.
      Carcinogenic dioxin was produced "; S18[25]=" at a nearby Union Carbide chemical factory and waste was buried in landfills or scattered above ground in drums.
      The dioxin leeched "; S19[25]=" into the waters of Homebush Bay on the Parramatta River which feeds Sydney Harbour.
      Development of plans for the Sydney 2000 Olympics "; S20[25]=" site initially included cleaning up Homebush Bay waters, but this was then shelved for fear of disturbing the dioxin in sediment.
      Fishing.. "; R[26]="496"; T[26]="Researchers try to control grapevine leaf rust"; A[26]="By ... Editor"; Dn[26]="20060222"; Dt[26]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[26]="a03a13a33"; B1[26]="      Improving biosecurity in our wine and table grape industries is the focus of new research in East Timor..... "; B2[26]=" "; B3[26]=" "; B4[26]=" "; B5[26]=" "; S1[26]="      Improving biosecurity in our wine and table grape industries is the focus of new research in East Timor.
      It "; S2[26]=" is hoped trials near Dili will find a control for the damaging disease, grapevine leaf rust.
      But working offshore has been challenging.
"; S3[26]="       Researcher Stephen West describes how the team made sterile potting mix from scratch.
      'The team had to be very "; S4[26]=" creative, we exposed it to the sun under plastic and got some very high temperatures up around 70 degrees.
      We needed some "; S5[26]=" organic matter so they ended up, the guys got some coffee husks.
      So they had to find some of that and they "; S6[26]=" got that.
      The guy that they got it from was scratching his head thinking, 'what are these Australians doing? This is a "; S7[26]=" bit weird.' But anyway they got it all together.
      We've had some information and feedback there are green buds popping up everywhere, "; S8[26]=" so it looks like it has worked,' he said.
      Results are expected by the end of June.
      Grapevine leaf "; S9[26]=" rust is only present in Darwin and Palmerston in the Northern Territory.
      However, Australia is expected to be declared free of the "; S10[26]=" disease midway through this year, following a long running eradication campaign in the NT... "; R[27]="489"; T[27]="Fight against citrus canker succeeding"; A[27]="By ... Editor"; Dn[27]="20060222"; Dt[27]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[27]="a03a18a33"; B1[27]="      All residential and non-commercial citrus plants identified in the Emerald Pest Quarantine Area (PQA) have now been treated and removed, however the "; B2[27]="National Citrus Canker Eradication Program (NCCEP) is urging residents to remain vigilant... "; B3[27]=" "; B4[27]=" "; B5[27]=" "; S1[27]="      All residential and non-commercial citrus plants identified in the Emerald Pest Quarantine Area (PQA) have now been treated and removed, however the "; S2[27]=" National Citrus Canker Eradication Program (NCCEP) is urging residents to remain vigilant.
      DPI&F General Manager (Plant Biosecurity), Chris Adriaansen, said most of "; S3[27]=" the hard work had been completed and the program was on track for the declaration of citrus canker eradication by 2009.
      Replanting "; S4[27]=" of citrus is still likely to be permitted from July 2007.
      'Some 490,000 citrus trees have been destroyed by the NCCEP in "; S5[27]=" the PQA, an area of approximately 3,000 square kilometres centred on the township of Emerald in central Queensland,' he said 'The NCCEP has also destroyed "; S6[27]=" 175,000 native citrus or citrus glauca which are endemic to the area and are hosts to citrus canker,' he said.
      Mr Adriaansen "; S7[27]=" thanked Emerald residents for their cooperation and said that while he was extremely pleased with the program's outcomes to date, ongoing cooperation from Emerald growers "; S8[27]=" was still needed if the disease is to be eradicated.
      'We greatly appreciate the cooperation of the people of Emerald in the "; S9[27]=" battle against citrus canker - their efforts and sacrifice have contributed to the protection of the Australian citrus industry,' Mr Adriaansen said.
      "; S10[27]=" 'While the destruction of all commercial and residential citrus in the Emerald PQA has had a major impact on the growers and residents, the National "; S11[27]=" Consultative Committee remains confident this action will avoid the much longer-term devastation associated with citrus canker that has been the case overseas.' 'Emerald residents should "; S12[27]=" be aware that regrowth or germination of seed is susceptible to potential infection by the bacteria and, if found, must be removed to prevent any "; S13[27]=" chance of this disease recurring.
      So please be vigilant and report regrowth,' Mr Adriaansen said.
      'Research shows factors like "; S14[27]=" short-term survival in remnant plant litter and regrowth from seeds and suckers, a period of 18 months after the removal of potential hosts is required "; S15[27]=" before it is considered safe for growers to replant commercial citrus in the area,' he said.
      Mr Adriaansen said native citrus destruction "; S16[27]=" had been paused for a few weeks while the National Consultative Committee considered the risks that exist from the remaining citrus glauca in the PQA "; S17[27]=" and the most effective way to deal with this.
      'Once Consultative Committee completes its consideration of this, we will be continuing with "; S18[27]=" whatever action it recommends.
      This may be to recommence native citrus destruction or to limit the activity to surveillance over the next "; S19[27]=" 18 months'.
      If Emerald residents notice regrowth of citrus on or around their properties, or become aware of any citrus elsewhere in "; S20[27]=" the PQA, they should notify the NCCEP immediately on 13 25 23 to arrange for its removal... "; R[28]="483"; T[28]="Testing nitrogen application to increase crop yield"; A[28]="By ... Editor"; Dn[28]="20060222"; Dt[28]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[28]="a03a24a46"; B1[28]="      Using yield forecasting systems with nitrogen decision tools increases the chances of matching fertiliser to yield potential according to Department of Agriculture "; B2[28]="development officer Jeremy Lemon... "; B3[28]=" "; B4[28]=" "; B5[28]=" "; S1[28]="      Using yield forecasting systems with nitrogen decision tools increases the chances of matching fertiliser to yield potential according to Department of Agriculture "; S2[28]=" development officer Jeremy Lemon.
      Mr Lemon said field trials conducted over the past three seasons demonstrated that delaying nitrogen decisions to key "; S3[28]=" times in the growing season reduced the risk of too much or too little nitrogen fertiliser being applied.
      The trials, conducted to "; S4[28]=" address grower concerns about declining protein levels in wheat, and the future marketability of WA grain, will be discussed at this month's Agribusiness Crop Updates, "; S5[28]=" supported by the Grains Research and Development Corporation.
      'Wheat protein levels have shown a declining trend over the past 10 years due "; S6[28]=" to less frequent legume rotations, higher crop legume yields removing fixed nitrogen and higher cereal yields,' Mr Lemon said.
      'Higher cereal yields "; S7[28]=" have not always been matched with adequate fertiliser nitrogen.
      'In low legume cropping systems, a much higher proportion of the cereal's nitrogen "; S8[28]=" requirements come from fertiliser and the cost of nitrogen fertilizer is increasing.
      At up to $80 per hectare, nitrogen inputs account for "; S9[28]=" us much as 25 per cent of total crop input costs.
      'This is why it is important to determine how much is "; S10[28]=" needed and when it should be applied.' Mr Lemon said with the varied seasonal conditions across the State, farmers needed to defer nitrogen application and "; S11[28]=" use available tools to select best likely rates.
      'To achieve potential yield and maintain protein in low rainfall zones, farmers need to "; S12[28]=" respond to high yielding seasonal conditions by applying additional nitrogen fertilizer,' he said.
      'Similarly, growers in medium and higher rainfall areas need "; S13[28]=" to delay nitrogen application to reduce the risk of nitrogen losses from water logging and leaching, and ensure the crop has good yield potential.' Mr "; S14[28]=" Lemon said nitrogen could be applied to cereal crops at any stage up to booting if later rainfall was likely to wash the fertiliser into "; S15[28]=" the root zone.
      'If seasonal conditions deteriorate after late nitrogen application, there is less yield loss and no increase in screenings from "; S16[28]=" booting nitrogen application compared to tillering application,' he said.
      Agribusiness Crop Updates are being held in Perth on 16-17 February.
    "; S17[28]="   Mr Lemon will also be presenting at the Esperance Crop Updates on 10 March... "; R[29]="482"; T[29]="New tool for prediciting potassium needs"; A[29]="By ... Editor"; Dn[29]="20060222"; Dt[29]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[29]="a03a24a46a92"; B1[29]="      The Department of Agriculture has developed a new method for grain growers to help predict potassium application needs for different seasonal situations..... "; B2[29]=" "; B3[29]=" "; B4[29]=" "; B5[29]=" "; S1[29]="      The Department of Agriculture has developed a new method for grain growers to help predict potassium application needs for different seasonal situations.
