Welcome to the MMPIG’s 2013 Annual Review. Sorry its so late !!! This bumper edition contains information on MMPIG things that have been happening over the past year or so. Starting at the Awards dinner in Perth through to the Winter Party 2013. Hope you enjoy flicking through and seeing what the group has been up to. Editor Rachel Walmsley

Annual Review 2013

PO Box 163

Moora

WA

6510

Moora Miling Pasture Improvement Group Inc

Finalists for Regional Community award

In October 2012, MMPIG made it to the final of the REGIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AND COMMUNITY AWARDS 2012 in the LandCorp Sustainability category !

The entry essay celebrated all the achievements MMPIG have made over the years and detailed how the group plays a vital role in enhancing the social, economic and environmental prosperity of the region. The Gala Awards Presentation was held at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre on Friday 16th November 2012 with 250 finalists and local dignitaries. An enthusiastic crowd of eleven MMPIGers went down to enjoy the event and hopefully collect the prize cheque of $2000.

MMPIG had stiff competition from the others in category.

LandCorp Sustainability Award Finalists

Eyre Bird Observatory, COCKLEBIDDY

Moora-Miling Pasture Improvement Group

North Dandalup Primary School

The Newton-Wordsworth Family, WILLIAMS

Before they announced the winners, everyone got a chance of heading on stage to collect a framed certificate from the category sponsor (below). We nearly had the

largest number of people on stage, a great turnout by MMPIG members !

Inside this issue:

Community

Awards night 2

Berkshire AGM

dinner 3

AGM minutes 6

MMPIG sponsors

Ag students 7

Spring field day 9

Yield Profit 10

Miling fox shoot 11

Winter Woolshed

Party 12

Membership info 16

www.mmpig.org.au

Awards night cont……..

Page 2

Right: Tony

White and Peta

Thorniley

enjoyed their

first night out

together after

the birth of their

son Xavier

Left: Jeremy

and Sue Lefroy

enjoyed the

evening

Right: MMPIG

Patron Rob

Wood and his

wife Maria

Left: Rachel Walmsley and partner Andrew Hinton

Top Right: Ross and Diana Adams

Right: Long time MMPIG supporter Gino Teti and Sue Lefroy pose for a snap

Unfortunately MMPIG didn’t win (sob), the Newton-Wordsworth Family, from Williams (below) who farm organically took the prize. Tony, you’ll have to save your napkin speech for another year !!

Left: MMPIG ladies together - Sue, Peta, Rachel, Maria & Diana

Right: Winner s of the Sustainabil-ity category from Williams

AGM dinner at Berkshire Valley

Above: Historic Berkshire courtyard packed with MMPIG diners

Right: Catering crew prepare the desserts in the old kitchen

Page 3

The MMPIG held their AGM dinner at the historic homestead of Berkshire Valley on the 26th February. The evening proved popular

with nearly 70 people in attendance all seated in the courtyard decorated with lanterns and fairy lights. Guests were treated to pizza

nibbles and drinks on arrival and encouraged to explore the beautiful gardens.

After the formalities of the AGM and short presentations from Sam O’Driscoll (AWB) and Joel Andrews (Precision Soiltech), the

diners feasted on salmon with a tomato sauce, or scotch

fillet with a red wine sauce accompanied by potatoes, and a

gourmet green and wild rice salad. Nat Tonkin, chief caterer

again weaved her magic with a selection of delicious desserts

including sticky date, lemon curd sponge and a chocolate

sponge with rich chocolate sauce. Yum !

Above: This year’s speaker Jemma Sadler talks to Tony

White

Below: Coomberdale couple Maureen and Clive Tonkin

Above: Jim & Davina Hamilton, and Angela & Julian Gardiner

Below: Bruce and Cynthia Topham really enjoyed the night

Page 4

Above: Dave Hamilton and his date

Left: Meghan O’Grady and Derek Stewart cuddle up

AGM cont…..

The after dinner speaker this year was

Jemma Sadler, a local farmer from Won-

gan Hills and Nuffield 2012 winner who

talked about the co-existence of GM and

non GM growers, and integrated weed

management. Stories of her travels in the

farming industry around the world were

also well received.

