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Cocooning and boomingTWELVE dollar beef burgers, demandgenerally mushrooming, consumersforsaking TVs and cars for holisticcomfort food, all Australian governmentstalking up organics.

Farmers’ interest in marketing

opportunities tied to the boom in organicfarmgate sales has also driven the need foraccess to education and information, so NSWDPI is encouraging them to tap into the skillsof extension officers around the State.■■ Organics feature, p7-9.

Karen O’Malley andScott Seaman atNSW DPI’s organicvineyard atBathurst. Karen candownloadinformation to thewireless deviceshe’s holding fromburied sensors.

Photo: Tom BrazPhoto: Tom Braz

TL1630133

2 THE LAND | Thursday, March 26, 2009

ENVIRONMENTAL breakdownmay cause world foodproduction to plummet 25 percent by 2050, according to anew United Nations report.

In The environmental foodcrisis: Environment’s role inaverting future food crises, theUN says better management ofthe natural environment thatunderpins agriculturalproduction is crucial if the worldis to feed its growingpopulation.

“The natural environmentcomprises the entire basis forfood production through water,nutrients, soils, climate, weatherand insects for pollination andcontrolling infestations,” saidthe report.

The report was commissionedlast year after food pricessurged, triggering riots in Egypt,Haiti, Cameroon andBangladesh.

A rapid response team ofinternal and internationalexperts concluded that the risein food prices was caused bydroughts, low food stocks andspeculation in commoditymarkets.

They argue that unless foodproduction and consumptionare managed more sustainablyand intelligently to minimiseenvironmental degradation,food prices will become morevolatile and expensive.

The combined effects ofclimate change, landdegradation, cropland losses,water scarcity and speciesinfestations may reduce yieldsby 25pc by 2050.

The report says that increasing food supplies byexpanding croplands willreduce forests, further reducingbiodiversity and ecosystemservices and acceleratingclimate change.

And simply cranking up thefertiliser and pesticide-ledproduction methods of thetwentieth century is unlikely toaddress the challenge, says thereport.

These practices wouldincreasingly undermine thecritical natural inputs andnature-based services foragriculture such as healthy andproductive soils; water and

nutrient recycling, andpollination.

The report suggests that allcountries need to help theirfarmers develop systems thatprovide critical ecosystemservices such as water supplyand regulation, habitat for wildplants and animals, geneticdiversity, pollination, pestcontrol and climate regulation,as well as adequate food tomeet local and consumerneeds.

Another path to increasingfood security is to minimisefood energy losses fromproduction, processing,consumption and recycling, anarea that has received littleattention in the past.

The report offers seven majorrecommendations to improveglobal food security:

1. Regulate food prices andprovide safety nets for theimpoverished.

2. Promote environmentallysustainable higher generationbiofuels that do not compete forcropland and water resources.

3. Reallocate cereals used inanimal feed to humanconsumption by developingalternative feeds based on newtechnology, waste and discards.

4. Support small scale farmersvia a global fund for micro-finance, and by developingdiversified and resilient eco-agriculture and intercroppingsystems.

5. Increase trade and marketaccess.

6. Limit global warming.7. Raise awareness of the

pressures on ecosystemscaused by increasingpopulation growth andconsumption patterns.

The report provides an easy toread illustrated overview of therange of issues facing worldglobal food supplies today.

You can read more atwww.grida.no/publications

Environment’srole in avertinga food crisis COWRA farmers John and Janet

Leigh say an integrated pestmanagement (IPM) exercise

on their farm eliminated the need forchemicals which, during drought,might have caused economically sig-nificant damage to crops.

A two-year IPM monitoring programin four pasture and crop paddockscontaining lucerne, canola and wheatstarted in April 2007 on their proper-ty, “Nandewah”, with help from NSWDepartment of Primary Industries(DPI) research officer ElizabethMakonnen, in consultation with IPMTechnology, Victoria.

Weekly insect collection from pitfalltraps and sticky tapes were submittedto NSW DPI’s scientific collectionunit at Orange Agricultural Institutefor identification.

The analysis was then communicat-ed to the Leighs to help them makeinformed decisions.

The most important pests of inter-est were red-legged earth mite, blueoat mites, aphids and lucerne fleas.

Beneficial insects found to be prey-ing on them included parasitic wasps,wolf spiders and predatory mites.

Other beneficials were present,though not in large numbers.

“In 2008 monitoring continued ontwo previously monitored paddocksand the result, compared to the pre-vious year, showed the number ofpests were lower than the number of beneficial insects,” ElizabethMakonnen said.

“This was an indicator that chemi-cal free management had boosted thenumber of beneficial insects.”

According John Leigh, if it was notfor IPM he might have used insecti-

cide at the first appearance ofpests.

There is a growing interest fromstockholders who would like to intro-duce IPM to their properties.

“A better understanding of IPM inthe broad farming community isimperative for a sustainable environ-mental outcome,” Ms Makonnensaid.

She says further funding for IPMstudies is required, to add some mod-elling and comparison trials betweenheavy chemical users and those whorely on IPM.

The project was funded by WesternRegion Grain and Graze.

“Reliance on knowledge, experi-ence, observation and integration ofmultiple techniques make IPM a per-fect method in organic food as well asin pasture production,” she said.

“IPM can be equally applied to bothagriculture (large and small farms)and home gardens.”■ Contact Elizabeth Makonnen,Trangie, (02) 6880 8056,[email protected] John Leigh, Cowra, (02) 63453200, [email protected]

Pest monitoring worked

Cowra farmer John Leigh looks through a magnifying glass at a canola plant infestedby parasitised aphids as Dr Paul Horne from IPM Technology, Victoria, explains whathe’s seeing.

A FREE workshop for farmers onoptions to consider when planninglong-term decisions will be held inGriffith in early April.

NSW Department of PrimaryIndustries Griffith-based drought support worker, Lou Revelant, said the workshop would provide informa-tion on long-term options available to farmers wanting to examine their viability, consider other enter-prises, or investigate alternatives tofarming.

“There will be sessions on the skillsneeded for long-term viability plan-ning, technical skills, diversifying intonew crops and temporary water trad-ing,” Mr Revelant said.

“Other sessions will focus on alterna-

tives such as leasing the farm and sub-dividing the property.

“For those looking at selling up,there will be a speaker discussing assis-tance available to irrigators consider-ing exiting the industry.”

Mr Revelant said the workshop wasdesigned for those wanting to objec-tively assess their situation, even ifthey expect to continue as farmers.

“The best way to objectively examineall the options is to openly discuss therange of options before making anydecisions and the consequences of dif-ficult life changing decisions,” he said.

“A large part of the day will be devot-ed to looking at alternatives and cop-ing with change.

“John and Janice Moore’s case study

presentation will give participants aninsight into life after farming.

“Skills recognition and training willbe discussed to help guide those look-ing at alternative employment options.

“Relocation and pension options willbe discussed, along with managingchange and health and well being.

“There will also be updates fromrural financial counsellors andCentrelink on exceptional circum-stances and interest rate subsidies.”

The workshop will take place at theCoro Club at Griffith from 8.30am onWednesday, April 8.

■ Contact Anita Zan, (02) 6960 1300,[email protected] or fax (02) 6963 0255 to register withNSW DPI by Friday, April 3.

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THE LAND | Thursday, March 26, 2009 3

ACHANGE in the severity ofthe disease theileriosis inNSW cattle is being investi-

gated by veterinarians from NSWDepartment of Primary Industries(DPI) and the Livestock Healthand Pest Authority.

“Theileriosis is a disease affectingred blood cells that has been pres-ent in NSW cattle for 50 years –but in the last year it has emergedas a serious cattle health problemin parts of the State,” said NSWDPI regional veterinary officerPaul Freeman.

“In a recent case on the MidNorth Coast, multiple deaths andabortions were seen in introducedcattle on a beef cattle property atDorrigo.”

Theileriosis is caused by a para-site of red blood cells spread bybush ticks – but not by either cattle tick or paralysis ticks.

Theileria are normally commonat low numbers in blood smearsfrom healthy animals.

Mr Freeman said in the past,severe illness due to theileriosiswas rare and associated with veryhigh levels of blood cell parasitismand most affected animals recov-ered uneventfully.

“In the last year, however, therehas been a five-fold increase in thenumber of reported outbreaks ofclinical theileriosis in cattle on pre-vious years,” he said.

“The first cases were seen in theGloucester-Kempsey area and theeastern fall country aroundWalcha.

“Since then cases have beennoted from most coastal areas ofNSW and the Northern Table-lands.”

Mr Freeman said the majority ofthe recent theileriosis outbreakshad been in cattle recently intro-duced from areas free of bushticks.

“Unlike the sporadic cases seenin the past, these outbreaks fea-tured severe symptoms and manydeaths in cattle of all ages,” he said.

Clinical signs in affected animalsinclude anaemia, lethargy, poormilk production and sometimesjaundice.

Abortion is a frequent outcomein pregnant animals.

Mr Freeman said the change inthe severity of the disease in NSWmay be due to a slight variation in

the theileriosis strain – but this isnot yet clear.

“NSW DPI has arranged for isolates from NSW strains of thei-leria to go for DNA analysis,” hesaid.

“This will help us understand thedifference in severity of Theileriawithin NSW and Queensland.

“Different transmission rates bytick vectors is another possiblecause of variation in the disease’sseverity.”

Mr Freeman said a workshop ontheileriosis is being held at theLHPA District Veterinarians’ con-

ference at Port Macquarie thisweek, to develop a greater under-standing about these issues.

This will be attended by expertsin the field of tick transmissiblediseases including ProfessorSugimoto from Japan, who is keento increase the understanding ofthe epidemiology of theileriosisinfection in Australia.

Mr Freeman said that there wasno recommended treatment fortheileriosis in Australia.

“However, in other countriesdrugs that are effective againstother species of theileria are used

in the treatment of clinical cases,”he said.

“Contact has been made withanimal health companies regard-ing the potential to trial treatmentoptions for the disease.”

NSW DPI is also advising cattleproducers on the NSW Mid NorthCoast to maintain good bush tickcontrol, particularly on intro-duced cattle – to reduce the likeli-hood of cattle getting the disease.

■ Contact the districtveterinarian with your localLivestock Health and PestAuthority.

BIOCHAR is a “fast-start” strategy to “mitigateclimate change in the near-term” according toProfessor Johannes Lehmann of CornellUniversity in the US, who will speak at theFirst Asia Pacific Biochar Conference on theGold Coast from May 17 to 20.

