R[0]="2057"; T[0]="Major grain loss expected as farmers wait for rain"; A[0]="By ... Editor"; Dn[0]="20070823"; Dt[0]="Thursday 23 August 2007"; Acats[0]="a22a57a74a79a82"; B1[0]=" Concern for the nation's grain crops is on the rise, with regions across the north and west of the country desperately in "; B2[0]="need of rain... "; B3[0]=" "; B4[0]=" "; B5[0]=" "; S1[0]=" Concern for the nation's grain crops is on the rise, with regions across the north and west of the country desperately in "; S2[0]=" need of rain.
As the drought in Western Australia continues to take hold, large parts of northern New South Wales and Queensland "; S3[0]=" are getting drier by the day, with predictions that millions of tonnes would be wiped off the national wheat harvest.
Grains analyst "; S4[0]=" Lloyd George says frost and a lack of rain is putting a large proportion of crops in danger.
'There was always a "; S5[0]=" bunch of risk in this just because of how dry the sub-soil was,' he said.
'It's essentially been around about 45 days "; S6[0]=" plus since northern New South Wales [or] Queensland has really had any rain of significance.
'Without rain in the next two to "; S7[0]=" three weeks up there, we're really talking significant yield losses.'.. "; R[1]="1969"; T[1]="Production of grains to rebound"; A[1]="By ... Editor"; Dn[1]="20070308"; Dt[1]="Thursday 8 March 2007"; Acats[1]="a22a57a74a79"; B1[1]=" The fortunes of Australia's grain farmers may be turning, with crop production set to rebound from the worst drought in 100 years.... "; B2[1]=" "; B3[1]=" "; B4[1]=" "; B5[1]=" "; S1[1]=" The fortunes of Australia's grain farmers may be turning, with crop production set to rebound from the worst drought in 100 years.
"; S2[1]=" Assuming an expected return to average seasonal conditions will eventuate, as tipped by the Bureau of Meteorology, total winter crop production will "; S3[1]=" be 38.4 million tonnes in 2007-08.
This is an increase of 22.7 million tonnes from this year's drought-ravaged winter harvest - when "; S4[1]=" crop production dropped by 60 per cent, to the lowest since 1994-1995.
The figures, released in the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and "; S5[1]=" Resource Economics's March report at its Outlook conference yesterday, show that the areas sown to wheat and barley will increase by 17 per cent, and "; S6[1]=" canola crops will rise by 10 per cent, next financial year.
Rhonda Treadwell, manager of ABARE's farm surveys, said grain producers had "; S7[1]=" been hardest hit by the drought.
And with plans to plant bumper crops in the coming months, costs including fertiliser may push "; S8[1]=" many further into the red.
'Grain farm incomes are going down to about $7000 per farm on average - that's the lowest "; S9[1]=" grain-farm cash income that we've measured in 30 years, and it's the biggest drop of any of (the farming sectors),' Ms Treadwell said.
"; S10[1]=" 'Half the grain growers are looking at the prospect of negative farm cash income this year.' The Bureau of Meteorology last month declared the "; S11[1]=" El Nino over, with Australia moving to 'normal' conditions.
'This of course doesn't mean that the drought has broken,' the bureau's chief "; S12[1]=" scientist, Neville Smith, said.
'It just might mean that we have at least a reasonable expectation of rains.' More than two-thirds of "; S13[1]=" agricultural land in Australia is currently drought-declared, including 95 per cent of Victoria.
Speaking at the conference, Agriculture Minister Peter McGauran said "; S14[1]=" for farmers to be able to earn an income in one of the driest and hottest years on record was 'no mean feat'.
"; S15[1]=" 'After 12 years of dry and drought there should hardly be a farmer left standing,' he said.
'Our industry should be "; S16[1]=" decimated and the land left barren.
The fact that none of this has come to pass is evidence of incredible improvements in "; S17[1]=" our farming practices and land management over the last decade.' Victorian Farmers Federation president Simon Ramsay said Victorian and NSW grain producers were among the "; S18[1]=" hardest hit by the current drought.
He said while the crop projections gave him some heart, he was being cautiously optimistic about "; S19[1]=" the long road ahead.
'The El Nino pattern is certainly breaking up … ' Mr Ramsay said.
'(But) until "; S20[1]=" we get a really substantial autumn break, people will still be a little bit nervous about how the season will pan out.' The boost in "; S21[1]=" wheat production is also set to ramp up the value of wheat exports by 21 per cent to $3.8 billion... "; R[2]="1896"; T[2]="Forecast grain sorghum yields down"; A[2]="By ... Editor"; Dn[2]="20070216"; Dt[2]="Friday 16 February 2007"; Acats[2]="a57a79"; B1[2]=" The latest yield forecast has confirmed that Queensland and northern NSW grain sorghum yields are likely to be much below average.... "; B2[2]=" "; B3[2]=" "; B4[2]=" "; B5[2]=" "; S1[2]=" The latest yield forecast has confirmed that Queensland and northern NSW grain sorghum yields are likely to be much below average.
"; S2[2]=" Central Queensland is the bright spot, with yields there likely to be average or better.
Department of Primary Industries and "; S3[2]=" Fisheries scientist Andries Potgieter said computer modelling predicted a median grain sorghum yield of almost 1.9 tonnes per hectare in the northern grain belt this "; S4[2]=" season, well below the long-term median of 2.3t/ha.
Mr Potgieter said most areas in Central Queensland had yield expectations at or above "; S5[2]=" the long-term median.
'The yields quoted are averages, so there is yield variation in the various regions that comprise the northern cropping "; S6[2]=" area,' he said.
Mr Potgieter said the yield predictions were developed by a computer model based on the integration of a simple "; S7[2]=" agro-climatic stress index model, actual climate data up to the forecasting date (February 1), and projected climate data after that date.
'The "; S8[2]=" yield information is used by governments, organisations and businesses needing reliable crop production estimates,' Mr Potgieter said.
'The forecasts are updated by "; S9[2]=" the tenth of each month and are available from the DPI&F (telephone 13 25 23),' he said... "; R[3]="1814"; T[3]="Wild sorghum secrets revealed"; A[3]="By ... Editor"; Dn[3]="20070123"; Dt[3]="Tuesday 23 January 2007"; Acats[3]="a79"; B1[3]=" A Biloela research scientist is set to access an untapped treasure trove of high value commercial traits identified in Australia's genetically diverse "; B2[3]="native wild sorghum species... "; B3[3]=" "; B4[3]=" "; B5[3]=" "; S1[3]=" A Biloela research scientist is set to access an untapped treasure trove of high value commercial traits identified in Australia's genetically diverse "; S2[3]=" native wild sorghum species.
Dr Sally Dillon, a scientist who has worked for the past 10 years at the Australian Tropical Crops "; S3[3]=" and Forages Genetic Resource Centre at the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Biloela Research Station believes her research will greatly expand the gene pool "; S4[3]=" of desirable traits sought by commercial sorghum breeders.
Dr Dillon recently completed a PhD investigating the genetic relationship between wild sorghum species "; S5[3]=" and the traditional cultivated sorghum lines.
'There are 17 wild sorghum species in Australia - 14 are endemic to this country - "; S6[3]=" and while these wild species are closely related to commercial cultivars, they are far more genetically diverse than what was originally believed,' Dr Dillon said.
