R[0]="2106"; T[0]="Forum to show how improved pastures can cut production costs"; A[0]="By ... Editor"; Dn[0]="20071024"; Dt[0]="Wednesday 24 October 2007"; Acats[0]="a24a27a72"; B1[0]="      'Is it worth the effort?' That's the question many Queensland cattle producers are asking when it comes to moving from native pastures "; B2[0]="to 'improved pastures' which can include a mix of legumes, exotic grasses and browse species such as leucaena... "; B3[0]=" "; B4[0]=" "; B5[0]=" "; S1[0]="      'Is it worth the effort?' That's the question many Queensland cattle producers are asking when it comes to moving from native pastures "; S2[0]=" to 'improved pastures' which can include a mix of legumes, exotic grasses and browse species such as leucaena.
      If the improvements in "; S3[0]=" animal nutrition, increased growth rates and animal turnover are any indication then the answer would be yes.
      Pasture expert Dr Scott Dalzell "; S4[0]=" from the University of Queensland, a keynote speaker at next month's National Beef Industry Forum near Rockhampton, said improving pastures is one of the best "; S5[0]=" ways to boost an enterprise's bottom line.
      'Your cost of production can significantly be reduced by moving from native to improved pastures "; S6[0]=" because animal nutrition is improved, livestock liveweight gain is better, animal turnover is quicker and you depend less on urea supplementation,' Dr Dalzell said.
  "; S7[0]="     'Environmentally, many improved pastures are more sustainable than native pastures because they are resilient under moderate grazing pressure.
      They maintain "; S8[0]=" better ground cover thereby reducing soil erosion and improving water quality.
      'Legumes are a particularly important component of improved pasture systems because "; S9[0]=" they improve soil fertility which ensures long-term sustainability of production as well as improving the forage quality of pastures because of their higher protein content.' "; S10[0]=" The National Beef Industry Forum - one of the biggest events of its type ever to be held in Australia - will be held at "; S11[0]=" Paradise Lagoons near Rockhampton on Wednesday 21 November, while the MLA AGM will be held in Rockhampton the following day.
      The National "; S12[0]=" Beef Industry Forum will provide cattle producers the opportunity to listen to and talk with a range of industry specialists who will speak on a "; S13[0]=" number of topics under the theme of 'Meating the future head on'.
      The National Beef Industry Forum will be a combination of "; S14[0]=" a field day, conference, trade show and expo and is being held by MLA in conjunction with a local organising committee of enthusiastic and experienced "; S15[0]=" Queensland cattle producers.
      Pre-event registrations for the National Beef Industry Forum are $20 for MLA members and $30 for non-members.
    "; S16[0]="   A casual evening function will be held on-site at Paradise Lagoons following the forum and will cost $20 per person.
      An "; S17[0]=" $80 MLA-member family special package is also available, which provides entry to the forum and evening function (maximum 4 family members).
      To "; S18[0]=" register call 1800 675 717 or email noel@beefaustralia.com.au... "; R[1]="2076"; T[1]="Growers told to manage paraquat use to avoid resistant ryegrass"; A[1]="By ... Editor"; Dn[1]="20070823"; Dt[1]="Thursday 23 August 2007"; Acats[1]="a03a72a85"; B1[1]="      Leading weeds researcher Dr Chris Preston has warned that growers risk the development of paraquat resistance in annual ryegrass if the herbicide "; B2[1]="is not used correctly... "; B3[1]=" "; B4[1]=" "; B5[1]=" "; S1[1]="      Leading weeds researcher Dr Chris Preston has warned that growers risk the development of paraquat resistance in annual ryegrass if the herbicide "; S2[1]=" is not used correctly.
     
      * Leading researcher warns paraquat resistance may develop in annual ryegrass
    "; S3[1]="   * Populations of paraquat-resistant ryegrass found recently in South Africa
      * Growers must correctly use paraquat and apply at recommended "; S4[1]=" rates Dr Preston, of the CRC for Australian Weed Management, spoke at the recent Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Updates at Eudunda and Lameroo "; S5[1]=" and urged growers to correctly use paraquat if targeting annual ryegrass.
      Dr Preston said populations of paraquat-resistant annual ryegrass had been found "; S6[1]=" recently in South Africa.
      In examining this paraquat-resistant annual ryegrass, Dr Preston found that low rates of about 500ml per hectare "; S7[1]=" would select for resistance, whereas higher rates of 1.3L per hectare and above were much less likely to do so.
      'Paraquat "; S8[1]=" is unusual in this respect,' Dr Preston said.
      'Usually we expect high rates to select for resistance faster than low rates, but "; S9[1]=" occasionally with some herbicides and some weeds the situation can be reversed.
      'It is likely resistance evolved in South Africa because growers "; S10[1]=" there were using paraquat to treat big plants that were past tillering.
      Paraquat is not as effective a treatment on such large "; S11[1]=" plants.' Dr Preston said although there had been no reports of paraquat-resistant annual ryegrass in Australia, growers should be aware that this was a problem "; S12[1]=" waiting to happen.
      'Paraquat resistance could be coming to Australian ryegrass so management strategies must be put in place,' he said.
  "; S13[1]="     'Correct use of paraquat in southern Australian cropping systems will increase the life of the chemical.' Dr Preston said the double-knock strategy, an "; S14[1]=" application of glyphosate followed by a paraquat-based herbicide, could aid the development of resistance if not used correctly.
      'Growers who are dropping "; S15[1]=" the rate of the paraquat part of the double knock risk selection for paraquat resistance,' he said.
      'Growers shouldn't back-off on the "; S16[1]=" rates, especially the rate of paraquat.' Dr Preston recommended growers use the double knock wisely to increase the life of paraquat.
      'The "; S17[1]=" best strategy may not be to use the double knock every year with low rates of paraquat,' he said.
      'It may be "; S18[1]=" better used to tackle the worst weedy paddocks and at the recommended rates.' During his GRDC Updates presentation, Dr Preston gave growers information on the "; S19[1]=" latest resistance developments including the emergence of resistance to 2,4-D and Group B herbicides in Indian hedge mustard.
      'In the past "; S20[1]=" year we have confirmed 2,4-D resistance in a population of Indian hedge mustard from South Australia,' he said.
      'This population is also "; S21[1]=" resistant to Group B herbicides and to other Group I herbicides, which is worrying as Group I herbicides are often used to control Group B-resistant "; S22[1]=" broadleaf weeds.' Dr Preston urged growers to follow best practice weed management to reduce the incidence of resistance.
      'Weed management in intensive "; S23[1]=" cropping should be a multi-year management plan and growers must keep abreast of emerging resistance issues,' he said... "; R[2]="2068"; T[2]="Farmers concerned about wind erosion"; A[2]="By ... Editor"; Dn[2]="20070823"; Dt[2]="Thursday 23 August 2007"; Acats[2]="a37a72a89a90"; B1[2]="      The impact of wind erosion is topping the list of land degradation concerns among farmers affected by consecutive dry seasons.... "; B2[2]=" "; B3[2]=" "; B4[2]=" "; B5[2]=" "; S1[2]="      The impact of wind erosion is topping the list of land degradation concerns among farmers affected by consecutive dry seasons.
    "; S2[2]="   At this month's Dowerin Field Days, the Department of Agriculture and Food will focus on land degradation hazards and help farmers identify their risks "; S3[2]=" and management options.
      The online mapping and information service 'NRM Info',part of the Shared Land Use Information Platform (SLIP), will also be "; S4[2]=" running.
      The service is a one-stop-shop to help manage land degradation and is available at http://spatial.agric.wa.gov.au/slip/ 'NRM Info' program manager Damian "; S5[2]=" Shepherd said extensive information was available to help land managers, including farmers, regional NRM groups, local government and land use planners, to understand and manage "; S6[2]=" land degradation risks like erosion.
      Mr Shepherd said 'NRM Info' brought together natural resource data, information and mapping products from across State "; S7[2]=" agencies in one place, available online and free to access.
      'It provides information on soils, land degradation hazards, wetlands, coastal, marine and "; S8[2]=" aquatic environments, native vegetation and rare and priority flora and fauna,' Mr Shepherd said.
      'The site is continually being updated and "; S9[2]=" will soon incorporate an even wider range of other NRM information.' Mr Shepherd said 'NRM Info' ensured the most current and reliable information was available "; S10[2]=" to support land management decisions.
      'It allows users to explore what information is relevant to their local area, to interactively run queries "; S11[2]=" and reports on mapped features, and to print customised maps,' he said.
      'Farmers can view, customise and print maps of natural resource "; S12[2]=" information for their local area, including aerial photos, soils, land degradation hazards and native vegetation.' 'NRM Info' is jointly funded by the Australian and Western "; S13[2]=" Australian Governments... "; R[3]="2063"; T[3]="Report warns against agricultural expansion in northern Australia"; A[3]="By ... Editor"; Dn[3]="20070823"; Dt[3]="Thursday 23 August 2007"; Acats[3]="a37a42a72a89"; B1[3]="      Environmental scientists from the Australian National University have launched a report warning against potentially damaging forms of economic development in northern Australia.... "; B2[3]=" "; B3[3]=" "; B4[3]=" "; B5[3]=" "; S1[3]="      Environmental scientists from the Australian National University have launched a report warning against potentially damaging forms of economic development in northern Australia.
"; S2[3]="       As the Federal Government investigates the potential for agricultural expansion in the north, the report calls for a more cautious approach.
  "; S3[3]="     Co-author Brendan Mackey says he hopes the report will be considered by the Government's northern task force.
      'There's agriculture in "; S4[3]=" the north now and there's going to be agriculture in the future, and the extent to which that can or should expand is something we "; S5[3]=" know is being considered by a government task force,' he said.
      'So I think the material in our book is relevant to "; S6[3]=" that question and we'll certainly forward a copy of it to the government task force and we'd be very happy to meet with them and "; S7[3]=" discuss how our finding might be helpful to their deliberations.'.. "; R[4]="2059"; T[4]="Drought is no excuse for neglecting livestock"; A[4]="By ... Editor"; Dn[4]="20070823"; Dt[4]="Thursday 23 August 2007"; Acats[4]="a25a26a72a89"; B1[4]="      The RSPCA's laying of almost 100 charges of animal cruelty against a Pilliga cattle producer yesterday has prompted the NSW DPI to "; B2[4]="issue a reminder to the State's livestock owners of their responsibilities when it comes to animal welfare... "; B3[4]=" "; B4[4]=" "; B5[4]=" "; S1[4]="      The RSPCA's laying of almost 100 charges of animal cruelty against a Pilliga cattle producer yesterday has prompted the NSW DPI to "; S2[4]=" issue a reminder to the State's livestock owners of their responsibilities when it comes to animal welfare.
      'There is a strong expectation "; S3[4]=" within society that neglecting the welfare of animals, both big or small, is not acceptable,' NSW DPI's director of animal welfare, Ross Burton said today.
"; S4[4]="       'Nobody is more aware of this than the State's farming community which has worked hard to sustain their livestock through the worst "; S5[4]=" drought on record.
      'In nearly all cases, the State's farmers are to be commended on the manner in which they have cared "; S6[4]=" for their animals.
      'Drought is no excuse for letting the condition of livestock slip to the point that the animals' welfare suffers "; S7[4]=" and they ultimately become a critical case of neglect ...
      and most farmers are aware of this.
      'The truth "; S8[4]=" is the drought has forced many producers to make hard decisions to protect the welfare of their animals, this includes providing adequate amounts of feed "; S9[4]=" and fresh water.
      'Livestock producers have had to decide to either sell their stock or buy fodder in to feed them through "; S10[4]=" the long dry ...
      which can be very expensive.
      'Recent cold and wet weather has placed additional pressure on "; S11[4]=" livestock, with many owners still hand feeding in the hope that they will experience a good spring with plenty of pasture growth.' Mr Burton urged "; S12[4]=" producers interested in drought assistance, including animal welfare support, to contact the NSW DPI drought hotline 1800 814 647.
      'The State Government "; S13[4]=" has a whole range of drought assistance measures to ease the pressure on livestock producers battling the drought,' he said.
      These include: "; S14[4]="
      * Subsidies to transport stock to sale and slaughter, subsidies to transport fodder;
      * A specialist "; S15[4]=" drought counselling service provided by a team of drought support workers;
      * Mental Health Information Service;
    "; S16[4]="   * Drought household assistance, Rural Financial Counsellors;
      * Drought livestock disposal scheme; and
      * "; S17[4]=" A fodder registry... "; R[5]="2011"; T[5]="Making every bit count in plenty or drought"; A[5]="By ... Editor"; Dn[5]="20070331"; Dt[5]="Saturday 31 March 2007"; Acats[5]="a72a89"; B1[5]="      Flexible farmers who have developed skills to manage risk are in the best position to take advantage of opportunities during climate change "; B2[5]="according to NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI)... "; B3[5]=" "; B4[5]=" "; B5[5]=" "; S1[5]="      Flexible farmers who have developed skills to manage risk are in the best position to take advantage of opportunities during climate change "; S2[5]=" according to NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI).
      NSW DPI district agronomist, Mary-Anne Lattimore, said planning, diversification and a good dose "; S3[5]=" of NSW DPI PROfarm courses can all help farmers develop longterm plans.
      'We're working with farmers to give them the best tools "; S4[5]=" to manage in a climate where water is scarcer and more expensive,' Ms Lattimore said.
      'It's all about getting the most out "; S5[5]=" of the water and we find farmers attending our courses learn just as much from each other as they do from the NSW DPI.' Whitton "; S6[5]=" farmers, Wayne and Kelly Williams, have taken advantage of the lessons learned from NSW DPI PROfarm courses and applied them on their Riverina property 'Kenlock'.
"; S7[5]="       ''We've done the irrigated lucerne, silage production and aquaculture courses, now we're using what we learned to maximise production while saving on "; S8[5]=" water,' Mr Williams said.
      'The ultimate plan is to fully integrate our bore water licence on-farm with yabby production, cereal and summer "; S9[5]=" crops, lucerne hay and silage production, contracting, marketing and value-adding the water right through to wool and beef production.
      While the yabbies "; S10[5]=" are still on the drawing board the rest of the plan is fully functional.
      'We sold our surface water licence and moved "; S11[5]=" to bore water to accommodate the yabbies and that has proved to a good option given current water allocations.' Mr Williams has grown lucerne for "; S12[5]=" hay and silage production which paid off during this drought and now with a reduced amount of water available he's just harvested a lucerne seed "; S13[5]=" crop.
      'An opportunity arose to grow a commercial seed crop which uses 75 per cent less water than hay and if more "; S14[5]=" water becomes available there's the possibility we could get a hay cut or two.
      'Whether it's good times or bad, you have "; S15[5]=" to work with the conditions that you're in, plan accordingly and just keep minimising water use and maximising production,' he said.
      A "; S16[5]=" lucerne tour of the USA is being planned later this year and farmers can contact Mary-Anne Lattimore, Yanco (02) 6951 2695 for information about the "; S17[5]=" tour and the Irrigated lucerne for profit and Topfodder™ silage courses... "; R[6]="2004"; T[6]="Forage forum business plan to help drought-proof farms"; A[6]="By ... Editor"; Dn[6]="20070331"; Dt[6]="Saturday 31 March 2007"; Acats[6]="a72a89"; B1[6]="      A forage forum held by the EH Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation at Wagga Wagga last Wednesday (14 March) put in place "; B2[6]="a business plan to help drought-proof and increase profitability and sustainability of Australian grazing industries... "; B3[6]=" "; B4[6]=" "; B5[6]=" "; S1[6]="      A forage forum held by the EH Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation at Wagga Wagga last Wednesday (14 March) put in place "; S2[6]=" a business plan to help drought-proof and increase profitability and sustainability of Australian grazing industries.
      The EH Graham Centre is an alliance "; S3[6]=" between NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and Charles Sturt University (CSU).
      The forum, initiated by the Graham Centre to develop a "; S4[6]=" National Forage Conservation Research Initiative, was attended by farmers, NSW DPI and CSU staff, Meat and Livestock Australia, Pastures Australia, Dairy Australia and Australian Fodder "; S5[6]=" Industry Association.
      Graham Centre Director Deirdre Lemerle said the aim was to develop opportunities to extend information on forage conservation to producers "; S6[6]=" and identify research needs.
      'A business plan will be developed during the next two months to define objectives of the Forage Conservation "; S7[6]=" Research Initiative, with the overall objective of drought-proofing and increasing profitability and sustainability of Australian grazing industries, and improving water conservation,' she said.
    "; S8[6]="   'The forum identified the need to clearly identify the research priorities that would ensure greatest return on research investment for potential funding bodies.' Professor "; S9[6]=" Lemerle said there was a clear need to deliver information that was already available on Best Practice Management on production of conserved forage and feeding.
"; S10[6]="       Forage conservation expert John Piltz, a livestock research officer with the Graham Centre, and Frank Austin, a beef producer from Adelong, highlighted "; S11[6]=" the importance of considering forage conservation as part of the whole farm business plan, to drought proofing farms, for risk management, weed control and to "; S12[6]=" better manage perennial pastures.
      Ladysmith dairy farmer, Sid Clarke, spoke of the critical role high quality silage played in year round milk "; S13[6]=" supply in his operation.
      The forum also identified the need for a complete economic analysis of the role for forage conservation in "; S14[6]=" beef, sheep and dairy enterprises, to evaluate the many and varied systems that producers are using.
      Professor Lemerle said there was an "; S15[6]=" immediate need to deliver current information to increase the profitability of forage conservation systems through existing extension networks... "; R[7]="1938"; T[7]="Planning Vital for Dawson Expansion"; A[7]="By ... Editor"; Dn[7]="20070304"; Dt[7]="Sunday 4 March 2007"; Acats[7]="a02a05a72"; B1[7]="      The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries has teamed with the Banana and Duaringa shire councils to take a proactive approach to "; B2[7]="planning for potential agricultural development along the Dawson River... "; B3[7]=" "; B4[7]=" "; B5[7]=" "; S1[7]="      The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries has teamed with the Banana and Duaringa shire councils to take a proactive approach to "; S2[7]=" planning for potential agricultural development along the Dawson River.