"; S2[29]="       The Potassium in Agricultural Systems Model (KASM), on show at the Department's Agribusiness Crop Updates this month, is a decision-support tool to "; S3[29]=" determine if growers need to apply potassium and if so, how much and how often.
      Department researcher Bill Bowden said the KASM "; S4[29]=" model was flexible and allowed users to address these potassium needs over a range of soil types, crops, rotations, yield potentials and rainfall zones.
  "; S5[29]="     'KASM simulates soil water, soil chemistry and root and shoot growth on a weekly basis,' Dr Bowden said.
      'It provides "; S6[29]=" a visual presentation for an individual situation, where the user can then determine the yield and profit consequences of different rates or timing of potassium "; S7[29]=" application.
      'KASM does not deliver recommended rates or strategies, but provides users with a framework for determining the best strategy for their "; S8[29]=" individual situation.' Dr Bowden said KASM could generate three types of output which were displayed graphically - short term analysis, animation and long term analysis.
"; S9[29]="       'In both the short-term and long-term analysis, growers can also compare two situations against the same initial data,' he said.
    "; S10[29]="   KASM is a weekly time-step, one dimensional soil-plant model developed in Microsoft Excel.
      It has been designed as a tool for "; S11[29]=" individual recommendations, group education and developing extension material.
      Further information on KASM will be available at the Agribusiness Crop Updates on February "; S12[29]=" 16-17, supported by the Grains Research and Development Corporation.
      For more information on dates and venues for Regional Crop Updates visit www.agric.wa.gov.au/cropupdates.. "; R[30]="469"; T[30]="Five years of ryegrass control"; A[30]="By ... Editor"; Dn[30]="20060222"; Dt[30]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[30]="a02a03a24a72a85"; B1[30]="      After five years of research in more than 30 focus paddocks, the Department of Agriculture stands behind integrated weed management (IWM) as "; B2[30]="a practical working solution to control ryegrass... "; B3[30]=" "; B4[30]=" "; B5[30]=" "; S1[30]="      After five years of research in more than 30 focus paddocks, the Department of Agriculture stands behind integrated weed management (IWM) as "; S2[30]=" a practical working solution to control ryegrass.
      Department researcher Peter Newman said the extensive project, funded by the Grains Research and Development "; S3[30]=" Corporation, would be discussed at the Department's Agribusiness Crop Updates next week and later at the Liebe, Mingenew and Geraldton Regional Updates.
      "; S4[30]=" Mr Newman said growers using a combination of herbicide and integrated weed management (IWM) techniques were achieving improved reygrass control despite high levels of herbicide "; S5[30]=" resistance.
      He said grower groups worked with the Departrment over the 2001 to 2005 seasons to evaluate IWM strategies, including pasture phase, "; S6[30]=" crop topping, windrow burning and herbicide application.
      'Growers helped monitor 33 focus paddocks for ryegrass numbers and farming practices, and were surveyed "; S7[30]=" in 2001 and 2005 to measure changes in their farming systems and IWM,' Mr Newman said.
      'Ryegrass numbers were generally reduced for "; S8[30]=" the majority of paddocks.
      Results showed ryegrass numbers decreased in 67 per cent of focus paddocks, increased in one paddock (3 per "; S9[30]=" cent) and stayed the same in the remaining 30 per cent.' Mr Newman said one of the biggest issues of weed management was the over-use "; S10[30]=" of herbicide.
      Widespread resistance to trifluralin would occur if growers relied entirely on this method of weed control.
      'Growers "; S11[30]=" who added IWM techniques such as pasture phase, crop topping and windrow burning generally managed to erode a ryegrass seed bank.
      This "; S12[30]=" reduced weed competition with the crop and reduced the pressure to use herbicides,' he said.
      'Crop topping of lupins to reduce seed "; S13[30]=" set of annual ryegrass was rated by growers as one of the most important IWM techniques.
      'Many growers said that crop topping "; S14[30]=" was beneficial to the rotation even where they felt that they did not crop top at the ideal time.' Mr Newman said rotating paddocks from "; S15[30]=" cropping to pasture and/or livestock was generally not popular with growers who had herbicide resistance problems as they made the majority of their income from "; S16[30]=" cropping.
      'However, many of the case studies showed that even one year of pasture would benefit the farming system,' he said.
  "; S17[30]="     'Several growers experienced improved crop yields where they included pasture in the farming system due to nutrition and disease implications as well as "; S18[30]=" improved weed control.' Mr Newman said the harvest management of weeds had also been adopted in large areas of Western Australia over the past five "; S19[30]=" years.
      'A survey relating to the 2004 harvest indicated that 50 per cent of growers were burning windrows to destroy weed seeds.
"; S20[30]="       This number is likely to be higher now,' he said.
      'This result shows that many growers are now looking.. "; R[31]="458"; T[31]="Fight against citrus canker succeeding"; A[31]="By ... Editor"; Dn[31]="20060222"; Dt[31]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[31]="a03a18a33"; B1[31]="      All residential and non-commercial citrus plants identified in the Emerald Pest Quarantine Area (PQA) have now been treated and removed, however the "; B2[31]="National Citrus Canker Eradication Program (NCCEP) is urging residents to remain vigilant... "; B3[31]=" "; B4[31]=" "; B5[31]=" "; S1[31]="      All residential and non-commercial citrus plants identified in the Emerald Pest Quarantine Area (PQA) have now been treated and removed, however the "; S2[31]=" National Citrus Canker Eradication Program (NCCEP) is urging residents to remain vigilant.
      DPI&F General Manager (Plant Biosecurity), Chris Adriaansen, said most of "; S3[31]=" the hard work had been completed and the program was on track for the declaration of citrus canker eradication by 2009.
      Replanting "; S4[31]=" of citrus is still likely to be permitted from July 2007.
      'Some 490,000 citrus trees have been destroyed by the NCCEP in "; S5[31]=" the PQA, an area of approximately 3,000 square kilometres centred on the township of Emerald in central Queensland,' he said 'The NCCEP has also destroyed "; S6[31]=" 175,000 native citrus or citrus glauca which are endemic to the area and are hosts to citrus canker,' he said.
      Mr Adriaansen "; S7[31]=" thanked Emerald residents for their cooperation and said that while he was extremely pleased with the program's outcomes to date, ongoing cooperation from Emerald growers "; S8[31]=" was still needed if the disease is to be eradicated.
      'We greatly appreciate the cooperation of the people of Emerald in the "; S9[31]=" battle against citrus canker - their efforts and sacrifice have contributed to the protection of the Australian citrus industry,' Mr Adriaansen said.
      "; S10[31]=" 'While the destruction of all commercial and residential citrus in the Emerald PQA has had a major impact on the growers and residents, the National "; S11[31]=" Consultative Committee remains confident this action will avoid the much longer-term devastation associated with citrus canker that has been the case overseas.' 'Emerald residents should "; S12[31]=" be aware that regrowth or germination of seed is susceptible to potential infection by the bacteria and, if found, must be removed to prevent any "; S13[31]=" chance of this disease recurring.
      So please be vigilant and report regrowth,' Mr Adriaansen said.
      'Research shows factors like "; S14[31]=" short-term survival in remnant plant litter and regrowth from seeds and suckers, a period of 18 months after the removal of potential hosts is required "; S15[31]=" before it is considered safe for growers to replant commercial citrus in the area,' he said.
      Mr Adriaansen said native citrus destruction "; S16[31]=" had been paused for a few weeks while the National Consultative Committee considered the risks that exist from the remaining citrus glauca in the PQA "; S17[31]=" and the most effective way to deal with this.
      'Once Consultative Committee completes its consideration of this, we will be continuing with "; S18[31]=" whatever action it recommends.
      This may be to recommence native citrus destruction or to limit the activity to surveillance over the next "; S19[31]=" 18 months'.