Above: Fred

Hamilton, Ann

Lewis, Cameron

Metcalf & Jeremy

Lefroy

Right: Deb

Metcalf & Graham

Johnson

Right: Doug and Maureen Morgan had a good time

Above: John

and Cathy

Bullock, and a

crazy Richard

Humphry

Right: xxxxx,

Marion and Ken

Seymour

Page 5

Left: Boys at the

back - Brian

Cleland, David

Glasfurd and

Steve Gilbert

Right: Ann Crane

and Patron Rob

Wood catch up

AGM cont…..

Above: Girls

catch up - Andrea

Reynolds, Mary

Hamilton and Sue

Lefroy

Right: Having a

laugh - Terry

Reynolds, Richard

Humphry and

Rachel Walmsley

Above: Namban farmer Rob Keamy enjoyed the evening

Above right: Peta Thorniley, Danielle Glasfurd and Tanya Gilbert Above: Angela Humphry has some baby

time with Xavier White

Above: Sue Johnson and Landmark’s David Hurst

Below: Brad Tonkin enjoys a beer with AWB’s Sam

O’Driscoll

AGM cont….

Page 6

Guests continued the reveries well into the evening and on into the early

morning with the final diners heading home at 3am. Kim Topham went

home 100 tonnes of lime richer with a door prize donated by Aglime. An

enjoyable night had by all topped off by the extraordinary Berkshire Valley

venue.

Left/Right: Rob Wood

pulls the lucky lime winner

from the hat - Kim Topham.

Well done Kim !

Right: DAFWA’s Claudia

Quai chats to Bindi farmer

Rob Wood

Below: Neil & Leanne

Pearse catch up with

Quentin & Velma Bricknell

AGM Minutes

Meeting Opening: 7:10pm

Acceptance of previous AGM minutes: moved J Lefroy, sec J Bullock

Treasurer’s Report: In absence of B Tierney, T White presented the report.

Treasurers Report accepted: moved by T White Seconded J Hamilton

President’s Report: T.White gave his presidents report

Committee Elections:

Chairman: T.White

Vice Chairman: K.Lefroy

Treasurer: B Tierney

Patron: R.Wood

Secretary: R.Walmsley

Committee members: N.Pearce, J.Lefroy, R.Humphry, K.Seymour, D.Peake, B.Tierney, C Quai, J Hamilton, D Hamilton, B Cleland, D Hurst

As there were no changes in the committee, T White suggested the committee be accepted in block

Moved A lewis Seconded J Lefroy Carried unanimously

General Business:

none

Meeting Closed: 7:16pm

Tony White, Re-elected Chairman of MMPIG said “huge thanks as ever

for all the committee who helped put this event together, to Fred and

Mary Hamilton for letting us take over Berkshire, to Nat Tonkin and

the Moora Tennis Club for an outstanding meal, to the event’s

financial sponsors – Rabobank, WFI and AWB, to Gino Teti for the

wine, to Aglime for the door prize, and to all the members and guests

who continue to support the group.”

MMPIG sponsoring students

MMPIG aims some of its funds towards members pursuing further study. This year MMPIG sponsored two students -

Wes Lefroy and Blair Humphry towards completing their university projects. Both came along to a committee meeting

and ‘pitched’ their project before MMPIG offered them money. Summary of Wes’s project is below:

Page 7

Does proximally sensed soil information increase the utility of traditional soil mapping

methods?

University of Western Australia – Bachelor of Science Honours Thesis

Primary Contact: Wesley Lefroy

Phone: 0427 549 042

Email: weslefroy@bigpond.com

This study provided a quantitative and qualitative interpretation of the overall utility that proximal

sensing techniques provide to the soil map. The first objective the research answered was to identify relationships be-tween proximal and direct survey data and the extent to which proximal data may act as a surrogate for direct sur-vey data. This included an analysis of the subsoil properties affecting the relationships between the proximal and di-

rect survey data. The second objective examined whether proximal data can increase the accuracy of yield pre-diction. This part of the study identified the most important combinations of soil properties in the prediction of yield and examined the performance of the models for different soil mapping units.

