ag in focus - spring 2010

Department ofAgriculture and Food

In this issue

Incorporating research and development news from:

The west’s best farmers take centre stage

Be aware — declare your grain’s status

Building resilience with new cereal varieties

AG in F CUSSpring 2010

What’s below your soil’s surface?

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1AG in FOCUS Spring 2010 www.farmingahead.com.au

Corrigin Farm Improvement GroupSandy Turton RepresentativePO Box 2, Corrigin WA 6375

P: (08) 9063 2203F: (08) 9063 2005W: www.cfi g.asn.au

Evergreen FarmingJohn Duff Executive Offi cerPO Box 645, Belmont WA 6984

P: (08) 6272 4545F: (08) 6272 4555W: www.evergreen.asn.au

Facey GroupFelicity Astbury Executive Offi cerPO Box 129, Wickepin WA 6370

P: (08) 9888 1223F: (08) 9888 1295W: www.faceygroup.asn.au

Fitzgerald Biosphere GroupPO Box 49, Jerramungup WA 6337

P: (08) 9835 1127F: (08) 9835 1329W: www.fbg.org.au

Liebe GroupChris O’Callaghan Executive Offi cerPO Box 90, Wubin WA 6612

P: (08) 9664 2030F: (08) 9664 2040W: www.liebegroup.asn.au

Mingenew-Irwin GroupRachel Bagshaw Executive Offi cerPO Box 6, Mingenew WA 6522

P: (08) 9928 1645F: (08) 9928 1540W: www.mingenew-irwin.asn.au

North East Farming FuturesChris Wheatcroft Executive Offi cerPO Box 151, Morawa WA 6623

P: (08) 9971 1471F: (08) 9971 1284W: www.neffgroup.com.au

Ravensthorpe Agricultural Initiative NetworkRodger Walker Project Offi cerPO Box 292, Ravensthorpe WA 6346

P: (08) 9838 1018F: (08) 9838 1635

Saltland Pastures AssociationLinda Vernon Program ManagerPO Box 47, Trayning WA 6488

M: 0427 902 126W: crcsalinity.com.au/spa

SEPWAGemma Walker Executive Offi cerPO Box 365, Esperance WA 6450

P: (08) 9083 1134W: www.sepwa.org.au

WA No Tillage Farmers AssociationDavid Minkey Executive Offi cerMO82, UWA, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley WA 6009

P: (08) 6488 1647F: (08) 6488 7466W: www.wantfa.com.au

West Midlands GroupBronwyn Fox Executive Offi cerPO Box 100, Dandaragan WA 6507

P: (08) 9651 4008F: (08) 9651 4107W: www.wmgroup.org.au

Southern DIRTErin Gorter Executive Offi cer

M: 0429 833 752E: [email protected]

Grower Group Contacts

AG in Focus is a partnership publication between Kondinin Group and WA’s leading agricultural research bodies and industry experts. A unique publication, AG in Focus delivers the latest research and innovations that are of most relevance to agriculture, with the aim of helping you improve the productivity, profi tability and sustainability of your farming operation.

AG in Focus is published by Kondinin Group

Mailing address PO Box 1107 Bentley DC Bentley WA 6983

P: (08) 6250 4555; F: (08) 9361 5240E: [email protected];

[email protected] (general enquiries)

W: www.farmingahead.com.au; www.kondiningroup.com.au

What is AG in Focus

Contents

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22Department of Agriculture and Food, WAMain offi ce 3 Baron-Hay Court South Perth WA 6151Mailing address Locked Bag 4 Bentley Delivery Centre WA 6983P: (08) 9368 3333 F: (08) 9474 2405E: [email protected]: www.agric.wa.gov.au

AG in F CUS

www.farmingahead.com.au

DISCLAIMER

This publication is for information purposes only. The publisher and its agents or employees shall not be liable for any loss or damage suffered by any person as a result of reliance on any of the contents hereof, whether such loss or damage arises from the negligence or misrepresentation or any act or omission of the publisher or its agents.

The opinions expressed in AG in FOCUS are not necessarily those of Kondinin Information Services. © Kondinin Information Services 2010. All material appearing in AG in FOCUS is the subject of copyright owned by Kondinin Group and is protected under the Australian Copyright Act (1968), international copyright and trademark law. No portion may be reproduced or duplicated by any process without the prior written permission of Kondinin Group. The Kondinin Group brand is licensed to Kondinin Information Services Pty Ltd from Grain Growers Association.

WA farmers lead the way 3Pathways to Resilience to stimulate

productivity growth 5Improving drought tolerance to help

build resilience 6Novel genes for new environments 7New potassium calculator

to boost yields 8Shaping the future of the sheep industry 9Grower groups take profi t in Yield Prophet® 10Research digs deep for soil renovation 11Growing opportunity for WA malting barley 12Grain quality — it’s everybody’s business 14Sweetening Australia’s lupin markets 16Beefi ng up palatability and pasture options 18Finding solutions to tomorrow’s challenges 20Ramping up the right genes for

disease resistance 22The real cost of money 24An early bonus or a late discount? 25Expert health and safety info at your fi ngertips 28

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Cream of the crop: Australian Farmer of the Year, Ross Woodhouse.

Community: Farmer of the Year Awards

Verity Todd l Marketing and communications

Kondinin Group

WA farmers lead the way

Ross Woodhouse, Warner Glen

Passion and a steadfast commitment to dairy and the people that make it happen were the winning ingredients for Australian Farmer of the Year, Ross Woodhouse.

Ross milks more than 2300 cows across three properties, producing almost 14 million litres of milk or the equivalent of 1 million kilograms of milk solids per year.

Since 1988 Ross has grown his business from 400 hectares and 93 cows to its current size of 2120ha and 2300 cows. His operation was the fi rst family-run dairy farm to milk 1000 cows in Western Australia.

These signifi cant milestones are the combined result of improved pasture species, high stocking rates and a successful crossbreeding program. Ross’s goal to is to run 1000 cows on each property with the assistance of irrigation.

But it was much more than Ross’s technical farming prowess that impressed the judges.

A former schoolteacher who took the reins of the family farm business 22 years ago, Ross holds a passion for imparting knowledge to the younger generation.

Ross invites disadvantaged kids from Bunbury and surrounding areas to stay and work at the dairy overnight and hopes to

create more accommodation facilities so such kids can stay longer.

“The farming population is ageing and young people are going to be the innovators of the future,” Ross said.

“We’ve got an obligation to expose as many young people as we can, from whatever walk of life, to agriculture.”

“Maybe they’ll fi nd that farming is their niche in life and agriculture will be the winner.”

Ross’s farm model includes mentoring two farm managers and allowing up-and-coming young farmers to carry out share farming on his property. He has so far put three young people through dairy apprenticeships.

As well as his family and farm workers, Ross’s cows are his top priority.

He takes pride in revealing only 1 of 460 cows died during calving — a rate well below the industry average of fi ve per cent.

And this year Ross was acknowledged for achieving in the top 5% of Australia for mastitis management.

But like every dairy farmer, the industry has not been without its challenges for Ross.

“We had three of four years of continually low milk prices and too many things went wrong.”

“We had animal health issues, we had pressure from banks and we had staff leaving.”

“We had a very good offer on the table from one of the tree companies and it was tempting to leave the industry. But the thought of leaving the cows behind wavered my decision — so I’m still here.”

Ross was judged the Australian Farmer of the Year from almost 100 entrants including nine fi nalists.

Photo: Ben White

Western Australia is fast earning itself a name as the home State of Australia’s best farmers. At a gala dinner in Sydney during September southwest dairy farmer Ross Woodhouse was named Australian Farmer of the Year and Kununurra fruit grower Lachlan Dobson, was crowned the Biosecurity Farmer of the Year (Plant). The Australian Farmer of the Year Awards are an initiative of Kondinin Group and ABC Rural. WA’s success follows on from the announcement of WA pig, grain and citrus farmer, Sue Middleton, as the 2010 Australian Rural Women of the Year earlier in the year.

Photo: Lucy Martin, ABC Rural

abc.net.au/rural

WA stars: Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, Rural Women of the Year pig, citrus and grain farmer Sue Middleton Wongan Hills, was on hand to congratulate Australian Farmer of the Year, dairy farmer, Ross Woodhouse, Warner Glen.

AG in FOCUS Spring 2010 www.farmingahead.com.au4

Community: Farmer of the Year Awards

Lachlan Dobson, Kununurra

The risks of exotic pests entering the Ord River Irrigation Area (ORIA) and the biosecurity measures to prevent them are never far from fruit grower Lachlan Dobson’s thoughts.

Farming only a little more than 500 kilometres away from another country, Timor, Lachlan knows he needs to be vigilant in keeping biosecurity threats at bay.

It was his dedication and proactive approach to biosecurity measures that saw Lachlan awarded the coveted Biosecurity Farmer of the Year award for the plant category.

Currently growing 12,000 mango trees and 80,000 red fl esh grapefruit trees, Lachlan has also farmed bananas, papaya, melons, raspberry and sweet corn.

Since the 1998 outbreak of Panama disease in the Darwin banana growing area, Lachlan has been committed to advocating biosecurity awareness in the ORIA.

On his own property Lachlan enforces rigorous biosecurity practices.

“The movement of people and machinery always threatens to spread pests and diseases and therefore strict hygiene practices have to be adhered to — even down to footbaths and boot scrubs,” Lachlan said.

“Communicating to staff and farm visitors your expectation that these practices are adhered to is essential for successful biosecurity.”

On guard: Biosecurity Farmer of the Year (Plant), Lachlan Dobson, Kununurra.

Photo: The West Australian

Lachlan took leadership in the development of the Western Australian Banana Industry Biosecurity Plan. Released during 2005, the Plan was recognised as a world-fi rst in collaborative terms between government, industry and the community and was endorsed by the Agricultural Protection Board.

It became a platform for the development of a biosecurity agreement between growers, the Department of Agriculture and Food, tourism organisations and the shire council to minimise the threat of introduced pests and diseases to the northern food bowl region.

Lachlan has provided leadership to OrdGuard for the past fi ve years in the role of chairman. He has also provided leadership and mentoring as a PhD supervisor for two projects appointed by Charles Darwin University in partnership with the CRC for National Plant Biosecurity.

In his spare time Lachlan has spent a number of years attempting to complete the writing of a book Step by step guide to implementing biosecurity on-farm which, when released, will be accompanied by a template to enable farmers to tailor biosecurity practices for their own farm.

For more information on all the winners and fi nalists from the Australian Farmer of the Year Awards see www.farmingahead.com.au. For photos of the gala dinner see the October edition of Kondinin Group’s Farming Ahead magazine, in newsagents now.

Contact Verity ToddE: [email protected]

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DAFWA: Productivity

Dr David Bowran l Farming systems manager

Department of Agriculture and Food

Pathways to Resilience to stimulate productivity growth

At a glanceThe Department of Agriculture and • Food’s new Pathways to Resilience program aims to lift total farm productivity by three per cent per annum by 2015 in agricultural areas that receive less than 350 millimetres of annual rainfall.

Major investments include the • Managed Environment Facility and New Genes for New Environments projects at Merredin (see pages 6 and 7).

The department is working closely • with growers and other stakeholders to help improve the long-term profi tability, sustainability and resilience of farm businesses.

Research, development and extension policy and economics activities across the department are being brought together and linked with other State and national projects under a visionary program called Pathways to Resilience.

This program complements the department’s Bridging the Yield Gap program, which is focused on driving productivity in higher rainfall areas, announced at the Agribusiness Crop Updates during February.

Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman said the program refl ected a ‘new way of thinking’ for the department and industry, and was strongly supported by the State Government for its long-term, collaborative approach.

“Grain growers in the low to medium rainfall zone have made great gains in water

use effi ciency during recent years, in the face of an increasingly diffi cult climatic and economic environment,” Mr Redman said.

“The challenge now is to identify and develop the keys to better productivity to improve farm business returns and support growers to make the most of good seasons and minimise the impact of poor seasons.”

Consolidate and innovateThe Minister said the program would

build on existing productivity gains in the industry and explore new areas to further productivity.

“The department will examine traditional growth opportunities, such as new plant varieties and farming systems, as well as technology solutions and a more diverse range of business opportunities, business structures and policy options,” he said.

“Equipped with a wider range of tools and strategies, grain growers will have more options to manage their operations with greater confi dence and the ability to respond more rapidly to seasonal, economic and climate challenges.”

Pathways to Resilience activities will contribute to fi ve key areas:

• Improved understanding among growers and industry of the key drivers to boost productivity, those that have the greatest impact on and off the farm.

• Identifying and developing the keys to improving productivity — such as changing crop varieties or changing inputs, such as fertiliser or pesticides.

• Developing innovative farming systems and practices, supported by new tools, strategies and technologies, such as seasonal forecasting and farming systems diagnostic tools.

• Improving business skills, systems and structures, such as training courses to increase farm profi ts, exploring cooperative structures to improve purchasing or selling power.

• Aligning public policy to enable industry to be more effi cient, such as removing constraints to development.

Bringing it all togetherPathways to Resilience also incorporates

major new investment links, like the New Genes for New Environments project and the Managed Environment Facility recently launched by the Minister at the department’s Merredin research site (see pages 6 and 7).

Extensive consultation will be undertaken to ensure the program’s endeavours are targeted. Planning for workshops is already underway and more information about new Pathways to Resilience activities will be publicised in the near future.

“Pathways to Resilience will also work in with the North Eastern Agricultural Region Strategy and the joint Federal/State Government drought policy reform strategy,” Mr Redman said.

