R[0]="3070"; T[0]="New technologies for beef management"; A[0]="By ... Editor"; Dn[0]="20040918"; Dt[0]="Saturday 18 September 2004"; Acats[0]="a27a55a93"; B1[0]="      Recently developed technologies are providing beef producers with unprecedented opportunities to build on existing market strengths.... "; B2[0]=" "; B3[0]=" "; B4[0]=" "; B5[0]=" "; S1[0]="      Recently developed technologies are providing beef producers with unprecedented opportunities to build on existing market strengths.
      Department of Primary "; S2[0]=" Industries and Fisheries beef extension officer Kay Taylor of Miles said that for cattle breeders and feeders, new and improved genetic technologies and management practices "; S3[0]=" would enhance precision production for market requirements.
      Ms Taylor said the DPI&F was holding CRC beef quality information days in southern and "; S4[0]=" Central Queensland to provide details of how the industry could use beef science to gain a competitive edge.
      Ms Taylor said the "; S5[0]=" southern Queensland New technologies for Beef Management Workshops would be held at: Roma AgForce Building, October 1; Miles Leichhardt Centre, October 12; Taroom Anglican Hall, "; S6[0]=" October 13; and Glenmorgan Bottle Tree Inn, October 14, with the Central Queensland workshops to follow later in the year Ms Taylor said beef "; S7[0]=" management advances included a greater understanding of how to improve attributes such as marbling, tenderness, retail beef yield, growth and feed conversion efficiency to produce "; S8[0]=" better beef products for all high quality markets.
      'As an example, many producers rightly identify temperament in their selection criteria but few "; S9[0]=" are able to be sure that the methods they use for selection of docile animals are a measure of the true genetic difference of those "; S10[0]=" animals.
      'These workshops will discuss selection methods and the measured impact of docile animals on herd performance,' she said.
    "; S11[0]="   Ms Taylor said a major breeding advance had been in world-first genetic selection methods such as using gene markers and an indicator of feed "; S12[0]=" efficiency to benefit property management.
      On the production side there was now evidence of how meat quality and feedlot performance could be "; S13[0]=" improved by making management changes.
      'Other management aids now available include genetic knowledge of how breeds and sires perform under different environmental "; S14[0]=" conditions and finishing systems, improved carcase quality EBVs via BREEDPLAN, and an understanding of how cattle growth at various stages can impact on subsequent growth, "; S15[0]=" carcase yield and meat quality.
      She said this improved knowledge making strong inroads into more productive, efficient and profitable beef production was "; S16[0]=" a result of more than 10 years of world-class research by the Beef Cooperative Research Centre.
      National Livestock Identification Scheme information would "; S17[0]=" be provided at the end of the Miles, Taroom and Glenmorgan venues.
      The Beef CRC information workshop would run from 8.30am to "; S18[0]=" 3pm with a BYO lunch, followed by NLIS information from 3.30pm to 5pm at the nominated centres.
      She said registrations could be "; S19[0]=" made at DPI&F offices at Miles (4628 5200) or Roma (4622 9999)... "; R[1]="3069"; T[1]="Bee power cuts plum breeding costs"; A[1]="By ... Editor"; Dn[1]="20040918"; Dt[1]="Saturday 18 September 2004"; Acats[1]="a18a55"; B1[1]="      The natural habits of bees are being harnessed in plum-breeding programs to slash the labour requirements of cross-pollinating experimental lines.... "; B2[1]=" "; B3[1]=" "; B4[1]=" "; B5[1]=" "; S1[1]="      The natural habits of bees are being harnessed in plum-breeding programs to slash the labour requirements of cross-pollinating experimental lines.
    "; S2[1]="   Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries district experimentalist Dougal Russell said that in the plum breeding program near Stanthorpe bees had replaced humans in "; S3[1]=" performing hybridisations by transferring pollen from male to female lines.
      Mr Russell said manual pollination was both tedious and time consuming, taking "; S4[1]=" about three hours to complete the job on up to 10,000 flowers on a mature plum tree, and repeated every second day while the tree "; S5[1]=" was flowering.
      'In a season we might cross-pollinate 150,000 flowers on 15-20 female parents, which makes hand pollination very expensive.
  "; S6[1]="     'Bees visit each flower three or four times in four hours for very little cost,' he said.
      Mr Russell said "; S7[1]=" plums differed from peaches in that they were not self-fruitful and needed pollinisers (male parents) placed at strategic intervals in commercial plantings for successful fruiting.
"; S8[1]="       'Peaches are self-fruitful, which in a planned crossing program means flowers have to be emasculated.' Mr Russell said to stop indiscriminate cross-pollination, "; S9[1]=" about 2000-3000 bees in a small nuclear hive were contained in a three metre high by two metre-square pollination tent under which a polliniser bouquet "; S10[1]=" of flowers was attached to the female seedling.
      The bouquets were made up of cuttings taken from selected lines and stored in "; S11[1]=" a glasshouse until needed.
      The bees were introduced in nuclear hives to each pollination tent and left for three or four days "; S12[1]=" to complete the pollen transfer.
      Because plums contained little nectar, the bees were fed a supplement of sugar syrup to maintain their "; S13[1]=" food supply.
      He said DPI&F apiculturist Peter Warhurst provided the bees and advice on their habits and care.
      Mr "; S14[1]=" Russell said there was an extensive plum-breeding program underway to produce better varieties for both growers and consumers... "; R[2]="3010"; T[2]="Support for dark fibre rating scheme"; A[2]="By ... Editor"; Dn[2]="20040903"; Dt[2]="Friday 3 September 2004"; Acats[2]="a25a55"; B1[2]="      The Department of Agriculture and the Australian Wool Testing Authority are working together to build confidence in the Dark and Medullated Fibre "; B2[2]="Risk (DMFR) scheme... "; B3[2]=" "; B4[2]=" "; B5[2]=" "; S1[2]="      The Department of Agriculture and the Australian Wool Testing Authority are working together to build confidence in the Dark and Medullated Fibre "; S2[2]=" Risk (DMFR) scheme.
      The scheme was developed in response to wool processors noticing increased levels of dark and medullated fibres in wool "; S3[2]=" tops produced from Australian Merino wool.
      The scheme is an initiative of the Federation of Australian Wool Organisations, and is backed by "; S4[2]=" the International Wool Textile Organisation and processors world wide who are concerned at the increased level of dark and medullated fibres in Australian Merino wool.
"; S5[2]="       The Department of Agriculture is investing $50,000 to test sale lots for dark and medullated fibres in order to build confidence in "; S6[2]=" the DMFR rating.
      Department sheep industries manager Mark Dolling said the WA project complemented an Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) project that was "; S7[2]=" surveying the incidence of dark and medullated fibres in the Australian wool clip.
      The AWI program will test about one per cent "; S8[2]=" of all lots sold throughout Australia.
      Dr Dolling said the voluntary DMFR scheme was introduced on 1 July and allowed professional wool "; S9[2]=" producers to inform processors about the quality of their clip.
      'There has already been a substantial uptake of the scheme by wool "; S10[2]=" producers across Australia,' Dr Dolling said.
      'It offers customers increased confidence that Australian Merino wool can meet their quality requirements by showing "; S11[2]=" that on-farm production has followed best practice in animal husbandry and clip preparation.
      The scheme assists buyers and processors to assemble processing "; S12[2]=" batches fit for purpose.' Dr Dolling said the joint project between the Department and the Australian Wool testing Authority (AWTA) would allow for the DMFR "; S13[2]=" rating to be compared with actual test results to build confidence in the scheme.
      He said the project would test more than "; S14[2]=" 1,000 sale lots using AWTA 'keeper' samples.
      The lots to be tested are selected on the basis of having an assigned DMFR "; S15[2]=" rating.
      'The testing is only focusing on WA wool to provide local wool producers with added assurances in the benefits of participating "; S16[2]=" in this important scheme,' he said.
      'We expect there will be many more professionally prepared clips with the DMFR rating as shearing "; S17[2]=" progresses during the season.' Apart from declaring the DMFR rating of the wool to buyers, the scheme benefits wool growers by ensuring their wool is "; S18[2]=" priced fairly, according to its real quality.
      Ultimately, the process can provide support for various wool separation methods and management systems... "; R[3]="3003"; T[3]="Fish help with tomatos"; A[3]="By ... Editor"; Dn[3]="20040903"; Dt[3]="Friday 3 September 2004"; Acats[3]="a17a55"; B1[3]="      Tomato plants grown with a fertiliser using waste from the seafood industry, was yet another example of primary industries working together and "; B2[3]="achieving better outcomes, Minister for Agriculture, Bob Cameron said today... "; B3[3]=" "; B4[3]=" "; B5[3]=" "; S1[3]="      Tomato plants grown with a fertiliser using waste from the seafood industry, was yet another example of primary industries working together and "; S2[3]=" achieving better outcomes, Minister for Agriculture, Bob Cameron said today.
      Mr Cameron said experiments over two seasons by Department of Primary Industries "; S3[3]=" (DPI) scientists found that fish waste - mixed with rock phosphate - delivered equivalent yields to tomato plants grown using traditional fertilisers.
      "; S4[3]=" 'This research is an exciting proposition given it is a potential win for the seafood industry, the agriculture industry and the environment,' Mr Cameron said.
"; S5[3]="       Estimates suggest south-eastern Australia's fish processing industry produces over 20,000 tonnes of fish waste.
      In some cases processors are "; S6[3]=" charged up to $150 per tonne for waste disposal.
      Data scientifically verified from two cropping seasons by DPI scientists concluded yields were "; S7[3]=" equivalent to those of superphosphate treated plots, and significantly greater than from the unfertilised control plants.
      'Another potential benefit of the fertiliser "; S8[3]=" is that it has met the standard for organic certification in New Zealand, enabling it to be used on both conventional and organic farms,' Mr "; S9[3]=" Cameron said.
      Project leader Dr Aravind Surapaneni said the fruit from the experiment was excellent.
      'The indices of fruit "; S10[3]=" quality for processing - fresh weight per fruit, soluble solids and pH - were completely unaffected by the use of fish-waste,' Dr Surapaneni said.
  "; S11[3]="     Dr Surapaneni explained that the plants grown with fish waste tended to establish more slowly - but then caught up to those grown "; S12[3]=" with superphosphate, adding that more experiments were needed to fully understand this crop response.
      The fish waste project is conducted by scientists "; S13[3]=" at Primary Industries Research Victoria (PIRVic) -DPI's research and development arm.
      The project is funded by the Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture Initiative and "; S14[3]=" the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation.
      PIRVic researchers are also experimenting with fish waste on a variety of other crops including pastures "; S15[3]=" and triticale.
      The studies on agronomic effectiveness of fish waste runs until 2005... "; R[4]="2999"; T[4]="State move to enforce cattle tags"; A[4]="By ... Editor"; Dn[4]="20040903"; Dt[4]="Friday 3 September 2004"; Acats[4]="a27a55"; B1[4]="      Queensland s herd of 10 million cattle will have to be fitted with electronic tracking devices from mid-2007.... "; B2[4]=" "; B3[4]=" "; B4[4]=" "; B5[4]=" "; S1[4]="      Queensland's herd of 10 million cattle will have to be fitted with electronic tracking devices from mid-2007.
      But "; S2[4]=" the State Government has agreed to a phase-in approach that allows graziers time to adopt new management plans and meet the cost of tagging.
  "; S3[4]="     From July only cattle moving to a destination other than an abattoir or live export will have to be tagged.
    "; S4[4]="   A year later, abattoir and export-bound cattle will have to wear the special eartag unless they are moving from the property of birth.
"; S5[4]="       But all cattle will have to be fitted from July 2007 as part of the national livestock identification system.
    "; S6[4]="   It is designed to electronically track a beast's movement until it is slaughtered or exported live as insurance against outbreaks of "; S7[4]=" disease such as mad cow.
      Premier Peter Beattie yesterday told Parliament: 'The scheme is necessary to protect Queensland's reputation as a "; S8[4]=" producer of clean products, and is not negotiable.
      'If there was an outbreak of mad cow disease in Perth, under the "; S9[4]=" current arrangements, the whole beef industry in Australia would be closed down.
      That does not make a lot of sense.' Graziers "; S10[4]=" will have an option of using eartags or bolus - a tracking device that lodges in a beast's stomach.
      Eartags cost "; S11[4]=" $3.50, but the State Government hopes to reduce this price by joining with other states to bulk-buy.
      The tags will be "; S12[4]=" read by scanners placed at saleyards and abattoirs, whose operators will get some financial assistance from the state.
      However the Government has "; S13[4]=" refused to subsidise the cost of the eartags.
      The tracking scheme is opposed by some graziers, while rural lobby group AgForce "; S14[4]=" has pushed for a voluntary market-driven approach.
      But AgForce cattle president Peter Kenny said that in view of the Government's decision "; S15[4]=" that the scheme would be compulsory, his organisation had secured the best deal for producers.
      'The phased-in approach means livestock producers "; S16[4]=" will save up to $80 million over the next two years,' he said.
      If AgForce had not agreed to the approach "; S17[4]=" in talks with Mr Beattie and Primary Industries Minister Henry Palaszczuk on Wednesday, producers would have been disadvantaged.
      '(National Livestock Identification "; S18[4]=" System) becomes mandatory in NSW from July next year,' Mr Kenny said... "; R[5]="2953"; T[5]="Sea sponge crop find"; A[5]="By ... Editor"; Dn[5]="20040818"; Dt[5]="Wednesday 18 August 2004"; Acats[5]="a34a55"; B1[5]="      Australia is about to muscle in on the world s bath-sponge market, with the discovery of a multitude of suitable sea sponge "; B2[5]="species in the waters of the Torres Strait.
      The $40 million industry was now supplied by natural colonies in the Mediterranean and "; B3[5]="Caribbean oceans, said Alan Duckworth, Australian Institute of Marine Science project leader... "; B4[5]=" "; B5[5]=" "; S1[5]="      Australia is about to muscle in on the world's bath-sponge market, with the discovery of a multitude of suitable sea sponge species "; S2[5]=" in the waters of the Torres Strait.
      The $40 million industry was now supplied by natural colonies in the Mediterranean and Caribbean "; S3[5]=" oceans, said Alan Duckworth, Australian Institute of Marine Science project leader.
      'But these regions have been over-harvested and hit by disease and "; S4[5]=" are unable to keep up with global demand,' he said.
      Dr Duckworth said the Torres Strait, above Cape York, might soon be "; S5[5]=" able to fill the void.
      Researchers had just returned from a two-week field trip scouring the ocean for sponge species.
    "; S6[5]="   He said they had uncovered 1600 species, with at least 30 suitable for use as bath sponges - 10 of which were previously unrecorded "; S7[5]=" by scientists.
      The cache was discovered after a two-year collaboration between the institute, CRC Torres Strait and Torres Strait Regional Authority.
  "; S8[5]="     The project, which had the potential to become a huge cash crop, would need the help of the Islander community to succeed, Dr "; S9[5]=" Duckworth said... "; R[6]="2952"; T[6]="Ecological engineering looks to companion planting"; A[6]="By ... Editor"; Dn[6]="20040818"; Dt[6]="Wednesday 18 August 2004"; Acats[6]="a55a85a86a93"; B1[6]="      Plant marigolds among the onions and wildflowers around the orchard to attract the good bugs and ward off the nasties, your green-thumbed "; B2[6]="grandmother might have said... "; B3[6]=" "; B4[6]=" "; B5[6]=" "; S1[6]="      Plant marigolds among the onions and wildflowers around the orchard to attract the good bugs and ward off the nasties, your green-thumbed "; S2[6]=" grandmother might have said.
      Well, it turns out all that well-intentioned gardening advice was more than just another old wives' tale.
  "; S3[6]="     Ecological engineering, or companion planting, is a blossoming science that is breaking out of the backyard to fight pests as they become more "; S4[6]=" resistant to commercial insecticides.
      'There's lots and lots of research and development going into genetic engineering, but that's not the only option "; S5[6]=" open to us,' said Geoff Gurr, associate professor of applied ecology at the University of Sydney's campus in Orange.
      'With ecological engineering, "; S6[6]=" we can use relatively simple techniques that are very inexpensive and also have a very low risk to both the environment and the consumer.' Professor "; S7[6]=" Gurr is studying examples of companion planting overseas, particularly in western Europe, and whether they are worth adapting in Australia.
      Results so "; S8[6]=" far are encouraging.
      In one program in Orange, borage flowers were planted in the margins of potato crops.
      Nectar "; S9[6]=" from the flowers sustained parasitic wasps to the extent they lived five times longer than normal and produced 10 times as many eggs.
    "; S10[6]="   The wasps laid their eggs in the bodies of potato moth caterpillars.
      The eggs hatched and the maggots consumed the caterpillar "; S11[6]=" from within.
