R[0]="344"; T[0]="Cattle tracking to boost sustainability"; A[0]="By ... CSIRO"; Dn[0]="20060222"; Dt[0]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[0]="a02a07a09a27a72a93"; B1[0]=" To improve land management and ensure long-term sustainability, state-of-the-art satellite technology is about to help..... "; B2[0]=" "; B3[0]=" "; B4[0]=" "; B5[0]=" "; S1[0]=" To improve land management and ensure long-term sustainability, state-of-the-art satellite technology is about to help.
State-of-the-art satellite technology is "; S2[0]=" about to help northern beef producers improve land management and ensure long-term sustainability by better understanding the grazing behaviour of their cattle.
"; S3[0]=" Using collars on cattle fitted with global positioning system (GPS) radio telemetry, CSIRO and Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Queensland (DPI&F) scientists are using "; S4[0]=" satellites to track the movement of cattle in the bush.
The aim of this new collaborative research project - being conducted at "; S5[0]=" Wambiana station, 60km south-east of Charters Towers - is to answer why cattle select some soil types and not others and how stocking rates affect "; S6[0]=" this selection process.
This joint CSIRO/DPI&F project on grazing selectivity adds value to the major grazing trial, co-funded by DPI&F and Meat "; S7[0]=" and Livestock Australia (MLA), already in progress at Wambiana.
Cattle by nature selectively graze different parts of the landscape, leading to overuse "; S8[0]=" and degradation of particular areas and a reduction in the land's long-term carrying capacity.
'With the GPS collars we can remotely track "; S9[0]=" the movements of cattle without physically handling them,' says CSIRO Livestock Industries' Dr Dave Swain.
'The collars are placed around the animal's "; S10[0]=" neck, automatically logging its position to within five or 10 metres every hour.
Monitoring where cattle are spending the majority of their "; S11[0]=" time grazing will identify the particular soils they are attracted to and enable us to predict where they will graze in a large paddock,' he "; S12[0]=" says.
The project at the Wambiana site - a property owned by the Lyons family - is part of a long-term DPI&F "; S13[0]=" grazing trial established in 1997.
DPI&F's Dr Peter O'Reagain says extremely detailed biophysical data including soil type, soil fertility and pasture composition, "; S14[0]=" is being collected at Wambiana.
'This data, together with other complementary research, will be of enormous benefit to this project.
"; S15[0]=" The results from the study will increase our understanding of grazing behaviour and assist producers in predicting where the heaviest grazing will occur,' he "; S16[0]=" says.
Co-funded by MLA's Northern Beef Program, the project is designed to help develop new grazing strategies to ensure the long-term ecological "; S17[0]=" sustainability and economic viability of northern savannas grazing... "; R[1]="340"; T[1]="Common ground and private practice -- thinking about property"; A[1]="By ... Editor"; Dn[1]="20060222"; Dt[1]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[1]="a07a48a50a72"; B1[1]=" A new report presenting leading edge thinking about property rights and responsibilities..... "; B2[1]=" "; B3[1]=" "; B4[1]=" "; B5[1]=" "; S1[1]=" A new report presenting leading edge thinking about property rights and responsibilities.
While industry, community and government have all "; S2[1]=" 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[1]=" One of the topics where debate is most fierce concerns property rights and responsibilities.
In an effort to "; S4[1]=" encourage and inform debate about the rights and responsibilities of property owners in managing land and water, Land & Water Australia has released a new "; S5[1]=" report Property: rights and responsibilities, current Australian thinking.
This collection of eight research papers represents the leading edge of Australian thinking on "; S6[1]=" property rights.
Topics range from a discussion of private property and common myths in the property rights debate, to analyses of legal "; S7[1]=" and economic approaches, economic perspectives of water entitlements, and social justice considerations.
Land & Water Australia Chair Ms Bobbie Brazil said that "; S8[1]=" improving understanding of property rights among communities, industries and policy makers is critical in moving forward on some of the most intractable environmental challenges in "; S9[1]=" Australia.
'This is a complex issue, and rarely is this sort of information presented in a comprehensive and accessible way.
"; S10[1]=" We have a responsibility to find appropriate and workable solutions, to make sure that we get it right,' she said.
"; S11[1]=" The Property report has been produced under Land & Water Australia's Social and Institutional Research Program.
Click here for an electronic copy.
"; S12[1]=" Hard copies can be obtained from Canprint on 1800 776616 quoting product code PR020440... "; R[2]="310"; T[2]="Focus on furrow irrigation options"; A[2]="By ... Editor"; Dn[2]="20060222"; Dt[2]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[2]="a01a02a24a40a72a93"; B1[2]=" A research project is underway to provide information on the alternatives to traditional furrow irrigation methods in cotton..... "; B2[2]=" "; B3[2]=" "; B4[2]=" "; B5[2]=" "; S1[2]=" A research project is underway to provide information on the alternatives to traditional furrow irrigation methods in cotton.
Called "; S2[2]=" Water use efficiency of siphon-less irrigation systems, the project is part of an on-going initiative of the Queensland Government, the Cotton Australia RWUE2 project and "; S3[2]=" the Cotton Catchment Communities CRC to study water use efficiencies in irrigated cotton.
The Cotton Research and Development Corporation, Sustainable Irrigation Systems, "; S4[2]=" Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Queensland Murray Darling Committee, Border Rivers-Gwydir Catchment Management Authority, National Centre for Engineering in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Mines, "; S5[2]=" NSW Department of Primary Industries and Aquatech support the project.
Joint project leader and consultant Sarah Hood of St George, said the "; S6[2]=" project aims to assess the water use, uniformity of application, deep drainage, labour, installation and on-going costs of a number of systems that do not "; S7[2]=" involve siphons.
'These are overhead (lateral move), bankless channel and Blache bay (bankless head ditch) and through the bank pipes (PTB), which "; S8[2]=" will be compared with traditional siphon irrigated fields adjacent to each,' she said.
The other project leader Emma Carrigan, a DPI&F extension "; S9[2]=" officer at Goondiwindi, said there is a lot of interest in siphon-less irrigation.
'Irrigators are realising the need for higher precision in "; S10[2]=" water application and associated benefits of labour saving, but there is a lack of comparative information on its benefits.
'For this reason "; S11[2]=" the project will fulfil a real need within the industry.' Miss Carrigan said two of the sites are part of another joint NR&M-RWUE2 and Cotton "; S12[2]=" Catchment Communities CRC project and so have had lysimeters installed to measure the deep drainage that is occurring.'A lysimeter is a large undisturbed soil core "; S13[2]=" into which suction drainage equipment and a logging system that measures and collects lost water are placed,' she said.
'They are buried "; S14[2]=" 150cm below the soil surface and give researchers scientists information about how much water is lost below the root zone and data to compare various "; S15[2]=" irrigation systems to see which gives greater efficiency during irrigation.' Miss Hood said siphon-less irrigation systems have many perceived benefits: ' they save labour, are "; S16[2]=" precise and flexible ' show improved water efficiency, and ' appear to have less deep drainage.
'As a result there has been "; S17[2]=" an increase in the number of drip irrigation and overhead systems across the industry,' she said.'More recently growers have been experimenting with siphon-less furrow irrigation "; S18[2]=" alternatives such as pipes through the bank, bank-less channels and Blache bay, and have reported similar benefits.
'These are reduced labour requirements "; S19[2]=" (initially offset by higher development costs), and water use efficiency estimated to be similar to or better than furrow irrigation.
'This project "; S20[2]=" aims to quantify these early observations for the benefit of the wider industry,'.. "; R[3]="307"; T[3]="Cotton trial to deliver multiple benefits"; A[3]="By ... Editor"; Dn[3]="20060222"; Dt[3]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[3]="a01a02a07a15a72"; B1[3]=" The Central Queensland cotton industry, the environment and the agricultural education system will be the major beneficiaries of a three-year $750,000 integrated "; B2[3]="cotton farming systems project... "; B3[3]=" "; B4[3]=" "; B5[3]=" "; S1[3]=" The Central Queensland cotton industry, the environment and the agricultural education system will be the major beneficiaries of a three-year $750,000 integrated "; S2[3]=" cotton farming systems project.
Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries cotton development extension officer Doug Sands who works in cooperation with the "; S3[3]=" Cotton Research and Development Corporation said three of the four assigned monthly trial plantings were up and running at the Australian Agricultural College Corporation (AACC) "; S4[3]=" Emerald campus irrigation trial site.