“It will expand on these strong foundations to provide land managers with skills, tools and opportunities that can build long-term profi tability and resilience under a range of seasonal or economic conditions.”

For more information about Pathways to Resilience visit the department’s website www.agric.wa.gov.au

Contact Dr David Bowran P: (08) 9690 2137E: [email protected]

Photos: DAFWA


The Department of Agriculture and Food has its sights squarely focused on building more profi table, sustainable and resilient farm businesses in the low to medium rainfall areas of the WA grainbelt.


Dr Ben Biddulph l Research offi cer


Improving drought tolerance to help build resilience

DAFWA: Drought-tolerant cereals

At a glanceFour experiments are underway at the • new Managed Environment Facility (MEF) to improve the drought tolerance of future cereal varieties.

The MEF-Merredin enables rigorous • fi eld trials in a controlled environment that includes supplementary irrigation capacity.

The results of the fi rst DAFWA trials, • expected during March 2011, will be fed into national pre-breeding trials and used to develop drought tolerance ratings for commercial varieties.

The MEF is a joint investment by the Department of Agriculture and Food and the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC).

The department’s investment in the facility supports its plan for grains industry development, to build profi tability and improve management of climatic risks. It is an integral part of the new Pathways to Resilience program, which brings together key activities to help growers in the lower rainfall areas respond to seasonal economic and climatic challenges.

Interlinking trials at the MEF are aimed at identifying drought tolerance traits relevant to the WA industry that can be used to develop new and improved grain varieties — particularly cereals.

The department is leading a national MEF research project to benchmark genetic diversity for water stress traits in commercial varieties.

Growing traitsProject leader Ben Biddulph said the

initial investigation would provide key data on the physiology and performance of drought tolerance traits during the growing season, with particular focus on the critical grain fi lling period.

“We are looking at several key features or genetic traits that are associated with drought tolerance in wheat,” Dr Biddulph said.

“These traits include transpiration effi ciency (a plant’s capacity to exchange more carbon dioxide for less water), stem sugars (the ability to develop and utilise stores of soluble sugars during growth to build end-of-season grain fi lling resilience), canopy temperatures (to indicate how plants access water under different conditions), as well as other physical features.

“This information can be fed back to help plant breeders select germplasm for breeding new and improved varieties. It will also be used to help provide a drought tolerance rating for commercial varieties, based on WA drought conditions.”

The project involves 1.2 hectares of small plot yield trials with the capacity for supplementary irrigation of this area.

A clearer pictureDr Biddulph said the MEF facility would

provide more rigorous experimental conditions and greater integrity of data from the trials.

“Because the trial area is irrigated it allows us to work at a larger scale to measure these traits in relation to yield, where we couldn’t before,” he said.

“The MEF uses national standards and protocols, instruments and new technology to improve consistency and accuracy for the process of quantifying drought tolerance.”

All projects undertaken at the MEF use non-genetically modifi ed germplasm and the facility is guided by national and local reference groups.

Research fi ndings are fed back to national pre-breeding and breeding collaborators.

Other trials at MEF-Merredin are being undertaken in conjunction with CSIRO Plant Industry, the Future Farm Industries Co-operative Research Centre and Australian Grain Technologies Pty Ltd. Other scientifi c institutions have also shown interest in future involvement.

The Merredin facility is expected to be fully operational by 2011. Future research will also be undertaken at the two other MEF sites in New South Wales, at Yanco in the south and at Narrabri in the north.

For more information about MEF-Merredin visit www.agric.wa.gov.au

Contact Dr Ben BiddulphP: (08) 9368 3431E: [email protected]

Photo: DAFWA


Field research to improve the drought tolerance of future cereal varieties is underway at the new Managed Environment Facility (MEF) at Merredin.

Dr Ben Biddulph at the launch of MEF-Merredin with Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman and GRDC Western Panel Chair Neil Young.


GM canola plants grown in a secure, bird-netted area.

Photo: DAFWA

DAFWA: GM research

New genes for new environments

At a glanceConstruction has started on two new • scientifi c facilities in Merredin and Katanning to evaluate genetically modifi ed (GM) technology for the grains industry.

The facilities are a part of the • Department of Agriculture and Food’s New Genes for New Environments project to help the WA grains industry strengthen its global competitiveness.

Careful measures have been taken to • ensure the sites are bio-secure and comply with stringent national standards.

The $3 million facilities are a part of the $9 million New Genes for New Environments commitment announced by the State Government in this year’s budget.

The new facilities will enable breeding and research organisations including the Department of Agriculture and Food to evaluate new genes and GM technology in the WA environment.

Department grains industry development director Mark Sweetingham said the facility was likely to boost interest and investment in grains biotechnology research in the State, both in public and private sector organisations.

“This investment refl ects a confi dence in the long-term future of the WA grains industry and recognition that GM technology is expected to play an important role in developing more productive and reliable varieties for growers and better grain products for consumers,” Dr Sweetingham said.

Environment comparisonThe location of the facilities, at the

department’s Katanning and Merredin

research stations, provides two contrasting environments with varying rainfall, length of season and soil types.

The fi eld trial facilities will also feature irrigation and rain-out shelters to enable ‘variable seasons’ to be simulated.

“This will enable scientists to conduct a detailed evaluation of candidate genes for traits such as improved drought tolerance, frost tolerance, nutrient use effi ciency, disease resistance and grain quality,” Dr Sweetingham said.

“The best genes can then be deployed in the most suitable genetic background by plant breeders to create superior varieties.”

Both facilities will have laboratories adjacent to fi eld plots to enable plant and grain samples to be analysed at the same location and avoid risks associated with the transfer of GM material.

The department is consulting widely with potential users of the facilities to ensure the design and capability can meet future research and industry needs.

In line with regulations “All research activities at the facilities

will meet the strict national standards of the Offi ce of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) and all personnel using the facilities will also undergo comprehensive training in the handling of GM crops,” Dr Sweetingham said.

Several public and private users have already indicated their interest and the department is preparing to sow the fi rst trials during 2011.

New Genes for New Environments is a key part of the department’s Pathways to Resilience program aimed at providing growers in lower rainfall areas with technologies to better manage changing circumstances including seasonal conditions and markets.

For more information about New Genes for New Environments visit www.agric.wa.gov.au

Contact Dr Mark SweetinghamP: (08) 9368 3298E: [email protected]

Dr Mark Sweetingham l Grains industry development


Photo: DAFWA


Construction of two new regional scientifi c facilities is underway to enable Western Australian grain growers to capture signifi cant productivity gains through the use of genetically modifi ed (GM) technology.


Dr Craig Scanlan l Research offi cer


New potassium calculator to boost yields

DAFWA: Calculating K

At a glanceThe Department of Agriculture and • Food has developed a new Potassium Calculator to aid decisions about potassium fertiliser applications.

The online model is easy to use and • takes into account soil potassium supply, potential yield and prices of grain and fertiliser.

The Potassium Calculator was developed by the Department of Agriculture and Food, based on extensive trials funded by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC).

Department research offi cer Dr Craig Scanlan said the calculator model would help users decide whether to apply potassium, and how much, to a particular paddock.

Potassium problemsDr Scanlan said potassium defi cient crops

used water less effi ciently and were more susceptible to disease

He said the model would predict the yield and economic response to potassium rates according to soil test results, yield potential, and the prices of grain and fertiliser.

“Potassium is expensive, so the model helps farmers and agronomists to determine whether or not they really need to spend the money,” he said.

“It moves away from ‘rules of thumb’ and enables farmers to fi ne tune their decisions to individual paddocks. So rather than using broad critical levels for soil test potassium, they can work out if, or how much, soil potassium is limiting their grain yield. Then the model can determine what the most profi table rate of potassium fertiliser will be based upon current prices.”

“It’s very easy to use by clicking on the scrollbars to set up the model to refl ect the individual paddock.”

Follow the rulesDr Scanlan said while the model did not

assess the effect of time of application on yield, there were some simple rules to follow to factor in this consideration.

“The time of an application is really only a major issue where leaching is likely to occur,

Photo: DAFWA


A new online tool is available to help farmers and agronomists tailor potassium fertiliser recommendations to their situation.

Dr Craig Scanlan and development offi cer Wayne Parker look at the department’s new online Potassium Calculator, which helps growers tailor their fertiliser applications.

WA grain growers are being asked to report cases of insecticide spray failures against redlegged earth mites (RLEM) and send in mite samples for testing to the Department of Agriculture and Food.

Twelve properties have tested positive for resistant mite populations during the past four years mainly in southern WA and there is concern that resistance may be more widespread.

Department entomologist Svetlana Micic said the testing and feedback from growers would help build a more comprehensive picture of where resistance had already developed.

She said the main concern was that cross-resistance to both synthetic pyrethroids and organophosphate chemical groups could occur.

“To combat further spread of resistant mites, it is important for growers to limit ‘insurance’ or prophylactic spraying unless there is a genuine risk of pest problems,” Ms Micic said.

“While insurance sprays, especially on canola, are attractive from a timing and cost point of view, each additional spray increases the chance of insects developing resistance to insecticides.”

Ms Micic said it was also important to rotate chemicals rather than use the same chemicals on every paddock each year. Where practical, it is best to monitor for pests and spray only when levels are likely to lead to economic losses.

Growers wishing to take advantage of the current free testing service for RLEM resistance should contact Svetlana Micic at the department’s Albany offi ce on 9892 8444 or John Botha at South Perth on 9368 3755.

Contact Svetlana MicicP: (08) 9892 8444E: [email protected]

Free testing service for redlegged earth mite resistanceSvetlana Micic l Entomologist


which is generally on deep white sands in higher rainfall areas,” he said.

“In this situation, there is a zero to four-week window that seems to maximise the availability of potassium to the crop.”

The Potassium Calculator can be viewed for free on the department’s website www.agric.wa.gov.au by searching for ‘potassium calculator.’

Contact Dr Craig ScanlanP: (08) 9690 2174E: [email protected]


DAFWA: Sheep meat

Shaping the future of the sheep industry

At a glanceThe Department of Agriculture and • Food is focusing on sheep meat to support a change in the direction of the sheep industry.

A recent survey showed a signifi cant • proportion of farmers were looking to increase sheep numbers.

New projects to improve lamb supply • and quality aim to capture market opportunities, particularly in the sheep meat market.

Existing activities and collaborations • on sheep genetics and welfare, wool market specifi cations and climate change will continue and complement the new projects.

A recent department survey of 310 sheep producers in the medium to high rainfall zones showed 95 per cent of respondents were planning to maintain or increase their fl ock size.

The survey revealed higher sheep meat prices were the main driver behind the motivation to restock.

During 2008–2009, the gross value of agricultural production in Western Australia for sheep meat ($529 million) surpassed wool ($408 million) for the fi rst time ever.

The survey also showed farmers were maintaining their Merino sheep with more than 80% of respondents intending to keep the breed as the basis for their ewe fl ock.

The department is committed to facilitating and accelerating the sheep industry’s change in direction by increasing

its activities and focus on opportunities in sheepmeat.

Working with industrySenior research offi cer Steve Gherardi is

leading the response to encourage investment in the sheep industry to help satisfy growing market demand.

“We currently have the smallest sheep fl ock since the 1950s, which has led to unfulfi lled demand for sheep and lambs for breeder replacement, slaughter and live export,” Dr Gherardi said.

“This has resulted in falling slaughter and export volumes and under-used processing capacity, while sheep prices have surged.

“The solution will require an industry-wide approach to capture market opportunities.”

To achieve this aim, the department has realigned its research, development and extension activities and initiated new projects to address lamb supply and quality.

These new projects will fall into four key areas:

• growing more lambs

• supply chain analysis

• sheep industry leadership and promotion

• sheep meat industry integration.

Consultation with industry participants is vital and an industry leadership group will soon be announced to harness expertise and act as an advocate for the industry.

Merinos still a mainstayA priority is to invest in the Merino ewe to

accelerate lambing and increase sheep numbers to fulfi ll market demand.

“In partnership with the Sheep CRC, we are developing the tools to breed the ‘future ewe’,” Dr Gherardi said.

“It will be an easy-care Merino that is fertile at seven or eight months, that weans

a higher total weight of lamb, with excellent carcase qualities to satisfy market demand and still produce quality wool.”

The information required will be made available through the development of new Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs) from work done with the Sheep CRC’s information nucleus fl ocks.

It will also integrate the department’s extensive research on genetics and farming systems to develop sheep more resilient to the impact of dry seasons, less labour intensive and better suited to their environment.

These activities will complement the best practice management programs supported by the department, such as the Lifetime Ewe Management, Making More from Sheep, the Sheep’s Back and Grain and Graze.

Rising to the challengesOpportunity has also been identifi ed to

increase sheep production in the high rainfall zone, by overcoming constraints such as fl ystrike and internal parasites through breeding and management.

Existing projects and collaborations on sustainable productivity and welfare, climate change and extension will continue and complement the new initiatives.

“It’s not just about producing more lambs but having a profi table and sustainable industry with a long-term future,” Dr Gherardi said.

“This means working throughout the supply chain to help the sheep industry build a solid foundation for the future.”

For more information about the department’s activities in the sheep industry visit www.agric.wa.gov.au

Contact Dr Steve GherardiP: (08) 9368 3130E: [email protected]

Dr Steve Gherardi l Senior research offi cer


Photo: Catriona Nicholls


The Department of Agriculture and Food has refocused its work in the sheep industry to help farmers rebuild their fl ocks to capture market opportunities for sheep meat.


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DAFWA: Yield Prophet

Grower groups take profi t in Yield Prophet®

At a glanceThe Department of Agriculture and • Food is committed to assisting growers to manage seasonal variability.