      If Emerald residents notice regrowth of citrus on or around their properties, or become aware of any citrus elsewhere in "; S20[31]=" the PQA, they should notify the NCCEP immediately on 13 25 23 to arrange for its removal... "; R[32]="393"; T[32]="Think before summer drenching sheep"; A[32]="By ... Editor"; Dn[32]="20060222"; Dt[32]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[32]="a02a03a25a33"; B1[32]="      Farmers are being reminded that summer drenching may not be necessary for every sheep, every year - and might increase drench resistance..... "; B2[32]=" "; B3[32]=" "; B4[32]=" "; B5[32]=" "; S1[32]="      Farmers are being reminded that summer drenching may not be necessary for every sheep, every year - and might increase drench resistance.
"; S2[32]="       Department veterinary officer Rob Woodgate said by monitoring worm levels and keeping watch on the condition of sheep, it was possible to "; S3[32]=" avoid broad spectrum summer drenching some mobs of mature ewes in many areas of the State.
      Recommendations for the control of Barber's "; S4[32]=" Pole worm have not changed and existing control strategies should be maintained.
      'Broad spectrum summer drenching places very high selection pressure on "; S5[32]=" sheep worms for drench resistance so by modifying summer drenching, the life of the remaining effective drenches will be prolonged,' Dr Woodgate said.
    "; S6[32]="   'This is critical as drench resistance in sheep worms in WA is increasing to dangerous levels, and there appears to be little chance of "; S7[32]=" new worm control products being released in the short to medium term.' Since 2001 Department staff have been monitoring worm levels using faecal worm egg "; S8[32]=" counts (WEC) on more than 20 farms throughout the State.
      Dr Woodgate said following collaboration with farmers, private vets and consultants, a "; S9[32]=" very good picture of worm levels and seasonal changes was being developed.
      'Ongoing research as part of the Australian Wool Innovation Limited's "; S10[32]=" (AWI) Integrated Parasite Management of Sheep project (IPM-s) suggested weaners and hoggets did need a summer drench.
      'These younger sheep have less "; S11[32]=" immunity against worms and are carrying the added stress of growing through their first summer, therefore a single fully effective summer drench to all of "; S12[32]=" the weaners is still recommended,' he said.
      Dr Woodgate said in older sheep, especially mature ewes older than 2.5 years, worm monitoring "; S13[32]=" could make a real difference to the selection pressure for drench resistance.
      'In all of our work, we have consistently found that "; S14[32]=" two-thirds or more of mature ewe mobs have an average egg count below 200 eggs per gram at the traditional time of the first summer "; S15[32]=" drench,' Dr Woodgate said.
      'If these sheep look in good health and the seasonal conditions are reasonable then summer drenching could be "; S16[32]=" avoided.
      The sheep should be watched over summer-autumn, and if they continue to look healthy, they can be left untreated.' Dr Woodgate "; S17[32]=" said the autumn WEC monitor (in late March or early April) was the key to the modified summer drenching system.
      After late "; S18[32]=" March, environmental conditions usually mean that some worm eggs are starting to survive on paddocks.
      This means that sheep could be seeding "; S19[32]=" the paddocks with significant levels of worm contaminationTherefore the worm egg counts of mobs that are not summer drenched should be checked no later than "; S20[32]=" the first week of April and a drench given if results are greater than about 200 eggs per gram... "; R[33]="382"; T[33]="Think before summer drenching sheep"; A[33]="By ... Editor"; Dn[33]="20060222"; Dt[33]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[33]="a02a03a25a33"; B1[33]="      Farmers are being reminded that summer drenching may not be necessary for every sheep, every year - and might increase drench resistance..... "; B2[33]=" "; B3[33]=" "; B4[33]=" "; B5[33]=" "; S1[33]="      Farmers are being reminded that summer drenching may not be necessary for every sheep, every year - and might increase drench resistance.
"; S2[33]="       Department veterinary officer Rob Woodgate said by monitoring worm levels and keeping watch on the condition of sheep, it was possible to "; S3[33]=" avoid broad spectrum summer drenching some mobs of mature ewes in many areas of the State.
      Recommendations for the control of Barber's "; S4[33]=" Pole worm have not changed and existing control strategies should be maintained.
      'Broad spectrum summer drenching places very high selection pressure on "; S5[33]=" sheep worms for drench resistance so by modifying summer drenching, the life of the remaining effective drenches will be prolonged,' Dr Woodgate said.
    "; S6[33]="   'This is critical as drench resistance in sheep worms in WA is increasing to dangerous levels, and there appears to be little chance of "; S7[33]=" new worm control products being released in the short to medium term.' Since 2001 Department staff have been monitoring worm levels using faecal worm egg "; S8[33]=" counts (WEC) on more than 20 farms throughout the State.
      Dr Woodgate said following collaboration with farmers, private vets and consultants, a "; S9[33]=" very good picture of worm levels and seasonal changes was being developed.
      'Ongoing research as part of the Australian Wool Innovation Limited's "; S10[33]=" (AWI) Integrated Parasite Management of Sheep project (IPM-s) suggested weaners and hoggets did need a summer drench.
      'These younger sheep have less "; S11[33]=" immunity against worms and are carrying the added stress of growing through their first summer, therefore a single fully effective summer drench to all of "; S12[33]=" the weaners is still recommended,' he said.
      Dr Woodgate said in older sheep, especially mature ewes older than 2.5 years, worm monitoring "; S13[33]=" could make a real difference to the selection pressure for drench resistance.
      'In all of our work, we have consistently found that "; S14[33]=" two-thirds or more of mature ewe mobs have an average egg count below 200 eggs per gram at the traditional time of the first summer "; S15[33]=" drench,' Dr Woodgate said.
      'If these sheep look in good health and the seasonal conditions are reasonable then summer drenching could be "; S16[33]=" avoided.
      The sheep should be watched over summer-autumn, and if they continue to look healthy, they can be left untreated.' Dr Woodgate "; S17[33]=" said the autumn WEC monitor (in late March or early April) was the key to the modified summer drenching system.
      After late "; S18[33]=" March, environmental conditions usually mean that some worm eggs are starting to survive on paddocks.
      This means that sheep could be seeding "; S19[33]=" the paddocks with significant levels of worm contaminationTherefore the worm egg counts of mobs that are not summer drenched should be checked no later than "; S20[33]=" the first week of April and a drench given if results are greater than about 200 eggs per gram... "; R[34]="373"; T[34]="Chemical spray drift campaign continues"; A[34]="By ... Editor"; Dn[34]="20060222"; Dt[34]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[34]="a03a42"; B1[34]="      Information and technology are being used to help reduce crop damage caused by spraying herbicides for weed control in the wrong weather "; B2[34]="conditions or with inappropriate equipment... "; B3[34]=" "; B4[34]=" "; B5[34]=" "; S1[34]="      Information and technology are being used to help reduce crop damage caused by spraying herbicides for weed control in the wrong weather "; S2[34]=" conditions or with inappropriate equipment.
      Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries regional inspector Geoff Cahill said about 5 per cent of the "; S3[34]=" cotton planted on the Darling Downs had been accidentally damaged by agricultural chemicals drifting off-target.
      Mr Cahill said most damage reports received "; S4[34]=" concern damage to cotton from the phenoxy group of herbicides such as 2,4-D, but there are other susceptible crops and other chemicals that can cause "; S5[34]=" problems, Mr Cahill said.
      He said the DPI&F, Cotton Australia and major chemical reseller Nufarm are working together to provide the latest "; S6[34]=" information on spray application techniques through workshops and in other ways.
      'Spray equipment suppliers report a brisk demand for new technology nozzles "; S7[34]=" that reduce the spray drift potential by putting out coarse and very coarse droplets.' Mr Cahill said where there was significant crop damage from spray "; S8[34]=" drift, some farmers had instigated legal action to recoup their losses through compensation claims.
      He said where negligence or contravention of chemical "; S9[34]=" label requirements could be demonstrated beyond reasonable doubt, offenders faced fines of up to $7000.
      The DPI&F had appointed additional inspectors to "; S10[34]=" investigate spray drift complaints, he said.
      Mr Cahill said for the first time label amendments are attached to all phenoxy herbicide containers "; S11[34]=" with information aimed at reducing susceptible crop damage.
      The attachments include information on unsuitable wind conditions for spraying and the appropriate spray "; S12[34]=" nozzles to use.
      He said one of the many precautions was to be aware of chemical sensitive crops in adjacent or down "; S13[34]=" wind areas and not to spray in conditions or with equipment or formulations that could cause drift damage to off-target crops.