Mr Sands said the extensive 30.8 hectare trial using early and late maturing varieties of genetically modified "; S5[3]=" Bollgard II cotton could lead to a reappraisal of the production barriers that limit transgenic cotton planting to a rigidly enforced 42-day window.
"; S6[3]=" 'By trialling four mid-month planting dates initiated on September 16, the project aims to determine the optimum planting time and compare potential agronomic benefits "; S7[3]=" of October-November-December Bollgard Roundup Ready (BR) plantings,' Mr Sands said.
'This trial is using the early maturity variety Sicot 43 BR and "; S8[3]=" the full season variety Sicot 71 BR which eliminates heliothis insect pressure incurred later in the growing season as a critical management issue.
"; S9[3]=" 'We have monitored heavy heliothis egg-laying on the September 16 and October 31 planted transgenic cotton trial blocks but no grubs have survived.
"; S10[3]=" 'On November 25, another 8 hectare block was established and pre-irrigation of the planned December 19 planting is underway.
'October-planted "; S11[3]=" conventional cotton varieties within the Emerald Irrigation Area have already been insecticide-sprayed four to five times to early December highlighting the environmental advantages of transgenic "; S12[3]=" cotton,' Mr Sands said.
'While there is still a need to control sap-sucking insects such as mirids throughout the season, Bollgard cotton "; S13[3]=" represents at least an 80 per cent reduction in insecticide use.
'We are now seeing an increase of beneficial predatory insects which "; S14[3]=" is now slowing the summer build up of the silver leaf whitefly population.' Mr Sands said the potential benefits from in-crop summer rain on the "; S15[3]=" later sown cotton could reduce irrigation demand leading to greater water use efficiency.
'Later planting may lower the wet weather harvesting risk "; S16[3]=" that impacts on cotton quality.
Flowering and boll fill will be taking place when climate conditions are beginning to cool down which "; S17[3]=" will also enhance cotton quality.
'Our September planting has benefited from 120mm of in-crop rain and since flowering began in late November "; S18[3]=" there has been 85 per cent retention of squares and developing bolls.
'The October plant is already one week ahead of the "; S19[3]=" September block's growth pattern and the November-sown cotton is now well out of the ground.' Mr Sands said the trial was also providing an opportunity "; S20[3]=" to review the use of PIX spray application to regulate prolific vegetative growth during periods of hot, humid weather.
Timing of.. "; R[4]="306"; T[4]="Positive industry results for sheep feedlot trials"; A[4]="By ... Editor"; Dn[4]="20060222"; Dt[4]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[4]="a02a25a72"; B1[4]=" A major research effort investigating sorghum-based diets for finishing lambs has been completed at the Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries Rosebank "; B2[4]="Research Station, south of Longreach... "; B3[4]=" "; B4[4]=" "; B5[4]=" "; S1[4]=" A major research effort investigating sorghum-based diets for finishing lambs has been completed at the Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries' Rosebank "; S2[4]=" Research Station, south of Longreach.
A team of DPI&F officers carried out this research at a sheep feedlot constructed on Rosebank.
"; S3[4]=" The research was part of the Nutrition sub-program of the Australian Sheep Industry Cooperative Research Centre (Sheep CRC).
DPI&F senior "; S4[4]=" research scientist, Maree Bowen said the lamb trial, from June - September 2005, evaluated a number of sorghum-based feedlot diets, with the aim to allow "; S5[4]=" producers to confidently and profitably finish lambs.
Dr Bowen said the desired industry outcome was for producers to benefit from the information "; S6[4]=" produced from this work when choosing finishing systems and rations for slaughter lambs.
'Through our research we wanted to better understand the "; S7[4]=" ability of simple sorghum-based rations to achieve the lamb growth rate targets required to meet minimum carcase requirements.
This means achieving a "; S8[4]=" carcase weight of 18 kg, by increasing live weight by 10 kg in six to eight weeks, from approximately 35 to 45 kg,' she said.
"; S9[4]=" In Queensland, sorghum grain is often a cheaper alternative to other cereal grains but its use and nutritional value in sheep feeding "; S10[4]=" systems is not well understood.
In addition to sorghum, protein supplements based on cottonseed are normally readily available but have not been "; S11[4]=" as commonly used in sheep feeding systems.
A total of 348 Poll Dorset x Merino wethers were sourced from a Western Queensland "; S12[4]=" property for the experiment.
At feedlot entry the lambs recorded an initial average live weight of 35.7 kg (15.0 kg carcase weight).
"; S13[4]=" The lambs had been weaned and shorn three-and-a-half months prior to feedlot entry.
To give baseline carcase data, a "; S14[4]=" total of nine lambs were randomly selected on stratified weight for an initial slaughter group.
The remaining 339 lambs were allocated to "; S15[4]=" one of 18 pens, and were given one of six sorghum-based diets.
After six and eight weeks on feed, two lambs from "; S16[4]=" every pen (36 lambs) were sent to Miles for slaughter.
The remaining lambs were sent to slaughter in September, after 11 weeks "; S17[4]=" on feed.
Dr Bowen said the first experimental objective was to determine whether processing sorghum grain, by cracking or heat treatment, would "; S18[4]=" improve growth rates.
'Secondly, we wanted to determine whether substituting sources of true protein (from either whole cottonseed or cottonseed meal) for "; S19[4]=" urea and ammonium sulphate in sorghum-based rations would increase lamb growth rate,' she said.
'Six treatment diets were investigated with all being "; S20[4]=" very simple sorghum-based diets designed to be prepared and mixed on-farm with minimal requirement for infrastructure.' Dr Bowen said results indicated that carcase weight gain.. "; R[5]="300"; T[5]="Grazing Package launch for mulga lands"; A[5]="By ... Editor"; Dn[5]="20060222"; Dt[5]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[5]="a02a24a66a72"; B1[5]=" The EDGEnetwork Grazing Land Management (GLM) education package designed for property managers in the mulga lands to assess, understand and develop grazing "; B2[5]="management strategies is now available for South West Queensland producers... "; B3[5]=" "; B4[5]=" "; B5[5]=" "; S1[5]=" The EDGEnetwork Grazing Land Management (GLM) education package designed for property managers in the mulga lands to assess, understand and develop grazing "; S2[5]=" management strategies is now available for South West Queensland producers.
The first Mulga GLM workshop was delivered in Quilpie earlier this month "; S3[5]=" and today the Mulga GLM project was officially launched in Charleville as part of the South West NRM (SWNRM) information Exchange Day.
"; S4[5]=" Targeting the extensive mulga lands encompassing the shires of Murweh, Quilpie, Paroo, Booringa, Bulloo and parts of Balonne, the Mulga GLM education package is an "; S5[5]=" initiative of Meat and Livestock Australia's (MLA) EDGEnetwork, in partnership with the Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries and SWNRM.
This GLM "; S6[5]=" education package was specifically customised for the mulga lands during the past 12 months, as one of the regional GLM education packages being developed across "; S7[5]=" northern Australia to service cattle and sheep grazing properties in Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia.
DPI&F Charleville extension officer (Grazing Lands) "; S8[5]=" Jane Hamilton said Mulga GLM was developed after extensive consultation with industry to assist sheep and cattle producers understand and resolve a host of management "; S9[5]=" issues, such as assessing paddock condition and improving carrying capacity.
'By putting a GLM plan into place, graziers can answer many of "; S10[5]=" the often-asked management issues relating to effective use of fire, achieving the right balance of trees and grass, potential pasture restoration options and management of "; S11[5]=" weeds,' Ms Hamilton said.
'In essence, landholders gain an understanding of the grazing ecosystem to enable them to meet target markets while "; S12[5]=" remaining sustainable and profitable in the long term.' Ms Hamilton said the launch of Mulga GLM demonstrated the strong partnership the Department was fostering with "; S13[5]=" the regional body South West NRM.
'Many Mulga GLM workshops will be run in conjunction with South West NRM PLANSCAPES, which is "; S14[5]=" a sub-catchment planning process.
The combined workshop processes enable graziers the best available grazing land management information and facilitated planning processes at "; S15[5]=" both the property and sub-catchment level,' she said.
'The workshop and extension program allows for delivery of best available local information, understanding "; S16[5]=" of sound ecological processes and relationships underlying grazing land management.