      DPI&F regional director Paul Walmsley said the February 16 meeting was initiated by "; S3[7]=" the shires to share a wealth of existing agricultural land use information in the event that a major infrastructure such as the proposed Nathan Dam "; S4[7]=" was progressed.
      Mr Walmsley said the Banana Shire representatives led by Mayor Glenn Churchill and Duaringa Shire led by Mayor Gary Howard "; S5[7]=" were keen to work with DPI&F, an acknowledged economic development agency, during this initial planning stage.
      'Any Dawson Valley agricultural precinct development "; S6[7]=" will involve both shires and while it is still very early days, DPI&F regional planning officers have already been working in collaboration with local government "; S7[7]=" officers,' Mr Walmsley said.
      'All parties recognise that the capital input required for a profitable water infrastructure development will in all probability "; S8[7]=" be driven by a demand for water linked to coal mining expansion.
      'While there are implications for local authority planning schemes to "; S9[7]=" accommodate development associated with major industrial developments, future planning must also incorporate the needs of agricultural development,' Mr Walmsley said.
      Mr Walmsley "; S10[7]=" said initial planning involved a shared understanding of local and state government roles in the development of agricultural precincts in Queensland.
      'Agricultural "; S11[7]=" precinct planning for the Dawson has to take into account land-use capacity and its suitability for a range of agricultural industries, which includes irrigated cotton "; S12[7]=" and intensive horticulture.
      'Our objective is to highlight the agricultural potential by making the appropriate decisions to support the whole supply chain "; S13[7]=" to promote future commercial industry investment,' Mr Walmsley said.
      'Banana and Duaringa shires, in conjunction with DPI&F and other state government agencies, "; S14[7]=" are well positioned to work with and develop agricultural precincts, but it is up to the investors to select the ventures they see as the "; S15[7]=" perceived winners,' he said... "; R[8]="1937"; T[8]="Healthy soils are this project's focus"; A[8]="By ... Editor"; Dn[8]="20070304"; Dt[8]="Sunday 4 March 2007"; Acats[8]="a02a72"; B1[8]="      Ways of helping farmers beat the effects of tillage and climate change on cropped soils in the Balonne, Maranoa and Waggamba regions "; B2[8]="are being developed in a major project now underway... "; B3[8]=" "; B4[8]=" "; B5[8]=" "; S1[8]="      Ways of helping farmers beat the effects of tillage and climate change on cropped soils in the Balonne, Maranoa and Waggamba regions "; S2[8]=" are being developed in a major project now underway.
      A Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries extension agronomist at Roma, Ann-Maree Bach, "; S3[8]=" said the project's focus was the improvement of soil health and productivity through the adoption of best management practices.
      Ms Bach said "; S4[8]=" the Grains Research and Development Corporation supported the project.
      She said the work was triggered by as much as a 75 per "; S5[8]=" cent reduction in the capacity of the regions' soils to absorb the high intensity rainfall that was a feature of the climate pattern.
    "; S6[8]="   'This reduced capacity and the predicted outcomes of climate change have the potential to dramatically reduce the margin for error in dryland cropping systems,' "; S7[8]=" she said.
      Ms Bach said part of the Western Farming Systems project involved talking with farmers about their options for improving or "; S8[8]=" maintaining soil health.
      'From information we will provide, farmers will be able to appreciate what makes a healthy soil, what condition their "; S9[8]=" soil is in now and what they can do to improve or maintain its health,' Ms Bach said.
      'This will help growers "; S10[8]=" assess their land type capabilities for long-term sustainability, and then interpret what this means for their current enterprise management.
      'We're setting up "; S11[8]=" paired sites to compare the health of soils under native vegetation versus old cultivation and pasture versus native vegetation to find where each enterprise is "; S12[8]=" in terms of production potential and sustainability,' she said.
      'We're arranging soil pit days and soil health field workshops in June to "; S13[8]=" provide visual information on appropriate whole farm management strategies for each of the regions.' Ms Bach said farmers had been noticing the effects of tillage "; S14[8]=" on production for years, as organic carbon levels, aggregate stability, permeability and water-holding capacity declined, some by as much as two-thirds since soils were first "; S15[8]=" cropped.
      'Almost all grain cropped soils in Queensland and northern New South Wales have been physically, chemically and biologically degraded to an "; S16[8]=" extent, and we would like to help in the process of rectifying this to improve production potential,' she said.
      More information on "; S17[8]=" the project is available from Ann-Maree Bach at DPI&F Roma (07 4624 1711) and Janelle Reichstein at DPI&F St George (07 4620 8110)... "; R[9]="1895"; T[9]="New management tool for East Australian graziers"; A[9]="By ... Editor"; Dn[9]="20070216"; Dt[9]="Friday 16 February 2007"; Acats[9]="a25a26a27a72"; B1[9]="      CSIRO has just released a new real-time information tool to help graziers in eastern Australia better cope with the impact of climate "; B2[9]="variations on pasture production... "; B3[9]=" "; B4[9]=" "; B5[9]=" "; S1[9]="      CSIRO has just released a new real-time information tool to help graziers in eastern Australia better cope with the impact of climate "; S2[9]=" variations on pasture production.
      Primary producers from Rockhampton in Queensland across to Ceduna in South Australia and down to Tasmania can now "; S3[9]=" access newly released satellite pasture growth data from the Pastures from Space website -: www.pasturesfromspace.csiro.au.
      The Pasture Growth Rate (PGR®) data on "; S4[9]=" the website is from the previous weeks' climate records and satellite images which are merged to calculate how fast the pasture is growing at the "; S5[9]=" national, regional, farm and paddock scale.
      PGR® supports farmers in making management decisions like grazing rotation, feed budgeting, fertilizer application and other "; S6[9]=" 'precision' techniques.
      Because the data is on the web, near real-time decisions can be made.
      Spatial analyst from CSIRO "; S7[9]=" Armidale, Graham Donald, says PGR® provides an assessment of the amount of pasture grown in the last week (in kilograms of dry matter per day).
"; S8[9]="       'The major difficulty graziers face with climatic uncertainty is how to match fluctuating feed supply with demand.
      'Because the "; S9[9]=" data is on the web, near real-time decisions can be made.' 'It is economically and environmentally vital for producers to manage productivity, meet market demand "; S10[9]=" and maximise profit - but to do this they must utilise their available stock feed strategically and sustainably,' Mr Donald said.
      'These "; S11[9]=" accurate satellite estimations of PGR® provide information on feed resources allowing producers to more effectively manage their enterprise and raise the productivity of their businesses,' "; S12[9]=" he said.
      'Producers in eastern Australia now have the tools capable of measuring positive and negative effects on their farms and farming "; S13[9]=" regions generally,' Mr Donald said.
      In providing information about seasonal and yearly fluctuations in pasture production, the Pastures from Space project has "; S14[9]=" also proven invaluable as a decision support tool to shire councils, state government agencies and the banking and finance sectors.
      CSIRO developed "; S15[9]=" PGR® in collaboration with the Western Australia Departments of Food & Agriculture and Land Information (now known as Landgate), with the Bureau of Meteorology providing "; S16[9]=" critical regional climate data... "; R[10]="1824"; T[10]="Wagga Wagga conference focuses on drought recovery"; A[10]="By ... Editor"; Dn[10]="20070129"; Dt[10]="Monday 29 January 2007"; Acats[10]="a02a05a35a53a54a72a89"; B1[10]="      Scientists from across Australia will gather in Wagga Wagga in February for a conference that will focus on helping grain producers recover "; B2[10]="from the drought... "; B3[10]=" "; B4[10]=" "; B5[10]=" "; S1[10]="      Scientists from across Australia will gather in Wagga Wagga in February for a conference that will focus on helping grain producers recover "; S2[10]=" from the drought.
      The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) will hold its annual Advisers' Update at Charles Sturt University on February "; S3[10]=" 13-14 with the aim of positioning growers for a rapid recovery from the worst drought on record.
      GRDC Southern Regional Panel chair "; S4[10]=" David Shannon said managing climate variability had become an important operational and research priority for farmers in Australia's southern grain belt, due in part to "; S5[10]=" climate extremes experienced in recent seasons.
      'The past few seasons have been anything but average,' Mr Shannon said.
      'While "; S6[10]=" the climate has always been the main factor impacting on Australian agriculture, and Australian farming success has always been characterised by our versatility in coping "; S7[10]=" with severe weather, recent seasons have highlighted the need for more than just sound farming practices developed by generations of experience.
      'New "; S8[10]=" South Wales, particularly with regard to the southern and western areas of the State, has perhaps been the hardest hit by prolonged dry weather over "; S9[10]=" the past few years.
      NSW growers will recover from these poor conditions because they are resilient and innovative, but they can't do "; S10[10]=" it alone.
      'The role of the research community and farm advisers is to improve the tools and techniques by which growers will "; S11[10]=" emerge from this difficult time stronger and more productive than before.
      'Through organisations such as the GRDC, farmers are now driving scientific "; S12[10]=" research aimed at providing them with better tools to manage climate risk from a whole range of angles - agronomy, planning, natural resource management, marketing "; S13[10]=" and finances.' Mr Shannon said farmers' advisers were playing an increasingly important role in providing the information that growers needed.
      'The GRDC "; S14[10]=" recently surveyed growers and found that increasing numbers were engaging private advisers in addition to greatly valuing the research and agronomic information coming from sources "; S15[10]=" funded by growers and taxpayers,' he said.
      'The GRDC Adviser Update is about bringing advisers and scientists together to discuss the issues "; S16[10]=" and ensure they have access to all of the information they need for their grower clients.
      Communication between them is essential to "; S17[10]=" improving research outcomes and the GRDC considers it a priority to facilitate this with initiatives such as the annual Adviser Updates.' The main topics being "; S18[10]=" presented at the Update include energy in agriculture (the changes and impacts on the grains industry associated with biofuels), planning for a year following drought, "; S19[10]=" adapting to climate change, weed biology and better weed management, insights into farmer decision-making, and soil inoculants as the 'fourth wave' in agricultural production.
  "; S20[10]="     'Many of the scientists and advisers speaking at the Wagga Wagga update are based in New South Wales, a fact which underlines the "; S21[10]=" substantial contribution to national grains research made in the state,' Mr Shannon said.
      'Organisations such as Charles Sturt University and the NSW "; S22[10]=" Department of Primary Industries are at the forefront of research aimed at improving agricultural production, sustainability and international competitiveness.'.. "; R[11]="1788"; T[11]="NSW DPI course delivers feed, profit and sustainability"; A[11]="By ... Editor"; Dn[11]="20061223"; Dt[11]="Saturday 23 December 2006"; Acats[11]="a35a53a72a89"; B1[11]="      As the drought continues to impact on stockfeed availability, good quality lucerne hay is in demand and with prices hitting $500 per "; B2[11]="tonne those who have hay for sale are in a prime position... "; B3[11]=" "; B4[11]=" "; B5[11]=" "; S1[11]="      As the drought continues to impact on stockfeed availability, good quality lucerne hay is in demand and with prices hitting $500 per "; S2[11]=" tonne those who have hay for sale are in a prime position.
      Lucerne growers across Australia have ensured they make the most "; S3[11]=" from their crops and resources by attending the Department of Primary Industries' (DPI) PROfarm Irrigated lucerne for profit course.
      Course presenter, NSW "; S4[11]=" DPI agronomist Mary-Anne Lattimore, said as water resources become more limited and costly farmers need to make every drop count.
      'The most "; S5[11]=" important outcomes we try to deliver are to improve not only their profitability but to improve the sustainability of the farm and the environment,' Ms "; S6[11]=" Lattimore said.
      According to Ms Lattimore most irrigators won't have access to enough water to grow annual crops this season.
    "; S7[11]="   'Because lucerne is a perennial crop it can still produce reasonable yields with water that is available now.
      And with feed "; S8[11]=" running low, high quality lucerne hay is in big demand.' Word of mouth has spread the news of this valuable learning experience, which has seen "; S9[11]=" increasingly more farmers investing in the two and a half-day course.
      Recently at the NSW DPI's Yanco Agricultural Institute, Western Australian farmer, "; S10[11]=" Rob Kuzich, said that as a newcomer to lucerne-growing the course was a huge benefit.
      'It's given me the confidence to build "; S11[11]=" lucerne production into our farming system,' Mr Kuzich said.
      'There was a mixture of farmers and agronomists attending the course and a "; S12[11]=" lot of extra information came from discussions with them.' Farmers learn how to best establish the crop, lift yields, maintain the crop and produce top "; S13[11]=" quality fodder for use as hay or silage.
      The NSW Government-subsidised course costs $535 and is fully subsidised for Murrumbidgee Irrigation shareholders "; S14[11]=" by Envirowise Training Incentives... "; R[12]="1720"; T[12]="Static accuracy a key to GPS guidance"; A[12]="By ... Editor"; Dn[12]="20061130"; Dt[12]="Thursday 30 November 2006"; Acats[12]="a01a02a72a93"; B1[12]="      Among the many take home messages that grain growers learnt from the recent GPS (Global Positioning Systems) Guidance bus tours is that "; B2[12]="they need to be wary about the claimed accuracy of some tractor auto-steer guidance systems... "; B3[12]=" "; B4[12]=" "; B5[12]=" "; S1[12]="      Among the many take home messages that grain growers learnt from the recent GPS (Global Positioning Systems) Guidance bus tours is that "; S2[12]=" they need to be wary about the claimed accuracy of some tractor auto-steer guidance systems.
      Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries extension "; S3[12]=" agronomist Brendan Lynch led two recent tours visiting properties in the Dawson Valley and southern Central Highlands to enable growers to gain a better understanding "; S4[12]=" of available guidance systems.
      They also learned from the experience of growers already using the technology in their farming system.
    "; S5[12]="   Mr Lynch said that when growers were discussing product specifications with any GPS guidance dealer prior to purchasing a system, they needed to ask "; S6[12]=" 'What is the static accuracy or repeatability of the guidance system?' 'If a grower wants highly accurate, precision guidance, then static accuracy or repeatability of "; S7[12]=" the system is a critical consideration,' Mr Lynch said.
      'As an intending purchaser, a grower needs to understand this key terminology as "; S8[12]=" some dealers will quote 'pass to pass' accuracy which does not mean a lot when you have to come back to the same spot in "; S9[12]=" 2 hours, 24 hours or three years later,' he said.
      Dual frequency systems could resolve slow start up times and long stoppages "; S10[12]=" caused by satellite drop outs.
      'The straight forward advice is to try before you buy, do your homework on just what system "; S11[12]=" you require to meet your on-farm requirements and talk to local growers already using the technology,' Mr Lynch said.
      Those joining the "; S12[12]=" free tours organised by Mr Lynch through the Central Queensland Farming Systems Project were able to chat with growers who were using differing brands of "; S13[12]=" guidance systems to meet their particular enterprise objectives.
      Technical advice was provided by guidance consultant Wayne Chapman, CTF Solutions.
      "; S14[12]=" With Central Queensland grain growers competing against coal companies for machinery operators, all the growers who had invested in GPS auto steer guidance believed they "; S15[12]=" could work longer hours with greater efficiency to fill the labour gap.
      'GPS technology reduces fatigue as the operators no longer "; S16[12]=" have to concentrate on driving a straight line for many hours on end,' Mr Lynch said.
      'While this advanced technology is not "; S17[12]=" a solution to the chronic on-farm labour shortage, it does enable farmers to effectively get on with the challenge to complete timely and more precise "; S18[12]=" spraying, planting or harvesting operations.' Mr Lynch said GPS accuracy was a key component of operational efficiency.
      'For growers requiring a precision "; S19[12]=" unit to undertake inter-row cultivation or to be able to spray or plant within a row adjacent to standing stubble, then a 2cm RTK (real "; S20[12]=" time kinematics) system was essential as opposed to the less accurate 10cm system.
      'Our industry has seen GPS guidance system costs reduce "; S21[12]=" markedly in recent years making the technological transition a much more affordable option,' Mr Lynch said.
      'The ball park capital cost for "; S22[12]=" a 10cm system ranges from $27,000 to $32,000 whereas the 2cm RTK with a base station are priced from $47,000 to $55,000.' Mr Lynch said "; S23[12]=" all of the experienced GPS guidance users offered sound advice to would-be investors.
      Good customer service was vital - preferably with a "; S24[12]=" local service provider - and the unit should be compatible with other machinery on the farm.
      Growers should test drive a machine "; S25[12]=" fitted with the preferred guidance system before purchasing and a reliable, well-positioned base station set-up was essential.
      Mr Lynch said all GPS "; S26[12]=" guidance technology was constantly being improved and owner operators should ensure they practiced regular downloads to update their particular system... "; R[13]="1688"; T[13]="Legislation blocks grasslands clearing"; A[13]="By ... Editor"; Dn[13]="20061127"; Dt[13]="Monday 27 November 2006"; Acats[13]="a02a42a72"; B1[13]="      After three years of wrangling, Tasmania has passed legislation to protect remnant grasslands from land clearing.... "; B2[13]=" "; B3[13]=" "; B4[13]=" "; B5[13]=" "; S1[13]="      After three years of wrangling, Tasmania has passed legislation to protect remnant grasslands from land clearing.
      The controversial legislation "; S2[13]=" was only passed yesterday in Tasmania's Upper House after a number of modifications were made to the Bill.
      Tasmania was obliged under "; S3[13]=" a federal agreement signed in 2003 to protect non-forest native vegetation.
      President of the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association, Roger Swain, says "; S4[13]=" the legislation is restrictive but at least provides certainty.
