annual extension report · web viewthis report reflects extension services of the department’s...

NORTHERN TERRITORY GOVERNMENT

DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES

PRIMARY INDUSTRIESANNUAL EXTENSION REPORT 2012

Copyright ©:

Northern Territory Government, 2013

This work is copyright. Except as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968 (Commonwealth), no part of this publication may be reproduced by any process, electronic or otherwise, without the specific written permission of the copyright owners. Neither may information be stored electronically in any form whatsoever without such permission.

Disclaimer:

While all care has been taken to ensure that information contained in this Technical Bulletin is true and correct at the time of publication, changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of its information.

The Northern Territory of Australia gives no warranty or assurance, and makes no representation as to the accuracy of any information or advice contained in this Technical Bulletin, or that it is suitable for your intended use.

You should not rely upon information in this publication for the purpose of making any serious, business or investment decisions without obtaining independent and/or professional advice in relation to your particular situation.

The Northern Territory of Australia disclaims any liability or responsibility or duty of care towards any person for loss or damage caused by any use of or reliance on the information contained in this publication.

July 2013

Bibliography:

Northern Territory Government (2013). Primary Industries Annual Extension Report 2012. Northern Territory Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries. Technical Bulletin No. 348.

Contact:

Northern Territory GovernmentDepartment of Primary Industry and FisheriesGPO Box 3000

Darwin NT 0801

http://www.nt.gov.au/d

Technical Bulletin No. 348

ISSN: 1838-1758 (Print) 1838-1766 (Online)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION.................................................................................5

PASTORAL INDUSTRY........................................................................6

PLANT INDUSTRIES.........................................................................24

ALL INDUSTRIES.............................................................................32

INDEX............................................................................................35

INTRODUCTIONThis 2012 edition of the Northern Territory Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries’ Annual Extension Report is a summary of the Department’s extension activities in the Primary Industries Division across a wide range of agricultural industries in 2012.

Extension is a critical component of the Agribusiness Industry Strategy and its vision of thriving regional economies underpinned by sustainable food and fibre industries. Both the Agribusiness Industry Strategy and the Primary Industries Extension Strategy were developed in consultation with industry partners to provide a focus on priority issues for the NT Government.

This Report reflects extension services of the department’s Primary Industries Division for 2012, which are diverse across the range of activities it is involved in. These services provide critical information to industry, build knowledge of, and reinforce established best practices and the adoption of new research and development findings and raise knowledge and awareness amongst industry stakeholders and the general public in the early detection of exotic disease or pest incursions. Extension officers also provide a vital feedback mechanism between the production sector, industry researchers and decision-makers.

While research projects are reported separately in the Department’s Annual Research Achievements Report, it is recognised that research, development and extension activities form part of a continuum of effort and are planned to integrate and complement each other.

This year’s report continues to be useful and informative to a wide range of readers. Comments and suggestions are welcome and can be provided to the Department’s Technical Publications Section at: [email protected].

mailto:[email protected]

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PASTORAL INDUSTRYDepartmental officers provide extension services to the NT pastoral and other animal industries to promote productivity, profitability and, where possible, to protect the environment and human health.

TITLE: Top End Pastoral Extension

Program/Project Leader: Arthur Cameron

Contact Details: [email protected]

Keywords: beef cattle, buffalo, pastures, land management

Purpose:

This project disseminates information on pastures, cattle, buffalo and grazing management to primary producers in the Top End of the Northern Territory (NT). Pastures information includes the development and management of introduced pastures, native pastures and floodplain pastures.

Design/Method/Approach:

The project uses a range of passive extension methods, such as the electronic and print media, departmental newsletters, Agnotes, Technical Bulletins and scientific papers, to communicate pasture, cattle, buffalo, grazing management and land management messages to the pastoral industry and community stakeholders, as well as peers in the research, development and extension community. Extension officers also undertake interactive activities such as property visits, media interviews, seminars, field days, tours, demonstrations, rural shows and conferences. Extension officers represent the department on government panels related to animal management and land use, including weed management. Linkages are maintained with industry organisations, such as the NT Cattlemen’s Association, the NT Buffalo Industry Council, the NT Farmers’ Association, Meat & Livestock Australia, the North Australia Beef Research Council and the Leucaena network.

A semen storage vat is maintained for participating cattle and buffalo producers for hire on a fee-for-service basis.

Activities/Findings/Achievements:

Newsletters and Publications

Two editions of the Top Paddock newsletter were produced during 2012. Project officers contributed ten articles to Departmental newsletters and three articles to Buffalo News.

The manual “Cattle and Land Management Best Practices in the Top End Region”, compiled by Arthur Cameron, was released in March 2012. “Heifer Management in Northern Beef Herds” 2nd edition, was produced by Tim Schatz. The NT Weeds Booklet “What is that weed and how did it get here?” was co-collated by Arthur Cameron and was republished in 2012. The RIRDC Final Report: “Enhancing Productivity Improvements in the Australian Water Buffalo Industry” by Barry Lemcke was published as RIRDC Publication No. 12/055 in July.

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Hay and Seed Survey (2011) for the NT

The survey is conducted annually to record the value of hay and seed production activity in the NT. The results of the survey are used in budget papers and are provided to the Australian Bureau of Statistics as official production figures. The 2011 survey was finalised in early 2012 to capture the dry season irrigated hay production from some properties. Hay production was estimated at 69 740 tonnes valued at $13.9m and seed production at 187 tonnes valued at $0.73m.

Property Visits

Over 100 visits were made to Top End properties to provide specific advice on pasture development and management, cattle production, buffalo production, buffalo milk production, and to sample seed for export interstate and overseas.

Field Days, Open Days, Shows, Tours, Conferences

Extension officers were involved in a number of activities during the year, including:

Beef 2012 in Rockhampton, presenting a seminar. The Kidman Springs Field Day. The Sustainable Farm Practices Field Day. A tour for an Indonesian delegation to Beatrice Hill Farm (BHF). A tour for Indonesian students to BHF and Douglas Daly Research Farm. The Fred’s Pass Rural Show and the Darwin Show. The Australian Agricultural Company managers’ tour of Katherine Research Station.

The Girraween Primary School Open Day.

Practical Implications:

The Top End Pastoral Extension team is an important institutional capital for the NT pastoral

industry by maintaining critical base competence in animal and pasture science, and linkages with

the producer community.

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Participants at the 2012 Victoria River Research Station Field Day

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TITLE: Katherine Pastoral Production Extension

Program/Project Leader: Trudi Oxley


Keywords: Katherine, extension, pastoral, field days

Purpose:

The Katherine Pastoral Production Extension group services the greater Katherine region, which includes the Victoria River, Sturt Plateau, Gulf/Roper and Katherine/Daly districts. This project involves the dissemination of cattle and rangelands research results, and information to producers either one-on-one, through on-property demonstrations or to larger gatherings, such as meetings, training workshops, seminars, field days, conferences, and through publications and media presentations. Strong linkages are maintained with industry stakeholders such as the Northern Territory (NT) Cattlemen’s Association, Meat & Livestock Australia, the North Australia Beef Research Council and regional Landcare groups.