Biochar is a black carbon by-product of therenewable energy technology called pyrolysiswhich involves heating green waste or otherbiomass without oxygen.

It has been hailed as one of the mostimportant available technologies for stabilisingthe world’s climate and is on the draft agendato be considered during the United NationsFramework Convention on Climate Change(UNFCCC) negotiations in Copenhagen laterthis year.

“Biochar may well turn out to be the entrypoint that brings a sustainable option ofbioenergy, an accountable option for soilcarbon sequestration and a viable option forsoil conservation in developing nations backto the negotiation table of national andinternational policy makers,” says Prof Lehmanin a paper reporting on activities of theInternational Biochar Initiative.

Another speaker at the Gold Coastconference, Makoto Ogawa of the OsakaInstitute of Technology in Japan, says the useof charcoal in Japan has had an important rolein agriculture and forestry for hundreds ofyears.

“The charcoal [biochar] industry is growingas one of the environment businesses not onlyin Japan but also among Asian countries,” saysProfessor Ogawa.

The Australia New Zealand BiocharResearchers network has also announcedProfessor Tim Flannery, author of The WeatherMakers, will be speaking at the Asia PacificBiochar Conference.

The conference program covers a wide rangeof topics from biochar productiontechnologies and renewable energy, through touse in agriculture and forestry, and climatemitigation potential.■ Contact Lukas Van Zwieten, Wollongbar,(02) 6626 1200 or visit www.anzbiochar.org

Gold Coasthosts blackcarbon show

Cattle disease more seriousPHIL BEVANWollongbar

ABOVE: Regional veterinary officer, Paul Freeman.

RIGHT: Under the microscope: Theileria parasitising red blood cells ina sample from NSW cattle.

LIFT your game.That’s the invitation to some sheep

and pig producers, being encouragedto correctly identify animals for salewith ear tags or tattoos and to conformto food safety and disease traceabilityrequirements, by correctly filling innational vendor declarations (NVDs).

Last month Agriculture Today report-ed the concern that a significant num-ber of cattle producers had dropped offthe pace in fulfilling their NVD obliga-tions to the National LivestockIdentification System; now the focus ison pigs and sheep.

Recent audits of four major NSWsheep saleyards, and a study of a num-ber of pig saleyards and abattoirs within and beyond State borders,have turned up some disappointingresults.

“Not good enough,” was the joint

assessment by sheep livestock officer,Geoff Casburn, and pigs technical spe-cialist, Dr Trish Holyoake.

Dr Holyoake was reacting to ananalysis after the inspection of 4655pigs.

In the case of sheep, Mr Casburnadded “we must be able to prove toexport markets that the current systemworks, or risk losing the argument tokeep a paper based system”.

NSW Department of PrimaryIndustries (DPI) said the auditorsfound untagged pens of sheep andpoorly completed NVDs.

It is mandatory that all sheep have anNLIS ear tag before being sold ormoved to another property with a different Property Identification Code(PIC).

Along with these tags, each consign-ment must include a fully completed

NVD belonging to the property fromwhich the animals are moving.

If the animals are being moved fromagisted or leased land, only use theNVD that belongs to this parcel of land– do not use an NVD belonging toyour home property as it will have thewrong PIC printed on it.

■ Continued p6

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ADAILY haystack fire willbe part of a demonstra-tion at this year’s Tocal

Field Days to graphically illus-trate what to avoid and how toprotect and maximise winterfodder.

Research was conducted afterseveral hundred hay shed firesoccurred under extreme andunusual conditions last year.

At the field days demonstra-tions, from May 1 to 3, districtagronomist at Tocal, NeilGriffiths, will release tempera-ture data from test bales and afact sheet for farmers, whichwill also contain insuranceadvice.

Mr Griffiths will provideinformation to help farmersaddress financial, environ-mental and social impactsfrom winter fodder, shed andequipment losses.

One of the event organisers,Marie Williams, says the week-end will show the usual rangeof high standard events thathave made Tocal Field Daysfamous.

She says despite the uncer-tain economic times, sitebookings are solid across edu-

cational and commercial sec-tors, with more to be locked in.

This year marks 26 years pro-moting sustainable farming,served up with Tocal College’sfamous country hospitality.

Free expert agricultural andgardening advice will beoffered on climate change,property planning, soils,insects, pastures, weeds, waterquality and use, livestock andenergy savings.

Information on new PrivateNative Forestry opportunitiesfor landholders and contrac-tors will be available at theNSW DPI marquee, alongwith 10 other features fromagriculture, mining, forestryand fisheries.

Farmers of the Year NigelKerin and Tally Matthews willalso attend the DPI marquee.

Twice daily fencing demon-strations by experts on settingup and maintaining electricand conventional fences willbe complemented by a newfencing system from aCrookwell business.

Raymond Terrace-basedRiding for the Disabled is thechosen charity for 2009, invit-

ed to promote its work atTocal, raise some funds andrecruit volunteers for its serv-ice.

Horse lovers will be able towatch a saddle being made, seehorse skills in action and sev-eral horse breeds, plus cattlemustered on horseback at theSkills Centre.

A livestock auction, with tipson how to sell and buy, will beconducted on Sunday.

Schools are being offered 13workshops in the Fridayschool education program,including learning about meatcuts painted on a live RedLincoln cow, and checkingstrawberry DNA under amicroscope.

Look out for magnificent,brightly painted fibreglass life-sized cows as part of theschools Picasso Cows promo-tion.

Each year the Tocal FieldDays attracts around 28,000visitors and 400 exhibitors.

Parking will be free at Tocalfrom May 1 to 3. Gates opennine to five daily.■ Contact Marie Williams,Tocal, (02) 4939 8820.

Research conducted after several hundred hay shed fires occurred under extreme and unusualconditions last year will be discussed at the Tocal Field Days in May. A daily haystack fire will be part ofthe demonstration. (Photo courtesy NSW Rural Fire Service)

Fodder fire demosat Tocal field days

State recognition forinspirational womenEACH year I am impressedby the NSW Rural Women’sAward finalists. This year isno different.

Passionate advocate offood and wine promotionfor the Central West,Orange’s Kim Currie, wasnamed winner of this year’sNSW RIRDC RuralWomen’s Award at a recentgala event at NSWParliament House.

Kim was recognised forher commitment toimproving agritourism andusing farmers markets andother initiatives to boostawareness of foodproduction efforts in NSW,and help strengthen ruralcommunities.

Kim’s energy andenthusiasm for theinnovative promotion offood and wine in the Central West is well known,and has the potential tohelp similar ruralcommunities across theState better promote theirproducts to consumers.

This year’s runner-up,Gillian Hogendyk ofWarren, is equallyimpressive.

Gillian has shownincredible leadership byinspiring cotton industrymembers in the North Westof the State to play theirpart in improving wetlands

such as the MacquarieMarshes, and sharing theirnew knowledge with thegeneral community,university and schoolstudents.

This year saw one of thelargest and most diverse

range of applicantsattracted by the award inrecent times, and indicatesthe depth of talent in ourrural sector.

Despite more than halfthe State remaining in oneof the worst droughts onrecord, these women aredeveloping new initiativesand projects that benefittheir communities andindustries.

I congratulate both these women on theirachievements.

PROfarm successTHE State can be proud ofwhat has been developed

to educate farmers andthose associated with landmanagement in NSW byTocal College.

Short courses deliveredby Tocal under thePROfarm banner havebeen an outstandingsuccess with over 18,000people undertakingcourses, most of themfarmers and hands-onmanagers.

DPI PROfarm courses arerun in locations which suitfarmers – in other words

our clients do not have totravel for hours to do acourse.

PROfarm has around 125short courses ready to go,depending on needs andseasonal requirements.

These courses are mappedand accredited to complywith National Standards.

As a result, those whoundertake a PROfarm shortcourse build a basis for afull qualification – no otherState has such anintegrated system for shortcourse development anddelivery.

Information is available atwww.dpi.nsw.gov.au

Kim’s energy and enthusiasm for theinnovative promotion of food and wine

in the Central West is well known‘

TL1693618

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DELAYED permanent waterdemonstration results forrice crops have drawn

great interest at six recent fielddays.

The field days were held onfarms in the Griffith, Yanco,Coleambally, Finley, Deniliquinand Barham districts and attract-ed 155 farmers and other visitors.

The irrigation and rainfall wateruse of three farmer demonstrationcrops to mid February was around12.5 megalitres per hectare, com-pared to the MurrumbidgeeIrrigation water use target of15.1ML/ha.

NSW DPI district agronomistspresented the results, along withresearch agronomist Brian Dunn.

A delayed permanent waterresearch trial by Mr Dunn atYanco revealed that 40 and 80 mil-limetre evaporation flush treat-ments saved water at the rate of1.7ML/ha and a 160mm treat-ment saved 2.5ML/ha, comparedto normal early permanent water.

Yields and gross margins/ML arestill to be reported.

The trial needs to be repeated andnitrogen timing, greenhouse emis-sions and weed control investigated.

The six field days were a great

success, according to DPI ricefarming systems industry leader,John Lacy.

“We decided to go out to thefarmers and their response wasgreat, given some in the MurrayValley have not grown rice for sev-eral years,” Mr Lacy said.

SunRice deputy chair, MarkRobertson, painted an optimisticfuture for rice with overseasdemand for medium grain ricevery strong.

A “rainfall after drought” talk by DPI dairy livestock officer,Michael Cashen, showed the current rainfall to be similar to the1936 to 1945 drought.

However, there is less rain fallingin autumn.

Research agronomist GeoffBeecher presented spatial variabil-ity results.

“Soils with cut areas exposingalkaline soil may need higher ratesof phosphorus than we had previ-ously realised,” Mr Beecher said.

Nitrogen and phosphorus fer-tilisers tended to give betterresponses on cut areas than feed-lot and chicken manures.

Farmers will evaluate a combi-nation of fertilisers and manuresnext season.

DPI rice breeders, Russel Reinkeand Peter Snell, gave an update onthe rice breeding program.

The program’s resources havebeen reduced but it is targetinghigh priority industry needs of lines for cold tolerance,straighthead and aerobic rice pro-duction.

Irrigation companies Murrum-bidgee Irrigation, ColeamballyIrrigation and Murray Irrigationgave updates on water issues andon RiverReach at the Murrum-bidgee valley field days.■ Contact John Lacy, Yanco, (02) 6951 2738,[email protected]

LANDHOLDERS are being pro-vided with assistance to help themunderstand changes to LivestockHealth and Pest Authority rates.