      'Weather "; S14[34]=" is a critical factor in managing off-target movement of agricultural chemicals,' he said.
      'The best weather to spray in is a light, "; S15[34]=" steady wind in moderate temperatures.
      High humidity is a bonus because it reduces droplet evaporation.
      'The weather to avoid "; S16[34]=" is still or windy conditions, thermal inversions or when the wind is blowing towards a crop that can be damaged by the chemical being used,' "; S17[34]=" Mr Cahill said.
      'Remember always maintain control of all spraying operations.
      Stop spraying or stop the contractor if conditions "; S18[34]=" are not right' he said He said Queensland's grain and cotton industries and the DPI&F had joined forces last year to publish guidelines to reduce "; S19[34]=" spray drift.
      The four-page leaflet provided guidelines for pesticide applications and included a section on techniques to minimise the drift hazard, spray "; S20[34]=" buffers, and equipment selection.
      It also has a section on record keeping, spray nozzles and a guide to suitable and a guide.. "; R[35]="370"; T[35]="Long term solution to ovine Johne s disease (OJD)"; A[35]="By ... Editor"; Dn[35]="20060222"; Dt[35]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[35]="a03a25a33"; B1[35]="      Producers should focus on two preventative practices when it comes to effective long term management of ovine Johne s disease - vaccination "; B2[35]="and grazing management... "; B3[35]=" "; B4[35]=" "; B5[35]=" "; S1[35]="      Producers should focus on two preventative practices when it comes to effective long term management of ovine Johne's disease - vaccination and "; S2[35]=" grazing management.
      This was the key message presented at the recent MLA OJD Harvest Year Scientific Conference in Adelaide which was a "; S3[35]=" resounding success.
      The conference brought together R&D leaders from all over Australia to discuss the results of the national OJD research program, "; S4[35]=" co-funded by MLA.
      MLA funded research found that OJD is primarily spread when sheep graze in pastures contaminated with the manure of "; S5[35]=" infected animals, supporting recommended grazing management strategies which can reduce the level of infection within both vaccinated and non-vaccinated flocks.
      The research "; S6[35]=" also found that the only available vaccine, Gudair, can reduce the amount of OJD-causing bacteria found in sheep manure by 90%.
      Economic "; S7[35]=" losses can amount to $1/dry sheep equivalent (DSE)/year compared to the vaccine which costs 30 cents/DSE/year.
      A range of fact sheets, R&D "; S8[35]=" reports and information to manage OJD is available online at www.mla.com.au Proceedings of the MLA OJD Harvest Year conference are also available online... "; R[36]="365"; T[36]="US push for our clean gas exports"; A[36]="By ... Editor"; Dn[36]="20060222"; Dt[36]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[36]="a03a36"; B1[36]="      White House officials are working to clear the final barriers to the sale of billions of dollars worth of Australian gas to "; B2[36]="the US by the end of the decade... "; B3[36]=" "; B4[36]=" "; B5[36]=" "; S1[36]="      White House officials are working to clear the final barriers to the sale of billions of dollars worth of Australian gas to "; S2[36]=" the US by the end of the decade.
      Speaking ahead of crucial talks in Sydney this week on climate change and energy "; S3[36]=" markets, a senior Bush administration official said the US Government was keen to see Australian liquefied natural gas gain direct access to US customers for "; S4[36]=" the first time.
      Australian companies, such as BHP Billiton, have been lobbying for three years to win access to the US market, "; S5[36]=" with John Howard personally raising the issue with President George W.Bush and Californian Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
      However, concerns about the safety of "; S6[36]=" LNG have delayed approval for a massive terminal off the coast of California that would transfer Australian gas from ships for sale in the US.
"; S7[36]="       James Connaughton, Mr Bush's adviser on the environment, said at the weekend that the US Government was throwing its weight behind efforts "; S8[36]=" to clear the way for the sale.
      'Certainly, California is an abundant user of natural gas, however, the siting of these terminals "; S9[36]=" raises the same kinds of questions as do other activities off the coast of our shores,' he said, adding that he was hoping 'to work "; S10[36]=" through those'.
      Approval for the gas terminal -- 20km offshore from Oxnard, about 100km north of Los Angeles -- could have shipments "; S11[36]=" of Australian LNG sent to the US market by the end of the decade.
      Australian LNG, mostly from the giant fields off "; S12[36]=" the coast of Western Australia, will feature in talks between the two countries at this week's inaugural Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate conference "; S13[36]=" in Sydney.
      US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has pulled out of the meeting, citing the poor health of Israeli Prime Minister "; S14[36]=" Ariel Sharon.
      However, Mr Connaughton, US Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman and undersecretary for global affairs Paula Dobriansky will attend.
      "; S15[36]=" In a separate Sydney meeting, Mr Bodman and Australian Resources Minister Ian Macfarlane will be joined on Thursday by industry and government representatives at the "; S16[36]=" US-Australian energy exchange conference.
      The White House has stressed it wants trade and private sector investment opportunities to feature strongly at the "; S17[36]=" climate conference.
      Apart from Australia, the conference brings together the world's biggest economies and its biggest polluters -- the US, Japan, South "; S18[36]=" Korea, China and India -- as inaugural partners in the new climate pact.
      On Saturday, The Weekend Australian revealed that the "; S19[36]=" Prime Minister was considering a $100million injection to kick-start the adoption of clean energy technologies -- a focus of the climate partnership.
      "; S20[36]=" 'Natural gas is one of the cleaner of the fossil energy sources currently and so.. "; R[37]="364"; T[37]="Goats fleece sheep in new spin on yarn"; A[37]="By ... Editor"; Dn[37]="20060222"; Dt[37]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[37]="a03a31"; B1[37]="      Merinos might have once been the backbone of Australian farming, but mohair is making the money these days..... "; B2[37]=" "; B3[37]=" "; B4[37]=" "; B5[37]=" "; S1[37]="      Merinos might have once been the backbone of Australian farming, but mohair is making the money these days.
      Norman "; S2[37]=" McCrea runs merino sheep and goats, which produce mohair, on his property at The Gap, near Wagga Wagga in southern NSW.
      'I "; S3[37]=" have 500 merino ewes and 300 breeding does,' he says.
      'I earn more money from the goats, though there are an extra "; S4[37]=" 200 ewes.
      The goats are terrific, but the ewes are barely covering their costs.' While wool prices have been falling steadily, ending "; S5[37]=" the year with a market indicator price of just $6.33/kg clean, mohair has kept rising.
      It averaged a record $15.07/kg last year, "; S6[37]=" with the top-priced bale reaching $27/kg.
      Demand for wool might be languishing, but it seems the world can't get enough of mohair, "; S7[37]=" which is used in luxury and everyday clothing.
      Mr McCrea and his wife, Jean, became interested in goats 23 years ago.
  "; S8[37]="     The townie couple wanted a sea-change move to a farm.
      Now semi-retired from his engineering job, Mr McCrea has a "; S9[37]=" full-time occupation on his property.
      They started with feral goats and an angora buck.
      Now they have purebreds, with "; S10[37]=" genetic stock from Texas and South Africa.
      The result is denser, better-quality fleeces.
      'Our mohair is now being "; S11[37]=" recognised overseas as equal to the best,' Mr McCrea says.
      His aim is to breed finer-fleeced, hardy goats with good temperaments.
  "; S12[37]="     He doesn't mind horns -- 'they are good for catching them, very practical'.
      Goats 'are easy to herd.
    "; S13[37]="   They don't run like sheep'.
      The goats like to eat weeds and will clean up thistles and the weed Paterson's curse.
"; S14[37]="       And, contrary to the widespread belief, they just need ordinary -- but sound -- fences.
      A sheepdog, Toby, protects "; S15[37]=" the kids from the foxes that come in from the hills.
      Mr McCrea admits mohair prices have fluctuated, but says there has "; S16[37]=" always been a market.
      He reckons it was mohair that got them through the 1983-84 drought.
      'They were selling "; S17[37]=" mobs of sheep for $1, and we were getting $10 to $15 a head from the abattoirs, plus the fleece was roughly $13 per kilo,' "; S18[37]=" he says.
      Now he would like to see more sheep farmers moving into angora goats.
      'We are using the "; S19[37]=" same shearing sheds.
      We shear like we do with the sheep, with the same handpieces.