These extension activities are essential to ensure that the NT beef industry has access to current research results, information about new technologies and practices, re-enforcing and achieving uptake of proven technologies and general advice and recommendations. These activities by the Katherine Pastoral Production Extension group encapsulate the range of general activities not specifically covered by other projects such the Producer Demonstration Sites project, or activities associated with the Katherine Pastoral Industry Advisory Committee.


The Katherine Pastoral Extension group uses a range of passive and interactive extension methods in its servicing of the regional pastoral industry. Passive methods include newsletters, the electronic and print media, and publication of technical resource materials. Interactive methods include such activities as workshop training, on-property research and field days.


Both electronic and print media were used to convey key extension messages to beef industry stakeholders. Five issues of the Katherine Rural Review regional newsletter were published in 2012. Subjects included a range of husbandry and land management issues such as HGP strategies, understanding polledness, animal health and bull selection, in addition to updates of project activities from around the Territory.

The major Katherine Regional Field Day for 2012 was held at Victoria River Research Station (VRRS). The theme was “Local Research, Local Knowledge” and topics included profitable supplementation, breeder mortality, grazing systems and results from a number of local trials.

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The Katherine Pastoral Production team


Eighty-two people attended the field day, 40% of whom were producers who collectively manage a combined land area of 28 840 km2. An end of session evaluation (Table 1.), revealed that many producers were inspired by the forum content to consider some type of change in their enterprises.

Table 1. Evaluation results for 2012 Victoria River Research Station Field Day

Using the information you heard today Yes (%) No (%) Not Sure (%)Did you learn something new today? 100If no, did the information reinforce things you already knew or are doing?Has the information you heard today changed your opinion of what is possible to achieve in your business? 77 14 9Do you plan to attend any training or seek further information in the future as a result of this field day? 88 8 4Do you plan to make changes to your business as a direct result of attending this field day? 56 11 33

The Katherine Pastoral Production Extension group organised a display of posters and information handouts at the 2012 Katherine Show around the theme “Year of the Farmer”, which showcased life on a typical Katherine region station.

A Grazing Land Management (GLM) Primer workshop was conducted for members of the Territory Natural Resource Management (TNRM) group. Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries (DPIF) officers consulted TNRM for a year on the evaluation component of newly implemented Territory Conservation Agreements (TCAs). This workshop was designed to help the TNRM group to become self-sufficient. The main aspects of the workshop included what information and measurements need to be made during assessments of sites within the TCAs to judge the GLM merits of proposals, introduce common terminologies, concepts and tools and to ensure that TNRM contractors and staff understand how industry manages grazing land.

Extension staff responded to 25 specific one-to-one pastoral enquiries in 2012 relating to livestock husbandry, grazing management and seeking regional production and benchmark information.


The results of the activities undertaken by the Katherine Pastoral Production Extension group ensure that producers are better able to access relevant information with which to make timely decisions for their businesses and that is delivered in varied formats that suit the different learning styles and requirements of a range of producers in the region. During the VRRS Field Day a significant number of producers were challenged in their thinking around their production systems. Many are likely to trial various new technologies on their properties as a result of attending the field day. The TNRM team is now able to assess TCAs sites adequately

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and competently without continuing reliance on DPIF officers, while being aware that departmental staff are only a phone call away if they have any queries or require access to additional resources.

TITLE: Tennant Creek Pastoral Production Extension

Program/Project Leader: Casey Collier


Keywords: extension, beef/pastoral industry, Barkly Tableland

Purpose:

The Tennant Creek Pastoral Production team services the greater Tennant Creek region, including the Barkly and Eastern Gulf. It assists graziers within the region to develop profitable, sustainable and productive beef enterprises. Relationships with key industry stakeholders, such as the Northern Territory (NT) Cattlemen’s Association, Meat & Livestock Australia, the North Australia Beef Research Council and regional natural resource management groups are essential to ensure capacity building and success of research, development and extension programs.


Extension officers use a range of passive and interactive extension methods to disseminate key research results and other information to the region’s pastoral industry. Passive methods include newsletters, the electronic and print media, and published technical materials. Interactive methods include training workshops, seminars, one-on-one property visits, and field days. Such extension ensures NT cattle producers receive new research results to facilitate the adoption of proven technologies and practices.


Both electronic and print media were used to convey key extension messages to beef industry stakeholders. Four issues of the department’s quarterly Barkly Beef regional newsletter were published in 2012. Subjects included a range of husbandry and land management issues, such as HGP strategies, wet season spelling, weed management, understanding polledness, animal health, bull selection methods, heifer management in northern Australia, the Carbon Farming Initiative, as well as updates of project activities from around the Territory.

Training workshops and field days were strong components of the Tennant Creek extension effort. The department offers rangeland management courses to stations right across the Barkly every two years. The courses are aimed at first or second-year station staff new to the region, or those wishing to refresh their knowledge of such issues as pasture species common across the Barkly, weeds of the region, basic animal nutrition and supplementation, biodiversity and how to recognise different land types and condition. Two courses were run at different stations in 2012. Feedback from the courses indicated that the participants felt the information they learnt over the two-day course was a valuable introduction to the region and its pastoral industry.

A grazing land management (GLM) follow-up workshop was held early in the year at the Barkly Homestead. Seven producers from the previous 2010 GLM workshop were able to come together and discuss the details of GLM principles they had implemented on their individual stations over the past 12 months. This also allowed participants to ask questions on why certain things were, or were not, working and discuss possible solutions with their fellow peers and presenters.

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Participants at the 2012 Alexandria Barkly Rangeland Management Course


Other specific extension events included a workshop on the Carbon Farming Initiative, which was hosted in Tennant Creek in July 2012 and was attended by several Barkly producers. Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries (DPIF) Rangeland Program coordinator, Dionne Walsh, gave a power-point presentation entitled ‘Is there a business case for NT producers to farm carbon’. Dionne Walsh also gave a briefing to senior managers of the Australian Agricultural Company on the range of DPIF pastoral projects across the Territory, which included several Barkly projects. Casey Collier, assisted by Tim Schatz, presented a poster and preliminary results from the Brunchilly phosphorus trial at the Kidman Springs Field Day in August. The Tennant Creek Pastoral Production team organised and conducted the cattle section at the Tennant Creek Show, including a display of posters and take-away handouts.

The team also conducted collaborative activities with the industry by participating in two Barkly Regional Advisory Committee meetings. The second meeting in December 2012 was hosted at Brunchilly Station. The full day meeting was open to all members of the Barkly pastoral community and allowed the department’s key beef and rangeland research and extension staff to liaise and discuss both current and future projects in the region and across the Territory. Feedback from the meeting was extremely positive and it was suggested that a full day meeting of this nature become an annual event. Extension staff also responded to a number of local enquiries in 2012 relating to livestock husbandry and GLM practices.