A new rating system has beenintroduced this year as a result of the 2007 Bull rating reviewcommissioned by the NSWGovernment and many landhold-ers have received their new ratesnotices.

“Landholders may require moreinformation about how their ratesare calculated and we want toassist them with their questions,”Livestock Health and PestAuthorities State ManagementCouncil CEO, Steve Orr, said.

The rates landholders pay totheir local Livestock Health andPest Authority allow the authorityto fund the services it provides to

landholders and contribute to itsStatewide biosecurity and pestfunctions.

“For example, last year our vetscarried out more than 10,000 dis-ease investigations across thestate,” Mr Orr said.

“Rangers ran around 1200 groupcontrol programs to help land-holders eradicate wild dogs, rabb-its, foxes, pigs and other pests.

“A call centre has been set up andadditional information has beenadded to our website to giveratepayers easy access to informa-tion.

“Landholders with queries abouttheir rates notice should not hesi-tate to phone or visit the website.

“They can also contact theirlocal authority and speak firsthand to LHPA staff,” Mr Orr said.

The major change for 2009 as aresult of the Bull rating review isthat a base charge has been intro-duced in place of minimum ratesfor both the general and animalhealth rate.

“As a result of these changes,some ratepayers will pay less and some will pay more,” Mr Orrsaid.

“Overall the increase in theamount of rates collected to fundauthority activities is in line withthe CPI in most authorities.”

Another change this year is thereintroduction of the pest insectlevy as a result of the 2008-09plague locust control campaign.

Mr Orr said the collection of thislevy was a requirement of theNSW Government and thesefunds go directly to the NSW

Department of Primary IndustriesPest Insect Destruction Fund.

“This is over and above theamount of $28 million being collected through rates to fundLHPA activities,” Mr Orr said.

Mr Orr urged landholders totake time to look at the informa-tion on their rates notices and ifthey had any queries to make con-tact.

Livestock Health and PestAuthorities replaced Rural LandsProtection Boards (RLPBs) onJanuary 1.

Former RLPB offices acrossNSW have remained open asoffices of the new local authori-ties.■ Contact LHPA, (02) 6391 3242,visit www.lhpa.org.au/rates orcontact your local authority.

At the Yanco rice trial site, NSW DPI research agronomist, Brian Dunn,explains delayed permanent water results during a recent field day.Evaporation flush treatments saved water.

Delayed wateron rice resultsat field days

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LIVESTOCK owners havebeen urged to ensure stockhave access to adequate clean

water following reports of highlevels of algae in some Riverinastock water supplies.

NSW Department of PrimaryIndustries (DPI) Wagga Waggabeef cattle officer, Kate Parry, saidJanuary and February this year hadbeen hotter and drier on average,resulting in lower dam water levelsand increased potential for poorstock water quality.

“Recent water tests indicate highto very high levels of algae in somewater reserves in the Riverina,” shesaid.

“High levels of algae represent asignificant risk to animal health.

“Increased algae levels may be

due to nutrients being stirred upand increased contamination ofremaining water with excrement inlocations where stock have directaccess to dams.

“Plant nutrients and excrementin water contribute to excess algaeand plant growth, and introducedisease causing organisms such asbacteria, viruses and parasites.

“Adequate supplies of clean waterare a key factor in maintainingstock health and production.

“In hot weather beef cattle drinkbetween 50 and 140 litres a day,and dairy cattle may consume asmuch as 200 litres.

“Animals that drink more arelikely to graze more, improvingtheir weight gain.”

West Wyalong DPI’s Bob

Thompson said treating algalblooms in dams early helped avoidanimal health problems.

“The traditional copper sulphateor bluestone treatment used is thepast is no longer registered, butjust recently the use of simazineherbicide in farm dams to treatalgal blooms has been approved inNSW under permit,” he said.

“Users are required read the permit before use and abide by the permit application require-ments.

“There is no mandatory with-holding period, but users areadvised to wait at least three weeksfor toxins released by the dyingalgae to dissipate, which is thesame period as with the old blue-stone treatment.

“Another option is using ferricalum blocks to reduce the avail-ability of phosphorus to algae.”

Ms Parry said reticulating waterinto well maintained troughs was abetter option than allowing cattleto wade into muddy dams.

“It is vitally important thattroughs are regularly checked toensure the delivery of adequategood quality water,” Ms Parry said.

More detailed information onmanaging stock water is availablefrom local DPI livestock officers.

■ Visit www.apvma.gov.au todownload permit numberPER10994 for the use ofSimazine to control blue greenalgae in dams, tanks and troughsin NSW.

A NEW horticultural extension officer hasbeen appointed to the Department of PrimaryIndustries (DPI), to be based at Young frommid-April.

Currently with the Department, Sean Brindlehas experience in horticulture, research andthe management of invasive species, which willall be of great benefit to growers.

Mr Brindle will work with cherry and prunegrowers in the Young district to furtherdevelop the valuable local industry.

Cherries contribute about half the $40million a year horticultural crops bring in tothe district’s economy.

He will help growers increase the value oftheir production by encouraging them to makethe most of advances in technology andindustry best practice.

Other horticultural producers in central andsouthern NSW, such as Cowra wine grapegrowers, can also call on Mr Brindle’s expertisefor information and advice.

He started his career with a horticulturalscience degree, focusing on stone fruitproduction and plant pathology, and beforejoining DPI, worked for nine years inhorticulture in Sydney implementing plantprotection spray programmes.

In his five years with DPI, Mr Brindle hasworked on winter wheat research not far fromYoung at Temora and more recently at Orange,monitoring, evaluating and reporting oninvasive plant and animal species.

New ‘horti’ tostart at Young

LEFT: Beefcattle officer,Kate Parry,saysreticulatingwater intowellmaintainedtroughs is abetter optionthanallowingcattle towade intomuddydams.

Stock water quality slips

The next edition of Agriculture Today will publishon April 30.

It will cover farming systems, water managementand rangelands livestock.

You can read Agriculture Today on the web anddownload the full edition each month.

Visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agtoday for recenteditions.

Selected stories are also archived back to thefirst online edition in September 2005 – follow thelinks.

You can also read more NSW DPI news atwww.dpi.nsw.gov.au/aboutus/news/recent-news

Next TimeNext Time

■ From p3All PICs present on the tags of

sheep in the consignment, thatare different to the PIC listed atthe top of the NVD, must belisted in the “description ofsheep and lambs” table of theNVD.

If you do not wish to do this,you may insert a pink post-breeder tag containing thesame PIC that is listed on thetop of the NVD.

A “pink” NLIS tag signifiesthat the sheep were not bornon this property.

Never insert your non-pinktags (pictured) into sheep bornon another property, orremove someone else’s tags.

You do not have to write thenumber of animals with eachPIC, however you may if theyare to be drafted and sold sep-arately.

The recent audit revealed thatquestion three of the NVD wasnot being filled in correctly.

“If the consignment containsany animals not born on theproperty listed at the top of theNVD, you must tick “no” onquestion three – then check tomake sure you have listed theirPICs in the table on the form,or inserted the appropriatepink post breeder tag,” MrCasburn stressed.

If there is not enough spaceto fill in all the PICs in the sale

lot, an attachment form isavailable at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/livestock/nlis

The Department’s pigs tech-nical specialist, Dr TrishHolyoake, said a recent studyfunded by the Australian Bio-security Co-operative ResearchCentre was undertaken by Uni-versity of Sydney researchers.

All pigs over 25 kilogramsmust be identified by a tattoowhen leaving the farm for saleor slaughter in NSW, and pigsdestined for either an abattoir,saleyard, or to another produc-er should be accompanied by avalid PigPass NVD.

An NVD is only valid if theproperty the pigs are sourcedfrom is accredited under a QAprogram.

Dr Holyoake said when con-sidered in combination of thepresence of tattoos and legibili-

ty, the percentages of pigs thatcould not be traced were 25.8per cent (export abattoir),27.9pc (peri-urban saleyard),29pc (domestic abattoir) and36.6pc (regional saleyard).

NVD compliance was partic-ularly low among producersselling pigs at saleyards.

Approximately half of theproducers at saleyards (in NSWand beyond) used photocopiedPigPass NVD forms, more than64pc made at least one errorand many vendors did notappear to be Quality Assuranceaccredited.

NVD compliance was muchgreater among producers send-ing pigs to export abattoirs.

“It is vital that producerscomply with legislative andindustry requirements, to assistwith maintaining our country’shigh health status and marketaccess,” Dr Holyoake said.

Information on tattoosand/or PigPass NVDs is avail-able from the Livestock Healthand Pest Authority, NSWDepartment of Primary Ind-ustries or the PigPass Help-desk, 1800 001 458 orwww.pigpass.com.au■ Contact Dr Trish Holyoake,(02) 6938 1993, or GeoffCasburn, (02) 6938 1630.

Pig and sheep compliance

Improperly milled grain can cost$24 per sow, p11.

Geoff Casburn says never insertyour non-pink tags into sheepborn on another property.

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ANY organic beef producerwho sells the meat that thensells 5000 burgers at one

event at 12 dollars a shot is litmusto the keenness of both the currentdemand and supply sides oforganics industries in most partsof the world.

The organic Wagyu of Rob andNita Lennon’s Gundooee Organicsstimulated the taste buds of willingconsumers at the inaugural Tasteof Sydney festival, held over fourdays in mid-March.

For the occasion, they teamed upwith the largest regular purchaserof their beef, award winningSydney chef Justin North, propri-etor of Bécasse restaurant.

On their Central Tablelands prop-erty, “Gundooee”, near Dunedoo,the Lennons are succeeding with asmaller Wagyu herd than conven-tional wisdom advocates.

“By keeping total control of theirwhole production and marketingsystems, the Lennons have beenable to maximise returns fromfewer animals,” NSW DPI beefproducts district livestock officer,Brett Littler, said.

When it comes to advice, theLennons are open-minded.

Mr Littler, based at Mudgee, hasworked with them to improvetheir live animal assessment skillsincluding fat scoring and physio-logical maturity, which helps toensure they better meet customers’needs.

“Gundooee” has been certified A Grade Organic with theBiological Farmers of Australiasince 2004.

The Lennons invest time andeffort into monitoring the growthand welfare of their animals, and

this continues beyond the farmgate.

Customers have differentrequirements, and the producersmatch their animals to best meeteach client’s specifications.