Over the past three decades, as the real price of commodities has declined, Australian farms have remained profita-ble due to increases in productivity and efficiency derived from new cultivars and crop management practices. The use of proximal sensing to map soil properties for rain fed cereal production is part of an increased use of technology

to improve crop management through precision agriculture. Precision agriculture allows users to manage soil variation, according to specific site conditions in order to maximize profits by improvement in production and/or costs. Gamma ray (γ- ray) spectrometry and electromagnetic induction (EM) are proximal sensing techniques that provide high reso-lution (50 m or better), non-invasive and relatively cheap information about physical and chemical soil properties and inform the precision agriculture system on the best use of inputs. For some landscapes, proximal sensing maybe used to supplement or even replace direct soil survey. In some cases, farmers apply inputs with no consideration of soil properties or use of simple soil zones. Farmers who have not adopted proximal soil sensing rely solely on direct soil survey and measurement for information about soil variation and mapping, and in some cases apply inputs with no consideration of soil properties. Gaining a high-resolution soil map for precision agriculture by direct survey is very time consuming and too expensive forcing farmers to look for other soil mapping methods to increase productivity and profits.

The evolution of precision agriculture over the last decade now means it is possible to manage cropping inputs such as fertiliser and lime at the subfield scale, a management system known as variable rate technology (VRT). De-fining the scale, magnitude and variation in yield is a key component in the decision path for precision agriculture. Gaps in knowledge exist about the relative value of proximal soil mapping techniques and direct surveying tech-niques for the prediction of yield. Farmers who have an accurate yield prediction for each management zone can manipulate inputs throughout the season to maximize profits. A yield prediction model with less dependence on direct survey methods and increased dependence on proximal methods will decrease the cost of creating accurate man-agement zones, thus increasing overall productivity and profits. The complex nature of VRT does not endear itself to farmers with large cropping areas. Improvement on the current yield predication methods would simplify the cre-ation of management zones and make VRT more appealing to farmers who are already affected by scarce labour re-sources.

The research was conducted during summer. The site was a cereal and legume cropping farm 5 km north of Tammin (117°48’21”E, 31°59'24”S), Western Australia. The direct survey consisted of

244 soil cores in a 100m grid formation (1 per ha). Sampling depth was to a maximum of 90 cm, depending on the

presence of a rock layer. Cores were split into horizons according to changes in colour, texture and any other

observable characteristics. pH(H2O), pH(CaCl2), electrical conductivity (EC) and texture were measured for each

sample. This initial survey was the source of the direct survey data used to construct the initial soil property map. A

pit was dug at a point found to be representative of each soil mapping unit. From the pits, observations included

information about horizons, soil colour, mottles, roots, horizon boundary characteristics and pedality. Further samples

were collected for comprehensive chemical analysis at the CSBP Soil and Plant Analysis Laboratory.

Proximal data was supplied by Precision Agronomics Australia. EM deep, EM shallow,K-γ, Th-γ layers were available. Yield data was supplied by the farmer. One set of canola yield (2008) data was available along with wheat yield data from 2009 and 2011. In 2008 and 2009 crops were hit by frost, limiting yield, but this was only discovered late in this research program and subsequently were excluded from the analysis. A principle component analysis analysed relationships between the standardized data, while a both direction stepwise regression created yield predic-tion models and identified variables important in the prediction of yield. In the initial soil map, seven soil mapping units were identified across the site. However, after further physical and chemical analysis, these were simplified down to four main soil types. Table 1 summarizes the four main soil types.

Page 8

Wes Lefroy’s thesis cont….

The principle component analysis identified a strong positive relationship between topsoil and subsoil pH, subsoil EC, topsoil and subsoil texture and deep and shallow EMI values. However these attributes were not related to Th-γ and K-γ, elevation and topsoil EC. Th-γ and K-γ are moderately negatively correlated. The key relationships identified were –

• EM deep/EM shallow and Subsoil EC

• EM deep/EM shallow and Subsoil pH

• EM deep/EM shallow and Topsoil pH

• Th-γ and K-γ (negative)

Three yield prediction models were created using the wheat data from 2011. One model was created using direct survey data only, one using the proximal data only and another using the combination of the two. The Akaike infor-mation criterion (AIC) was used to judge model suitability to predict yield. Model suitability increased with the addition of the proximal data to the direct survey data, indicating that proximal data increased accuracy in the prediction of yield. The use of direct survey data alone was more suitable for predicting

yield than the proximal data alone. Eq1 represents the final yield prediction model using direct and proximal data for the 2011 wheat yield data. The soil attributes included are those identified to be the most important soil attributes in the prediction of yield.

Eq1 Estimated wheat yield ~ 0.13 x Topsoil pH(CaCl2) + -0.29 x Topsoil EC + 0.26 x Subsoil

EC + 0.13 x Subsoil Texture + -0.86 x EM Deep + 0.57 x EM Shallow +

-0.17 x Th

*Topsoil refers to 0-10cm, Subsoil refers to 40-60cm (as identified by the model).