      The real art, or science, is in determining which flowers work best with which crops.
      Ecological engineering "; S12[6]=" is one of the topics for discussion at the International Congress of Entomology in Brisbane this week.
      The Insect Olympics, as they "; S13[6]=" are known, will attract some 3000 scientists, most of them from overseas.
      Dick Copeman, a co-ordinator of the three-hectare Northey Street City "; S14[6]=" Farm on the fringe of Brisbane's CBD, has used companion planting successfully for 10 years as part of a complete crop management system.
    "; S15[6]="   'On its own it only has a certain degree of effectiveness, but it's one of a suite of strategies that can help,' he said... "; R[7]="2947"; T[7]="US study-tour reinforces SPX Patriot Sprayer reliability and performance"; A[7]="By ... Case IH"; Dn[7]="20040817"; Dt[7]="Tuesday 17 August 2004"; Acats[7]="a01a55"; B1[7]="      Case IH s Australian sprayer dealer group recently took part in an intensive, two-week-long study tour, visiting a host of Case IH "; B2[7]="North American manufacturing plants and component suppliers, dealers and customers... "; B3[7]=" "; B4[7]=" "; B5[7]=" "; S1[7]="      Case IH's Australian sprayer dealer group recently took part in an intensive, two-week-long study tour, visiting a host of Case IH North "; S2[7]=" American manufacturing plants and component suppliers, dealers and customers.
      Highlights of the tour included visits to the region's largest spray application "; S3[7]=" equipment dealer in Illinois and the Case IH Sprayer manufacturing plant in Benson, Minnesota, USA.
      The tour not only created an "; S4[7]=" opportunity for Australian dealers to share ideas among themselves and with their overseas peers, but enabled them to take part in the latest training offered "; S5[7]=" by engineering and spraying experts, at the Benson manufacturing plant.
      The customised training program focused on the newest model sprayer, the "; S6[7]=" SPX4410 and reaffirmed for the dealers, that they not only offer the latest in high-capacity self propelled spray technology through features like AIM Command, but "; S7[7]=" also have one of the most reliable and productive machines on the market.
      'Sprayers are highly specialised products - with critical "; S8[7]=" outcomes at stake for farmers - so ensuring our dealers have access to latest training is a priority,' said Adam Gatenby, Case IH Steiger, tillage, "; S9[7]=" seeding and spraying product manager.
      'Dealers not only learned first hand about the SPX4410's new features - including a new and "; S10[7]=" more powerful Tier II engine, advanced spray plumbing systems, and simplified serviceability - but they had the chance to register their feedback on Australian customer "; S11[7]=" requirements for consideration by engineers in the next generation of machines,' he said.
      Customer requirements now and in the future focus "; S12[7]=" on equipment reliability, efficiency and effectiveness.
      The proven reliability of the SPX sprayer was a common theme during the dealer and "; S13[7]=" customer visits.
      Jenner Sales Corp, is one of Case IH's largest spray application dealers, servicing over 500 Case IH self propelled sprayers "; S14[7]=" in their 500 square-kilometre territory in the US's mid-west region.
      The majority of their customers are spraying contractors and some machines they "; S15[7]=" service have 3,500 to 4,000 hours on them.
      They told the Australian dealers how they'd seen very few problems in their many "; S16[7]=" years dealing with the product and explained how the excellent reliability of the SPX was appreciated by their spray contractor customers.
      "; S17[7]=" While Australian and North American customers both demand reliability, the high take up rate of Case IH's AIM Command technology - an exclusive option on "; S18[7]=" the SPX4410 - suggests that Australian farmers are more concerned about the accuracy and timeliness of chemical application.
      As well, 'they understand "; S19[7]=" and place enormous value on the ability to manage the critical relationship between pressure, rate flow and speed in spraying applications.
      "; S20[7]=" 'In Australia, up to 70 per cent of sprayers are ordered with AIM Command, compared to 50 per cent in North America,' said Adam.
  "; S21[7]="     AIM Command's cutting-edge, pulse width modulation technology, allows operators to control spray pressure independently of ground speed, maximising productivity by delivering better "; S22[7]=" average field speeds, better timeliness of application, less chemical wastage and greater control over spray drift in a wide range of conditions.
      "; S23[7]=" The system is capable of locking on to a desired pressure, which allows the operator to specify a desired droplet size and select the "; S24[7]=" tip and pressure to produce the average droplet and maintain it throughout varying speeds.
      'Our dealers have returned from the study tour, "; S25[7]=" even more excited about what they already knew was leading edge spraying technology,' Adam commented.
      'They've been able share ideas, talk "; S26[7]=" to the experts and see the product first-hand being assembled, and as it moves through the final series of comprehensive quality and functionality tests before "; S27[7]=" coming off the production line.
      'The dealers are all pretty keen to get their hands on the new SPX 4410 Patriots "; S28[7]=" that have just started to come into the country to meet stock and retail orders.
      A number of dealers are also getting "; S29[7]=" ready for a busy demonstration season, so it's an ideal time to contact your regional Case IH Sprayer Dealer, with some pretty big early order "; S30[7]=" discounts on offer during August and September,' said Adam... "; R[8]="2932"; T[8]="New varieties and research update for field day"; A[8]="By ... Editor"; Dn[8]="20040811"; Dt[8]="Wednesday 11 August 2004"; Acats[8]="a19a55a81"; B1[8]="      A new lupin that s better than Belara and a new wheat variety are among the key features of a field day "; B2[8]="at the official opening of a new research annexe in Geraldton next week... "; B3[8]=" "; B4[8]=" "; B5[8]=" "; S1[8]="      A new lupin that's better than Belara and a new wheat variety are among the key features of a field day at "; S2[8]=" the official opening of a new research annexe in Geraldton next week.
      The field day is being run by the Department of "; S3[8]=" Agriculture with support from the Grains Research and Development Corporation and Cooperative Bulk Handling.
      Department regional manager Peter Metcalf said the day "; S4[8]=" had been organised to bring growers up to date with the latest news in crop breeding and agronomy from the Department.
      'Department "; S5[8]=" breeders and industry leaders will give presentations on noodle and ASW wheat varieties, new wheat varieties response to early sowing and Developments in IT and "; S6[8]=" TT Canola,' Mr Metcalfe said.
      'This would be followed by the Official Opening of Northern Sandp lain Research Annexe and the launch "; S7[8]=" of the lupin variety WALAN2141.
      'There will also be information on the soon to be launched wheat variety WAWHT2525A, agronomic packages for "; S8[8]=" new wheat varieties and herbicides for herbicide resistant management in lupins.' Mr Metcalfe said the day would conclude with a presentation by CBH chairman Robert "; S9[8]=" Sewell.
      It's a great opportunity for growers and industry representatives to see the outcomes of Department research first hand and receive information "; S10[8]=" about new varieties and systems that could directly benefit their farm business.
      The field day is at the Northern Sandplain Research Annexe, "; S11[8]=" Valentine Road Eradu (follow signs) from 10.45 am... "; R[9]="2923"; T[9]="Satellite images help with peanut harvest"; A[9]="By ... Editor"; Dn[9]="20040731"; Dt[9]="Saturday 31 July 2004"; Acats[9]="a18a19a55"; B1[9]="      High-resolution multi-spectral satellite images are helping Burnett peanut growers decide when their crops are mature and ready for harvest.... "; B2[9]=" "; B3[9]=" "; B4[9]=" "; B5[9]=" "; S1[9]="      High-resolution multi-spectral satellite images are helping Burnett peanut growers decide when their crops are mature and ready for harvest.
      "; S2[9]=" Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries principal agronomist Dr Graeme Wright and PhD scholar Andrew Robson said they had achieved excellent results using high resolution "; S3[9]=" commercially available images from the American-owned QuickBird satellite to provide timely and accurate advice on crop maturity and yields to peanut growers.
      "; S4[9]=" Dr Wright said that this season they had been able to provide selected farmers with between 90 and 99 per cent accuracy in predicting their "; S5[9]=" peanut crop maturity and yields using infrared and multi-spectral images from QuickBird.
      He said peanut farmers found it difficult to accurately determine "; S6[9]=" their crop maturity.
      'This is because of the crop's varying flowering patterns, the different environmental and soil factors for each crop, and "; S7[9]=" underground pod growth that makes regular visual assessment difficult.' He said harvesting peanuts at the wrong time could be an expensive exercise for growers and "; S8[9]=" lead to reduced nut yield and quality.
      There was also an increased risk of aflatoxin contamination in hot, dry years when conditions "; S9[9]=" were favourable for the Aspergillus flavus fungus to invade pods.
      Current methods for assessing crop yield and maturity relied on hands-on inspection "; S10[9]=" or direct sampling, which was limited to the number of pods sampled and evaluated.
      'This method does not take into account variations "; S11[9]=" in maturity that may occur across an entire peanut field.
      'Satellite imagery offered a cost-effective technique to assess this field variability and "; S12[9]=" provide field maps of maturity differences, which should assist growers make more informed harvesting decisions,' Dr Wright said.
      Mr Robson said a "; S13[9]=" QuickBird satellite image was acquired in April 2004 as part of his PhD project.
      The image covered 64 square kilometres over the "; S14[9]=" township of Wooroolin and seven peanut crops containing different peanut varieties grown under irrigated and rainfed conditions were selected from it.
      Using "; S15[9]=" sophisticated image processing software, he was able to separate these crops into five zones based on the amount of infrared light they reflected as a "; S16[9]=" measure of plant vigour, with the healthier parts of the crop reflecting more infrared light.
      The five zones were then assigned individual "; S17[9]=" colours ranging from high vigour red through yellow, green, blue to black, which showed the lowest vigour.
      Mr Robson said each of "; S18[9]=" these regions had hand picked samples taken before harvest to provide an estimate of crop maturity and pod yield.
      'From these results "; S19[9]=" we were able to provide growers with an estimate of the total pod yield from each field well before harvest,' Mr Robson said.
    "; S20[9]="   'The yield predictions were found to be within 10 per cent of the total yields growers delivered to the buying point.
      "; S21[9]=" 'The results for prediction of crop maturity were equally impressive.
      We were able to advise farmers with a 91 per cent accuracy "; S22[9]=" in fields under both irrigated and rainfed conditions,' he said.
      Mr Robson said the results had clearly shown that the QuickBird satellite "; S23[9]=" imagery could be a viable method for assessing and predicting maturity and final pod yields in peanuts.
      Major applications of this research "; S24[9]=" would assist growers to make better-informed decisions on optimal harvest times and provide options to segregate their crops if they saw large maturity variations even "; S25[9]=" within the same field... "; R[10]="2907"; T[10]="Bale feeders save money"; A[10]="By ... Editor"; Dn[10]="20040729"; Dt[10]="Thursday 29 July 2004"; Acats[10]="a01a25a26a27a55a72"; B1[10]="      Wool and sheep meat producers are set to benefit from a new bale feeder, developed by NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW "; B2[10]="DPI) researchers at Cowra, which boosts the profitability of supplementary feeding... "; B3[10]=" "; B4[10]=" "; B5[10]=" "; S1[10]="      Wool and sheep meat producers are set to benefit from a new bale feeder, developed by NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW "; S2[10]=" DPI) researchers at Cowra, which boosts the profitability of supplementary feeding.
      Research shows the Cowra bale feeder not only eliminates most of "; S3[10]=" the wastage that occurs, but also improves feed efficiency.
      Lambs fed lucerne pasture silage through the feeder had higher intakes and reached "; S4[10]=" the target weight some two weeks earlier, saving an estimated $4 per head in feed costs.
      However, the savings would be much "; S5[10]=" higher during times of drought when the price of feed escalates.
      Researchers working in conjunction with the Australian Sheep Industry Cooperative Research "; S6[10]=" Centre came up with the simple design after finding that wastage could be as high as 45 per cent.
      NSW DPI technical "; S7[10]=" officer, David Stanley, said wastage was caused by wet weather, urine, faeces and mud contamination.
      'Sheep are selective feeders and unless they "; S8[10]=" are starving they will avoid feed that is soiled or weather damaged,' Mr Stanley said.
      'Current methods of feeding are not terribly "; S9[10]=" efficient, partly because sheep have the particular problem of insufficient reach, especially when round or large square bales are place in normal round or fixed "; S10[10]=" width feeders.
      'Feeding in hay racks has also been shown to be wasteful, with the added problem of grass seeds in eyes "; S11[10]=" and increased vegetable fault in the wool if fed above head height.' He said limited access restricted intake and contributed to social stress - research "; S12[10]=" showing that 25 per cent of the mob should be able to feed at any time.
      There is always a need for "; S13[10]=" sheep to have roughage for correct rumen function.
      The amount can vary from 30 per cent to 100 per cent (for example, "; S14[10]=" full silage diets) depending on paddock feed, animal requirements and production goals.
      'Using the bale feeder, dry matter wastage dropped from 45 "; S15[10]=" per cent to seven per cent for round bales of lucerne pasture silage with six per cent barley seed heads,' Mr Stanley said.
    "; S16[10]="   'For pure round bales of lucerne silage the results show a reduction from 19 per cent to nil, and for pure large square bales "; S17[10]=" of lucerne hay the figure went from 29 per cent to one per cent.' The Cowra bale feeder is designed to be made by producers "; S18[10]=" or steel fabrication manufacturers and comes in two sizes, the smaller one holding one round bale of silage of hay or square bales of silage "; S19[10]=" (up to 1.5 metres long).
      The plans can be found in the publications section of the Sheep CRC web site at www.sheepcrc.org.au.
"; S20[10]="       Producers who feed mainly large square bales of hay (2.4 metres long) can use the larger version, which takes two round bales.
"; S21[10]="       One feeder is used for 100 to 200 sheep, depending on the size of the feeder and the level of supplementation.
  "; S22[10]="     The feeders are covered for weather protection and have a pivoting side to allow full access as the bale is eaten.
    "; S23[10]="   Removal bars, constructed from galvanised tubing, allow bales to be delivered with a set of forks and mean that the bale feeder can also "; S24[10]=" be used for cattle... "; R[11]="2873"; T[11]="NLIS demonstration at Southbrook"; A[11]="By ... Editor"; Dn[11]="20040722"; Dt[11]="Thursday 22 July 2004"; Acats[11]="a27a55"; B1[11]="      Cattle producers will have an opportunity to gain a greater understanding of the national livestock identification system (NLIS) at an information day "; B2[11]="to be held at Southbrook on the eastern Darling Downs on Friday, July 30... "; B3[11]=" "; B4[11]=" "; B5[11]=" "; S1[11]="      Cattle producers will have an opportunity to gain a greater understanding of the national livestock identification system (NLIS) at an information day "; S2[11]=" to be held at Southbrook on the eastern Darling Downs on Friday, July 30.
      Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries district stock "; S3[11]=" inspector Peter Leggett said the idea was to provide cattle producers with the latest information on NLIS and associated equipment, and opportunities to try it.
"; S4[11]="       Mr Leggett said the morning program would highlight the importance of NLIS to the cattle industry, followed by a discussion of the "; S5[11]=" practical aspects of its use, and access to trade displays.
      The information day would then move to an NLIS demonstration site at "; S6[11]=" Prestbury, the property of Rob McCreath, where Mr McCreath would talk of his experiences with NLIS, followed by a demonstration of the equipment needed, which "; S7[11]=" for most people was nothing more than the tags and a pair of applicator pliers.
      Other speakers will include Peter Leggett, NLIS "; S8[11]=" technical officer Doug McNaught and Pittsworth veterinarian Steven Fogarty.
      The information day starts at 8.30am and finishes at 1.30pm.
    "; S9[11]="   Cattle producers wishing to attend should register with the DPI&F (telephone 4669 0800 or fax 4662 4966).
      NLIS is Australia's "; S10[11]=" system of identifying and tracing livestock... "; R[12]="2859"; T[12]="New pasture legumes to suit"; A[12]="By ... Editor"; Dn[12]="20040721"; Dt[12]="Wednesday 21 July 2004"; Acats[12]="a24a55"; B1[12]="      The recent releases of nine new pasture varieties are set to benefit WA sheep producers using a wide range of farming systems.... "; B2[12]=" "; B3[12]=" "; B4[12]=" "; B5[12]=" "; S1[12]="      The recent releases of nine new pasture varieties are set to benefit WA sheep producers using a wide range of farming systems.
"; S2[12]="       Department of Agriculture research scientist Phil Nichols will present details of the new legume cultivars at the Agribusiness Sheep Updates in Perth "; S3[12]=" from 27-28 July.
      The Agribusiness Sheep Updates are an initiative of the Department with funding from Australian Wool Innovation and Meat and "; S4[12]=" Livestock Australia.
      Mr Nichols said the new legumes, released by the National Annual Pasture Legume Improvement Program, included four subterranean clovers, two "; S5[12]=" French Serradellas, one biserrula and two burr medics.