They directly supply six butchersand, in addition to Bécasse andPlan B, to Mr North’s other wellreviewed restaurant, Etch, whichopened in November.

Provedores (wholesalers) in bothSydney and Canberra also buy,then on-sell cuts to another sixrestaurants.

The Lennons have open commu-nication with all these clients andact on their feedback.

“Meeting consumer needs andlistening to feedback is ensuringsatisfied customers, as ‘Gundooee’continues to increase its productquality,” Mr Littler said.

“It has been really interestingworking with the Lennons, withtheir open minded approach tobeef production.

“They have adopted a whole different way of thinking to gainmaximum results from their prop-erty.”

While most beef producers areconcentrating on key performanceindicators like kilograms producedper hectare and the cost to producethose kilograms, Rob and Nitahave taken a holistic approach.

To improve their property, theLennons adopted a rotationalgrazing system to enhance soilhealth, which has increased theirfarm biodiversity including thesoil biology, their highest agro-nomic priority.

They have promoted the returnof native perennial pastures,shrubs and trees.

Mr Lennon says a natural andpassive approach to management,with ethical and environmentallysustainable farming techniques at“Gundooee”, will remain their pri-mary consideration.

He completed the Meat Stand-ards Australia meat science coursein 2007, gaining valuable knowl-edge about what affects tenderness,juiciness and flavour, and things

directly applicable to his business.Mr Lennon believes everyone

who handles live animals, and allmeat handlers, would gain greaterunderstanding of their own situa-tion from this course, and learnabout all aspects of the productionand supply chain.■ Contact Brett Littler, Mudgee,(02) 6372 4712 or visitwww.gundooeeorganics.com.au

FARMER interest in marketing oppor-tunities tied to the boom in organicfarm gate sales has also driven the needfor access to education and informa-tion.

The biggest risk is lack of knowledgeabout what to do, says NSWDepartment of Primary Industries(DPI) organics industry developmentofficer at Bathurst, KarenO’Malley (pictured).

“Many farmers are interest-ed in converting to organicproduction, but are not surehow to make the transition,”Ms O’Malley said.

“They have a wide range ofquestions about what organicfarming would mean forthem in terms of soil and pestmanagement, marketing and certifica-tion.”

So last month DPI conducted train-ing workshops for Departmental live-stock officers, to help them identifyways to improve animal care on organ-ic farms.

Ms O’Malley said the workshop gavelivestock officers the knowledge to helplandholders understand, identify andmanage the risks of transition to anorganic system.

The workshops focused on theimpact of farm level practices on animal health, and on quality

aspects of organic livestock produc-tion.

Ms O’Malley encouraged organicproducers to now use the wealth ofexperience and knowledge of DPI live-stock officers.

“Much of their day to day work isabout helping farmers reduce unneces-sary chemical inputs, farming sustain-

ably and producing the bestquality product possible,”she said.

While most farm assur-ance schemes, includingorganic farming certifica-tion, are primarily con-cerned with regulating theproduction system, animalhealth and welfare are par-ticularly important in

organic livestock production.“Organic certifying bodies across the

country and the Australian NationalStandard all require strict adherence tohumane handling of livestock, high-quality feeding and health care, andprovision of housing and social condi-tions that maximise the expression ofnatural behaviours,” Ms O’Malley said.

“Making the change to certifiedorganic farming isn’t easy, but very possible.”

Organic farmers are also encouragedto go to the many conventional fielddays such as Prograze, Paddock Plants,

weed control, animal health risk man-agement, and farm planning, to gainvaluable information directly applica-ble to organic systems.

“Agronomic challenges include find-ing a way to control weeds without her-bicides and to control internal parasitesin livestock without relying ondewormers,” Ms O’Malley said.

“Marketing challenges include find-ing an organic market and processorsfor a small amount of product.”

Diverse knowledge and experience isrequired for a successful organic transi-tion.

In many ways organic production,requires a vastly different set ofassumptions, tools and techniques.

Ms O’Malley says a lack of knowledgeor experience in applying inputs, tim-ing harvest, dealing with disease oridentifying markets can result inincreased risk and lower rates of return.

The approach to organic productionrequires more multi-year thinking –looking forward to build soil fertilityand backward to understand root caus-es of pest problems.

The switch to organic productionmay also be occurring alongside otherchanges in a business, such as increas-ing direct marketing.■ Contact Karen O’Malley, Bathurst,(02) 6330 1212,[email protected]

Tap into livestock officers

ABOVE: Rob Lennon with his organic Wagyu cattle at “Gundooee”,near Dunedoo.

LEFT: The inaugural Taste of Sydney festival has come and gone butBécasse restaurant proprietor Justin North’s Sydney takeawaysandwich shop Plan B is the alternative place to get a burger madefrom Gundooee Organics beef. (Photo courtesy Fig and Cherrywebsite.)

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GREAT caution shouldbe taken when makinghealth enhancement

claims to promote spelt prod-ucts, says a research team atthe EH Graham Centre forAgricultural Innovation.

“Some consumers, particu-larly those experiencing wheathypersensitivity or mildwheat intolerances, base theirpreference for spelt productson the belief that wheat glutenproteins are not present,”organic farming liaison offi-cer, Robyn Neeson, said.

“However, our findingthrough DNA analysis of 90genotypes, is that some so-called spelt genotypes are infact spelt-wheat hybrids.”

Beyond that cautionarynote, a three-year researchproject to find new andimproved spelt genotypes fororganic producers, now nearcompletion, has discoveredthree possibilities.

The three genotypes couldreplace the industry standard,Kamarah, with potential toprovide a more consistentsupply of organic spelt grainto processors, and conse-quently to consumers of speltproducts.

Ms Neeson says significantmilestones have been achievedin the understanding of speltand how this cereal grain per-forms in the Australian envi-ronment.

“We found three true speltgenotypes which out-yieldKamarah,” she said.

“Pending further organicand conventional yield trials

in multiple locations alongwith quality assessments, theycould be considered for com-mercial release.

“One of the genotypes isfree-threshing.”

The work conducted throughthe EH Graham Centre inWagga Wagga was a collabo-rative alliance between NSWDPI and Charles SturtUniversity, funded by theRural Industries Research andDevelopment Corporation.

“The spelt genotypes exhib-ited a wide variation in genet-ic and agronomic attributes,”Ms Neeson said.

“A range of stripe and stemrust disease and aluminiumtolerances were measured.”

Results of phosphorusuptake trials revealed thatspelt genotypes were moreefficient in converting inter-nal phosphorus into biomass,but were less efficient in con-verting either applied orinternal P into grain yield.

Early maturing spelt geno-

types out-yielded later matur-ing genotypes.

Early sowing April to June isthe preferred option.

Increased tillering in speltwas at the expense of yield.

The spelt genotypes achievedon average 16.7 per cent grainprotein compared to 15.7pcfor wheat.

Several spelt genotypes werefound to have comparable orbetter flour extraction ratesthan wheat.

The researchers acknowl-edged the co-operation andsupport of David and MaryBooth, “Buronga”, Cootam-undra, and Biological Farmersof Australia for financial andin-kind contributions.

Read more about the spelttrial at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/aboutus/news/agriculture-today/april-2009/spelt-geno-types■ Contact Robyn Neeson,Yanco, (02) 6951 2735,[email protected]

A RECENT Primary Ind-ustries Ministerial Council(PIMC) statement of supportfor organic farming inAustralia is a significant devel-opment, aimed to strengthenthe future of the industry.

“Support at a federal levelnow acknowledges the posi-tion held by NSW, where weare committed to the develop-ment of the organic farmingsector,” Primary IndustriesMinister, Ian Macdonald, said.

“The NSW Government hasa significant history of supp-orting the industry andacknowledges that organicproducts are important toaddressing key aspects offuture food security for theState.”

Organic products are impor-tant to the majority ofAustralian consumers.

A survey conducted byNewspoll says 61 per cent ofAustralian grocery shoppersbuy organic products.

The PIMC announcementrecognised the rise in con-sumer support for organicproducts and the heightenedinterest in organic agriculturalproduction, following new fig-ures showing 10 to 30pc yearlygrowth for some retail sectorsand an 80pc increase in organ-ic farm gate values, since pre-vious 2004 benchmarks.

It also recognised the poten-tial benefits of organic agricul-tural practices to natural

resource management and thefinancial benefit that organicscontribute to the economy.

The statement encouragedthe Organic Federation ofAustralia (OFA) and otherindustry bodies to work close-ly together to co-ordinateindustry development.

Biological Farmers ofAustralia recently estimated a$600 million contribution tothe national economy byorganic industries and OFAsays flow-on industries pushthe total value above $1 billion dollars.

Mr Macdonald says theindustry is worth over $200million to NSW and is contin-uing to grow.

“An Organic MinisterialAdvisory Council has alsobeen established, its priority

issue being to develop a stan-dard that meets the require-ments of both the domesticand export markets, so pro-ducers and consumers can bein a position of informedchoice,” he said.

“In October 2006 a range of new initiatives wereannounced, including addi-tional staff and resources to beadded to the existing Centrefor Organic Farming atBathurst.”

Federal support signifies animportant policy shift whichmay provide some opportuni-ty for better national co-ordi-nation of industry develop-ment and acknowledges thatgovernments have a role inmitigating barriers and max-imising opportunities forgrowth.

Governments all on side

Federal support for organics acknowledges the position NSW hadalready adopted, says Primary Industries Minister, Ian Macdonald.

Three new types but ahealth claims caution

Dr Jeffrey Evans presents trial results at a spelt field day.

“CHEERS!” How could thenews that spelt beer isgaining popularity inEurope not spur themarket for the ancientgrain in Australia?

This relative of wheat,one of the oldestcultivated grains, is alsoincreasingly popular in thehealth food market – butbefore we chime “goodhealth!”, let’s read thecaveat in the main story.

The most common usefor spelt is as a substitute

for wheat flour in breads,pasta, confectionery(licorice) cookies,crackers, cereal, cakes,muffins, mixes for breads, pancakes andwaffles.

Spelt grain and forage isoften used as livestockfodder, with some speltgenotypes having greaterprotein yield than wheatand oats.

In Australia it isestimated that marketsexist for approximately

10,000 tonnes of organicspelt grain per annum withan on-farm value of $10million (de-hulled), andestimated retail value of$19.2 million.

While returns toproducers for spelt areattractive at around $1000per tonne, low yields andthe cost for de-hulling(around $150/tonne)reduce potential returns.

Market irregularities arefurther frustrating industryexpansion.