Most importantly it allows for a forum for exchange of local knowledge "; S17[5]=" and experience and motivation between graziers'.
The first Mulga GLM workshop in Quilpie was well received amongst the participating grazing businesses.
"; S18[5]=" 'The GLM workshops presented over four days are designed to help producers to assess paddock condition and improve carrying capacity,' Ms Hamilton said.
"; S19[5]=" 'Using a mix of local knowledge and experience, the workshops explore different management paths to determine the financial impact of the various "; S20[5]=" grazing management options to suit the individual enterprise.
The workshop is an excellent forum for graziers to re-focus on the bigger picture.. "; R[6]="299"; T[6]="Better communication improves profitability for farmers"; A[6]="By ... Editor"; Dn[6]="20060222"; Dt[6]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[6]="a02a20a46a47a72"; B1[6]=" Tully cane farming families and partnerships will have the opportunity to learn how to maximise the benefits of planning and decision-making through "; B2[6]="better communication... "; B3[6]=" "; B4[6]=" "; B5[6]=" "; S1[6]=" Tully cane farming families and partnerships will have the opportunity to learn how to maximise the benefits of planning and decision-making through "; S2[6]=" better communication.
Too often members of a family business assume that all is well when in reality there is some underlying dissatisfaction.
"; S3[6]=" Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries FutureCane project is hosting a workshop in Tully this month to help farmers use communication to "; S4[6]=" make the most of their business prospects.
FutureCane business development officer Terry Reid said the workshop, entitled Improving profitability through communication, aimed "; S5[6]=" to help farmers tackle such difficult issues as talking with wives, brothers, sons, daughters and husbands about planning for the future and making significant changes "; S6[6]=" in their business.
The workshop presenter, Lyn Sykes, a rural family communication specialist, will conduct the workshop in the Tully Mill Hall "; S7[6]=" on Thursday, November 24, 9am to 3:30pm.
Issues she will cover include: ' Decision making -where it can go wrong, how to "; S8[6]=" make it better.
' Principles of good communication like listening.
' Separating family and business issues ' How to "; S9[6]=" maximise family members contributions to the business ' Appreciating different roles within the family ' Increasing income through enhanced communication skills Ms Sykes, who is "; S10[6]=" based in Dubbo, New South Wales, works with producers throughout rural and regional Australia in developing effective communication, especially in relation to the family business.
"; S11[6]=" She is often in demand for her practical, educational and humorous speeches among private and government organisations.
'Ms Sykes "; S12[6]=" will give you insight and ideas on how to make your family life and business life move together in a positive direction,' Mr Reid said.
"; S13[6]=" 'If you are interested in improving the profitability of your farm business or planning the intergenerational transfer of your farm assets and "; S14[6]=" business, then this workshop will be important to you.' Numbers are limited and registration is required to ensure sponsorship through the FarmBis program.
"; S15[6]=" To secure your place please RSVP by November 21 to Gwen Arcidiacono on 4068 2214 or Tully Canegrowers on 4068 1077.
"; S16[6]=" Cost of the workshop is $35 per business, conditional on FarmBis Group Training Grant eligibility.
FutureCane is hosting the workshop in partnership "; S17[6]=" with FarmBis, Tully Canegrowers, FNQ ACC Small Business Answers, Centacare, Relationship Australia and local businesses... "; R[7]="296"; T[7]="AAA FarmBis-sponsored training helps change farm management practices"; A[7]="By ... Editor"; Dn[7]="20060222"; Dt[7]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[7]="a07a72"; B1[7]=" Nearly 90 per cent of farmers who attend AAA FarmBis-sponsored courses make changes to their farm management practices as a result of "; B2[7]="the training, according to research... "; B3[7]=" "; B4[7]=" "; B5[7]=" "; S1[7]=" Nearly 90 per cent of farmers who attend AAA FarmBis-sponsored courses make changes to their farm management practices as a result of "; S2[7]=" the training, according to research.
AAA FarmBis is a joint Australian and WA State Government initiative, established to provide grants to individuals "; S3[7]=" and farmer groups to subsidise the cost of approved training, which is intended to improve their business management skills and knowledge, as well as their "; S4[7]=" technical production capacity.
FarmBis has already assisted more than 17,500 participants in WA since 1997 through the provision of more than 36,000 "; S5[7]=" training grants.
The current AAA FarmBis program commenced in WA on 1 February 2005 and is due to finish by 30 June "; S6[7]=" 2008.
A telephone survey of participants of FarmBis courses run from February to September 2005 showed that most cited 'time' as their "; S7[7]=" major investment following the training.
This was required to implement the new knowledge, with most indicating they had made changes in their "; S8[7]=" financial management, software, office systems, production management, machinery, best practice technology and with new crops.
Half of the course participants said they "; S9[7]=" allocated money to training as a regular item in their budgets and, of those, 75 per cent allocated $1,000 or more.
The "; S10[7]=" most important reason for enrolling in courses was to improve knowledge and skills, followed by the fact that the courses were subsidised by FarmBis.
"; S11[7]=" Training is a regular line item in the budget of survey respondents, Kulin mixed grain, hay and sheep farmers, Keith and Sara Wilson.
"; S12[7]=" As well as participating in training courses themselves, importantly, they also ensure their staff members participate.
Since 1987 the "; S13[7]=" couple, whose 10,000 hectare property includes the Jilakin Downs White Dorper Stud, and their staff have participated in more than a dozen different FarmBis supported "; S14[7]=" courses.
These have ranged from accounting and computer skills through to a stock market investment course and of particular relevance to the "; S15[7]=" Wilsons, the Meat and Livestock Australia's 'Wean More Lambs' course.
'To us, training is not just important, it's vital to the future "; S16[7]=" development of our business,' said Mrs Wilson.
'I would say that if you want to stay in the game you have to "; S17[7]=" improve your productivity every year and essential part of this is training and ongoing learning.
You learn to critically analyse your business "; S18[7]=" to see where improvements can be made and implement them.
'Overall, we have got a lot out of the FarmBis subsidised courses "; S19[7]=" we have undertaken.
The ongoing challenge is to embed the new skills and knowledge we have acquired into our business,' she added.
"; S20[7]=" Another survey respondent added that 'if the FarmBis logo is attached you know you'll get a better product, with training that imparts.. "; R[8]="282"; T[8]="Piggery software makes US debut"; A[8]="By ... Editor"; Dn[8]="20060222"; Dt[8]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[8]="a02a29a46a72a92"; B1[8]=" Queensland developed piggery management software is being trialed in the United States to see if it has commercial potential in that country..... "; B2[8]=" "; B3[8]=" "; B4[8]=" "; B5[8]=" "; S1[8]=" Queensland developed piggery management software is being trialed in the United States to see if it has commercial potential in that country.
"; S2[8]=" Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries principal extension officer Peter Cook said several major piggery operators were interested in the Queensland-developed PrimePulse "; S3[8]=" and E-Piggery software.
He said the US trial involved 100,000 sows, with management changes being implemented to evaluate production responses.
"; S4[8]=" Mr Cook said during a visit to the US several major piggery operators indicated they were keen to see if the software had benefits "; S5[8]=" not available in locally developed products.
He said the acceptance of the software in the US would provide opportunities for Australian piggery "; S6[8]=" operators.
'There could be an opportunity to incorporate US piggery management software and PrimePulse, providing the best of both worlds.
"; S7[8]=" 'The other issue is that overseas sales generate the income that all Australian software developers need to continually improve their products for domestic clients,' "; S8[8]=" he said.
Mr Cook said he expects the US trials to last about six months and generate a list of development requests "; S9[8]=" next year.
He said PrimePulse detects and reports changes in pig production data, saving time and effort involved in manually searching and "; S10[8]=" analysing the vast amount of data in production records.
E-Piggery is a 'what-if' program that sets up a virtual piggery so the "; S11[8]=" user can evaluate the impact of planned changes on production and profitability.
The DPI&F developed the software with industry input, and it "; S12[8]=" is now available for use in large piggeries and by private consultants throughout Australia, he said... "; R[9]="272"; T[9]="Export markets for wheaten hay"; A[9]="By ... Editor"; Dn[9]="20060222"; Dt[9]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[9]="a02a07a08a22a24a72"; B1[9]=" Australian hay growers will benefit from new export opportunities as a result of a $10,000 innovation award to South Australian agricultural consultant "; B2[9]="Patrick Redden... "; B3[9]=" "; B4[9]=" "; B5[9]=" "; S1[9]=" Australian hay growers will benefit from new export opportunities as a result of a $10,000 innovation award to South Australian agricultural consultant "; S2[9]=" Patrick Redden.