Yield Prophet® gives key information • to help growers make decisions throughout the cropping season.

Matching tested soil properties with a • characterised database soil type is key to the accuracy of the model.

Using the Yield Prophet® decision tool to manage seasonal variability is a project initiative by the Department of Agriculture and Food. The project is responding to growers’ needs to have access to information and tools that help with key management decisions during diffi cult seasons.

Yield Prophet is an online crop production model to help growers make informed management decisions about their crop. It is licensed with the Birchip Cropping Group (BCG) and uses the Agricultural Production Simulator (APSIM) model developed by CSIRO.

Grower groups see valueDepartment senior development offi cer

Caroline Peek said there had been an exponential growth in the awareness of Yield Prophet during 2010 with grower groups becoming very interested in the concept.

“Consultants and growers are fi nding that yield reports generated through the season by Yield Prophet can give a range of realistic yields to consider when making key decisions,” Ms Peek said.

Growers and advisors can also use the information generated on soil water and

nitrogen status, crop growth stages and how the season is tracking to make decisions about nitrogen applications. They can assess the effect of changed sowing dates or varieties on yields and the risk of frost and heat shock.

“Some consultants and growers like to use it as a point of reference while others use it on a more general scale, along with their own knowledge and experience,” Ms Peek said.

Some grower groups are now funding their own Yield Prophet initiatives, encouraging their members to attend fi eld walks and discuss management decisions based on the models.

Greg Creasy, a Yuna farmer, who has been running the model for two years, describes it as a ‘handy tool’. He says he fi nds the deep testing for moisture and nitrogen very useful for adjusting inputs, particularly with the differences on wheat following wheat compared with wheat following fallow. Greg says the yield forecasts get him thinking about how much grain he might have when considering grain-marketing options.

Matching characterised soilsBy testing and registering the soil, and

matching it to a characterised soil type in the database, a grower can then generate reports specifi c to the region in which they live. The database has 100 years of climate data, ranking the current year from 1–100.

“At any point in time during the year the model will tell us how the yield is tracking and what the yield probability is moving forward,” Ms Peek said.

“Decisions on inputs and grain marketing can then be made based on the individual grower’s business and attitude to risk.”

Ms Peek stressed the importance for growers to match their soil types with the correct characterised soil in the database and to choose the most appropriate meteorological site.

Photo: DAFWA

Through the use of Yield Prophet®, grower groups can understand real-time crop production risks and make more informed management decisions.

“This is where the margin for error increases, and growers may need a consultant to get this right,” Ms Peek said.

“We are planning to run workshops early next year to help interested growers learn how best to match their soil types in the model.”

Contact Caroline PeekP: (08) 9081 3104E: [email protected]

Caroline Peek l Senior development offi cerDepartment of Agriculture and Food


A comprehensive online report gives growers a

Field workers characterise a complete soil profi le across different local and regional landscapes to which farmers then match their own soil types.


DAFWA: Soil maintenance

Research digs deep for soil renovation

At a glanceDepartment of Agriculture and Food • research into soil inversion techniques is showing improved soil characteristics, in particular the removal of compaction, and amelioration of soil water repellence.

Complete soil inversion using the • mouldboard plough has demonstrated weed control of more than 90 per cent.

Positive results and strong support • from growers will allow further research to investigate the long-term consequences and how it can complement a minimum tillage system.

Results from the department’s 2009 fi eld trials revealed the initial impact of mouldboard ploughs and rotary spaders was to remove soil compaction to the depth of working. Other benefi ts included improved weed control, and the amelioration of soil water repellence.

Department research offi cer Dr Stephen Davies said cultivation using mouldboard ploughs and rotary spaders fundamentally changed many soil properties and provided an opportunity to incorporate amendments, such as lime and clay; reduce water repellence; reduce compaction; increase soil pH; and distribute organic carbon and nutrients throughout the soil profi le.

Rotary spaders combine a degree of soil inversion with soil mixing while the mouldboard plough completely inverts the soil profi le in the top 25–30cm.

Dr Davies’ Grains Research and Development-funded research trials are the fi rst to compare the two inversion techniques and suggest the use of mouldboard ploughs and rotary spaders could complement a minimum-tillage system. They also indicate that soil inversion could be carried out one in every 10 years.

Mouldboard ploughingThe average yield increase using the

mouldboard plough in the fi rst year was 400–500kg/ha in cereal crops. The results demonstrate that some of the early crop growth benefi ts from mouldboard ploughing may be derived from a soil loosening effect, similar to that obtained from deep ripping. There are also a number of other agronomic advantages and the plough alters the soil profi le far more than a deep ripper.

The trials show soil inversion could remove water repellence, raise subsoil with higher clay content in some soil types and provide an opportunity to alter the subsoil pH. The distribution of carbon in the soil profi le substantially changes with increased organic carbon contents in the 10–20cm and 20–30cm layers while organic carbon in the 0–10cm layer is much reduced.

Mouldboard ploughing can also almost completely control weeds by burying weed seeds. If the mouldboard plough is set up for complete soil inversion, weed control of more than 90% can be achieved.

“However, these statistics should not disregard the importance of sound integrated pest management practices, which will need to continue to be implemented,” Dr Davies said.

While the softness of mouldboard ploughed soils can create crop establishment problems, Dr Davies observed that a number of growers had successfully established cover crops using simple methods, which involved spreading seed on the soil surface and then rolling it in with coil-packers or something similar.

Rotary spaderLike the mouldboard plough the spader

also loosened the soil to the depth of working, changed the distribution of organic matter in the profi le, reduced water repellence and lowered weed populations. But compared with the complete soil inversion of the plough, the impact on these soil and agronomic properties was not as great. For example, the rotary spader method only controlled up to 60–70% of weed seeds

and the soils still often remained partially water repellent after spading.

The spader does have its advantages though.

“It can incorporate clay-rich subsoil into water repellent sands and lime into acid subsoils, whereas the mouldboard plough completely buries these amendments rather than mixing them through the soil,” Dr Davies said.

The research reveals that particular care will need to be taken not to bury the clay-rich subsoil so deep that the effect of ameliorating topsoil water repellence is lost when incorporating it with the rotary spader.

Test of timeEarly results are encouraging but questions

remain around the long-term impacts of the one-off use of both mouldboard ploughs and rotary spaders. For example, there is a considerable risk of wind erosion, especially when the soil is dry. Additionally, researchers do not yet know the fate of the buried water repellent topsoil over time and whether it remains repellent, which will affect soil management in subsequent years.

“There is strong support from growers to continue researching buried water repellent soils over time and the trial at Badgingarra provides a good opportunity to assess this,” Dr Davies said.

A 2009 ‘straw-poll’ survey of 51 growers in the Mingenew area revealed that 98% would be willing to use inversion tillage to manage soil repellence and herbicide resistance weeds, once the technique had been proven.

Acknowledgements This research was funded by GRDC through the Managing Hostile Subsoil Research project (UWA00081). GRDC is funding ongoing work through the new Delivering agronomic strategies for water-repellent soils in WA project (DAW00204), which started during July 2010.

Contact Dr Stephen DaviesP: (08) 9956 8515E: [email protected]

Dr Stephen Davies l Research offi cer


Photos: DAFWA

Mouldboard ploughed ControlControl Spaded


Department of Agriculture and Food researchers along with local growers in the northern agricultural region, have demonstrated signifi cant crop responses to soil inversion using mouldboard ploughs and partial inversion using rotary spaders in non-wetting sands.


Anne Wilkins l Grain market analyst


Growing opportunity for WA malting barley

DAFWA: Barley

At a glanceChina is the world’s biggest beer • producer (43 mega tonnes), with local consumption increasing by six per cent per year.

Most large Chinese breweries rely • on imported malting barley from North America, Australia (60%) and Europe.

Poor quality Chinese domestic • barley coupled with reduced plantings and low grain payments generate high demand for Australian malting barley but effort is needed to improve the fl avour of Australian malting barley to increase market share.

The two-week trip, funded by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and the Department of Agriculture and Food, included a delegation of cereal chemists, barley breeders and market analysts from the department and universities in South Australia and New South Wales.

The delegation travelled from Guanghou in southern China through to Dalian in the north, visiting grain traders, malt houses, breweries and agricultural and barley research centres along the way.

Department grain market analyst Anne Wilkins said the delegation gathered invaluable information direct from Chinese maltsers and brewers about the quality and supply requirements of China’s malting barley industry.


Australia’s market share of the burgeoning Chinese malting barley market can increase further — if a consistent, stable supply of higher protein grain can be assured, according to a recent market intelligence trip led by the Department of Agriculture and Food.

“We received very direct feedback about the quality of Australian malting barley and the traits we need to improve in order to have a larger impact in the Chinese market,” Ms Wilkins said.

“With a deregulated export barley market now in place, it is important to ensure information fl ows effi ciently between international markets and the Australian barley industry.

“In doing so we will be able to respond quickly and proactively to the changing needs of our international customers.”

Information gatheringThe discussions provided the delegation

with crucial information that will assist potential Australian suppliers to secure new opportunities.

“The Chinese prefer a light, mild beer, which is achieved by using malting barley with a protein content of 10% or higher,” Ms Wilkins said.

“To achieve this, the Chinese brewing industry currently mixes Australian malting barley with higher protein and better fl avoured barley from Canada and France, which means we are missing out on market share.

“There is an opportunity to increase the receival standard for WA malting barley from 9.5–12.5% protein to 10–13% to secure a larger share of the Chinese malting barley market.”

Cementing relationshipsDepartment barley pre-breeder Chengdao

Li who attended the market intelligence tour

is organising a Memorandum of Understanding with Tsingtao Brewery to establish a collaborative investigation of the factors underlying malt and beer fl avour and aroma.

The joint project aims to:

1. establish expertise for evaluation of malt and beer fl avour in Australia;

2. better understand the genetic and environmental factors controlling malt and beer fl avour and aroma; and

3. provide a genetic solution to develop the next Australian generation of malting barley varieties with improved fl avour and aroma.

The Chinese also showed interest in the joint Department of Agriculture and Food — Edith Cowan University Pilot Malting Evaluation Facility, which commences operation during 2011.

“The Pilot Malting Facility will enable greater technical communication between the Australian barley industry and its international customers, including encouraging familiarity with the new varieties being released,” Ms Wilkins said.

“It will also enable the industry to understand our export customers and respond more quickly to their needs.”

“There is also scope to improve the fl avour of Australian malting barley and in doing so increase our share of the Chinese market.”

Contact Anne WilkinsM: 0429 884 956E: [email protected]

The Australian malting barley delegation with representatives from the Chinese brewing and malting barley industry outside a processing facility in the city of Dalian, in the north of the country.

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Catriona Nicholls l Project manager

Kondinin Group

Grain quality — it’s everbody’s business

On-farm assurance

At a glanceDry conditions across much of Western • Australia could see growers looking to the livestock sector to offl oad feed-quality grain and cereal hay.

Australia’s red meat industry provides • a valuable market for Western Australian grain growers, who are an integral link in the export industry supply chain.

A new suite of commodity vendor • declarations (CVDs) provides grain growers with a risk management tool when delivering grain to livestock markets.

The suite of commodity declarations • are available as and easy-to-use electronic program in the form of a free download from the internet. Registering for the CVD program can take as little as 5–10 minutes.

Western Australian grain growers have signifi cant input into the nation’s livestock industries directly and indirectly as suppliers of grain and fodder. Recent boosts to Australia’s beef and sheepmeat export markets will see this benefi cial relationship between the two industries continue to fl ourish.

Dry conditions across much of the State, combined with strong lamb prices, could see grain growers taking advantage of increased demand for supplementary feed grain and fodder this summer.

A new suite of commodity vendor declarations (CVDs) provides grain growers with an easy-to-use risk management tool that will protect existing markets for feed grain and ensure Australia’s valuable livestock export industry remains viable well into the future.

As an integral link in the red meat supply chain, feed grain quality and safety is paramount to Australia’s livestock export industries.

Managing riskLivestock feed declarations have been in

use as a quality assurance risk management tool since 1996 and were developed in response to meat contamination from stock feeds containing chemical residues.

An industry review of the existing stockfeed declarations was recently carried out to better refl ect the whole chain process of the cropping industry and also the by-product and fodder industries.

In consultation with the Grains Industry, the Oilseeds Industry, Grain Bulk Handlers,

Photos: Catriona Nicholls

As harvest approaches, grain growers looking to sell into the livestock feed grain and fodder markets need to remember the important role they play in the overall supply chain.

Livestock producers looking for supplementary feeding options this summer are warned to take particular care to avoid the potential risks of crop by-products and failed crops.

By-products often include fruit and vegetable wastes and crop processing by-products such as peel, pulp and stems.

To check the risk of various alternative fodders, producers can refer to the risk assessment documents compiled by SAFEMEAT (www.safemeat.com.au).

Declaration provides safety netRequesting a by-product vendor

declaration (BVD) when securing feed

will help minimise risk associated with by-products.

Two BVDs are available as an electronic program, free to download from the internet:

Ex Grower/By-product Trader — where by-product is supplied directly by a grower or by-product trader.

Ex Food Processor/Manufacturer — where by-product is supplied directly by a food processor or manufacturer.

More information www.mla.com.au/feeddecswww.safemeat.com.au

Beware the by-product


On-farm assurance

Stockfeed Manufacturers, Horticulture Australia, Australian Fodder Industry Association and government stakeholders, SAFEMEAT, on behalf of the red meat industry, has developed a new suite of livestock feed declarations.