Ancient spelt for many tastes

www.dpi.nsw.gov.au, www.eastershow.com.au

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www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/eventsThursday 9 to Wednesday 22 April 2009at Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush

The largest show in the southern hemisphere, the Sydney Royal Easter Show brings the country to the city.

NSW DPI is proud to sponsor the renowned District Exhibits. The displays are the largest in the world and made with fresh produce

from districts in NSW and South East Queensland.

The NSW DPI stand in the Woolworths Fresh Food dome will showcase some of the creative and bizarre work the department undertakes to bring you your tasty and plentiful primary industries.

Bring your camera and capture yourself in front of our fun LandLearn NSW banner. Add your photo to our LandLearn NSW website for your chance to win a great prize.

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THE global economic downturn has notso far retarded the expansion of organicindustries – worldwide.

The financial crisis is actually contribut-ing to a change in buying habits in favourof organic products, the chair of theOrganic Federation Australia toldAgriculture Today.

Andre Leu says organic sales continue toincrease because consumers are buyingmore organic products for home con-sumption, rather than spending on moreexpensive items such as cars and TVs.

NSW DPI’s organic industry develop-

ment officer, Karen O’Malley, agrees.“People’s tendency to cocoon into a stay

at home lifestyle in a financial crisisreflects the organic ethic of producing andshopping locally,” she said.

Mr Leu says market information fromAustralia, the US and Europe is showing aconsiderable increase in the sales of thetypes of organic products used to preparemeals, such as fruits, vegetables, dairyproducts, grains, bread and meat.

“The global recession had no impact onthe world’s largest organic trade show,Biofach in Germany,” he said.

“This year was the twentieth anniversaryof Biofach.

“Over 46,000 trade visitors from 130countries and 2717 exhibitors spread over12 halls participated in the largest globalorganic event.

“Several countries gave presentations ontheir organic sectors with the consistentmessage that sales continue to expand.”

“Our members are telling us that saleshave increased significantly,” said OFAdirector and convenor of the OrganicTraders’ and Consumers’ Network,Catriona Macmillan.

“While there is some evidence of a slow-ing in sales of some of the more expensivepackaged organic products, this is morethan compensated by the increase in allthe other lines,” she said.

Mr Leu said a recent report showed theindustry was worth over $600 million.

“When we add flow-on industries suchas the compost industry … worth over$400 million, it is easy to see that the[total] is worth over a billion dollars to theAustralian economy,” he said.■ Contact Andre Leu, 0428 459 870, orvisit www.ofa.org.au

THERE are more individualorganic operators in NSW thanany other Australian State, and

around the country producers’ aver-age ages are lower than the non-organic.

As overseas, the Australian industrycontinues to rapidly expand, pro-moting market opportunities forproducers.

This is strongly against the trend ofthe global financial downturn (storythis page).

The Department’s organics andfood industry development manager,Scott Seaman, says a benchmarkresearch document, the first officialdata on organics in Australia since2004, will greatly assist the industry’sfuture monitoring and planning, andincrease producers’ access to helpfulinformation.

The Australian Organic MarketReport, published late last year byBiological Farmers of Australia andsupported by NSW DPI, shows fromits early beginnings in a niche mar-ket, organics is now a significantplayer in the primary industries sec-tor.

“The report will help potential andexisting organic producers and mar-keters make decisions, and offer reference points for government,media and other interested parties,”Mr Seaman said.

NSW DPI now hosts an organicvineyard site at its Bathurst agricul-tural research and advisory stationfor research and demonstration ofproduction practices, and has a teamof staff employed in organic industrydevelopment.

The Department is also involved ina number of other projects located atvarious research facilities investigat-ing organic production systems, andidentifying a range of conventionalpractices which could be tailored toan organic system.■ Contact Scott Seaman, Bathurst,(02) 6330 1200,[email protected]

RIGHT: Dave Forrest and his familyhave been growing macadamiasorganically at Federal in northern NSWsince 1985. His nuts bring a premiumwhich means the returns are above thecost of production.

Cocooning boosts industry in global downturn

From niche to a significant player

■ Retail value estimated for the first timeabove $0.5b. Retail value reached$578,000,000 with reports of between 10and more than 30 per cent annual growthfor some sectors since the last FederalDepartment of Agriculture, Fisheries andForestry report in 2004

■ The 2007 farm gate values estimated tobe in excess of $231,000,000 – an 80pcincrease on 2004 findings

■ Farm gate sales have risen despitewidespread drought, across all sectorssince last reported. Grains and broadacrelivestock were most impacted by drought,effectively decreasing the reportedaverage for industry overall

■ Major retailers now carry in excess of 500different organic lines in fresh and grocerycategories

■ Australia accounts for the largest amountof certified organic farmland in the world– 11,988,044 hectares, the majority ofwhich is used for extensive grazing

■ Number of certified organic operatorsincreased by an annual 5.2pc average over the last five years; the total number of certified organic operators was 2750 –made up of farmers, processors andmarketers

■ The average age of an organic producer in

Australia is lower than a non-organicproducer

■ The industry is consolidating; average sizeof organic farms has increased,highlighting a trend towards larger scaleprofessional farming and farm areaexpansion by operators experiencing longterm success, using organic systems.

■ Horticulture remains a major part of theindustry: two thirds of organic farmers makeup this sector, which represents almost halfthe total organic farm gate value in Australia.Fresh produce remains the primary point ofentry for new organic consumers

For NSW:■ NSW has the largest proportion of certified

farms – 31pc of the national figure■ In some categories, NSW is the market

leader – with 44pc of organic beef farms,40pc of vegetable farms and 39pc of grainfarms.

■ Of almost 12 million hectares of certifiedfarmland across Australia, NSW has thesecond largest tract and the largest shareof the national organic retail andwholesale sector, with 26pc.

■ 27pc of national organic processing andmanufacturing sectors are located in NSW.

■ The Australian Organic MarketReport is available at www.bfa.com.au

Some Australian Organic Market Report Key FindingsSome Australian Organic Market Report Key Findings

CERTIFIED in 2005, “Annalara”,near Wilcannia, has been in SteveCresswell’s family since 1921.

Here the Cresswells run a com-mercial flock of more than 3000ewes, in the later stages of upgrad-ing from Merinos to WhiteDorpers.

Mr Cresswell says marketingorganic lambs can have advantagesand disadvantages.

“We have achieved net premiumsof up to 150 cents above tradition-al non-organic lamb pricing, how-ever, last season’s prices were verysimilar to the conventional prices,depending on the time of sellingwithin the season,” he said.

Under the present organic sellingsystem, producers have to pay thekill fee, which equates to around 70cents a kilogram dressed on aver-age (for example, a 22kg dressedorganic lamb would gross about$108 minus a $15 kill fee).

In addition, the closest organical-ly certified abattoir to Wilcannia islocated at Junee, so the extra truck-ing charges per head need to beconsidered.

“The limited number of organicprocessors means a lack of compe-tition for organic lamb and thesupermarket chains – the majorretail customers of organic lamb –are dictating the pricing and killinggrids,” Mr Cresswell said.

The usual dressed weight grid fororganic lamb is 18 to 23kg, whichmakes it hard at times to send alarger consignment that fits; thereare very large discounts for lambsdressing outside the grid.

“We sell our lambs when they areabove 40kg liveweight,” Mr Cress-well said.■ Contact Sally Ware, NSW DPIHay, (02) 6993 1608, or SteveCresswell, 0407 912 006 or visitwww.annalarawhitedorper.com

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AS DEADLY outbreaks increase,beekeepers need to refocus onthe seriousness that the disease

American foulbrood poses to theirindustry.

NSW DPI apiary livestock officer,Nick Annand, said there was a 20-fold increase and rising in the num-ber of outbreaks over four decades inNSW.

The threat of varroa mites enteringAustralia and the arrival of the smallhive beetle had added to the issuesbeekeepers had to deal with.

“However, American foulbroodneeds to be acknowledged as a majorproblem,” Mr Annand said.

“Lack of awareness, knowledge andrecognition of symptoms by somebeekeepers is contributing to theincrease in AFB outbreaks,” he said,adding that attempts to control thedisease with home remedies onlyleads to further outbreaks, extracosts, labour and lost yields.

“Similarly the use of antibioticsdoes not eradicate American foul-brood.

“It only masks the symptoms andthe disease reappears after the effect

of the antibiotic wears off, which canbe within six weeks.

“It is illegal to treat a hive withantibiotics that is known to be infect-ed with American foulbrood.”

While NSW DPI has reduced itsservice inspecting bee hives, placingresponsibility for inspection on own-ers, the Department still educates,regulates, tests samples and providesdirection in the control of AFB.

“All beekeepers are responsible forregularly inspecting their own hives,recognising the signs and symptomsof the various bee diseases, includingAFB,” Mr Annand said.

“Unfortunately some beekeepersare not as diligent as they should bebut infection rates could be drastical-ly reduced if all beekeepers playedtheir part.”

To manage AFB, the brood chamberof the hive should be examined thor-

oughly at least twice a year (springand autumn) as well as whenever ahive is doing poorly.

Old equipment should be used withcaution, so should second-handequipment.

According to Mr Annand, transferof gear between hives and apiariesshould be kept to a minimum.

“Once a hive is identified as infect-ed, the colony must be killed and theequipment is either destroyed orgamma irradiated,” he said.

“An infection of AFB and the subse-quent clean up is a costly exercise fora beekeeper.”

AFB is a notifiable disease under theApiaries Act 1985, requiring notifica-tion to NSW DPI within 24 hours ofdiscovery.■ Contact Nick Annand, Bathurst,(02) 6330 1210,[email protected]

GOOD prospects for domestic andexport growth point to the duckmeat industry becoming an increas-ingly important part of the poultrymeat sector.

The industry is estimated to have awholesale value of $100 million peryear, says NSW DPI poultry livestockofficer, Joanna Blunden.

Commercial production involvesintegrated operations where a com-pany operates hatcheries, breederfarms, growing farms, processingplants, and contract growing farms.

“The Australian industry is built onthe world’s leading genetics and

research to achieve gains in perform-ance,” Ms Blunden said.

“New breeds are introduced witheggs imported and hatched in quar-antine before the day old chicks arereleased and moved onto farms forgrow out as breeder stock.”

Asian restaurants and butchersmake up about 85 per cent of themarket with whole birds suppliedyear round.

Ms Blunden says increasingdemand in general restaurant, deli-catessen, farmers markets and, morerecently, supermarkets, means thatthere is much potential for growth.