"; S7[3]=" 'Thanks to the cooperative research conducted by Texas A&M University in the US, a sorghum cultivar has been identified that allows alien "; S8[3]=" pollen to fertilise the seed.
'By using embryo rescue techniques with tissue cultures, the US sorghum selection is being used as the "; S9[3]=" parent line for crossing with our wild sorghums,' Dr Dillon said.
'Agronomically, the US line is not pretty but we have achieved "; S10[3]=" a first cross with an Australian native sorghum and this F1 will be backcrossed this summer to create hybrids to foster the many desirable traits.' "; S11[3]=" Dr Dillon said the Australian endemic sorghums were known to carry pest and disease tolerances and were frost resistant, drought tolerant and some were prolific "; S12[3]=" seeders.
'Early research has also indicated that the grain starch properties in our wild sorghums are quite novel and could be a "; S13[3]=" positive factor leading to greater feed digestion efficiency for intensive livestock industries,' Dr Dillon said.
Dr Dillon acknowledged there were genetic barriers "; S14[3]=" when working with wild sorghum but there was scope to develop F1 hybrids that could be easily used in the world-renowned DPI&F sorghum breeding program.
"; S15[3]=" 'The objective is to get the wild sorghum DNA into conventional sorghum plants and then target the desirable traits.
"; S16[3]=" 'The similarity of the DNA structure in wild sorghums and cultivated species presents an excellent opportunity to work collaboratively with the University of Georgia to "; S17[3]=" map specific genes such as sorghum midge and ergot fungal resistance, 'stay green' drought tolerance or grain yield,' Dr Dillon said.
'Knowing "; S18[3]=" where a specific gene sits within the DNA of the plant will allow plant breeders to better target desirable traits and potentially enable the genetic "; S19[3]=" rearrangement of starch and grain quality or drought tolerance.' Dr Dillon said that to further progress the wild sorghum crossbreeding project, a submission would be "; S20[3]=" put forward to the Australian Research Council to seek funding for this revolutionary 'blue sky' research initiative.
'Gaining access to Australia's wild "; S21[3]=" sorghum genetics represents a significant milestone for domestic researchers but the breakthrough has huge international potential.' Dr Dillon said the grain and forage sorghum industries "; S22[3]=" throughout the Northern Hemisphere had to contend with an extensive range of pest and disease issues, particularly devastating moulds that impacted severely on productivity.
"; S23[3]=" Australia's wild sorghums may hold the key to finding genetic solutions... "; R[4]="1721"; T[4]="Frost damage raises 'disease' concerns"; A[4]="By ... Editor"; Dn[4]="20061130"; Dt[4]="Thursday 30 November 2006"; Acats[4]="a33a79"; B1[4]=" Last week's rare November frost raised concerns about an unusual disorder in grain sorghum crops.... "; B2[4]=" "; B3[4]=" "; B4[4]=" "; B5[4]=" "; S1[4]=" Last week's rare November frost raised concerns about an unusual disorder in grain sorghum crops.
Department of Primary Industries "; S2[4]=" and Fisheries principal plant pathologist in Toowoomba, Malcolm Ryley, said he had received young grain sorghum plants to check for possible disease-causing organisms.
"; S3[4]=" Dr Ryley said that apart from some minor root infection, the plants had no disease, but were affected by the light frosts in much "; S4[4]=" of the southern Queensland grain belt and northern NSW.
He said the damage was worsened by the cold winds that followed.
"; S5[4]=" Dr Ryley said some upper leaves of the plant samples showed distinct bleached to light-brown stripes.
Other leaves had general "; S6[4]=" 'burnt' patches, without the striping.
'In most cases the damage was confined to the top one-third of plant leaves,' he said.
"; S7[4]=" Dr Ryley said the plant samples came mostly from low-lying parts of paddocks, again pointing to frost damage.
"; S8[4]=" When plant stems were cut, there was no damage to developing leaves or other internal parts of plants.
He said the "; S9[4]=" plant damage he saw would grow out and was unlikely to reduce yield, but concerned growers should contact their agronomist to assess their individual situations.
"; S10[4]=" 'There may be some issues with pollen viability in damaged plants that are at the flag leaf stage, but I feel "; S11[4]=" it's unlikely to be an issue in less mature plants,' he said.
The plant disease concerns resulted from the rarity of frost "; S12[4]=" damage to grain sorghum in November, Dr Ryley said.
DPI&F senior industry development officer Greg Salmond said government and private agronomists "; S13[4]=" were working together to assess the frost damage and provide growers with options that suited their circumstances.
Mr Salmond said that generally "; S14[4]=" there had been less damage than expected, although some individual crops in low-lying areas were severely affected.
He said the hardest hit "; S15[4]=" area was the southern Downs.
Maize and dolichos generally sustained more damage than grain sorghum.
'In many cases crops "; S16[4]=" will recover from the damage.
Some growers may consider slashing or replanting in extreme cases.
'We recommend that "; S17[4]=" growers inspect their paddocks and seek professional advice if they have concerns,' Mr Salmond said... "; R[5]="1426"; T[5]="$700m cut in SA grain crop value"; A[5]="By ... Editor"; Dn[5]="20060921"; Dt[5]="Thursday 21 September 2006"; Acats[5]="a22a74a79a81a82"; B1[5]=" The escalating drought is estimated to have wiped close to $700 million from the value of South Australia's grain crop compared to "; B2[5]="last year... "; B3[5]=" "; B4[5]=" "; B5[5]=" "; S1[5]=" The escalating drought is estimated to have wiped close to $700 million from the value of South Australia's grain crop compared to "; S2[5]=" last year.
The loss has coincided with warnings of severe social problems in regional South Australia as the drought hits hard.
"; S3[5]=" SA Farmers Federation grains council president Brett Roberts said employees were already being put off in service industries and from some farms.
"; S4[5]=" 'The saddest thing I see from this is the social consequences,' he said.
'Rural towns and businesses in them that "; S5[5]=" rely on the rural economy will be badly hurt.' Mr Roberts said that country towns and their whole social infrastructure, including sporting clubs, were often "; S6[5]=" a neglected consequence of drought.
He said some people were already seeking work in the mining industry and that there was no "; S7[5]=" way they would return to farming when they had left.
'The bad thing about this year is we've got such high cost "; S8[5]=" structures compared to the past,' he said.
'A big issue now is that if we get a heap of hot weather, the "; S9[5]=" grain we do harvest may suffer quality problems.
We've got to tough it out and have another go next year.' Mr Roberts "; S10[5]=" said the grain crop was decreasing by the day as the generally warm weather continued across the state.
Even some reliable cropping "; S11[5]=" areas in the Mid North and on Yorke Peninsula were looking at total crop failures, he warned.
His comments follow new estimates "; S12[5]=" that the state's grain crop will reach only four million tonnes and is already at a level comparable with the 2002 crop of 3.9 million "; S13[5]=" tonnes.
The new estimate by Primary Industries and Resources SA this week is a huge downgrade from 4.7 million tonnes at the "; S14[5]=" start of September and 6.7 million tonnes at the start of August.