      He said seed of the new varieties, covered by Plant Breeders Rights, was expected "; S6[12]=" to be commercially available to producers next year.
      'Of the subterranean clovers, Izmir and Urana are hardseeded varieties suited to cropping rotations "; S7[12]=" in areas with less than 375 mm and 400-525 mm of rainfall, respectively,' Mr Nichols said.
      'Coolamon has resistance to both races "; S8[12]=" of clover scorch and performs best in 500-700 mm areas, while Napier is tolerant to waterlogging for areas with more than 750 mm of annual "; S9[12]=" rainfall.
      'Erica and Margurita are hardseeded French serradellas for 350-500 mm rainfall areas which, unlike Cadiz, can persist through cropping rotations..
  "; S10[12]="     'Mauro is a later flowering, softer-seeded biserrula than Casbah suited to 450-700mm rainfall areas.
      Scimitar and Cavalier are softer-seeded burr "; S11[12]=" medics suited to areas with more than 325mm and more than 425mm rainfall areas, respectively.' Mr Nichols said the new pasture legumes would increase the "; S12[12]=" options available to wool and sheep meat producers.
      'By increasing legume dominance of the pasture, the feeding value of the pasture is "; S13[12]=" increased with consequent benefits for animal production.
      Crops in rotation also benefit through increased nitrogen fixation,' he said.
      'Mixtures "; S14[12]=" of cultivars and species should also be used to provide a buffer against different seasonal effects and soil types within the paddock.' The latest information "; S15[12]=" on pasture research and development will be discussed at the Sheep Updates by leading industry speakers including the Department's Paul Sanford, Clinton Revell, Liu Anyou "; S16[12]=" and Lucy Anderton, and guest speakers Kelly Pierce of UWA and Gonz Mata of CSIRO.
      For more information about the Agribusiness Sheep "; S17[12]=" Updates and to register your interest go to www.agric.wa.gov.au/sheepupdates or contact your local Department of Agriculture... "; R[13]="2788"; T[13]="Cane and grain industries a good mix for ethanol production"; A[13]="By ... Editor"; Dn[13]="20040525"; Dt[13]="Tuesday 25 May 2004"; Acats[13]="a20a24a36a55"; B1[13]="      At an Australian Cane Farmers Association conference last week to consider the place of ethanol in the sugar industry, the delegates were "; B2[13]="informed Australia had to get going on ethanol production if it wanted to be part of the world trend... "; B3[13]=" "; B4[13]=" "; B5[13]=" "; S1[13]="      At an Australian Cane Farmers Association conference last week to consider the place of ethanol in the sugar industry, the delegates were "; S2[13]=" informed Australia had to get going on ethanol production if it wanted to be part of the world trend.
      Brazilian Trade "; S3[13]=" Commissioner to Australia Pedro da Cunha e Menezes pointed out the world price of oil would rise as its supply dwindled and ethanol was the "; S4[13]=" fuel that would replace it.
      However countries which have to depend on imports, such as Japan, were very wary of relying "; S5[13]=" on only one supplier and the Brazilian cane growing industry was keen to help Australia become a reliable alternative supplier, so countries could make the "; S6[13]=" change without worrying about supply difficulties.
      Dalby Bio-refinery Ltd ethanol project manager Bill Elliott told the gathering the cane and grain industries "; S7[13]=" could develop joint projects as the sugar juice could be used during the cane harvest and grain during the rest of the year as the "; S8[13]=" renewable resource for ethanol production... "; R[14]="2767"; T[14]="New tomato may be just what the doctor orders"; A[14]="By ... Editor"; Dn[14]="20040521"; Dt[14]="Friday 21 May 2004"; Acats[14]="a17a55a81a93"; B1[14]="      Consumers can look forward to a new tomato that not only looks and tastes good but could also have health benefits.... "; B2[14]=" "; B3[14]=" "; B4[14]=" "; B5[14]=" "; S1[14]="      Consumers can look forward to a new tomato that not only looks and tastes good but could also have health benefits.
  "; S2[14]="     Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries physiologist Tim O'Hare of Gatton said medical research was showing that diets rich in a food chemical "; S3[14]=" called lycopene could reduce the risks of prostate cancer, an increasingly important health issue for men.
      Dr O'Hare said while lycopene was "; S4[14]=" a powerful antioxidant it also gave tomatoes their red colour.
      He said as a result of the health research findings he was "; S5[14]=" working with horticulturist Des McGrath to develop a tomato variety with a much higher lycopene content than current commercial varieties.
      'We now "; S6[14]=" have experimental lines with three times the lycopene levels of normal tomatoes,' he said.
      'The stumbling block is that the lines are "; S7[14]=" unacceptable for commercial production because of brittle stems, poor germination and low yields.' Dr O'Hare said they were investigating a novel approach based on "; S8[14]=" whole plant physiology to overcome these drawbacks.
      'If our approach works, we will have developed a tomato plant that is identical "; S9[14]=" to normal tomatoes in every way apart from having three times the lycopene level.' He said the high lycopene tomato could then be used "; S10[14]=" as a parent for crossing into varieties with characteristics that suited growers, processors and consumers.
      Dr O'Hare said there were other fruits "; S11[14]=" that contained lycopene such as guava, watermelon and pink grapefruit, but at much lower concentrations than tomatoes.
      'Almost all the lycopene in "; S12[14]=" our diet comes from fresh tomatoes or products like tomato paste, sauce or canned tomatoes.
      He said the reported health benefits of "; S13[14]=" lycopene came partly from its ability to reduce cell damage thought to eventually cause prostate cancer and other health problems.
      He "; S14[14]=" said the initial experimental work to establish a suitable high-lycopene parent line would be done at Gatton and Bowen.
      Trials were underway, "; S15[14]=" with preliminary results looking promising... "; R[15]="2749"; T[15]="Science and innovation awards for young people"; A[15]="By ... Editor"; Dn[15]="20040518"; Dt[15]="Tuesday 18 May 2004"; Acats[15]="a53a55"; B1[15]="      Young Australians with ideas that use science, technology or innovation are urged to apply for grants of up to $8,000, the Parliamentary "; B2[15]="Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Judith Troeth, said today... "; B3[15]=" "; B4[15]=" "; B5[15]=" "; S1[15]="      Young Australians with ideas that use science, technology or innovation are urged to apply for grants of up to $8,000, the Parliamentary "; S2[15]=" Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Judith Troeth, said today.
      'The Science and Innovation Awards for Young People in Agriculture, "; S3[15]=" Fisheries and Forestry are closing soon, and I encourage all young Australians with an idea that could benefit Australia's benefit rural industries to apply today,' "; S4[15]=" Senator Troeth said.
      There are 17 awards available - eight state-based and nine industry awards - but entries are due by 31 "; S5[15]=" May 2004.
      The awards are open to people between the ages of 18 and 35 and include a prize of up to "; S6[15]=" $8,000 to help the winners complete a 12-month project.
      'Past projects that have received funding are as diverse as they are innovative, "; S7[15]=" and include:
      * building a full-scale tillage machine that puts stubble back into the field;
      * "; S8[15]=" investigating the value of using sugar cane as a fodder crop for cattle;
      * investigating the potential of using saline "; S9[15]=" groundwater in the aquaculture industry;
      * developing a DNA-based test to identify individual feral foxes in Tasmania;
    "; S10[15]="   * developing a hatchery protocol for the abalone industry;
      * using the Australian bustard as an ecological indicator of landscape "; S11[15]=" health; and
      * developing an information brochure for durum wheat growers.
      'These projects were undertaken by young Australians "; S12[15]=" from diverse backgrounds - from those working on the farm to those working in commercial laboratories.
      'The results have been innovative "; S13[15]=" and effective, but perhaps even more importantly, everyone wins - the award winners have an opportunity to build on their practical skills, and their industries "; S14[15]=" gain access to some remarkable projects.' The Awards are an initiative of the Australian Government and sponsored by nine of the country's rural R&D Corporations "; S15[15]=" (RDCs).
      The 2004 industry awards sponsors are: Australian Wool Innovation, Land & Water Australia, Grains RDC, Fisheries RDC, Forest & Wood Products "; S16[15]=" RDC, Sugar RDC, the Rural Industries RDC, Grape & Wine RDC and Meat and Livestock Australia.
      Entries close on 31 May "; S17[15]=" 2004, and application forms are available on-line at www.daff.gov.au/scienceawards For help on how to apply, or details on previous winners and projects, call the "; S18[15]=" Bureau of Rural Sciences (BRS) on (02) 6272 5223 or 0438 630 491.
      BRS will be coordinating the awards and is "; S19[15]=" part of the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
      BRS provides scientific advice to policy makers on matters relating to "; S20[15]=" rural and regional Australia... "; R[16]="2724"; T[16]="Victorian innovation a winnner"; A[16]="By ... Editor"; Dn[16]="20040513"; Dt[16]="Thursday 13 May 2004"; Acats[16]="a46a55a65"; B1[16]="      Minister for Information and Communication Technology, Marsha Thomson, today congratulated local Victorian eLearning company myinternet Limited for winning the Australian Information Industry "; B2[16]="Association s prestigious iAward for Innovation in Software... "; B3[16]=" "; B4[16]=" "; B5[16]=" "; S1[16]="      Minister for Information and Communication Technology, Marsha Thomson, today congratulated local Victorian eLearning company myinternet Limited for winning the Australian Information Industry "; S2[16]=" Association's prestigious iAward for Innovation in Software.
      Ms Thomson said that the latest success for the Melbourne-based company myinternet was for developing "; S3[16]=" myclasses, a Virtual Learning Environment for teachers.
      'The iAward success is acknowledgement that myinternet is developing innovative, exportable software,' said Ms Thomson.
"; S4[16]="       'The Bracks Government is committed to nurturing Victoria's eLearning companies such as myinternet because while they may be small, they represent an "; S5[16]=" activity of significant value,' Ms Thomson said.
      Ms Thomson said she had recently launched a new strategy World Class Business - Growing "; S6[16]=" Victoria's eLearning Industry to grow Victoria's small but significant eLearning industry 'Our World Class Business strategy to grow this industry focuses action in three areas: "; S7[16]=" promoting collaboration, stimulating local demand and improving global competitiveness.
      'The strategy will provide our eLearning sector with firm direction for growth into "; S8[16]=" the future.' Ms Thomson said the Victorian Government had supported myinternet in a number of ways including featuring the company as part of the eLearning "; S9[16]=" strategy, showcasing it internationally as part of the Spotlight on Victoria program and through the Victorian eLearning Network.
      Recent industry statistics show "; S10[16]=" that in total, Victoria's eLearning companies earned between $150 million to $170 million in the 2002/2003 financial year.
      Ms Thomson said that "; S11[16]=" while this figure represented only about 1 per cent of the total revenue earned by the Victorian ICT industry, the scope for growth for the "; S12[16]=" eLearning sector is enormous.
      'eLearning is becoming big business because increasingly it is being used to offer students - whether in schools, "; S13[16]=" tertiary institutions or the workplace - more flexible ways to achieve the best possible learning outcomes,' Ms Thomson said.
      'myclasses is just "; S14[16]=" such a product, offering teachers real benefits in their everyday teaching practice.
      'myinternet is obviously getting it right, managing to double its "; S15[16]=" exports during the past year, with the United Kingdom its fastest growing market.
      'Our ICT strengths combined with this state's national leadership "; S16[16]=" in education makes Victoria the ideal place for eLearning activities.' World Class Business - Growing Victoria's eLearning Industry is part of the Bracks Government's strategy "; S17[16]=" for growing the ICT industry, Growing Tomorrow's Industries Today.
      For further details, go to http://www.mmv.vic.gov.au/elearning or to find out more about myinternet "; S18[16]=" go to http://www.myinternet.com.au.. "; R[17]="2693"; T[17]="World s leading sorghum research on show at Biloela"; A[17]="By ... Editor"; Dn[17]="20040508"; Dt[17]="Saturday 8 May 2004"; Acats[17]="a55a79a93"; B1[17]="      Every aspect of the Australian Sorghum Research Program will be on show at a May 25 field day at Biloela Research Station "; B2[17]="to highlight the latest advances in sorghum research and development... "; B3[17]=" "; B4[17]=" "; B5[17]=" "; S1[17]="      Every aspect of the Australian Sorghum Research Program will be on show at a May 25 field day at Biloela Research Station "; S2[17]=" to highlight the latest advances in sorghum research and development.
      This includes Australia's unique world leading science behind the midge resistant testing "; S3[17]=" scheme that has recently been expanded to allow for the production of midge resistant hybrids that are virtually immune to midge insect damage.
    "; S4[17]="   Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries principal plant breeder Dr Bob Henzell said an open invitation had been extended to all interested people to "; S5[17]=" enable them to meet national sorghum research team members attending the 2-5pm field day.
      Based at DPI&F's Warwick district Hermitage Research Station, "; S6[17]=" Dr Henzell and Dr David Jordan oversee the sorghum plant breeding research program established 45 years ago.
      Access to irrigation at Biloela "; S7[17]=" has brought more than 3000 sorghum breeding lines to the research station in response to an industry quest for superior, high yielding hybrids.
    "; S8[17]="   Dr Henzell, Dr Jordan and Biloela's scientific assistant Gerry Bunker were now 12 months into the five-year Grains Research and Development-funded project to maximise "; S9[17]=" yield.
      'Field day visitors will be able to fully appreciate our plant breeding objectives to diversify the current gene pool by incorporating "; S10[17]=" sorghum plant material from Africa, India, China, Central America and the United States plus the use of Australian native sorghums,' Dr Jordan said.
    "; S11[17]="   Dr Jordan said talks and demonstrations would focus on the on-going research into midge resistance, stay green physiology (drought resistance), ergot fungal disease resistance, "; S12[17]=" feed grain quality, genetic engineering prospects and skip row agronomic research in conjunction with water use efficiency risk management.' Dr Andrew Borrell would discuss his "; S13[17]=" international role to identify and understand the function of the stay green genes derived from the B35 Ethiopian sorghum line and Dr Malcolm Ryley would "; S14[17]=" outline the various sorghum ergot projects including sources of resistance and crop management to minimise infection.
      Dr Graeme Hammer's agronomic project was "; S15[17]=" aimed at increasing crop yield and stability under limited soil moisture conditions with the main focus in skip row farming and Barbara George-Jaeggli would explore "; S16[17]=" the relationship between increased crop height and increased yield.
      DPI&F molecular biologist Adam Harvey would explain the science behind the midge resistant "; S17[17]=" rating scheme that gives Australian grain sorghum growers access to the best midge resistance hybrids in the world.
      Dr Jordan said researchers "; S18[17]=" were taking this work further by attempting to unlock the genetic code of potentially novel resistance mechanism.
      It was envisaged that this "; S19[17]=" code might then be incorporated into current sorghum hybrids to dramatically boost midge resistance levels.
      These genes may also be useful against "; S20[17]=" other fly pests if deployed in crops other than sorghum.
      University of Queensland researcher Dr Ian Godwin would be on hand to "; S21[17]=" outline his work with genetic engineering and the prospects for genetically engineered sorghum.
      The field day would also provide an opportunity to "; S22[17]=" review and inspect the millet and guar grain research trials with Dr Peter Lawrence and Col Douglas... "; R[18]="2688"; T[18]="Sugar growers seek interest in bioplastic business"; A[18]="By ... Editor"; Dn[18]="20040506"; Dt[18]="Thursday 6 May 2004"; Acats[18]="a20a55a93"; B1[18]="      Mackay sugar producers are hopeful the Federal Government s industry assistance package will renew interest and encourage wider support for the establishment "; B2[18]="of a local bioplastic resin factory... "; B3[18]=" "; B4[18]=" "; B5[18]=" "; S1[18]="      Mackay sugar producers are hopeful the Federal Government's industry assistance package will renew interest and encourage wider support for the establishment of "; S2[18]=" a local bioplastic resin factory.
      Mackay resident John Galea says he and other cane growers have committed 250,000 tonnes of product to "; S3[18]=" be made into biodegradable, sugar-derived plastic bags.
      He is confident the factory will be built next year and says proponents of the "; S4[18]=" initiative have promised to pay about $40 a tonne for their product.
      Mr Galea says growers have no choice but to consider "; S5[18]=" alternatives to current industry practices.
      'Without value adding we're doomed, simple as that,' he said.
      'I mean the Government "; S6[18]=" hasn't really done too much for us and the money that's available there won't save the industry.