      And the market is "; S20[37]=" already there.' The goats are shorn twice a year, with fleece from kids.. "; R[38]="323"; T[38]="Review of wheat streak mosaic virus in WA"; A[38]="By ... Editor"; Dn[38]="20060222"; Dt[38]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[38]="a03a22a33a67"; B1[38]="      The Department of Agriculture is working with the local wheat industry to consider additional risk measures to prevent the establishment of wheat "; B2[38]="streak mosaic virus (WSMV) in the State... "; B3[38]=" "; B4[38]=" "; B5[38]=" "; S1[38]="      The Department of Agriculture is working with the local wheat industry to consider additional risk measures to prevent the establishment of wheat "; S2[38]=" streak mosaic virus (WSMV) in the State.
      The meetings were called following the recent discovery of severe infection of WSMV in crops "; S3[38]=" in NSW, clear evidence of seed transmission of the virus and its movement in wheat seed, in addition to indications of the widespread presence of "; S4[38]=" wheat streak mosaic virus vector mites in the Western Australian wheatbelt.
      Department of Agriculture principal plant virologist Roger Jones said the virus "; S5[38]=" was first detected in Australia in early 2002.
      'Wheat streak mosaic virus has not yet been found in Western Australia, but is "; S6[38]=" established in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland,' Dr Jones said.
      'Western Australia currently places restrictions "; S7[38]=" on the importation of known and potential wheat streak mosaic virus host plants and sweet corn seed to minimise the likelihood of introducing the virus "; S8[38]=" into the State,' he said.
      The virus has been known to cause yield losses in the Great Plains region of the United "; S9[38]=" States, and in other parts of the world such as the Middle East, Europe and North Africa.
      To gauge the virus's potential "; S10[38]=" to affect Western Australia's wheat production, Dr Jones recently visited NSW where wheat streak mosaic virus infection has caused severe damage over a wide area "; S11[38]=" of the state's high rainfall wheatbelt zone, from Coonabarabran in the north to Holbrook in the south.
      'Although the virus has not "; S12[38]=" been detected in the field in Western Australia, vector mites resembling wheat leaf curl mite, that can spreads the virus, are widespread in our wheatbelt,' "; S13[38]=" Dr Jones said.
      'These vector mites are also widespread in affected wheat growing areas of New South Wales,' he said.
    "; S14[38]="   Dr Jones said recent research demonstrated wheat streak mosaic virus is seed-borne, providing confirmation that the virus can be introduced to new locations by "; S15[38]=" sowing infected wheat seed.
      'To protect the State's wheat crops, measures are urgently being considered to minimise the risk of introducing the "; S16[38]=" virus with wheat seed.
      These include temporary restrictions on all wheat seed entering the State.
      'The development of a "; S17[38]=" rapid, labour-saving virus test for seed samples has also been considered in consultation with industry,' Dr Jones said... "; R[39]="315"; T[39]="MLA research finds long-term solution to ovine Johne s disease"; A[39]="By ... Editor"; Dn[39]="20060222"; Dt[39]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[39]="a02a03a25a27a33"; B1[39]="      When it comes to effective, long term management of ovine Johne s disease (OJD), producers should focus on two preventative practices - "; B2[39]="vaccination and grazing management... "; B3[39]=" "; B4[39]=" "; B5[39]=" "; S1[39]="      When it comes to effective, long term management of ovine Johne's disease (OJD), producers should focus on two preventative practices - vaccination "; S2[39]=" and grazing management.
      This was the key message presented at the recent MLA OJD Conference in Adelaide, which brought together R&D leaders "; S3[39]=" from all over Australia to discuss the results of a $10.5 million 10-year national OJD research program, co-funded by MLA.
      OJD is "; S4[39]=" a chronic wasting illness that has resulted in significant economic loss to Australia's sheep and wool industries over the past decade.
      "; S5[39]=" MLA Livestock Production Innovation general manager Dr Reuben Rose warned that OJD will continue to menace the industry unless producers can learn to manage it "; S6[39]=" effectively.
      'MLA's work into OJD has shown that a combination of grazing management and vaccination is the most effective way of controlling "; S7[39]=" OJD in the long-term.
      MLA-funded field trials found that vaccination can reduce OJD-related deaths in lambs by up to 90 per cent "; S8[39]=" but grazing management is an essential practice to prevent the spread of the disease,' Dr Rose said.
      MLA funded research found that "; S9[39]=" OJD is primarily spread when sheep graze in pastures contaminated with the manure of infected animals, supporting recommended grazing management strategies which can reduce the "; S10[39]=" level of infection within both vaccinated and non-vaccinated flocks.
      The research also found that use of the only available vaccine, Gudair, can "; S11[39]=" reduce the amount of OJD-causing bacteria found in sheep manure by 90 per cent.
      Economic losses can amount to $1/dry sheep equivalent "; S12[39]=" (DSE)/year compared to the vaccine which costs 30 cents/DSE/year.
      Rural Lands Protection Board Project Officer for the Central Tablelands in NSW, Dr "; S13[39]=" Jeff Eppleston said that the OJD field trials found that producers will benefit from the two-fold management approach.
      'With research confirming that "; S14[39]=" more than 6 per cent of adult sheep can die each year from OJD on infected farms, grazing management and vaccination is clearly the way "; S15[39]=" forward.
      We urge industry to take this practical two step solution back to the farming community,' Dr Eppleston said.
      "; S16[39]=" MLA plans to continue its world-leading research into OJD and has ongoing projects towards 2007.
      A range of fact sheets, R&D reports "; S17[39]=" and information to manage OJD are available on the MLA website: www.mla.com.au.
      Topics covered include grazing and pasture management and fact sheets "; S18[39]=" on how to identify and holistically manage the disease.
      This month's MLA ProGrazier magazine also includes detailed case studies and information on "; S19[39]=" the most effective methods to control OJD... "; R[40]="302"; T[40]="Environmentally friendly spray treatments"; A[40]="By ... Editor"; Dn[40]="20060222"; Dt[40]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[40]="a02a03a08a24a42a86"; B1[40]="      A Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries bean research project at Gympie has achieved good yields in trials using fewer more environmentally "; B2[40]="friendly spray applications which helped maintain beneficial insect populations... "; B3[40]=" "; B4[40]=" "; B5[40]=" "; S1[40]="      A Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries bean research project at Gympie has achieved good yields in trials using fewer more environmentally "; S2[40]=" friendly spray applications which helped maintain beneficial insect populations.
      DPI&F entomologist John Duff said the bean field day was held to mark "; S3[40]=" the end of trials at Martin Wilson's Lagoon Pocket property which were studying best management practices to reduce chemical sprays, promote beneficial insect populations and "; S4[40]=" most importantly, ensure good yields.
      He said Queensland produces about 40 percent of Australia's $60 million bean production with significant annual cropping "; S5[40]=" in Cooloola Shire.
      'DPI&F researchers were able to advise about 40 field day participants that using more environmentally friendly spray treatments that "; S6[40]=" have minimal impact on beneficial insects led to good bean yields and significant savings in spray treatments, grower labour and machinery operating costs,' Mr Duff "; S7[40]=" said.
      He said the trials found that applying 'Confidor' insecticide with seed during planting ensured bean plants were given early protection from "; S8[40]=" insect pests such as bean fly and silverleaf whitefly while control of jassid bugs was also good.
      'We found that the best "; S9[40]=" management option (BMO) trial maintained yields and provided good beneficial insect populations.
      'This was achieved through the use of both softer chemical "; S10[40]=" sprays and reduced spray applications, compared to bean crops which were given standard grower treatments including in the latest crop up to four applications of "; S11[40]=" insecticides plus several fungicide applications for rust control,' Mr Duff said.
      The field day was halted when a severe storm which cut "; S12[40]=" a swathe through the Mary Valley devastated sections of Mr Wilson's crop in the midst of harvesting... "; R[41]="298"; T[41]="Rust risk for 2006"; A[41]="By ... Editor"; Dn[41]="20060222"; Dt[41]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[41]="a02a03a22a33"; B1[41]="      Mild end-of-season conditions and frost damaged crops have contributed to a higher risk of stripe rust for most of the grainbelt next "; B2[41]="season... "; B3[41]=" "; B4[41]=" "; B5[41]=" "; S1[41]="      Mild end-of-season conditions and frost damaged crops have contributed to a higher risk of stripe rust for most of the grainbelt next "; S2[41]=" season.