NSW production is centred on

Western Sydney with one major play-er, Pepe’s Ducks, supplying most ofthe market.

This company processes 70,000birds per week, up from 35,000 in2003.

The Australian Duck Meat IndustryAssociation (ADMA) was formed in2008 as a representative body.

One of the first initiatives of theassociation was to establish nationalbiosecurity standards.

ADMA encourages all duck indus-try participants to become members.■ Contact Joanna Blunden, Tocal,(02) 4939 8946,[email protected]

Duck industry opens new forum

Honey bee killer isstill on the increase

Cross-section view of comb with AFBinfected cells.

AMERICAN foulbrooddisease (AFB) is caused bythe bacteriumPaenibacillus larvae.

It has been in Australiasince early introductions ofhoney bees.

Only bee larvae less than24 hours old can becomeinfected when fed foodcontaining bacterialspores, resulting in thedeath of the larva or pupaafter the cell is capped off.

Each individual that dies

produces 2.5 billion moreP. larvae spores whichprovides a further sourceof infection to the hive.

This rapidly increases thespore load in the hive,raising the chance ofinfection of young larvae.

The spores are very hardyand long lived (more than50 years).

The increasing numbersof larvae dying from AFBeventually results in thedeath of the colony.

How it takes hold

American foulbrood infected dead larvae break down to a smooth stickyconsistency that produces characteristic “roping out” when a stick is insertedand withdrawn.

Cross-section view of comb with three AFB infected larvae and pupae at differentstages of breakdown.

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AN INTENSIVE system offer-ing dairy farmers the oppor-tunity to produce more

home grown feed than could beachieved from pasture alone isenvironmentally sustainable,according to a study.

Project leader, Associate ProfessorYani Garcia, said FutureDairy’scomplementary forage rotation(CFR) may have benefits to dairyfarmers with limited land and irri-gation, particularly if grain-basedconcentrates become more expen-sive.

The CFR involves growing two orthree crops on the same area ofland within the one year, for exam-ple, maize, forage rape and Persianclover.

“The idea is to allocate inputs,such as nitrogen and water proper-ly in a relatively smaller area,rather than scattered throughoutthe whole farm with reduced effi-ciency,” Yani Garcia, based atElizabeth Macarthur AgriculturalInstitute (EMAI), said.

Annual yields from the CFR aremore than 40 tonnes dry matterper hectare, compared to a maxi-mum of about 20t from the bestmanaged perennial ryegrass pas-tures.

“We use crops that complementeach other or the system. But theCFR is an intensive system, involv-

ing high inputs of fertiliser andwater so we were particularlyinterested in its environmentalimpact,” said Assoc Prof Garcia.

Over the past four years,FutureDairy conducted severalstudies to investigate this.

Firstly, Pancha Shrestha evaluat-ed the impact of growing double-and triple crop CFRs on soil fertil-ity, health (microbial activity) andpathogen build-up in the soil.

The study found no evidence ofany adverse effect of the CFR onthese soil characteristics.

In a larger scale study BertinKabore monitored the key indica-tors of health status and nutrientflows within the system over fourseasons.

The data allowed Mr Kabore toassess the likely impact on areasaway from the CFR site and tocompare nutrient and water useefficiency with both intensivelyand extensively managed pasturesystems.

The results showed no changes insoil organic matter or any adverseeffects of an intensively managedCFR.

The organic matter content of asoil is an indicator of its potentialfertility and it can be dramaticallyreduced after a few years of contin-uing cropping.

However this doesn’t seem to

happen with CFR, which involvescrops such as forage rape andlegumes which provide beneficialproperties to the soil.

Although the system requires ahigh level nitrogen fertiliser, it istwice as efficient at using nitrogendue to increased forage yields.

“And the high yields mean theCFR is also twice as efficient atusing irrigation water,” saidAssociate Professor Garcia.

“The loss of soil nutrient throughrun-off was surprisingly low, evenin a relatively wet year.

“Overall, these studies show thatthe increased intensification in

home grown feed through CFRsystem can be achieved withoutadverse effects on soil physical and chemical properties,” he said.

FutureDairy’s ongoing researchis investigating the CFR on a larg-er scale, where it is being grown on35 per cent of the farm area, withthe rest used for intensively man-aged kikuyu-based pasture, over-sown with short rotation ryegrasseach autumn.

■ Contact Dr Yani Garcia,Camden, (02) 9351 1631,[email protected] orwww.futuredairy.com.au

FEED which passes undigestedthrough a pig represents a wasteand a significant loss in many pigbusinesses, sometimes attributableto improperly milled grain.

At $300 a tonne for feed, a reduc-tion of particle size from 1000 to700 microns could increase profitby $24 per sow, after accountingfor the additional cost of millingthe grain finer.

Close inspection of pig manuremay not be the most appealingassignment, but it can yield a valu-able understanding of what is hap-pening to your pigs’ diets, saysNSW DPI industry developmentlivestock officer, Greg Mills.

“The easiest on-farm techniqueto look at residual feed is to placesome manure in a stocking andflush out the contents in a bucketof water or with a slow runninghose,” Mr Mills, based at Moree,said.

“The larger undigested feed par-ticles will remain in the stockingand can be examined and identi-fied.

“If larger particles of grain areevident in the residual material,address the issue immediately – itis an indication the grain has notbeen milled sufficiently.”

As grain is milled, particle size isreduced and the total surface areaon which the pig’s digestive systemcan work is increased.

The particle size of grain is a keyfactor in determining the efficien-cy with which the feed is digestedand converted to meat.

For each 100 micron drop in par-ticle size, feed efficiency canimprove by 1.2 per cent.

Determining the micron sizerequires very accurate sieves andscales and is rarely done by pigproducers but those who do needto be constantly vigilant.

To achieve the best feed particlesize it is important to set up feedmilling equipment correctly,maintain it regularly, monitor out-put closely and understand whatquality is required.

The costs of replacing warn ham-mers and screens and the outlay tore-flute rollers can be quicklyrecouped in the increased feedefficiency achieved by maintaininga finer particle size.

As a practical guide, grain shouldbe milled as fine as can be handledin silos and feed systems.

Reducing particle size to max-imise feed efficiencies has limits inmash diets.

If the feed is very fine it will notflow and bridge in feeders and silos.

Typically farmers who have opti-mised particle size own a rubbermallet and have a few dents in thebottoms of their feed silos.

Gastric ulcers can be associatedwith feeding very finely groundfeeds, so be on the lookout for this.■ Contact Greg Mills, Moree,(02) 6750 6312,[email protected]

LEFT andBELOW:Maizeharvestingand dairycows grazingat ElizabethMacarthurAgriculturalInstitute,Camden.

Complementary foragerotation is sustainable

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Neil Franks from Yenda and NSW DPI industry development livestock officer,Greg Mills, examining feed milling samples at a Yanco pig producers’workshop.

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FARMERS are requestingupdated information on for-age production of lucerne

with different winter dormancyclasses.

More variable climatic condi-tions, the wide range of newlucerne varieties on the market, andthe need to improve business management performance haveprompted inquiries.

“To answer some of their ques-tions, trials were established at Peak Hill and Gilgandra in theCentral West in 2007 to measurewinter forage production andgrowth characteristics,” said districtagronomist at Dubbo, Kathi Hertel.

Winter active (WA) or highlywinter active (HWA) varieties arenormally selected to maximise pro-duction and nitrogen fixation inshort-term pasture phases.

Where longer pasture phases areplanned, the selection of WA orsemi-winter active (SWA) varietiesis usually included in the pasturemix for improved persistence.

“The effects these options mayhave on pasture dry matter produc-tion, associated livestock perform-ance and nitrogen fixation are oftenquestioned,” Ms Hertel said.

In the trials, a range of commer-cially available lucerne varieties thatrepresented the range of winteractivity were tested, including awinter dormant (WD) rating ofthree through to a HWA varietywith a rating of 10.

Low temperatures and shorter

days during winter influencedlucerne performance.

Between June and early August2008, minimum daily temperaturesof less than five degrees Celsiuswere recorded for approximatelyone-third of the growth period (theoptimum growing temperature forlucerne is 22 deg C).

For the same period, average dailytemperatures fluctuated betweennine and 30 deg C.

“At Peak Hill, HWA varieties pro-duced on average 2.9 times and 1.3times more forage than WD andWA varieties respectively,” MsHertel said.

“There was no significant differ-ence between WD and SWD class.”

Winter dormancy is associatedwith variations in crown height andsize, and regrowth characteristicsafter grazing.

Faster regrowth indicated by theheight of stems means greater feedproduction.

Ms Hertel said during the sameperiod at Gilgandra there was nosignificant difference in the heightof stems between WA and HWAclasses, but up to 59 per cent differ-ence between WD and HWA.

The difference in forage produc-tion that occurs in winter even inthe presence of adequate moisture,coincides with a time when themajority of lambing takes place onthe Central Western Plains.

Choosing varieties with low win-ter activity could negatively affectpregnant livestock during pro-longed cold dry winter conditions.

Late pregnancy and early lactationplace peak nutritional demands onewes.

Feed on offer during this periodhas a major affect on not only lambgrowth rates and ewe performancebut also subsequent ewe concep-tion rates.

The increasing cost of nitrogenplaces greater importance on thecontribution of nitrogen fromlegume pastures.

Nitrogen fixation is directly related to dry matter production.

Lucerne winter growth thereforeimpacts on the overall nitrogencontribution from lucerne pasturesto subsequent crops.

Work measuring the impact of avariable climate on aspects of pas-ture performance is continuing.■ Contact Kathi Hertel, Dubbo,(02) 6881 1276,[email protected]

Central West winter lucerne

KIKUYU grass can rightly becalled king of the warm seasongrasses, says Richmond districtagronomist Ashley Senn.

“If you have thought untilnow that kikuyu is a weed, itmight be time to reconsideryour beliefs,” Mr Senn said.

“As long as you keep it green,it can be an excellent feed forclose to half the year in manyparts of NSW.

“In the right conditions, itcan yield over 25 tonnes ofdry matter per hectare peryear.

“For both quality and quan-tity, it ranks first among warmseason grasses – in the rightconditions.”

According to Mr Senn, thefresh green leaf of kikuyu reg-ularly attains digestibility closeto 70 per cent.

Expressed as metabolisableenergy (ME), this is equivalentto just under 10 megajoulesper kilogram of leaf dry matter(MJ ME/kg DM).