      'What's actually happened here is that there have been regulations put in place "; S5[13]=" that will have some restriction on the way farmers can actually operate their businesses and from that point of view, you would not be happy "; S6[13]=" about it,' Mr Swain said... "; R[14]="1682"; T[14]="Good storage paramount as grain gains value"; A[14]="By ... Editor"; Dn[14]="20061123"; Dt[14]="Thursday 23 November 2006"; Acats[14]="a22a72"; B1[14]="      An inevitable consequence of drought in Australia is that with lower production comes better prices for those crops that can be reaped, "; B2[14]="and a key element used by many growers to maximise the value of harvested grain is on-farm storage... "; B3[14]=" "; B4[14]=" "; B5[14]=" "; S1[14]="      An inevitable consequence of drought in Australia is that with lower production comes better prices for those crops that can be reaped, "; S2[14]=" and a key element used by many growers to maximise the value of harvested grain is on-farm storage.
      However there is a "; S3[14]=" big risk that grain stored on the farm can drop in quality if it's not looked after properly.
      This not only makes "; S4[14]=" investment in on-farm storage expensive and potentially wasteful for individual farmers, but it also has implications for the grains industry as a whole.
    "; S5[14]="   Good planning, maintaining quality with end-users' requirements in mind, thoroughness and using chemicals properly with the right application and safety equipment are the keys "; S6[14]=" to successful and cost-effective grain storage on the farm according to the Victorian Department of Primary Industries' (DPI) Peter Botta.
      Peter has "; S7[14]=" been in considerable demand as a speaker at GRDC Updates and his message to growers has consistently been to first ascertain the quality requirements of "; S8[14]=" the market they expect to supply, and then to plan to meet those requirements.
      The most important requirement - regardless of the "; S9[14]=" market, usually - is for grain that is free of insects and chemical residues.
      As a general rule, on-farm storage should be "; S10[14]=" sited on concrete slabs to aid cleaning, hygiene and maintenance.
      It should have all-weather access and easy in-loading and out-loading.
    "; S11[14]="   Prior to putting grain in storage, a little preparation is in order.
      All grain handling, storage and harvesting equipment should be "; S12[14]=" thoroughly cleaned - this is best done with a structural treatment using an approved chemical, ensuring that the label and safety procedures are followed and "; S13[14]=" the right equipment is used.
      Any old or spilled grain around the storage area should be removed and disposed of.
    "; S14[14]="   Peter says that a degree of sealed storage in the system is necessary to meet end-user requirements, as it allows stored grain to be "; S15[14]=" correctly treated with the residue-free fumigant phosphine.
      Prior to using sealed storage, growers should do a pressure test to ensure the seals "; S16[14]=" are gas-tight - if they're not, they should be replaced.
      Growers should aim to store grain at less than 12% moisture content "; S17[14]=" and at 25°C or less.
      This reduces the chance of moulding or heat building up in the silo environment, and will limit "; S18[14]=" insect activity.
      High temperatures can also rapidly break down protectants, making them ineffective in controlling insects.
      Growers may also "; S19[14]=" consider having aeration as part of their storage system to manage temperatures and quality, but should keep in mind that aeration alone won't protect grain "; S20[14]=" from insects.
      Once the silos are full, growers have a range of treatment options but again, end-user requirements should be their guide.
"; S21[14]="       Generally, grain that is to be stored for more than six weeks should be treated with a protectant or fumigated.
    "; S22[14]="   In unsealed storage, contact protectants must be used.
      If properly used they can provide effective protection for up to six months "; S23[14]=" (dependent on temperature and moisture content).
      When using them growers should strictly follow withholding periods and keep a record of the treatment "; S24[14]=" to ensure end-user requirements are met.
      Phosphine still remains a relatively inexpensive and effective fumigant for use on farm (and on a "; S25[14]=" larger scale by the bulk handling companies), but it must only be used in gas-tight sealed storage.
      It simply doesn't work in "; S26[14]=" unsealed storage, because to be effective phosphine must be kept at a lethal concentration for at least seven days to kill insects, their larvae and "; S27[14]=" their eggs.
      Sub-lethal doses may kill some adult insects but won't kill their young and can promote selection of resistant insects.
  "; S28[14]="     A major problem on the grains industry's horizon is that some stored grain pests are starting to exhibit resistance to phosphine, which cannot "; S29[14]=" be easily or cheaply replaced.
      Peter also warns growers that the right safety equipment must be used when applying phosphine - he "; S30[14]=" says there are a lot of growers who do not even have the right equipment and this is a problem from both legal and personal "; R[15]="1674"; T[15]="'Smart' farm analysis and management program seeks to boost efficiency and profits"; A[15]="By ... Editor"; Dn[15]="20061123"; Dt[15]="Thursday 23 November 2006"; Acats[15]="a02a72"; B1[15]="      A new software program is being road tested by Burnett primary producers to help them stay profitable while running more efficient farm "; B2[15]="operations... "; B3[15]=" "; B4[15]=" "; B5[15]=" "; S1[15]="      A new software program is being road tested by Burnett primary producers to help them stay profitable while running more efficient farm "; S2[15]=" operations.
      Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries peanut extension officer Jim Barnes said the 'Smart Peanut' program can measure the economic performance "; S3[15]=" of a farming operation through profitability of every component of the farm business, rather than just returns from a crop or a financial year.
  "; S4[15]="     The program is being put through its paces by a number of Burnett peanut farmers at the invitation of DPI&F researchers and software "; S5[15]=" developers before it is released for commercial use.
      When Smart peanut is deemed fully operational in the next year it could be "; S6[15]=" used by primary producers in cropping or livestock to monitor the impact their management operations have on whole farm viability.
      'Smart Peanut "; S7[15]=" asks farmers to accurately describe their farm business by inputting their own economic data.
      It then uses weather data and changing price "; S8[15]=" structures to look at variability in productivity and income.
      'This data, when combined with the fixed costs of the land, plant and "; S9[15]=" equipment, can provide a clear view of farm profitability and risk.
      'The program allows farmers to assess the impact of possible "; S10[15]=" future management decisions on profitability by running 'what if scenarios.' These can assist in determining farm profitability and operational results of different management decisions,' Mr "; S11[15]=" Barnes said.
      Examples include different approaches to replacing old machinery whether purchasing or leasing, or investing in irrigation infrastructure.
      "; S12[15]=" The software package was introduced to a cross section of peanut growers from north and southeast Queensland late last year.
      Their critical "; S13[15]=" involvement and suggestions led to modifications being made to improve program user-friendliness.
      Mr Barnes said five Burnett growers have been invited to "; S14[15]=" conduct further trials focusing on the detailed farm business analysis capacity of the software.
      'They asked for and attended a second workshop "; S15[15]=" to allow them to input individual farm data to give a personalised assessment of their own farm businesses.
      'Follow up sessions "; S16[15]=" are to be held over the next six months to check the data being entered and to ground truth the accuracy of the package to "; S17[15]=" represent real business structures,' Mr Barnes said.
      This will allow DPI&F to gather feedback on the program's application to farm managers, and "; S18[15]=" if successful, allow its distribution to all growers in the near future... "; R[16]="1645"; T[16]="Spray drift could sour rain's benefits"; A[16]="By ... Editor"; Dn[16]="20061117"; Dt[16]="Friday 17 November 2006"; Acats[16]="a03a72"; B1[16]="      Those involved in using herbicides for weed control after the recent rain will need to be ultra cautious to avoid damage to "; B2[16]="susceptible nearby crops... "; B3[16]=" "; B4[16]=" "; B5[16]=" "; S1[16]="      Those involved in using herbicides for weed control after the recent rain will need to be ultra cautious to avoid damage to "; S2[16]=" susceptible nearby crops.
      Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries senior summer cereals industry development officer, Greg Salmond of Pittsworth, said 30-100mm of "; S3[16]=" rain in parts of southern Queensland would necessitate spraying to control weeds over the next two weeks before planting crops such as sorghum, maize and "; S4[16]=" cotton.
      Mr Salmond said the next few weeks were a high-risk time for emerging crops that could be inadvertently damaged by herbicides.
"; S5[16]="       He said past incidences of herbicide damage identified poor communication between neighbouring farmers, and between clients and spraying contractors, as a major "; S6[16]=" cause.
      'It's a matter of talking with neighbours to find out what crops are emerging or growing near the target area.
  "; S7[16]="     'This information then has to be relayed to on-farm workers and contractors so they can take appropriate precautions,' he said.
      "; S8[16]=" Mr Salmond said it was also important to seek professional advice on the best herbicide to use for the target weeds and the paddock to "; S9[16]=" be treated.
      'For example there may no need to use a mixture of herbicides if the spectrum of weeds only requires treatment "; S10[16]=" with a non-volatile knockdown product.' He said using accurately calibrated spray equipment that delivered large droplets would also help reduce the risk of herbicides drifting "; S11[16]=" to non-target crops.
      Mr Salmond said it would be a shame if the planting opportunity provided by the rain were affected by "; S12[16]=" accidental damage.
      'Planning, communication and attention to detail will help avoid this,' he said... "; R[17]="1643"; T[17]="New edition of popular Small Landholder Guide"; A[17]="By ... Editor"; Dn[17]="20061111"; Dt[17]="Saturday 11 November 2006"; Acats[17]="a02a53a72"; B1[17]="      An updated edition of the popular practical guide for small rural landholders, The Land is in your hands has been released by "; B2[17]="the Department of Agriculture and Food... "; B3[17]=" "; B4[17]=" "; B5[17]=" "; S1[17]="      An updated edition of the popular practical guide for small rural landholders, The Land is in your hands has been released by "; S2[17]=" the Department of Agriculture and Food.
      Manager of the Department's Small Landholder Information Service Neil Guise said the number of small "; S3[17]=" landholders in Western Australia had increased by 20 per cent since the guide was first published in 1999.
      'Western Australia now "; S4[17]=" has at least 53,000 small landholders, collectively managing around 650,000 hectares of rural land,' Mr Guise said.
      'They are a very "; S5[17]=" diverse group, but many of their activities have key similar characteristics.
      Many small landholders don't have previous rural or land management experience, "; S6[17]=" and their income is almost invariably dependant on off-farm sources.
      'They also don't always know how to link into the traditional "; S7[17]=" information networks in landcare and agribusiness.
      So this guide has proved extremely helpful in assisting them with essential information they need for "; S8[17]=" the successful management for their properties.' Mr Guise said The Land is in your hands was a guide for small rural landholders throughout Western "; S9[17]=" Australia.
      'The guide covers essential areas such as landcare, water resources, vegetation, pests and diseases and bushfire preparation,' he said.
  "; S10[17]="     'It provides good basic information in an easy-to-understand format, with references, contact details and links to the many services available for small "; S11[17]=" landholders.' Project partners involved in publishing the guide include the Swan River Trust, the Serpentine Jarrahdale Shire and the South West Catchment Council.
  "; S12[17]="     The guide is being distributed to key partners, Shires and local DAFWA offices and can be viewed at www.agric.wa.gov.au Orders should be "; S13[17]=" placed with the Small Landholder Information Service at the Waroona DAFWA office, phone 9733 7777... "; R[18]="1637"; T[18]="Planting crops set for high-tech boost"; A[18]="By ... Editor"; Dn[18]="20061111"; Dt[18]="Saturday 11 November 2006"; Acats[18]="a02a40a72"; B1[18]="      Determining the wetness or dryness of the far paddock could soon be an easy job for Australian farmers, with the planned launch "; B2[18]="of a satellite to do it for them... "; B3[18]=" "; B4[18]=" "; B5[18]=" "; S1[18]="      Determining the wetness or dryness of the far paddock could soon be an easy job for Australian farmers, with the planned launch "; S2[18]=" of a satellite to do it for them.
      The European Space Agency's eye-in-the-sky will make measurements of soil moisture in each area "; S3[18]=" every second day.
      An international team that includes experts from NASA is halfway through a three week experiment in Narrandera, south-western NSW, "; S4[18]=" to refine the satellite technology, before next year's launch.
      The research involves daily test flights using a small aircraft fitted with microwave "; S5[18]=" detection equipment similar to that to be flown in space.
      The team leader, Jeff Walker, of the University of Melbourne, said they "; S6[18]=" had been lucky that about 10 millimetres of rain had fallen so far.
      'We've been able to monitor the drying of the "; S7[18]=" soil.
      It's back to bone dry again.
      But we're hoping for more rain on Monday.' The project's aim is "; S8[18]=" for farmers to be able to log on to the internet and obtain predictions about soil moisture and expected crop yield on their land for "; S9[18]=" a week, or even a couple of months, ahead.
      'This will help them make critical decisions about what to plant and when,' "; S10[18]=" Dr Walker said.
      The European Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) satellite mission will only be able to measure moisture content in "; S11[18]=" the top five centimetres of soil, and for areas about 2500 square kilometres in size around the globe.
      The Narrandera research is "; S12[18]=" developing ways to improve on this so moisture levels can be determined to a metre below the surface, which is where plant roots grow, and "; S13[18]=" for areas about one square kilometre.
      During the experiment researchers on foot are testing the soil and comparing this with moisture measurements "; S14[18]=" taken from the aircraft.
      This information will eventually be combined with readings from the SMOS satellite and from other satellites to provide "; S15[18]=" the information that Australian farmers need.
      Dr Walker said that the enhanced satellite technology could also be used in future to declare "; S16[18]=" areas of drought, monitor climate change, forecast floods and help predict general weather patterns... "; R[19]="1632"; T[19]="Leading the world in farmer-driven research"; A[19]="By ... Editor"; Dn[19]="20061111"; Dt[19]="Saturday 11 November 2006"; Acats[19]="a02a08a72a93"; B1[19]="      Australian farmers' reputation for innovation is well deserved.
      Our farmers have built one of the world's most successful agricultural "; B2[19]="export industries while meeting the many challenges to farming in this country... "; B3[19]=" "; B4[19]=" "; B5[19]=" "; S1[19]="      Australian farmers' reputation for innovation is well deserved.
      Our farmers have built one of the world's most successful agricultural "; S2[19]=" export industries while meeting the many challenges to farming in this country.
      This year hasn't been a good one for farmers, and "; S3[19]=" the media has been diligent in bringing this to the attention of the rest of Australia.
      However because drought is often the "; S4[19]=" only time when farming appears on everyone else's horizon, a lot of Australians perceive it as an industry that's always struggling.
      Noted "; S5[19]=" Australian scientist and Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) board member Professor Tim Reeves addressed the South Australian Rural Media Association at Adelaide Oval recently "; S6[19]=" on this very subject - that agriculture appears to always struggle while other Australian industries boom.
      Professor Reeves says that apart from "; S7[19]=" very poor seasons like 2006 (considered just about the worst year on record), agriculture is a dynamic and growing industry.
      The facts "; S8[19]=" bear him out.
      Except for communications, agriculture has the fastest productivity growth of any sector of the Australian economy.
      "; S9[19]=" Professor Reeves said this growth had been achieved despite agriculture having more difficulties and challenges than any other, and there were more to come.
  "; S10[19]="     Globally, the challenges were population growth, climate change and international competitors.
      Professor Reeves said that with the world's population growing "; S11[19]=" at 135 people a minute (about 71 million a year), more food would need to be grown on less land and with less water.
  "; S12[19]="     Competition for these resources was already 'tremendous' and was likely to increase, he said.
      Climate change had big implications too.
"; S13[19]="       Parts of Australia were expected to become drier and there were indications this had been happening for some time already.
    "; S14[19]="   Predicted higher temperatures may open new areas to agricultural activity while closing others, and Professor Reeves suggested we were now in uncharted territory when "; S15[19]=" it comes to predicting the impact of unprecedented atmospheric CO2 levels on plants and animals that have all evolved under substantially lower CO2 levels.
  "; S16[19]="     Competitors to Australian agriculture (other countries in the global agricultural trade) were many and increasing.
      There have also been big "; S17[19]=" shifts in export markets and destinations - Professor Reeves considered that while the developing 'BRIC economies' (Brazil, Russia, India and China) presented challenges, they were "; S18[19]=" also significant opportunities for Australian agriculture.
      'For the future of Australian agriculture we must think of investments in sustainability, in adaptation to "; S19[19]=" climate change, and in assessing the impact of climate change on our competitors,' he said.
      'To be sustainable, agriculture must become less "; S20[19]=" water-intensive, increase water-use efficiency, improve the tolerance and resilience of crops to water stress and other pressures, and become environmentally conservative.' These challenges had already "; S21[19]=" manifested themselves in several ways, and Professor Reeves said farmers had responded 'unbelievably well', with farmer-driven domestic research and development playing an 'absolutely critical' role "; S22[19]=" in agricultural growth.
      'Farmers are not only adopting change but driving it too,' he said.
      Professor Reeves highlighted the "; S23[19]=" widespread adoption of no-till systems in Australian farming as a crucial advance in farming practices.
      'No-till makes sense from a lot of "; S24[19]=" perspectives,' he said.
      'It's helping to weather-proof our farms and anything we can do to increase adoption of no-till is critical.' Decision "; S25[19]=" support systems based on climate/crop growth computer modelling, and the various applications of GPS technology, were also highlighted by Professor Reeves as crucial advances.
  "; S26[19]="     Questioned about GM technology, he said issues such as market access that were driving various moratoria on GM crops in Australia had validity "; S27[19]=" and needed to be worked through with the community, while scientists remained fully engaged with research on such issues as stress tolerance and other important "; S28[19]=" traits.
      'I have tremendous faith in the future of agriculture in Australia because we are ahead of the world in farmers' participation "; S29[19]=" in research and development,' he said... "; R[20]="1605"; T[20]="Eye in the sky checks soil moisture across Kyeamba Valley"; A[20]="By ... Editor"; Dn[20]="20061103"; Dt[20]="Friday 3 November 2006"; Acats[20]="a40a72a93"; B1[20]="      If you see a low flying plane above the Kyeamba Valley near Wagga Wagga in late October and November it will most "; B2[20]="probably be part of a revolutionary experiment to collect data to check soil moisture, Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald, said today... "; B3[20]=" "; B4[20]=" "; B5[20]=" "; S1[20]="      If you see a low flying plane above the Kyeamba Valley near Wagga Wagga in late October and November it will most "; S2[20]=" probably be part of a revolutionary experiment to collect data to check soil moisture, Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald, said today.