The forecast comes with a report warning that the Australian "; S15[5]=" grain crop will reach just 26 million tonnes this year, down 36 per cent from 2005-06... "; R[6]="1401"; T[6]="Total winter crop production in WA down 41%: ABARE"; A[6]="By ... Editor"; Dn[6]="20060921"; Dt[6]="Thursday 21 September 2006"; Acats[6]="a22a24a57a74a79a82"; B1[6]=" Total winter crop production in WA will be down 41 per cent for the 2006-07 year due to a below average winter "; B2[6]="rainfall and the resultant poor stat to the cropping season, according to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics... "; B3[6]=" "; B4[6]=" "; B5[6]=" "; S1[6]=" Total winter crop production in WA will be down 41 per cent for the 2006-07 year due to a below average winter "; S2[6]=" rainfall and the resultant poor stat to the cropping season, according to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics.

"; S3[6]=" * Rainfall in the winter months was below average across the grains belt of Western Australia.
However, conditions in "; S4[6]=" the southern and central regions have been better than in the northern districts.
Given that crops were generally sown late, a favorable "; S5[6]=" spring will be critical for crops in all regions to reach their current potential.
In early September, good rainfall was received across "; S6[6]=" the majority of the grains belt, which improved crop conditions.

* The poor start to the winter "; S7[6]=" cropping season in the state is estimated to have resulted in a 30 per cent reduction in the area sown to winter crops.
"; S8[6]=" The area sown is likely to have been lower in all regions.
However, the largest decline is expected in the northern "; S9[6]=" part of the grains belt.
Reflecting the poor start to the season and continued dry conditions, total winter crop production is forecast "; S10[6]=" to be 8.4 million tonnes in 2006-07, compared with 14.3 million tonnes in the previous season.

* "; S11[6]=" Wheat production in 2006-07 is forecast to decline by around 3.7 million tonnes from the 2005-06 crop.
Reflecting the poor start to "; S12[6]=" the season, continued dry conditions and the variability between regions, yields are forecast to be below the long term average.
Wheat yields "; S13[6]=" in Western Australia are forecast to be 1.45 tonnes per hectare, a 20 per cent decline from yields achieved in 2005-06.
"; S14[6]="
* The area planted to barley in Western Australia is estimated to have fallen by 18 per cent in 2006-07 compared "; S15[6]=" with the previous season.
This is the lowest area sown to barley in Western Australia in the past five years.
"; S16[6]=" Barley yields are forecast to be below the long term average and production is forecast to decline by 886 000 tonnes in 2006-07.
"; S17[6]="
* Canola yields in Western Australia are forecast to be 0.63 tonnes per hectare compared with a ten "; S18[6]=" year average of 1.10 tonnes per hectare.
The area sown to canola is estimated to have declined by 9 per cent, reflecting "; S19[6]=" the continued dry conditions.
It is forecast that 251 000 tonnes of canola will be produced in Western Australia in 2006-07, 60 "; S20[6]=" per cent less than in the previous season.

* The area planted to lupins in Western Australia "; S21[6]=" is estimated to have declined by 46 per cent and production is forecast to be 77 per cent lower at 210 000 tonnes in 2006-07.
"; S22[6]=" This is the lowest production of lupins in Western Australia for over two decades.
Australia's farmers can expect to "; S23[6]=" suffer major yield downgrades for both winter and summer crops, the government forecaster said in a report released today.
Drought is ravaging "; S24[6]=" agriculture across the country, the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics says.
'The total area sown to winter crops in Australia "; S25[6]=" is estimated to be down by 15 per cent at around 18.6 million hectares in 2006/07,' the ABARE forecast says.
Leading the "; S26[6]=" winter crops is wheat which ABARE says will be down by 14 per cent to 11.1 million hectares.
And the forecast for "; S27[6]=" Australia's summer crops is no better.
'Assuming average spring rainfall, the area sown to summer crops is forecast to decline by around "; S28[6]=" 10 per cent in 2006/07, reflecting the decline in water availability for irrigated crops such as rice and cotton.' The total winter crop is predicted "; S29[6]=" to come in at 26 million tonnes in 2006-07, down 36 per cent from 2005-06.
A wet spring is absolutely necessary for "; S30[6]=" croppers across the country if the wheat harvest is to radically improve on ABARE's predictions.
'Most cropping regions of Australia recorded below "; R[7]="1396"; T[7]="Australia Winter Grain Production Revised Down"; A[7]="By ... Editor"; Dn[7]="20060918"; Dt[7]="Monday 18 September 2006"; Acats[7]="a22a57a79"; B1[7]=" The 2006/07 Australia wheat production is forecast at 19.5 million tons, down 2.0 million or 9 percent from last month and down "; B2[7]="5.0 million tons or 20 percent from last year... "; B3[7]=" "; B4[7]=" "; B5[7]=" "; S1[7]=" The 2006/07 Australia wheat production is forecast at 19.5 million tons, down 2.0 million or 9 percent from last month and down "; S2[7]=" 5.0 million tons or 20 percent from last year.
The area forecast of 11.5 million hectares is unchanged from last month, but "; S3[7]=" down 1.1 million or 9 percent from last year.
The yield forecast is 1.70 tons per hectare.
This yield "; S4[7]=" is below the 5-year average, which includes the severe drought of 2002.
Production forecasts for the two other major Australia winter grains "; S5[7]=" also have been reduced.
Barley and oats are now forecast at 7.5 million tons and 1.0 million tons, respectively.
"; S6[7]=" Most winter grain areas recorded below average rainfall during the Australian summer.
The opportunities for sowing diminished as the dry conditions persisted "; S7[7]=" through the normal sowing calendar, resulting in below average planted area for wheat and oats.
South Australia, the major barley producer, experienced "; S8[7]=" the most promising start of the season.
Widespread May rainfall in Victoria allowed significant planting to occur on adequate soil moisture.
"; S9[7]=" Sowing was delayed in the wheat areas of New South Wales and southern Queensland until the second week of June, thereby allowing limited "; S10[7]=" seeding operations to occur.
Conditions across Western Australia's grain belt have been variable.
September precipitation is critical for the "; S11[7]=" Australian winter grains crop.
This will be especially true this season, as most growing areas have marginal soil moisture available.
"; S12[7]=" This forecast assumes normal precipitation amounts for the month of September... "; R[8]="1383"; T[8]="Spring sorghum trials in the ground"; A[8]="By ... Editor"; Dn[8]="20060918"; Dt[8]="Monday 18 September 2006"; Acats[8]="a79"; B1[8]=" Biloela Research Station's spring sorghum plant breeding trials gained a welcome kick-start following 50mm of rain in two falls in late August "; B2[8]="and early September... "; B3[8]=" "; B4[8]=" "; B5[8]=" "; S1[8]=" Biloela Research Station's spring sorghum plant breeding trials gained a welcome kick-start following 50mm of rain in two falls in late August "; S2[8]=" and early September.
Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries senior experimentalist Gerry Bunker, who has been an integral part of the internationally "; S3[8]=" acknowledged DPI&F sorghum plant breeding research team for the past 15 years, said planting of the initial 8000 plots got underway on September 7.
"; S4[8]=" Mr Bunker said today's sorghum plant breeding research supported by the Grains Research and Development Corporation was firmly focused on the quest for "; S5[8]=" higher yielding hybrid grain sorghum lines.