All livestock can fatten wellwhen given feed with this levelof energy, he said.

Steers can gain over 0.5 kilo-grams a day and dairy cowsproduce 12 to 15 litres of milka day on young kikuyu alone,offered sufficient quantities.

“Remember it is the energyof a feed – not its protein,minerals or some other attrib-ute – that limits animal per-formance in the majority ofcases,” Mr Senn said.

“Energy (and protein) levelsin kikuyu leaf are never very

high but they are good (forexample 9.5 MJ ME/kg DM)for around three weeks fromleaf emergence.

“Between weeks three to five,leaf quality falls from good tomoderate.

“Leaves older than five weekscan still be considered to havereasonable quality, especiallywhen compared to otherwarm season grasses or to thedead leaves of cool seasongrasses from the previous year.

“The secret to managingkikuyu is to graze it hard andkeep it green.”

Mr Senn says old materialhas only modest quality and itshades new growth.

Over summer, kikuyu pas-tures can be set-stocked orrotationally grazed every twoto three weeks.

This grazing frequency willensure the leaf is young and ofgood quality.

When soils are warm and

moist, kikuyu regularly growsat 100 or more kg DM/ha/day.

This rate of growth can meanset-stocked paddocks will sup-port at least five head of cattle.

Rotationally grazed pad-docks can be ready to be re-grazed in just 10 to 12 days.

Recent research conductedby NSW DIPI and Universityof Sydney at Camden confirmsthat properly-managed kikuyuis at least as good as perennialcool season grasses – in summer.

At this time of year, its quali-ty is slightly better than cocks-foot and phalaris and the sameas well-managed perennialryegrass and Tall fescue.

Kikuyu needs at least moder-ate levels of fertility and mois-ture and it does not toleratevery wet sites, Mr Senn said.

■ Contact your local DPIAgronomist or Ashley Senn,Richmond, (02) 4588 2100,[email protected]

Reconsider the ‘king ofwarm season grasses’

HOME gardeners are being urged to checkthe weediness of garden plants before puttingthem in the ground, as part of a new five-yearStatewide campaign titled NSW – No Space 4Weeds.

An interactive display will visit the 2009Royal Easter Show in April and major eventsthroughout NSW and the broader campaignwill include a series of animated television,radio and print advertisements.

Weeds are the greatest threat to Australia’senvironment after land clearing.

They threaten the survival of more than1000 plant and animal species and make foodproduction more expensive.

The NSW – No Space 4 Weeds campaignaims to highlight how everyone can play apart in stopping the spread of weedy gardenplants into the environment and farms.■ Visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/weeds

– ALYSSA SCHEMBRI

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RARELY do herbicide trials analyseeconomic return to the farming sys-tem as a result of herbicide use.

Traditionally, they have been run tolook at the ability of herbicides tocontrol weeds.

NSW DPI established a two-yeartrial at Tooma to measure the impacton pasture dry matter (DM) produc-tion of four herbicides commonlyused on Paterson’s curse – consider-ing the fodder value it can offer.

“In some grazing systems to lose alarge proportion of total dry matterincluding Paterson’s curse may leadto a feed gap at a critical time,” saidTumut district agronomist, NathanFerguson.

“Pasture measurement in Septem-ber showed that herbicides were aneffective method of controllingPaterson’s curse, but it came with asting in the tail.”

“All herbicide treatments reduceddry matter production between 32and 42 per cent – however, the reduc-tion in dry matter was solely ofPaterson’s curse, with no significantdrop in pasture production by otherspecies.”

Careful fodder budgeting wouldallow a grazing system to manage thispotential feed gap created by herbi-cides.

While pasture cuts taken again inmid October showed little differencein pasture production, the level ofuseful pasture species increased to60pc as a result of herbicide applica-tion, compared to the unsprayedcontrol.

“For an investment of about $30 ahectare, we increased the useful com-ponent of the pasture by up to twotonnes of dry matter per hectare,” MrFerguson said.

“The ability to capture this addi-tional feed through a grazing systemat this time of year can be difficult.

“One way to capture the maximumpossible amount is to make hay orsilage and with herbicide costing $15per tonne of dry matter, it’s a cheapsource of quality feed.

“Having spent money on herbicide

treatments in the first year we wantto see what impact they have on pas-ture quantity and quality in subse-quent years.”

Mr Ferguson said dry matter maybe lost in the year of application butthere may be productivity gains insubsequent years after removingcompetitive weeds.

“We’ll measure the number ofPaterson’s curse plants growing again this year and look at theirimpact on pasture production,” hesaid.■ Contact Nathan Ferguson, Tumut, (02) 6947 4188, or Nigel Phillips, Wagga Wagga, (02) 6938 1981.

Pastures technical specialist, Nigel Phillips, makes a point about the potential fodder value of Paterson’s curse at a field day atTooma.

Any returns frombroadleaf control?

TO AVOID hostile conditionssome producers sow tropicalperennial grasses in spring, while

others hold off until autumn, howeverat these times temperatures may beunfavourable for germination.

Tropical perennial grasses are mainlysown in summer when temperaturesand evaporation rates are high.

Also, at this time of the year most ofthe rain that occurs falls as high intensi-ty summer storms, making it difficult tokeep moisture for germinating seeds.

With tropical grass seed prices rangingfrom $20 to 40 per kilogram, producersneed to minimise the risk of establish-ment failure, so two studies were con-ducted to provide guidelines for sowingtime and depth of seed placement.

From the studies it was recommendedthat the seeds of five tropical perennialgrasses be sown at a depth of 10-25 mil-limetres in late November or earlyDecember.

In the first study, the five tropicalperennial grasses (Katambora Rhodesgrass, Bambatsi panic, Premier digit,Floren blue grass and Swann forestbluegrass) were sown and watered eachmonth for 12 months.

These sowings were at four depths of10, 25 and 50mm as well as sowing onthe soil surface.

For each time of sowing, the numberof seedlings that emerged was countedand differences compared over time.

No seedling emergence occurred fromJune to September when mean

daily temperatures were less than 120.Seedling emergence of all grass was

generally low in October-Novemberand April-May when mean daily tem-peratures were less than 190.

Overall, emergence was highest at asowing depth of 10 or 25mm forBambatsi panic, Premier digit and Florebluegrass from December to March andat a sowing depth of 10mm forKatambora Rhodes grass fromDecember to May.

Emergence was always low for surfacesown seeds and so this practice is notrecommended.

Similarly, emergence was low for all ofthe tropical perennial grasses sown at adepth of 50mm, except for Bambatsipanic which had more than 50pc emer-gence at this depth.

A second field study investigated theeffects of sowing either in November2006, January 2007 or March 2007 onthe ability of these five tropicals to sur-vive the first winter after sowing (asmeasured by their subsequent herbagemass and plant frequency).

In the first spring following sowing,the herbage mass and plant frequency ofall of the tropical grasses sown in Marchwere lower than those for the earliersowings.

These differences were still evident inautumn 2008 – 13 months after the lastsowing.

By early this summer, there was littleeffect of sowing time on herbage mass,but the plant frequencies of Bambatsi

panic and Floren bluegrass sown inMarch were lower than those for theother two sowing times.

Sowing at a depth of 10-25 millime-tres in late November or earlyDecember maximises the chance ofreceiving favourable summer rain.

It also avoids the problems of low ger-mination and emergence associatedwith low temperatures in spring andautumn and the poor post-sowing per-formance that occurred with the Marchsowing in the second study.

Other associated studies also high-lighted two other important potentialpitfalls producers need to be aware of.

Firstly, for tropical perennial grassesseed quality is a major issue.

When buying tropical perennial grassseed, producers need to request a seedtest certificate to ensure seed purity, theproportion of florets containing seedsand seed germination are all high.

Secondly, the seeds of all of the tropi-cal grasses tested had a poor ability tosurvive in the soil over winter, so thelikelihood of seed sown in summer suc-cessfully emerging in the followingspring-summer is very low.

■ Contact Greg Lodge, Tamworth,(02) 6763 1176,[email protected]

ABOVE: Tropicalgrasses sown in March2007 (centre rows,picture taken in earlyMay 2007), surroundedby those sown inDecember 2006 andJanuary 2007.

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TWIN sowing is a promisingnew technique of establishingself-sustaining crop-pasture

rotations in a single pass operation,which eliminates competition formoisture between the crop and pas-ture.

A range of annual pasture legumeshave the potential to be used in twinsowing systems for the establishmentof self-sustaining crop-pasture rota-tions.

“A recent survey of 300 farmershighlighted many producers were dis-satisfied with the performance andlack of flexibility of their current pas-ture system,” said NSW DPI researchagronomist, Belinda Hackney.

With increasing farm input coststhey wanted lower pasture establish-ment costs, more robust pasturelegumes, alternative sources of nitro-gen for cropping systems and greateroptions for fodder conservation.

Mrs Hackney says under climate

change predictions these needs willonly increase.

Twin sowing overcomes some ofthe limitations of cover cropping.

The system was developed inWestern Australia by Angelo Loi andBrad Nutt and is currently underevaluation in NSW as part of aPastures Australia funded project.

Unscarified hard seed (or in thecase of serradellas, seed encased inpod) is sown with a crop.

“The seed of annual legumes is veryhard and therefore does not germi-nate in the year of sowing,” MrsHackney said.

“Because there is little legume ger-mination in year one, there is noneed to cut back on the normal cropsowing rate.”

The legume seed softens in year oneand then germinates and emerges inyear two, which is a pasture year.

The pasture grows, fixes nitrogenand sets seed in year two.

As seed set by the annual legumes isalmost all hard, it is essential to cropagain in year three to allow thelegume seed to soften.

The crop grown in year three usesthe nitrogen fixed by the legume inyear two and therefore reduces theneed for fertiliser nitrogen.

This type of crop-pasture rotationcan then continue with pasture followed by crop without the cost ofre-establishing pasture.

NSW DPI will be establishing smallplots trials and larger farmer scalesowings to evaluate twin sowing overthe next few years.■ Contact Belinda Hackney, (02) 6938 1999, or Nigel Phillips,0427 102 707.

Twin sowing hopeful

RIGHT: Young farmer Jim Broughtonwith NSW DPI technical officer, CraigRodham, in a biserrula paddock, wellsuited to twin sowing.

SEVERAL managementchanges may be needed toadapt to climate changeand promote ground cover,often very hard to keep.

Summer storms arecharacterised by heavyrain, lightning, thunder, hailand strong winds, often in avery short time.