These declarations provide grain growers and feed suppliers with an easy-to-use risk management tool to reduce the risk of meat contamination from stock feeds that may contain residues from chemical treatments associated with the production or storage of livestock feed.

Such residues have the potential to place the integrity of the red meat and livestock meat industry supply chain at risk.

Grain growers can reduce this risk and protect their place in the supply chain by providing commodity and by-product buyers with the relevant commodity vendor declaration form at the time of purchase.

Feed declarations — the full packageThere are fi ve livestock feed declarations

available: two commodity vendor declarations (CVDs), two by-product vendor declarations (BVDs); and a fodder declaration (FVD).

Two CVDs in particular have been developed to better meet the needs of grain growers and traders:

• Grain and oilseed grower/grain and oilseed trader.

• Multi vendor storage declaration.

Growers who are supplying a single type of grain or oilseed, that has NOT been blended with another grain or oilseed need to supply the Grain and oilseed grower/grain and oilseed trader form whenever they sell feed grain to a livestock producer.

Growers supplying a blended batch of grain need to supply a Multi vendor storage declaration CVD with their grain.

However, growers looking to sell failed cereal crops as hay, silage or straw to livestock producers, need to fi ll in a fodder vendor declaration (FVD).

Easy accessCVDs are available as an electronic

program, free to download from the internet (see contact details at end of article).

Growers already using the electronic National Vendor Declaration and Waybill computer program (eDEC) can use their existing login details for the electronic CVD. Otherwise, registering is a simple and well-guided process.

Registering for the CVD program can take as little as 5–10 minutes.

After accessing the website, easy to follow instructions assist in downloading the CVD

program, activating accounts and fi lling in and printing the declarations.

Note that the program will not work on Macintosh (Apple) computers.

More information www.mla.com.au/feeddecswww.safemeat.com.au

Contact Duncan Bruce-SmithT: (02) 9463 9164E: [email protected]

A stringent approach to on-farm risk management has lead Australia’s international recognition as a world-leader in food safety.

This reputation is underpinned by systems such as Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) and vendor declarations.

The LPA National Vendor Declaration and Waybill (NVD/Waybill) is the main document upholding Australia’s meat and livestock food safety reputation.

On-farm risk management actions underpinned by LPA accreditation support all claims made on the LPA NVD/Waybill.

The LPA NVD/Waybill enables important information regarding livestock history to be transferred through the chain to the end consumer providing confi dence in the safety and quality of their red meat.

When producers sign an LPA NVD/Waybill, they are showing their compliance with LPA.

The cost of a standard book of 20 LPA NVD/Waybills is $35.00 (including GST) and these can be obtained online through the LPA user profi le website or by phoning 1800 683 111.

eDECs and emergency NVD/WaybillsAn electronic version of the LPA

NVD/Waybill, the eDEC, has been developed for livestock producers and lot feeders and offers a cost saving of up to 40% compared with printed booklets.

The eDEC simplifi es the completion process as it takes producers through the components of an LPA NVD/Waybill step-by-step and can be printed after completion.

eDECs can be purchased online through the LPA user profi le website.

Emergency NVD/Waybills are essentially the same as an eDEC, but available only in emergency circumstances, when a conventional LPA NVD/Waybill or eDEC is unavailable.

The emergency system is available at any time online and is accessed through the LPA user profi le website.

The system can also be accessed via the LPA hotline on 1800 683 111 (Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm AEST).

www.mla.com.au/Meat-safety-and-traceability.

LPA — paving the way for food safety

BY-PRODUCT VENDOR DECLARATION

Please print clearly.

Commodity / Product Location relative to commodity in this declaration

5

Declaration

a. I am the duly authorised representative of the Vendor supplying this commodity.

b. All the information in this document is true and correct.

c. Whilst under the Vendor’s control all chemical applications to the commodity were with

registered chemicals in accordance with the chemicals' registered label or APVMA permit.

d. The by-product supplied complies with all state/territory legislation in relation to Restricted

Animal Material and feeds for livestock.

e. I have read and understood the Explanatory Notes and Questions and have answered all

Questions in compliance with the Explanatory Notes.

Position

etaD

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DAY MONTH YEAR

1

2

3

Vendor’s name (if different)

Vendor’s postal address(FULL ADDRESS INCLUDING POSTCODE)

Vendor’s contract no. (if applicable)

Supplier location Silo/ hopper/ pad no.

Buyer’s trading name

Delivery period from to

DAY MONTH YEAR DAY MONTH YEAR

(Ex Food Processor / Manufacturer)

Release number

Buyer’s contract no. (if applicable)

Commodity description

Tonnes represented by this declaration

declare that,

Name of program

Certification no

IFULL NAME

6Buyer’s postal address

Serial no.

Has the commodity covered by this declaration been analysed for chemical residues by a

laboratory accredited by NATA for the test type required?

Does the enterprise have a third party audited QA program in place which ensures this

commodity complies with state and federal regulations on chemical residue standards for

stockfeeds?

When received by this facility was the commodity covered by this declaration accompanied by

completed commodity vendor declarations or produced under a QA program that incorporated

chemical residue management?

List details of other commodities/products that the commodity described on this declaration

may have been in direct contact with whilst under your control. (e.g. other product/s held in

hopper immediately prior to this commodity)

Has a residue risk assessment that addresses livestock residue risks arising from the use of

the by-product as stock feed been completed?

Include any clean feed interval and period of time that livestock should be withheld from slaughter

after last consuming this by-product.

Product name Product rate Application date WHP

Phone no.

4 List all chemicals applied to the commodity whilst under your control. (attach additional list if

insufficient space or a copy of your treatment records)

Vendor’s trading name

Tel no.

Fax no.

Date produced

FOR ALL QUESTIONS, PLEASE READ EXPLANATORY NOTES

Printed at:

Print date/time:

Phone:

User ID:

SVC000100409

If Yes,give details:

Yes No

Yes No

If Yes, attach details of testing results on delivered product.

Yes No

(if Yes, please attach completed risk assessments)

Yes No

Purchaser (Receiver) Duplicate30092769

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Silo/ hopper/ pad no.

DAYAYA MONTH

Serial no.


for the test type required?

Does the enterprise have a third party audited QA program in place which ensures this A program in place which ensures this A


When received by this facility was the commodity covered by this declaration accompanied by

completed commodity vendor declarations or produced under a Q




insufficient space or a copy of your treatment records)

fficient space or a copy of your treatment records)

f

Fax

Date produced

QUESTIONS, PLEASE READ EXPLAN


Duplicate30092769

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BY-PRODUCT VENDOR DECLARATION


Declaration

a. I am the duly authorised representative of the Vendor supplying this Commodity.


c. Whilst under the Vendor’s control all chemical applications to the Commodity were with registered

chemicals in accordance with the chemicals' registered label or APVMA permit.

d. The Commodity supplied complies with all state/territory legislation in relation to Restricted Animal

Material and feeds for livestock.

e. I have read and understood the Explanatory Notes and Questions and have answered all Questions

in compliance with the Explanatory Notes.

Position

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DAY MONTH YEAR

1

2

3


Vendor’s postal address (FULL ADDRESS INCLUDING POSTCODE)

Tel no.


Property Identification Code (PIC) number

Buyer’s trading name and postal address



(Ex Grower / By-Product Trader)

This By-product is:


declare that,

IFULL NAME

Fax no.

Paddock I .D . /s

Storage I.D./s

Product name

Application date WHP

Crop

Approx. harvest month 6

5


Product name

Application date WHP and/or EI

7

8

Serial no. 4


Yes No

Yes No


Yes No

By-product description Date of harvest

Does the enterprise have a third party audited QA program in place which ensures this


stockfeeds?



List all chemicals and organic fertilisers applied to the parent commodity, the harvested

commodity or to the by-product whilst these were under your control: (attach additional list if

insufficient space or a copy of your treatment records if necessary)

List all chemicals (excluding fertilisers) applied on your property within 100 metres of the crop

producing the commodity covered by this declaration from its commencement of flowering to

harvest: (attach additional list if insufficient space)

Was this commodity produced within a Mandatory No-Spray Zone for a chemical not listed in

Q3 or Q4? (see explanatory notes)

List all Neighbours’ Crops within 100 metres of the crop from which this commodity was

derived as follows: (attach additional list if insufficient space)




after last consuming this by-product.

Has the commodity been grown on a property with an assigned chemical residue status?


Product rate/Ha or tonne


Phone no.

Printed at:

Print date/time:

Phone:

User ID:

SVC000100409

Direct ex paddock Ex storage


Yes No

If Yes, chemical(s)

Yes No (if Yes, please attach completed risk assessments)


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0294639164

tative of the Vendor sendor sendor

All the information in this document is true and correct.

Whilst under the Vendor’s control all chemical applications to the Commodity were with registered


The Commodity supplied complies with all state/territory legislation in relation to Restricted Animal


I have read and understood the Explanatory Notes and Questions and have answered all Questions


give details:



ficient space)

as this commodity produced within a Mandatory No-Spray Zone for a chemical not listed in

Crops within 100 metres of the crop from which this commodity was

(attach additional list if insufficient space) fficient space) f






Print date/time:

If Yes, chemical(s)

(if Yes, please attach completed risk assessments)

Pembroke Downs

05/08/2010

0294639164

GRAIN AND OILSEED VENDOR 4 List all chemicals (excluding fertilisers) applied on your property within 100 metres of the crop




Declaration




registered chemicals in accordance with the chemicals' registered label or APVMA permit.

d. The commodity supplied complies with all state/territory legislation in relation to Restricted Animal




Phone no.

Position

etaD

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DAY MONTH YEAR

1 Is the property on which the commodity was grown or stored certified under an independently

audited QA program which includes chemical residue management relevant to the commodity

being supplied?

2 Has the commodity covered by this declaration been analysed for chemical residues by a


3 List all agricultural chemicals (excluding fertilisers) applied to the commodity whilst it was under

your control (attach additional list if insufficient space):

a. all post harvest treatments. (including fumigants and insecticides)

b. for grains and oilseed, from commencement of flowering to harvest.

Serial no.



Tel no.


PIC and/or NGR number

Buyer’s trading name and postal address



DECLARATION (Ex Grower / Grain Trader)

This commodity is:




declare that,

IFULL NAME

Fax no.

Paddock I .D . /s

Storage I.D./s


Product name

Application date WHP / ESI


Crop/situation

ISE / PHW etad noitacilppA eman tcudorP

Crop

Approx. harvest date (month / year) 6 List all Neighbours’ Crops grown within 100 metres of the crop from which this commodity was

derived: (attach additional list if insufficient space)

7 Has the commodity been grown on a property with an assigned chemical residue status?


If Yes, give details

5 Was this commodity produced within a Mandatory No-Spray Zone for a chemical not listed in


Date of harvest

Product rate/Ha

Direct ex paddock Ex storage

FOR ALL QUESTIONS, PLEASE READ EXPLANATORY NOTES Yes No

If Yes, chemical(s)

Yes No


Yes No

Yes No

Printed at:

Print date/time:

Phone:

User ID:

SVC000100409


Pembroke Downs

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4 List all chemicals (excluding fertilisers) applied on your property within 100 metres of the crop



Is the property on which the commodity was grown or stored certified under an independently



List all agricultural chemicals (excluding fertilisers) applied to the commodity whilst it was under

ADDRESS INCLUDING


Application date WHP

Crop/situation

ISE/PHWetadnoitacilppAemantcudorP

Product rate/Ha

NOTES


Print date/time:

Phone:

30092766

0294639164

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.

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. / /20

. / /20

. / /20

. / /20


Yes No

Phone no.

Position

Product name Product rate per tonne Application date WHP

GRAIN AND OILSEED VENDOR 4 List all chemicals, fumigants and insecticides applied to the commodity whilst under your

control. (attach additional list if insufficient space)



5 List details of other commodities/products that the commodity described on this declaration

Declaration




registered chemicals in accordance with the chemicals’ registered label or APVMA permit.

d. The commodity supplied complies with all state/territory legislation in relation to Restricted


e. I have read and understood the Explanatory Notes and Questions and have answered all


etaD

erutangiS

DAY MONTH YEAR

1 Is the facility in which the commodity is stored certified under an independently audited QA

program which includes chemical residue management for all commodity received and

supplied? (If Yes, give details and go to Question 5. If No, complete all questions)

2 When received by this storage facility, was the commodity covered by this declaration

accompanied by completed commodity vendor declarations that incorporated chemical residue

3 Has the commodity covered by this declaration been analysed for chemical residues by a


Vendor’s postal address(FULL ADDRESS INCLUDING POSTCODE)

Tel no.


Storage location Silo/pad no.

Buyer’s trading name



DECLARATION

Release number




declare that,



Name of program

Certification no

IFULL NAME

may have been in direct contact with whilst under your control. (if applicable) (e.g. product held in

storage silo immediately prior to this commodity)

Buyer’s postal address

Serial no.

management?

(Ex Multi Vendor Storage Facility)

Fax no.


Printed at:

Print date/time:

Phone:

User ID:

SVC000100409

Yes No

Yes No



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.

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osition

Product name Product rate per tonne Application date WHP List all chemicals, fumigants and insecticides applied to the commodity whilst under your

(attach additional list if insufficient space)


List details of other commodities/products that the commodity described on this declaration

Declaration

I am the duly authorised representative of the Vendor sendor sendor upplying this commodity.

All the information in this document is true and correct.

Whilst under the Vendor’s control all chemical applications to the commodity were with

registered chemicals in accordance with the chemicals’ registered label or APVMA permit.