DPIF staff play a critical role in capacity building in the local pastoral industry through extension of the latest technologies and research outcomes through workshops, seminars, field days, conferences and associated media presentations and publications. These extension efforts are vital to ensure the continual increase in herd productivity across the region. The Tennant Creek Pastoral Production team is an important regional infrastructure which provides geographically positioned services to the pastoral regions of the Barkly Tableland and the Eastern Gulf.

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Chris Materne discussing the OMPRS grazing trial

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TITLE: Pastoral Extension – Alice Springs

Program/Project Leader: Pieter Conradie


Keywords: extension, grazing systems, NRM training, best practice

Purpose:

The aim of the Alice Springs Pastoral Production group is to bring producers together and extend relevant and timely information packages or training programs to advance pastoral industry businesses.


Herd and land management, together with business management, had been identified as some of the key focus areas for extension activities in the Alice Springs region following consultation with the Alice Springs Pastoral Advisory Committee (ASPIAC).


Grazing Land Management Trials at the Old Man Plains Research Station (OMPRS).

During a field day at OMPRS in May, the results of the Northern Grazing Systems (NGS) project were presented to ASPIAC members and the local media. The day started off with a paddock walk and discussion of the NGS trial by Chris Materne. Outputs from pasture growth models developed as part of the project were presented demonstrating the effects of variables, such as fixed versus variable stocking rates, spelling and land condition. Modelled economic outputs expected from different grazing strategies were also presented. The findings of the NGS trial were also described in posters at the Northern Beef Research Update Conference, through the ABC’s Rural Radio and the departmental newsletter, the Alice Springs Rural Review.

Following the field day, ASPIAC agreed to serve in an advisory capacity for a new long-term grazing trial that will further investigate different grazing strategies suitable for Central Australia, while at the same time identifying options for producing quality beef from native pastures.

Natural Resource Management (NRM) Training Course at OMPRS

Two training courses were presented at OMPRS in conjunction with the Centralian Land Management Association and the NRM group. The machinery course focussed specifically on training and licensing operators of heavy machinery, such as graders and dozers, to safely do soil conservation work, such as clearing fence lines, clearing fire breaks and pushing erosion banks.

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Training in fat scoring


The landscape literacy course, which is a continuation of the Ecosystem Management Understanding project, was conducted by Dr Hugh Pringle, an ecologist with international experience, who is using OMPRS to develop a holistic approach to drainage systems ecology. Attendees from the pastoral industry as well as government agencies and NGO groups found these courses informative. An advanced landscape literacy course is being planned.

The Use of the Droughtmaster Herd to Focus on Best Practice Cattle Management

The Droughtmaster herd at OMPRS was used as an extension and research tool to demonstrate best practice management for cattle under extensive conditions. On two occasions Dr Geoffrey Fordyce from the University of Queensland demonstrated bull breeding soundness to staff from cattle stations using OMPRS cattle. Bryan Gill, Research Cattle Manager from AZRI, explained the herd management principles applied with Droughtmasters. Dr Fordyce also provided practical tips on yard safety requirements.

Weaning practices, mature cow weight, the use of growth promotants, the Meat Standards Australia grading systems and reproductive loss were also discussed in departmental newsletters and ABC’s Rural Radio in 2012.

TITLE: Indigenous Pastoral Program Phase 3

Program/Project Leader: Pieter Conradie


Keywords: extension, cattle management, infrastructure planning, carrying capacity, pest management

Purpose:

To support Indigenous people towards achieving improved socio-economic standing and livelihoods through the development of viable pastoral operations and sustainable management of Indigenous-held land.

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Participants and trainers of the IPP

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As one of six partners in the Indigenous Pastoral Program (IPP), the Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries worked towards achieving the following objectives:

1. Support the development of viable, Indigenous pastoral operations and enable economic opportunity via pastoral activity on Indigenous-held land.

2. Contribute to sustainable management of Indigenous- held land.

3. Provide training to increase Indigenous employment and the viability of Indigenous pastoral operations, thereby enabling career pathways in the industry.

On ground extension support is provided through three pastoral advisory officers with the backing of managers and subject specialists.


Two new advisory officers started during the year, which necessitated the establishment of relationships with land managers as well as project partners. Once these relationships had been established, much of the time was spent in two focus areas as per the objectives mentioned above.

Provide Technical Support towards Cattle Management and Assist with Infrastructure Planning and Development

Best practice management principles were recommended to managers on weaning, heifer selection, bull selection, herd structure and improved systems for cattle handling. Southern stations were provided with on-ground support during mustering and recommendations were made on marketing strategies. Due to the fact that management options and carrying capacity are severely limited by insufficient operational infrastructure, a focal point during this period was infrastructure planning and development. Advisory officers conducted an audit of all infrastructure funded under the IPP program by the Indigenous Land Council (ILC) since 2003. The completion of this audit report was required to enable future infrastructure funding by the ILC. The report will also indicate strategies towards future infrastructure development and maintenance.

Sustainable Land Management

With the support of rangeland scientists, extension officers assessed carrying capacities on eight properties, which formed the basis for property management plans and infrastructure funding applications. Where possible, land managers were involved in the visual assessment of land condition. Feedback on the carrying capacity of the properties was given to the landholders. For Atula Station, a full presentation was made to role players and different options were provided for the sustainable utilisation of pastures with current as well as proposed infrastructure development.

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Learning how to pull a bore


Management plans for feral animal and weed control were developed for five properties. These plans were developed in conjunction with land managers and were approved by project partners. A detailed pest management plan was developed for Amanbidji and the removal of 2500 feral animals (horses, donkeys and camels) was done at Amanbidji, MacDonald Yards and Mistake Creek. An application for natural resource management funding under the Clean Energy Future Biodiversity Fund was submitted and has successfully gone through the first stage for approval.

Meetings and discussions were held with community members, the Bushfire Council and other role players to update and develop fire management plans. Communities have experienced severe losses to grazing and infrastructure due to uncontrolled fires in the past which emphasised the importance of fire management plans. A presentation was given on the IPP program to Gulf landholders at the Cape Crawford Field Day.

Training and Support

Apart from supporting the Indigenous cattleman’s training workshops, ad hoc training and mentoring were provided to station managers and staff on record keeping, decision making and filling funding applications. Two Indigenous properties, not currently in the IPP program, have asked to be included and have been assessed for possible future inclusion in the program.

Practical implications:

The IPP program is building tangible operational capacity for both Indigenous pastoral businesses as well as Indigenous workers engaged in the NT pastoral industry.

TITLE: FutureBeef



Keywords: extension, communications, research & development, training, best practice

Purpose:

The FutureBeef program for northern Australia is a new five-year collaborative extension program aimed at bringing the latest research technologies and best management practice knowledge, skills and training to northern beef producers. The uptake of these practices on-property will help businesses respond faster to expansion opportunities. The FutureBeef program in the Northern Territory (NT) encapsulates activities undertaken at a regional level by the Department of Primary

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Industry and Fisheries (DPIF) staff in addition to those outlined below, which are produced through collaboration with the project partners.


Launched in May 2012, the FutureBeef program brings together the technical and investment focus of development and extension activities for the Queensland, NT and Western Australia (Kimberley/Pilbara regions) agricultural departments, and Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA).