Biloela Research Station, which has access to irrigation, was playing an increasingly important role in progressing "; S6[8]=" the industry's sorghum crossbreeding and evaluation research involving more than 3500 lines.
Mr Bunker said Biloela had the advantage of being able "; S7[8]=" to plant trials from September to mid-February, whereas research at the Warwick district Hermitage Research Station was restricted to a rain-grown summer planting.
"; S8[8]=" DPI&F principal sorghum plant breeder Dr Dave Jordan told growers at the February 2006 Biloela sorghum seminar and farm walk that targeting improved yield "; S9[8]=" was seen as the most practical research contribution toward lifting industry profitability.
Dr Jordan, who leads the sorghum research team, said that "; S10[8]=" two decades of research concentrating on the successful development of defensive traits such as midge resistance, lodging resistance and 'stay green' drought tolerance had come "; S11[8]=" at a price.
'Our quest for these desirable traits has reduced the genetic pool for yield so our current challenge is to "; S12[8]=" retain these traits while incorporating exotic sorghum plant material from overseas and wild species to target higher grain yield,' Dr Jordan said.
"; S13[8]=" To evaluate new sorghum lines across widely varying environments through Central Queensland's major cropping areas, a further 10 000 to 15 000 trial plots will "; S14[8]=" be planted on properties in the Clermont, Dysart, Springsure and Bauhinia districts.
Dr Jordan said genetic selection was greatly influenced by huge "; S15[8]=" environmental variations from one region to another and plant breeders were now seeking hybrids that could adapt to crop management systems such as solid planting "; S16[8]=" versus skip row... "; R[9]="1247"; T[9]="Workshops aim to keep grain growers on track"; A[9]="By ... Editor"; Dn[9]="20060805"; Dt[9]="Saturday 5 August 2006"; Acats[9]="a22a54a79a82"; B1[9]=" Three advanced Control Traffic Farming (CTF) workshops being held in Central Queensland this month will help grain growers make the transition from "; B2[9]="2 metre to 3 metre wheel track spacing and avoid costly mistakes with machinery modification... "; B3[9]=" "; B4[9]=" "; B5[9]=" "; S1[9]=" Three advanced Control Traffic Farming (CTF) workshops being held in Central Queensland this month will help grain growers make the transition from "; S2[9]=" 2 metre to 3 metre wheel track spacing and avoid costly mistakes with machinery modification.
Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries "; S3[9]=" extension agronomist Brendan Lynch said the free of charge advanced CTF workshops would be held at Capella Cultural Centre on August 14, Gindie Tennis Club "; S4[9]=" on August 15 and at Moura Memorial Club on August 18.
Mr Lynch said there were many agronomic, economic and environmental benefits "; S5[9]=" for grain growers who incorporate a fully matched CTF system into their farming enterprise.
'Each of the DPI&F coordinated workshops will run "; S6[9]=" from 8.30am to 5pm.
Farm visits to look at practical CTF machinery modifications are planned for the Capella and Gindie presentations,' Mr "; S7[9]=" Lynch said.
'This is all about encouraging growers to 'bite the bullet' and take the big step to get their tractors, planting "; S8[9]=" rigs, spray rigs and headers onto one set of 3m wheel tracks.
'CTF benefits include less soil compaction and reduced fuel consumption.
"; S9[9]=" It also enables growers to take full advantage of labour-saving tractor guidance technology.
'The workshops will provide advice on "; S10[9]=" just what growers should be looking for in an RTK - GPS system.
'There are some costly pitfalls for the unwary when "; S11[9]=" making significant machinery modifications and this workshop provides many of the answers to save growers time and money,' Mr Lynch said.
DPI&F "; S12[9]=" officers overseeing the Central Queensland Sustainable Farming Systems Project have teamed with the Fitzroy Basin Association to work with Tim Neale and Wayne Chapman from "; S13[9]=" the consulting group, CTF Solutions.
The two Central Highlands workshops are sponsored by Central Highlands Regional Resources Use Planning Cooperative (CHRRUP) and "; S14[9]=" the Dawson-Callide workshop is sponsored by the Dawson Catchment Coordinating Association (DCCA).
Growers wishing to attend a workshop should RSVP to Brendan "; S15[9]=" Lynch, DPI&F, Emerald, on 4983 7436 or email details to cqsfs@dpi.qld.gov.au... "; R[10]="1137"; T[10]="Avoid weed risk with feed grains"; A[10]="By ... Editor"; Dn[10]="20060718"; Dt[10]="Tuesday 18 July 2006"; Acats[10]="a22a74a79a82a85"; B1[10]=" The Department of Agriculture and Food has urged farmers feeding grains in the present dry period to adopt good biosecurity practices to "; B2[10]="avoid the spread or introduction of weeds... "; B3[10]=" "; B4[10]=" "; B5[10]=" "; S1[10]=" The Department of Agriculture and Food has urged farmers feeding grains in the present dry period to adopt good biosecurity practices to "; S2[10]=" avoid the spread or introduction of weeds.
The Manager of DAFWA's invasive species program Damian Collopy said landholders and managers buying in "; S3[10]=" feed grains for stock needed to take precautions to reduce the risk of introducing unwanted weeds.
Weeds of major concern which could "; S4[10]=" be introduced were resistant ryegrass, wild radish and wild turnip.
Mr Collopy said skeleton weed was not a normal contaminant of "; S5[10]=" grain as there were few skeleton weed plants about at harvest time.
In most years flowering and seed set of skeleton weed "; S6[10]=" occurred from mid to late December.
'The seed of skeleton weed is also light and fragile, and is removed from the "; S7[10]=" grain by the harvesting operation.
The seed is mostly non-viable in just a few months.' Mr Collopy said that when seed was "; S8[10]=" purchased, the buyer could request certification of purity from weeds and other contaminants.
' However, feed grains are not certified, which "; S9[10]=" means farmers cannot check to see if any weeds are present as contaminants,' Mr Collopy said.
'Sellers are not required to carry "; S10[10]=" these assurances except in the case of declared weeds.' Mr Collopy said buyers should therefore determine as far as possible, the weed status of the "; S11[10]=" consignment.
Other precautionary measures recommended by the Department included: ' Cleaning before feeding out to minimise the risk of introducing unwanted weeds.
"; S12[10]=" ' For a fee a representative sample can be tested by AGWEST Plant Laboratories to accurately determine the presence of any weed "; S13[10]=" species.
' Feed out on a limited area.
This avoids spreading potential weeds over a wider area, while making "; S14[10]=" it easier to check for the emergence of new weeds.
Mr Collopy said it was always a good farm biosecurity practice to "; S15[10]=" be vigilant for the establishment of new weeds and to control them, and to promptly report new unidentified plants which might have weed potential.
"; S16[10]=" 'This especially applies when new weeds are found in areas where feed grains have been distributed,' Mr Collopy said.
"; R[11]="852"; T[11]="Climate change to cost grain"; A[11]="By ... Editor"; Dn[11]="20060608"; Dt[11]="Thursday 8 June 2006"; Acats[11]="a22a24a57a74a79a82a89"; B1[11]=" Soaring temperatures and declining rainfalls caused by climate change could wipe a billion dollars a year off Australia's wheat industry within 30 "; B2[11]="years, a study suggests... "; B3[11]=" "; B4[11]=" "; B5[11]=" "; S1[11]=" Soaring temperatures and declining rainfalls caused by climate change could wipe a billion dollars a year off Australia's wheat industry within 30 "; S2[11]=" years, a study suggests.