      The "; S3[20]=" Minister said the National Airborne Field Experiment was being conducted by the University of Melbourne in preparation for the launch of satellites in 2007 and "; S4[20]=" 2010, which would measure the amount of moisture in soil worldwide to improve weather forecasting.
      Flights are scheduled for Kyeamba and Livingstone "; S5[20]=" Creek catchments on 30 October, 6, 13 and 20 November.
      'The satellite instruments used to measure soil moisture are attached to a "; S6[20]=" light plane, which will pass over the Kyeamba Valley for four to six hours each day along grid patterns at heights of 150 to 3050 "; S7[20]=" metres (500 to 10 000 feet), depending upon the weather,' the Minister said.
      'The instruments measure the natural emissions from the earth's "; S8[20]=" surface to give a soil moisture reading for the top five centimetres, which provides 'footprints' of soil moisture every 50 to 1000 metres.' NSW DPI "; S9[20]=" technical officer Vic Shoemark said NSW DPI was conducting a long-term study of eight high priority dryland salinity sites across NSW as part of the "; S10[20]=" Key Sites project, with the Livingstone Creek Catchment being one of these key salinity sites, and also a sub catchment of Kyeamba Valley.
    "; S11[20]="   He said the Livingstone Creek site would provide Melbourne University with continuous data from its network of soil moisture monitoring stations.
      "; S12[20]=" 'Staff from both NSW DPI and Department of Natural Resources will be collecting ground measurements concurrently with the plane as it flies over the Livingstone "; S13[20]=" Creek Catchment, which will help validate the aircrafts measurements,' Mr Shoemark said.
      He said the field experiment had the potential to value "; S14[20]=" add to NSW DPI Key Sites project by providing soil moisture data from throughout the whole catchment.
      'This will allow point measurements "; S15[20]=" from existing key site monitoring stations to be extrapolated to the entire catchment and so address 'scaling issues',' Mr Shoemark said.
      'Knowing "; S16[20]=" their soil moisture and its distribution across their farm could greatly help farming operations by allowing farmers to predict such things as vegetative growth, crop "; S17[20]=" rotations and stocking rates during an era of climate uncertainty.'.. "; R[21]="1601"; T[21]="Fitzroy GLM course delivers benefits"; A[21]="By ... Editor"; Dn[21]="20061103"; Dt[21]="Friday 3 November 2006"; Acats[21]="a02a72"; B1[21]="      Marlborough district cattle producer Brodie Greenup believes his four-day investment in a Grazing Land Management (GLM) workshop at Rockhampton will deliver a "; B2[21]="lifetime of management benefits... "; B3[21]=" "; B4[21]=" "; B5[21]=" "; S1[21]="      Marlborough district cattle producer Brodie Greenup believes his four-day investment in a Grazing Land Management (GLM) workshop at Rockhampton will deliver a "; S2[21]=" lifetime of management benefits.
      The 28-year-old second generation grazier owns Santa Fe, a 9700 hectare breeding and fattening enterprise targeting the premium "; S3[21]=" Jap ox and Korean export markets with Charbray cattle.
      Mr Greenup said that after working through the GLM modules, he could "; S4[21]=" now access the tools and information to put a strategic property management plan in place enabling him to prioritise his on-farm operational tasks.
    "; S5[21]="   'Santa Fe is a mix of improved pasture brigalow country running back onto ranges and with the knowledge gained from the GLM course, future "; S6[21]=" management plans will allow me to reassess fencing, water points and long term safe stocking rates to maximise productivity,' Mr Greenup said.
      "; S7[21]=" Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries grazing lands extension officer Caroline Sandral (Emerald) teamed with experienced presenters Bob Shepherd (Charters Towers) and Bill Schulke (Bundaberg) "; S8[21]=" to deliver the workshop to 10 participants.
      Ms Sandral said the participants represented primary producers and extension officers from the Fitzroy Basin "; S9[21]=" Association and the Fitzroy River and Coastal Catchments (FRCC) who were keen to expand their technical knowledge.
      The Rockhampton four-day GLM workshop "; S10[21]=" conducted in two parts on October 9-10 and October 19-20 was an educational package specifically designed for the Fitzroy region.
      FRCC assisted "; S11[21]=" the participating landholders with a workshop subsidy.
      'Grazing management planning involves fencing off land types to ensure better utilisation of pasture; burning "; S12[21]=" to improve pasture species composition and woody weed control in conjunction with wet season spelling,' Ms Sandral said.
      Rockhampton-based rural merchandise business "; S13[21]=" principal Robert Murray, GoFarm, who attended the Rockhampton workshop said the information he had gained would allow him to provide a wealth of technical advice "; S14[21]=" to clients.
      'I need to be able to discuss the production and economic advantages of pasture improvement programs and woody weed control "; S15[21]=" while putting into perspective the negative impacts of not implementing sustainable stocking rates or controlling weeds,' Mr Murray said.
      The Edgenetwork GLM "; S16[21]=" program was funded through the Australian Government's National Action Plan for Water Quality and Salinity and Meat and Livestock Australia.
      Central Queensland "; S17[21]=" producers interested in attending a future Fitzroy GLM workshop should contact Ms Sandral and the DPI&F Emerald office on 49837426 or email: caroline.sandral@dpi.qld.gov.au.. "; R[22]="1600"; T[22]="Stocktake tools make land management easier"; A[22]="By ... Editor"; Dn[22]="20061103"; Dt[22]="Friday 3 November 2006"; Acats[22]="a25a27a72"; B1[22]="      Maranoa graziers will soon be using new software that helps simplify grazing land management decision making.... "; B2[22]=" "; B3[22]=" "; B4[22]=" "; B5[22]=" "; S1[22]="      Maranoa graziers will soon be using new software that helps simplify grazing land management decision making.
      The software, called "; S2[22]=" Stocktake, is used with practical paddock skills to monitor soil, pasture and woodlands, and pasture quantity and quality for feed budgeting.
      Department "; S3[22]=" of Primary Industries and Fisheries grazing systems extension officer Jane Hamilton said a training workshop would be held in Roma on Friday, November 3, to "; S4[22]=" help graziers use the package to best advantage.
      Miss Hamilton said those attending the training would be given the software to use "; S5[22]=" on their properties.
      She said the DPI&F developed the training package and Stocktake software to assess available paddock feed and long-term carrying "; S6[22]=" capacity, and select management options that improved profitability and productivity.
      'Stocktake is a component of the Grazing Land Management package that balances "; S7[22]=" feed supply and demand, and provides managers with a practical, systematic way of assessing land condition and long-term carrying capacity.
      'It also "; S8[22]=" develops seasonal forage budgets, and records and stores monitoring data,' Miss Hamilton said.
      'One of its features is a forage budgeting technique "; S9[22]=" that ensures an animal's intake needs are met and there is enough residual grass cover to maintain land condition,' she said.
      Miss "; S10[22]=" Hamilton said the workshop would be held in the Roadtec office in Roma.
      Places at the workshop were limited for better hands-on "; S11[22]=" training.
      She said the training attracted a FarmBis subsidy for eligible grazing enterprises, so forms should be submitted by October 30 to "; S12[22]=" make sure they were approved in time.
      More information is available from Jane Hamilton at the DPI&F Charleville (4654 4206)... "; R[23]="1576"; T[23]="Crop options calculator"; A[23]="By ... Editor"; Dn[23]="20061027"; Dt[23]="Friday 27 October 2006"; Acats[23]="a02a72a92"; B1[23]="      The 'Crop options calculator' was developed by NSW DPI district agronomists to help producers make decisions on salvaging crops during drought.
  "; B2[23]="    The spreadsheet calculates the cost of baling crops for hay or silage and of taking crops through to harvest... "; B3[23]=" "; B4[23]=" "; B5[23]=" "; S1[23]="      The 'Crop options calculator' was developed by NSW DPI district agronomists to help producers make decisions on salvaging crops during drought.
  "; S2[23]="     The spreadsheet calculates the cost of baling crops for hay or silage and of taking crops through to harvest.
      Users "; S3[23]=" input data for their own situation to assess the cost of each option.
      By knowing costs and having an idea of the "; S4[23]=" product's potential value, the best economic outcomes can be worked through more clearly.
      It is important that producers check chemical withholding periods "; S5[23]=" before either cutting crops for hay, or grazing the crops... "; R[24]="1550"; T[24]="No-till trial starts a farming revolution"; A[24]="By ... Editor"; Dn[24]="20061020"; Dt[24]="Friday 20 October 2006"; Acats[24]="a02a72"; B1[24]="      A joint NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and Central West Farming Systems (CWFS) trial has proven its worth during the current "; B2[24]="drought and triggered a massive conversion from conventional cultivation to no-till farming... "; B3[24]=" "; B4[24]=" "; B5[24]=" "; S1[24]="      A joint NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and Central West Farming Systems (CWFS) trial has proven its worth during the current "; S2[24]=" drought and triggered a massive conversion from conventional cultivation to no-till farming.
      When the farmer-driven trial started seven years ago as little "; S3[24]=" as five per cent of the surrounding cropping area used no-till, now more than 60 per cent of the Merriwagga cropping district is reaping the "; S4[24]=" moisture-locking benefits of no-till.
      NSW DPI Hillston district agronomist, Barry Haskins, said the Riverina-based trial was the number one reason for the "; S5[24]=" rapid shift in farming practices.
      'One of the big advantages of no-till is that the system maximises soil moisture retention,' Mr Haskins "; S6[24]=" said.
      'Partially by retaining stubble, but also direct drilling allows moisture to stay in the soil profile.' As proof of the system's "; S7[24]=" benefits, no-till wheat plots in the trial could this year yield as high as one tonne per hectare, despite receiving less than 100 millimetres of "; S8[24]=" rain so far this growing season - less than half the seasonal average of 220 millimetres.
      According to Mr Haskins use of "; S9[24]=" chemical weed control and one-pass planting also has economic and social benefits for no-till farmers.
      'Fuel prices have gone up and chemical "; S10[24]=" prices have come down.
      No-till allows farmers to plant crops more cheaply, use less labour and still be confident that they can "; S11[24]=" get high yields.
      'We started with a red soil hardpan and it took three years before we saw the benefits of no-till.
"; S12[24]="       'In hindsight a one-off, deep ripping to condition the soil when the trial began would have improved moisture infiltration to the root "; S13[24]=" zone and produced better results sooner.' Located on the Barber's 'Sylvanham' cropping and grazing property, the trial's 30 one-hectare plots have undergone five different rotational "; S14[24]=" treatments with a mix of wheat, barley, legumes, pulses and long fallows.
      Farmer, Geoff Barber, said the trial which compared cultivation and "; S15[24]=" no-till systems was big enough to give meaningful results and small enough to manage.
      'The biggest lesson for us has been the "; S16[24]=" need to use crop rotation within the system to manage for herbicide resistance - particularly resistant rye grass,' Mr Barber said.
      'We "; S17[24]=" thought the continuous wheat rotation would be the most profitable because you get a cash crop every year, but the build-up of resistant rye grass "; S18[24]=" is its downfall.' Mr Barber said in future rotations they would consider using peas, canola and mustard as break crops to prevent herbicide resistance.
  "; S19[24]="     Sponsored by the Grains Research and Development Corporation, CWFS allows farmers across the State to share results of trials in the Riverina and "; S20[24]=" Central West.
      Farmers can contact Barry Haskins, ph (02) 6960 1320, for more information on CWFS trials... "; R[25]="1527"; T[25]="Planting seeds for drought-proof plan"; A[25]="By ... Editor"; Dn[25]="20061017"; Dt[25]="Tuesday 17 October 2006"; Acats[25]="a72a89"; B1[25]="      John Weatherstone's farm at Gunning is an arresting contrast to much of the dust-dry brown landscape surrounding him to the north-west of "; B2[25]="Canberra... "; B3[25]=" "; B4[25]=" "; B5[25]=" "; S1[25]="      John Weatherstone's farm at Gunning is an arresting contrast to much of the dust-dry brown landscape surrounding him to the north-west of "; S2[25]=" Canberra.
      Murray Grey cattle happily graze on lush green pasture underneath leafy trees that throw dappled light across the paddock.
  "; S3[25]="     It's not the usual scene of an Australian farm deep within possibly the worst drought for a century.
      "; S4[25]=" And none of the 100,000 trees planted on Mr Weatherstone's 300ha property Lyndfield Park are irrigated.
      'They all depend on the "; S5[25]=" natural rainfall,' he said.
      The property has become a showpiece for how to try to drought-proof or at least keep fertile "; S6[25]=" rural land in the harsh Australian climate.
      It attracted the attention of Prince Charles who toured the property when he was in "; S7[25]=" Australia last year and it will be open to the public this weekend as part of Australia's Open Garden Scheme.
      Prime "; S8[25]=" Minister John Howard promised yesterday that Australians would stand shoulder to shoulder with drought-stricken farmers, as he flagged plans to boost help to the bush.
"; S9[25]="       Treasurer Peter Costello has warned Australia is facing its worst drought ever, plunging rural Australians into recession.
      "; S10[25]=" Mr Howard pledged to fine-tune schemes to help farmers, indicating the Government would next week consider changes to the exceptional circumstances drought assistance package.
  "; S11[25]="     Opposition Leader Kim Beazley is promising bipartisan support for any aid to farmers.
      'This is going to be the "; S12[25]=" worst year I can remember for a very long time for Australian farmers,' he said.
      It was another drought - 1982 "; S13[25]=" - which persuaded Mr Weatherstone to change the way he farmed.
      Back then, the property was like many others, cleared long "; S14[25]=" ago of almost all its native vegetation and 'with not a blade of grass' while in the grip of the drought.
      While "; S15[25]=" photographing a dust storm on Christmas Eve 1982, Mr Weatherstone noticed long grass that hadn't been grazed between his property and the Hume Highway was "; S16[25]=" catching the organic matter and 'basically most of the fertility off our paddocks'.
      That scene was the catalyst for change.
    "; S17[25]="   'Having seen what dry grass knee-high could do in terms of protecting the country, it was obvious that tall trees could do a "; S18[25]=" lot more,' he said.
      'So that was at the point at which we started some serious tree planting, partly to protect our "; S19[25]=" soil but also to protect our livestock.' Twenty-four years and 100,000 mostly native trees later, Mr Weatherstone is adamant what happens on his property "; S20[25]=" can be applied to larger farms.
      'Some farmers say, 'You'll soon have nowhere left to run any livestock at all' but "; S21[25]=" in actual fact, even after planting 100,000 trees, our livestock-carrying capacity has actually increased,' he said.
      'It's increased by the trees "; S22[25]=" protecting the land and reducing evaporation and also the stock do better because in the cold weather, not so much of their nutrition goes into "; S23[25]=" providing body heat.
      And in the summer time, animals who have no shade to go into actually stress a lot more so "; S24[25]=" their productivity is lowered.' Mr Weatherstone has also encouraged native birds on to the property to help with natural pest control, built up carbon "; S25[25]=" levels in the soil and constructed deep dams that are less susceptible to evaporation.
      'Basically we make the health of the "; S26[25]=" soil and the land our first priority rather than productivity and livestock-carrying capacity and we've actually found by doing that, our capacity has increased.'.. "; R[26]="1454"; T[26]="Stations look to unmanned planes over traditional labour"; A[26]="By ... Editor"; Dn[26]="20060927"; Dt[26]="Wednesday 27 September 2006"; Acats[26]="a02a06a55a72a93"; B1[26]="      Remote control aeroplanes that can monitor stock, fences and water levels are becoming cost competitive with farm labour.... "; B2[26]=" "; B3[26]=" "; B4[26]=" "; B5[26]=" "; S1[26]="      Remote control aeroplanes that can monitor stock, fences and water levels are becoming cost competitive with farm labour.
      That "; S2[26]=" is the finding of an MLA sponsored project being carried out by the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and the Kondinin Group.
      "; S3[26]=" The project is looking into technologies that can cut labour expenses on large cattle stations.
      Les Zeller from the Queensland DPI says "; S4[26]=" unmanned planes will make light work of everyday surveillance tasks.
      'Unmanned aerial vehicles have computer systems on board, so you program the "; S5[26]=" plane, it takes off and flies to the way-points, takes the images or collects the data that you want and then you can download the "; S6[26]=" data or the data can be transmitted from the vehicle back to the ground where you can continually monitor what's going on,' he said... "; R[27]="1436"; T[27]="Time and space combine to give graziers a high-tech management tool"; A[27]="By ... Editor"; Dn[27]="20060927"; Dt[27]="Wednesday 27 September 2006"; Acats[27]="a02a55a72a93"; B1[27]="      Ever wish you could get a bird's eye view of your property? Wing your way over the fence lines, check the dam "; B2[27]="levels and pasture cover in the paddock closest to the neighbours?.. "; B3[27]=" "; B4[27]=" "; B5[27]=" "; S1[27]="      Ever wish you could get a bird's eye view of your property? Wing your way over the fence lines, check the dam "; S2[27]=" levels and pasture cover in the paddock closest to the neighbours? What if your wish extended to comparing today's flight with one taken 10, 20 "; S3[27]=" or even 30 years ago? Well stop dreaming, because Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) scientists can take you on this virtual tour using "; S4[27]=" high-tech satellite imagery.
      DPI&F senior rangelands scientist Bob Karfs heads a project team, including input from experts in DPI&F, CSIRO, James Cook "; S5[27]=" University and the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and water, that is examining satellite data to form a better picture of how land conditions change "; S6[27]=" over time.
      According to Bob, unlocking the key to this information allows a catchment-wide appreciation of the effect of events such as "; S7[27]=" drought or flood, as well as allowing individual property owners to assess the effectiveness of day-to-day management tools such as carrying capacity, fencing and watering "; S8[27]=" spots.
      'The bigger picture we are looking at is to form some sort of catalogue that gives us an indication of the "; S9[27]=" varying degrees of land health across a whole catchment.
      'For 30 years, we have had satellites in the sky, passing over the "; S10[27]=" same point every 16 days and capturing an image.