. The commodity supplied complies with all state/territory legislation in relation to Restricted


I have read and understood the Explanatory Notes and Questions and have answered all


are that,

FULL NAME

may have been in direct contact with whilst under your control. (if applicable) (e.g. product held in

storage silo immediately prior to this commodity)

Printed at:

Print date/time:

Phone:

User ID: Pembroke Downs

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FODDER VENDOR DECLARATION 4


Declaration



c. Whilst under the Vendor’s control all chemical applications to the commodity were with registered


d. The commodity supplied complies with all state/territory legislation in relation to Restricted Animal




Position

etaD

erutangiS

DAY MONTH YEAR

1

2

3

Serial no.



Tel no.

Vendor’s contract no. (if applicable) PIC and/or NGR number

Buyer’s name



(Ex Grower / Fodder Trader)

Has the commodity been sheltered from weather?

Buyer’s contract no. (if applicable) Fodder description

QuantityBale size

declare that,

IFULL NAME

Fax no.

Yes

Product name

Application date WHP / ESI / EAFI

Product rate/Ha

Crop/situation Product name

Application date WHP / ESI / EAFI

Crop

Approx. harvest date (month/year) 6

7

If Yes, give details

DAY MONTH YEAR

Absence

Productrate/Ha

8

Buyer’s postal address

5

Trace Obvious

Is the property on which the commodity was grown or stored certified under an independently


being supplied?

Commodity traders only: When received by you was all commodity covered by this declaration

accompanied by completed commodity vendor declarations?

Is there any evidence of mould in the commodity being supplied?

List all agricultural chemicals and organic fertilisers applied to the commodity whilst it was

under your control, from its pre and or seedling emergence, or last cut, to this harvest. (attach

additional list if insufficient space)


producing the commodity covered by this declaration from its pre and or seedling emergence,

or last cut, to this harvest (attach additional list if insufficient space)

Was this commodity produced within a Mandatory No-Spray Zone for a chemical not listed in


If Yes, chemical(s)

Yes No

List all Neighbours’ Crops within 100 metres of the crop from which this commodity was

derived: (attach additional list if insufficient space)


Has the fodder been tested for chemical residues or toxins such as ARGT, prussic Acid,

aflatoxins or nitrites, by a laboratory holding appropriate NATA accreditation?

Phone no.

Cutting date


Type:


Printed at:

Print date/time:

Phone:

User ID:

SVC000100409


Yes No

No

Yes No

Yes No


Yes No

If Yes, attach declarations and move to Question 8


Pembroke Downs

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Section: Slug

Sally Porter l Quality and technical manager — protein and oilseeds

CBH Grain

Sweetening Australia’s lupin markets From feed to food

CBH: Lupins

At a glanceLupins have signifi cant nutritional • benefi ts in relation to human consumption, such as high levels of protein and dietary fi bre, and a low fat content.

The Middle East fl at bread, the • Indonesian tempe and the Asian noodle markets are possible new opportunities for Australian lupins.

Transitioning lupins from feed into • food markets represent signifi cant potential increase in value for Australian lupin growers and will help reverse the trend of declining profi tability and plantings seen during the past decade.

CBH Grain is actively promoting Australian sweet lupins as a nutritional, high-value human food ingredient in international markets such as the Indonesian tempe (pronounced tem-pay) market, the Asian noodle markets and the Middle Eastern fl at bread markets. Drawing on research and information from local medical, food and agricultural scientists, the demand for lupins as a food has the potential to leave Western Australian growers with a sweet taste in their mouths.

Profi tability — fading like a fl our?Lupins have played a vital role in cropping

rotations in WA; fi xing atmospheric nitrogen; providing a cereal disease break; an opportunity to rotate herbicide chemistry; and an important source of feed for livestock. With declining sheep numbers and longer cereal rotations, the areas being planted to lupins in WA has been eroded from about 800,000 hectares to 1,000,000ha annually throughout the 1990s, to an average of less than half that during the past decade. A signifi cant driver for this reduction has been the lower gross margins obtained for lupins in comparison to both cereal crops and alternative break crops, in particular canola.

WA consistently produces more than 80 per cent of Australia’s exportable sweet lupin supply. Couple this with recent advances in the understanding of lupin nutrition, health benefi ts and functionality as a food ingredient and we are looking at a

signifi cant opportunity for growers and the WA lupin industry if the right markets and price can be established for our unique and highly useable source of plant-based protein and dietary fi bre.

Sheep seem to like them, should we?Lupins boast an impressive nutritional

profi le and a list of health benefi ts backed by recent fi ndings by medical researchers and nutritionists. They are high in protein and dietary fi bre, low in fat and contain minimal starch. Lupins present a nutritionally valuable food for those in developing countries with diets lacking in protein and for those in developed nations with an overabundance of foods high in fats and low in dietary fi bre. With the lowest glycaemic index (GI) of all commonly consumed grains and having a high satiety factor (they

make you feel full, so you eat less!), evidence suggests that lupins could play a role in combating obesity and related health problems, such as high blood pressure, increased cholesterol and insulin resistance. It’s time for us to fi nd out what the sheep have been ‘baa’ing’on about for years!

Triple-tested recipes From adapting the traditional Indonesian

process of fermenting soybeans to make lupin tempe, to determining the perfect inclusion rate of lupin fl our in unleavened breads (lupins are gluten free and so are ideal for products like naan and pita breads that are not required to rise), the use of lupins in food in the international marketplace is becoming better understood and adopted.

CBH Grain quality and technical manager, Sally Porter has been collaborating with food manufacturers and scientists here and in the markets CBH Grain is developing.

“There are challenges to overcome in each of the lupin food markets we are working on. These range from market access issues and meeting importing country food safety requirements to helping end users to make tasty lupin-based foods,” Sally said.

“We’re working really hard to demonstrate the benefi ts of lupins as a food to our customers, to secure these premium markets and ultimately to be able to send signals back to growers that there is strong demand for lupins suitable for food, at values attractive enough to grow them.”

Contact Sally PorterP: (08) 9216 6096E: [email protected]

FIGURE 1 WA lupin production (mt) (1987–2010/2011f)

0200000400000600000800000

1000000120000014000001600000

1987

-198

8

1988

-198

9

1989

-199

0

1990

-199

1

1991

-199

2

1992

-199

3

1993

-199

4

1994

-199

5

1995

-199

6

1996

-199

7

1997

-199

8

1998

-199

9

1999

-200

0

2000

-200

1

2001

-200

2

2002

-200

3

2003

-200

4

2004

-200

5

2005

-200

6

2006

-200

7

2007

-200

8

2008

-200

9

2009

-201

0

2010

-201

1f

WA

lupi

n pr

oduc

tion

(mt)

Source: CBH Grain and ABARE

FIGURE 2 Nutritional comparison of lupins with other common grains

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Dietary fibreStarch

FatProtein

Wheat PeasSoybeanmeal

Lupinkernel

Source: B. Glencross (2001) CBH Grain

With relatively low levels of starch and fat and high levels of protein and dietary fi bre, the addition of even a small percentage of lupins can give a healthy boost to wheaten-based foods.

Few would dispute the value a lupin break crop can offer a cereal cropping rotation, but how is the value of this traditional animal-feed crop being captured in the marketplace?

Phot

os: C

BH

Mastergroup Releases New Version of Agrimaster

Managing Director David Egerton-Warburton said ‘Since the development of the first version of Agrimaster in 1981, all updates have been designed to meet the increasingly sophisticated needs of farm businesses.

We employ a team of specialised computer programmers to ensure our program keeps pace with technology, industry and legislative requirements and potential system bugs without compromising its integrity for users.’

Agrimaster Version 6 remains a fully integrated program that offers enterprise budgeting, cashbook, reporting and data transfer systems to enable users to make informed management decisions.

Mastergroup coder Rob Davis said ‘Version 6 was the biggest update of the program for several years with a new look, modern icons and re-designed reports.’

‘The new version has standardised fonts, a new colour scheme that is easy on the eye for the operator and, in line with industry requirements, can now accommodate amounts over $10 million,’ he said.

Agrimaster Version 6 has three new reporting functions:

An Asset Management Register Report – calculates movement in value and depreciation.

Stock Control Report – keeps track of all stock from livestock to chemical inventory.

Coupled with data from the cash-book, this can be used to complete a balance sheet for clients as required.

In Version 6 all reports have been designed in a simple and practical format to be more in line with an increasing need to be compatible with other systems as well as portable. Also some reports can now be exported to Microsoft Excel and all reports converted to PDF files ready to be emailed.

David Egerton-Warburton said ‘Agrimaster Version 6 needed to be compatible with a range of industry developments such as Microsoft updates, bank updates of internet facilities; Mastergroup had trialled the Agrimaster Version 6 extensively over an eight-month period with a range of its professional partners. This has been the longest test cycle ever run by the company and we are also using the new update internally,’ he said.

Mastergroup offers its clients support and training services that include an on-line help note library offering information 24 hours a day, email requests, workshop and seminar training and a telephone help line.

David Egerton-Warburton said ‘Farmers would benefit from using Agrimaster Version 6 by being able to assess the financial implications of their production decisions, manage volatility and analyse the current state of their business, where it could go and how best to get it there.’

‘Planning and being aware of the bottom line at all times is the key to success,’ he said.

Australia’s leading farm financial software package Agrimaster has been updated to expand and standardise its reporting functions and improve ease of use for operators.

For more information about Agrimaster go to: www.agrimaster.com.au or phone 1800 110 000

FONT IS NEWS GOTHIC DEMI!!!!!!

5244 jazcreative

6

At Murdoch University all eyes are on a new pasture variety and a new scholarship. While the University’s role in award-winning research makes Australian beef more palatable, and more popular.

Professor John PluskeResearch institute director

Murdoch University

Beefi ng up palatability and pasture options

Murdoch: Innovation for the future

At a glanceA new cultivar is set to revolutionise • the pasture choices of WA growers.

A new scholarship will continue • Murdoch’s focus on pasture legumes and nitrogen fi xation.

Murdoch research into improving beef • palatability has assisted in taking out a top industry award and helped increase domestic beef consumption.

‘Early Cadiz’ or 02CAD9 French serradella, introduced in the Ag in Focus Summer 2009 edition, has now been named ‘Eliza’.

At the 2010 Mingenew-Irwin Group Field Day during September, Department of Agriculture and Food CEO Rob Delane offi cially released and named the new French serradella cultivar on behalf of the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Terry Redman.

All eyes on Eliza‘Eliza’ was developed by Dr Brad Nutt, as

part of his PhD studies at Murdoch

University, with his supervisors Professor John Howieson and Professor Jennifer McComb. An application for Plant Breeders Rights has been accepted and full protection is on track to be granted during early 2011.

Dr Nutt says ‘Eliza’ fl owers around three weeks earlier than ‘Cadiz’ and does not rely heavily on favourable spring conditions so could be grown in the drier regions of the northern and eastern wheatbelt. Seed production will also be more predictable.

Prof Howieson predicts ‘Eliza’ will be the biggest selling pasture legume in WA after sub-clover, with annual sales likely to be in excess of 100 tonnes.

The cultivar is jointly owned by the Department of Agriculture and Food, and Murdoch University. Ballard Seeds has been awarded the license to commercially market ‘Eliza’.

Foundations for future breeding successIn a very generous gesture, Dr Nutt will

donate his royalty entitlements from the sale of ‘Eliza’ seed to Murdoch University for the establishment of a postgraduate scholarship.

This donation will be met by the Murdoch share of the royalty fl ow, to launch the Eliza scholarship. This scholarship will be awarded for studies on pasture legume science and nitrogen fi xation in cropping systems.

Dr Nutt said he would be happy for the ‘Eliza scholarship’ to be awarded to someone studying legume pasture breeding and/or nitrogen fi xation in cropping systems.

Contact Dr Brad NuttE: [email protected]

Professor David Pethick (pictured right) from Murdoch University has struck gold as part of a winning team in the prestigious Australian Museum Eureka Prizes. The Meat Standards Australia (MSA) Pathways Team is made up of scientists from several Australian institutions and industry bodies with funding from the Beef CRC and Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA).

The team won the 2010 Australian Research Council funded Eureka Prize for Excellence in Research by an Interdisciplinary Team. This research focused on designing the world’s fi rst comprehensive paddock-to-plate meat grading system that factors in tenderness, aesthetics, food safety and the origin of beef. A survey of 70,000 people provided data on consumers’ preferences for eating and cooking beef. This information provided the basis for industry-wide scientifi c investigation into how to produce such qualities.

From science to consumerThe outcome was the MSA grading

process that is now important right along the supply chain. The comprehensive information provided by this process even includes labels that explain to consumers

Professor David Pethick, an agricultural scientist with degrees from the University of Adelaide and the University of Cambridge, is the Program Manager — High Quality Beef for Global Consumers for the CRC for Beef Genetic Technologies.

Contact Prof David PethickE: [email protected]

Contact Professor John PluskeResearch Institute Director (Animal Science)P: (08) 9360 2012E: [email protected]

Professor John HowiesonResearch Institute Director (Crops and Plants Research)P: (08) 9360 2231E: [email protected]

how particular cuts of meat are best cooked. After a decade of research, knowledge is still being sought with DNA markers for meat tenderness currently on the agenda. Interest from across the globe, including from the United States, the European Union and South Korea indicates that this grading process will be used internationally.

More palatable, more popularProf Pethick led the MSA team in

evaluating a number of key control points that determine the eating quality of beef and a grading system based on what people really want to eat.

“This system factors in tenderness, aesthetics, food safety and origin of the beef product.” He emphasised that outcomes from this research had contributed to Australia’s status as one of the few countries in the developed world where meat consumption is now increasing.