FutureBeef partners currently engage northern beef producers through a range of face-to-face approaches including training workshops, producer demonstration sites, field days, RD&E projects, forums (including Beef Up and Next Gen forums), and property visits. One of the main features of FutureBeef is recognising the different ways in which adults learn and packaging the latest information to meet their needs. The program promotes the development and use of technologies such as webinars, online e-bulletins, smartphone applications and self-paced learning packages to complement face-to-face delivery. Social media outlets like Facebook and Twitter are also being used to regularly cross-promote news and events as a way of bringing layers of industry interest groups together.


The FutureBeef program collaboration has resulted in a new industry website www.futurebeef.com.au allowing those working in, or seeking to, enter the beef industry to freely access a range of technical production resources and tools in areas of animal improvement, grazing land management and business management. The site also allows visitors to find and register online for events, find out what projects are happening in their region and their results, view project outlines and detailed reports, source publications, newsletters and e-bulletins, and download practical tools.

Other new products include a searchable FutureBeef technical library DVD, a compilation of publications and reports relevant to the northern beef industry (December 2011), particularly for those with no internet access. There are also two new publications, one on weaner management and the other on heifer management, released this year.

The ‘Weaner Management in Northern Beef Herds’ publication includes all the research, demonstration and practical knowledge available on weaning and weaner management in northern Australia. It presents essential information for northern beef producers, including best management practice for feeding and educating weaners.

The ‘Heifer Management in Northern Beef Herds’ is a short, user-friendly guide to best practice management. Both publications were written for graziers, station managers, stockmen and students of animal husbandry. These publications by Queensland and NT research/extension teams in collaboration with other agencies are excellent examples of the results that can be achieved through a joint approach to research, development and extension. Copies of the DVD and both publications can be ordered through MLA or the FutureBeef website.

FutureBeef Staff Intranet

The FutureBeef staff intranet went live on 5 July 2012. It includes corporate plans, strategy documents and reports, branding and promotional material, and resources relevant to staff (including information on extension tools, archived publications and additional topic information). In 2012 there were 79 users from FutureBeef partner agencies (DAFF Queensland, DAFWA, DPIF and MLA).

The Forum area is live and a Wiki area is being trialled.

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eBulletin

The FutureBeef eBulletin is published every six weeks and aims to highlight industry news, website updates, upcoming events and training days. eBulletin subscriptions have increased from 26 to 340 from the first to the seventh edition. There were 431 subscribers as at 31 January 2013. On average, two new subscribers sign up every day.

Webinars

Fourteen major webinars were conducted across northern Australia, using either GoToWebinar or GoToMeeting from 1 October to 31 December 2012. These were attended by approximately 188 staff and 447 external participants. A webinar schedule sets out key topics and also accounts for project outcomes and new resource releases.

Social media

The FutureBeefAu YouTube channel was created on 23 November 2011. From 1 October to 31 December 2012 there were 798 views, and an estimated 3956 minutes (67 hours) watched, across the 44 videos available of educational content.

Facebook

FutureBeef joined Facebook on 19 January 2012. A strategy has been formulated along with social media policy and guidelines. The page has attracted 252 fans since that time. In the final quarter of 2012, 136 people visited the FutureBeef website from the Facebook page, translating to 346 website page views. Activities, including posts, comments and sharing, continue to grow each quarter. The activities centre on demonstrating shared-values with northern beef producers and hence building trust, education and influence.

Twitter

FutureBeef joined Twitter on 2 May 2012 and has since attracted 664 followers. Each quarter, FutureBeef sends out over 150 updates with links to tools, articles, events and information relating to RD&E in the northern beef industry. There were 82 referrals to the website from Twitter in the final quarter of 2012, translating to 158 page views. Twitter continues to be a strong medium for promoting events and webinars as well as encouraging the reading and sharing of new information and research.

In 2012, DPIF field days and projects harnessed the FutureBeef brand in promoting activities and outcomes. For example, the Kidman Springs Field Day held on 1 August 2012 represented a valuable forum for the delivery of key extension messages and exchange of local knowledge between staff, pastoralists and industry stakeholders. The event was co-branded ‘DPIF and FutureBeef’ and was promoted across FutureBeef online networks and featured in the eBulletin.


The FutureBeef program increases the efficiency and effectiveness of extension efforts across northern Australia. The shared approach widens the resources, information and perspective available to NT producers without compromising their access to a local extension service.

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Title: The Implementation of Producer Demonstration Sites to Increase the Adoption of Research Findings and Encourage Changes in Practice

Program/Project Leader: Trisha Cowley


Keywords: producer demonstration sites, adoption, practice change, extension, on farm research

Purpose:

The purpose of producer demonstration sites (PDS) is to support beef producers by demonstrating, developing and promoting adoption of priority research technologies and findings. PDS projects aim to shorten the time lag between technological innovation and the adoption of beneficial key research findings, adapt research findings to practical commercial implementation, improve producer skills, knowledge and practices, and improve collaboration and coordination between producers and support agencies.


The two PDS projects operating in the Northern Territory (NT) are developing monitoring and evaluation systems to assess project impacts. Results will be measured using the evaluation systems of Meat & Livestock Australia’s (MLA’s) FutureBeef program, which will incorporate an annual MLA survey, case studies and economic analysis of business improvement among PDS participants. The projects are:

1. Boosting steer growth - comparing the profitability of different hormonal growth promotant (HGP) strategies in the NT (Hayfield Station).

Research in northern Australian beef herds has shown that when used strategically, HGPs can significantly increase growth rate in steers. What is less certain is what constitutes the most profitable strategy in using HPGs. There is a need to investigate the effect of variations in timing of the use of HGPs to take advantage of seasonal conditions and minimising the cost of mustering. There is little previous local data on growth rates due to HGPs. This project compared the profitability of several strategies of using HGPs under typical herd management systems in the NT as a guide for producers. Data collection has finished and the final report is due in June 2013.

2. A practical demonstration of the polled gene marker test to increase the frequency of polled progeny and the use of fixed time insemination in commercial NT herds (Lakefield and Avago stations).

This project is demonstrating the use of the polled gene marker test to breed polled sires using a nucleus herd on-property as well as demonstrating best practice artificial insemination (AI) techniques in NT breeding herds. Currently, very few Brahman breeders in the NT are using polled genes. Until recently, it was not possible to determine if a polled Brahman was homozygous polled (carried two copies of the polled gene) or heterozygous polled (carried one horned copy and one polled copy of the polled gene) as both genotypes could be visually polled. The polled gene marker test now allows people to determine if a sire is homozygous polled and therefore can only pass on polledness to its progeny. Therefore, producers can use this test to select sires which will shorten the time taken to reach a 100% polled herd.

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HGP Hayfield Station PDS

Clean-skin first-round male weaners were used; 471 in 201 and 498 in 2011. They were weighed over three occasions: at weaning, at the end of the dry and after the wet. The PDS compared the cost-effectiveness of four HGP strategies:

1. 2 x 200-day Compudose® implant - inserted at the beginning of the dry season and then at the end of the dry season/start of the wet season.