      'If we don't take our "; S7[18]=" own destiny into our own hands we won't go anywhere, even with the Government package.'.. "; R[19]="2673"; T[19]="FLAX - Cottonised fibre from linseed stalks"; A[19]="By ... Editor"; Dn[19]="20040503"; Dt[19]="Monday 3 May 2004"; Acats[19]="a55a81"; B1[19]="      In a new RIRDC research project attempts were made to convert the waste stalks of linseed, a shorter multi-stemmed variety of flax, "; B2[19]="into high value fibre that could be processed on cotton machinery into yarn and textiles... "; B3[19]=" "; B4[19]=" "; B5[19]=" "; S1[19]="      In a new RIRDC research project attempts were made to convert the waste stalks of linseed, a shorter multi-stemmed variety of flax, "; S2[19]=" into high value fibre that could be processed on cotton machinery into yarn and textiles.
      A tall variety of flax is used "; S3[19]=" in the production of linen fabrics.
      Flax is a bast fibre which means that the good fibre comes from a ring of "; S4[19]=" re-inforcing in the stem of the plant.
      The conventional flax processing system breaks the re-inforcing down into metre long strands of fibres.
"; S5[19]="       These strands are actually bundles of overlapping shorter finer fibres that are glued together.
      The equipment and processing steps "; S6[19]=" to handle the long fibre is labour intensive and antiquated.
      The aim was to avoid all this by breaking down the linseed "; S7[19]=" stalks into their finest components and then process the fibre on cotton machinery.
      Cotton is still the dominant fibre globally and its "; S8[19]=" processing is the most advanced and automated and 'cottonising' the linseed would potentially open up enormous opportunities.
      The chosen route was to "; S9[19]=" work in with the Flax Company of Australia who were commisioning some innovative machinery for shredding the stalks in a way that separates much of "; S10[19]=" the woody core from the bast fibre.
      The stalks, as with conventional flax processing, had been allowed to ret, partially break down "; S11[19]=" in the field, which aids separation.
      The aim was to establish a method for 'cottonising' the linseed and to prepare fibre for "; S12[19]=" a commercial cotton spinner (A.W.
      Spinning Pty Ltd) to turn into yarn on the rotor spinning system and have customers evaluate the "; S13[19]=" suitability of the yarns.
      Although a fibre that was judged as nearly spinnable was produced the efforts were eventually halted when it "; S14[19]=" was found that fully individualised fibre of all the varieties examined was too short to be spun without blending with a long cotton or synthetic.
"; S15[19]="       It appeared likely that this fibre would also be more expensive than cotton and the production of suitable fibre in more than "; S16[19]=" kilogram quantities would require further development and capital investment.
      However, a number of achievements were made which could help improve linseed fibre, "; S17[19]=" or other bast fibre, for use in alternative applications, or provide a means to produce higher quality 'cottonised' fibre from flax or hemp.
    "; S18[19]="   These included: - methods and machinery to remove most of the woody non-fibrous contaminants while minimising fibre breakage using wool carding machinery - a "; S19[19]=" method to form the card web into a sliver strong enough for further processing - chemical recipes to break down the glues and bleach the "; S20[19]=" fibres without significant damage - a rapid chemical treatment that could be carried out continuously with modest equipment - means to greatly increase fibre individualisation "; S21[19]=" by combining chemical and mechanical treatments - the determination of suitable softeners for inhibiting re-glueing of fibres on drying.
      These developments enabled "; S22[19]=" the linseed stalks to be turned into a clean white product of excellent strength and of the finest diameter for bast fibre reported in the "; S23[19]=" textile literature... "; R[20]="2621"; T[20]="Free range gourmet snails - they re coming soon"; A[20]="By ... Editor"; Dn[20]="20040424"; Dt[20]="Saturday 24 April 2004"; Acats[20]="a31a55a93"; B1[20]="      Free range snail farming could be a viable production method for the fledgling edible snail industry in Australia, according to a new "; B2[20]="booklet from the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC)... "; B3[20]=" "; B4[20]=" "; B5[20]=" "; S1[20]="      Free range snail farming could be a viable production method for the fledgling edible snail industry in Australia, according to a new "; S2[20]=" booklet from the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC).
      Titled Farming Edible Snails- lessons from Italy, the report describes techniques for "; S3[20]=" production of edible snails and is based on information gathered in Europe by Orange-based (NSW) snail grower Sonia Begg.
      A major finding "; S4[20]=" is that 'pasture production' or 'free-range' systems could replace the labour-intensive and time-consuming production systems currently in use in Australia.
      Sonia said "; S5[20]=" the information and photos in this report were gathered in Northern Italy in September least year while attending the International Snail Farming Institute and the "; S6[20]=" 32nd Conference of International Snail Farmers.
      'During the last 30 years in Italy, snail farming has moved from a small cottage industry "; S7[20]=" to a large-scale, agricultural farming enterprise,' she said.
      'For many years in Italy and other parts of Europe, snails were collected from "; S8[20]=" the wild.
      This activity led to diminished numbers of snails in their natural habitat, so an embargo was placed on collection of "; S9[20]=" wild snails.
      'In Italy today, wild snails are no longer considered as a food source as stringent health regulations are now in "; S10[20]=" place.
      This is necessary to protect the consumer against collected snails that may have ingested toxic plants or potentially harmful chemicals.' After "; S11[20]=" years of experimentation and trials for housing and breeding, the current Italian method of raising Helix species of snails in open areas of 'pasture production' "; S12[20]=" has proved to be less labour intensive and more cost effective than growing snails indoors or in greenhouses, she said On-going overheads are lower compared "; S13[20]=" to the indoor or greenhouse production, as the main costs are only for seeds and the labour for ground preparation and sowing the vegetable crops.
"; S14[20]="       The reports builds on information contained in an earlier RIRDC publication titled Breeding and Growing Snails commercially in Australia, which found there "; S15[20]=" was potential for the establishment of a commercial snail industry in this country.
      That report detailed intensive production methods using beds and "; S16[20]=" also management of humidity and other environmental variables.
      Breeding and Growing Snails commercially in Australia has been the most-downloaded report from the "; S17[20]=" RIRDC website every month for more than two years, which is no mean feat given the site has more than 1000 reports and receives more "; S18[20]=" than 600,000 hits per month.
      Copies of most RIRDC reports can be downloaded free of charge from the RIRDC website www.rirdc.gov.au, which "; S19[20]=" has more than 1000 research reports on a wide range of rural industries... "; R[21]="2581"; T[21]="Seymour company produces - Ensuites-on-Tow"; A[21]="By ... Editor"; Dn[21]="20040416"; Dt[21]="Friday 16 April 2004"; Acats[21]="a55a65"; B1[21]="      An innovative new Victorian product - Ensuites-on-Tow , which puts mobile bathroom facilities literally on tap within minutes, was launched today at "; B2[21]="the HIA Home Ideas Show by the Minister for Manufacturing and Export, Tim Holding... "; B3[21]=" "; B4[21]=" "; B5[21]=" "; S1[21]="      An innovative new Victorian product - 'Ensuites-on-Tow', which puts mobile bathroom facilities literally on tap within minutes, was launched today at the "; S2[21]=" HIA Home Ideas Show by the Minister for Manufacturing and Export, Tim Holding.
      Developed by Seymour company N&K Duell Pty Ltd, 'Ensuites-on-Tow' "; S3[21]=" is a trailer-mounted module, with running hot water shower, toilet, washbasin, 240 volt power points and extractor fan.
      It connects to domestic "; S4[21]=" water, power and sewerage outlets, and can be installed in minutes without the need for qualified tradespeople, while meeting all national plumbing, electricity and health "; S5[21]=" and safety standards.
      Mr Holding said the uses for 'Ensuites-on-Tow' would be limited only by the imagination of customers.
      "; S6[21]=" 'The equipment hire sector will find clients for the product in home renovators, along with a market for the general residential and commercial construction industry "; S7[21]=" looking to improve on-site working conditions, ' Mr Holding said.
      'It provides whole new standards in hygiene, comfort and security for functions, "; S8[21]=" sporting events and for people working at remote or poorly serviced locations such as film crews and emergency services workers.
      'For the "; S9[21]=" disabled, portable ensuites will allow them to return to their homes while more permanent changes to their residences are being completed.' Mr Holding said 'Ensuites-on-Tow' "; S10[21]=" was an excellent example of how to identify new market opportunities and develop new products to fill them.
      'It is this kind "; S11[21]=" of forward thinking and willingness to innovate that points the way forward for Victorian manufacturing,' Mr Holding said.
      'This is why the "; S12[21]=" Victorian Government provided a $4,000 Grow Your Business grant to help N&K Duell Pty Ltd undertake a Strategic Business Review to plan for expansion as "; S13[21]=" demand for 'Ensuites-on-Tow' grows.' 'The Bracks Government will continue to support more Victorian manufacturers in becoming more innovative and export-focussed through our Agenda for New "; S14[21]=" Manufacturing and the new Opening Doors export plan.'.. "; R[22]="2567"; T[22]="Faster maturing peanut varieties reduce grower risk"; A[22]="By ... Editor"; Dn[22]="20040413"; Dt[22]="Tuesday 13 April 2004"; Acats[22]="a19a55a81"; B1[22]="      New, faster maturing, drought resistant peanut varieties with a longer shelf life have the potential to reduce seasonal production risks confronting Queensland "; B2[22]="growers... "; B3[22]=" "; B4[22]=" "; B5[22]=" "; S1[22]="      New, faster maturing, drought resistant peanut varieties with a longer shelf life have the potential to reduce seasonal production risks confronting Queensland "; S2[22]=" growers.
      Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries principal extension officer Greg Mills said a recent Coalstoun Lakes field day provided an opportunity "; S3[22]=" for Burnett region growers to hear and see the latest research on early maturing and conventional peanut varietal trials.
      Growers were also "; S4[22]=" able to inspect the newly released Wheeler and Middleton varieties and the field day forum highlighted key aspects of best management practice in peanut production "; S5[22]=" with emphasis on disease management and use of remote sensing applications.
      DPI&F plant breeder Alan Cruickshank outlined the comparative merits of the "; S6[22]=" department's new high-quality varietal releases, Wheeler and Middleton.
      Both had large, high oleic nuts and were well suited to the post-harvest blanching "; S7[22]=" process.
      'DPI&F researchers are now studying new varieties including the best overseas peanut varieties that may provide some advantages to Australian growers.
"; S8[22]="       Selected varieties with significantly different maturity times offer farmers more diverse planting options to plan cropping programs that minimise risks for their "; S9[22]=" farm business,' Mr Cruickshank said.
      'Minimising risk is particularly important for peanuts in the dryland Burnett cropping systems that have faced "; S10[22]=" droughts in recent years linked with the threat of aflatoxin contamination resulting in lower yields and prices.' 'Traditional peanut varieties mature in 19 to "; S11[22]=" 24 weeks but DPI&F scientists have developed varieties that mature in as little as 15 weeks.
      'Our researchers have incorporated plant breeding "; S12[22]=" material from India and Canada with an aim to develop varieties with larger kernel size and high oleic oil material that will mature at 15-16 "; S13[22]=" weeks in the South Burnett.
      In the past two summers, we evaluated over 50 lines on farms throughout the Burnett.
    "; S14[22]="   'The most promising lines are D116 with a tan-skinned nut and D123 with a red-skinned nut.
      The best of these "; S15[22]=" 50 lines are being prepared for quality evaluation and we are hopeful of progressing to pre-commercial testing within two years.' Mr Cruickshank said the best "; S16[22]=" yield performance at 15 weeks was recorded by an Indian variety called TAG24.
      With smaller kernel size and low oleic oil content, "; S17[22]=" TAG 24 was not a desirable selection for the Australian commercial market but it provided a good yardstick to assess yields of our high oleic "; S18[22]=" selections.
      The best lines from the D116 cross were comparable to TAG 24 in yield but had a more marketable quality advantage.
"; S19[22]="       DPI&F principal crop physiologist RCN Rachaputi said studies conducted over the past two-years at Coalstoun Lakes showed that some of the "; S20[22]=" breeding lines with drought resistance characteristics also showed ability to produce low aflatoxin levels under high aflatoxin risk conditions.
      'Once we understand "; S21[22]=" the traits that contribute to aflatoxin risk we can select germ plasm for these traits and build them into the breeding program,' Dr Rachaputi said.
"; S22[22]="       Kingaroy-based principal extension officer Greg Mills said the faster maturing lines offered some real scope for regional dryland growers to manage planting "; S23[22]=" windows according to seasonal conditions.
      'It may allow farmers to plant early and avoid end-of-season drought, plant alongside longer season material "; S24[22]=" and spread production and especially harvest risks, or conversely, plant considerably later when seasonal conditions favour a delayed planting date,' Mr Mills said.
    "; S25[22]="   'These varieties have the potential to deliver significant risk reduction whilst maintaining very high yield and desirable oil profiles,' he said... "; R[23]="2564"; T[23]="Tool simplifies change to batch farrowing"; A[23]="By ... Editor"; Dn[23]="20040408"; Dt[23]="Thursday 8 April 2004"; Acats[23]="a01a02a55a72"; B1[23]="      NSW Agriculture has made it easier for pork producers to make the change from a continuous farrowing system to batch farrowing with "; B2[23]="the release of a new planner... "; B3[23]=" "; B4[23]=" "; B5[23]=" "; S1[23]="      NSW Agriculture has made it easier for pork producers to make the change from a continuous farrowing system to batch farrowing with "; S2[23]=" the release of a new planner.
      Designed by the department's pork products team at Tamworth, the batch farrowing planner is available free "; S3[23]=" of charge when downloaded from NSW Agriculture's web site.
      Batch farrowing, and then batching pigs by age and managing them as an "; S4[23]=" all-in/all-out production system can overcome many of the health, hygiene and production problems associated with conventional continuous flow production systems.
      While batching "; S5[23]=" offers improved productivity and lifestyle benefits, a common constraint to conversion is planning for the change, according to NSW Agriculture pig adviser, Greg Roese.
  "; S6[23]="     The batch farrowing planner helps producers by creating and maintaining the batches of sows,' Mr Roese said.
      Producers simply enter "; S7[23]=" their chosen options including the date they wish to commence and the batch farrowing planner automatically calculates the date sequence to establish a batch farrowing "; S8[23]=" management system.' He said producers have traditionally used a continuous flow production method, which usually involves weekly matings, farrowings and weanings.
      'Batch "; S9[23]=" farrowing forms sows into groups which are mated and weaned at distinct intervals.
      Depending on the producers' setup, batches are usually formed "; S10[23]=" every four to five weeks apart.
      'Batching also creates an opportunity for smaller producers to improve their efficiencies and adopt technologies employed "; S11[23]=" by large piggeries without any increase in labour.
      'In the current volatile environment this would be of particular interest to producers "; S12[23]=" considering their future in the industry.' The planner can be downloaded free of charge directly from NSW Agriculture web site at www.agric.nsw.gov.au/reader/pigs.
      "; S13[23]=" Anyone wishing to obtain the planner on CD-ROM or a printed copy of the User Guide can purchase them for $25.00 from NSW Agriculture's "; S14[23]=" Tamworth office on 6763 1100... "; R[24]="2545"; T[24]="Controlled release of new soft wheat varieties"; A[24]="By ... Editor"; Dn[24]="20040110"; Dt[24]="Saturday 10 January 2004"; Acats[24]="a22a55a81"; B1[24]="      Enterprise Grains Australia (EGA) has approved the release of an outstanding new soft wheat under strict production licences in Western Australia.... "; B2[24]=" "; B3[24]=" "; B4[24]=" "; B5[24]=" "; S1[24]="      Enterprise Grains Australia (EGA) has approved the release of an outstanding new soft wheat under strict production licences in Western Australia.
  "; S2[24]="     EGA Director Greg Fraser said the breeding line EGA2248 was a very high yielding, non-club soft wheat.
      'It addresses major "; S3[24]=" problems facing soft wheat producers, being superior to all others in grain size and pre-harvest sprouting resistance,' Mr Fraser said.
      'EGA 2248 "; S4[24]=" is also less susceptible to staining, superior flow yield and has performed well in end-product evaluation.
      'The potential release of the variety "; S5[24]=" in 2001 was cancelled due to its failure to meet leaf rust resistance standards.
      However, it had adequate levels of stripe rust "; S6[24]=" and stem rust resistance.
      'Further testing in 2002 and 2003, including paddock scale evaluation, enabled a full assessment of the lines potential, "; S7[24]=" and disease resistance limitations to be completed.' The Department of Agriculture recommended to the EGA Board that the substantial benefits of EGA 2248 could be "; S8[24]=" captured, whilst also reducing the overall rust risk.
      Mr Fraser said under the licence arrangements there would be a 100,000 ha cap "; S9[24]=" on production.
      Individual growers would have to enter into a production licence, which would be reviewed annually.
      He "; S10[24]=" said licences would only be awarded to those growers with a demonstrated capacity to produce soft wheat (delivery in one or more of past five "; S11[24]=" years), and production of EGA 2248 would be limited to 33 per cent of the wheat area of the licence holder.