Professor Peter Grace, from the Queensland University of Technology (QUT), today said a study of five main wheat-growing "; S3[11]=" areas predicted changes to weather patterns could cause a drop in production of up to 24 per cent.
Prof Grace said atmospheric "; S4[11]=" carbon dioxide levels were predicted to increase significantly in Australia over the next 30 to 50 years, causing temperatures to rise up to 3C and "; S5[11]=" rainfall to drop by about 20 per cent or more.
'Under these conditions, and with the wheat varieties and agronomic practices currently "; S6[11]=" used in Australia, we could expect to see an average decline in wheat yields across the country of 15 per cent, which equates to around "; S7[11]=" a $1 billion in lost income,' Prof Grace said.
'(Climate change) really will impact ...
across all industries where "; S8[11]=" potentially something's being grown.' Prof Grace, research director of QUT's Institute for Sustainable Resources, said climate change would cause crops to grow quicker and lead "; S9[11]=" to the introduction of new pests and diseases.
Advertisement: As rainfall dropped because of climate change, precious water "; S10[11]=" supplies could be diverted from farming to more 'pressing needs' such as human consumption and sanitation, he said.
'This will put pressure "; S11[11]=" on domestic food production and our export markets,' Prof Grace said.
Of the five grain-growing areas examined in the study, those most "; S12[11]=" affected by global warming were the South Australian regions of the Southern Mallee (24 per cent drop in production) and the northern Eyre Peninsula (19 "; S13[11]=" per cent).
The Riverina district in NSW recorded a 12-per-cent reduction, central eastern WA a 10-per-cent drop and the Darling Downs in "; S14[11]=" Queensland 4-per-cent decline.
Prof Grace said there was an urgent need to fully explore farming practices which save water.
"; S15[11]=" Drought resistant crop varieties which already existed in other parts of the world should also be introduced or developed.
'The usual short-term "; S16[11]=" solutions are being put in place when it's a long-term problem with long-term consequences,' he said... "; R[12]="667"; T[12]="Fertility of red scrub soils confirmed"; A[12]="By ... Editor"; Dn[12]="20060410"; Dt[12]="Monday 10 April 2006"; Acats[12]="a22a74a79a82"; B1[12]=" Central Queensland grain growers know that the red scrub soils grow better crops than the open downs but they want answers so "; B2[12]="they can better manage their soils... "; B3[12]=" "; B4[12]=" "; B5[12]=" "; S1[12]=" Central Queensland grain growers know that the red scrub soils grow better crops than the open downs but they want answers so "; S2[12]=" they can better manage their soils.
Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries officers working with the Central Queensland Sustainable Farming Systems project "; S3[12]=" organised a March 22 soil pit field day at Peter and Kim Mifsud's property, Wandina, north of Clermont.
The field day which "; S4[12]=" attracted 35 people was to compare the two soil types and explain why they performed differently.
DPI&F extension agronomist Anne Sullivan teamed "; S5[12]=" with Jessica Mowat and Maurie Conway to excavate two 1.5m pits on the red scrub soil and downs soils in response to a research query "; S6[12]=" put to a Kilcummin district workshop by Mr Mifsud last year.
Peter Mifsud farms 5600 hectares and has a mix of open "; S7[12]=" downs and brigalow scrub soils with many paddocks having both soil types which is a management issue.
Ms Sullivan said that prior "; S8[12]=" to the field day soil samples were taken and forwarded for chemical and biological analysis.
The open pits allowed a physical examination "; S9[12]=" of the soil profile and DPI&F senior research scientist Michael Braunack identified the areas of good and poor soil structure within each pit.
"; S10[12]=" 'There was clear evidence of wheel track soil compaction but the cracking nature of the clay soil assisted in the recovery from this structural "; S11[12]=" degradation,' Ms Sullivan said.
DPI&F research scientist Stuart Buck said the soil tests on the open downs soil showed 70 per cent "; S12[12]=" clay content and an effective plant rooting depth of 80cm.
By comparison, the scrub soil had 65 per cent clay content and "; S13[12]=" was 1.2m to 1.4m deep boosting the potential availability of stored soil moisture.
'Our soil tests showed there was 53kg/ha of available "; S14[12]=" plant nitrogen in the downs soil to a depth of 80cm,' Mr Buck said.
'Soil nitrogen availability in the scrub soil to "; S15[12]=" a similar depth of 80cm revealed 105kg/ha of available nitrogen.
'Water and fertility are the key factors driving production so the results "; S16[12]=" clearly demonstrate why the two soil types perform differently,' Mr Buck said.
'Crop yield research indicates that to grow a 2.5 tonnes/ha "; S17[12]=" prime hard wheat crop, there has to be about 100kg/ha of available nitrogen in the soil profile,' he said.
Ms Sullivan said "; S18[12]=" that based on these soil test results, there was scope for Peter Mifsud to save money by reducing his nitrogenous fertiliser application on the red "; S19[12]=" scrub soil.
Another soil fertility indicator showed that the available organic carbon that enables soil nitrates to be mineralised and made available "; S20[12]=" to the plant was significantly higher in the red scrub soil (1.4 per cent) in comparison with the downs soil (0.8 per cent).
"; S21[12]=" DPI&F senior soil microbiologist Nikki Seymour undertook microbiological analysis of nematode communities to assess fungal and bacterial counts to gauge soil health.
"; S22[12]=" The microbiological tests revealed little difference between the two soil types following the extended fallow enforced by the prolonged 2005-06 drought conditions.
"; S23[12]=" Ms Sullivan said the Mifsuds were now planning to plant a wheat crop in early April following welcome early March rain which "; S24[12]=" had replenished the soil moisture profile.
DPI&F Central region extension officers were planning to hold similar soil pit field days across other "; S25[12]=" farmer groups as part of the Central Queensland Sustainable Farming Systems project.
The planned soil pits to be excavated at Capella, Dysart, "; S26[12]=" Gindie and in the Dawson Callide region would be comparing cropping soils with those sown to butterfly pea and leucaena... "; R[13]="556"; T[13]="Grain prices higher in 2006-07"; A[13]="By ... Editor"; Dn[13]="20060302"; Dt[13]="Thursday 2 March 2006"; Acats[13]="a22a24a57a74a79a82"; B1[13]=" Delegates at the OUTLOOK 2006 conference heard good news for grain and oilseeds producers, with forecast higher prices in the year ahead, "; B2[13]="according to ABARE commodity analyst Leanne Lawrance... "; B3[13]=" "; B4[13]=" "; B5[13]=" "; S1[13]=" Delegates at the OUTLOOK 2006 conference heard good news for grain and oilseeds producers, with forecast higher prices in the year ahead, "; S2[13]=" according to ABARE commodity analyst Leanne Lawrance.
'Reduced supplies of grains and oilseeds, combined with strong demand, particularly from intensive livestock industries, "; S3[13]=" is forecast to drive prices higher in 2006-07,' Ms Lawrance told conference delegates.