2. 200-day Compudose® inserted at the end of the dry season/start of the wet season.

3. 400-day Compudose® inserted at the beginning of the dry season.

4. No HGP (control).

The key results from the PDS were:

All HGP-use strategies resulted in significantly higher growth in animals compared with the control. The greatest advantage of HGPs occurred during the wet season when growth was highest. It is reasonable to expect a 10% growth advantage when using an oestrogen-based implant under

NT conditions. There were some differences between strategies, but this was not consistent over years, leading to

no clear advantages of one strategy over another. The cost of extra musters has to be carefully considered when determining which strategy will be

more profitable.

400-day Compudose® implanted at weaning was the most cost-effective strategy.

A field day was held at Hayfield Station on 16 October, which was attended by 47 people, including 27 landholders representing 11 properties. The field day received extremely positive feedback, with all attendees stating that they had learned something new, 75% intended to seek further information as a result of attending and 37% intending to make changes to their business as a result of attending the field day. Two webinars were held which were attended by 36 individuals, two ABC Rural Radio interviews were conducted and four articles were written for the Katherine Rural Review.

Lakefield and Avago Station Polled Gene Marker Demonstration

Both Lakefield and Avago have already been sourcing polled sires for inclusion in their stud herds for several years. Their aim is to breed their own polled bulls for use in their commercial herds, as polled Brahman bulls are in short supply. They are using the polled gene marker test to identify the genotype of the animals within their stud herd to help with selection choices and to source true polled sires for use in their stud herd. An AI program using semen from true polled animals (bulls which yielded a poll-poll (PP) result, meaning they do not carry a horn allele), will be carried out in Lakefield and Avago stud herds. Another site is required to compare the progeny of PP versus poll-horned bulls over horned Brahman cows. This is likely to be done through an AI program due to the limited availability of polled Brahman bulls.

Lakefield Station carried out an AI program on 46 stud females using semen from three PP bulls in April 2012. PP bulls were used on those cows that did not get pregnant through AI. Calves were weaned in March and were to be tested for their polled genotype and parentage-tested to determine the success of the AI program.

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Avago Station carried out an AI program on 70 stud females using semen from PP bulls in December 2012. They will be pregnancy-tested in June 2013 and the calves will be weaned in early 2014.


Hayfield

This project will provide producers some data on which to base their HGP programs as well as increase their knowledge of how HGPs work and how to determine what strategies will be most cost-effective for their business.

Lakefield and Avago Stations

Currently very few producers in the NT have started to incorporate polled genes in their herd and fewer still understand the inheritance of the polled gene or how the polled gene marker test can be used. This project will address these knowledge gaps and therefore increase the number of producers moving towards polled herds. This has very important animal welfare implications as it will reduce the number of animals that will require dehorning.

TITLE: Technical Support for South-East Asian Importers

Program/Project Leader: David Ffoulkes


Keywords: cattle, live export, feedlot, slaughter, animal welfare, standard operating procedures

Purpose:

To support the development of new live cattle export markets for Northern Territory (NT) cattle producers by providing technical services to assist importers to establish facilities and operations in accordance with Australian animal welfare regulations.


In 2012 the Technical Services program continued to assist in the development of the live export trade in Vietnam under a funding agreement with Meat & Livestock Australia to implement the Australian Government’s Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System (ESCAS).


A number of visits were made to the importer in Haiphong (North Vietnam), to assess their operation, including a new feedlot facility, for compliance with ESCAS prior to the next shipment, as well to supervise the construction of an unloading ramp and race to replace the temporary structure used during unloading of the first shipment in 2011.

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Haiphong Operation: DPIF Extension Officer Ben Beumer supervises ramp construction



Haiphong Operation: Construction of new feedlot


The program leader visited the Bien Hoa operation (where a new feedlot was under construction), to receive a deferred cattle shipment in October 2012. The implementation of ESCAS standard operating procedures was discussed in detail with the importer and a new slaughterhouse was designed specifically to meet Australian animal welfare standards. In October 2012, both program leaders supervised the unloading of the shipment and provided post-shipment training in animal handling and feedlot management.

In December 2012, a third shipment of cattle was supervised by one of the program leaders together with the exporter’s consultant. The ship carried specially designed unloading bridges fabricated by the department to suit Vietnamese cattle trucks. During each visit to Vietnam, technical assistance was also provided to a Vietnamese businessman who is developing an integrated feedlot and slaughter enterprise in Dak Lak Province using imported Brahman cattle. It is expected that this operation will start importing NT beef cattle by mid-2013.


The technical support provided by this program has assisted in the export of 3745 head of NT cattle to Vietnam in three shipments since September 2011. There are already orders for further shipments in 2013. With the enforcement of ESCAS regulations in Vietnam commencing in January 2013, the Technical Support program will continue to work with current and new importers together with the exporters to ensure that these operations meet Australian animal welfare standards and auditing requirements.

An advantage of the Vietnam market is that its preference for heavier slaughter cattle is compatible with NT cattle producers and exporters because it does not compete with the lighter weight limit of exported cattle imposed by the Indonesian market. Vietnamese importers have also indicated that they will also import buffalo once a slaughter buffalo protocol has been developed.

TITLE: Regional Beef Research Committees Report 2011-12



Keywords: northern Australian beef research, Meat & Livestock Australia

Purpose:

The role of Regional Beef Research Committees (RBRCs) is to provide producer input into research, development and extension (RD&E) and advise the Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries on issues facing the cattle industry in their region. RBRCs also provide advice on priority areas of RD&E, guide RD&E projects in their region and provide feedback to the North Australia Beef Research Council (NABRC).

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The pastoral industry in the Northern Territory (NT) has three RBRCs:

The Katherine Pastoral Industry Advisory Committee (KPIAC), which also includes members from the Top End representing that region.

The Alice Springs Pastoral Industry Advisory Committee (ASPIAC).

The Barkly Research Advisory Committee (BRAC).

The RBRCs participate in planning and reviewing the results of pastoral research conducted by the Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries (DPIF) to ensure they address the region’s priorities. The RBRCs are made up of producers from the region as well as representatives from DPIF, the Department of Land Resource Management, Charles Darwin University (CDU) and a member from the live export or processing industry. DPIF plays a key role in supporting the RBRCs by providing secretarial services and coordination.

The chairperson of each committee also represents the regions on NABRC and Meat & Livestock Australia’s (MLA) Northern Beef Industry Committee (NBIC). NABRC is an independent organisation made up of producer representatives, research organisations and education providers. NABRC does not fund RD&E, nor employ any RD&E personnel. Rather, its role is to influence the beef industry RD&E agenda in Queensland, the NT and the Pilbara and Kimberley regions of Western Australia. NABRC helps ensure that innovation and learning in the northern Australian beef industry addresses industry’s priority issues. NBIC differs from the other groups in that it is a formal component of the red meat industry’s R&D, a part of MLA. Its function is to assess funding proposals for RD&E in northern Australia.