      'Licencees "; S12[24]=" will not be permitted to grow rust susceptible soft wheat varieties - Harrismith (stripe rust), Tincurrin and Corrigin (stem, leaf and stripe rust).
    "; S13[24]="   Growers will need to adhere to a fungicide regime which may involve seed treatment, in furrow and foliar applications or combinations of these "; S14[24]=" treatments,' Mr Fraser said.
      'Producers of EGA 2248 will also be subject to compliance inspections of documentation and portion of paddocks.
  "; S15[24]="     An end-point royalty of $4 per tonne will apply, with receival records also being used to check compliance with production licences.' He "; S16[24]=" said licences for EGA 2248 would be withdrawn and the variety removed, as soon as a suitable replacement was available.
      Mr Fraser "; S17[24]=" said there had been considerable industry debate across Australia about the potential release of wheat varieties that did not meet a specific standard for disease "; S18[24]=" resistance.
      “We have consulted widely with many stakeholders, including getting further advice from the Australian Cereal Rust Control Program based at the "; S19[24]=" University of Sydney.
      “This is the second soft wheat line released by EGA this year, following EGA Jitarning in August 2003,' he "; S20[24]=" said.
      .. "; R[25]="2519"; T[25]="Controlled release of new soft wheat varieties"; A[25]="By ... Editor"; Dn[25]="20040110"; Dt[25]="Saturday 10 January 2004"; Acats[25]="a22a55a81"; B1[25]="      Enterprise Grains Australia (EGA) has approved the release of an outstanding new soft wheat under strict production licences in Western Australia.... "; B2[25]=" "; B3[25]=" "; B4[25]=" "; B5[25]=" "; S1[25]="      Enterprise Grains Australia (EGA) has approved the release of an outstanding new soft wheat under strict production licences in Western Australia.
  "; S2[25]="     EGA Director Greg Fraser said the breeding line EGA2248 was a very high yielding, non-club soft wheat.
      'It addresses major "; S3[25]=" problems facing soft wheat producers, being superior to all others in grain size and pre-harvest sprouting resistance,' Mr Fraser said.
      'EGA 2248 "; S4[25]=" is also less susceptible to staining, superior flow yield and has performed well in end-product evaluation.
      'The potential release of the variety "; S5[25]=" in 2001 was cancelled due to its failure to meet leaf rust resistance standards.
      However, it had adequate levels of stripe rust "; S6[25]=" and stem rust resistance.
      'Further testing in 2002 and 2003, including paddock scale evaluation, enabled a full assessment of the lines potential, "; S7[25]=" and disease resistance limitations to be completed.' The Department of Agriculture recommended to the EGA Board that the substantial benefits of EGA 2248 could be "; S8[25]=" captured, whilst also reducing the overall rust risk.
      Mr Fraser said under the licence arrangements there would be a 100,000 ha cap "; S9[25]=" on production.
      Individual growers would have to enter into a production licence, which would be reviewed annually.
      He "; S10[25]=" said licences would only be awarded to those growers with a demonstrated capacity to produce soft wheat (delivery in one or more of past five "; S11[25]=" years), and production of EGA 2248 would be limited to 33 per cent of the wheat area of the licence holder.
      'Licencees "; S12[25]=" will not be permitted to grow rust susceptible soft wheat varieties - Harrismith (stripe rust), Tincurrin and Corrigin (stem, leaf and stripe rust).
    "; S13[25]="   Growers will need to adhere to a fungicide regime which may involve seed treatment, in furrow and foliar applications or combinations of these "; S14[25]=" treatments,' Mr Fraser said.
      'Producers of EGA 2248 will also be subject to compliance inspections of documentation and portion of paddocks.
  "; S15[25]="     An end-point royalty of $4 per tonne will apply, with receival records also being used to check compliance with production licences.' He "; S16[25]=" said licences for EGA 2248 would be withdrawn and the variety removed, as soon as a suitable replacement was available.
      Mr Fraser "; S17[25]=" said there had been considerable industry debate across Australia about the potential release of wheat varieties that did not meet a specific standard for disease "; S18[25]=" resistance.
      “We have consulted widely with many stakeholders, including getting further advice from the Australian Cereal Rust Control Program based at the "; S19[25]=" University of Sydney.
      “This is the second soft wheat line released by EGA this year, following EGA Jitarning in August 2003,' he "; S20[25]=" said.
      .. "; R[26]="2482"; T[26]="Merino and crossbred lambs wanted for feed trial"; A[26]="By ... Editor"; Dn[26]="20031215"; Dt[26]="Monday 15 December 2003"; Acats[26]="a25a55"; B1[26]="      New research by the Department of Agriculture in 2004 will measure the effect of different feeding systems on the performance of Merino "; B2[26]="and crossbred lambs... "; B3[26]=" "; B4[26]=" "; B5[26]=" "; S1[26]="      New research by the Department of Agriculture in 2004 will measure the effect of different feeding systems on the performance of Merino "; S2[26]=" and crossbred lambs.
      The Department is currently calling for expressions of interest from lamb producers with lambs for sale that meet the "; S3[26]=" trial's specifications.
      Research officer Rachel Kirby said the Department required even lines of 205 wether Merino lambs and 205 first cross lambs.
"; S4[26]="       The first cross lambs, preferably from a traditional terminal sire, should have an average liveweight of 40 kg, and Merino lambs should "; S5[26]=" average 42 kg liveweight by January 2004 when the experiment is scheduled to begin.
      Dr Kirby said the trial would compare the "; S6[26]=" growth rate and feed conversion efficiency of Merino and crossbred lambs in three grain finishing systems to identify how much of the variation in performance "; S7[26]=" was due to the feeding system.
      The feeding systems to be examined are: · milled, loose mix ration fed in bunk troughs; "; S8[26]=" · the same ration presented as a pellet and fed in a self feeder; and · free choice access to grain mix from a self "; S9[26]=" feeder and baled hay from hay racks.
      The research would also incorporate an economic analysis of the three feeding systems to determine "; S10[26]=" how profitable they were.
      'We anticipate the feeding system that produces the highest growth rate and most efficient feed conversion will result "; S11[26]=" in the highest profit,' Dr Kirby said.
      Dr Kirby said lambs given free choice between a simple grain mix and baled hay "; S12[26]=" were expected to have a lower growth rate and less efficient feed conversion than those fed a complete diet.
      'This research will "; S13[26]=" investigate the extent of the decrease in feed efficiency of feeding grain and hay versus feeding a diet of fixed composition either as pellets or "; S14[26]=" a loose mixed ration,' she said.
      'Lambs fed a milled, loose mix diet may eat only certain components of the diet and "; S15[26]=" have a lower growth rate and less efficient feed conversion than those fed the same ingredients in pelleted form.' Dr Kirby said the lambs would "; S16[26]=" be grown out to heavy weight carcasses aimed at the export market so lambs with a proven genetic capacity to achieve the target specification were "; S17[26]=" needed.
      Producers should have genetic or historical information indicating that lambs have high growth potential.
      Lambs that were sired "; S18[26]=" by LAMBPLAN sires would be preferred.
      'We realise that in a good season these lambs may be difficult to source, so the "; S19[26]=" Department is prepared to pay a competitive price for the two lines of 205 lambs that meet our specifications,' Dr Kirby said.
      "; S20[26]=" 'While all sheep producers will benefit from the research results, the producers who contribute the stock will ultimately get an insight into how their own "; S21[26]=" sheep perform in the trials.' The Department is conducting the trial as part of the Australian Sheep Industry Cooperative Research Centre grain finishing project.
  "; S22[26]="     It will commence at the Esperance Downs Research Station in January 2004... "; R[27]="2443"; T[27]="Muddies may make millions in mangoville"; A[27]="By ... Editor"; Dn[27]="20031205"; Dt[27]="Friday 5 December 2003"; Acats[27]="a34a55"; B1[27]="      They ve already supplied dessert with the world s finest mango, now get ready for the main course - the Bowen mud "; B2[27]="crab... "; B3[27]=" "; B4[27]=" "; B5[27]=" "; S1[27]="      They've already supplied dessert with the world's finest mango, now get ready for the main course - the Bowen mud crab.
  "; S2[27]="     Bowen, home of the mango, the tomato and even the salt for seasoning has scored another culinary coup.
      By next "; S3[27]=" year the north Queensland town should be producing more than one million mud crabs a year in the world's first commercially viable mud crab farm.
"; S4[27]="       State Development Minister Tom Barton has described the farm, owned and operated by Aqua Crab Systems in partnership with merchant banks, as "; S5[27]=" an 'aquacultural industry coup'.
      The farm is partly the product of over a decade of research by scientists at the Department of "; S6[27]=" Primary Industries' Bribie Island Aquaculture Research Centre.
      Mud crabs, unlike prawns, have been resistant to farming because of a series of problems, "; S7[27]=" not the least of which is their tendency to eat each other.
      Bill Painter from Aqua Crab Systems said his crabs would "; S8[27]=" be held in cages over 60ha of land.
      He predicts 1.3 million crabs or 450 tonnes will be produced a year, sold "; S9[27]=" at a weight and size the market demanded.
      'There is no other system like this in the world,' he said from his "; S10[27]=" Sydney office.
      'It is a high density aquaculture project with harvesting and feeding done mechanically, by robots.' The majority of product will "; S11[27]=" be exported to Asia and Europe.
      'Some part will be sold locally but we are anxious not to disrupt the domestic supply,' "; S12[27]=" Mr Painter said.
      Mr Barton said the farm would be a blueprint for the industry, using a recirculating water system with zero "; S13[27]=" discharge into the environment.
      A tourism project to operate in conjunction with the farm is already planned, with mud crabs on the "; S14[27]=" menu... "; R[28]="2417"; T[28]="Growers discuss future Burnett cropping systems"; A[28]="By ... Editor"; Dn[28]="20031128"; Dt[28]="Friday 28 November 2003"; Acats[28]="a55a81"; B1[28]="      A recent strategic meeting between Department of Primary Industries staff, crop producers and industry representatives sought to identify strategic needs for the "; B2[28]="future of inland Burnett cropping systems... "; B3[28]=" "; B4[28]=" "; B5[28]=" "; S1[28]="      A recent strategic meeting between Department of Primary Industries staff, crop producers and industry representatives sought to identify strategic needs for the "; S2[28]=" future of inland Burnett cropping systems.
      DPI principal agronomist Dr Mike Bell said despite being a very busy planting and harvesting period, "; S3[28]=" significant numbers of growers attended the meeting in Kingaroy.
      He said growers asked that a future focus on cropping systems should be "; S4[28]=" on maintaining or introducing other high value crops in crop rotations, fine tuning the new strip tillage system, maintaining a focus on whole farm viability "; S5[28]=" and looking after the natural landscape to avoid deep drainage and salinity problems.
      Dr Bell said the need to rotate other crops "; S6[28]=" with peanuts and the low prices for the traditional grain crops grown in these areas prompted growers to ask for further research into other rotation "; S7[28]=" options like dryland cotton.
      This crop has attracted increased interest with the imminent release of new generation, insect resistant cotton varieties that "; S8[28]=" require much less pesticides, making them a more acceptable and less financially risky crop option.
      'Quite a few farmers are also interested "; S9[28]=" in fine tuning the new strip till system, with issues surrounding herbicide use and weed management, water infiltration and use of rainfall and fertiliser application "; S10[28]=" strategies all attracting interest.
      DPI will put in place moisture monitoring and conduct field days this summer to look at a series "; S11[28]=" of strip tilled crops in the region,' Dr Bell said.
      He said in relation to whole farm economics, DPI was in the "; S12[28]=" process of developing new what-if spreadsheets to look at future planning scenarios for producers using their own machinery and crop rotations.
      'These "; S13[28]=" tools should be fully functional in three years time and are expected to be of special assistance to farmers who wish to expand or change "; S14[28]=" crops or need to compare on farm investment options,' Dr Bell said.
      He said the final topic of the meeting was on "; S15[28]=" the potential to monitor water use by farm forestry blocks within local sub-catchments and to see their impact on nearby grazing and cropping paddocks, streams "; S16[28]=" and fields.
      Dr Bell said of particular interest was the effect on outbreaks of saline groundwater in lower parts of the landscape "; S17[28]=" - a common feature in the less well-drained soils around the fringes of the Burnett's red soil areas.
      The meeting was told "; S18[28]=" that a new DPI farming systems projectwas concentrating on water use and drainage under current and emerging cropping systems.
      The project is "; S19[28]=" also part of the DPI's component of the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality, which will be addressing many of these issues at "; S20[28]=" a sub-catchment and catchment scale.
      Dr Bell said a similar strategic meeting is planned for farmers in the central Burnett, including the "; S21[28]=" Binjour-Gayndah areas, on 9 December 2003 at 7:30 am in the Coalstoun Lakes hall... "; R[29]="2365"; T[29]="Wanted: disease resistant grape vine to fight leaf rust"; A[29]="By ... Editor"; Dn[29]="20031024"; Dt[29]="Friday 24 October 2003"; Acats[29]="a13a55a93"; B1[29]="      Northern Territory researchers are hunting for a disease resistant grape vine to plant as a barrier against the wind born disease, Grapevine "; B2[29]="Leaf Rust... "; B3[29]=" "; B4[29]=" "; B5[29]=" "; S1[29]="      Northern Territory researchers are hunting for a disease resistant grape vine to plant as a barrier against the wind born disease, Grapevine "; S2[29]=" Leaf Rust.
      Funded by the Winemaker's Federation, the research hopes to help keep Australia's billion dollar wine and table grape industry free "; S3[29]=" from the disease which causes vines to lose their leaves.
      Since January, more than 300 grapevines have been tested, but so "; S4[29]=" far none have proved to be resistant to the disease.
      Project leader Stephen West says they'll test 2,600 cuttings for resistance and "; S5[29]=" if they find one, the variety will be replanted within the community.
      'If there was a spore movement, movement of the disease "; S6[29]=" in the air to Australia, then it can only survive on grapevine material.
      'If we've only got resistant varieties that are "; S7[29]=" here, and the spore comes, then it can't continue to grow and so we'll end up with, potentially, almost like a bit of a buffer "; S8[29]=" where even though the disease might arrive there's nothing for it to grow on.'.. "; R[30]="2341"; T[30]="Iowa Researchers Working on Corn Hybrids"; A[30]="By ... Editor"; Dn[30]="20031017"; Dt[30]="Friday 17 October 2003"; Acats[30]="a09a55a74a93"; B1[30]="      Plant scientists are working to develop corn fortified with beta carotene to help fight blindness, birth defects and malnutrition in developing nations.... "; B2[30]=" "; B3[30]=" "; B4[30]=" "; B5[30]=" "; S1[30]="      Plant scientists are working to develop corn fortified with beta carotene to help fight blindness, birth defects and malnutrition in developing nations.
"; S2[30]="       “Corn is a good way of delivering vitamin A because you to deliver it with fats and oils that help in its "; S3[30]=" uptake,'' said Stephen Howell, director of the university's Plant Sciences Institute.
      The project has two components: Geneticist Steve Rodermel will lead a "; S4[30]=" team in developing the new corn varieties and nutrition expert Wendy White will examine how vitamin A enrichment works.
      ``The crucial question "; S5[30]=" is how much the beta carotene needs to be increased in this corn kernel,'' White said in a statement.
      ``To answer this "; S6[30]=" question, we first have to understand how much of the beta carotene is absorbed by the body and converted into vitamin A to meet daily "; S7[30]=" requirements.'' The study will focus on the 48 developing countries in sub-Saharan Africa that use corn as their staple food.
      ``Nigeria will "; S8[30]=" be one of the first test sites for at least part of the project,'' Howell said.
      ``In fact, a particular area has "; S9[30]=" been defined and there will be a team that will go out and conduct some feeding studies,'' he said.
      Initially, existing hybrids "; S10[30]=" high in beta carotene will be planted, Howell said.
      Any scientific findings will be shared freely, Howell said.
      ``I "; S11[30]=" don't think we would be doing this if we weren't intending that the outcome of this would be of great benefit to the nutrition and "; S12[30]=" diet of these countries,'' he said... "; R[31]="2322"; T[31]="New Technology For TAS Shellfish Industry"; A[31]="By ... Editor"; Dn[31]="20031008"; Dt[31]="Wednesday 8 October 2003"; Acats[31]="a34a55a88"; B1[31]="      Tasmanian innovation is being harnessed in the State’s oyster industry.
      Cleanwater Oysters has recently bought a shellfish grader and "; B2[31]="sorter from Stainless Engineering & Design, a Tasmanian company based at Wynyard... "; B3[31]=" "; B4[31]=" "; B5[31]=" "; S1[31]="      Tasmanian innovation is being harnessed in the State’s oyster industry.
      Cleanwater Oysters has recently bought a shellfish grader and "; S2[31]=" sorter from Stainless Engineering & Design, a Tasmanian company based at Wynyard.