      'This bank of information provides scientists and property managers alike a valuable tool "; S11[27]=" for understanding how land reacts to natural events and management decisions alike.
      'Essentially, we are comparing management types against the pasture cover "; S12[27]=" trends of regional land types.
      Together with ground verification we can then make preliminary assessments of condition to provide feedback on land "; S13[27]=" management.
      'For example, the satellite imagery may show up a marked improvement in pasture cover over a three year period.
    "; S14[27]="   An explanation for this may be good wet seasons, or it may be an input activity such as reduced pressure on a watering point "; S15[27]=" due to new fencing.' Bob says while property specific information is available, the satellite images are also assisting catchment planners capture the 'bigger picture'.
  "; S16[27]="     Working with Natural Resource Management groups such as the Burdekin Dry Tropics Board and Fitzroy Basin Association, this catalogue will give catchment planners "; S17[27]=" an insight into target areas where critical recovery activities need to take place.
      Bob says that individual property owners can take advantage "; S18[27]=" of the bank of satellite imagery to improve their business management.
      'While it's extremely valuable to have a sky eye monitoring the "; S19[27]=" land, there is also a place for the vast knowledge property owners have acquired over their years on the land.
      A key "; S20[27]=" part of the project has been the role of people living on the land, helping us to interpret the reasons for change on-property and over "; S21[27]=" the wider region.
      'The combination of this information provides feedback to graziers to allow them to develop a better understanding of the "; S22[27]=" link between available feed and pasture condition over long-term climatic variations, including drought and recovery and wildfires.' The project is also influencing the delivery of "; S23[27]=" other DPI&F initiatives, including the popular Grazing Land Management program... "; R[28]="1417"; T[28]="Healthy soils workshop leads to healthy debate"; A[28]="By ... Editor"; Dn[28]="20060921"; Dt[28]="Thursday 21 September 2006"; Acats[28]="a72"; B1[28]="      A healthy soils initiative called 'Meeting in the Middle' led to healthy debate when landholders, researchers and agency staff came together to "; B2[28]="discuss soil management at Holbrook... "; B3[28]=" "; B4[28]=" "; B5[28]=" "; S1[28]="      A healthy soils initiative called 'Meeting in the Middle' led to healthy debate when landholders, researchers and agency staff came together to "; S2[28]=" discuss soil management at Holbrook.
      More than sixty people attended the workshop and seminar organised by Liz Symes from Murray Catchment Authority, "; S3[28]=" which was held at Holbrook Community Training Centre on Thursday 14 September.
      Ms Symes said the meeting was about sharing, learning and "; S4[28]=" accessing the best available soil health information to support productive and natural systems in the Murray Catchment.
      Speakers were from NSW and "; S5[28]=" Victorian Departments of Primary Industries (DPI), Charles Sturt University, Grains Research and Development Corporation and a landholder mentor group, which shared its experiences on soil "; S6[28]=" health.
      Holbrook farmer Andrew Hicks, from 'Annandayle South', said it was refreshing to see such a diversity of views expressed.
    "; S7[28]="   'Farmers are looking for answers outside the information that is pushed at them, often by people with vested interests.
      Many are "; S8[28]=" fed up and are looking for change.
      'The main thing is to keep an open mind and challenge some of the things "; S9[28]=" that are accepted as the only course of action,' he said.
      Many of the farmers present expressed a concern about the variability "; S10[28]=" of soil test results.
      NSW DPI soil chemist Mark Conyers, who manages the soil laboratory at Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute, said the "; S11[28]=" meeting opened up discussion on how farmers make their management decisions.
      'If they don't receive reliable, uniform information, they could well decide "; S12[28]=" not to use soil tests in the future,' he said.
      'Soil tests are what I base my decisions on, and they are "; S13[28]=" crucial to any farming decision.' Ms Symes said the need to develop soil quality indicators that are sensitive, reliable, reproducible and capable of detecting changes "; S14[28]=" were key components of the Murray Catchment Plan... "; R[29]="1413"; T[29]="Long term prosperity needs 'resilience' not just efficiency"; A[29]="By ... Editor"; Dn[29]="20060921"; Dt[29]="Thursday 21 September 2006"; Acats[29]="a02a72a93"; B1[29]="      Current approaches to sustainable natural resource management are failing us, according to Resilience Thinking - a new book by CSIRO scientist Brian "; B2[29]="Walker and science writer David Salt to be launched this week... "; B3[29]=" "; B4[29]=" "; B5[29]=" "; S1[29]="      Current approaches to sustainable natural resource management are failing us, according to Resilience Thinking - a new book by CSIRO scientist Brian "; S2[29]=" Walker and science writer David Salt to be launched this week.
      Dr Walker, an international leader in the field of resilience research "; S3[29]=" and one of Australia's most highly published ecologists, calls for land managers and planners to drastically change their approach to the way our landscapes and "; S4[29]=" natural resources are managed.
      The key to sustainability lies in enhancing the resilience of communities, not in optimising isolated parts of the "; S5[29]=" system.
      The book argues that local communities are better able to withstand various cycles of change if they know more about the "; S6[29]=" ecological drivers of their region, embrace rather than control the processes of natural change, and are empowered to make their own decisions about appropriate local "; S7[29]=" developments.
      Dr Walker says land managers and planners need to look beyond control, intensification and greater efficiency for sustainability solutions.
    "; S8[29]="   'Increasingly, cracks are appearing in the capacity of communities, ecosystems and landscapes to provide the goods and services that sustain our planet's wellbeing,' Dr "; S9[29]=" Walker says.
      'Resilience explains why greater efficiency by itself can not solve resource problems, and offers a constructive alternative that opens up "; S10[29]=" options.' Resilience Thinking, co-written by science writer David Salt, is an accessible introduction to the emerging paradigm of resilience - the ability of a system "; S11[29]=" to absorb change and still retain its basic function and structure.
      Dr Walker says that while the world's human population doubled between "; S12[29]=" 1960 and 2000, an alarming toll is being taken on the global resource base required to feed, clothe and house a growing population.
    "; S13[29]="   Resilience Thinking, co-written by science writer David Salt, is an accessible introduction to the emerging paradigm of resilience - the ability of a system "; S14[29]=" to absorb change and still retain its basic function and structure.
      'To meet this demand, food production increased by two and a "; S15[29]=" half times, water use doubled, wood harvests tripled,' Dr Walker says.
      'Global grain production will need to increase by 40 per cent "; S16[29]=" to meet demand in 2020.' 'We live in a time of growing population coupled with declining resource bases and uncertainty about a range of environmental "; S17[29]=" issues, including climate change.
      How can we make the systems that we depend upon resilient?' Resilience Thinking looks at five case studies "; S18[29]=" of changing structures or ecosystems - The Everglades in Florida, the Goulburn-Broken Catchment, the coral reefs of the Caribbean, the Northern Highland Lakes District of "; S19[29]=" Wisconsin and Sweden's Kristiandstad Water Vattenrike.
      Dr Walker is available for interview on Monday 18th and Tuesday 19th Sept.
      "; S20[29]=" Media are invited to attend the launch of Resilience Thinking: 5pm Tuesday 19th September, Hotel Kurrajong, National Circuit, Barton, Canberra... "; R[30]="1370"; T[30]="Workshop assesses pros and cons of stubble retention"; A[30]="By ... Editor"; Dn[30]="20060908"; Dt[30]="Friday 8 September 2006"; Acats[30]="a02a72"; B1[30]="      A recent workshop hosted by the E H Graham Centre for Innovative Agriculture at Wagga Wagga assessed the benefits and costs of "; B2[30]="stubble retention for agriculture, the environment and human health... "; B3[30]=" "; B4[30]=" "; B5[30]=" "; S1[30]="      A recent workshop hosted by the E H Graham Centre for Innovative Agriculture at Wagga Wagga assessed the benefits and costs of "; S2[30]=" stubble retention for agriculture, the environment and human health.
      The Graham Centre is an alliance between Charles Sturt University (CSU) and NSW "; S3[30]=" Department of Primary Industries (DPI).
      Centre Director Professor Deirdre Lemerle said collaboration between parties represented at the workshop presented a unique opportunity "; S4[30]=" to develop priority areas for joint research and extension projects.
      Sixty people attended the workshop from NSW DPI and CSU, Bureau of "; S5[30]=" Meteorology, Greater Murray Health Service, local government, Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs) and farmer groups.
      Professor Lemerle said the workshop's objective was to "; S6[30]=" review related research, identify knowledge gaps, determine future research needs and develop an outline for research proposals.
      'The need to review and "; S7[30]=" discuss current practice was prompted by growing concerns over the impact of stubble burning on agriculture and the broader community,' she said.
      "; S8[30]=" Stubble burning is still a common practice.
      A recent Murrumbidgee CMA survey of landholder practices conducted by NSW DPI, showed that of "; S9[30]=" the 700 respondents, 68 per cent used grazing to reduce stubble load, while 50 per cent of stubbles were burnt.
      A survey "; S10[30]=" of a Riverine Plains grower group showed 42 per cent retained stubbles.
      Professor Lemerle said farmers in general were aware of the "; S11[30]=" advantages in retaining stubble as a means to conserve moisture and to control erosion.
      'Many farmers are reluctant to burn, so they "; S12[30]=" are proactive in looking for alternative stubble management options,' she said.
      Brendon I'Anson, a farmer from 'Wandilla', Rand, who attended the workshop "; S13[30]=" said the move to a stubble retention system needed to be a concept change.
      'We have to be prepared to face the "; S14[30]=" potential management issues such as nitrogen tie-up, weeds and diseases, and we have to have strategies to deal with them,' he said.
      "; S15[30]=" John Darnley from the Bureau of Meteorology explained to workshop attendees the impact of weather conditions in relation to trapping air pollutants, while Tony Kolbe "; S16[30]=" from the Greater Murray Health Service, spoke on air pollution and resulting inflammation of the lungs and respiratory difficulties.
      Workshop participants indicated "; S17[30]=" a need to clarify the source of pollutants in order to see if health issues were clearly linked to stubble burning events.
      "; S18[30]=" Professor Lemerle said the workshop highlighted the need for more information to be available to the farming community so that they could reduce their reliance "; S19[30]=" on burning.
      A summary of the workshop proceedings and PowerPoint slides of the presentations are available on the Graham Centre website www.graham.. "; R[31]="1353"; T[31]="Soil pits unearth cropping soil answers"; A[31]="By ... Editor"; Dn[31]="20060903"; Dt[31]="Sunday 3 September 2006"; Acats[31]="a02a72a93"; B1[31]="      Central Queensland grain growers attending a series of soil pit field days in late August now have a better understanding of 'how "; B2[31]="and why' their differing soil types influence productivity and profitability... "; B3[31]=" "; B4[31]=" "; B5[31]=" "; S1[31]="      Central Queensland grain growers attending a series of soil pit field days in late August now have a better understanding of 'how "; S2[31]=" and why' their differing soil types influence productivity and profitability.
      Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries research and extension officers linked with "; S3[31]=" the Central Queensland Sustainable Farming Systems Project excavated soil pits on cooperators' properties at Capella, Dysart, Gindie, Theodore and Wowan to review a wide range "; S4[31]=" of soil types.
      DPI&F principal technical officer Maurie Conway said that two months prior to the on-farm inspections, soil sampling was undertaken "; S5[31]=" to ascertain the chemical composition of the soil profile and the microbiological activity.
      DPI&F senior soil research scientist Michael Braunack provided a "; S6[31]=" detailed commentary at each pit site to explain the physical attributes of the soils by identifying desirable structural characteristics and evidence of degradation.
    "; S7[31]="   Matching the paddock cropping history with an observation of the physical soil structure, the soil test fertility evaluation and the microbiological assessment, gave growers "; S8[31]=" an excellent appreciation what was happening in the field.
      Mr Braunack said that when farmers were able to confidently assess the "; S9[31]=" physical structure of their soil and appreciate the factors that contributed toward structural degradation, they were well-placed to review their management practices to address potential "; S10[31]=" soil health issues.
      'As a consequence of every farming activity where the soil is manipulated, there is always some impact on the "; S11[31]=" soil structure and biology,' Mr Braunack said.
      'There are plenty of visible indicators to alert growers to structural problems that contribute to "; S12[31]=" poor soil water intake and reduced crop performance.
      'Warning signs include a cloddy soil surface after tillage, surface crusting and water ponding, "; S13[31]=" poor germination and crop emergence, uneven plant growth and the presence of sub-surface crop roots that tend to change direction,' Mr Braunack said.
    "; S14[31]="   DPI&F research scientist Stuart Buck said management inputs were the key to maintaining good soil structure.
      'Crop rotation certainly contributes toward "; S15[31]=" improved soil structure and retention of surface crop stubble cover is vital,' Mr Buck said.
      'Farmers should be making every effort to "; S16[31]=" minimise cultivation traffic through zero tillage and adopt Controlled Traffic Farming and direct drill planting to minimise compaction and soil disturbance,' he said.
    "; S17[31]="   DPI&F senior soil microbiologist Nikki Seymour said that a healthy soil was a complex living system and no single measurement could provide a complete "; S18[31]=" picture.
      'Farming practices influence the microbiological food soil web that incorporates plant residues and the activity of fungi, bacteria, nematodes, earthworms and "; S19[31]=" soil insects,' Ms Seymour said.
      'Fallowing certainly reduces the fertility benefits gained from microbiological activity and continued wide row planting technology can "; S20[31]=" have a similar negative impact.
      'DPI&F Sustainable Farming Systems Project researchers are currently investigating the use of short term cover crops to "; S21[31]=" maintain the soil biology that enables plants to access soil nutrients,' Ms Seymour said.
      Twenty growers at the Dawson Sustainable Farming Systems "; S22[31]=" Project group soil pit day held at Michael Kucks' property, Malakoff, discussed a typical 1m deep typical Nipan dark cracking clay soil that had been "; S23[31]=" cropped for up to 40 years compared to a previously farmed paddock planted back to leucaena nine years ago.
      Growers were surprised "; S24[31]=" to learn that after nine years under the nitrogen fixing leguminous leucaena, there were no significant differences in nitrogen fertility and soil structure between the "; S25[31]=" two pits, a legacy of a decade of below average annual rainfall and low levels of grass cover between the leucaena rows... "; R[32]="1286"; T[32]="Farmers take risk management by the horns"; A[32]="By ... Editor"; Dn[32]="20060812"; Dt[32]="Saturday 12 August 2006"; Acats[32]="a02a72"; B1[32]="      Farmers have long dealt with drought and flood, fire and unstable markets, now in a time of increasing market and climate uncertainty "; B2[32]="they're taking risk management by the horns... "; B3[32]=" "; B4[32]=" "; B5[32]=" "; S1[32]="      Farmers have long dealt with drought and flood, fire and unstable markets, now in a time of increasing market and climate uncertainty "; S2[32]=" they're taking risk management by the horns.
      NSW Department of Primary Industries Central West agronomist, Jenene Kidston, said that farmers are taking "; S3[32]=" risk management very seriously, particularly in the context of climate change.
      'Flexible farmers are in the best position to ride the waves,' "; S4[32]=" Ms Kidston said.
      'If one part of an enterprise slumps, whether it's caused by environmental or economic factors, the ability to shift "; S5[32]=" focus and maintain an income base during that period is essential for the long-term sustainability of the farm.' When wine grape prices fell, one Mudgee "; S6[32]=" vineyard took advantage of its irrigation licence, moved into beef cattle production and kept staff on the payroll.
      Thornbury Vineyard manager, Craig "; S7[32]=" Stubbs, said they recognised the options their irrigation licence has delivered and worked hard to get the most from every drop.
      'We've "; S8[32]=" managed to branch out and will turn-off 500 steers this year.
      We're generating income now but if the situation changes we're prepared "; S9[32]=" to move out of beef production,' Mr Stubbs said.
      'The strategy is to get the biggest return we can from a megalitre "; S10[32]=" of water.
      Be it wine grapes, fattening steers, growing lucerne, producing silage and hay - we're prepared to look at almost any "; S11[32]=" option.' According to Ms Kidston while not every farm has water on tap the key for farmers is to recognise a good season, even if "; S12[32]=" it's short, and be able to make as much of the opportunity as they can.
      'Whether it's a forage or grain crop, "; S13[32]=" the ability to conserve fodder, hay or silage can help protect farms from the tough times,' she said.
      'This season is harsh "; S14[32]=" and farmers with feed on-hand are getting the best from it now.' In terms of protecting their feed-base and the environment Ms Kidston said perennial "; S15[32]=" pastures too can be a valuable investment.
      'They can survive drought conditions and come back following the rains to produce quality feed "; S16[32]=" much quicker than the time it takes to establish new pasture.
      'Ground cover protects the soils from wind and water erosion.
  "; S17[32]="     Droughts often break with a heavy downpour which can cause severe erosion if soil is left bare.
      'Perennial pastures also "; S18[32]=" reduce deep-drainage to protect the landscape from salinity.' Ms Kidston is based at the NSW DPI Mudgee office and services an area bounded by Capertee, "; S19[32]=" Sofala, Goolma, Dunedoo and Cassilis... "; R[33]="1184"; T[33]="NSW DPI silage making course proves a winner"; A[33]="By ... Editor"; Dn[33]="20060722"; Dt[33]="Saturday 22 July 2006"; Acats[33]="a24a72a93"; B1[33]="      Silage is playing a much bigger role in the feeding systems of livestock producers in southern NSW and it is even more "; B2[33]="important now because of ongoing drought conditions... "; B3[33]=" "; B4[33]=" "; B5[33]=" "; S1[33]="      Silage is playing a much bigger role in the feeding systems of livestock producers in southern NSW and it is even more "; S2[33]=" important now because of ongoing drought conditions.
      NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is helping producers successfully make silage through its Profarm "; S3[33]=" TopFodder silage making courses being held across the State.
      Seventeen farmers recently attended a three-day 'Successful Silage Course' at Culcairn on 11, "; S4[33]=" 12, 13 July, with one of the participants coming from as far afield as Gunnedah.