The RIRDC-sponsored award was presented to Mr Redden for his project developing a specialised wheaten hay export industry.
"; S3[9]=" Mr Redden, of Clare, SA, will use the award to examine the market potential for a specialised wheaten hay variety, compare the yield and "; S4[9]=" quality of selected hay against competing hay types, and use the results to develop an agronomic management package to assist hay growers to integrate the "; S5[9]=" specialised hay type into their farming systems... "; R[10]="259"; T[10]="Resistance checks highlight drench effectiveness"; A[10]="By ... Editor"; Dn[10]="20060222"; Dt[10]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[10]="a03a25a26a27a31a72a86"; B1[10]=" On-farm testing has shown that even some of the newest drenches will not always provide good worm control in sheep..... "; B2[10]=" "; B3[10]=" "; B4[10]=" "; B5[10]=" "; S1[10]=" On-farm testing has shown that even some of the newest drenches will not always provide good worm control in sheep.
"; S2[10]=" Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries IPM-sheep parasitologist Maxine Lyndal-Murphy said testing by the National Integrated Parasite Management-sheep project showed drenches with mectin as "; S3[10]=" their active ingredient are not always effective.
She said with 28 demonstration properties acrossAustralia including four in Queensland, IPM-sheep promotes a mix "; S4[10]=" of various controls to manage worms better.
'On-farm testing by IPM-sheep has shown many drenches are no longer killing worms efficiently and "; S5[10]=" many sheep are still carrying damaging worm burdens after drenching.
'The only way for producers to be certain the sheep drenches they're "; S6[10]=" paying good money for are actually killing all, not just some worms, is to do a resistance check on their property,' Ms Lyndal-Murphy said.
"; S7[10]=" She said the IPM-sheep group and the DPI&F's Wormbuster Laboratory last week demonstrated the best-practice options for drench products, based on the results "; S8[10]=" of an on-farm resistance check.
The demonstration was at Ken, Fay, Hayden and Alyssa Eley's property Avondale, at The Gums.
"; S9[10]=" During the demonstration, Ms Lyndal-Murphy said even with new multi-active drenches, producers needed to know the level at which the individual actives were working, "; S10[10]=" before choosing the most effective multi-active for their flock.
'Resistance checks identify those drenches that are still active against worms and those "; S11[10]=" that are loosing their efficacy.
'This can be very different from one property to the next, and that's why we recommend every "; S12[10]=" producer sets up his or her own resistance check, with summer being the ideal time to do it.' Ms Lyndal-Murphy said resistance checking ensured the "; S13[10]=" most economic outcome and limited productivity losses, while minimising drench resistance.
The cost of a resistance check was generally much less than "; S14[10]=" the cost of using an ineffective drench and then having to re-muster and re-drench, she said.
'If worms are not being effectively "; S15[10]=" killed off by drenching, the current warm, wet conditions increase the risk of clinical disease, productivity losses, breaks in the wool and sheep deaths.' Ms "; S16[10]=" Lyndal-Murphy said the multi-state Australian Wool Innovation-funded project IPM-sheep, is planning a major Parasite control towards 2010 field day covering worms, lice and flies at "; S17[10]=" the Inglewood Memorial Bowls Club on February 17 from 9.30am.
'More information on the day is available from DPI&F senior technical officer "; S18[10]=" Wayne Ehrlich (3362 9595),' she said... "; R[11]="240"; T[11]="Four oat varieties to be removed from the milling stack"; A[11]="By ... Editor"; Dn[11]="20060222"; Dt[11]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[11]="a02a07a24a72"; B1[11]=" The WA oat industry is working towards achieving a premium, internationally recognised oat stack..... "; B2[11]=" "; B3[11]=" "; B4[11]=" "; B5[11]=" "; S1[11]=" The WA oat industry is working towards achieving a premium, internationally recognised oat stack.
Since its inception, the Western "; S2[11]=" Oat Alliance has been reviewing varieties accepted into the segregation, fundamentally to enhance the integrity of quality to supply international demands.
Western "; S3[11]=" Oat Alliance Chairman Ray Marshall said, 'Based on the past fives years records, the four lowest performing milling varieties will be removed after the 2005/06 "; S4[11]=" harvest.' 'The Western Oat Alliance has decided to remove Yilgarn, Murray, Toodyay and Euro from the milling segregation from 2006/07.
These varieties "; S5[11]=" will still be accepted into the feed segregation,' Mr Marshall said.
Western Oat Alliance members include milling oat marketers Quaker Oats and "; S6[11]=" AgraCorp who also fully endorse the decision to remove these varieties from the milling oat stack.
Jason Craig, Marketing Manager at AgraCorp "; S7[11]=" said, 'This is a positive step for the Western Australian Oat Industry to continue to improve the quality of the Milling segregation ensuring Western Australian "; S8[11]=" farmers attain a premium in the market.' The removal of these varieties will leave five varieties (Carrolup, Mortlock, Hotham, Coomallo and Pallinup) in the milling "; S9[11]=" segregation.
This will also leave room for the possible inclusion of new dwarf varieties Kojonup and Possum which will undergo milling tests "; S10[11]=" in early 2006.
Mr Marshall said Yilgarn, Murray, Toodyay and Euro combined only accounted for 5.3 per cent of the area sown "; S11[11]=" for delivery in 2004/05.
In the milling segregation Carrolup accounted for 34 per cent and Pallinup 17 per cent with Wandering 16 "; S12[11]=" per cent and Dalyup 8 per cent being dominant varieties in the feed segregation.
'By maintaining a premium oat stack, the WA "; S13[11]=" oat industry will be able to maintain a competitive advantage over other states and countries providing oat varieties for human consumption,' Mr Marshall said.
"; S14[11]=" The Western Oat Alliance will continue to monitor these changes over the next two years, while also closely monitoring the performance of new "; S15[11]=" dwarf milling varieties, particularly Kojonup which has seen grower interest already exceed seed supplies for 2006... "; R[12]="220"; T[12]="Be on the lookout for toxic meadow hay"; A[12]="By ... Editor"; Dn[12]="20060222"; Dt[12]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[12]="a02a03a24a33a72a85"; B1[12]=" The Department of Agriculture has advised WA livestock owners that meadow hay has the potential to cause annual ryegrass toxicity (ARGT) in "; B2[12]="livestock if it contains substantial quantities of ryegrass... "; B3[12]=" "; B4[12]=" "; B5[12]=" "; S1[12]=" The Department of Agriculture has advised WA livestock owners that meadow hay has the potential to cause annual ryegrass toxicity (ARGT) in "; S2[12]=" livestock if it contains substantial quantities of ryegrass.
The warning coincides with the period that the current season's meadow hay is being "; S3[12]=" cut and baled, and the detection of yellow slime on ryegrass in some areas of the coastal strip.
Department principal veterinary toxicologist "; S4[12]=" Jeremy Allen said that the presence of yellow slime indicated that the organisms that cause ARGT were present in the ryegrass and it may develop "; S5[12]=" toxicity.
'However, in many cases ryegrass becomes toxic without the production of yellow slime, so not seeing it doesn't mean the ryegrass "; S6[12]=" is safe,' he said.
Dr Allen said ARGT was a serious and usually fatal disease of livestock caused by the consumption of "; S7[12]=" annual ryegrass seed heads infected with a toxin-producing bacterium.
'Although ARGT occurs mainly in spring when stock are grazed on pasture with "; S8[12]=" infected ryegrass seedheads, outbreaks can occur any time of the year from meadow hay containing the toxic seedheads.
'Signs of poisoning may "; S9[12]=" include periods of weakness, loss of coordination, staggering, collapse, severe convulsions and eventual death.
Occasionally animals may die before symptoms are noticed.' "; S10[12]=" The toxin is cumulative and signs do not appear until a near fatal dose is ingested.
The time taken for clinical signs "; S11[12]=" to appear depends on the amount of hay or pasture being consumed and the amount of toxin present in the seedheads.
Neil "; S12[12]=" Guise, the Department's district manager at Waroona, reminded landholders that several horses had died in this district from ARGT during 2005 following the feeding of "; S13[12]=" locally produced meadow hay.