Barton ACT 2600 Ms Lawrance also spoke of the "; S4[13]=" particular importance of China to the medium term grains outlook.
As dietary habits in China continue to change, the demand for grains "; S5[13]=" and oilseeds by intensive livestock industries will increase.
Ms Lawrance also flagged other important factors to the outlook for grains and oilseeds, "; S6[13]=" including Brazil's soybean production and the demand from ethanol and biodiesel industries.
Robin Schaefer, from Schaefer Enterprises, gave a first hand account "; S7[13]=" of how the adoption of new technologies such as yield mapping and no-till farming has increased the economic and environmental sustainability of his farming business.
"; S8[13]=" Mr Schaefer spoke of the new technologies such as inter-row sowing and auto steer that he is looking at implementing into his "; S9[13]=" practices to further improve his business.
In addressing the issues of 'staying competitive', Michael Iwaniw, Managing Director of ABB Grain Ltd, said "; S10[13]=" 'our goal in staying competitive is to remain focused on supplying the burgeoning Asian region where future sales potential is immense.' Mr Iwaniw also spoke "; S11[13]=" of the increased competition that has emerged from the former Soviet Union, in world barley trade.
Mr Graham Brookes, PG Economics, United "; S12[13]=" Kingdom, told the conference that the farm income benefits from GM crops was US$4.8 billion worldwide in 2004.
'The introduction of GM "; S13[13]=" crops had reduced the use of pesticides and has led to significant environmental gains,' Mr Brookes told delegates... "; R[14]="405"; T[14]="Sorghum breeders focus on yield and profitability"; A[14]="By ... Editor"; Dn[14]="20060222"; Dt[14]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[14]="a79"; B1[14]=" Today s sorghum plant breeding research is focussed squarely on improving yield as that is seen as the most practical contribution toward "; B2[14]="lifting industry profitability... "; B3[14]=" "; B4[14]=" "; B5[14]=" "; S1[14]=" Today's sorghum plant breeding research is focussed squarely on improving yield as that is seen as the most practical contribution toward lifting "; S2[14]=" industry profitability.
Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries principal plant breeders Dr Bob Henzell and Dr Dave Jordon said two decades of "; S3[14]=" sorghum research had largely concentrated on the successful development of defensive traits such as midge resistance, lodging resistance and 'stay green' drought tolerance.
"; S4[14]=" For the 60 Central Queensland grain growers and industry representatives at the 5th Australian Regional Sorghum Conference seminar and farm walk at Biloela Research "; S5[14]=" Station on February 6, the emphasis on profitability was welcomed.
Dr Jordan said the Grains Research and Development Corporation and DPI&F have "; S6[14]=" provided additional funding to expand the trait-based breeding program using new technology such as molecular marker systems.
'The downside of the successful "; S7[14]=" quest for defensive traits is that it has reduced the genetic pool for yield,' Dr Jordan said.
'This loss of genetic diversity "; S8[14]=" presents a plant breeding challenge to keep the desirable traits together while incorporating exotic sorghum plant material from the US, Africa and India together with "; S9[14]=" some wild species to target higher yield.
'Genetic selection is also influenced by huge environmental variations from one region to another and "; S10[14]=" need for hybrids to adapt to crop management systems such as skip row versus solid planting,' Dr Jordan said.
DPI&F principal research "; S11[14]=" scientist Dr Andy Borrell who has successfully introduced the 'stay green' trait for green leaf and stem is now concentrating on designing these sorghum hybrids "; S12[14]=" for selected environments.
Dr Borrell said 'stay green' trials across 40 differing environments had delivered a positive yield advantage with lodging resistance.
"; S13[14]=" 'The stay green genes derived from sorghum sourced from Africa reduced leaf area and tillering to boost the plants water use efficiency,' "; S14[14]=" Dr Borrell said.
'The changed plant anatomy including a thicker leaf increased drought tolerance and enabled the plant to continue to photosynthesise "; S15[14]=" and maintain grain fill.' Dr Borrell said a valuable off-shoot of the stay green research was that the genetic knowledge was transferable to other crops "; S16[14]=" such as corn, wheat and barley.
DPI&F extension agronomist at Biloela, Rod Collins said Central region growers took the opportunity to inspect "; S17[14]=" the sorghum field trials involving some 3500 lines as well as a comprehensive display of commercial grain hybrids and forage sorghums planted for the farm "; S18[14]=" walk.
Mr Collins said a predicted sorghum grain market shortfall this season had pushed the Central Queensland domestic market to $155 a "; S19[14]=" tonne which was well above export parity.
'The planting window for CQ grain sorghum is almost closed and for the many growers "; S20[14]=" who were unable to sow a summer crop because of limited soil moisture, autumn... "; R[15]="309"; T[15]="Sorghum midge for Christmas"; A[15]="By ... Editor"; Dn[15]="20060222"; Dt[15]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[15]="a79a86"; B1[15]=" A Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries entomologist has suggested that grain sorghum growers monitor their crops to avoid damage by the "; B2[15]="sorghum midge insect... "; B3[15]=" "; B4[15]=" "; B5[15]=" "; S1[15]=" A Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries entomologist has suggested that grain sorghum growers monitor their crops to avoid damage by the "; S2[15]=" sorghum midge insect.
Toowoomba-based entomologist Adam Hardy said consistent wet and overcast conditions over much of southern Queensland are ideal for the "; S3[15]=" insect pests' emergence and increasing numbers.
Mr Hardy said the insects' emergence from diapause (hibernation) and midge egg lay and development mean "; S4[15]=" that numbers may be higher than normal in the first and subsequent flowering sorghum crops throughout southern Queensland.
'To avoid midge damage "; S5[15]=" in flowering sorghum during the Christmas period, growers should closely monitor their crops every day before and during flowering.
'This should be "; S6[15]=" done at mid-morning and in several locations in the crop to find whether midge numbers are high enough to warrant chemical control.
"; S7[15]=" 'A midge formula that incorporates the midge rating of the hybrid sorghum is available in DPI&F Crop Notes to determine an economic threshold at which "; S8[15]=" chemical control Is necessary to prevent economic damage to developing grain,' Mr Hardy said.
He said anyone planting sorghum now after the "; S9[15]=" recent rains should consider using as high a midge rated hybrid as possible to avoid the need for chemical control in later flowering crops.
"; S10[15]=" Mr Hardy said copies of the Summer Crop Notes CD are available from the DPI&F Information Centre in Toowoomba (4688 1360)... "; R[16]="241"; T[16]="Average sorghum yield predicted"; A[16]="By ... Editor"; Dn[16]="20060222"; Dt[16]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[16]="a05a06a07a57a66a79"; B1[16]=" Soil water and the seasonal rainfall outlook indicate an overall average grain sorghum yield for the coming season..... "; B2[16]=" "; B3[16]=" "; B4[16]=" "; B5[16]=" "; S1[16]=" Soil water and the seasonal rainfall outlook indicate an overall average grain sorghum yield for the coming season.
Department "; S2[16]=" of Primary Industries and Fisheries crop modeller Andries Potgieter said the October Seasonal Crop Outlook for grain sorghum season indicates long-term median yields are likely "; S3[16]=" for Queensland and NSW crops, with considerable regional variation.