The close relationships between EMI values and pH and EC values indicated that may we used as a surrogate for direct survey of these soil attributes in these soil types. If this relationship was found to be evident in acidic soils, EMI would be an appropriate method of mapping pH for high resolution application of lime. This re-search also illustrated the applicability of proximal survey data for estimation of yield. Model suitability increased with the addition of proximal data to direct survey data. With more sets of yield data, the model could be further verified. Contact Wes on 0427 549 042 for more details

Spring field day with Landmark

Above: Group meets at Cranmore Park farm

MMPIG partnered with Landmark to run its Spring Field day on 16th September at Roundhill. The afternoon event

started in the middle of a Cranmore Park farm canola paddock with a steak roll BBQ lunch followed by concurrent

sessions of Canola variety trials and Liquid P vs Compound P wheat trials.

Page 9

The group then ute pooled to another trial on the south end of Cranmore looking at late radish control in wheat before

heading over to Genocanna for the final stop to look at a CSBP Nitrogen x Potassium x Deep ripping trial on wheat.

Back at Roundhill, the participants welcomed an impromptu fire to beat the chill and enjoyed a few beers into the

evening before a huge downpour of rain concluded activities. MMPIG thanks David Hurst at Landmark for his

organisation of the day, and to the speakers and participants for

attending.

Above: David Hurst talks wheat trial

Above: CSBP trial at Genocanna with farmer Tony White

Right: Late afternoon beers with a roaring fire

The Department of Agriculture has provided funding to expand the use of Yield Prophet through the WA

wheatbelt and as part of this project, the Moora Miling Pasture Improvement Group is running two sites at Round

Hill (Kristin Lefroy) and North Miling (Neil Pearse). Brendon Tierney is coordinating this project.

What is Yield Prophet?

Yield Prophet is an internet based program that simulates crop growth and yield given soil type, climate and

nutrition information.

As well as modelling crop yields, Yield Prophet models soil moisture conditions, soil N status and crop root

growth.

How Does it Work?

Yield Prophet records seasonal conditions to date and then assumes the season will continue as it did in the first

year historical climate data is available for that site (eg it might be 1940). Using this information, it then predicts

what the crop would yield. It repeats this process for every year that historical climate data is available for that

site. If the first year of data was 1940, you would get roughly 70 yield predictions.

These yield predictions are then graphed to generate a yield probability curve.

The key purpose of this is to use these yield probabilities to assist with tactical, in season decision making with

post emergent nitrogen applications being the obvious example.

Contact Brendon for more details on 0427 681 574

Page 10

Yield Prophet project

MMPIG AGM dinner

Friday 14th March

Berkshire Valley

Miling’s 2013 fox shoot was a great success once again thanks to the organisation skills of Richard Topham. Richard has

been running the annual shoot since 2010 which has now become a recognized fixture in the calendar for a coordinated

effort on the control of feral foxes, rabbits and cats in the Miling area. The event ties in with the state wide initiative

which see many community groups take a collective effort on the war against feral pests. Stockbrands sponsor these

events and donates $5 a fox to the Royal Flying Doctors.

This year saw 13 teams go out on the night shooting a total of 224 foxes, 158 rabbits and 15 cats. This surpasses

last year’s total so great effort by everyone ! All involved enjoyed a hard earned BBQ breakfast at the Miling Seedworks

where a tally up of bodies was collated by Richard.

This year there were prizes available for both highest total of foxes and rabbits shot on the night. Top prize of $400

cash, $75 firearms voucher and $25 JSA voucher for the team with the highest number of foxes went to Brendon Pratt,

Daniel Martin, Raymond Mcnamara and Andrew Barnard for 55 foxes (plus 1 rabbit and 3 cats). Highest rabbit prize

went to Wade Krawczyk, Zac Tola, Alex Keamy and Richard Topham with 39 rabbits shot.

Huge thanks to all the sponsors involved for helping to ensure this event went ahead – Rabobank, Miling Seed Cleaners,

Moora-Miling Pasture Improvement Group, Northern Agricultural Catchments Council, Bruce Topham, Anro Stud, Jim

Mac, Terry Reynolds , Max Lewis Services, Bindi Transport, Miling Fuel, JSA Ag Miling ,Miling Agri Services, Miling Travel

Stop ,McNamara Logistics, Bryan Rural Service and Purser’s Butchers.