      Minister for Primary Industries, Water and Environment Bryan Green today "; S3[31]=" said the machine, which can grade up to 1400 dozen oysters per hour, was the first of its type to be brought into commercial operation "; S4[31]=" in Tasmania.
      “The grader is technically very advanced and is able to separate the oysters so that they can be measured and "; S5[31]=" counted electronically at high speed,” Mr Green said.
      “This is important at two key stages in the production and sale of shellfish.
"; S6[31]="       “The first is for the regular re-grading of production to ensure that the in-sea baskets always contain oysters of a similar size "; S7[31]=" and of a set number.
      “This ensures that each oyster gets the best chance of attaining optimum growth and condition and therefore, "; S8[31]=" quality.
      “The second stage is the last sort prior to harvest and the final sale harvest.
      “At this stage "; S9[31]=" the faster growing oysters can be culled off and sent for sale immediately.
      “The remaining oysters can then be very accurately sized "; S10[31]=" and counted to ensure the market gets exactly what it has paid for.
      “Mechanising this process removes the drudge of tedious and "; S11[31]=" monotonous on-shore grading and sorting – freeing up staff to handle the increased rates of production.” Mr Green said Tasmanian Cleanwater Oysters was a model "; S12[31]=" oyster business due to its investment in equipment and sound management.
      The company operates a 20.7 hectare intertidal oyster lease at Pelican "; S13[31]=" Point in outer George’s Bay, an area reputed for its clean water and exceptional conditions for growing premium varieties of shellfish.
      It "; S14[31]=" also shares ownership with a number of other growers of a 20 hectare intertidal lease on Hodgman’s Spit in inner Georges Bay operating, as St "; S15[31]=" Helens Shellfish Producers Group.
      The company employs seven people full-time... "; R[32]="2317"; T[32]="Peanut rotation a goer for sugarcane growers"; A[32]="By ... Editor"; Dn[32]="20031006"; Dt[32]="Monday 6 October 2003"; Acats[32]="a18a20a55"; B1[32]="      More than 60 North Queensland sugarcane growers and agribusiness representatives have heard how peanuts - in rotation with sugarcane - can lift "; B2[32]="yields, break disease cycles and provide growers with an alternative income... "; B3[32]=" "; B4[32]=" "; B5[32]=" "; S1[32]="      More than 60 North Queensland sugarcane growers and agribusiness representatives have heard how peanuts - in rotation with sugarcane - can lift "; S2[32]=" yields, break disease cycles and provide growers with an alternative income.
      Department of Primary Industries Kingaroy district principal extension officer Greg Mills "; S3[32]=" outlined the benefits of rotating peanuts with sugarcane production to farmers from Sarina to the Burdekin who met in Mackay in mid September.
    "; S4[32]="   Mr Mills said that Bundaberg district growers were already reaping peanut-sugarcane crop rotation benefits.
      Mr Mills said the Mackay meeting organised "; S5[32]=" by Primac Elders also drew industry representatives from regional cane mills who were beginning to appreciate the role of alternative crops such as peanuts that "; S6[32]=" could assist sugar industry viability by generating a profitable cash flow.
      'We also had four Mackay growers who had successfully grown peanuts "; S7[32]=" in their cane rotation last year so it was good to get their local perspective,' Mr Mills said.
      John Hughes, a Mackay "; S8[32]=" region crop consultant, told the group there were benefits in moving away from sugarcane monoculture.
      'We have had successes and failures with "; S9[32]=" a range of alternate crops but we still need to emphasise the importance of a break crop because of the severe nematode infestations experienced in "; S10[32]=" this region,' Mr Hughes said.
      'Peanuts are shaping as one of the better alternatives,' he said.
      The Peanut Company "; S11[32]=" of Australia (PCA) representative, Pat Harden, told growers that PCA was involved in all aspects of peanut production from agronomic advice, contracting field operations, variety "; S12[32]=" testing and seed supplies, peanut handling and logistics through to processing, marketing and promoting expansion of the industry.
      Mr Harden said PCA "; S13[32]=" was keen to expand production to meet increasing domestic demand and service premium export markets.
      'Domestic consumption of peanuts is around 60,000 "; S14[32]=" tonnes and still growing.
      There are excellent opportunities for new producers,' Mr Harden said.
      But he said before a "; S15[32]=" peanut was planted, prospective growers would need to consider machinery requirements, soil type and conduct soil tests to minimise production risks.
      'The "; S16[32]=" market demands quality peanuts so it is important to get the planning right and avoid expensive mistakes' he said.
      DPI senior peanut "; S17[32]=" extension officer Jim Barnes said that as an outcome of the 'Best Management Practices in High Input Peanut Production' project funded by DPI and the "; S18[32]=" Grains Research and Development Corporation, growers could tap into a wealth of information.
      'In some of the newer growing areas like Bundaberg, "; S19[32]=" we are relying on a team approach with PCA and DPI working with local growers, consultants and agribusiness to share information to progress industry development,' "; S20[32]=" Mr Barnes said.
      Mr Mills said feedback from growers was very positive.
      This had been reflected in the number "; S21[32]=" of cane growers seeking information about production practices and profitability... "; R[33]="2313"; T[33]="Urge for more ecological approach to fighting bushfires"; A[33]="By ... Editor"; Dn[33]="20031006"; Dt[33]="Monday 6 October 2003"; Acats[33]="a39a55"; B1[33]="      For the sake of survival, Australians and the people of other fire-prone industrialised nations need to use fire in a controlled manner "; B2[33]="in wild lands, one of the world s leading fire academics has warned... "; B3[33]=" "; B4[33]=" "; B5[33]=" "; S1[33]="      For the sake of survival, Australians and the people of other fire-prone industrialised nations need to use fire in a controlled manner "; S2[33]=" in wild lands, one of the world's leading fire academics has warned.
      Stephen Pyne, a professor in the biology and society program "; S3[33]=" at Arizona State University and an experienced firefighter, said fire should not be feared as a 'crude physical disturber' but used by mankind as 'a "; S4[33]=" biotic defibrillator' for the environment.
      'The context of protection can shift from physical tools to more ecological engineering, from confronting flames to "; S5[33]=" controlling fuel.' Professor Pyne was addressing the Third International Wildland Fire Conference in Sydney at the weekend.
      He is also the author "; S6[33]=" of Burning Bush, widely regarded as the most authoritative book about Australia's fire history.
      He warned that how mankind managed fire would "; S7[33]=" determine 'whether the Earth ends as hearth or holocaust'.
      'There is too much of the wrong type of fire, not enough of "; S8[33]=" the right,' he said.
      'Globally, there is too much combustion and not enough fire.
      No place seems to have "; S9[33]=" the right balance.
      There's a planet slow cooking in its combustion effluent.' Professor Pyne said the Earth had divided into 'two great "; S10[33]=" combustion realms', the industrial world that overwhelmingly burned fossil fuels and the developing world that was fuelled by living biomass.
      Burning fossil "; S11[33]=" fuels was 'the great biological rearranger', and the way industrial and natural fires competed 'may be the most fundamental .
      .
  "; S12[33]="     .
      problem in fire scholarship'.
      Industrial societies needed to 'think in more deeply biological ways' about fire "; S13[33]=" rather than simply throw money at suppression, Professor Pyne said.
      With better knowledge, wild lands could be brought under control using 'a "; S14[33]=" wider range and variety of burning.
      For the industrial countries it almost certainly means a lot more burning on aggregate than goes "; S15[33]=" on now.'.. "; R[34]="2306"; T[34]="Sweet Advantage for WA Grapefruit"; A[34]="By ... Editor"; Dn[34]="20031001"; Dt[34]="Wednesday 1 October 2003"; Acats[34]="a18a55"; B1[34]="      Latest research by the Department of Agriculture has shown that WA grapefruit growers can supply sweet grapefruit to the market all year "; B2[34]="round... "; B3[34]=" "; B4[34]=" "; B5[34]=" "; S1[34]="      Latest research by the Department of Agriculture has shown that WA grapefruit growers can supply sweet grapefruit to the market all year "; S2[34]=" round.
      The research determined that 'late-picked' white grapefruit could deliver a similar level of sugar and sweet taste as the northern grown "; S3[34]=" red grapefruit.
      Consumers will put the research to the test with fruit available for tastings at the Karagullen Field Day on 20 "; S4[34]=" September.
      Researcher Gavin Foord said growers from Kununurra, Carnarvon, Gingin and the South West would have an excellent opportunity to coordinate their "; S5[34]=" marketing and provide a continuous supply of sweet grapefruit.
      Mr Foord said while some traditional consumers enjoyed the more tart grapefruit, there "; S6[34]=" was potential to develop a new market for sweeter tasting fruit.
      He said the initial research focussed on identifying niche markets for "; S7[34]=" the new red grapefruit variety.
      'The red grapefruit, which have been trialled at Kununurra and Carnarvon since the mid-90s, has a very "; S8[34]=" high sugar and low acid content which offered a different eating sensation to white grapefruit,' Mr Foord said.
      'Our research was based "; S9[34]=" on finding where this new variety could fit in the market.' Mr Foord said at the same time, the Department investigated the sugar/acid ratios of "; S10[34]=" white grapefruit and the impact of maturity on sweetness.
      'We took samples of a range of grapefruit from Perth supermarkets and trial "; S11[34]=" sites at Kununurra and Carnarvon to collect data on the sugar/acid ratios and maturity,' Mr Foord said.
      'The data revealed that at "; S12[34]=" different times, late-picked white grape fruit was able to match red grape fruit in delivering very high levels of sugar and low levels of acid "; S13[34]=" at a ratio of 7:1.' Mr Foord said Kimberley growers could deliver sweet grapefruit from February to May, the season in Carnarvon ran from May "; S14[34]=" to September, Gingin/Chittering from August to October and the South West from October to February... "; R[35]="2290"; T[35]="e-Variety profiler for wheat in Western Australia"; A[35]="By ... Editor"; Dn[35]="20030925"; Dt[35]="Thursday 25 September 2003"; Acats[35]="a22a55a93"; B1[35]="      A new decision support tool has been developed for the State s wheat growers that allows them to easily compare 55 varieties.... "; B2[35]=" "; B3[35]=" "; B4[35]=" "; B5[35]=" "; S1[35]="      A new decision support tool has been developed for the State's wheat growers that allows them to easily compare 55 varieties.
  "; S2[35]="     The Department of Agriculture developed the e-Variety Profiler, which is a Microsoft Excel based program and can be downloaded from the Department's web "; S3[35]=" site.
      Department Research Officer Moin Salam said the e-Variety Profiler would assist growers to choose a variety to suit their circumstances.
  "; S4[35]="     Growers and consultants can use the information on the varieties in the Profiler to assist in decisions prior to harvest on which varieties "; S5[35]=" to retain or acquire for the next season.
      'The tool profiles the status of a variety in terms of its physical characteristics, "; S6[35]=" disease risks, abiotic stresses, herbicide tolerance, yield and potential net return,' Dr Salam said.
      'Up to six varieties can be compared side "; S7[35]=" by side.
      The e-Variety Profiler also lists the recommended varieties for a locality,' he said.
      Department project manager for "; S8[35]=" crop variety testing Jennifer Garlinge said e-Variety Profiler utilised information that was included in the Crop Variety Sowing Guide 2004 and previous versions.
    "; S9[35]="   While the e-Variety Profiler is not intended as a substitute for the Crop Variety Sowing Guide, it offers variety-specific information in a more organised "; S10[35]=" and user-friendly way.
      It also allows for easy updates and modifications.
      The first version profiles 55 wheat varieties including "; S11[35]=" the new varieties EGA Blanco, EGA Castle Rock and EGA Jitarning which have been released by Enterprise Grains Australia this month.
      The "; S12[35]=" Profiler also includes information on recently released varieties from Grain Biotechnology Australia.
      The e-Variety Profiler is only available for wheat, however variety "; S13[35]=" information for other crops will soon be available in the electronic format.
      This work is partly funded by the Grains Research and "; S14[35]=" Development Corporation... "; R[36]="2277"; T[36]="Digital map of Australia"; A[36]="By ... Editor"; Dn[36]="20030923"; Dt[36]="Tuesday 23 September 2003"; Acats[36]="a55a93"; B1[36]="      No longer will tourists, firefighters or search-and-rescue teams have to wrestle with multiple maps when they head off the beaten track.... "; B2[36]=" "; B3[36]=" "; B4[36]=" "; B5[36]=" "; S1[36]="      No longer will tourists, firefighters or search-and-rescue teams have to wrestle with multiple maps when they head off the beaten track.
  "; S2[36]="     Australia is on the verge of having the first seamless, detailed, digital map of the entire continent.
      The move "; S3[36]=" will allow people to print customised maps of any part of the nation - for the cost of a printed page.
      "; S4[36]=" Updated topographic maps of all 7,660,000sqkm of the continent - seven years in the mapping using satellite technology - were unveiled in Parliament House in "; S5[36]=" Canberra yesterday.
      The 513 maps will be available on the Internet early next year as an interwoven topographic database.
    "; S6[36]="   Liberal MP Gary Nairn, who worked as a surveyor on the project before entering parliament, said Murphy's law dictated that whenever a map "; S7[36]=" was needed, the area fell in the gap between maps.
      Work on the previous full set of Australian topographic maps began "; S8[36]=" in the late 1940s and continued until 1968.
      The national mapping division director of product development for Geoscience Australia, Daniel Jaksa, "; S9[36]=" said the new map would be a boon for firefighters and search-and-rescue teams.
      He hoped it would also be used by "; S10[36]=" mining companies, environmental engineers, national security experts, transport developers and tourists.
      'This will ensure people don't have to try to stitch "; S11[36]=" different maps together to get the information they need,' he said.
      'For emergency crews, it will mean they can co-ordinate their "; S12[36]=" activities in the full knowledge of what is on the ground, what paths they should take to get to certain places, what the terrain is "; S13[36]=" like, and where power lines, drainage and man-made infrastructure is.' While the federal maps are free, Mr Nairn said maps commissioned by state governments "; S14[36]=" would come at a cost... "; R[37]="2263"; T[37]="Options for Change New ideas for Australian farmers"; A[37]="By ... Editor"; Dn[37]="20030917"; Dt[37]="Wednesday 17 September 2003"; Acats[37]="a55"; B1[37]="      This book published by Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (Publication No.
      03/030) offers a glimpse of the diversity "; B2[37]="of ways in which people who make a living from a fragile land are balancing economic outcomes with environmental stewardship in the 21st century... "; B3[37]=" "; B4[37]=" "; B5[37]=" "; S1[37]="      This book published by Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (Publication No.
      03/030) offers a glimpse of the diversity "; S2[37]=" of ways in which people who make a living from a fragile land are balancing economic outcomes with environmental stewardship in the 21st century.
  "; S3[37]="     It is hoped the book will offer inspiration and new perspectives to those working with the land and those planning to do so.
"; S4[37]="       Further, for those who share a concern for the future of Australia's land and water resources, we hope this book helps you "; S5[37]=" understand the challenges better.
      Australian farmers operate in a global marketplace that continues to change rapidly.
      They are subject "; S6[37]=" to falling commodity prices, rising costs and an unpredictable climate.
      They are responding by making their own changes and experimenting with ideas "; S7[37]=" that alter the way farming is done.
      These innovative activities are being undertaken by farmers from all corners of the continent in "; S8[37]=" the hope of giving themselves more control over their own destiny.
      The many ways in which they are meeting these challenges make "; S9[37]=" this is an exciting time for Australian farming.
      When presented with challenges and opportunities, Australian farmers have always been resourceful, inventive and "; S10[37]=" adaptive.
      Now they are inventing new organisational forms, new products, and new relationships with other participants in the supply chain.
    "; S11[37]="   In order to do these things, they need new skills, capacities and perspectives.
      It seems to be in a farmer's nature "; S12[37]=" to view the experiences of their peers as more credible than the exhortations of 'experts', so this book draws heavily on the experiences of Australian "; S13[37]=" farmers and attempts to distil some lessons from those experiences.
      For example, the market for food and natural fibre products, once assumed "; S14[37]=" to be of limited growth potential, has become highly sophisticated as consumers value an increasingly wide array of attributes attached to the physical product and "; S15[37]=" continually seek variety and novelty.
      This presents opportunities for serving rapidly changing niche markets with specialty products.
      The range "; S16[37]=" of agricultural products now produced in Australia would be unrecognisable to anyone familiar with the Australian farm sector only 50 years ago.
      "; S17[37]=" At the same time, many farmers are now interacting in new ways with a range of other participants in the 'value chain' beyond the farm "; S18[37]=" gate.
      This poses a range of challenges, opportunities and possible pitfalls.
      It also represents a significant cultural change for "; S19[37]=" Australian farmers, and new skills and understanding are needed.