'I cannot stress enough to all landholders the risk of feeding meadow hay that contains ryegrass infected with "; S14[12]=" the toxin-producing bacterium.
The safety of hay can be easily determined by a quick and cheap test and I strongly recommend that "; S15[12]=" this be done,' he said.
Mr Guise advised that ryegrass/hay sampling and submission kits could be obtained from Department of Agriculture offices.
"; S16[12]=" There is a 50 per cent subsidy on the cost of testing any samples submitted via these kits before 18 November, due "; S17[12]=" to support from Meat and Livestock Australia.
For more information on ARGT, or testing of ryegrass and hay, contact your local Department "; S18[12]=" of Agriculture office, the Department's Animal Health Laboratories in South Perth on 9368 3351 or the Small Landholder Information Service on 9733 7777... "; R[13]="206"; T[13]="Compost trials may help move a mountain"; A[13]="By ... Editor"; Dn[13]="20060222"; Dt[13]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[13]="a02a24a48a72"; B1[13]=" Early trial results pointing to a cost recovery response from applying compost to Lockyer Valley vegetable crops have sparked subdued optimism about "; B2[13]="finding a valuable use for a mountain of plant material collected from Brisbane residents... "; B3[13]=" "; B4[13]=" "; B5[13]=" "; S1[13]=" Early trial results pointing to a cost recovery response from applying compost to Lockyer Valley vegetable crops have sparked subdued optimism about "; S2[13]=" finding a valuable use for a mountain of plant material collected from Brisbane residents.
Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries senior research "; S3[13]=" scientist at Gatton Steve Harper said in the first year in one of the three compost trials there was an average 10 per cent yield "; S4[13]=" increase in vegetable crops as well as subtle changes in soil health.
Mr Harper said if the yield increase was consistent, the "; S5[13]=" financial return from increased yield in just the first year of application would be enough to cover the cost of buying, transporting and spreading the "; S6[13]=" compost.
He said a cumulative and continued direct effect from the compost through yield and quality responses in second year trials would "; S7[13]=" lift the viability of the practice.
This year's trials were on farms at Forest Hill, Tent Hill, Kalbar and at the Gatton "; S8[13]=" Research Station in crops of lettuce, potatoes and beetroot.
The compost was applied at six rates from 0 to 48 tonnes per "; S9[13]=" hectare.
Results showed a 24t/ha application rate to be the optimum this year, with the highest rate showing yields similar to the "; S10[13]=" 0t/ha treatment.
He said the compost lifted yields by up to 14 per cent.
Speaking at a field day "; S11[13]=" at the Gatton Research Station, Mr Harper said next year's research in the three-year project would include glasshouse experiments to eliminate weather-induced variability of results, "; S12[13]=" studies of the compost composition, and a continuation of field trials to measure crop responses.
Brisbane City Council's waste management program officer "; S13[13]=" Elisha Keighly said 50,000 tonnes a year of plant material was being delivered to the city's transfer stations.
'We're planning to start "; S14[13]=" a green kerbside collection service in January and our experience suggests the collection will increase by about 20 per cent during the first six months,' "; S15[13]=" she said.
Ms Keighly said that as part of a project named Returning the favour, Council was keen to ensure the sustainability "; S16[13]=" of agricultural areas adjacent to the city, from both food production and water quality perspectives, She said council saw financially supporting research into the use "; S17[13]=" of compost on adjacent farmlands as one way of doing this.
Ms Keighly said the council had contracted three commercial specialists to "; S18[13]=" process the collected plant materials to meet the stringent Australian Standard specifying quality and content.
Also at the field day, DPI&F nematologist "; S19[13]=" Tony Pattison outlined the soil health turnaround that had been possible in North Queensland banana areas by adopting soil management systems based on improved organic "; S20[13]=" carbon management.
He said a kit that farmers could use to measure soil health had been developed.. "; R[14]="205"; T[14]="Wide support for sustainable ponded pasture management"; A[14]="By ... Editor"; Dn[14]="20060222"; Dt[14]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[14]="a02a40a42a43a72"; B1[14]=" Central Coast cattle producers with established ponded pasture country or intending to build pondage banks are currently contributing toward the development of "; B2[14]="revised management guidelines that will ensure sustainable productivity... "; B3[14]=" "; B4[14]=" "; B5[14]=" "; S1[14]=" Central Coast cattle producers with established ponded pasture country or intending to build pondage banks are currently contributing toward the development of "; S2[14]=" revised management guidelines that will ensure sustainable productivity.
Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries extension officer Dave Hickey is leading a 12 "; S3[14]=" month project involving 14 graziers in the St Lawrence to Marlborough districts that will deliver ponded pasture grazing land recommendations by July 2007.
"; S4[14]=" Mr Hickey said the project named 'Managing coastal grazing systems incorporating ponded pasture' was part of the Sustainable Coastal Agricultural Systems initiative funded by "; S5[14]=" the Natural Heritage Trust.
Based on research undertaken during the past 15 years, a policy paper was released in June 2001 outlining "; S6[14]=" the legislation and regulatory requirements for ponded pasture covering an estimated 26,000 hectares in Broadsound and Livingstone Shires.
Mr Hickey said the "; S7[14]=" three-page policy paper made a recommendation that the cattle grazing industry take responsibility to develop a set of ponded pasture management guidelines with a focus "; S8[14]=" on sustainable and profitable productivity.
'Our task now is to summarise the range of relevant ponded pasture legislation to ensure all landholders "; S9[14]=" fully appreciate their responsibilities,' Mr Hickey said.
'We can then progress toward drafting best practice management guidelines for adoption by coastal landholders "; S10[14]=" in the St Lawrence and Marlborough districts.
'With support from Fitzroy River and Coastal Catchments Incorporated - a sub-group of the Fitzroy "; S11[14]=" Basin Association - our ponded pastures project will also investigate the design and construction of 'fish friendly' fish passage devices.
'Plans are "; S12[14]=" in hand for future field days to launch the best practice guidelines and to showcase the construction of one or two pilot fishway systems at "; S13[14]=" ponded pasture sites provided by participating landholders.' Mr Hickey said with the Code of Practice in place, the Central region project will communicate to the "; S14[14]=" broader community and government agencies that ponded pasture systems deliver productivity gains through sustainable management.
He said the best practice management would "; S15[14]=" also contribute toward enhanced regional fisheries production, endorse the responsible use of plant species, identify sensitive tidal lands and associated protected plants and even provide "; S16[14]=" an understanding of migratory bird species frequenting the Central Coast... "; R[15]="177"; T[15]="New survey approach may revolutionise land management data"; A[15]="By ... Editor"; Dn[15]="20060222"; Dt[15]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[15]="a02a37a42a72"; B1[15]=" A new approach by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) to surveying natural resource management practices could revolutionise the future collection of "; B2[15]="land management information... "; B3[15]=" "; B4[15]=" "; B5[15]=" "; S1[15]=" A new approach by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) to surveying natural resource management practices could revolutionise the future collection of "; S2[15]=" land management information.
The approach uses land ownership information and digital land boundaries to determine who should be surveyed.
"; S3[15]=" When these are combined it is possible to tailor accurate coverage for both large and small areas.
This is a new way "; S4[15]=" of collecting data on natural resources management.
The approach was successfully trialled in the Eurobodalla Shire (NSW) and the results were released "; S5[15]=" today.
The survey involved about 1,000 people and provides an important insight into land management in the Eurobodalla Shire.
"; S6[15]=" The survey covered 71,300 rural hectares of the Shire, with data provided for each of the four river basins within the Shire.
"; S7[15]=" Of the 2,327 rural landholders in the Shire, 1,084 rural landholders (47%) reported having issues with the water.
Water availability was the "; S8[15]=" biggest issue, with 934 rural landholders saying this was a concern for them.
A further test of the new methodology is continuing "; S9[15]=" in the Fitzroy catchment in Queensland.
The Fitzroy results are looking very promising and will be available early in 2006... "; R[16]="172"; T[16]="CSIRO award for DPI&F scientist in tropical pastures database team"; A[16]="By ... Editor"; Dn[16]="20060222"; Dt[16]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[16]="a24a72a92"; B1[16]=" A Gympie Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries scientist has been recognised for his role in a team creating a database which "; B2[16]="allows scientists worldwide to select the best tropical pastures for their particular situation... "; B3[16]=" "; B4[16]=" "; B5[16]=" "; S1[16]=" A Gympie Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries scientist has been recognised for his role in a team creating a database which "; S2[16]=" allows scientists worldwide to select the best tropical pastures for their particular situation.