Page 11

Miling Fox shoot a great success

Right: Fox

Shoot

Organiser

Richard

Topham

tallies up

the scores

Above: Rabobank Manager Brian Cleland helps

cook the BBQ breakfast

Below: Shooter were hungry !

Above: Winning team shot 55 foxes !

Page 12

Woolshed packed for Annual Winter Party

Above: Ken Seymour enjoys his dessert

Right: Mary Hamilton and Sue Lefroy chat with John

Bullock

Above: The shed is packed !

Left: David and Paul were in charge of the spit roasted pig

Below: Dinner is served ! Beautiful meat with lots of

accompanying vegetables

The atmosphere was jovial at the Moora-Miling Pasture Improve-

ment Group winter party on Friday 9th August which saw 75 people

attend the annual event near Miling. Tony White MMPIG chairman

said “The recent good rains have put everyone in a party mood and

we were thrilled at the high turnout which saw the woolshed

packed.”

On the menu this year was spit roasted pork which David Moore

and Paul White cooked to perfection with crunchy crackling. The

Coomberdale kitchen ladies prepared the rest with two tasty soup

starters, accompanying mains and a choice of four desserts

including a Baklava Tort and a lemon and mascarpone trifle which

won rave reviews.

Above: Patron Rob Wood and Sue Lefroy enjoyed the evening

Right: Caught on film! Fred and Mary Hamilton

Below right: Kristin Lefroy, and Diana and Ross Adams

Below: Ann Crane and Sue Johnson catch up

Page 13

Winter party cont…..

Above: MMPIG ladies catch up

Left: Graham Johnson bends Julian’s ear

Below: Neil Mackintosh and Les Crane

Julian Cribb provided an interesting and thought provoking after

dinner presentation on global food security on which he has written

several books and is a respected advisor. Tony said “He provided

ideas and inspiration for the way future agriculture in WA and

Australia could work through eco-farming and algae farming

opportunities.”

Page 14

Winter party cont…….

Above: Doug and Margaret Morgan won the esky prize

Top right: Brian and Toni Cleland won the Moora Citrus prize

Right: Kate and Brendon Tierney make great advertisers for Land-

mark and Moore Park Olive oil

Above: Top prize winners received a signed copy of Julian’s book each

A highpoint for the evening is the raffle and this year MMPIG secured a huge number of

prizes to give away thanks to Rabobank, Landmark, Moora Citrus, Moore Park, Farmworks,

Aglime and Tradewinds hotel. The top prizes were five signed copies of Julian’s latest book

‘The Coming Famine’ which were won by Kim Topham (1), Wade Krawcryk (2), Ross

Adams (3), Peta Thorniley (4) and Ben Terlick (5).

1 2 3

4

5

Page 15

Winter Party cont…….

Right: MMPIG committee

have a quick pose with

guest speaker Julian Cribb.

L-r Rob Wood, Rachel

Walmsley, Brian Cleland,

Richard Topham, Tony

White, Brendon Tierney,

Julian Cribb, Kristin Lefroy,

Jeremy Lefroy, Richard

Humphry, Neil Pearse, Bruce

Topham and Jim Hamilton

Right: Huge thanks to the catering team of the

Coomberdale Kitchen, and Dave Moore - chief

meat cooker

Left: Andrea Reynolds

chats with Neil and

Leanne Pearse

Right: Alex Keamy

enjoyed his first

M M P I G W i n t e r

woolshed party - and

he even won a (toy)

tractor !

Tony concluded “I’d like to thank the committee

who helped bring this party together, the sponsors,

caterers and everyone who came along to make it

a memorable night. Roll on next year ! ”

Application form for new members

Would you like to become a member of MMPIG? Membership

runs from Feb-Feb each year and cost $50 per business. Fill

in the form below and return with payment to:

The Secretary

Moora-Miling Pasture Improvement Group

PO Box 163

Moora WA 6510

Name: ____________________________________________________________

Company Name: ___________________________________________________

Postal Address: ____________________________________________________

Phone: ______________________ Fax: _________________________________

Email: ____________________________________________________________

Others involved in your business and contact details if different from above:

1)________________________________________________________________

2)________________________________________________________________

Payment can be made by electronic transfer to:

Include remitter details. Bank: Bankwest

BSB: 306-023

Account No: 008936-5

PO Box 163 Moora WA 6510