The program has increased the competitiveness of the beef sector in Australia and it is estimated to have contributed $366 million to the value of the industry since its inception during 1999. The MSA system has been expanded to also include lamb and sheep meat.

Dr Brad Nutt is a research offi cer at the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia. He says that ‘Eliza’ out yields ‘Cadiz’ primarily because it is earlier fl owering and not as dependent on rainfall during late spring.

Blue-ribbon beef research puts Australia fi rst

Photo: Murdoch University

Photo: Murdoch University



Assist Prof Amin Mugera l Rural economy policy and development program leader

The UWA Institute of Agriculture

Finding solutions to tomorrow’s challenges

UWA: New courses

Photo: Brendon Cant

At a glanceAs of 2012 UWA’s School of • Agriculture and Resource Economics (SARE) will offer Honours and Masters programs in Agribusiness.

SARE takes an active role in climate • change research and fi nding ways that agriculture could adapt to a varying climate.

SARE’s new courses also welcomes • new faces including Assistant Professor Amin Mugera, whose research focuses on on the impacts of land use changes on nature, environment, and socio-economic conditions.

The agricultural sector will be forced to think of new ways to feed the world with an increasing global population, an increase in natural disasters, and a decrease in ‘arable’ land for farming.

Agricultural economists have a growing role to play in accomplishing this. The School of Agriculture and Resource Economics (SARE) at the University of Western Australia (UWA) has seen a distinct increase in the intake of students pursuing a career in this fi eld.

“This expanding demand refl ects the industry’s need for smart solutions to economic, environmental and social challenges in agriculture. Obviously, all the research and intellectual tools we deliver must be affordable and our SARE ensures we deliver that value. In short, it provides an economic analysis of the science,” Head of SARE, Prof Ben White said.

Linking life with agricultureUWA is the highest ranked university

in Life and Agriculture Sciences in Australia and was ranked 34th in the world by the Shanghai Jiao Tong University rankings during 2010. SARE is pursuing a mission of advancing knowledge and understanding in the discipline of agricultural and resource economics through teaching, research and research training, at the highest standards.

SARE also hosts the Centre of Environmental Economics and Policy (CEEP) with Winthrop Professor David Pannell as Director.

The Centre is carrying out a range of research relevant to agriculture, including studies of the management of biodiversity, environmental weeds, water quality in streams and water bodies, and the adoption of conservation practices by farmers.

It is working with policy agencies to try to improve the prioritisation and design of environmental projects, to get the most valuable environmental outcomes for the available public resources.

Undergraduate programThe school offers a four-year Bachelor

of Science Honours with majors in Agricultural Economics and Environmental and Resource Economics and Natural Resource Management. Currently, about 90 students are enrolled in the program.

“Our graduates enter the job market with a full set of skills that allow them to

apply for jobs anywhere in the world,” Prof White said.

From 2012 UWA will introduce a three-year Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Science and Natural Resource Management followed by Honours or a range of Masters courses including Agribusiness and Environmental Economics.

Graduate programSARE offers studies leading to a Master of

Science (MS) and Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) degrees in agricultural economics and environmental and resource economics. Currently, 18 students are enrolled in the higher degree programs. These research degree programs prepare graduates to face the signifi cant challenges of the 21st Century, including: designing policies to attack rural poverty and hunger; managing food and farm businesses in a global setting; resolving increasing pressures on the world’s resource base; and working across disciplines with biologists and other social scientists to evaluate new technologies and policies.

Research focussedThe School has an active research

program, which addresses a variety of topics: environmental economics, bio-economic modeling, productivity and effi ciency analysis, agricultural policy, agricultural marketing, forestry economics, energy economics, and agribusiness. The School has been highly successful in receiving competitive grants from various funders, such as, the Commonwealth Environment Research Facilities (CERF) Programme, the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), the Australian Research Council (ARC) and Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR). The School also has a signifi cant involvement in various CRCs,

The School of Agriculture and Resource Economics (SARE) at the University of Western Australia (UWA) recognises the need for smart solutions to economic, environmental and social challenges in agriculture, and as of 2012 a new Honours and Masters program will allow students to pursue a career in fi nding such solutions.

UWA’s Assist Prof Amin Mugera, Prof Ben White (Dean, UWA School of Agricultural and Resource Economics) and Assist Prof James Fogarty.


UWA: New courses

21

such as the CRC for National Plant Biosecurity and the Future Farm Industries CRC.

New facesIn response to the demand for

Agriculture Resource Economics at UWA, SARE is expanding its base of expertise; enter Assistant Professor Marit Kragt a new addition at the school. Marit graduated from the Australian National University (PhD, Environmental Modelling and Economics). Her current research focuses on the impacts of land use changes on nature, environment, and socio-economic conditions. Other recent appointments in the school include Assist Prof Chunbo Ma (Energy Economics), Assist Prof James Fogarty (Wine Economics), Assist Prof Ram Pandit (Forest Economics) and Assist Prof Amin Mugera (Agricultural and Agribusiness Economics).

Key research highlights

Honours research

Controlled traffi c (CT) technology confi nes traffi c-induced compaction to permanently defi ned tramlines within a farm’s cropping area. This technology concentrates and improves traffi cability whilst simultaneously supporting soil structure improvement between tramlines, thereby raising crop yields and offering other advantages such as reduced overlap that saves on crop inputs. Amy Fuchsbichler, a 2009 award-winning Honours student, used whole-farm modelling to assess the profi tability and role of CT technology in different farming systems. The whole-farm bioeconomic model, MIDAS (Model of an Integrated Dryland Agricultural System) was used to compare farming system scenarios with and without the CT technology. Stepwise analysis, combined with sensitivity analysis, was used to reveal the characteristics of CT technology that most affected its value. Amy found the most valuable aspect of the technology was its benefi cial impact on the yield and quality of crops grown on soils most prone to compaction. Given a typical farm in the study region, farm profi t increases by about 55 per cent through the use of this technology.

Climate change research

There has been much discussion about the potential impacts of climate change on farmers, the potential viability of various management responses, and increasingly, there is also attention being paid to the impacts of climate change policy on farmers. The SARE is undertaking research on each of these issues.

PhD student Donkor Addai is exploring the economics of a wide variety of potential responses to climate change in the WA wheatbelt.

Given the remaining high uncertainty about future climate, he is exploring a wide range of possible climate scenarios, with different rainfall patterns, temperatures and carbon dioxide (CO

2) concentrations. The

temperature and rainfall scenarios range from little change to quite serious adverse changes, while the positive impacts of higher CO

2 will also be represented.

Questions being addressed include: how does the optimal farming system change in response to climate change, assuming that the available farming options do not change? What about if new crop or pasture types are developed that are better adapted to the new conditions? What is the combined effect of climate change itself and climate change policy on farmers’ best management options. The research is based on whole-farm economic models that represent the farming system and its economics in detail.

Among the options being discussed as a response to climate change, biochar has been a prominent one, though not without controversy.

PhD student Tas Thamo is attempting to get to the bottom of the economic complexities of biochar, to determine whether it makes economic sense for farmers to apply it. The issue is complicated, because, as well as carbon sequestration, biochar potentially provides nutrients that

may substitute in part for fertilisers, and because of limited information about its effects. Tas is investigating the economics of the whole process: feedstock production, pyrolysis and agronomic performance. The aim is to determine the viability of the technology as a whole. The results of this will be extended into the broader area of economic and policy implications of carbon sequestration in agricultural soils.

Visit www.are.uwa.edu.au research/ postgrads for more information on UWA postgraduates.

Perennial pastures probedAnother response being pursued

is the development of new perennial pasture species that are more resilient in the face of expected changes in rainfall and temperature. The Future Farm Industries CRC is leading this work, and SARE is contributing by examining the economics of the new perennial

options that they develop. One option that is showing strong early promise is the pasture plant bituminaria. Preliminary economic analysis carried out by Research Assistant Professor John Finlayson is fi nding that the positive biological results observed in biological experiments would translate to substantial economic benefi ts if reproduced in farmers’ fi elds. It’s early days for this technology, but the signs are promising.

Wine industry researchThe recent Henry Taxation Review found

the current taxation arrangement for beer, wine, and spirits to be incoherent, and suggested several reforms to alcohol taxation arrangements. The reform objectives outlined in the Henry tax review have signifi cant implications for all producers and consumers of alcoholic beverages; but implementation of the Henry tax review recommendations would result in especially signifi cant changes to the way wine is taxed. Assistant Professor James Fogarty’s current research is quantifying the impact of implementing the Henry Tax Review reform agenda on Australian wine production and consumption.

Relevant, dynamic agricultural research Through close ties with agribusiness and

the farming community, a topical and relevant research agenda and a set of new courses for 2012, SARE aims to contribute to the industry in the State and internationally. The School is constantly changing and adapting to new demands on our research and teaching.

Contact Assist Prof Amin MugeraE: [email protected]

Growing group: The University of Western Australia’s vibrant Institute of Agriculture, will soon be welcoming even more students to its ranks with the announcement of new Honours and Masters programs in Agribusiness. The new courses are tailored to meet the growing demand for agricultural economists.

Photo: UWA


Caroline Fowler l Journalist

Kondinin Group

Curtin: Gene technology

At a glanceA wheat gene associated with • susceptibility to the toxin produced by two major wheat crop diseases, septoria nodorum blotch and yellow spot, has been discovered.

The discovery will allow breeders to • predict the susceptibility of certain wheat lines to these diseases.

A list of susceptible and resistant • wheat lines will allow growers to make decisions about the suitability of varieties from a disease perspective for next year’s crop.

Cereal growers are being encouraged to assess yields of current wheat varieties and their resistance rating to septoria nodorum blotch and yellow spot this harvest.

Growers can then take advantage of a list of wheat varieties with resistance ratings to septoria nodorum blotch and yellow spot diseases and their agronomic performance; the result of which adds great value in decision making for next year’s crop.

Yellow spot is the most damaging wheat disease in Australia, causing current annual losses of more than $200 million, while septoria nodorum blotch is the second worst wheat disease in Western Australia, causing losses of $108 million.

Identifying susceptible wheat cultivarsRecent research carried out by the

Australian Centre for Necrotrophic Fungal Pathogens (ACNFP), and funded by the Grains and Research Development Corporation (GRDC), has provided new insight to these diseases and a better way for growers to minimise the risk of losses both in the current season and stubble.

Professor Richard Oliver, Head of the ACNFP at Curtin University, has discovered a protein known as ToxA, which is produced by the fungi that cause these diseases. The

toxin is one of several different toxins produced by the two species and contributes to the amount of the disease infecting the plant. ToxA contributes to the disease by interacting with a wheat gene called Tsn1.

Wheat cultivars with Tsn1 will suffer from larger and faster growing lesions from ToxA produced by either fungus. Cultivars that express Tsn1 are on average two divisions more susceptible to yellow spot than wheat lines that lack Tsn1. The difference with Stagonospora is less pronounced but still useful.

“This knowledge will prove very useful for farmers because they can avoid the use

Photo: GRDC. Inset: Kasia Rybak.

of Tsn1-expressing wheat cultivars if they suffer from yellow spot,” Prof Oliver said.

The research has listed many cultivars, currently in use across all States, that have been tested with ToxA. Cultivars are rated as either sensitive, non-sensitive or a mixture (regarded as sensitive).

This system can be used in conjunction with existing Department of Agriculture and Food WA disease ratings to give growers more intelligence on the suitability of growing wheat varieties from a disease perspective.

“Growers need to assess the yields of current varieties this harvest and then we would urge them to avoid the use of cultivars that are sensitive to ToxA for next season as this will suppress the impact of leaf disease over time,” Prof Oliver explained.

Tsn1 gene cloningA team of researchers at the United States

Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service, has cloned and sequenced the Tsn1 gene which will aid breeders in selecting cultivars with resistance.

“Cloning the gene not only means we understand how these two pathogens cause disease, it also means we can give breeders more versatile tools to help them select resistant lines,” Prof Oliver said.

“Breeders could potentially add a so-called, ‘perfect marker’ into their breeding program, whereas previously there was a discrepancy between the marker and disease resistance.”

Contact Prof Richard Oliver P: 0414 305 999 E: [email protected]

Research has provided new insight to septoria nodorum blotch and yellow spot diseases and a better way for growers to minimise the risk of losses in the future. A list of wheat varieties with disease resistance ratings — identifi ed by the presence or absence of a particular gene — will complement grower’s yield assessments of current wheat varieties in the fi eld.

Ramping up the right genes for disease resistance

TABLE 1 A number of common cultivars tested with ToxA. Variety ToxA sensitivity

2248 (EGA) 1

Annuello 1

Bonnie Rock (EGA) 0

Carnamah 0

Ellison 0

Endure 1

Espada 1

Gladius 1

Janz 1

Lincoln 0

Mace 0

Machete 0

Magenta 0

Spear 1

Stiletto 1

Strzelecki 0

Sunco 1

Sunvale 1

Wentworth (EGA) 1

Westonia 0

Wyalkatchem 0

Yitpi 1

Cultivars marked 1 are sensitive and are on average more susceptible. Cultivars marked 0 are less sensitive. Some varieties are mixed and have been omitted from the table. If you would like information about a cultivar not on the list, please contact Prof Richard Oliver.

Septoria nodorum blotch is more properly known as stagonospora nodorum blotch and glume blotch.

Yellow spot is also known as yellow leaf spot but is more properly called Tan spot.

To fi nd out more contact 1800 677 761 www.kondinin.com.au

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INDEPENDENT INFORMATION YOU CAN TRUST, DIRECT TO YOU!