Consequences includeincreased runoff, flashflooding, soil erosion andloss of organic materialwashed into dams andwaterways.

It often takes years torecover.

The prediction underclimate change is for anincrease in summer rain,most likely as violentthunderstorms.

At this time of yearpastures frequently havelow ground cover andmany cropping paddocksare bare from several

months of grazing afterharvest.

Many farmers find there isa feed gap at this time andneed to hand feed stock,especially if they are joiningbreeders or in the run up toautumn lambing or calving.

Any changes to maintainground cover in the criticalsummer period when thesestorms occur should fit inwith the management ofthese enterprises.

Grazing for short durationsto retain some stubble sopaddocks don’t becomingdusty will help.

The feed value of stubblesat present can be very low –less than 40 per centdigestibility, so asupplement would benecessary to maintainlivestock condition in mostcases.

Lucerne pastures can alsobe a problem at this timewith bare areas betweenplants.

These paddocks need tobe grazed carefully.

Usually a very quickrotational grazing with highstock numbers will prevent

the paddock dusting up andgive better recovery of thepasture.

On grazing paddocks,perennial pasture mixtureswith a variety of summerand winter species maybetter keep ground cover,as they can respond to rainyear round.

Native pastures on thesteeper slopes may benefitfrom being locked up fromstock.

Preparing for fodderconservation during springor buying in feed will needto be considered to take thepressure off pastures andstubble paddocks.

Many farms have hadsuccess with sacrificepaddocks, or have useddrought lots to hand feedstock during the last fewyears, so this may be anoption over summer.

Many farms can benefitfrom summer rain whereadequate ground cover hasbeen maintained.

The best ways of dealingwith this challenge of natureneed to be considered wellbefore the storms occur.

Get a ground cover planwell before storms fall

IF THE productivity of nativepastures could be improvedwithout compromising theirpersistence and sustainability,they could become a moreprized asset.

“Native pastures are persist-ent, well adapted to their envi-ronment and have proved valu-able during recent droughtyears, despite the general per-ception they are low in bothplant productivity and quality,”said NSW Department ofPrimary Industries technicalofficer at Cooma, Jo Powells.

Staff at Cooma are investigat-ing the response of native pas-tures to improved soil fertility,to determine what increases inproductivity are possible, whilepreserving valuable pasturespecies and biodiversity.

“In the Monaro region, 70per cent of pastures are basedon native species, the mainstay

of livestock production,” MsPowells said.

On a granite derived soil sup-porting an Austrostipa andAustrodanthonia pasture, pad-docks were treated with no fer-tiliser or a low or high rate (125and 250 kilograms per hectarea year respectively) of singlesuperphosphate.

Subclover seed was alsobroadcast with the fertiliser inthe first year of fertiliser appli-cation, in an attempt to estab-lish a more productive legumespecies within the pasture.

The work, part of a projectfunded by the Southern RiversCMA, has so far shown greaterpasture dry matter productionand significantly increased lev-els of ground cover can beachieved using fertiliser.

Ms Powells said from a feedquality perspective, significant-ly higher crude protein levels in

the pastures were recorded,from seasonal peaks of 13.4pcin unfertilised paddocks, topeaks of 18.8pc and 21pc in thelow and high treatmentsrespectively.

“Similar significant increasesoccurred in pasture dry matterdigestibility, meaning morepasture could be consumedand digested by animals on thefertilised paddocks,” she said.

“It has also been possible torun higher stocking rates withheavier and fatter animals onthe fertilised paddocks.

“Higher stocking rates havenot compromised groundcover in these paddocks andany small changes recorded inbotanical composition in thepastures sward have been aneffect of the recent poor sea-sons.”■ Contact NSW DPI Cooma,(02) 6452 3411.

Feeding native pastures

Jo Powells assessing native pasture south ofCooma.

FLOREN BLUEGRASS• Suited to alkaline, cracking-clay soils• Salt tolerant• Very palatable and leafy• Recommended for suppressing Lippa• Very tolerant for flooding (up to 10 weeks

emersion)• Drought tolerant• Persists under heavy grazing• Late maturing - good autumn production• Valued as stand-over dry feed, even after

frosting.• Makes excellent digestible hay

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Further information contact:PROGRESSIVE SEEDS PTY LTD

Phone: (07) 3201 1741Fax: (07) 3201 1006

Email: [email protected]

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NSW DPI’s olive oil testing service

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Quality oil – it’s essentialDon’t gamble on the quality of your olive oil. NSW DPI’s laboratories will test your olive oil to ensure you get the bestreturns for your product.Our laboratories are ISO 9001:2000 certified and useIOOC accredited test methods.

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TL1693644


TO HELP prioritise paddocks anddecide on fertiliser use in 2009, afirst key action is to take a mean-

ingful soil test to provide quality data.Take a minimum 30 cores per sample

which must be sampled to 10 centime-tre soil depth, along a fixed transect, atthe same time each year.

It is better to do a smaller number ofrepresentative paddocks per year thanmore on a random basis.

Use the Phosphorus Buffer Index(PBI) to determine the target ColwellPhosphorus (P) level and if the pad-dock is above target P, don’t fertilise.

If the paddock is at target P (forexample, 20) use maintenance fertiliserrates – approximately 90 kilograms perhectare (Paddock Colwell P 18-22).

If below target P, you could use amaintenance fertiliser rate to hold, or ifa long way below target, you could donothing – the decisions here are con-trolled by stock numbers.

A scenario for doing nothing wouldbe if a paddock is at Colwell P 12-14,and the target P for the paddock is 20.

How many stock will you run in2009?

This question will determine howmuch country you need to fertilise.

Paddocks which are near target Plevel should be running stock at 10-15dry sheep equivalent per hectare, nolower.

Local trial data has been 12-15DSE/ha at a target P level of 20.

This decision of the correct stockingrate is made on our soil P level, not thefertiliser rate for the paddock.

As our soil P level drops our stockingrate will drop with it.

Local data, for soil with a PBI in therange 40 to 120, is:● Four to five DSE/ha on country withno fertiliser history and with a ColwellP of 8.● Approximately eight DSE/ha on pas-tures with a Colwell P of 14.

There is no point fertilising to growmore grass if you don’t use it.

If stock numbers are down, then thebelow target paddock mentionedabove does not get fertilised.

Droughts dent our confidence onwhat we can carry, however don’tbecome too conservative.

Ground cover with a target of 70 percent is your monitoring tool to assess ifyou are over stocked.

Soil depth and aspect – even in pad-docks that are above or at the target Plevel, you should not fertilise parts ofthe paddock which have shallow soildepth on a harsh westerly aspect.

Forget about treating the whole pad-dock the same way and focus on theparts which will give you the best pay-back.

Other factors – the dollar paybackfrom fertiliser decisions is also influ-enced by the profitability of enterpris-es.

The variation in profits from onelivestock enterprise is greater than thedifference between enterprises within adistrict.

At the lower profit end, the decisionto use fertiliser might be questionablebecause of the lower capacity to gener-ate profits.

In this situation, there are majorissues about the enterprise whichneeds to be addressed with or beforethe fertiliser decisions.

Pastures respond to soluble P in thesoil.

This will come from fertiliser appliedand the cycling of nutrients within thesoil.

Where you source your fertiliser P isanother question.

The plant does not care.You need to evaluate all products on

a soluble P basis spread on the pad-dock and not on total P.

Some products provide additionalbenefits which you need to consider(for example insoluble P content, lim-ing effect, other nutrients such as sul-phur).

■ Contact Fiona Leech, districtagronomist, or Phil Graham,livestock grazing systems technicalspecialist, Yass, (02) 6226 2199.

A fertiliser field day at Bookham. Variation in profits from one livestock enterprise is greater than the difference between enterpriseswithin a district.

Tablelands fertiliserdecisions for 2009

FIONA LEECH and PHIL GRAHAM Yass

This article is based on the situationfacing producers in 2009.

Paddocks must be prioritised due tocash flow limitations and high fertiliserprices.

Some decisions, if implemented on along-term basis, could cause the pasturesystem to move in the wrong direction.

SUMMER dormancy may be a power-ful drought resistance trait in cool sea-son grasses but its nature is poorlyunderstood, so its potential is not usu-ally realised.

Leading research to improve thedrought resistance of some of our mostimportant sown pasture grassesincluding phalaris, cocksfoot and tallfescue, NSW DPI pasture scientist,Mark Norton, will take a delegation ofsix Australians to an internationalworkshop in the US in early April.

NSW DPI fescue breeder, CarolHarris, will accompany Dr Norton,with scientists from CSIRO and theVictoria DPI to the first InternationalWorkshop on Summer Dormancy inGrasses, in Oklahoma.

“As droughts are predicted to increase

in frequency and severity with climatechange we need to marshal all thedrought resistant traits of plants at ourdisposal,” Dr Norton said.

“The workshop will bring togetherscientists from around the worldincluding the US, Australia, France,Italy, Israel, Morocco and Argentina todiscuss how we can better use plantgenetics and management to improvethe drought survival of our pastures.”■ Contact Mark Norton, Canberra,(02) 6246 5548,[email protected]

Cool season grasses dormancy tip

RIGHT: Pasture scientist Mark Nortonshows how tall this stand of cocksfoot is,measuring with his hand. It’s midsummer and the grass looks dead, butit’s just dormant.

SPECIALCONSERVATION

SCHEME

Provides loans to farmersin NSW to help improvethe natural resource oftheir farm by completingcertain conservationworks on their property.

Who can apply?Eligible Primary Producers who ownand work farming land and who:* earn the majority of gross income

from the farm* have net assets less than $5 million* show they can provide suitable

security* have the ability to repay an

additional loan

What assistance is availableFixed interest rate loan up to$150,000Repayable up to 15 yearsRepayments each six months

Some of the works I can apply forinclude:Soil conservation workNoxious weed controlImproving stock and domestic watersupplyUpgrading/improving existing irrigationsystemsHail nettingDe-silting/refurbishing damsHay sheds and silosPlanting perennial species.

Should you have any further queries about obtaining assistancethrough the Special Conservation Scheme please do not hesitate tocontact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 02 6391 3000 or tollfree on 1800 678 593.

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161 Kite StreetORANGE NSW 2800Locked Bag 23ORANGE NSW 2800Telephone: 02 6391 3000Toll Free: 1800 678 593Fax: 02 6391 3098Email: [email protected]: www.raa.nsw.gov.auABN 17 283 358 394


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TL1698618

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