      Some farmers are taking this involvement right through to direct contact with the "; S20[37]=" consumer.
      Another important development concerns how Australian farmers, long portrayed as 'rugged individualists', are collaborating with each other in a range of "; S21[37]=" innovative ways to respond to the challenges and opportunities presented by their economic, social and natural environments.
      The way farm families organise "; S22[37]=" their businesses and households is changing, too-not only in terms of the mix of goods and services that are being produced from land once solely "; S23[37]=" devoted to commercial agriculture, but also in the variety of ways in which farm people are engaging in on-farm and off-farm activities.
      "; S24[37]=" This book is not a substitute for expert legal or financial advice, and before making any major decision based these options, especially a long-term one, "; S25[37]=" the parties involved are urged to seek professional assistance... "; R[38]="2255"; T[38]="WA delivers another premium barley interstate"; A[38]="By ... Editor"; Dn[38]="20030916"; Dt[38]="Tuesday 16 September 2003"; Acats[38]="a24a55"; B1[38]="      Exciting new barley variety Baudin will be commercialised by AWB Seeds in SA, NSW and Vic to growers in 2004.... "; B2[38]=" "; B3[38]=" "; B4[38]=" "; B5[38]=" "; S1[38]="      Exciting new barley variety Baudin will be commercialised by AWB Seeds in SA, NSW and Vic to growers in 2004.
    "; S2[38]="   The variety, bred by the Department of Agriculture Western Australia (DAWA), is expected to follow the success of high-yielding Gairdner, which has been well "; S3[38]=" accepted in the high rainfall regions of South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria.
      Baudin was first released in WA in 2002.
"; S4[38]="       All available seed was taken up by WA growers and a total of 9,000 hectares has been sown.
      Department "; S5[38]=" senior barley breeder Reg Lance said in South Australian trials over the past five years Baudin was consistently the highest yielding malting variety at the "; S6[38]=" majority of trial sites.
      Dr Lance said Baudin consistently produced higher yields than Schooner and performed as well as, or better than, "; S7[38]=" Gairdner.
      It was highly recommended for South Australia's Mid-North, South-East and Lower Eyre Peninsula regions.
      At Turretfield in the "; S8[38]=" Mid-North, Baudin outyielded Schooner by nine per cent.
      In Mundulla in the South-East, it produced yields 10 per cent higher than Schooner.
"; S9[38]="       Dr Lance said malsters had delivered positive feedback about Baudin's malting potential and a decision about malting classification was expected later this "; S10[38]=" year.
      'Western Australian barley varieties have a good track record of performing in the Eastern States and Baudin should continue that success,' "; S11[38]=" Dr Lance 'Baudin is a medium maturity variety, ideally suited for sowing in May.
      'It is semi-dwarfed and has a prostate growth "; S12[38]=" habit in its early development.
      Baudin also has excellent straw strength and head retention.' Dr Lance said the plumper grain size of "; S13[38]=" Baudin compared to Gairdner, provided lower screening levels... "; R[39]="2253"; T[39]="Sweet Advantage for WA Grapefruit"; A[39]="By ... Editor"; Dn[39]="20030916"; Dt[39]="Tuesday 16 September 2003"; Acats[39]="a18a55a81"; B1[39]="      Latest research by the Department of Agriculture has shown that WA grapefruit growers can supply sweet grapefruit to the market all year "; B2[39]="round... "; B3[39]=" "; B4[39]=" "; B5[39]=" "; S1[39]="      Latest research by the Department of Agriculture has shown that WA grapefruit growers can supply sweet grapefruit to the market all year "; S2[39]=" round.
      The research determined that 'late-picked' white grapefruit could deliver a similar level of sugar and sweet taste as the northern grown "; S3[39]=" red grapefruit.
      Consumers will put the research to the test with fruit available for tastings at the Karagullen Field Day on 20 "; S4[39]=" September.
      Researcher Gavin Foord said growers from Kununurra, Carnarvon, Gingin and the South West would have an excellent opportunity to coordinate their "; S5[39]=" marketing and provide a continuous supply of sweet grapefruit.
      Mr Foord said while some traditional consumers enjoyed the more tart grapefruit, there "; S6[39]=" was potential to develop a new market for sweeter tasting fruit.
      He said the initial research focussed on identifying niche markets for "; S7[39]=" the new red grapefruit variety.
      'The red grapefruit, which have been trialled at Kununurra and Carnarvon since the mid-90s, has a very "; S8[39]=" high sugar and low acid content which offered a different eating sensation to white grapefruit,' Mr Foord said.
      'Our research was based "; S9[39]=" on finding where this new variety could fit in the market.' Mr Foord said at the same time, the Department investigated the sugar/acid ratios of "; S10[39]=" white grapefruit and the impact of maturity on sweetness.
      'We took samples of a range of grapefruit from Perth supermarkets and trial "; S11[39]=" sites at Kununurra and Carnarvon to collect data on the sugar/acid ratios and maturity,' Mr Foord said.
      'The data revealed that at "; S12[39]=" different times, late-picked white grape fruit was able to match red grape fruit in delivering very high levels of sugar and low levels of acid "; S13[39]=" at a ratio of 7:1.' Mr Foord said Kimberley growers could deliver sweet grapefruit from February to May, the season in Carnarvon ran from May "; S14[39]=" to September, Gingin/Chittering from August to October and the South West from October to February... "; R[40]="2244"; T[40]="Smart sprayer on show at research station open day"; A[40]="By ... Editor"; Dn[40]="20030912"; Dt[40]="Friday 12 September 2003"; Acats[40]="a55"; B1[40]="      A spray boom that applies herbicides to green plants, not bare soil, will be one of the innovations on show at a "; B2[40]="science and technology open day at the Department of Primary Industries Roma Research Station on September 17... "; B3[40]=" "; B4[40]=" "; B5[40]=" "; S1[40]="      A spray boom that applies herbicides to green plants, not bare soil, will be one of the innovations on show at a "; S2[40]=" science and technology open day at the Department of Primary Industries Roma Research Station on September 17.
      DPI development officer Richard Routley "; S3[40]=" said the spray boom, called the Patchen Weedseeker, would be demonstrated during the open day by its northern New South Wales owners.
      "; S4[40]=" Mr Routley said the Weedseeker, one of the few in Australia, used optical, infrared and near infrared sensors to detect chlorophyll and then spray only "; S5[40]=" green plants.
      While the Weedseeker's all-up cost was $155,000 its owner, David Brownhill of Merrilong Pastoral Company at Spring Ridge, near Tamworth, "; S6[40]=" believed a payback period of two to three years was attainable through herbicide savings.
      The Weedseeker would suit commercial spray operators or "; S7[40]=" large-scale zero till farmers like Merrilong, with 3800ha under crop.
      As well as cutting costs, the boom provided environmental benefits and water "; S8[40]=" savings.
      Mr Routley said in keeping with the science and technology theme, visitors would see 14 new winter ley legumes growing in "; S9[40]=" trial plots at the Research Station.
      The legumes, temperate and winter growing species, were being evaluated on the Darling Downs, Western Downs "; S10[40]=" and Maranoa as part of the National Annual Pasture Legume Improvement Program.
      The site contained both annual and perennial legumes from 14 "; S11[40]=" species, such as medics, clovers, lucerne, melilotus, serradella, biserrula and three hedysarums.
      'There'll also be new wheat, chickpea and canola varieties on "; S12[40]=" show, information on managing sub-soil constraints to improve crop yields in much of the grain belt and developments in establishing a guar industry.
    "; S13[40]="   The open day starts at 9am and finishes at 3.30pm, with an official opening by Primary Industries Minister Henry Palaszczuk at 9.15am.
    "; S14[40]="   Lunch will be provided.
      Roma Research Station is on the western outskirts of Roma, on the Mitchell road... "; R[41]="2231"; T[41]="On-farm stored grain aeration technology stirs interest"; A[41]="By ... Editor"; Dn[41]="20030910"; Dt[41]="Wednesday 10 September 2003"; Acats[41]="a55a93"; B1[41]="      There is a significant learning curve ahead for graingrowers keen to embrace aeration cooling and high flow aeration drying technology for on-farm "; B2[41]="grain storage... "; B3[41]=" "; B4[41]=" "; B5[41]=" "; S1[41]="      There is a significant learning curve ahead for graingrowers keen to embrace aeration cooling and high flow aeration drying technology for on-farm "; S2[41]=" grain storage.
      Department of Primary Industries senior agronomist Peter Hughes said a Grains Research and Development Corporation-funded research and development scoping study "; S3[41]=" undertaken during the past 12 months indicated a strong grower interest in aeration cooling and drying.
      More than 150 Central Queensland graingrowers "; S4[41]=" attending the 2003 Grains Research Update meetings held at Capella and Biloela on August 26-27 contributed to the debate on the benefits and potential risks.
"; S5[41]="       Mr Hughes, Toowoomba, who teamed with Update coordinator and NSW-based consultant John Cameron, Independent Consultants Australia Network Pty Ltd, said that aeration "; S6[41]=" cooling technology provided an effective low-cost method of preserving the quality of high moisture stored grain.
      'This is not new technology as "; S7[41]=" aeration cooling is widely used to safely store slightly over moisture grain for months.
      Purpose-built high flow rate aeration drying is a "; S8[41]=" technology that has been in use prior to the 1980s,' Mr Hughes said.
      'In the past, there has been no organisation able "; S9[41]=" to champion the technology in Australia as the bulk of our cereal and pulse grains are paddock dried to the accepted receival standards.
    "; S10[41]="   That scenario is changing as growers acknowledge the benefits of an early harvest to maximise yield and quality and reduce the risk of weather "; S11[41]=" damage.
      'The benefits are easy to sell, well designed aeration systems are readily available and industry consultants are indicating support for grower "; S12[41]=" adoption of the technology that promises to deliver higher yields of superior quality grain to the market place.
      'Used correctly at low "; S13[41]=" flow aeration rates of 2-6 litres per second per tonne, cool air pumped into the stored grain can suppress the development of stored grain insect "; S14[41]=" infestations and moulds and maintain harvest quality.
      It is important to appreciate that aeration cooling will not dry grain.
      "; S15[41]=" Growers who store high moisture grain and have a system not designed or purpose-built for aeration drying are placing their grain at considerable risk,' Mr "; S16[41]=" Hughes said.
      Mr Hughes said that before individual growers invest in a purpose-built high flow rate aeration drier system, they should consider "; S17[41]=" their existing on-farm storage capability and the proposed marketing strategy.
      'One of the incentives encouraging growers to invest the capital outlay is "; S18[41]=" the increased sales flexibility within a deregulated grain market.
      Growers will need considerable on-farm grain silo or shed storage capacity.' Mr Hughes "; S19[41]=" said there were immediate benefits for growers who installed cost-effective aeration cooling by converting existing silos and storage sheds for a capital outlay of around "; S20[41]=" $14/tonne - assuming that on-farm storage was already in place.
      This would enable them to hold grain at 14-15 per cent moisture "; S21[41]=" that could ultimately be blended with dry grain or be put through a dedicated drying system or even sold direct at the higher moisture.
  "; S22[41]="     Where the moisture content significantly exceeded 15 per cent or where the capacity to dry grain was needed, a purpose-built drying system would "; S23[41]=" be required.
      A rough budget for this was around $130 to $140/t for the cost of a silo with fans.
    "; S24[41]="   This estimate does not allow for concrete pads or other site costs.
      GRDC Northern Panel chairman Ian Buss, Bambar Plains, Orion, "; S25[41]=" told fellow growers that he was investing $300,000 to set up a bank of 10 by 200t capacity aeration driers.
      He would "; S26[41]=" have an on-farm grain storage capacity totalling 5000t.
      He anticipated there would be an aeration drying operating cost of between $3 to "; S27[41]=" $5/t but the system would reduce his cropping risk and broaden his marketing options... "; R[42]="2229"; T[42]="New oat variety on show at Gatton"; A[42]="By ... Editor"; Dn[42]="20030910"; Dt[42]="Wednesday 10 September 2003"; Acats[42]="a24a55a81"; B1[42]="      The only commercially available forage oat variety that is leaf rust resistant will go under public scrutiny at a field day at "; B2[42]="the Gatton Research Station on Thursday, September 18... "; B3[42]=" "; B4[42]=" "; B5[42]=" "; S1[42]="      The only commercially available forage oat variety that is leaf rust resistant will go under public scrutiny at a field day at "; S2[42]=" the Gatton Research Station on Thursday, September 18.
      The new variety, called Volta, was bred by Department of Primary Industries oat breeder "; S3[42]=" Leonard Song.
      Dr Song said the field day would feature large bocks of Volta and the old Algerian variety.
      "; S4[42]=" The Algerian was affected by leaf rust but Volta was free of the disease and looking 'very impressive', he said.
      Dr Song "; S5[42]=" said there would also be an opportunity to inspect a forage oat yield trial in which there were 20 varieties growing side by side.
  "; S6[42]="     As well as trial data, the plots provided a visual comparison of the growth of this extensive collection of varieties.
      "; S7[42]=" The field day starts at 10.30am and finishes at 1.30pm after a barbeque lunch.
      For catering purposes, people wishing to attend should "; S8[42]=" contact Heritage Seeds (4634 4822) by Monday, September 15.
      Heritage Seeds, which is marketing Volta seed, and the DPI are sponsoring the "; S9[42]=" field day... "; R[43]="2224"; T[43]="Cool idea to beat Legionnaire s disease"; A[43]="By ... Editor"; Dn[43]="20030909"; Dt[43]="Tuesday 9 September 2003"; Acats[43]="a55a93"; B1[43]="      A melbourne company has developed new technology that reduces the chances of contracting the deadly Legionnaires Disease.... "; B2[43]=" "; B3[43]=" "; B4[43]=" "; B5[43]=" "; S1[43]="      A melbourne company has developed new technology that reduces the chances of contracting the deadly Legionnaires' Disease.
      Muller Industries "; S2[43]=" has developed and patented a cooler that replaces existing cooling towers - common breeding grounds for the bacteria that causes the disease.
      "; S3[43]=" The cooler, designed by Grant Hall and his partners Rob Leamon and Tom Wadowski, utilises a heat exchanger that keeps warm water in a "; S4[43]=" closed circuit - the same concept as a car radiator.
      Water in a conventional cooling tower is exposed to air, potentially "; S5[43]=" allowing the legionella bacteria to escape into the atmosphere.
      A cooling tower is a heat rejection unit widely used in big "; S6[43]=" air-conditioning systems.
      Specialist water treatment companies regularly service cooling towers by adding chemicals to kill the legionella and other bacteria.
    "; S7[43]="   Mr Hall's product, known as the 3C cooler, does not require chemicals.
      The water is cooled by low velocity air, "; S8[43]=" which has no moisture carry-over to spread legionella.
      Mr Hall, 41, said his company had fitted the 3C cooler to several "; S9[43]=" hospitals, including the Royal Melbourne and the Alfred, food giant Simplot in Tasmania and many other businesses.
      The 3C cooler can "; S10[43]=" be fitted at a dry-cleaning business for about $10,000.
      Hospitals pay up to $50,000 for a big unit.
      "; S11[43]=" Mr Hall responded to calls from clients to find a solution to the cooling towers dilemma following the legionella outbreak at the Melbourne Aquarium in "; S12[43]=" April 2000.
      Several people died and more than 100 others fell ill.
      'We started with a sketch "; S13[43]=" on a pad,' Mr Hall, a director of Muller Industries, said.
      'Then Rob suggested that we needed to come up with "; S14[43]=" a design that uses the existing pipe network.
      'Tom said we needed something that allows us to evaporatively pre-cool the air.
"; S15[43]="       And that's about the guts of it.
      'Like any new design, it's been a bit of a roller-coaster "; S16[43]=" ride.
      As soon as we thought we had what we wanted, we ran into another hurdle.
      But we got "; S17[43]=" there in the end.' Mr Hall said his product did not require the constant maintenance needed on conventional cooling towers.
      "; S18[43]=" Savings on maintenance would eventually offset the initial capital outlay for a 3C cooler.
      'There are about 10,000 cooling towers in "; S19[43]=" Victoria and 40,000 across Australia,' he said.
      'So those numbers are our potential sales.' Muller Industries will consider investment offers to "; S20[43]=" expand the business overseas.
      He said Muller Industries, which also made industrial refrigeration systems, expected the 3C cooler to bring in "; S21[43]=" $5 million during the next 12 months.
      'We're obviously excited about the product - from a business and health point of "; S22[43]=" view,' he said.
      Clive Broadbent, an authority on cooling towers and legionella, said Mr Hall's 3C cooler was a breakthough - "; S23[43]=" an important solution.
      'Legionella will be present wherever there's water,' Mr Broadbent said.