Kondinin GroupKondinin GroupMake better choices with

+

Make better choices with Make better choices with Make better choices with Make better choices with


Fred Guimbeau l General manager

Plum Grove

The real cost of money

Plum Grove: Selling methods

At a glanceWeigh up the benefi t of delaying • the sale of your grain versus the costs to store it and the perceived market risks.

The decision to store grain needs • to be carried out with a carefully-developed marketing plan.

When deciding whether to sell • your grain yourself, or hire a pool manager, consider your time demands and your previous selling track record.

If a grower isn’t prepared to sell all their grain today, and they don’t have a defi ned marketing plan in place, then the interest and storage costs of selling for cash themselves could add up to more than those in a wheat pool. It’s a bit like the woolgrower who waited fi ve years for an extra 200 cents per kilogram and thought they were better off than the guy who sold their wool straight away and put their money in the bank. The interest earned in the bank, outweighs the extra earned by waiting for the price per kilogram to rise.

Another term for this concept is ‘net present value’ (NPV) and every grower should be able to calculate the NPV of using a pool, or using his or her own marketing plan. NPV refl ects the real value, after fees, interest and other charges are taken into consideration. Figure 1 shows that a grower who waited until May and sold their wheat for say $230/mt, was actually worse off than the grower who sold their grain in February for $227/mt. Why? Because just like the woolgrower, those growers who sell grain themselves over time also have additional interest and storage charges. If this is part of a well-constructed marketing plan designed to spread risk and smooth market movements, then this is not a problem. However, if this was simply a choice to ‘punt the market’ then it is a strategy fraught with danger and lost opportunity.

Go it alone or get help?One of the biggest mistakes growers can

make in your grain marketing is comparing pools to cash, or to any other grain marketing product for that matter. This includes swaps, futures and options. By using a pool growers get access to all of these different grain marketing tools, they just have someone else managing them. In a year like 2010–2011, growers also have someone who is assisting them in making the most of post-harvest opportunities with prices so high.

The question to really be asked when deciding to use a pool or not is — do I want to do it all myself? Or, do I want an experienced grain trader to do some of it for me? This decision is infl uenced by a number of factors including how much time do you have? What are the costs involved? And what is your past performance like?

When calculating your past performance remember, don’t just look at the cash price you achieved, but all the costs involved, or more importantly, what was your NPV?

The other important thing to consider when it comes to selecting a grain marketing strategy is your time. With a do-it-yourself approach it is easy to forget that management does have a real cost — it just depends on what value you place on your own time

Photo: Kondinin Group

or that of others who may assist you. Be honest about this — if you think the cost is insignifi cant are you really spending enough time on your grain marketing?

Pools solve this problem for you — in the same way as you have a good manager on the farm, a good accountant helping you with your tax and a good agronomist with your crop, pools are a service to help you get the best out of your grain marketing long term.

As growers undoubtedly know — it’s not the quoted price you get on paper, but how much money ends up with in your back pocket that matters. The only true way to measure this is by calculating the NPV.

And don’t forget…The other hidden cost of money this

year will no doubt be opportunity forgone — that is: the possibility of capturing even greater prices post harvest should they arise. With prices so high this year, it will be even more important that post-harvest marketing year is handled both carefully and professionally.

Contact Plum Grove P: 1300 411 155 E: [email protected]

FIGURE 1 Cash versus net present value

$190.00

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A lot has been said about the benefi ts of selling grain yourself using cash contracts this harvest. Unlike pools there are no additional storage or interest costs, however what many people don’t realise is you only avoid these costs if you decide to sell all of your grain today.


Plum Grove: Pool tools

An early bonus or a late discount?

At a glanceEarly contract bonuses provide • growers who commit their grain before harvest a bonus over and above other pool participants.

The cost of these bonuses is deducted • from the normal pool return (from growers who enter the pool late).

Important considerations for • growers when weighing up various pool providers include things like long-term performance, reputation and transparency.

This article looks at whether bonuses do or don’t work and another consideration to be wary of in a rising market.

What is an early contract bonus? With deregulation and the development

of the wheat market, pool managers are looking for ways to secure growers’ grain. One of the most popular tools has been the early contract bonus. The early contract bonus works whereby if you commit your grain to a pool before harvest, you will receive a bonus over and above other pool participants.

Who pays the bonus? The cost of these bonuses is deducted

from the normal pool return, or in other words, funds are taken from those growers who get in late and given to those who get in early. All other things being equal, if a growers misses out on the early contract bonus, they get a late delivery discount.

How big a discount will I get? The size of the discount received for

missing the early contract bonus depends on the size of the bonus, the number of growers receiving the bonus and the eventual tonnage delivered to the pool. The bigger the bonus and the more growers that receive it, then the bigger the discount later

on. Until tonnage is delivered and committed to the pool the absolute cost of the early contract bonus will not be certain.

A rising market also brings a particular set of problems for pools that had an early contract bonus. Pool managers who are carrying large pre-harvest hedging losses maybe be imposing even greater burdens on late pool entrants.

A simple example To calculate how much a return would be

discounted, simply multiply the bonus by the percentage of growers who received it, if that number is known.

Using the example of a $10 bonus and a normal pool estimated pool return (EPR) of $320 per tonne:

If the total return from a pool is $320/t and 50 per cent of the growers get the bonus and 50% don’t, then those who get in early will receive $330/mt, and those who get in late will receive only $310/mt. This is a discount from the normal pool return of $320/ mt of $5/mt ($10 x 50%). If 70% got the bonus, the discount from the standard pool return would be $7 ($10 x 70%) and the return would be $313 as a late entrant, versus $323 for the early bonus entrants (see Figure 1).

It’s important to note that this example does not include any pre-harvest hedging losses, which for some pools this year will be considerable if the market stays high.

Who pays for early hedges?The early contract bonus is often used as

a reason to get tonnes into a pool early and allow the pool manager to put on early hedges. In a falling market the profi ts from these early hedges can go some way to offsetting the cost of the early bonuses. In a rising market however, like the one we have seen this year, the cost of early bonuses to those who get in at harvest are magnifi ed. The reason for this is because the losses from the early hedging cannot be passed to those growers who committed early because they have been promised a bonus. In reality, if the market rallies over $100/t, then a grower who waits until harvest to commit grain should be getting more than those who commit early, not less. Why should a grower who is prepared to accept price risk all year, end up getting $15/t less when the market has rallied more than $100 per tonne since the start of the year?

Transparency is the key Important considerations for growers

when weighing up various pool providers include things like long-term performance, reputation and transparency. A traditional pooling model, such as Plum Grove’s Harvest Pool, has the aim of getting above average returns over the long term and also has a philosophy of distributing returns evenly among growers with accepted adjustments for grades and quality. It is for this reason that some pool managers, like Plum Grove, do not offer early contract bonuses. It is also the reason for growers who want to avoid a late discount shop around for their pool provider.

Contact Plum Grove P: 1300 411 155 E: [email protected]

Fred Guimbeau l General manager

Plum Grove

Photo: Laureta Wallace

FIGURE 1 Early bonus or late discount?

$300.00

$305.00

$310.00

$315.00

$320.00

$325.00

$330.00

LateEarlyNormalSource: Plum Grove

As is often the case in life, being second in line for something doesn’t pay dividends. And so the story goes with early contract bonuses, or as they have become known, late contracting discounts.

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Scout returnS big in the dryJeremy Joyce said he received just 140mm during his wheat growing period, but his punt on a new variety paid off.

“Going on the advice of my territory manager, who suggested I try the high yielding variety Scout suited to Western Australia’s conditions, I managed to get a 3t/ha yield which is exceptional for a very dry year,” he said.

Located 40km south east of Kukerin is Mr Joyce’s property “Cannons”, which runs a comprehensive mixed cropping program of wheat, barley, canola and lupins, with the addition of Scout last season.

Mr Joyce found the early vigour and high yield to be the standout traits of the crop he will be planting again.

“Considering we received minimal during the growing period, the early vigour blew me away. We’re planting this one again.”

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The new benchmark mid to mid-early maturingRoundup Ready canola Hybrid using FlexibleCropping Technology; Hyola 505RR under broad-acre evaluation in a Hyola Demonstration trial near York, WA 2010.

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Section: Slug

Farmsafe Australia Grain Production Reference Group Hard copy $35

This package contains safety guidelines and manuals for grain producers, managers and workers to improve and ensure the safety of those who work with grain production and grain handling, and those who are in the vicinity of areas where grain production and handling is undertaken. It offers guidance on the hazards and risks associated with grain production and handling in the farm setting, and practical guidelines on how to implement effective occupational health and safety (OHS) risk control that will

not only reduce or prevent injury, but will assist grain producers to meet OHS regulatory requirements.

Grain production enterprises should use this document in association with the Managing Health and Safety in the Grain Industry risk management package — a practical management tool for implementing OHS in grain production and handling workplace — available on the Farmsafe Australia website www.farmsafe.org.au.

Industry specifi c

OHS — Managing grain production safety

Laureta Wallace l Editor

Kondinin Group

Expert H&S info at your fi ngertips

FFHS: Farm health and safety

The suite of specialised manuals and guides, researched and written by health and safety experts, is available to download for free at the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) website. Alternatively hard copies can be ordered via the website for the price specifi ed beside each publication The resources span a variety of topicsincluding machinery and equipmentsafety, chemical safety, ageing andchild safety.

The Farming and Fishing Health and Safety Collaborative Partnership is a collaboration between the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC), the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), the Sugar Research and Development

Photo: Kondinin GroupThe most dangerous time on the cropping calendar, harvest, is fast approaching. Ahead of harvest and as a general message to all farmers the Farming and Fishing Health and Safety Collaborative Partnership is alerting Ag in Focus readers to an invaluable set of health and safety resources.

This package contains This package contains grain producers, managers and workers to improve and grain producers, managers and workers to improve and ensure the safety of those who work with grain production and grain handling, and those who are in the vicinity of areas where grain production and handling is undertaken. It offers guidance on the hazards and risks associated with grain production and handling in the farm setting, and practical guidelines on how to implement effective occupational health and safety (OHS) risk control that will

OHS — Managing grain production safetyOHS — Managing grain production safetyOHS — Managing grain production safetyOHS — Managing grain production safety

C Morton, L Fragar, K Pollock Hard copy $5

This resource provides guidance agencies and individuals who are working to reduce the risks associated with dairy production in Australia.

Occupational health and safety risk in the Australian dairy industry — the facts — 2007

K Pollock, L Fragar, C MortonHard copy $5

This publication summarises currently available data on deaths relating to agricultural production in Australia. It provides

guidance to educators and speakers to raise awareness and promote farm safety, and for those whose role is the development of public and industry policy to improve safety in agriculture.

General

Traumatic deaths in Australian agriculture — the facts — 2007

Hard copyHard copy

This publication summarises currently available data on deaths relating to agricultural production in Australia. It provides

guidance to educators and speakers

agriculture — the facts — 2007agriculture — the facts — 2007agriculture — the facts — 2007

This resource provides and individuals who are working to reduce the risks associated with dairy production in Australia.

industry — the facts — 2007

Corporation (SRDC), the Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC), the Fishing Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) and the Department of Health and Ageing (DHA).



Industry specifi c (cont.)

P O’Callaghan, F Delahunty, G BakerHard copy FREE

This publication is intended to be used in conjunction with a process of risk assessment and the development and implementation of action plans by agricultural businesses to potentially reduce incidents of workplace injury.

This publication provides people in the agricultural workplace with a clear, accessible reference on how to carry out operations in accordance with OHS guidelines and industry best

practice. The aim is to lessen the risk of injury to people in the agricultural workplace and reduce incidents with environmental impacts, such as chemical spills.

It will also provide a simple tool to support Job Safety Analysis (JSA) and Risk Assessments in the workplace and promote best practice health and safety performance to agricultural businesses and foster a culture of ‘beyond compliance’.

OHS — A quick reference guide for broadacre agriculture

Hard copy FREE

This publication is conjunction with a process of risk assessment and the development and implementation of action plans by agricultural businesses to potentially reduce incidents of workplace injury.

agricultural workplace with a clear, accessible reference on how to carry out operations in accordance with OHS guidelines and industry best

OHS — A quick reference guide for broadacre agriculture

S Brumby, Professor J Martin, S Willder Hard copy $35

This report provides an insight into the current health status of rural farming families within the sugar and cotton industry. It increases the understanding of what factors impact farming family health and identifi es measures to improve farming family health, wellbeing and safety. Many of the specifi c strategies to improve farming family health were provided by the farmers themselves.

Living longer on the land: case studies of the sustainable farm families program in the sugar and cotton industries

This report provides health status of rural farming families within the sugar and cotton industry. It increases the understanding of what factors impact farming family health and identifi es measures to improve farming family health, wellbeing and safety. Many of the specifi c strategies to improve farming family health were provided by the farmers themselves.

Chemicals

K Johnstone, M Capra, B Newman Hard copy $35

This report investigates organophosphate (OP) pesticide exposure endured by fruit and vegetable

growers in south-east Queensland. It is about the OHS issues associated with managing OP pesticide exposure within the fruit and vegetable industry and targets the areas of risk assessment and health surveillance of OP pesticides. In particular, the report presents the results of urine metabolite testing of three occupationally exposed groups (fruit and vegetable farmers, pilots and their ground crews and formulators) and two non-occupationally exposed groups.

Organophosphate pesticide exposure in agricultural workers — report

Hard copy $35

This report investigates organophosphate (OP) pesticide exposure endured by fruit and vegetable

growers in south-east Queensland. It

— report

L Fragar Hard copy only $45

A specialised publication to assist in the management of OHS risk in horticulture industries.