DPI&F principal scientist Bruce Cook, and CSIRO senior principal "; S3[16]=" scientist, Dr Bruce Pengelly, originally proposed the establishment of a database of tropical pastures to help primary producers increase productivity and enhance sustainability.
"; S4[16]=" They were able to then secure funding for a three year project from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), as well as "; S5[16]=" from other international funding bodies.
Mr Cook said that the project ended with the tropical pastures database CD being launched at the "; S6[16]=" International Grassland Congress in Dublin in July this year.
Mr Cook and other scientists involved in the project team which developed the "; S7[16]=" new Tropical Forages Database have been recognised in the CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems Awards.
The award, in the Teamwork category, was in recognition "; S8[16]=" of the 'outstanding contribution and dedication in driving together the development of the Tropical Forages Database, a quality international database and selection tool comprising inputs "; S9[16]=" of over 100 forage experts.
Mr Cook said the database enables forage scientists throughout the tropics to select the most appropriate variety "; S10[16]=" for selected environmental and production systems and provides informative, illustrated fact sheets on 180 grasses and legumes.
Mr Cook said that there "; S11[16]=" had been extensive and very complimentary feedback on the database and there has been a large number of requests for the database CD from scientists "; S12[16]=" around the world.
The database is on the Internet with a web site http://www.tropicalforages.info/ which is hosted by the International Centre for "; S13[16]=" Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) in Cali, Colombia... "; R[17]="170"; T[17]="Electronic ear tags save on labour costs"; A[17]="By ... Editor"; Dn[17]="20060222"; Dt[17]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[17]="a09a25a55a72a93"; B1[17]=" The use of electronic ear tags and automatic weighing and drafting equipment has cut labour costs by 70 per cent in managing "; B2[17]="sheep research flocks at the Department of Agriculture s Great Southern Agricultural Research Institute... "; B3[17]=" "; B4[17]=" "; B5[17]=" "; S1[17]=" The use of electronic ear tags and automatic weighing and drafting equipment has cut labour costs by 70 per cent in managing "; S2[17]=" sheep research flocks at the Department of Agriculture's Great Southern Agricultural Research Institute.
Department technical officer Geoff Cox said the electronic tags "; S3[17]=" were used in breeding research flocks which required intensive record keeping, similar to the requirements for ram breeding.
Mr Cox said the "; S4[17]=" demonstrated labour savings should encourage additional record-keeping in ram breeding flocks.
This would lead to greater accuracy of records and better data "; S5[17]=" quality to produce faster genetic improvements.
He said tag retention and readability had been very good with less than 0.5 per cent "; S6[17]=" of tags being unreadable.
'We realised the potential of the equipment when drafting ewes into groups for single sire mating and lambing "; S7[17]=" to collect pedigree records,' Mr Cox said.
'A total of 1200 ewes were automatically weighed and drafted into 58 groups through a "; S8[17]=" five-way draft for mating and lambing.
This task was completed in 70 per cent less time than previous tasks.'.. "; R[18]="162"; T[18]="Field day highlights compost and soil health"; A[18]="By ... Editor"; Dn[18]="20060222"; Dt[18]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[18]="a01a02a72"; B1[18]=" The effects of compost on soil health in vegetable crops will be the focus of Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries field "; B2[18]="day at the Gatton Research Station on Wednesday, November 16, from 3pm... "; B3[18]=" "; B4[18]=" "; B5[18]=" "; S1[18]=" The effects of compost on soil health in vegetable crops will be the focus of Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries field "; S2[18]=" day at the Gatton Research Station on Wednesday, November 16, from 3pm.
DPI&F senior research scientist Steve Harper said the field day "; S3[18]=" will focus on research initiated by the Brisbane City Council and the DPI&F to find whether the sustainability and soil health of intensive vegetable farming "; S4[18]=" systems is improved by using composted green garden waste fromBrisbane.
Mr Harper said the research will assist Brisbane City Council determine the "; S5[18]=" effectiveness of compost application and its commercial value should a kerbside collection service be provided for ratepayers.
'The project offers benefits to "; S6[18]=" vegetable growers, the environment, ratepayers and consumers,' he said.
He said Elisha Keighley from Brisbane City Council's Natural Environment & Sustainability section "; S7[18]=" will outline the significance of the research to the council.
'Using the composted organics in the greater Brisbane River Catchment will potentially "; S8[18]=" improve soil quality, reduce sediment loading in the Brisbane River and allow sustainable cost effective waste management,' Mr Harper said.
'The "; S9[18]=" compost will also help sustain and protect the regions intensive farming systems that provide significant regional employment and high quality vegetables to the rapidly growing "; S10[18]=" South-East Queensland region.
Mr Harper said the three-year research program involves a series of replicated trials across the region to identify the "; S11[18]=" benefits of applying composted garden organics to intensively managed vegetable growing soils of the upper Brisbane River catchment.
He would present the "; S12[18]=" results from the first year's trials at the field day, he said.
'DPI&F nematologist Tony Pattison has conducted considerable research in soil "; S13[18]=" health improvement in banana systems of north Queensland and has developed a grower friendly soil health kit.
'At the field day, "; S14[18]=" Tony will demonstrate how the kit can be used to monitor important soil health indicators in the field and outline how his research on soil "; S15[18]=" organic amendments have improved soil health,' Mr Harper said... "; R[19]="155"; T[19]="Field day highlights compost and soil health"; A[19]="By ... Editor"; Dn[19]="20060222"; Dt[19]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[19]="a02a53a72"; B1[19]=" The effects of compost on soil health in vegetable crops will be the focus of Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries field "; B2[19]="day at the Gatton Research Station on Wednesday, November 16, from 3pm... "; B3[19]=" "; B4[19]=" "; B5[19]=" "; S1[19]=" The effects of compost on soil health in vegetable crops will be the focus of Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries field "; S2[19]=" day at the Gatton Research Station on Wednesday, November 16, from 3pm.
DPI&F senior research scientist Steve Harper said the field day "; S3[19]=" will focus on research initiated by the Brisbane City Council and the DPI&F to find whether the sustainability and soil health of intensive vegetable farming "; S4[19]=" systems is improved by using composted green garden waste fromBrisbane.
Mr Harper said the research will assist Brisbane City Council determine the "; S5[19]=" effectiveness of compost application and its commercial value should a kerbside collection service be provided for ratepayers.
'The project offers benefits to "; S6[19]=" vegetable growers, the environment, ratepayers and consumers,' he said.
He said Elisha Keighley from Brisbane City Council's Natural Environment & Sustainability section "; S7[19]=" will outline the significance of the research to the council.
'Using the composted organics in the greater Brisbane River Catchment will potentially "; S8[19]=" improve soil quality, reduce sediment loading in the Brisbane River and allow sustainable cost effective waste management,' Mr Harper said.
'The "; S9[19]=" compost will also help sustain and protect the regions intensive farming systems that provide significant regional employment and high quality vegetables to the rapidly growing "; S10[19]=" South-East Queensland region.
Mr Harper said the three-year research program involves a series of replicated trials across the region to identify the "; S11[19]=" benefits of applying composted garden organics to intensively managed vegetable growing soils of the upper Brisbane River catchment.
He would present the "; S12[19]=" results from the first year's trials at the field day, he said.
'DPI&F nematologist Tony Pattison has conducted considerable research in soil "; S13[19]=" health improvement in banana systems of north Queensland and has developed a grower friendly soil health kit.
'At the field day, "; S14[19]=" Tony will demonstrate how the kit can be used to monitor important soil health indicators in the field and outline how his research on soil "; S15[19]=" organic amendments have improved soil health,' Mr Harper said... "; R[20]="148"; T[20]="Online tool to help producers predict rainfall and pasture growth"; A[20]="By ... Editor"; Dn[20]="20060222"; Dt[20]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[20]="a02a07a27a46a72a92"; B1[20]=" Meat & Livestock Australia today unveiled a ground-breaking tool to help Australia s southern livestock producers more reliably predict rainfall and pasture "; B2[20]="growth... "; B3[20]=" "; B4[20]=" "; B5[20]=" "; S1[20]=" Meat & Livestock Australia today unveiled a ground-breaking tool to help Australia's southern livestock producers more reliably predict rainfall and pasture growth.