      Department of Agriculture plant pathologist Geoff Thomas said the risk of stripe rust, and potentially stem rust, coming out of the "; S3[41]=" 2005 season was greater than at the same stage in 2004.
      Mr Thomas said the stripe rust risk in the northern agricultural "; S4[41]=" region should be lower than other areas of WA, and similar to recent seasons, unless summer and autumn rainfall activity directly affects the region.
  "; S5[41]="     The potential for rust outbreaks in 2006 should be considered as part of overall variety choice in conjunction with strategic pre-season fungicide use.
"; S6[41]="       'Continuing cool and damp conditions during October-November have prolonged the growing season in many areas of the wheatbelt,' Mr Thomas said.
  "; S7[41]="     'These conditions have allowed continued infection by cereal rust diseases, including stripe rust.
      As a result, despite a delayed appearance, "; S8[41]=" late stripe rust infection was widespread and ongoing late into the season, providing a background of inoculum for the 2006 season.
      'In "; S9[41]=" general, seasons with soft finishes followed by summer or autumn rain will favour the survival of rust inoculum and increase risks associated with early widespread "; S10[41]=" rust infection in the following season.
      The presence of late rust infection, can provide opportunities for greenbridge carry-over of rust if we "; S11[41]=" get summer and autumn rainfall.' Mr Thomas said the start to the 2005 season was characterised by a long dry period over summer, lasting from "; S12[41]=" the early finish to the 2004 season through to the end of March this year.
      As predicted this long dry spell was "; S13[41]=" unfavourable for carry-over of rust diseases and consequently rust occurrence in 2005 was around six weeks later than 2004.
      By that stage "; S14[41]=" most crops that became infected were after flag leaf emergence, when adult plant resistance of intermediate varieties was developing.
      Mr Thomas said "; S15[41]=" this season's frost damaged crops could also increase the risk from rust survival in summer.
      'In some areas frost affected crops have "; S16[41]=" re-shot, producing late green host plants for rust to survive on into the start of summer,' he said.
      'Growers can address some "; S17[41]=" of the risks by reducing plantings of very-susceptible and susceptible varieties to minimise the early incidence of infection, the rate of epidemic development and yield "; S18[41]=" losses from outbreaks next season.
      'Where possible, very susceptible varieties should be avoided or at the very least managed with preventative strategies "; S19[41]=" to address rust risk.
      These include use of appropriate seed dressing or in-furrow fungicides which have been proven to delay the onset "; S20[41]=" of rust infection.
      'The majority of initial stripe rust reports during recent seasons and in 2005 came from the most susceptible varieties.. "; R[42]="270"; T[42]="Disinfestation of stored comb by phosphine fumigation"; A[42]="By ... Editor"; Dn[42]="20060222"; Dt[42]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[42]="a03a31"; B1[42]="      NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) conducted trials which demonstrated 100% effectiveness of phosphine fumigation against all life-stages of the Small "; B2[42]="Hive Beetle... "; B3[42]=" "; B4[42]=" "; B5[42]=" "; S1[42]="      NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) conducted trials which demonstrated 100% effectiveness of phosphine fumigation against all life-stages of the Small "; S2[42]=" Hive Beetle.
      This information formed the basis of a permit application submitted by the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council to the Australian "; S3[42]=" Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) to extend the use of aluminium phosphide tablets to include the fumigation of stored comb etc.
      "; S4[42]=" This permit application is currently being considered by APVMA and it is hoped that bee keepers will soon have access to this effective disinfestation method.
"; S5[42]="       Three stacks each of five boxes of stored comb undergoing phosphine fumigation.
      Open stacks of boxes of stored comb "; S6[42]=" ready for phosphine fumigation inside a shipping container.
      Phosphine fumigation is already registered for disinfesting wax moth from stored comb and the "; S7[42]=" proposed use against Small Hive Beetle is identical to the existing use pattern.
      Note: combs containing honey must not be fumigated prior "; S8[42]=" to extraction.
      Traps for Small Hive Beetles Several traps that do not rely on any insecticides have been designed and evaluated.
  "; S9[42]="     Most rely on the beetles entering or falling through slots or holes in a horizontal screen or shallow box lid, into a reservoir "; S10[42]=" of vegetable oil.
      These may be useful for hives that remain in one place for extended periods but they can be difficult "; S11[42]=" and messy to move.
      One style of trap is being sold in the United States of America.
      You can "; S12[42]=" inspect the trap on http://www.gabees.com/catalog/385.htm Soil treatment to control Small Hive Beetle larvae Trials conducted by NSW DPI confirmed that permethrin was effective in killing "; S13[42]=" Small Hive Beetle larvae in soil, or larvae entering permethrin-treated soil to pupate.
      In May 2004 Pesticide Permit PER-7347 was renewed until "; S14[42]=" 31st May 2006 in New South Wales to allow bee keepers to use Farmoz Permex EC Residual Insecticide or any other product containing 500 g "; S15[42]=" L-1 as the only active ingredient to treat soil in front of hives.
      The application rate recommended is 4 L M-2 and "; S16[42]=" re-treatment every 30 days may be required... "; R[43]="266"; T[43]="Darling Downs Contract an Ethanol Milestone"; A[43]="By ... Editor"; Dn[43]="20060222"; Dt[43]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[43]="a03a36a66a94"; B1[43]="      Today marks a significant economic milestone in the development of an Australian ethanol market with the signing of the first major contract "; B2[43]="between a petroleum major and a greenfields ethanol project... "; B3[43]=" "; B4[43]=" "; B5[43]=" "; S1[43]="      Today marks a significant economic milestone in the development of an Australian ethanol market with the signing of the first major contract "; S2[43]=" between a petroleum major and a greenfields ethanol project.
      Australian Industry Minister and Member for the Darling Downs seat of Groom, Ian "; S3[43]=" Macfarlane, welcomed news of the contract between Caltex and the Dalby Bio-Refinery in south-east Queensland as a commercial victory for the ethanol sector.
    "; S4[43]="   'This investment has the potential to position Queensland, and regions like the Darling Downs, as the nation's ethanol hub.
      The demand "; S5[43]=" is there and, now as a result of the Caltex investment, production of the bio-fuel will also be a local process.' 'The future of the "; S6[43]=" ethanol industry must be demand-driven and I congratulate Dalby Bio-Refinery for taking a practical approach and finding a major off-take client for their product which "; S7[43]=" will be made from sorghum,' he said.
      Caltex today also announced the acquisition of Petro Fuels and Lubricants which has 11 sites "; S8[43]=" selling an ethanol 10 per cent unleaded blend, including service stations in Toowoomba on the Darling Downs.
      'This announcement has a number "; S9[43]=" of benefits for the Darling Downs region.
      Not only will the fuel be made from local grain, such as sorghum, but the "; S10[43]=" use of ethanol means a cheaper fuel for local drivers.' Local workers are also likely to gain from the hundreds of jobs to be created "; S11[43]=" in the construction of the bio-refinery.
      The refinery is expected to produce up to 40 million litres a year starting in early "; S12[43]=" 2007.
      'The Australian Government has made available more than $36 million in capital grants, $41 million in production grants and excise-free status "; S13[43]=" for the fuels until 2011 for existing and potential biodiesel and ethanol producers.' 'However, today, the ethanol sector has taken its first, fully commercial step "; S14[43]=" forward with the signing of this major, initial greenfield off-take agreement.' 'This signals a turning point in the development of a local ethanol market.
  "; S15[43]="     The future of the sector will continue to depend on consumer demand but local producers are now ready to prove their competitiveness,' said "; S16[43]=" Mr Macfarlane... "; R[44]="259"; T[44]="Resistance checks highlight drench effectiveness"; A[44]="By ... Editor"; Dn[44]="20060222"; Dt[44]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[44]="a03a25a26a27a31a72a86"; B1[44]="      On-farm testing has shown that even some of the newest drenches will not always provide good worm control in sheep..... "; B2[44]=" "; B3[44]=" "; B4[44]=" "; B5[44]=" "; S1[44]="      On-farm testing has shown that even some of the newest drenches will not always provide good worm control in sheep.
    "; S2[44]="   Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries IPM-sheep parasitologist Maxine Lyndal-Murphy said testing by the National Integrated Parasite Management-sheep project showed drenches with mectin as "; S3[44]=" their active ingredient are not always effective.
      She said with 28 demonstration properties acrossAustralia including four in Queensland, IPM-sheep promotes a mix "; S4[44]=" of various controls to manage worms better.