NABRC

RBRCs chairmen and DPIF representatives attended two NABRC meetings in 2012. The main focus of NABRC in 2012 was to develop the RD&E Priorities Prospectus for the Northern Australian Beef Industry. This document was published and released at a NABRC meeting in Brisbane.

BRAC

Two BRAC meetings were held in 2012. Key outcomes included:

Identification of key regional research priorities. Endorsement and support for an MLA-funded producer demonstration site on using genetic

technologies to breed better bulls at Brunchilly and Helen Springs stations. Advising on the potential PDS investigating the production effects of poor quality water on grower

cattle in the Barkly. Reviewing and advising on ongoing projects, such as the Pastoral Industry Survey.

Providing input into the organisation and facilitation of a Barkly Herd Management Forum to be held on the Western Barkly.

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KPIAC

Two KPIAC meetings and one teleconference were held in 2012. Key outcomes included:

Input to NABRC’s key RD&E priorities. A combined meeting with the Kimberly RBRC committee chair and secretary following the Breeding

for Fertility workshop. A meeting with the Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries to discuss the role of KPIAC. Two new members, Jay Mohr-Bell (Mathison Station) and Shane McWhirter (ILC). A presentation by Sally Leigo at the Precision Pastoral CRC. Review of and advice for ongoing projects, such as the producer demonstration sites project and the

NT Pastoral Industry Survey.

Input in the design of project proposals including the CDU wallaby control project, CSIRO’s northern logistics project, and DPIF’s genetics extension project.

ASPIAC

Two ASPIAC meetings were held in 2012. Key outcomes included:

Continuation of the proposed development of the long-term grazing trial at Old Man Plains Research Station (OMPRS) with ASPIAC resuming an active role as an advisory committee for OMPRS.

Discussion of the validity of faecal near-infrared spectrometry in the Alice Springs district, with a proposal to conduct further research in this field.

Endorsement and support for the continued development of OMPRS as well as an investigation into the possible incorporation of an adjoining piece of land to provide additional research opportunities.

A report by departmental staff on cattle research projects, in particular the growth hormone project initiated by ASPIAC.

A presentation on the financial benefit of telemetry as a labour-saving device.


The respective research committees are essential for maintaining connectivity and relevance with DPIF’s research and extension.

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Small groups in action: Entomologist Austin McLennan talking through the basics of mango leafhopper identification

and management in Katherine; Source (Carmen Brown, ABC NT Rural)

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PLANT INDUSTRIESDepartmental officers provide extension services to the NT cropping, horticultural and forestry industries to promote productivity, profitability and, where possible, to protect the environment and human health.

TITLE: Mango Industry Extension Services

Program/Project Leader: Warren Hunt


Keywords: mango, RD&E forum, fruit quality, foliar calcium, advisory panel

Purpose:

To build the capacity of the Northern Territory (NT) mango industry towards more resilient and profitable production systems.


The Plant Industries group of the Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries (DPIF) uses a range of extension approaches to engage, inform and facilitate changes in mango farm practice. These include passive processes, such as regular articles in the Plant Industries monthly e-newsletter and the industry’s quarterly Mango Matters magazine, as well as local ABC radio and television interviews. More interactive extension activities entail an annual forum, small group meetings (Darwin and Katherine), and action research activities.


The NT Mango Research, Development and Extension (RD&E) Forum

The annual mango RD&E forum was held at NT Freight Services and attracted 86 participants from both farming enterprises and associated service agencies. Twenty-three farm businesses attended, many of them the industry’s largest operators. Topics covered at the forum included an analysis of industry performance in 2011, results from studies in fruit defects, fruit-fly risk management research, research in the control of mango leafhoppers, rootstock and scion evaluation, the release of new genes and plans for a crop manipulation research project.

Small-group Extension

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NT mango growers are showing interest in a pilot project run by DPIF and funded by Horticulture Australia Limited. This project aims to improve the knowledge systems of the NT mango industry. The small group process is a self-directed learning initiative that focuses on allowing producers to shape their learning directions in partnership with specialists from the DPIF Plant Industries group and external specialists. There is evidence in the NT that indicates gaps in knowledge, as well as failures in adoption of best practices associated with certain agronomic, pest management and post-harvest areas of farm operations. Farmers have been resorting sometimes to haphazard trial and error methods to resolve problems. To address this issue, the Plant Industries group is making a concerted effort to boost its RD&E capacity and increase its impact on the NT mango industry. The project seeks to renew engagement between the RD&E community and farmers to foster a positive and constructive learning environment where farmers direct RD&E into areas they wish to learn more about so that they can further enhance their businesses.

The project has piloted the process in both Darwin and Katherine, with 18 businesses taking part through two regional groups. Currently in its early stages, the project has managed to benchmark practices across the participants in the groups and identify areas for improvement. On-farm post-harvest handling and issues around packing and cooling of fruit by transporters were tackled in two discrete extension activities in 2012. Briefings were also provided to the groups following an industry study tour to Brazil on the manipulation of mango flowering and fruit bearing. One knowledge gap that emerged in the group sessions was whether foliar calcium sprays could reduce lenticel damage in fruit. A trial was conducted on a cooperating farm which suggests no discernible benefit from spraying. Meetings in 2013 considered feedback on this and other priorities highlighted in 2012. These included an understanding of the lawful obligations between neighbours where commercial operations are adjacent to derelict former mango farms, feedback from growers on a visit to the Ord region in October 2012 to inspect new mango varieties due for release and an update on better understanding mango crop manipulation.


The small groups offer an alternative interactive extension process. While participants are not always inclined to work in groups, meeting to discuss issues in a safe environment with fellow farmers offers the opportunity to learn not just what others are doing, but also how and, importantly, why. The extension literature provides considerable evidence of increased levels of technological adoption or changes in practice amongst such people working in groups.

TITLE: The Northern Territory Mango Advisory Panel

Program/Project Leader: Bob Williams


Keywords: mango research and development, export, Port of Darwin

Purpose:

The function of the Mango Advisory Panel (MAP) is to identify and begin the process of resolving challenges facing the Northern Territory (NT) mango industry at a local level.


MAP consists of a dedicated group of 14 growers, Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries (DPIF) staff and mango industry representatives. The panel has been selected by the Director of Plant Industries following consultation with the industry. The seven growers on the panel are chosen from a cross-section of the industry and have been picked because of their demonstrated

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Marie Piccone of Manbulloo pursues an animated discussion with Peter Marks during the field tour to Ballongilly

www.nt.gov.au/d

passion for innovation. MAP has been in existence since August 2011 and tries to meet quarterly. Essential to the functioning of the panel is a convention that members contribute constructive criticism and critical thought as to where the NT Government’s and the industry’s funds can be optimally directed.