"; S2[20]=" The MLA Rainfall and Pasture Growth Outlook Tool is now available online and was developed by the Australian Government's Bureau of Regional "; S3[20]=" Sciences (BRS) on behalf of MLA.
MLA Manager, Strategic Science Dr Hutton Oddy said the tool is a key resource for Australia's "; S4[20]=" livestock producers which will enable them to assess rainfall patterns, climatic conditions and potential pasture growth for the coming season.
'This tool "; S5[20]=" is the first of its kind in Australia and has been designed with Australia's livestock producers in mind.
Throughout the whole development "; S6[20]=" process we have worked closely with producers to ensure the tool is not only easy to use, but also contains the information they need,' Dr "; S7[20]=" Oddy said.
'The tool collects rainfall information from over 3,000 weather stations throughout southern Australia and combines this with weather forecasts up "; S8[20]=" to 13 weeks in advance from the Bureau of Meteorology.
'This means that livestock producers can combine what has happened in the "; S9[20]=" past with predictions of future rainfall to make more informed decisions about such things as calving, weaning and the number and type of stock to "; S10[20]=" be running on the property at a particular time.' The tool has been developed as part of the MLA More Beef from Pastures program, which "; S11[20]=" encourages best practise pasture management in order to produce the optimal amount of beef in the most productive and sustainable way.
'The "; S12[20]=" key to animal productivity and better beef production is pasture growth, and the things that drive pasture growth are soil moisture and temperature.
"; S13[20]=" This tool will enable producers to put all of these pieces together, which will ultimately lead to better decisions being made,' Dr Oddy said.
"; S14[20]=" The MLA Rainfall to Pasture Growth Outlook Tool can be accessed online via both the BRS and MLA websites at: ' http://www.brs.gov.au/mlatool/ "; S15[20]=" ' http://www.mla.com.au/growthoutlooktool/.. "; R[21]="120"; T[21]="Export trial signals potential profits for cane growers"; A[21]="By ... Editor"; Dn[21]="20060222"; Dt[21]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[21]="a02a19a20a72a81"; B1[21]=" A trial shipment of Burdekin-grown soybeans to Indonesia could signal a lucrative complementary crop for Queensland cane growers..... "; B2[21]=" "; B3[21]=" "; B4[21]=" "; B5[21]=" "; S1[21]=" A trial shipment of Burdekin-grown soybeans to Indonesia could signal a lucrative complementary crop for Queensland cane growers.
The "; S2[21]=" 22-tonne trial soybean shipment leaves from the Port of Townsville this Friday (October 14) bound for the Indonesian food market.
The Department "; S3[21]=" of Primary Industries and Fisheries' FutureCane project encourages cane growers to use a fallow legume crop, such as soybeans, as part of an integrated farming "; S4[21]=" system.
Up until now, the benefits of growing soybeans have been realised through supply of organic matter and nitrogen following cane crops, "; S5[21]=" enhanced soil health and the breaking of monoculture disease cycles.
In addition, grain crops have been, up until now, marketed to the "; S6[21]=" domestic market.
With domestic transport costs rising, securing an export market for the soybean crop could mean a diversified income stream for "; S7[21]=" growers.
'Having an export option for a fallow crop illustrates an ability to value add to implementation of a complementary farm enterprise "; S8[21]=" with cane that diversifies income streams and manages business risks for growers,' Burdekin cane grower Tom Lashmar, who has grown the trial shipment, said.
"; S9[21]=" Mr Lashmar said the export of the trial shipment of a container of the soybeans, all loaded into separate one tonne bags, marked "; S10[21]=" the end of five months of negotiations with an export agent that included input from shipping agents John Swire and Sons, the Townsville Port Authority, "; S11[21]=" the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service and the regional DPI&F FutureCane team.
'The process from initial contact with an export agent to "; S12[21]=" where we are today, has been a process of give and take on both sides, but the end result has been rewarding.
"; S13[21]=" I have realised the importance of negotiation and supply chain relationships, but also the reward in achieving another soybean trading option to manage my business "; S14[21]=" risk.' DPI&F FutureCane trade and business officer Stephen Sinclair said cane growers in the Burdekin are capable of growing commercial soybean grain crops, and the "; S15[21]=" FutureCane team were keen to build on the trial shipment.
'This trial export shipment has created much interest that can only be "; S16[21]=" seen as positive for cane growers looking at income diversification,' Mr Sinclair said.
'Ultimately an ideal mix of domestic and export market "; S17[21]=" options for soybean grain from the Burdekin is our aim, so as to ensure that cane growers are making use of their fallow legume cropping "; S18[21]=" systems to optimise financial returns.' Ron McLean, chairman of the Townsville Port Authority, said: 'The Townsville Port Authority is committed to ensuring our port continues "; S19[21]=" to nurture and expand the local exporting community by providing an efficient and effective avenue for exports.
I believe the region has "; S20[21]=" immense economic potential, and support all initiatives that foster this potential.' Growers interested in finding out more about the export chain initiative for soybeans.. "; R[22]="101"; T[22]="Field peas prevent wind erosion"; A[22]="By ... Editor"; Dn[22]="20060222"; Dt[22]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[22]="a19a72"; B1[22]=" New semi-leafless field pea varieties could help WA growers reduce the risk of wind erosion after harvesting..... "; B2[22]=" "; B3[22]=" "; B4[22]=" "; B5[22]=" "; S1[22]=" New semi-leafless field pea varieties could help WA growers reduce the risk of wind erosion after harvesting.
Department of "; S2[22]=" Agriculture development officer Ian Pritchard said field pea farming systems had traditionally involved removing cereal stubble and rolling field peas after sowing to lower harvest "; S3[22]=" losses and produce a cleaner sample.
While these practices were effective, Mr Pritchard said they left bare paddocks after field peas were "; S4[22]=" harvested which increased the risk of wind erosion.
Mr Pritchard said the new semi-leafless field pea varieties reduced wind erosion risk by "; S5[22]=" reducing the grazing value of field pea stubbles and allowing the retention of cereal stubble.
'Grazing of field pea stubbles used to "; S6[22]=" occur because of the amount of grain left on the ground after harvest,' he said.
'The new semi-leafless varieties like Kaspa and "; S7[22]=" Moonlight have reduced lodging, improved pod height and reduced pod shatter resulting in lower harvest losses in the paddock and a cleaner sample.
"; S8[22]=" 'With harvest losses as low as 90 kg/ha, even in a crop yielding over 3.5 t/ha, stock are less likely to graze field pea "; S9[22]=" stubbles after harvest.
Even if pea seed is left on the ground, it contains nitrogen which recycles quickly once the field pea "; S10[22]=" seedlings are killed by herbicide early in next year's crop.' Semi-leafless varieties also have better standing ability to allow the retention of cereal stubble while "; S11[22]=" not affecting harvesting efficiency and sample quality.
Mr Pritcahrd said the amount and condition of the cereal stubble (standing or loose), soil "; S12[22]=" type, aspect, grazed or un-grazed would determine the relative wind erosion hazard of the pea stubble.
'Ensuring that field pea paddocks have "; S13[22]=" greater than 50 per cent ground cover ensures that the relative risk of wind erosion in these paddocks is greatly reduced.'.. "; R[23]="89"; T[23]="Plenty to learn about small properties"; A[23]="By ... Editor"; Dn[23]="20060222"; Dt[23]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[23]="a04a05a07a48a51a72"; B1[23]=" Small landholders are urged to make the most of their rural land and lifestyle with more than 30 workshops, field days and "; B2[23]="training sessions being offered throughout the State over the next few months... "; B3[23]=" "; B4[23]=" "; B5[23]=" "; S1[23]=" Small landholders are urged to make the most of their rural land and lifestyle with more than 30 workshops, field days and "; S2[23]=" training sessions being offered throughout the State over the next few months.
Most events are being coordinated by the Department of Agriculture's "; S3[23]=" Small Landholder Services and are available to land-owners with properties ranging from one to 100 hectares.
Department Small Landholder Information Service manager "; S4[23]=" Neil Guise said never before had small landholders been offered such extensive opportunities to learn about all aspects of property management.
'We "; S5[23]=" have been able to secure funding and build some important partnerships to bring this vital information to small property owners who may not have any "; S6[23]=" experience in farming or caring for rural land,' Mr Guise said 'The workshops and training courses will deliver relevant, local and practical information to help "; S7[23]=" small landholders achieve the real potential of their property, and ensure they can enjoy the lifestyle that goes with it.