      'On-farm testing by IPM-sheep has shown many drenches are no longer killing worms efficiently and "; S5[44]=" many sheep are still carrying damaging worm burdens after drenching.
      'The only way for producers to be certain the sheep drenches they're "; S6[44]=" paying good money for are actually killing all, not just some worms, is to do a resistance check on their property,' Ms Lyndal-Murphy said.
  "; S7[44]="     She said the IPM-sheep group and the DPI&F's Wormbuster Laboratory last week demonstrated the best-practice options for drench products, based on the results "; S8[44]=" of an on-farm resistance check.
      The demonstration was at Ken, Fay, Hayden and Alyssa Eley's property Avondale, at The Gums.
    "; S9[44]="   During the demonstration, Ms Lyndal-Murphy said even with new multi-active drenches, producers needed to know the level at which the individual actives were working, "; S10[44]=" before choosing the most effective multi-active for their flock.
      'Resistance checks identify those drenches that are still active against worms and those "; S11[44]=" that are loosing their efficacy.
      'This can be very different from one property to the next, and that's why we recommend every "; S12[44]=" producer sets up his or her own resistance check, with summer being the ideal time to do it.' Ms Lyndal-Murphy said resistance checking ensured the "; S13[44]=" most economic outcome and limited productivity losses, while minimising drench resistance.
      The cost of a resistance check was generally much less than "; S14[44]=" the cost of using an ineffective drench and then having to re-muster and re-drench, she said.
      'If worms are not being effectively "; S15[44]=" killed off by drenching, the current warm, wet conditions increase the risk of clinical disease, productivity losses, breaks in the wool and sheep deaths.' Ms "; S16[44]=" Lyndal-Murphy said the multi-state Australian Wool Innovation-funded project IPM-sheep, is planning a major Parasite control towards 2010 field day covering worms, lice and flies at "; S17[44]=" the Inglewood Memorial Bowls Club on February 17 from 9.30am.
      'More information on the day is available from DPI&F senior technical officer "; S18[44]=" Wayne Ehrlich (3362 9595),' she said... "; R[45]="220"; T[45]="Be on the lookout for toxic meadow hay"; A[45]="By ... Editor"; Dn[45]="20060222"; Dt[45]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[45]="a02a03a24a33a72a85"; B1[45]="      The Department of Agriculture has advised WA livestock owners that meadow hay has the potential to cause annual ryegrass toxicity (ARGT) in "; B2[45]="livestock if it contains substantial quantities of ryegrass... "; B3[45]=" "; B4[45]=" "; B5[45]=" "; S1[45]="      The Department of Agriculture has advised WA livestock owners that meadow hay has the potential to cause annual ryegrass toxicity (ARGT) in "; S2[45]=" livestock if it contains substantial quantities of ryegrass.
      The warning coincides with the period that the current season's meadow hay is being "; S3[45]=" cut and baled, and the detection of yellow slime on ryegrass in some areas of the coastal strip.
      Department principal veterinary toxicologist "; S4[45]=" Jeremy Allen said that the presence of yellow slime indicated that the organisms that cause ARGT were present in the ryegrass and it may develop "; S5[45]=" toxicity.
      'However, in many cases ryegrass becomes toxic without the production of yellow slime, so not seeing it doesn't mean the ryegrass "; S6[45]=" is safe,' he said.
      Dr Allen said ARGT was a serious and usually fatal disease of livestock caused by the consumption of "; S7[45]=" annual ryegrass seed heads infected with a toxin-producing bacterium.
      'Although ARGT occurs mainly in spring when stock are grazed on pasture with "; S8[45]=" infected ryegrass seedheads, outbreaks can occur any time of the year from meadow hay containing the toxic seedheads.
      'Signs of poisoning may "; S9[45]=" include periods of weakness, loss of coordination, staggering, collapse, severe convulsions and eventual death.
      Occasionally animals may die before symptoms are noticed.' "; S10[45]=" The toxin is cumulative and signs do not appear until a near fatal dose is ingested.
      The time taken for clinical signs "; S11[45]=" to appear depends on the amount of hay or pasture being consumed and the amount of toxin present in the seedheads.
      Neil "; S12[45]=" Guise, the Department's district manager at Waroona, reminded landholders that several horses had died in this district from ARGT during 2005 following the feeding of "; S13[45]=" locally produced meadow hay.
      'I cannot stress enough to all landholders the risk of feeding meadow hay that contains ryegrass infected with "; S14[45]=" the toxin-producing bacterium.
      The safety of hay can be easily determined by a quick and cheap test and I strongly recommend that "; S15[45]=" this be done,' he said.
      Mr Guise advised that ryegrass/hay sampling and submission kits could be obtained from Department of Agriculture offices.
"; S16[45]="       There is a 50 per cent subsidy on the cost of testing any samples submitted via these kits before 18 November, due "; S17[45]=" to support from Meat and Livestock Australia.
      For more information on ARGT, or testing of ryegrass and hay, contact your local Department "; S18[45]=" of Agriculture office, the Department's Animal Health Laboratories in South Perth on 9368 3351 or the Small Landholder Information Service on 9733 7777... "; R[46]="192"; T[46]="Storm rains lift CQ cotton prospects"; A[46]="By ... Editor"; Dn[46]="20060222"; Dt[46]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[46]="a03a15a37a38a57a66"; B1[46]="      Excellent rainfall in the past two weeks across the Emerald Irrigation Area (EIA) has provided an incentive for some cotton growers to "; B2[46]="increase their crop plantings... "; B3[46]=" "; B4[46]=" "; B5[46]=" "; S1[46]="      Excellent rainfall in the past two weeks across the Emerald Irrigation Area (EIA) has provided an incentive for some cotton growers to "; S2[46]=" increase their crop plantings.
      Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries cotton development extension officer Doug Sands said the announced 40 per cent "; S3[46]=" irrigation water allocation from Fairbairn Dam had reduced the estimated 2005-06 season EIA planting to about 12,500 hectares which was 4000ha less than last year.
"; S4[46]="       Mr Sands, who works in cooperation with the Cotton Research Development Corporation, said that when the storm rains arrived, about one-third of "; S5[46]=" the Central Highlands crop had been planted and some 90 per cent of the Dawson-Callide crop had been sown.
      'With rainfall reports "; S6[46]=" now topping 175mm in total for some farms, a number of EIA growers will struggle to get planters into paddocks to sow the preferred transgenic "; S7[46]=" varieties before the industry registered cut-off date of November 13 for Bollgard II cotton,' Mr Sands said.
      'When this 42-day transgenic window "; S8[46]=" closes, EIA growers will only be allowed to plant conventional cotton varieties through to the end of December.' 'The transgenic cotton planting window for Dawson-Callide "; S9[46]=" growers closes on October 30 so any replanting following a soaking 200mm on many properties will be restricted to conventional cotton lines.
      "; S10[46]=" Mr Sands said the rain would boost soil moisture and enable growers to save some irrigation water.
      There was an expectation that "; S11[46]=" the Fairbairn dam level may improve.
      'Some downstream irrigators in the Dawson, Nogoa and Mackenzie Rivers have had an opportunity to water "; S12[46]=" harvest into off-stream ring tanks to further boost on-farm irrigation capacity,' Mr Sands said.
      Water-logging has occurred on a small percentage of "; S13[46]=" farms and some emerging cotton will have to be replanted.
      Hail storms have also damaged an estimated 1000ha within the EIA but "; S14[46]=" it is difficult to judge how much country will need to be planted at this stage... "; R[47]="183"; T[47]="Annual ryegrass toxicity moves northwards"; A[47]="By ... Editor"; Dn[47]="20060222"; Dt[47]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[47]="a03a24a33a67a85"; B1[47]="      The first case of Annual Ryegrass Toxicity (ARGT) for the year has been detected - 50km north of the usual risk areas "; B2[47]="... "; B3[47]=" "; B4[47]=" "; B5[47]=" "; S1[47]="      The first case of Annual Ryegrass Toxicity (ARGT) for the year has been detected - 50km north of the usual 'risk areas'.
"; S2[47]="       Until recently the danger area ranged from Three Springs and Perenjori in the North, down through Northam and Merredin and all the "; S3[47]=" way down to Cranbrook.
      There have also been cases reported in the Esperance area previously.