      Course organiser NSW DPI's Brian Cumming, who "; S5[33]=" is based at Albury, said most of the people attending the course lived locally.
      The course also drew upon the expertise of "; S6[33]=" NSW DPI's John Piltz, livestock research officer, whose in-depth and practical knowledge of silage making proved extremely valuable, particularly during the field visits.
    "; S7[33]="   Field trips included visiting two local cattle producers who were making different types of silage - one with large square bales and the other "; S8[33]=" with fine chopped, above ground, bunker silage.
      'I think the beauty of this course is that it is extremely practical,' Mr Cumming "; S9[33]=" said.
      'During the course we looked at many silage samples, which ranged from high quality silage to silage that had been damaged "; S10[33]=" during the silage making process.' He said making good silage required extra knowledge and skill, and it was vital to target high quality silage, to "; S11[33]=" reduce overall costs and to maximise animal production from the silage.
      Chris Donoghue from 'Plain Camp' at Mullaney near Gunnedah said he "; S12[33]=" attended the course because he wanted to run more cattle.
      'Unlike some courses - it was not a scone-eating contest.
    "; S13[33]="   I found it most informative,' he said.
      'When I started the course I knew nothing about silage, but I now feel "; S14[33]=" confident enough to give silage making a go.' 'I've also learnt a lot from other participants who were experienced silage makers.' Mr Donoghue was particularly "; S15[33]=" impressed with the textbook 'Successful Silage', which was given to all course participants.
      Another course participant Daryl Thomson from 'Broadlands' near Culcairn "; S16[33]=" has been making silage for eight years.
      He said after the course that he would be changing the way he made silage.
"; S17[33]="       Mr Thomson also said he now saw the value of having his silage tested.
      In the future, he intends "; S18[33]=" to have his silage tested at NSW DPI Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute's recently opened feed testing centre.
      Mr Cumming said it was "; S19[33]=" important to test silage to gauge how successfully it had been made and also to ascertain the livestock production gained from feeding silage.
    "; S20[33]="   'The new testing centre at Wagga Wagga will help livestock producers tailor their animal feeding programs, especially during long periods of dry conditions when "; S21[33]=" feeding becomes one of the bigger costs on farm,' he said.
      NSW DPI silage making courses are usually conducted in response to "; S22[33]=" demand, and prior to silage planning in July, when producers are working out what paddocks to commit to silage.
      To find out "; S23[33]=" about more about silage courses in the Riverina contact the Murrumbidgee Rural Studies Centre at Yanco on 1800 628 422, web site www.mrsc.nsw.edu.au.
    "; S24[33]="   For ProFarm courses in other regions across the State, contact Tocal Agricultural College on 1800 025 520.
      The textbook 'Successful Silage' "; S25[33]=" costs $135 plus $6 postage and is available from the NSW DPI bookshop at Orange by contacting 1800 028 374... "; R[34]="1180"; T[34]="Farmers learning to change with climate"; A[34]="By ... Editor"; Dn[34]="20060722"; Dt[34]="Saturday 22 July 2006"; Acats[34]="a02a72a89"; B1[34]="      For farmers in the Mid North, a gamble on rain has been one they have won.... "; B2[34]=" "; B3[34]=" "; B4[34]=" "; B5[34]=" "; S1[34]="      For farmers in the Mid North, a gamble on rain has been one they have won.
      Now, they have "; S2[34]=" been warned the amount of rain in the 130km stretch from Clare to Melrose could be significantly reduced in as little as 64 years.
  "; S3[34]="     The area lies inside Goyder's Line, an imaginary marker plotted in 1864 to divide land suitable for agriculture from that which only "; S4[34]=" would sustain pastoral activity.
      Climate researchers at the South Australian Research and Development Institute have made the first estimate of exactly "; S5[34]=" when and where this line will shift, if global warming is not addressed.
      They believe the line could move south from "; S6[34]=" Melrose by 100km before 2070, if greenhouse gases continue to make the climate warmer and drier.
      Areas south of the line on "; S7[34]=" average receive 250mm rain in the season between April and October.
      Institute principal scientist in climate application Peter Hayman said drier "; S8[34]=" seasons could lead to the Clare Valley becoming the outskirts of what is considered good farming land.
      So far, research has "; S9[34]=" not been undertaken to measure the effects of climate change on the line's position on Eyre Peninsula and such eastern parts of SA as the "; S10[34]=" Riverland.
      Mr Hayman said knowing possibilities will allow the agricultural sector to prepare.
      'It depends on how severe "; S11[34]=" the decline in rainfall is, how much that is compensated by a reduction in carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere and how farmers can adapt,' "; S12[34]=" he said.
      'There is an opportunity to prepare for this and farmers are (already) adapting to the early stages of climate "; S13[34]=" change.
      'By reducing greenhouse gases, we're also likely to have more time to adapt to climate change and it would be "; S14[34]=" less likely that we could have the extreme climate change.' The institute has interviewed farmers in the region and many are keen for more "; S15[34]=" information on how they can adapt.
      'It might not be important in terms of farmers deciding what crop to plant next "; S16[34]=" year but it will be important in deciding if they should buy more land,' Mr Hayman said.
      Early warning also will "; S17[34]=" enable farmers to identify ways to use their land for other than just growing crops, he said.
      South Australian Farmers Federation "; S18[34]=" president Jeff Klitscher said more definitive research needed to be undertaken before farmers panic.
      'There's a lot of theories about Goyder's Line.
"; S19[34]="       Farmers are not alarmed by it but they are concerned about it and we want to have the right information so we "; S20[34]=" can work with it.' Scientists already are investigating how to create more tolerant crops by using genetic modification... "; R[35]="1147"; T[35]="Field day looks at cutting frost damage"; A[35]="By ... Editor"; Dn[35]="20060720"; Dt[35]="Thursday 20 July 2006"; Acats[35]="a35a72"; B1[35]="      Options to reduce the devastating yield losses that frost can cause to winter cereals will be discussed at a field day at "; B2[35]="Kingsthorpe on Thursday, July 27... "; B3[35]=" "; B4[35]=" "; B5[35]=" "; S1[35]="      Options to reduce the devastating yield losses that frost can cause to winter cereals will be discussed at a field day at "; S2[35]=" Kingsthorpe on Thursday, July 27.
      Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries crop physiologist, Jack Christopher of the Leslie Research Centre, said current "; S3[35]=" research aimed to reduce yield losses from frost damage, which wiped 10 per cent a year from the value of the northern grain belt's $1 "; S4[35]=" billion wheat and barley crop.
      Dr Christopher said some varieties and experimental lines in trials at the field day site showed varying "; S5[35]=" genetic frost resistance.
      'We'll be discussing this, as well as the potential for genetic modification to increase frost resistance based on current "; S6[35]=" research at the University of Southern Queensland,' he said.
      Dr Christopher said other scientists to attend the field day included Troy Frederiks "; S7[35]=" of the DPI&F, Dr Joan Vickers and Associate Professor Grant Daggard of the USQ, and visiting infrared thermography expert, Professor Mick Fuller of the University "; S8[35]=" of Plymouth, in the United Kingdom.
      He said that as luncheon would be provided, visitors could facilitate catering by indicating their intention "; S9[35]=" to attend by Friday, July 21 (Troy Frederiks, 4639 8876 or Jack Christopher, 4639 8813).
      'The field day will be held from "; S10[35]=" 10am to noon.
      The meeting point is the DPI&F experimental farm at the corner of Brimblecombe and Gowrie Mountain School roads,' he "; S11[35]=" said... "; R[36]="1128"; T[36]="Biological battle on ryegrass toxicity"; A[36]="By ... Editor"; Dn[36]="20060717"; Dt[36]="Monday 17 July 2006"; Acats[36]="a02a33a72"; B1[36]="      Annual ryegrass toxicity is taking its toll, costing livestock producers about $40 million a year according to Department of Agriculture and Food "; B2[36]="estimates... "; B3[36]=" "; B4[36]=" "; B5[36]=" "; S1[36]="      Annual ryegrass toxicity is taking its toll, costing livestock producers about $40 million a year according to Department of Agriculture and Food "; S2[36]=" estimates.
      Along-side chemical control of ryegrass, three biological control options - Safeguard ryegrass, Twist fungus and non-toxigenic Rathayibacter are showing the "; S3[36]=" best chance of success.
      Contracted on a project funded by Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) Department development officer David Kessell will "; S4[36]=" present the options to producers at the Department's Sheep Updates on 13 July, sponsored by MLA and Australian Wool Innovation Ltd.
      "; S5[36]=" Annual ryegrass toxicity (ARGT) is a disease of grazing livestock resulting from the ingestion of annual ryegrass seed-heads infected by the toxin forming bacterium Rathayibacter "; S6[36]=" toxicus.
      Mr Kessell said the causal organisms of ARGT were spreading throughout Western Australia after first appearing near Gnowangerup in 1968.
"; S7[36]="       'Recent surveys have shown the organisms are now widely spread in the wheatbelt and mixed farming areas where annual ryegrass is "; S8[36]=" present,' he said.
      'Deaths have also occurred on the Swan coastal plain in animals fed locally- produced hay.
      "; S9[36]=" 'But, while the major visual impact is livestock deaths, this only accounts for approximately five per cent of the overall costs of the disease.
"; S10[36]="       There are subclinical effects on wool and reproduction and suspected on meat production and feed conversion efficiency.
      'Daily "; S11[36]=" monitoring of stock is costly and psychologically draining on producers.
      There is also a large cost to export hay producers through rejection "; S12[36]=" of contaminated hay (currently from 1 bacterial gall/kg of hay).' Mr Kessell said in winter, a number of herbicide options were available to reduce "; S13[36]=" the ryegrass populations in crops and pastures.
      The sowing of Safeguard ryegrass was also a very useful option for graziers.
    "; S14[36]="   In spring, the use of slashing or heavy grazing to remove infected seed-heads before toxicity developed could vastly increase the safety of affected "; S15[36]=" paddocks.
      Spray-topping with gramoxone or glyphosate at the correct times would also prevent further development of toxicity and make paddocks safer to "; S16[36]=" graze, but both these treatments were very damaging to legume seed set.
      Mr Kessell said an integration of several biological control "; S17[36]=" options was likely to have the most success.
      'Safeguard is a cultivar of ryegrass that has resistance to gall production from "; S18[36]=" the nematode Anguina funesta.
      For Safeguard to have the greatest impact, it must be established in at least a 3:1 proportion with "; S19[36]=" the local ryegrass,' he said.
      'Twist fungus (Dilophospora alopecuri) competes with the bacteria for the nematode vector and plant host.
  "; S20[36]="     Inside the ryegrass, twist grows more rapidly inhibiting nematode and bacterial gall production.
      Once established, twist will persist and spread, "; S21[36]=" has been shown to dramatically reduce numbers of toxic bacterial galls, and is not adversely affected by commonly used fungicides.' 'Even though there has "; S22[36]=" been a late start to the season, anyone who has purchased twist fungus should put it out as soon as possible to ensure the greatest "; S23[36]=" likelihood of successful establishment.
      It won't keep until next season.' Mr Kessell said the combined effectiveness of the two approaches was "; S24[36]=" demonstrated at a number of sites around WA in 2005.
      'In a particularly impressive case, on a farm near Beverley WA, "; S25[36]=" the treatment reduced toxic gall numbers from potentially deadly to relatively safe, within one season,' he said.
      Non-toxigenic Rathayibacter is a "; S26[36]=" non toxin producing species of the bacteria which is being assessed in quarantine studies and may prove to be highly effective in the control of "; S27[36]=" ARGT.
      These bacteria grow more rapidly and have been shown to displace the toxic bacteria.
      A decision from "; S28[36]=" AQIS to allow field trials is hoped for by the end of 2006.
      Potentially these bacteria would be easier to mass produce "; S29[36]=" and apply than twist fungus... "; R[37]="1077"; T[37]="Soil test - then invest"; A[37]="By ... Editor"; Dn[37]="20060712"; Dt[37]="Wednesday 12 July 2006"; Acats[37]="a02a03a07a72"; B1[37]="      Dryland grain growers and graziers need to have a better understanding of the yield potential and productivity of their land if they "; B2[37]="are to match their economic expectations with escalating land values... "; B3[37]=" "; B4[37]=" "; B5[37]=" "; S1[37]="      Dryland grain growers and graziers need to have a better understanding of the yield potential and productivity of their land if they "; S2[37]=" are to match their economic expectations with escalating land values.
      Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries soil management research scientist Stuart Buck "; S3[37]=" said extensive soil testing was the only real guide to determining the productive capability of the land.
      'For those primary producers contemplating "; S4[37]=" investing in agricultural land or embarking on a cropping venture anywhere on the Central Highlands and Dawson Callide, the well worn adage - try before "; S5[37]=" you buy - certainly applies to soil testing,' Mr Buck said.
      'The soil test advice extends beyond farmers and needs to be "; S6[37]=" understood by agribusiness consultants and bankers as insidious subsoil constraints will limit production options,' Mr Buck said.
      Mr Buck said the "; S7[37]=" term 'subsoil constraints' refers to any soil factor that limits the uptake of plant nutrients and restricts the availability of water to the plant root "; S8[37]=" system.
      'The constraint can be physical, such as subsoil basalt in open downs soil types, or chemical, such as high chloride and "; S9[37]=" exchangeable sodium in brigalow soil types.
      'Chemical constraints are difficult to diagnose without a soil test and research is indicating that chloride "; S10[37]=" is the primary problem factor,' Mr Buck said.
      'Central Queensland growers have noted that some crops can have a degree of salinity "; S11[37]=" tolerance to sodium chloride so we have embarked on a 2006 trial to investigate the tolerance levels of selected winter cereals and chickpea varieties,' Mr "; S12[37]=" Buck said.
      A Dawson Valley subsoil constraints trial involves two soil types within the same paddock comparing a heavy black cracking clay "; S13[37]=" with low level constraints to a brown highly constrained soil that tended to crust and seal.
      Mr Buck said the black soil "; S14[37]=" had a chloride reading ranging from 27mg/kg on the surface to 600mg/kg in the lower root zone whereas the chloride for the high constraint brown "; S15[37]=" soil ranged from 10mg/kg to more than 1000mg/kg.
      Following 50mm of early April rain on the zero till trial paddock, the cereals "; S16[37]=" and chickpea were deep planted to 6cm on 37.5cm rows using a moisture-seeking tine opener and Janke press wheels.
      'We chose Kennedy, "; S17[37]=" Baxter, Lang and Rees as the bread wheat varieties; Yalleroi and Wollaroi durum wheats; Grout and Mackay variety barley; and Jimbour and Moti chickpeas to "; S18[37]=" compare their performance on the constrained soils,' Mr Buck said.
      'At this stage, Baxter appears to be the most tolerant of the "; S19[37]=" wheats.
      'Both durum wheat selections are showing a higher sensitivity and the chickpea plantings are highly intolerant with little root penetration into "; S20[37]=" the subsoil.' Mr Buck said that if soil tests revealed high chloride levels, chickpeas were not an option and depending on the level of subsoil "; S21[37]=" constraints, crop choice would be restricted.
      On high subsoil constraint soils, pasture may be the best solution.
      Mr Buck "; S22[37]=" said that under good seasonal conditions with ample soil moisture or irrigation, many crops can perform on constrained soils but under dry growing conditions, subsoil "; S23[37]=" constraints were a major issue severely limiting productivity... "; R[38]="1073"; T[38]="Ley delivers low cost productivity boost"; A[38]="By ... Editor"; Dn[38]="20060712"; Dt[38]="Wednesday 12 July 2006"; Acats[38]="a72a81a93"; B1[38]="      A central Queensland butterfly pea legume and grass pasture mix planted into heavy clay flooded coolibah river cultivation that was continuously cropped "; B2[38]="for 50 years has helped restore declining soil fertility and productivity... "; B3[38]=" "; B4[38]=" "; B5[38]=" "; S1[38]="      A central Queensland butterfly pea legume and grass pasture mix planted into heavy clay flooded coolibah river cultivation that was continuously cropped "; S2[38]=" for 50 years has helped restore declining soil fertility and productivity.
      Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries soil management research scientist Stuart "; S3[38]=" Buck said the use of a perennial ley legume was viewed as a low cost sustainable method of improving the nitrogen and organic carbon of "; S4[38]=" cropping soils.
      Mr Buck said the extensive Central Queensland Sustainable Farming Systems Project trial site on Ross Maclean's Baralaba district grain "; S5[38]=" and cattle property, Coolum, was established in 1998 backed by Grains Research Development Corporation funding.
      'Our trial objective was to quantify the "; S6[38]=" effect of a butterfly pea ley on soil fertility and the performance of subsequent cereal crops following three, four and five years of ley before "; S7[38]=" replanting back into grain crops,' Mr Buck said.
      Mr Buck said that some open downs and brigalow soils farmed for more than "; S8[38]=" 30 years had delivered an economic response to applied nitrogen fertiliser.
      'The relatively high cost of nitrogen fertiliser; a high degree of "; S9[38]=" seasonal rainfall variability coupled with low grain values; and the fact that many Central Queensland grain growers support a cattle enterprise, has provided the incentive "; S10[38]=" for the planting of more than 200,000 hectares of butterfly pea pasture in the past decade.
      'We are now well placed to "; S11[38]=" review the sustainability and economics of using a butterfly pea ley and compare subsequent crop yield and grain quality performance against continuous wheat cropping subjected "; S12[38]=" to four nitrogen rate treatments.' Mr Buck said that after spraying out three-year-old strips of butterfly pea-grass pasture mix and pure butterfly pea in January "; S13[38]=" 2001 in readiness for winter wheat, there was no planting rain and the trial was left fallow until the 2002 season.
      The "; S14[38]=" three, four and five year ley trials were planted to wheat in 2002 and 2003 but drought again intervened in 2004.
      Mr "; S15[38]=" Buck said the complete trial area was planted in 2005 on good subsoil moisture and the wheat yield and grain quality harvested from the ley "; S16[38]=" recorded an excellent 3.2 - 3.6 tonnes/ha at protein levels of 11.5 - 11.8 per cent.