      'But the risk of legionella "; S24[43]=" multiplying in a 3C cooler is negligible.
      'You can never say never,' said Mr Broadbent, who is chairman of the Standards "; S25[43]=" Australia Committee that has prepared standards on the control of legionella in cooling towers.
      'But Grant has come up with something "; S26[43]=" special for commercial applications.'.. "; R[44]="2209"; T[44]="CSR s sugar power"; A[44]="By ... Editor"; Dn[44]="20030905"; Dt[44]="Friday 5 September 2003"; Acats[44]="a20a36a55"; B1[44]="      Australia s biggest renewable energy project, a $100 million investment in an electricity plant fuelled by sugar, is to be built by "; B2[44]="CSR... "; B3[44]=" "; B4[44]=" "; B5[44]=" "; S1[44]="      Australia's biggest renewable energy project, a $100 million investment in an electricity plant fuelled by sugar, is to be built by CSR.
"; S2[44]="       CSR managing director Alec Brennan said a 63 megawatt generating plant would be built at the company's Pioneer raw sugar mill at "; S3[44]=" Brandon, near Townsville.
      The power output has already been sold to Queensland government-owned electricity retailer Ergon Energy under a 10-year supply "; S4[44]=" deal that could power about 16,000 homes.
      The process will be fuelled by sugar cane fibre known as bagasse - typically "; S5[44]=" a waste product from sugar refining.
      When the plant comes online in 2005, CSR will produce 12 per cent of the "; S6[44]=" Australian mandatory renewable energy target (MRET), by delivering 350,000 megawatt hours of electricity a year.
      The company already sells bagasse-fuelled electricity "; S7[44]=" to Ergon from its Invicta mill.
      A CSR spokesman said the bagasse decision did not preclude investing in ethanol production.
  "; S8[44]="     Last month, Mr Brennan said the building and sugar group was unlikely to proceed with plans for an ethanol plant unless the "; S9[44]=" federal Government provided long-term certainty.
      The CSR official said the company had not completed its commercial investigation into increased ethanol production.
"; S10[44]="       The bagasse decision worries some environmentalists, who oppose incineration of plant material because of local air quality effects.
      "; S11[44]=" Felicity Wishart, co-ordinator of the Queensland Conservation Council, said the CSR decision was welcome because it meant less reliance on greenhouse gas-emitting black coal.
"; S12[44]="       But she said the Brandon plant would have to meet stringent environmental controls on air quality.
      Mr Brennan "; S13[44]=" said increasing renewable energy production would help to reduce the effect of movements in the world sugar price on CSR's sugar business.
      "; S14[44]=" 'The investment is in line with our strategy to develop low-risk growth projects allied to our existing businesses,' he said.
      "; S15[44]=" About 80 per cent of the new plant's power capacity will be sold into the Queensland electricity grid, with the rest being used to power "; S16[44]=" the Pioneer mill.
      Mr Brennan foreshadowed that similar projects would be developed at other sugar mills.
      The "; S17[44]=" federal Government is currently reviewing the MRET target of nominally 2 per cent of electricity generation, which some say is too low... "; R[45]="2205"; T[45]="Bandicoot boosts Byfield pine planting"; A[45]="By ... Editor"; Dn[45]="20030905"; Dt[45]="Friday 5 September 2003"; Acats[45]="a39a55"; B1[45]="      A bandicoot spot mounder is digging its way across 300 hectares of the former Byfield district Freehold coastal cattle property, Lake Steven.... "; B2[45]=" "; B3[45]=" "; B4[45]=" "; B5[45]=" "; S1[45]="      A bandicoot spot mounder is digging its way across 300 hectares of the former Byfield district Freehold coastal cattle property, Lake Steven.
"; S2[45]="       This bandicoot is in fact an aptly named piece of forestry equipment that leaves in its wake a telltale pock-marked landscape of "; S3[45]=" 830 cultivated 'spots' per hectare in preparation for a 2003-04 summer planting of plantation softwood pine trees.
      Department of Primary Industries Forestry "; S4[45]=" North Region forest manager Andrew Dunn said the bandicoot spot mounder was an environmentally friendly purpose-built device that prepared 1 metre diameter individual tree planting "; S5[45]=" sites on sloping country.
      Mr Dunn said the bandicoot was being used to prepare planting sites on the department's 1500ha Freehold land "; S6[45]=" acquisition Lake Steven purchased in February this year.
      DPI Forestry had invested in a total of 6500ha of former Freehold grazing land "; S7[45]=" adjoining the Byfield Forestry during the past three years.
      This has the potential to expand the Byfield plantation area to about 11,000ha "; S8[45]=" making the volume of sustainable production an attractive and economically viable proposition.
      Mr Dunn said 450ha of Lake Steven's undulating grazing country "; S9[45]=" cleared some 25 years ago would be ultimately be planted this year to the in-demand Honduras Caribbean Pine and the Caribbean cross Slash hybrid pine.
"; S10[45]="       Mr Dunn said a DPI-designed prototype of the bandicoot spot mounder was developed about eight years ago.
      It was "; S11[45]=" an alternative to the Savannah continuous mounder, a heavy offset disc plough that prepared a tree planting bed about 1.5m wide and mounded 60cm high.
"; S12[45]="       The Savannah 250 Magnum forestry bedding plough prepared rows 5m apart following the land contour on a 1.5 per cent fall for "; S13[45]=" drainage.
      'When we operate the continuous mounder on slopes above 5 per cent through the maximum of 15 per cent, there is "; S14[45]=" a risk of soil erosion along these contour lines,' Mr Dunn said.
      In early August, DPI Forestry took delivery of the Bandicoot "; S15[45]=" spot mounder to reduce potential erosion on sloping terrain.
      Commercially built by Savannah Equipment, the mounder has been fitted to a 20-tonne "; S16[45]=" Kobelco excavator hired from Ray Murphy, a Yeppoon-based contractor.
      'The hydraulically driven spot mounder comprises a ripper bar centred between two 75cm "; S17[45]=" diameter scalloped disc plough blades.
      The ripper works to a depth of 0.5m and the discs revolve around the ripped section to "; S18[45]=" leave an uncompacted 1m diameter mound ready for planting,' Mr Dunn said.
      'The Bandicoot still plants on 5m rows with individual mounds "; S19[45]=" dug every 2.4m which equates to 830 trees/ha.
      During the past three weeks, 30ha of the targeted 300ha of sloping country has "; S20[45]=" been prepared for an anticipated December planting depending on rainfall.
      Compared to the continuous mounder, site preparation time has increased about three-fold "; S21[45]=" but this additional cost is offset by the long term environmental benefits,' Mr Dunn said... "; R[46]="2202"; T[46]="Emu farms offer an alternative to agriculture in USA"; A[46]="By ... Editor"; Dn[46]="20030904"; Dt[46]="Thursday 4 September 2003"; Acats[46]="a30a55a60"; B1[46]="      When you think of agriculture in the Lone Star state, cattle often comes to mind, but not all ranches raise livestock.... "; B2[46]=" "; B3[46]=" "; B4[46]=" "; B5[46]=" "; S1[46]="      When you think of agriculture in the Lone Star state, cattle often comes to mind, but not all ranches raise livestock.
  "; S2[46]="     Emu farms are popping up across the nations - more than 1,000 in Texas, and some call it the 'alternative agriculture.' Jimmy and "; S3[46]=" Rita Bitz own about 35 emus in Georgetown and say the birds are fairly easy to raise.
      'Well, the emus pretty much "; S4[46]=" take care of themselves.
      I have automatic feeders: I built some feeders that are under the barns and put two hundred pounds "; S5[46]=" of feed in there and they're a free-feed animal,' Jimmy Bitz said.
      'My wife and I - we grew up on a "; S6[46]=" farm and ranch, it still was in our blood, so about 14 years ago, we built three pens and started and we've just increased our "; S7[46]=" supply and pens then started developing products,' Jimmy said.
      Practically every part of an emu can be used for something.
    "; S8[46]="   Texas Emu Association president Al Howe said the primary product is emu oil, which is rendered down from the fat.
      "; S9[46]=" 'The plain oil itself is very good.
      It's mixed with other ingredients to form arthritic medications, or not medications - but ointments.
"; S10[46]="       We don't really say medications at this time because we haven't gone through the FDA certification,' Howe said.
      Howe "; S11[46]=" calls this type of farming 'alternative agriculture.' 'You can raise about 44 emu per acre, and in some areas in Texas, it takes about five "; S12[46]=" to six acres to raise about one head of cattle.' The Bitz's make and sell pretty much everything the emus produce, from the feathers and "; S13[46]=" leather to the eggs.
      'We can use them for the actual egg itself, or we can blow out the shells and use "; S14[46]=" it in arts and crafts,' Howe said.
      And nothing goes to waste.
      'Whatever is left over - the entrails "; S15[46]=" and so forth during the processing is made into fertilizer,' Howe said.
      You can find Bitz's emu-based products at local shops, such "; S16[46]=" as Sun Harvest on South Lamar or People's Pharmacy in Austin... "; R[47]="2197"; T[47]="Australian wool on show to international textile students"; A[47]="By ... Editor"; Dn[47]="20030904"; Dt[47]="Thursday 4 September 2003"; Acats[47]="a25a53a55"; B1[47]="      If you thought wool was all about warm bulky jumpers, then participants in the Australian Wool Innovation Global Innovators Wool Pipeline Tour "; B2[47]="are just the sort of people who could help change your mind... "; B3[47]=" "; B4[47]=" "; B5[47]=" "; S1[47]="      If you thought wool was all about warm bulky jumpers, then participants in the Australian Wool Innovation Global Innovators Wool Pipeline Tour "; S2[47]=" are just the sort of people who could help change your mind.
      Having applied Australian wool to products ranging from traditional knitwear "; S3[47]=" (incorporating metallic printing techniques or seamless knitting) through to shoes, a group of seventeen leading international fashion, design and wool textile students are now in "; S4[47]=" Australia to learn more about the industry - from on farm and the sale of wool through to wool processing and fashion.
      "; S5[47]=" Conducted by Australian Wool Innovation the tour includes participants from the UK, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Australia.
      AWI Manager, Product Commercialisation, "; S6[47]=" Stuart McCullough said the 2003 tour would build on the success of the previous program.
      Mr McCullough said the tour blended together "; S7[47]=" participants from the Biella Masters wool industry graduate training program, with winners of the Royal Society of the Arts Design Awards and the European Wool "; S8[47]=" Awards.
      Added to this was a further two award winning design students from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology Fashion and Design, "; S9[47]=" he said.
      'The aim of the tour is clear - to tap into the enthusiasm and the thirst for knowledge among this "; S10[47]=" group and ensure that they understand the unique role of wool and are encouraged to use it in the development of new and innovative consumer "; S11[47]=" products.' Mr McCullough said the tour was part of an integrated approach to working with international level design students and graduates.
      'To "; S12[47]=" make sure that wool enhances its reputation as a fabric of choice for modern consumers, we need to make sure that the innovators and the "; S13[47]=" up and coming designers are given every encouragement to use our product.' The tour itinerary includes visits to: · Wool Brokers Store and AWTA wool "; S14[47]=" testing laboratory at Yennora; · AUSTOP top making facilities at Parkes; · Shearing display at the Shear Outback Museum at Hay; · "; S15[47]=" The Falkiner Memorial Field Station at Deniliquin; · Macquarie Textiles at Albury; · Australian Country Spinners at Wangaratta; · The Royal Melbourne "; S16[47]=" Institute of Technology Fashion and Design; · CSIRO Textiles at Geelong.
      The group will also be briefed by AWI staff "; S17[47]=" on the latest research, development and innovation activities being pursued on behalf of Australian wool producers... "; R[48]="2149"; T[48]="Solar Tower set for US expansion"; A[48]="By ... Editor"; Dn[48]="20030825"; Dt[48]="Monday 25 August 2003"; Acats[48]="a36a55"; B1[48]="      US based SolarMission Technologies, Inc (formerly trading as Energen Global Inc), is set to expand development of Solar Tower technology into the "; B2[48]="US... "; B3[48]=" "; B4[48]=" "; B5[48]=" "; S1[48]="      US based SolarMission Technologies, Inc (formerly trading as Energen Global Inc), is set to expand development of Solar Tower technology into the "; S2[48]=" US.
      Solar Tower technology is a large-scale solar thermal renewable energy technology capable of generating 200MW of clean green grid connected electricity "; S3[48]=" to around 200,000 households.
      Development of this technology is currently underway in Australia by EnviroMission Limited, a publicly listed Australian company that "; S4[48]=" SolarMission Technologies has a commercial interest in.
      The exclusive license to develop Solar Tower renewable energy technology in Australia was granted to "; S5[48]=" EnviroMission Limited in 2001 by SolarMission Technologies in consideration for a 39% interest in EnviroMission.
      Cornerstone to the initial development of the "; S6[48]=" technology in Australia was engineering capability, geological and meteorological suitability, commercial opportunity and social and political support.
      As owner of the Solar "; S7[48]=" Tower license in the US, China, Mexico, Jordan, Egypt, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Vietnam and Thailand; SolarMission Technologies now plans to build on EnviroMission's progress "; S8[48]=" and will commence commercialization of the technology outside Australia.
      A search for a suitable location for the US has already highlighted enthusiasm "; S9[48]=" for the technology in West Texas, Nevada, California and Arizona.
      'US enthusiasm for Solar Tower technology comes as no surprise' says EnviroMission "; S10[48]=" Limited's Chief Executive Officer, Roger Davey, 'if enquiries out of the US could be used as an indicator, Solar Tower technology should be bigger than "; S11[48]=" Texas!' EnviroMission's work to date in Australian has provided the project with the groundwork to effectively drive developments in other licenced markets.
      "; S12[48]=" 'The real winner from development of this technology in the US will be the environment, with significant greenhouse gas abatement expected from the technology's emission "; S13[48]=" free power generation' says Davey.
      A single Solar Tower power station is expected to abate over 700,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases annually, "; S14[48]=" providing an important contribution to the renewable energy challenge in the US... "; R[49]="2132"; T[49]="New Cherries last longer"; A[49]="By ... Editor"; Dn[49]="20030820"; Dt[49]="Wednesday 20 August 2003"; Acats[49]="a18a55"; B1[49]="      The Australian cherry industry could become a premium supplier to new overseas markets, the Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator "; B2[49]="Judith Troeth, said in Adelaide today... "; B3[49]=" "; B4[49]=" "; B5[49]=" "; S1[49]="      The Australian cherry industry could become a premium supplier to new overseas markets, the Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator "; S2[49]=" Judith Troeth, said in Adelaide today.
      Senator Troeth said the introduction of innovative packaging technology by South Australia's largest cherry and nashi "; S3[49]=" pear producer, Torrens Valley Orchards (TVO), would make distance from export markets increasingly irrelevant.
      With the help of a $525,000 grant from "; S4[49]=" the Australian Government's Agriculture-Advancing Australia - Farm Innovation Program, Torrens Valleys Orchards, based in Gumeracha in the Adelaide Hills, were able to build and test "; S5[49]=" a temperature-controlled packing room, complete with a modified atmospheric punneting machine.
      Their goal was to discover the best way to export five "; S6[49]=" kilogram boxes of cherries by sea and keep them in top condition.
      They are now aiming to increase their annual exports from "; S7[49]=" 200 to 1000 tonnes over the next five years.
      The Torrens Valley Orchards project is just one of 13 South Australian Farm "; S8[49]=" Innovation projects, which received $1.2 million during the two years of the program.
      Industry recipients matched government funding.
      'Research "; S9[49]=" has shown that cherries handled through an integrated cool chain handling system and stored under optimum modified atmospheric conditions can result in a significant increase "; S10[49]=" in shelf life,' Senator Troeth said.
      'Australian exporters have not used the technology before and it has many benefits for the "; S11[49]=" cherry industry.
      Implementation of this innovation will position the Australian cherry industry as a premium supplier to new overseas markets in Asia "; S12[49]=" and Europe.
      The system will also preserve the quality of the fruit, which is expected to fetch premium prices.
      "; S13[49]=" 'The implementation of this technology promises to have long term benefits for not only the Australian cherry industry but also for other fruit export "; S14[49]=" industries.' International buyers, agents, produce brokers, other cherry growers and representatives from Austrade have inspected this innovation at TVO and expressed enthusiasm for the "; S15[49]=" future of this technology in premium fruit exports.
      The Australian cherry industry exports $60 million annually, with key markets in Hong Kong, "; S16[49]=" Taiwan, the United Kingdom and Singapore.
      'This project demonstrates what industry and government can achieve by working in partnership,' Senator Troeth "; S17[49]=" said.
      'Through this Farm Innovation Program and other initiatives, the Australian Government is putting the right strategies in place to help farmers "; S18[49]=" meet the challenges of the future.'.. ";