MAP looks at the challenges facing the industry and the community at a local level. In deciding what direction the NT should take, it considers the industry’s strategic plans, national strategic research, development and extension (RD&E) priorities, and innovation in other industries and opportunities that could provide an advantage to the NT mango industry. DPIF has a Mango RD&E Plan which has short, medium and long-term targets which, consequent to careful planning, are not constrained by the level of funding required. Investment, however, is important and funding strategies are integrated into an investment plan which we report to the MAP on an annual basis. The major drivers of the plan are to:

1. Increase productivity and product quality.

2. Develop and maintain markets.

3. Strengthen business adaptability.

4. Enhance sustainability and natural resources.

DPIF is endeavouring to build an RD&E team that is energetic and is complementary to teams across Australia, but also has the skills, capacity and facilities needed in the NT. Within the context of the national horticultural research framework, DPIF is the leading agency for mangoes and hence we have a national responsibility to foster and lead mango RD&E. By the end of this year, we will have mango trial sites from Darwin to Ti Tree. Katherine Research Station will be our major mango research station and Berrimah Farm will remain our major laboratory facility. Over the next two years, there will be a number of new staff coming on board to help build our RD&E capacity.

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A Queensland fruit fly on a mango


TITLE: A Systems Approach for the Elimination of Post-harvest Disinfestation of Katherine Mangoes for Fruit Flies

Project Leader: Austin McLennan


Keywords: mango, fruit flies, market access, IPM systems approach

Purpose:

This project aims to support the development of alternative market access protocols that would allow mangoes to be exported to domestic and international markets without the need for post-harvest fruit fly treatments. Removing the requirement for these post-harvest treatments would deliver advantages to the industry by maintaining and improving market access for Australian mangoes. The greatest promise for eliminating reliance on post-harvest fruit fly treatments lies in the development of ‘systems approaches’, where several measures are used in combination to provide a similar or a greater level of phyto-sanitary protection as the currently accepted disinfestation treatments.


While this project has a strong research basis, its final success will depend on how easily recommended systems approaches can be adopted across the Katherine production region. Extension activities have encapsulated close engagement and cooperation with local mango producers involved in the research program, as well as those external to the research process.

Key design elements of the extension and communication aspects of this project include:

Communication with the Katherine mango industry by regular visits to participating properties for the purpose of collecting fruit fly trapping data or collecting fruit for assessment. These visits provide a useful way to update farm managers/staff/owners on the project’s progress to date and provide a two-way flow of information between the project and the industry.

Formal updates for project collaborators to explain the project’s findings and implications in more detail and to secure agreement on the project’s direction for the 2012 mango season. Two updates were held in 2012, which were important for building industry ownership of the project and its

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DPIF researcher Mark Hoult demonstrating how to marcott

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outcomes. Seven businesses are collaborating with the project and account for over 90% of the local production in the Katherine/Mataranka area and approximately 20% of national production.

Communicating findings to the Northern Territory (NT) and the wider Australian industry via presentations at the annual NT Mango Industry RD&E Forum in 2012 and at two regional workshops in Queensland (Ayr and Mareeba) at the request of the Australian Mango Industry Association. The rural media was also used to build industry and community awareness of the project via occasional interviews and press releases.

As a result of the above initiatives, the project is delivering its stated extension aims of:

More than 90% of the Katherine mango industry aware of the project and actively participating. More than 80% of the NT mango industry aware of the project and supportive of the NT Mango

Industry Association funding for the project.

Fifty per cent of the national mango industry aware of project and supportive of funding.

Practical implications:

The extension activities have contributed to a greater awareness amongst producers of factors leading to increased fruit fly strike risk. In response, some local operators have already started to trial preventative strategies, such as increased attention to the firmness of fruit when packing for interstate export. The project will continue until June 2014.

TITLE: Rambutan

Program/Project Leader: Megan Connelly


Keywords: rambutan, propagation, marcotts/marcotting

Purpose:

To extend new knowledge, existing best practices associated with rambutan propagation, genetics and crop manipulation.


Farm walks and hands-on workshop demonstrations.


A small-group meeting was held in late 2012 at Coast Plains Research Station (CPRS) at Middle Point that attracted seven Darwin rambutan-growing businesses. The Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries (DPIF) has commenced a three-year program funded by the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation that aims to consolidate and evaluate different rambutan germplasm available both in Australian and from overseas, and develop best practices for plant propagation.

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The project’s objectives are to:

Identify and secure all Australian rambutan germplasm and introduce select lines that will be held at a central repository at CPRS.

Identify potential “male” pollinator seedlings/selections from industry orchards and DPIF seedling blocks and establish field plantings to appraise flowering patterns.

Develop improved clonal propagation methods. Establish unique stock-scion combinations and evaluate their production.

Strengthen both research and industry communication amongst Australian and international rambutan stakeholders.

After an initial briefing about the project, growers had the opportunity to see some practical demonstrations of marcotting of rambutan stems for a potential clonal propagation technique. There were follow up discussions on manipulating floral induction, as well as the influence of temperature on pollination.

TITLE: Nursery and Garden Extension

Program/Project Leader: Megan Connelly


Keywords: nursery industry, plant biosecurity, NIASA, EcoHort, BioSecure

Purpose:

To assist in maintaining the integrity of Northern Territory (NT) nursery and garden industries.


Being involved in program processes at the national level and conducting programmed training and accreditation activities.

Achievements:

Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries Plant Industries extension staff function in a representation, facilitation and enabling capacity on various industry committees to ensure that the best interests of the NT industry are realised. During 2012 the Nursery and Garden Industry Australia (NGIA) implement three key programs:

NIASA (Nursery Industry Accreditation Scheme Australia) targeting business best practices benchmarking and continuous improvement.

EcoHort – an environmental and natural resource management stewardship program.

BioSecure HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) for managing business biosecurity risks for both imported and exported material.

NGIA is holding discussions with the Domestic Quarantine Market Access Working Group (DQMAWG) to enable accredited nurseries under the industry’s Farm Management System, to self-certify interstate dispatches of product. In 2013 several trial nursery sites will self-certify their green life plant material for interstate markets. These trials will identify and resolve gaps in the system and provide valuable information for DQMAWG to make a determination on this issue. This will enhance efficiencies with interstate nursery trading and compensate for current staff shortages in state quarantine agencies.

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The industry has also applied national plant labelling guidelines that were developed in 2007 to help the industry to provide clear and accurate information on plant labels. This will include the development of a website that will act as a repository of useful information, reference materials and a searchable database of key plants that are potentially harmful to humans.

NGIA has also developed visual extension resources consisting of an array of short on-line clips. The videos cover key biosecurity issues such as dispatch inspections, surveillance and intake procedures around new plant stock. They also feature grower testimonials.


The practical implication of this extension work is an NT nursery industry that is connected and in step with the direction of the national industry.

TITLE: Paving the Way for Papaya – Berrimah Demonstration Plot

Program/Project Leader: Chris Kelly

Contact Details for Further Information: [email protected]

Keywords: papaya, Red Lady, pawpaw

Purpose:

To raise awareness of, and elevate interest in, commercial papaya production in the Northern Territory (NT).


Farm walk at the Berrimah Farm demonstration plot.