'Landholders can "; S8[23]=" attend introductory workshops such as Heavenly Hectares landcare and hobby farming sessions, property design and planning courses and a range of topic-specific field days on "; S9[23]=" pasture improvement, weeds and pests, and managing livestock.' For further information or to register for an event, please contact 9733 7777 or email small_landholder@agric.wa.gov.au 'The "; S10[23]=" training opportunities are being offered free of charge or at a nominal fee while funding lasts, so early bookings are advised,' Mr Guise said.
"; S11[23]=" Events schedule Heavenly Hectares - Introductory Workshops Free half-day workshops.
Introduction to landcare and sustainable hobby farming.
"; S12[23]=" ' Sat 1 October (Busselton) ' Sun 16 October (Warren region) ' Sat 29 October (Dardanup) ' Sat 5 November (Nannup) Property Planning Courses Full "; S13[23]=" day, small fee.
Hands on property design and planning.
Aerial photograph and manual provided.
' Sun "; S14[23]=" 18 September (Mandurah) ' Sat 24 September (Serpentine) ' Sun 25 September (Mandurah) ' Sat 8 October (Mundaring) ' Sun 9 October (Kalamunda) ' Sat "; S15[23]=" 15 October (Bullsbrook) ' Sat 15 October (Boddington) ' Sat 15 October (Lower Blackwood) ' Sun 16 October (Narrogin) ' Sun 23 October (Gidgegannup) ' "; S16[23]=" Sat 5 November (Armadale) ' Sun 6 November (Caversham) ' Sat 3 December (Lower Blackwood) ' Sat 14 January '06 (Margaret River) ' Sat 21 "; S17[23]=" January '06 (Warren region) Field Days Half-day field walks.
Learn practical techniques and ideas, held at local properties.
' "; S18[23]=" Fri 16 September (Serpentine) 'Pasture Improvement' ' Sat 17 September (Herne Hill) 'Weeds, Pests and Fertilisers in Orchards' ' Sun 18 September (Lake Clifton) 'Bushland "; S19[23]=" Management' ' Sat 24 September (Bindoon) 'Introduction to Farm Forestry' ' Sat 8 October (Margaret River) 'Weed Management and Using Local Natives in Revegetation and "; S20[23]=" Landscaping' ' Sat 15 October (Lower Blackwood) 'Soil Health & Pasture Management' ' Wed 19 October (Narrogin) 'Sustainable Livestock Management' ' Sun 6 Nov (Manjimup).. "; R[24]="66"; T[24]="Maximum Versatility and Easy Baling."; A[24]="By ... Case IH"; Dn[24]="20060222"; Dt[24]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[24]="a01a72"; B1[24]=" Hay and silage farmers and contractors can boost their productivity and increase their competitiveness in a wide range of cropping conditions with "; B2[24]="the Case IH 528 and 628 round balers, designed for maximum versatility... "; B3[24]=" "; B4[24]=" "; B5[24]=" "; S1[24]=" Hay and silage farmers and contractors can boost their productivity and increase their competitiveness in a wide range of cropping conditions with "; S2[24]=" the Case IH 528 and 628 round balers, designed for maximum versatility.
The 528 and 628 model balers can bale cereal, hay, "; S3[24]=" grass or silage and offer bale diameters from 0.6m up to 1.6m and 1.9m - an increase of 10cm in bale size compared to previous "; S4[24]=" models.
'Hay and silage contractors will find the 528 and 628 round balers good news for business, with these models delivering a "; S5[24]=" high quality bale every time,' said Geoff Rendell, Case IH product manager for hay and silage products.
'These balers can guarantee the "; S6[24]=" delivery of a firm bale with a moderate core - not too soft or too hard.
The development of a progressive density "; S7[24]=" bale formation system, gives hay contractors the versatility to deliver either a tight or soft core bale depending on the customer's needs.
"; S8[24]=" The system has benefits for both straw and silage bales, resulting in straw bales with a tough outer shell which improves their tolerance to poor "; S9[24]=" weather conditions, while silage bales will maintain their shape for improved stacking and easier handling.' An 'open throat' pre-chamber refines the bale rotation and forms "; S10[24]=" a moderate or soft core which guarantees bale start.
As the bale diameter grows, so does its density thanks to a belt-tensioning "; S11[24]=" arm which is subjected to steadily increasing resistance from a hydraulic cylinder and a spring tensioner.
The 'open throat' pre-chamber design ensures "; S12[24]=" there is no restriction in feeding the crop into the baler, contributing to high infield performance.
An in-cab control system, Autoform, when "; S13[24]=" fitted with the Optional Proportional Valve allows hay contractors to determine diameter and density of the bales core and outer layers - all without leaving "; S14[24]=" the comfort of the cab.
'The Autoform system can help contractors save time, as they can make the necessary adjustments to the "; S15[24]=" bale without leaving the tractor,' said Geoff.
'It also allows the operator to select net or twine tying and adjust the wrap "; S16[24]=" pattern of the net or twine applied.' Both the 528 and 628 models are equipped with a wide 2.1m pickup allowing for easy handling of "; S17[24]=" the heaviest of swaths.
High intake capacity is guaranteed for heavy crops or lumpy matted swaths thanks to Case IH's integral auger "; S18[24]=" technology.
'The large diameter augers, combined with tynes arranged in a helix pattern, improve the way that dense, wet grass or heavy "; S19[24]=" tangled straw is cleared from the pickup ensuring no blocking, even in the toughest of conditions,' explained Geoff.
An integral feed rotor "; S20[24]=" or Opticut crop chopping system can be added to ensure that 100% of the crop is cut as it enters the baler... "; R[25]="52"; T[25]="Patch-grazing seminar wins award for Charters Towers DPI&F officer"; A[25]="By ... Editor"; Dn[25]="20060222"; Dt[25]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[25]="a02a07a27a72"; B1[25]=" The search for clues on why cattle overgraze their favourite patches was the subject of an award-winning seminar delivered by a Department "; B2[25]="of Primary Industries and Fisheries officer from Charters Towers... "; B3[25]=" "; B4[25]=" "; B5[25]=" "; S1[25]=" The search for clues on why cattle overgraze their favourite patches was the subject of an award-winning seminar delivered by a Department "; S2[25]=" of Primary Industries and Fisheries officer from Charters Towers.
Technical officer Chris Holloway recently delivered what was judged the best seminar at "; S3[25]=" the CSIRO's Davies Laboratory PhD Student Seminar Day.
His talk on ' Hierarchy, distribution and spatial utilisation of patches by cattle in "; S4[25]=" a semi-arid tropical savanna' centred on a quirk of beef cattle to graze on certain patches.
'Cattle tend to graze more heavily "; S5[25]=" on some areas than others, but what we don't know is why,' Mr Holloway said.
'We are not sure if it is "; S6[25]=" habit, grass species, palatability, nutritional value or the soil type.
'This is a real problem in northern Australia because patch grazing often "; S7[25]=" leads to the creation of bare areas.
This reduces the productive potential of some of the best areas in a paddock and "; S8[25]=" can lead to serious soil erosion and a decline in water quality ' Mr Holloway said CSIRO had recognised this as a problem in the "; S9[25]=" 1980s and carried out some small experiments.
Both DPI&F and CSIRO are continuing experiments today, this time using computer and satellite technology "; S10[25]=" unavailable 20 years ago.
As part of his project Mr Holloway is using high-resolution satellite imagery to map areas at Wambiana station "; S11[25]=" south of Charters Towers to determine if a pattern is occurring.
Wambiana station is the site of a major long-term DPI&F grazing "; S12[25]=" trial where different grazing strategies are being compared.
Mr Holloway is a PhD student at James Cook University and has been based "; S13[25]=" at DPI&F in Charters Towers for more than three years.
His DPI&F supervisor, principal scientist Dr Peter O'Reagain, is pleased with Mr "; S14[25]=" Holloway's success at the CSIRO seminar day.
'Chris's project is an important part of the Wambiana trial because it seeks to understand "; S15[25]=" the key processes that determine why animals select or avoid certain areas,' Dr O'Reagain said.
'The information from his trial will be "; S16[25]=" of great assistance in developing guidelines for sustainable pasture management in the north.'.. ";