      In the continuous wheat trial, the "; S17[38]=" nitrogen fertiliser (N) treatments ranged from nil N; low N (29kg N/ha); high N (60kg N/ha); and budget N (N rate calculated to match pre-plant "; S18[38]=" soil test nitrate content and the additional N required to achieve a target yield determined by available soil moisture at planting and seasonal outlook indicators).
"; S19[38]="       Mr Buck said comparative grain yields in 2002 showed that the continuous wheat treatment yields were significantly higher than the butterfly pea "; S20[38]=" ley treatments but protein levels were much higher in the ley trial strips.
      From the 2003 treatments, there was no real difference "; S21[38]=" in yield but grain protein levels from the ley strips were higher or equal to all but the high nitrogen fertiliser rate.
      "; S22[38]=" This indicated the ley nitrogen supply could deliver 13.3 to 15 per cent protein.
      Mr Buck said the 2005 planting following an "; S23[38]=" enforced 2004 fallow showed the butterfly pea ley could match the nitrogen fertilised continuous cropping yield performance.
      The major casualty was in "; S24[38]=" the nil fertilised treatment where the protein level fell to 10.6 per cent.
      'The trial is continuing this year following wheat planting "; S25[38]=" in early May to again measure grain yield, protein and screenings,' Mr Buck said.
      'To assess the residual benefits of the legume "; S26[38]=" ley, the project will also investigate the impact of the changed farming system on the physical, chemical and biological indicators of soil health.' With the "; S27[38]=" GRDC-funded project due to be finalised in June next year, the Baralaba trial site remains a first choice for on-going soil health research and new "; S28[38]=" initiatives focussed on crop nutrition.
      Mr Buck said DPI&F researchers were on the front foot ready to work with key growers to "; S29[38]=" investigate the economics of precision agriculture, interpret yield maps and make practical use of electro-magnetic and infrared technology for measuring soil conductivity and soil moisture "; S30[38]=" content... "; R[39]="1049"; T[39]="Biological battle on ryegrass toxicity"; A[39]="By ... Editor"; Dn[39]="20060708"; Dt[39]="Saturday 8 July 2006"; Acats[39]="a25a26a27a33a72"; B1[39]="      Annual ryegrass toxicity is taking its toll, costing livestock producers about $40 million a year according to Department of Agriculture and Food "; B2[39]="estimates... "; B3[39]=" "; B4[39]=" "; B5[39]=" "; S1[39]="      Annual ryegrass toxicity is taking its toll, costing livestock producers about $40 million a year according to Department of Agriculture and Food "; S2[39]=" estimates.
      Along-side chemical control of ryegrass, three biological control options - Safeguard ryegrass, Twist fungus and non-toxigenic Rathayibacter are showing the "; S3[39]=" best chance of success.
      Contracted on a project funded by Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) Department development officer David Kessell will "; S4[39]=" present the options to producers at the Department's Sheep Updates on 13 July, sponsored by MLA and Australian Wool Innovation Ltd.
      "; S5[39]=" Annual ryegrass toxicity (ARGT) is a disease of grazing livestock resulting from the ingestion of annual ryegrass seed-heads infected by the toxin forming bacterium Rathayibacter "; S6[39]=" toxicus.
      Mr Kessell said the causal organisms of ARGT were spreading throughout Western Australia after first appearing near Gnowangerup in 1968.
"; S7[39]="       'Recent surveys have shown the organisms are now widely spread in the wheatbelt and mixed farming areas where annual ryegrass is "; S8[39]=" present,' he said.
      'Deaths have also occurred on the Swan coastal plain in animals fed locally- produced hay.
      "; S9[39]=" 'But, while the major visual impact is livestock deaths, this only accounts for approximately five per cent of the overall costs of the disease.
"; S10[39]="       There are subclinical effects on wool and reproduction and suspected on meat production and feed conversion efficiency.
      'Daily "; S11[39]=" monitoring of stock is costly and psychologically draining on producers.
      There is also a large cost to export hay producers through rejection "; S12[39]=" of contaminated hay (currently from 1 bacterial gall/kg of hay).' Mr Kessell said in winter, a number of herbicide options were available to reduce "; S13[39]=" the ryegrass populations in crops and pastures.
      The sowing of Safeguard ryegrass was also a very useful option for graziers.
    "; S14[39]="   In spring, the use of slashing or heavy grazing to remove infected seed-heads before toxicity developed could vastly increase the safety of affected "; S15[39]=" paddocks.
      Spray-topping with gramoxone or glyphosate at the correct times would also prevent further development of toxicity and make paddocks safer to "; S16[39]=" graze, but both these treatments were very damaging to legume seed set.
      Mr Kessell said an integration of several biological control "; S17[39]=" options was likely to have the most success.
      'Safeguard is a cultivar of ryegrass that has resistance to gall production from "; S18[39]=" the nematode Anguina funesta.
      For Safeguard to have the greatest impact, it must be established in at least a 3:1 proportion with "; S19[39]=" the local ryegrass,' he said.
      'Twist fungus (Dilophospora alopecuri) competes with the bacteria for the nematode vector and plant host.
  "; S20[39]="     Inside the ryegrass, twist grows more rapidly inhibiting nematode and bacterial gall production.
      Once established, twist will persist and spread, "; S21[39]=" has been shown to dramatically reduce numbers of toxic bacterial galls, and is not adversely affected by commonly used fungicides.' 'Even though there has "; S22[39]=" been a late start to the season, anyone who has purchased twist fungus should put it out as soon as possible to ensure the greatest "; S23[39]=" likelihood of successful establishment.
      It won't keep until next season.' Mr Kessell said the combined effectiveness of the two approaches was "; S24[39]=" demonstrated at a number of sites around WA in 2005.
      'In a particularly impressive case, on a farm near Beverley WA, "; S25[39]=" the treatment reduced toxic gall numbers from potentially deadly to relatively safe, within one season,' he said.
      Non-toxigenic Rathayibacter is a "; S26[39]=" non toxin producing species of the bacteria which is being assessed in quarantine studies and may prove to be highly effective in the control of "; S27[39]=" ARGT.
      These bacteria grow more rapidly and have been shown to displace the toxic bacteria.
      A decision from "; S28[39]=" AQIS to allow field trials is hoped for by the end of 2006.
      Potentially these bacteria would be easier to mass produce "; S29[39]=" and apply than twist fungus... "; R[40]="1034"; T[40]="Poor ewe nutrition leads to fatter progeny"; A[40]="By ... Editor"; Dn[40]="20060708"; Dt[40]="Saturday 8 July 2006"; Acats[40]="a25a72"; B1[40]="      Progeny from poorly fed ewes are much fatter when they reach mature size according to findings of the national 'Lifetime Wool' research "; B2[40]="project... "; B3[40]=" "; B4[40]=" "; B5[40]=" "; S1[40]="      Progeny from poorly fed ewes are much fatter when they reach mature size according to findings of the national 'Lifetime Wool' research "; S2[40]=" project.
      The impacts of ewe nutrition during pregnancy will be presented by Andrew Thompson of Victoria's Department of Primary Industries during "; S3[40]=" next month's Sheep Updates in Perth hosted by the Department of Agriculture and Food.
      Dr Thompson said poor ewe nutrition during "; S4[40]=" pregnancy could reduce lamb birth weight and survival and have permanent adverse impacts on their production potential and health of the progeny.
      "; S5[40]=" 'The 'Lifetime Wool' project has shown that progeny from ewes that lost a condition score during pregnancy produce up to one kilogram less wool "; S6[40]=" during their entire lifetime and that their wool is 0.2 to 0.3 microns broader than those from ewes which maintained condition during pregnancy,' he said.
"; S7[40]="       'Progeny from poorly fed ewes are also much fatter when they reach mature size, which may predispose them to various metabolic, "; S8[40]=" cardiovascular and other diseases.
      'In this study, more than 80 per cent of the variance in the proportion of fat was "; S9[40]=" explained by differences in mature size of the progeny and the liveweight profile of their dam during pregnancy.
      ' The study "; S10[40]=" used 24 single born adult wethers selected from ewes that experienced extreme differences in nutrition during pregnancy and lactation.
      The ewes were "; S11[40]=" grouped according to condition score into 'Low' and 'High' and their progeny were monitored for feed intake and differences in liveweight until 3.5 years of "; S12[40]=" age.
      Dr Thompson said there were massive differences in whole body lean and fat tissue mass.
      On average, "; S13[40]=" after correction for liveweight, the proportion of fat was greater (33.8% v 24.0%) and lean was less (63.1% v 72.0%) for whethers of the 'Low' "; S14[40]=" ewe condition score group compared with the 'High' group.
      Body composition of adult wethers was most closely related to their liveweight.
"; S15[40]="       After correcting for differences in liveweight, lambs that were smaller and grew more slowly to weaning had less lean tissue and were "; S16[40]=" fatter at mature size.
      'These results indicate that nutrition in utero and pre-weaning has very significant effects on the physiology and "; S17[40]=" body composition of mature Merino wethers,' he said.
      'A 10 kg change in ewe liveweight during early/mid pregnancy or late pregnancy "; S18[40]=" increased the proportion of fat in whole body terms from 24 to 30 per cent.' The study was funded by Australian Wool Innovation and "; S19[40]=" the Department of Primary Industries, Victoria... "; R[41]="993"; T[41]="Good news pastures stand out"; A[41]="By ... Editor"; Dn[41]="20060628"; Dt[41]="Wednesday 28 June 2006"; Acats[41]="a02a72"; B1[41]="      Good news from the current dry spell may be hard to find but paddocks sown with biserrula and serradella are standing out.... "; B2[41]=" "; B3[41]=" "; B4[41]=" "; B5[41]=" "; S1[41]="      Good news from the current dry spell may be hard to find but paddocks sown with biserrula and serradella are standing out.
"; S2[41]="       'Biserrula that germinated on summer rain is still providing green feed while other pastures have dried off, and another 10mm or more "; S3[41]=" of rain should give it an ideal pick-up going into winter,' said Department of Agriculture and Food pasture research officer Dr Angelo Loi.
    "; S4[41]="   'Biserrula had been identified as a promising pasture to emerge from the CRC for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture (CLIMA) and the Grains Research and "; S5[41]=" Development Corporation/Australian Wool Innovation funded National Annual Pasture Legume Improvement Programme,' he said.
      'That promise is being emphasised with the current climate "; S6[41]=" situation and there is no doubt it is proving a big advantage where it has been sown,: Dr Loi said.
      Productive paddocks "; S7[41]=" have been seen across a wide range of the wheatbelt including Kondinin, Tincurrin, Badgingarra and Katanning.
      Two varieties of biserrula are now "; S8[41]=" commercialised.
      Casbah is a mid-season cultivar, suited areas with 325 to 500mm annual rainfall.
      Mauro is a mid to "; S9[41]=" late-maturing cultivar, suited to regions with 450 to 700mm rainfall.
      Dr Loi said biserrula was a prolific seed producer, with seed yields "; S10[41]=" ranging from 300 to 1500kg per hectare.
      It was a high-quality forage in terms of dry matter digestibility, metabolisable energy and crude "; S11[41]=" protein.
      Because it was hardseeded, it had some protection against false breaks, and could survive in the seed bank for a number "; S12[41]=" of years, allowing the use of multiple crop sequences up to five years.
      'Biserrula at the moment is the cheapest option among "; S13[41]=" the pasture legumes offered by the market.
      It is the best tool to control herbicide resistant weeds, a great nitrogen producer and "; S14[41]=" a very persistent pasture that can survive through long crop rotations.
      Photosensitivity and aphid control are the only real limitations to consider' "; S15[41]=" More information on biserrula is available from Dr Loi on 9368 3907 or from the Department of Agriculture and Food Farmnote 37/2005, which can be "; S16[41]=" found at the department's website at www.agric.wa.gov.au or at your local department office... "; R[42]="849"; T[42]="Farm of the future on Horizons"; A[42]="By ... Editor"; Dn[42]="20060607"; Dt[42]="Wednesday 7 June 2006"; Acats[42]="a02a04a57a72"; B1[42]="      Research for the 'Farm of the Future' is the theme for the fourth Horizons in Livestock Sciences Conference to be held on "; B2[42]="the Gold Coast from 8 - 11 October... "; B3[42]=" "; B4[42]=" "; B5[42]=" "; S1[42]="      Research for the 'Farm of the Future' is the theme for the fourth Horizons in Livestock Sciences Conference to be held on "; S2[42]=" the Gold Coast from 8 - 11 October.Leading Australian and international speakers will explore which livestock production methods could and should be adopted on farms "; S3[42]=" beyond 2015 in order to meet increasing consumer demand for higher quality, healthy meat products.
      The Conference will feature a wide range "; S4[42]=" of challenging topics including: 'How severe will oil and water shortages be by 2015?'; and, 'How might climate change affect the future farm?' To be "; S5[42]=" held at the Gold Coast International Hotel, the Conference is being hosted by CSIRO Livestock Industries Speakers will address vital issues affecting the longer term "; S6[42]=" agriculture research agenda including:
      * Professor Leif Andersson from Uppsala University, Sweden - the impact of the genomics revolution on the "; S7[42]=" future farm.
     
      * Professor Agustin Blasco, Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Spain - genetic engineering and its "; S8[42]=" place in solving hunger, environmental degradation and disease.
     
      * Michael Archer, The University of New South Wales, Australia "; S9[42]=" - alternative farming methods (including 'farmerless' farms and farming native species) how realistic is it and how could we achieve it? What is in place "; S10[42]=" already?
      * Professor Oscar Cacho, The University of New England, Australia - the role of bioeconomics in the farm of the "; S11[42]=" future.
     
      * Robert Burton, Macaulay Land Use Research Institute, UK - social and psychological changes and their effects "; S12[42]=" on the future farm.
     
      * Departing CSIRO Livestock Industries' Chief, Shaun Coffey, will return from his new research "; S13[42]=" management post in New Zealand to speak about the interactions of diet and genetics.
      Other issues to be discussed include: ecological impacts "; S14[42]=" on future farming; doing science in a changing financial climate; does Intellectual Property (IP) and patenting help or hinder science?; how science should interact with "; S15[42]=" the media; the educational needs for the livestock researcher of the future; and, can fundamental sciences really add value to the traditional animal sciences? To "; S16[42]=" be held at the Gold Coast International Hotel, the Conference is being hosted by CSIRO Livestock Industries with support from principal sponsor, Meat and Livestock "; S17[42]=" Australia, and the Queensland Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries.
      Registration for this international event is now available online at: www.livestockhorizons.com... "; R[43]="804"; T[43]="Victoria's Farm Day Hailed a Success"; A[43]="By ... Editor"; Dn[43]="20060601"; Dt[43]="Thursday 1 June 2006"; Acats[43]="a53a72"; B1[43]="      Farm Day, an initiative organised by a Victorian farmer to bridge the growing divide between the city and the bush, has been "; B2[43]="hailed a success... "; B3[43]=" "; B4[43]=" "; B5[43]=" "; S1[43]="      Farm Day, an initiative organised by a Victorian farmer to bridge the growing divide between the city and the bush, has been "; S2[43]=" hailed a success.
      The inaugural event was held this past last weekend with over 50 city families from across the state traveling "; S3[43]=" to the country to spend a day with a farming family.
      Further events will be held over the next month to build "; S4[43]=" on these efforts.
      Debbie Bain was the visionary behind the initiative.
      The mother of three and her husband, "; S5[43]=" David, run 10,000 head of sheep for wool production at Stockyard Hill, near Ballarat.
      'David and I were talking about how we "; S6[43]=" found it frustrating reading so often about the negative perceptions people have of farmers.
      So we decided to do something about it "; S7[43]=" and we're thrilled with the enthusiasm of both the country and city families who participated.' Josie and Peter Donegan, run a 65-hectare farm at Gordon "; S8[43]=" near Ballarat.
      They introduced three generations to life on the land during Farm Day.
      'We just feel so lucky "; S9[43]=" to be able to bring our five children up in a farming environment, that we decided to open our doors so that other children could "; S10[43]=" experience life on the land,' Josie said.
      David Bailey, who lives in south east Melbourne, headed to the Donegan's farm with his "; S11[43]=" daughter Amanda and grandchildren, aged three and nine-months.
      'Abbey, the three year old, had never been to a farm and she "; S12[43]=" just loved it,' Josie Donegan said.
      'The minute she got out of the car she put on her gum boots and jumped "; S13[43]=" in a puddle.
      She spent the whole day giggling and laughing, helping us to feed the calves and the sheep.
    "; S14[43]="   It was the most amazing day.' Carlene and Craig Whatman who live in Aspendale Gardens, 30 km south east of Melbourne, took their three "; S15[43]=" children, Andrew 11 and twins Thomas and Sophia, 7, to spend a day on a beef and sheep farm owned by the Elliots at Barfold "; S16[43]=" in Central Victoria.
      Craig, a tax manager and Carlene, a secretary at their children's school, grew up in New Zealand and have "; S17[43]=" fond memories of life on the land.
      'But the last time our children visited a farm was when they were babies,' Craig "; S18[43]=" said.
      'We both felt it was important that the kids get to see a farm, learn about the animals and what life "; S19[43]=" on the land is like.
      The Elliot's were wonderful hosts and the kids had a ball.
      They would have "; S20[43]=" stayed there a week if they could,' he laughed.
      Each family took away with them a range of information about farming "; S21[43]=" life, including a book from the Workboot Series of educational resources produced by non-profit farming organisation, Kondinin Group.
      Each of the 13 "; S22[43]=" books in the series focuses on a particular area of the industry from seafood to beef production, and eggs to wheat.
      The "; S23[43]=" books were donated by agricultural equipment manufacturer Case IH.
      'Agriculture runs deep in this country's veins - yet many city kids don't "; S24[43]=" know where their food comes from.
      This is a serious problem given the significance of the agriculture sector to Australia's economy.