A farm-walk aimed to pave the way for the expansion of the papaya industry in the NT was held at Berrimah Farm on 11 October. The event attracted 11 proprietors interested in growing papaya commercially and as many people from the rural services sector and the general public. Papaya production is currently a small industry in the NT, largely focussed on supplying local demand through the likes of the Parap or Rapid Creek markets. However, as Bob Williams, Director of Plant Industries, explained to the group, nearly 95% of the papaya sold through the Melbourne and Adelaide markets is imported. This is because all the production of Queensland is sold in the Brisbane, northern New South Wales and Sydney markets. Hence, an opportunity exists for the NT to exploit a seriously under-valued domestic market opportunity.

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Dr Jose Liberato, Plant Pathologist discusses the papaya anthracnose and how the disease can be

managed


Yum yum! Gnawing and scoring the different hybrids on taste


Berrimah Farm has a demonstration plot of ‘best-bet’, robust varieties selected from interstate by the Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries from which to build an expanded industry. The aim of the plot is also to showcase these already proven commercial varieties to potential growers. The morning event covered several areas of papaya production, such as propagation and establishment, managing insect pests, disease control (a critical factor with papaya) and market opportunities. The event was wrapped up with a taste-testing of the four new varieties against the local NT benchmark, Red Lady.

Bob Williams sums up papaya growing as being a bit like dairying. “You are sort of married to the farm for a fair bit of the year. They bear year round and you really need to be there to harvest them twice a week”, adding “papaya can give you a pretty reliable income stream.”


Since the field walk several NT horticultural producers have ordered seed of the different varieties. One large producer has established around 8 ha of papaya, making it a significant commercial undertaking.

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ALL INDUSTRIESA number of extension services are provided across all industries in the NT. Departmental officers are also involved in providing critical supporting functions to the Primary Industries Divisions which directly service these industries. These activities are described in this section.

TITLE: LIBRARIES

Program/Project Leader: Lynne Cooke


Keywords: information gathering, information customisation, information dissemination

Website (if applicable): Public Access: http://www.nt.gov.au/d/index.cfm?header=Library%20Services NTG Intranet: http://uluru.nt.gov.au/lrc/

Purpose:

The libraries, which are based at Berrimah Farm in Darwin and at the Arid Zone Research Institute in Alice Springs, support the extension activities of the Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries (DPIF) both directly and indirectly by providing information services to staff and stakeholders, including industry members, industry associations, researchers, consultants, home growers and students.

Activities:

The libraries provide a raft of specialised primary industry and fisheries research and development information to respond to industry needs through the following activities:

The collection and organisation of information i.e. actively identify and source information relevant to the climate and the needs of primary industry and fisheries sectors in the Northern Territory (NT). This information, which is sourced globally, is available for reference to all stakeholders and for loan to Industry members.

The dissemination of information through searches for, and sourcing of, published literature on specific topics. Although usually conducted for DPIF staff, reference services and searches are also carried out for industry groups and their clients.

Providing current awareness alerts tailored to meet the needs of DPIF staff. These alerts notify staff of newly published material enabling staff and external clients to keep up-to-date with relevant research and best practice extension methodology that can be applied for the benefit of the industry.

Indexing information about DPIF publications and research programs to make it accessible to a wider audience via external databases and other libraries. Access to DPIF’s information resources will be further enhanced by the launch of a new library website and newsletter.

Conducting regular training on how to effectively use resources to help staff and stakeholders develop skills in information gathering.

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http://uluru.nt.gov.au/lrc/

http://www.nt.gov.au/d/index.cfm?header=Library%20Services



Sourcing resource material for DPIF open days and workshops.


The libraries form a key source of tailored information for those involved and interested in the primary industry and fisheries sectors of the NT.

TITLE: Technical Publications

Program/Project Leader: Hassan Bajhau

Contact Details for Further Information: [email protected]

Keywords: Agnotes, Technotes, Technical Bulletins, technical information

Purpose:

Specialist research and extension officers in the Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries (DPIF) continually generate a large amount of potentially useful technical information for primary producers and fishers in the Northern Territory. The Technical Publications Section assembles, edits, publishes and distributes that information in a variety of suitable publications after ensuring a high standard of accuracy, consistency, clarity and reliability. It responds to feedback from staff and the public to improve the service.

Activities:

The Technical Publications Section produces three major forms of information for primary producers and the general public:

Agnotes. Technotes.

Technical Bulletins.

Agnotes are designed to relay specific information or recommend cultural practices to primary producers and the public, such as how to grow crops and breed animals, and how to control specific endemic and exotic diseases of livestock and crops. Agnotes provide direct extension information to producers. They can be downloaded from the above website.

Technotes are designed for interest groups in the field of agricultural production. They usually report preliminary results of experiments, interesting facets of experiments or final results and recommendations from specific experiments. They require a certain level of scientific knowledge in order to be useful.

Technical Bulletins are similar to Technotes in design but are more detailed. They aim to disseminate a package of technical and/or scientific information where more than one concept is included. Although the target is a scientific audience, the content is written in such a way as to be easily understood by researchers not directly involved in the subject, as well as by the general public.

Editing services are also provided for project reports that are internally and externally funded. The Section ensures that all publications published through it are original works written by DPIF staff and that copyright and liability laws are fully observed.

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General feedback from the community and industry reflects the need for easily accessible, accurate and current extension information that is centrally located. Producers are assured that any information they may need on most aspects of local agricultural production is available in at least one of the three formats. However, when such information on a particular issue is currently not available in any of the three types of publications, clients are introduced to relevant officers in DPIF to address their queries. This helps to generate new extension information in one of the three formats.

All publications produced by Technical Publications are registered with, and are available from, the National Library of Australia. Copies of publications are also sent to many NT, other Australian and international libraries, research institutions, government agencies and universities. Selected items are displayed at various shows, open days and field days throughout the year. A current Primary Industries Technical Publications catalogue, listing all the Agnotes, Technotes and Technical Bulletins, is available free on request. All these publications are available from the Technical Publications Section of DPIF or visit www.nt.gov.au/d/publications.

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http://www.nt.gov.au/d/publications


INDEXadoption, 18advisory panel, 24Agnotes, 33animal welfare, 20Barkly Tableland, 10beef cattle, 6best practice, 12, 15BioSecure, 29buffalo, 6carrying capacity, 13cattle, 20cattle management, 13communications, 15EcoHort, 29export, 25extension, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 18feedlot, 20field day, 8foliar calcium, 24fruit flies, 27fruit quality, 24grazing systems, 12information customisation, 32information dissemination, 32information gathering, 32infrastructure planning, 13IPM systems approach, 27Katherine, 8land management, 6live export, 20mango, 24, 27

mango research and development, 25marcotts/marcotting, 28market access, 27Meat & Livestock Australia, 21NIASA, 29northern Australian beef research, 21NRM training, 12nursery industry, 29on farm research, 18papaya, 30pastoral, 8pastoral industry, 10pastures, 6pawpaw, 30pest management, 13plant biosecurity, 29Port of Darwin, 25practice change, 18producer demonstration sites, 18propagation, 28rambutan, 28RD&E forum, 24Red Lady, 30research & development, 15slaughter, 20standard operating procedures, 20Technical Bulletins, 33technical information, 33Technotes, 33training, 15

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annual extension report · web viewthis report reflects extension services of the department’s...

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