Health and safety in the horticulture industries — a national strategy

A specialised publication in the management of OHS risk in horticulture industries.

L FragarHard copy only $45

A specialised publication to assist in the management of OHS risk in beef industry.

Managing beef cattle production safety: a practical guide

A specialised publication management of OHS risk in beef industry.

Australian Centre for Agricultural Health and SafetyHard copy $5

This publication details data that describes the full, or even partial, extent of human health effects from exposure to

pesticides is diffi cult to source due to potential long latency periods for chronic illness, the diffi culty in diagnosis, the non-specifi c nature of pesticide health effects and the lack of effective monitoring systems.

Pesticides and adverse health outcomes in Australia

Health and SafetyHard copy $5

This publication details describes the full, or even partial, extent of human health effects from exposure to



Machinery and equipment

W Baker, L Day Hard copy FREE

This report identifi es the individual and machine characteristics associated with an increased risk of a serious farm work related injury. It

includes recommendations on how to improve machinery design to reduce the potential for injury events and to reduce the severity of resulting injury when such events do occur.

Making farm machinery safer — lessons from injured farmers

A Athanasiov, L Fragar, M Gupta Hard copy $25

This report briefl y examines the problems associated with PTO shafts guards and considers options for improvement.

• To describe the materials currently used in PTO shaft guards.

• To defi ne problems associated with current materials used in manufacture of PTO shaft guards

• To identify options for improved materials

• To make recommendations for improved materials.

L Day, G Rechnitzer Hard copy $25

Tractors account for about 15 per cent of work-related fatalities among those employed in agriculture in Australia, which is an average of 22 deaths per year. Mounting and dismounting a

tractor has been identifi ed as a common antecedent to tractor run-over events. Two farm safety action groups in Victoria have fi tted a number of tractors with safe access platforms and this report outlines the results of an evaluation of the uptake and implementation of this initiative.

J Miller, L Fragar, R Franklin Hard copy $25

Posthole diggers are found on many farms, although many are only operated on an infrequent basis as the need arises. This report

establishes that most of these items of equipment have signifi cant safety risks and a multifaceted approach to reducing risk of death and serious injury has been recommended.

Farm machinery safety: power take-off shaft guards

Safe tractor access platform evaluation

Farm machinery safety: injuries associated with posthole diggers

S Scutter, I Fulton, V Cheng Hard copy $25

Back pain is common in farmers and has been shown, in previous research, to be related to the exposure to

vibration which farmers experience while driving tractors. Various methods of reducing the effects of vibration and the rotated posture are used by farmers, but more information is needed about their effectiveness and mechanisms of operation.

Tractor driving and the low back

This report identifi es the individual and machine characteristics associated with an increased risk of a serious farm work related injury. It

includes recommendations on how to

lessons from injured farmers

This report briefl y the problems associated with PTO shafts guards and considers options for improvement.

• To describe the materials currently

power take-off shaft guards

J Miller, L Fragar Hard copy $25

Death and serious injury caused by run-over by tractors on Australian farms has been identifi ed as a major issue for agriculture and horticulture

for several decades, and while manufacturers have been slowly incorporating improved design that reduce this risk, there has been no direct program aiming at reducing such risk. This report establishes key risk factors and suggests the basis for a multifaceted approach to reducing risk.

Farm machinery safety: injury involving tractor run-over

Death and serious caused by run-over by tractors on Australian farms has been identifi ed as a major issue for agriculture and horticulture

for several decades, and while

involving tractor run-over

Tractors account for about 15 per cent of work-related fatalities among those employed in agriculture in Australia, which is an average of 22 deaths per year. Mounting and dismounting a

tractor has been identifi ed as a common

Safe tractor access platform evaluation

Hard copy $25

Posthole diggers are many farms, although many are only operated on an infrequent basis as the need arises. This report

establishes that most of these items of

associated with posthole diggers

V Cheng Hard copy $25

Back pain is common in farmers and has been shown, in previous research, to be related to the exposure to

vibration which farmers experience

Tractor driving and the low back


This publication details the high rates of serious injury and deaths on Australian farms. Farmsafe Australia, the national association of agencies with commitment to reducing injury risk on Australian farms, has identifi ed child safety as a key issue that needs attention and auspiced the development and implementation of the National Child Safety On Farms Strategy with key partners from of agricultural industries, farm parents, educational agencies, farm

suppliers and government agencies.

Farmsafe Australia Hard copy $25

This publication is a guide for farms and properties where children live or visit. It provides guidance on design and construction of safe play areas. It includes an assessment of

fencing options, a checklist to assess fencing and an action planning sheet.

Child injury on Australian farms Safe play areas on farms — a resource package (version 2)

Child safety

This publication details injury and deaths on Australian farms. Farmsafe Australia, the national association of agencies with commitment to reducing injury risk on Australian farms, has identifi ed child safety as a key issue that needs attention and auspiced the development and implementation of the National Child Safety On Farms Strategy with key partners from of agricultural industries, farm parents, educational agencies, farm

suppliers and government agencies.

Child injury on Australian farms

This publication is for farms and properties where children live or visit. It provides guidance on design and construction of safe play areas. It includes an assessment of

(version 2)



Health

S Brumby, B Wilson, S Willder Hard copy $35

This report provides a glimpse of the current health status of rural farming families and identifi es measures to improve their

health, well-being and safety. Many of the specifi c strategies to improve farming family health were provided by farmers themselves.

C Morton, L Fragar, K Pollock Hard copy $5

This resources provides guidance to agencies and individuals working to reduce risk associated to elderly farmers on Australian farms

Living longer on the land: sustainable farm families in broadacre agriculture

Health and safety of older farmers in Australia — the facts — 2007

L Fragar, K Pollock, C Morton Hard copy $5

This resource provides guidance agencies and individuals working to reduce risk associated with operation of all-terrain vehicles on Australian farms.

Hard copy $25

This publication reports the results of research conducted by the Combined Universities Centre for Rural Health in Geraldton that assessed the effi cacy of ATV rider training in a randomised control

study involving six Agricultural Colleges in rural Western Australia.

ATV Injury on Australian farms — the facts — 2007

Reducing all-terrain vehicle Injury

Hard copy $35

This report provides glimpse of the current health status of rural farming families and identifi es measures to improve their

health, well-being and safety. Many

broadacre agriculturebroadacre agriculture

current health status

This resources This resources provides to agencies and individuals working to reduce risk associated to elderly farmers on Australian farms

R Franklin et al Only available electronically FREE

This report provides a detailed examination of the hearing of young adults who participated in a hearing program at

an agricultural fi eld day during the past eight years (1994–2002). The fi nding for young adults that noise injury is both evident and increasing is a signifi cant concern for the farming community.

Noise exposure, hearing protection and noise injury in young adult farmers

Only available electronically FREE

This report provides a detailed examination of the hearing of young adults who participated in a hearing program at

an agricultural fi eld day during the past

farmers

Dr S Reed, Dr M Quartararo, R Kift, M. Davidson, Hard copy $35

The aim of this study was to review the literature to determine what is known about the potential exposure to dust and bioaerosols

and the potential impact on the respiratory health of workers in animal handling facilities in an agricultural setting. The report provides basic statistical information on the impact of dust and bioareosols on farm workers employed in the pig, poultry, cattle, sheep, horse and deer industries.

Respiratory illness in farmers — dust and bioaerosols exposures in animal handling facilities

farming family health were provided by Hard copy $35

The aim of study was to review the literature to determine what is known about the potential exposure to dust and bioaerosols

and the potential impact on the

handling facilities

This resource provides guidance agencies and individuals working to reduce risk associated with operation of all-terrain vehicles on Australian farms.

facts — 2007


This resource looks at Farmsafe Australia’s, the national association of agencies with commitment to reducing injury risk on Australian farms,

National Farm Machinery Safety Strategy. The strategy’s is carried out in partnership with agricultural industries, machinery manufacturers and suppliers.

Machine injury on Australian farms

and SafetyHard copy $5

This resource looks Australia’s, the national association of agencies with commitment to reducing injury risk on Australian farms,

National Farm Machinery Safety Strategy.

This publication reports research conducted by the Combined Universities Centre for Rural Health in Geraldton that assessed the effi cacy of ATV rider training in a randomised control

study involving six Agricultural Colleges in

Reducing all-terrain vehicle Injury

For more information on the Farming and Fishing Health and Safety Collaborative Partnership visit www.rirdc.gov.au

Contact Laureta Wallace P: (08) 6450 4569E: [email protected]

L Stiller, W Baker Hard copy $25

More than half of the 30 deaths per year that occur on Australian farms occur to children under four years of age and drowning accounts for around one third of all deaths. Securely fenced safe play areas on farms are a key intervention for the prevention of child death and injury on farms due to drowning and contact with farm vehicles and machinery. This publication provides practical advice on adapting an existing fence or building a new fence to help keep young children away from farm hazards and perhaps

also keep animals out of the garden/house area.

Safer fences for children on farms

More than half Australian farms occur to children under four years of age and drowning accounts for around one third of all deaths. Securely fenced safe play areas on farms are a key intervention for the prevention of child death and injury on farms due to drowning and contact with farm vehicles and machinery. This publication provides practical advice on adapting an existing fence or building a new fence to help keep young children away from farm hazards and perhaps

also keep animals out of the garden/house area.

Safer fences for children on farms

T Nugent Kondinin GroupHard copy $25

This publications raises awareness and hastens the adoption by farmers of proven and professional methods of sourcing, hiring and retaining quality farm labour. Kondinin Group’s 2003 National Agricultural Survey (NAS) showed 82 per cent of 720

farmers surveyed found the task of sourcing farm staff diffi cult. An effective and effi cient workforce can make a major difference to the productivity of a farming business.

Hiring good quality farm labour

This publications raises awareness and hastens the adoption by farmers of proven and professional methods of sourcing, hiring and retaining quality farm labour. Kondinin Group’s 2003 National Agricultural Survey (NAS) showed 82 per cent of 720

farmers surveyed found the task of sourcing farm

Hiring good quality farm labour

Farm workers


Community: Diary dates

Save the date

AG in Focus contributors


Date Event Location Contact

October 2010

Friday 1 UWA Future Farm Next Big Day Out Pingelly Serina Hancock 0403 570 823

Thursday 7 Wongan Hills Research Station Field Day Wongan Hills Janette Drew (08) 9651 0531 E: [email protected]

Cascade Field Day Cascade Wayne Walter 0417 951 417

Tuesday 12 AHRI/Liebe Group Seminar — Harvest: Opportunities to cart, crush and cremate weed seeds

Wubin Neree Martinez (08) 6488 1512 E: [email protected]

Tuesday 12 – Thursday 14 Agribusiness Training Program Planning for Evaluation Course

Northam Brigette Lacey (08) 9690 2128 E: [email protected]

Tuesday 12 – Wednesday 13, Thursday 14

ChemCert WA Risk Management in Pesticide Use Course, Spray in Grain Course

Esperance Janis Hadley (08) 9341 5325 E: [email protected]

Wednesday 13 AHRI/CFIG Seminar — Harvest: Opportunities to cart, crush and cremate weed seeds

Corrigin Neree Martinez (08) 6488 1512 E: [email protected]

Nyabing FIG & NSP Pre-harvest Yield Mapping Software Training

Borden John Paul Collins (08) 9821 3249 E: [email protected]

Thursday 14 AHRI/Southern DIRT Seminar — Harvest: Opportunities to cart, crush and cremate weed seeds

Kojonup Neree Martinez (08) 6488 1512 E: [email protected]

GSARI Cropping Field Day Katanning Steve Bell (08) 9821 6121 E: [email protected]

FBG Pre-harvest Yield Mapping Software Training Jerramungup Derk Bakker (08) 9892 8464 E: [email protected]

Thursday 14 – Friday 15 ChemCert WA Risk Management in Pesticide Use Course

Mt Barker Janis Hadley (08) 9341 5325 E: [email protected]

Tuesday 19 Grazing Systems Analysis (GSA) Field Day Mt Barker Kelly Hill 0417 837 983 E: [email protected]

Facey Pre-harvest Yield Mapping Software Training Wickepin Alison Lacey (08) 9881 0232 E: [email protected]

Wednesday 20 – Thursday 21 Regional Landcare Workshop in the Northern Agriculture Region

Moora Stanley Yokwe (08) 9938 0105 E: [email protected]

November 2010

Tuesday 2 Southern DIRT Field Day TBC Erin Gorter (08) 9833 7524 E: [email protected]

Wednesday 10 ‘Seeding Success’: AGI/GIWA Breakfast & GIWA Seminar

Bentley Charlene Hutchinson (08) 6272 4567 E: [email protected]

December 2010

Wednesday 8 International Grains Forum, hosted by DAFF & DAFWA

Burswood Greg Shea 0427 449398 E: [email protected]

February 2011

Thursday 10 MIG Trials Review and AGM Mingenew Jane Bradley (08) 9928 1645 E: [email protected]

Wednesday 23 – Thursday 24 Crop Updates Burswood Charlene Hutchinson (08) 6272 4567 E: [email protected]

Thursday 24 AGI/GIWA Harvest Wrap Breakfast Burswood Charlene Hutchinson (08) 6272 4567 E: [email protected]

CBH Grain rewards loyalty again!

Growers who sold their harvest through CBH Grain

during 2009-10 will soon get their loyalty payment

of $2.90 per tonne.

CBH Grain is the only grain marketer that rewards growers for loyalty. Applies to grain sold to CBH Grain between 1 April 2009 – 31 March 2010.

www.cbh.com.au

Simply for growers

ag in focus - spring 2010

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