      The presence of ARGT "; S4[47]=" in previously 'clean' areas is a warning to producers who are grazing sheep, cattle and other stock including horses on pasture paddocks containing annual ryegrass "; S5[47]=" throughout the state.
      A farmer north west of Morawa has recently lost 20 calves and 10 adult breeder cows.
      "; S6[47]=" Farmers should be aware that ARGT can be spread by machinery and hay movement.
      Running water and strong summer wind can also "; S7[47]=" move the bacterium that causes ARGT.
      Producers are advised to implement a biosecurity plan to minimise the risk of this disease and "; S8[47]=" other pests, weeds, seeds and diseases being introduced onto their farms.
      Producers should also be alert for the signs of ARGT in "; S9[47]=" stock.
      Affected animals will develop nervous signs from four days to 12 weeks after the start of grazing on affected paddocks.
  "; S10[47]="     Initially stock may not want to move, or if they do move, they walk with a stiff-legged gait, they can collapse and convulse "; S11[47]=" when driven.
      Once you stop driving them they can settle down and appear to have recovered.
      When they are "; S12[47]=" resting they may stand with their legs wide apart, swaying and drooling from the mouth.
      Muscle twitching may also be apparent.
  "; S13[47]="     Animals can die from the convulsions, although some mildly affected animals can recover.
      Affected stock should be moved at their "; S14[47]=" own pace into a known safe paddock providing fresh water and good quality hay.
      Sick animals can be drenched with water to "; S15[47]=" avoid dehydration.
      After moving stock into the safe paddock the problem should decrease after seven days.
      If it is "; S16[47]=" not slowing down then producers should check for continued exposure to toxic plant material within the safe paddock.
      Producers should be on "; S17[47]=" the lookout for ARGT from early October in the Northern Region and from late October, early November in the Southern Region.
      A "; S18[47]=" second wave can also occur when animals are introduced onto infected stubble paddocks.
      Producers should also be aware that ARGT can occur "; S19[47]=" at any time of the year when feeding toxic hay or fodder to stock.
      Producers are advised to test paddocks for ARGT.
"; S20[47]="       Test kits are available from the Department of Agriculture and there is a subsidy for testing conducted before 18 November which will.. "; R[48]="181"; T[48]="The Use of Australian Honey in Moist Wound Management"; A[48]="By ... RIRDC W05/159"; Dn[48]="20060222"; Dt[48]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[48]="a03a09a31"; B1[48]="      The use of honey as a therapeutic agent dates to ancient times.
      More recently, there has been growing interest "; B2[48]="in this natural remedy, which has lead to legitimate scientific investigations... "; B3[48]=" "; B4[48]=" "; B5[48]=" "; S1[48]="      The use of honey as a therapeutic agent dates to ancient times.
      More recently, there has been growing interest "; S2[48]=" in this 'natural' remedy, which has lead to legitimate scientific investigations.
      Research has shown that particular honeys have very special healing properties.
"; S3[48]="       One group of honeys (Leptospermum honeys) have been described as 'the best natural antibiotic in the World'.
      Honeys have "; S4[48]=" been shown to be active against a diverse range of microorganisms and reports of the inhibitory effect of honey on specific microorganisms are numerous.
  "; S5[48]="     Honey has been shown to be effective against both Gram positive and Gram negative organisms, aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, as well as inhibiting "; S6[48]=" spore germination of Bacillus cereus.
      The sensitivity of different bacterial species and strains to honey is extremely variable.
      Honey "; S7[48]=" has also recently been shown to have an inhibitory effect against antibiotic resistant strains (e.g.
      golden Staph), which are frequently responsible for "; S8[48]=" postoperative wound infection in immunologically compromised patients.
      Much research effort has centred on establishing the properties of honey to which its antibacterial "; S9[48]=" activity may be attributed.
      Such factors as osmolarity, acidity, hydrogen peroxide content and chemical components of honey have all been considered to "; S10[48]=" contribute to the inhibition of bacterial growth.
      Honey is a highly saturated sugar solution which could suggest that this characteristic of honey "; S11[48]=" would convey an antimicrobial effect.
      The high concentration of sugars leaves very little available water for the growth of microorganisms.
    "; S12[48]="   However, the osmolarity of honey does not appear to be a major factor.
      The acidity of honey has also been suggested "; S13[48]=" to explain the antibacterial activity of honey.
      Honey contains many organic acids, predominantly gluconic acid produced from glucose by glucose oxidase, and "; S14[48]=" is characteristically acidic with pH 3.2 to 4.5.
      Although such an acidity level would be inhibitory to the growth of most bacterial "; S15[48]=" species, there appears to be no correlation between antibacterial activity and the acidity of the honey.
      There is much evidence to suggest "; S16[48]=" that the antibacterial activity of honey is due to more than the sugars present therein.
      Two major sources have been shown to "; S17[48]=" be responsible for the anti-microbial activity - hydrogen peroxide (from the bee) and uncharacterised chemical substances (from the floral source).
      Hydrogen peroxide "; S18[48]=" is known to have antimicrobial properties and can be removed efficiently by the addition of catalase to the honey prior to testing for antibacterial activity.
"; S19[48]="       This project has investigated the correlation between antimicrobial activity and the non-peroxide activity of particular Leptospermum-derived honeys.
      Initial investigations "; S20[48]=" tested the efficacy of these honeys against one particular bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus), while later studies assessed the effect of this honey on a range of.. "; R[49]="166"; T[49]="Green power needs a stronger puff"; A[49]="By ... Editor"; Dn[49]="20060222"; Dt[49]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[49]="a03a05a36a94"; B1[49]="      If it was down to the free market, the fields in Victoria and South Australia bristling with 90-metre-tall wind turbines would still "; B2[49]="just be grazing cows... "; B3[49]=" "; B4[49]=" "; B5[49]=" "; S1[49]="      If it was down to the free market, the fields in Victoria and South Australia bristling with 90-metre-tall wind turbines would still "; S2[49]=" just be grazing cows.
      Without government support the wind industry would not exist.
      In Australia wind power costs roughly "; S3[49]=" twice as much to generate as old-fashioned brown coal power.
      Wind is more competitive overseas but still far more expensive than fossil "; S4[49]=" fuel power.
      Nevertheless, wind has ballooned into a $13 billion global industry with the potential to double by 2010.Such is the demand "; S5[49]=" for new wind turbines that a new wind farm would be hard pressed to source a new turbine from manufacturers such as Vestas, Gamesa and "; S6[49]=" GE Power, before the end of 2007, according to Geoff Dutaillis, chief operating officer of Babcock & Brown Wind Partners.
      Last year "; S7[49]=" alone wind capacity in Australia nearly doubled from 198 megawatts to 380 megawatts.
      'Wind energy in Australia is now capable of meeting "; S8[49]=" the energy needs of more than all the homes in Canberra, whilst displacing over 1.5 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year, the equivalent "; S9[49]=" of taking 350,000 cars off the road,' said Libby Anthony, who was CEO of the Australian Wind Energy Association at the time of the announcement.
"; S10[49]="       At the same time as the global wind industry has exploded, Australian merchant bankers and investors, who are in the forefront of "; S11[49]=" investing in infrastructure globally, have also led the way in wind investment.
      Babcock & Brown, which has been the most active, has "; S12[49]=" invested in excess of $US3 billion ($4 billion) in the industry, according to the prospectus of Babcock & Brown Wind Partners, which listed on the "; S13[49]=" stock market last week.
      Also in the past week, Australian Gas Light company, which is demerging its energy retailing, bought wind and "; S14[49]=" hydro company Southern Hydro for what many considered a jaw dropping price of $1.4 billion.
      The underbidder came in at just $1 "; S15[49]=" billion, according to bankers.
      In July, Victoria-based industry superannuation fund Industry Fund Services acquired Pacific Hydro, another hydro and wind company, for "; S16[49]=" $788 million, around 20 times its earnings.
      The investment story is not just about rapid growth.
      Larger and higher "; S17[49]=" windmills, economies of scale for wind turbine manufacturers and better technology have reduced the costs of generating wind power by 80 per cent over the "; S18[49]=" past 25 years and those costs are expected to continue falling by 3-5 per cent annually.
      But they remain about twice as "; S19[49]=" expensive as coal and other sources of electricity generation, and they do include an important element of regulatory risk because the federal Government's current scheme, "; S20[49]=" encouraging the use of renewable power, will expire in 2020... ";