Mr Potgieter said while the recent rain would boost soil water profiles and "; S4[16]=" planting opportunities, it only slightly improved the yield outlook this early in the season.
He said most grain sorghum areas in South "; S5[16]=" Queensland and Northern NSW showed average to above average chances of exceeding the long-term median yield, while areas of Central Queensland and a few shires "; S6[16]=" in South Queensland had slightly below average chances of exceeding the long-term median yield.
'At this very early stage of the season, "; S7[16]=" widespread rain is needed during the next couple of months to ensure good planting opportunities and improve the sorghum outlook across the entire north-eastern region,' "; S8[16]=" he said.
'The likely range of yield outcomes is still very wide and will narrow considerably over the next few months as "; S9[16]=" the outlook is updated through the season,' Mr Potgieter said.
He said the yield forecasts are based on the outputs of an "; S10[16]=" agro-climatic computer model that considers the Southern Oscillation Index phase at the end of October and up to 106 years of historical information to generate "; S11[16]=" a crop water stress value for each shire.
Copies of the latest Seasonal Crop Outlook are available from the DPI&F website (www.dpi.qld.gov.au) "; S12[16]=" or by contacting the DPI&F Call Centre (13 25 23)... "; R[17]="216"; T[17]="Grain farmers crushed by transport troubles"; A[17]="By ... Editor"; Dn[17]="20060222"; Dt[17]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[17]="a04a05a22a56a74a79"; B1[17]=" Australia s wheat exporter, AWB Limited, says the grain industry is being crippled by the nation s transport inefficiencies..... "; B2[17]=" "; B3[17]=" "; B4[17]=" "; B5[17]=" "; S1[17]=" Australia's wheat exporter, AWB Limited, says the grain industry is being crippled by the nation's transport inefficiencies.
In a "; S2[17]=" submission to a federal parliamentary committee looking into the integration of ports with the rail and road networks, AWB warned: 'Australian grain growers have traditionally "; S3[17]=" enjoyed a substantial freight cost advantage over their North American peers, especially in Asian markets.
This advantage over our competitors is eroding "; S4[17]=" as a result of the state of our national supply-chain infrastructure.' AWB said the state governments' failure to maintain 15 rail branch lines so they "; S5[17]=" could be used efficiently was a key example of infrastructure investment failure.
The AWB's submission was one of more than 100 submitted "; S6[17]=" to the inquiry.
Many called for national planning and far better government co-ordination to improve Australia's infrastructure woes.
Sydney "; S7[17]=" University's transport think-tank, the Warren Centre, recommended changes such as priority road lanes being given to freight during non-peak times and a separate rapid rail "; S8[17]=" network for commuters to free up the existing rail network for freight.
The country's biggest rail freight company, Pacific National, said it "; S9[17]=" was crucial to remove hidden cross-subsidies that allowed heavy road vehicles to undercut rail.
'Governments need to charge the heavier and longer "; S10[17]=" travelling trucks the true cost of the damage they cause to roads,' its submission said.
'Smaller, shorter-distance trucks cross-subsidise the heavier and "; S11[17]=" longer travelling trucks, such as B-doubles.
Trucks as a whole are significantly cross-subsidised by cars in terms of the user charges they "; S12[17]=" pay.' The Australasian Railway Association warned that a shortage of skilled rail labour would pose a big problem in coming years.
At "; S13[17]=" a hearing in Sydney yesterday, the stevedore P&0 said there were no bottlenecks at container wharves, but 60 per cent of ships arriving late last "; S14[17]=" year and queuing off the coast created that perception.
The Australian Council for Infrastructure Development told the inquiry that if Australia's infrastructure "; S15[17]=" was up to scratch, export volumes would be up 2 per cent.
It estimated under-investment in capital stock to be $10 billion "; S16[17]=" for roads and $8 billion for rail.
'The major problem in Australia's infrastructure sector is the failure of the public sector to "; S17[17]=" invest in its own core infrastructure,' it said... "; R[18]="107"; T[18]="New breeding facility for Wongan Hills"; A[18]="By ... Editor"; Dn[18]="20060222"; Dt[18]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[18]="a02a07a08a09a22a79a82a93"; B1[18]=" Western Australia s crop breeding effort has been bolstered with the completion of new state-of-the-art seed handling and storage facilities at the "; B2[18]="Department of Agriculture s Wongan Hills Research Station... "; B3[18]=" "; B4[18]=" "; B5[18]=" "; S1[18]=" Western Australia's crop breeding effort has been bolstered with the completion of new state-of-the-art seed handling and storage facilities at the Department "; S2[18]=" of Agriculture's Wongan Hills Research Station.
Local grain growers were invited to examine the new $1.5 million facilities, officially opened today at "; S3[18]=" the Research Station's 80th annual field day.
Acting Director General Rob Delane said the Wongan Hills Research Station formed an integral part "; S4[18]=" of the Department's overall crop breeding program which had developed 80 per cent of wheat varieties currently grown in WA.
Mr Delane "; S5[18]=" said the breeding programs co-funded by grain growers through the Grains Research and Development Corporation and royalties underpinned the success of the State's grain industry "; S6[18]=" exports.
'Wongan Hills is the operational base for much of the Department's crop breeding field research, pure seed production activities and related "; S7[18]=" research support,' he said.
'The new seed handling and storage capacity incorporates facilities such as new cool room storage, processing and work "; S8[18]=" areas to improve operational efficiencies and research capability.
'Further investment has also been made in the development of new sheep handling areas, "; S9[18]=" the construction of a fertiliser storage shed and machinery shed, modifications to existing sheds and road and earth works.' Mr Delane said crop breeding was "; S10[18]=" a vital part of the Department's extensive research and development program, which aimed to improve the marketability, productivity and sustainability of the State's grains industry.
"; S11[18]=" Field testing on the research station and the storage, assessment, preparation and distribution of new crop breeding lines forms a critically important "; S12[18]=" component of the breeding effort.
The Wongan Hills Research Station has about 1000 hectares of land under crop rotations each year, with "; S13[18]=" approximately 500 hectares used for crop breeding, crop seed production and crop agronomy experimentation.
The field day provided industry with an opportunity "; S14[18]=" to view the new and improved facilities and to discuss the latest research and development activities, including the performance of new crop varieties... "; R[19]="95"; T[19]="MLA AGM resolutions announced"; A[19]="By ... Editor"; Dn[19]="20060222"; Dt[19]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[19]="a02a07a08a22a24a25a27a79a82"; B1[19]=" Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) today announced the 11 resolutions to be voted on by MLA members at the upcoming Annual General "; B2[19]="Meeting (AGM) in Melbourne on 16 November... "; B3[19]=" "; B4[19]=" "; B5[19]=" "; S1[19]=" Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) today announced the 11 resolutions to be voted on by MLA members at the upcoming Annual General "; S2[19]=" Meeting (AGM) in Melbourne on 16 November.
Among the resolutions to be voted on will be the selection of three nominated Board "; S3[19]=" directors.
Current MLA Board director and company deputy chairman Don Heatley will be seeking re-selection along with first-time nominees Peter Boyden and "; S4[19]=" Jay Simms.
Don Heatley has served on the MLA Board since 1998 and owns and operates two north Queensland properties that carry "; S5[19]=" 9,000 head of cattle which supply the Japanese, US and live export markets.