  "; S25[43]="     For Australia's agricultural sector to survive, city folk need to understand the industry and support its continued growth and innovation,' said Case IH "; S26[43]=" Business Manager for Victoria, Tasmania & South Australia, Mark Lindner.
      National Farmers' Federation CEO, Ben Fargher, praised the Victorian Farm Day initiative "; S27[43]=" as providing an important link between farmers and city families.
      'Often the ill-informed opinions expressed in the mainstream media are those of "; S28[43]=" activists with a particular agenda or journalists who have never stepped foot on a farm,' he said.
      'Farm Day put ordinary "; S29[43]=" city families in touch with farmers to see and feel a real farming experience for themselves.
      'The Farm Day concept mirrors efforts "; S30[43]=" the NFF is looking to drive at the national level - across every state.
      So much good work is being done by "; R[44]="803"; T[44]="Common ground and private practice -- thinking about property"; A[44]="By ... Editor"; Dn[44]="20060601"; Dt[44]="Thursday 1 June 2006"; Acats[44]="a02a04a72"; B1[44]="      A new report presenting leading edge thinking about property rights and responsibilities.... "; B2[44]=" "; B3[44]=" "; B4[44]=" "; B5[44]=" "; S1[44]="      A new report presenting leading edge thinking about property rights and responsibilities.
      While industry, community and government have all "; S2[44]=" expressed a broad commitment to greater sustainability of the Australian landscape, as yet there is little agreement on a reform agenda to achieve this goal.
"; S3[44]="       One of the topics where debate is most fierce concerns property rights and responsibilities.
      In an effort "; S4[44]=" to encourage and inform debate about the rights and responsibilities of property owners in managing land and water, Land & Water Australia has released a "; S5[44]=" new report Property: rights and responsibilities, current Australian thinking.
      This collection of eight research papers represents the leading edge of Australian "; S6[44]=" thinking on property rights.
      Topics range from a discussion of private property and common myths in the property rights debate, to analyses "; S7[44]=" of legal and economic approaches, economic perspectives of water entitlements, and social justice considerations.
      Land & Water Australia Chair Ms Bobbie "; S8[44]=" Brazil said that improving understanding of property rights among communities, industries and policy makers is critical in moving forward on some of the most intractable "; S9[44]=" environmental challenges in Australia.
      'This is a complex issue, and rarely is this sort of information presented in a comprehensive and "; S10[44]=" accessible way.
      We have a responsibility to find appropriate and workable solutions, to make sure that we get it right,' she said.
"; S11[44]="       The Property report has been produced under Land & Water Australia's Social and Institutional Research Program.
      Click here "; S12[44]=" for an electronic copy.
      Hard copies can be obtained from Canprint on 1800 776616 quoting product code PR020440... "; R[45]="800"; T[45]="Joint trials of low cost aerial crop imaging system"; A[45]="By ... Editor"; Dn[45]="20060601"; Dt[45]="Thursday 1 June 2006"; Acats[45]="a02a55a72"; B1[45]="      The Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries and the Victorian Department of Primary Industries are jointly testing a new aerial imaging "; B2[45]="system for crop monitoring that uses digital and thermal infrared cameras... "; B3[45]=" "; B4[45]=" "; B5[45]=" "; S1[45]="      The Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries and the Victorian Department of Primary Industries are jointly testing a new aerial imaging "; S2[45]=" system for crop monitoring that uses digital and thermal infrared cameras.
      A DPI&F principal scientist, Graeme Wright of Kingaroy, said he "; S3[45]=" had been investigating low cost options to capture infrared aerial images as part of on-going research into the application of remote sensing technologies to improve "; S4[45]=" yield, quality, and profitability in peanuts.
      'Although it's still early days, the remote sensing techniques show considerable promise and potentially offer a "; S5[45]=" timely method for growers to identify and manage problems causing crop variations, including disease, aflatoxin, nutrient stress and poor irrigation efficiency,' Dr Wright said.
  "; S6[45]="     'We have recently tested our digital video camera system in a Jabiru light aircraft that has significantly lowered our imaging operating costs,' he "; S7[45]=" said.
      Dr Wright said the new system was manufactured by DPI&F maintenance officer Dave Osborne, and consisted of a custom-made door in "; S8[45]=" which cameras were mounted to achieve a clear view of the ground.
      'This new platform means that infra-red imagery will potentially be "; S9[45]=" far more affordable for peanut growers, with imaging costs now expected to be a few dollars per hectare,' he said.
      Dr Wright "; S10[45]=" said the DPI&F researchers were working with other groups, and were recently visited by Victorian DPI scientist Garry O'Leary, who was keen to test their "; S11[45]=" remote sensing cameras in the new Jabiru aerial platform.
      'The Victorian DPI cameras consist of a high resolution multi-band digital camera and "; S12[45]=" a thermal infra-red camera that allow crop temperature to be assessed remotely, similar to the techniques used in military applications.' Dr Wright said Dr O'Leary "; S13[45]=" was impressed with the simplicity and low operating cost of the DPI&F aerial platform, and was keen to test it under southern Australian conditions.
  "; S14[45]="     The high cost of operating the Victorian aerial imaging system had restricted the remote sensing research program there, and meant that only limited "; S15[45]=" imagery could be acquired during the crop season.
      'Dr O'Leary's visit was also invaluable for DPI&F researchers by allowing them to test "; S16[45]=" the Victorian DPI high resolution cameras under Queensland conditions.
      'We were able to get an idea of how these cameras compare to "; S17[45]=" the DPI&F imaging system,' Dr Wright said.
      He said the collaborative visit was part of a Grains Research and Development Corporation-funded "; S18[45]=" initiative on precision agriculture, involving both the Victorian and Queensland departments.
      'It's also part of the Victorian State initiative, Our rural "; S19[45]=" landscape, which studies the spatial management of nitrogen in wheat crops,' he said... "; R[46]="781"; T[46]="Owls the natural predator for rodents on farm"; A[46]="By ... Editor"; Dn[46]="20060601"; Dt[46]="Thursday 1 June 2006"; Acats[46]="a42a72a86"; B1[46]="      Attracting Barn owls to your property can reduce the population of rodents more than 1,000 per year according to Stephen Debus, an "; B2[46]="Australian expert on barn owls... "; B3[46]=" "; B4[46]=" "; B5[46]=" "; S1[46]="      Attracting Barn owls to your property can reduce the population of rodents more than 1,000 per year according to Stephen Debus, an "; S2[46]=" Australian expert on barn owls.
      With the weather conditions just right for a rodent plague, farm owners should be taking measures to "; S3[46]=" have an integrated rodent control plan in place.
      'The Barn owl is predominantly nocturnal, roosting during the daytime, hunting mice and "; S4[46]=" rats by night.
      During the 3 month breeding season, it is estimated that a pair of Barn owls will take over 500 "; S5[46]=" rodents,' says Stephen.
      Unfortunately Barn owls do not build nests themselves and farms are often short on natural nesting sites and perches "; S6[46]=" from which to hunt.
      That's why farmers are now being urged to take advantage of this natural predator and can encourage owls "; S7[46]=" by providing nest boxes.
      'If you consider that 200 rats loose on your property can eat the equivalent in feed of one "; S8[46]=" sheep and a single rat will eat around $25 of grain per year, then attracting owls to your property and using them in conjunction with "; S9[46]=" an animal friendly rat poison, you can reduce the economic damage to your enterprise,' says Warwick Madden of Bayer Animal Health.
      "; S10[46]=" To attract owls you need to place nesting boxes wherever it is convenient and rodents are seen.
      They can go in trees, "; S11[46]=" on posts out in the field, on the wall of a building.
      Each site has positive and negative points.
      "; S12[46]=" In trees, the owls will receive some protection from the elements, but the young will be exposed to predators.
      On a "; S13[46]=" post, the young will be protected from most predators, but the box may get hot during a heat wave.
      On a building, "; S14[46]=" whatever is below the box will probably get splattered with fecal matter.
      Owls will not control all the rodents on farm "; S15[46]=" properties so farmers should use a baiting programme with bait that is low risk to owls and other wild life and pets from secondary poisoning.
"; S16[46]="       Racumin, containing coumatetralyl, is a first generation, multiple dose bait.
      This means that the rodent must feed the bait "; S17[46]=" at least three times to ingest a lethal dose.
      Because of this, Racumin has a much lower risk of primary or secondary "; S18[46]=" poisoning.
      In fact, there has not been an incident of secondary poisoning of wildlife in over thirty years of use.
    "; S19[46]="   To get the best advice property owners and farmers can talk to their local accredited Farm Protect advisor who can help develop a plan "; S20[46]=" to rid your property of rats or mice.
      For tips on how to foster owls on your property visit www.owlsonfarm.com.au or contact "; S21[46]=" 1800 678 368 to find your closest Farm Protect advisor... "; R[47]="759"; T[47]="Joint trials of low cost aerial crop imaging system"; A[47]="By ... Editor"; Dn[47]="20060526"; Dt[47]="Friday 26 May 2006"; Acats[47]="a24a46a72a92"; B1[47]="      The Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries and the Victorian Department of Primary Industries are jointly testing a new aerial imaging "; B2[47]="system for crop monitoring that uses digital and thermal infrared cameras... "; B3[47]=" "; B4[47]=" "; B5[47]=" "; S1[47]="      The Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries and the Victorian Department of Primary Industries are jointly testing a new aerial imaging "; S2[47]=" system for crop monitoring that uses digital and thermal infrared cameras.
      A DPI&F principal scientist, Graeme Wright of Kingaroy, said he "; S3[47]=" had been investigating low cost options to capture infrared aerial images as part of on-going research into the application of remote sensing technologies to improve "; S4[47]=" yield, quality, and profitability in peanuts.
      'Although it's still early days, the remote sensing techniques show considerable promise and potentially offer a "; S5[47]=" timely method for growers to identify and manage problems causing crop variations, including disease, aflatoxin, nutrient stress and poor irrigation efficiency,' Dr Wright said.
  "; S6[47]="     'We have recently tested our digital video camera system in a Jabiru light aircraft that has significantly lowered our imaging operating costs,' he "; S7[47]=" said.
      Dr Wright said the new system was manufactured by DPI&F maintenance officer Dave Osborne, and consisted of a custom-made door in "; S8[47]=" which cameras were mounted to achieve a clear view of the ground.
      'This new platform means that infra-red imagery will potentially be "; S9[47]=" far more affordable for peanut growers, with imaging costs now expected to be a few dollars per hectare,' he said.
      Dr Wright "; S10[47]=" said the DPI&F researchers were working with other groups, and were recently visited by Victorian DPI scientist Garry O'Leary, who was keen to test their "; S11[47]=" remote sensing cameras in the new Jabiru aerial platform.
      'The Victorian DPI cameras consist of a high resolution multi-band digital camera and "; S12[47]=" a thermal infra-red camera that allow crop temperature to be assessed remotely, similar to the techniques used in military applications.' Dr Wright said Dr O'Leary "; S13[47]=" was impressed with the simplicity and low operating cost of the DPI&F aerial platform, and was keen to test it under southern Australian conditions.
  "; S14[47]="     The high cost of operating the Victorian aerial imaging system had restricted the remote sensing research program there, and meant that only limited "; S15[47]=" imagery could be acquired during the crop season.
      'Dr O'Leary's visit was also invaluable for DPI&F researchers by allowing them to test "; S16[47]=" the Victorian DPI high resolution cameras under Queensland conditions.
      'We were able to get an idea of how these cameras compare to "; S17[47]=" the DPI&F imaging system,' Dr Wright said.
      He said the collaborative visit was part of a Grains Research and Development Corporation-funded "; S18[47]=" initiative on precision agriculture, involving both the Victorian and Queensland departments.
      'It's also part of the Victorian State initiative, Our rural "; S19[47]=" landscape, which studies the spatial management of nitrogen in wheat crops,' he said... "; R[48]="731"; T[48]="Topfodder Successful Silage workshops to run again this year"; A[48]="By ... Editor"; Dn[48]="20060518"; Dt[48]="Thursday 18 May 2006"; Acats[48]="a02a25a26a27a72"; B1[48]="      Expressions of interest are being invited from Queensland cattle producers wishing to attend a series of Topfodder successful silage workshops planned for "; B2[48]="the second half of 2006... "; B3[48]=" "; B4[48]=" "; B5[48]=" "; S1[48]="      Expressions of interest are being invited from Queensland cattle producers wishing to attend a series of Topfodder successful silage workshops planned for "; S2[48]=" the second half of 2006.
      The workshops are run over 3 days and include practical sessions along with hands on evaluation of "; S3[48]=" silages.
      Workshop participants have the opportunity to increase their farm profitability by making more dollars from each kilo of silage fed out "; S4[48]=" to their livestock.
      Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries dairy extension officer John Miller said silage is now being served to more "; S5[48]=" Queensland cattle at mealtime than ever before as a vital part of their everyday diet.
      He said many Queensland cattle producers "; S6[48]=" are keen to ensure the silage they put in front of their stock is not only palatable, but is highly nutritious as well.
    "; S7[48]="   Topfodder successful silage workshops offer producers the opportunity to hone their silage production skills and knowledge.
      One silage producer who went "; S8[48]=" along to a recent workshop is sure he has benefited from attending.
      'I just didn't realise how much silage quality will deteriorate "; S9[48]=" if you don't pay attention to the detail,' he said.
      'Ensuring that you have sealed the silage, not just covered it, was "; S10[48]=" one of the biggest issues that came through to me at the course.' Mr Miller said Topfodder successful silage workshops are planned to run in "; S11[48]=" the second half of this year throughout Queensland.
      The workshops are run over 3 days and include practical sessions along with some "; S12[48]=" hands on evaluation of silages.
      Expressions of interest in attending are now being called for from Queensland producers who can register their "; S13[48]=" interest with the Queensland Topfodder coordinator, John Miller at the Murgon DPI&F office (07) 41 699800 or Graeme Busby at Toowoomba DPI&F on (07) 46 "; S14[48]=" 881254... "; R[49]="715"; T[49]="Experts to discuss north Queensland agriculture role"; A[49]="By ... Editor"; Dn[49]="20060518"; Dt[49]="Thursday 18 May 2006"; Acats[49]="a02a53a72"; B1[49]="      A panel of experts will discuss the future for agriculture in northern Queensland at the first Tropical Futures Forum in Townsville today "; B2[49]="(Monday 8 May).
      The event, at CSIRO's Davies Lab, will be opened by Queensland's Chief Scientist, Professor Peter Andrews... "; B3[49]=" "; B4[49]=" "; B5[49]=" "; S1[49]="      A panel of experts will discuss the future for agriculture in northern Queensland at the first Tropical Futures Forum in Townsville today "; S2[49]=" (Monday 8 May).
      The event, at CSIRO's Davies Lab, will be opened by Queensland's Chief Scientist, Professor Peter Andrews.
      "; S3[49]=" 'Queensland agriculture is in a position to take the lead in helping to feed the three billion people living in the tropics,' Professor Andrews says.
"; S4[49]="       'Our clean green image, proximity to markets and isolation from diseases makes our agricultural products increasingly attractive to the tropical world.
  "; S5[49]="     'Queensland's R&D strengths give us the opportunity to not only grow our agricultural industries, but also drive the further development of these industries "; S6[49]=" in other tropical regions.' Professor Peter Valentine, head of JCU's School of Tropical Environment Studies and Geography, will present a position paper providing an environmental "; S7[49]=" perspective.
      'Northern Queensland is far from a typical area of tropical agriculture in that the natural environments are of global significance and "; S8[49]=" their protection is the greatest priority,' Professor Valentine says.
      'Finding sustainable ways for people to maintain their livelihoods and quality of life "; S9[49]=" while not degrading the environment is a genuine challenge and one we think can be met' - Professor Iain Gordon.
      'Two spectacular "; S10[49]=" World Heritage sites require the highest quality management and agriculture must be increasingly conducted within that context.
      'In a region where income "; S11[49]=" from tourism based on these natural environments is worth five times the agricultural earnings, society must reconsider its measures of successful agricultural practice.
    "; S12[49]="   This is a significant challenge for everyone.' Mr John Cherry, head of the Queensland Farmers Federation, will also present a position paper, outlining the "; S13[49]=" point of view of the farming sector.
      He will focus on the broader economic, social and environmental trends impacting on agriculture in "; S14[49]=" Queensland, such as the rise of Brazil and China, biotechnology, the increasing regulatory impost of government, declining terms of trade, rising input costs, climate change, "; S15[49]=" risk management and urban encroachment.
      Organiser Professor Iain Gordon, from CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems, says north Queensland is well placed to contribute to "; S16[49]=" the wellbeing of communities further afield, as well as improving local conditions.
      He would like to see the creation of intellectual property "; S17[49]=" for truly sustainable tropical ecosystems where agriculture is in harmony with the environment as a contribution of lasting global significance.
      'Sustainable ecosystems "; S18[49]=" science is all about a place for people and what they do in the environment,' Professor Gordon says.
      'Finding sustainable ways for "; S19[49]=" people to maintain their livelihoods and quality of life while not degrading the environment is a genuine challenge and one we think can be met.' "; S20[49]=" Professor Gordon says habitat loss and sediment/nutrient pollution are the two key north Queensland environmental issues that will impact on the development of sustainable agricultural "; S21[49]=" practices.
      The Davies Lab is working on the science, but this work requires partnerships to effect lasting change.
      Consensus "; S22[49]=" on these problems and policy support will go a long way to developing knowhow for dealing with them.
      Professor Gordon wants CSIRO "; S23[49]=" to play a role beyond doing the research - to spark discussion and provide a national perspective.
      He sees the Tropical Futures "; S24[49]=" Forum as signalling a turning point, opening up new ways of thinking about the issues, resetting policy goals and placing emphasis on research strengths in "; S25[49]=" northern Queensland.
      The Forum will be moderated by ABC presenter Peter Thompson.
      Others members of the panel are Mr "; S26[49]=" Alf Cristaudo (canegrowers) and Mr Don Heatley (grazier)... ";