Mr Heatley has served on the Queensland Government's Livestock "; S6[19]=" Export Advisory Committee, as well as having held positions with the Cattle Council of Australia and the North Queensland Beef Research Committee.
"; S7[19]=" Peter Boyden has more than 30 years marketing experience in both the domestic and international food industries, having served locally as Marketing Director of Unifoods "; S8[19]=" Australasia and Managing Director of Foods, Unilever Australasia.
Mr Boyden is currently a director of Food Standards Australia New Zealand and previously "; S9[19]=" was a director of the Australian Food and Grocery Council and Unilever Australasia.
Jay Simms is a Queensland cattle producer with over "; S10[19]=" 37 years experience in livestock production across northern Australia.
Mr Simms has a Bachelor of Agricultural Science from New Mexico State University, "; S11[19]=" specialising in livestock production.
Mr Simms has owned and operated properties in northern Western Australia and Queensland and has held positions with "; S12[19]=" the Kimberley Pastoral Industry Advisory Committee and the Northern Beef Production Industry Committee.
Four additional resolutions have been put forward by MLA: "; S13[19]=" - Changes to the definition of 'producer' in MLA's constitution to broaden the eligibility for MLA membership along with a change to the timing provisions "; S14[19]=" in MLA's constitution to enable the return date for members' levies notices to occur after the date on which members' resolutions are due.
"; S15[19]=" - Three resolutions for the selection of cattle, sheep and feedlot producer representatives to the MLA Board selection committee.
The remaining "; S16[19]=" four resolutions to be voted on were put forward by MLA members and include: - The removal from office of MLA Board director, Don Heatley.
"; S17[19]=" - An amendment to the MLA constitution to remove the peak council class of membership.
- An amendment to "; S18[19]=" the MLA constitution that will allow a change to the level of livestock transaction levies to be proposed by 200 members of a livestock class "; S19[19]=" (grassfed cattle, grainfed cattle, sheep or goat) or 20 per cent of that class - whichever is the lesser number.
- A "; S20[19]=" change to the MLA constitution that would enable the direct election of up to six MLA directors, with four MLA Board member positions.. "; R[20]="88"; T[20]="GLA announces latest decisions"; A[20]="By ... Editor"; Dn[20]="20060222"; Dt[20]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[20]="a02a07a08a22a24a74a79a82"; B1[20]=" Chairman of the Grain Licensing Authority Colin Mann today announced approval of 125,000 tonnes of feed barley to the Middle East..... "; B2[20]=" "; B3[20]=" "; B4[20]=" "; B5[20]=" "; S1[20]=" Chairman of the Grain Licensing Authority Colin Mann today announced decisions which included approval of 125,000 tonnes of feed barley to the "; S2[20]=" Middle East and the declining of a applications to export a further 125,000 tonnes of feed barley to the Middle East.
An "; S3[20]=" application for 60,000 tonnes of malting barley to China and 38,000 tonnes of canola toJapan were also declined.
Mr Mann said licences "; S4[20]=" issued to date will ensure wide competition and marketing options to producers for prescribed grains.
However, volumes granted to 'core markets' of "; S5[20]=" the main licence holder Grain Pool Pty Ltd are now reaching a level that could begin to impact on their marketing strategies and or the "; S6[20]=" State's reputation as a reliable grain exporter.
'All applications to 'core markets' or clearly established customers of the main licence holder will "; S7[20]=" continue to be subjected to very rigorous scrutiny and assessment and new market opportunities will receive priority,' said Mr Mann.
'However, exporters "; S8[20]=" are not denied access to any market because they can also still buy grain for their customers through the Grain Pool Pty Ltd and if "; S9[20]=" it is in the best interests of producers I am sure negotiations can prove positive,' Mr Mann said.
Effectively this provides a "; S10[20]=" power of veto over increased quantities to 'core markets' unless grain exporters can substantiate benefit to producers and the State.
The Grain "; S11[20]=" Licensing Authority will continue to operate within the parameters of the Legislation and base its decisions on the merits of each application and the evidence "; S12[20]=" presented about each market or market segment... "; R[21]="15"; T[21]="Fertiliser no surety to lift sorghum yield"; A[21]="By ... Editor"; Dn[21]="20060222"; Dt[21]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[21]="a03a07a79"; B1[21]=" Grain growers applying Starter Z fertiliser to dryland grain sorghum across Central Queensland s open downs and brigalow soil cropping country should "; B2[21]="not expect any yield response... "; B3[21]=" "; B4[21]=" "; B5[21]=" "; S1[21]=" Grain growers applying Starter Z fertiliser to dryland grain sorghum across Central Queensland's open downs and brigalow soil cropping country should not "; S2[21]=" expect any yield response.
Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries development extension agronomist Rod Collins told the 70 growers attending the recent "; S3[21]=" Biloela Grains Research Update that replicated trials also showed that any yield response to nitrogen (N) fertiliser was both risky and difficult to predict, particularly "; S4[21]=" on brigalow soils.
Working with Central Queensland Sustainable Farming Systems Project groups funded by the Grains Research and Development Corporation, sorghum trials "; S5[21]=" to assess starter fertiliser response showed that even where soil tests indicated low levels of phosphorus (P) and zinc (Zn), there was no yield increase.
"; S6[21]=" 'When comparing in-row and between-row treatments for a typical dryland crop, starter fertiliser placed in the row with the seed at 30kg/ha "; S7[21]=" caused rapid seedling growth and increased plant dry matter but made no difference to yield,' Mr Collins said.
'These results reinforce data "; S8[21]=" from previous trials and grower observations that sorghum is an efficient forager of soil P and Zn in short and long fallow situations.
"; S9[21]=" 'Our regional research suggests that in a nitrogen-responsive soil, it is important that N fertiliser be applied when there is reasonable soil moisture available "; S10[21]=" to gain a crop response to N.
'Nitrogen fertiliser response does not appear to be influenced by the timing of the application "; S11[21]=" whether it is distributed during the fallow (prior to planting) or during the planting operation,' Mr Collins said.
Mr Collins said that "; S12[21]=" from some of the trials, an increased availability of N at planting had encouraged early crop growth and water use.
Limited follow-up "; S13[21]=" in-crop rain caused a moisture shortage during the later grain fill growth stage which reduced grain size and increased the amount of screenings.
"; S14[21]=" As N response was more predictable on open downs cultivation, Mr Collins recommended that growers adopt a budget N approach to grain sorghum production "; S15[21]=" on these soils.
Soil tests should be taken prior to planting to determine just how much nitrogen would be required to top "; S16[21]=" up the available nitrogen to achieve a yield response.
Applying a set rate every year could mean either too much or too "; S17[21]=" little N was being applied.
'Cropping brigalow soils is a far more complicated issue and it is often the case that there "; S18[21]=" is no nitrogen response to applied N fertiliser, especially in dry seasons,' Mr Collins warned.
Mr Collins said the experience from other "; S19[21]=" cropping regions showed that long term soil nitrogen decline in Central Queensland's cropped brigalow soils will at some stage influence grain productivity.
"; S20[21]=" 'Growers want to know at what point do they start using nitrogen fertiliser to address the inevitable fertility decline but there is no definitive answer,'.. ";