Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia
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State and transition modelling as a contextual framework for indicators of restoration in the Western Australian Mulga rangelands
No full textOpportunities for ecological restoration are rapidly increasing and require consistent tools to assess outcomes. In Australia, state and transition models have been used as a communication tool for land managers, to support ecosystem condition assessment o n pastoral leases, and more recently, in the federal Nature Repair Market. A three-day expert elicitation workshop was conducted with government rangelands officers, pastoralists and restoration practitioners to develop a state and transition model for shrub-grass mulga in the WA rangelands. A reference and nine modified states were described, including four regenerating states. Modified states reflect key differences in ecosystem condition along gradients of degradation and regeneration. The key drivers of degradation are overgrazing and associated hydrological dysfunction as grazing impacts worsen, while restoration and regeneration are largely implemented through grazing management and (where soil surface condition has been degraded) hydrological interventions to increase water infiltration. Overall, the state and transition model provides a synthesised, coherent model of WA shrub-grass mulga ecology that is accessible to both experts and non-experts. The model is targeted at supporting the development of rangelands monitoring and condition standards, and the planning and implementation of appropriate management interventions for restoration, enabling land manager access to emerging nature markets
Shade house and retractable roof production system: a benefit cost analysis
No full textThis report outlines the cost and benefits of two protected cropping structures. Shade housing (with 30% shade) and the Rafter-type Retractable Roof Production System (RRPS) were compared for growing red capsicums in the Carnarvon region of Western Australia
Fisheries Science Update - Western Australian Shark Resource: 2024 stock assessment outcomes
No full textThe Western Australian (WA) shark resource includes more than 100 species of sharks and rays.
Key shark species are sustainably harvested in two commercial shark fisheries that provide fresh, local, affordable seafood to the WA community.
The WA shark resource has been in recovery since the 1990s–2000s when stocks were found to be at risk.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) tracks stock status by undertaking periodic weight of evidence stock assessments of indicator species.
Gummy, whiskery, dusky whaler, and sandbar sharks, are the indicator species for the WA shark resource, and make up ~80% of the total shark catch.
This latest assessment provides an update on the recovery of indicator species and for the first time, assesses more than 100 shark species in WA.
The 2024 stock assessment shows that management arrangements have successfully recovered stocks of gummy, whiskery, and sandbar sharks to sustainable levels, whilst dusky whaler sharks are still recovering.
Most non-indicator species are also classed as sustainable stocks.
The current management arrangements within the shark resource, are expected to maintain the sustainability risk of indicator species at acceptable levels.
The next assessment of the WA shark resource is scheduled for 2029
Re-engineering a compacted acidic coarse sand enhanced the yield of triticale (x Triticosecale) by excelling root architecture and uptake of resources – a soil columns study
No full textAims
Subsoil constraints such as compaction, acidity and low water-holding limit the full expression of root traits and crop productivity in coarse-textured soils. This study aimed to investigate how soil re-engineering influences root development, resource acquisition and performance of triticale (× Triticosecale) in a sandy soil. Methods
A semi-controlled environment experiment was conducted involving fifty-six 80 cm deep soil columns, using a factorial combination of soil re-engineering treatments (loosening; loosening + lime; loosening + lime + clay) and N rates (0, 75, 150, 225 kg N ha⁻1). Root morphology, plant growth, grain yield, soil properties, and apparent nitrogen (N) fertiliser recovery were assessed 22 weeks after sowing. Results
Soil re-engineering significantly increased volumetric root length density throughout the soil profile, particularly with combined lime and clay incorporation. Triticale grown in re-engineered soils had deeper rooting, improved biomass production, higher grain yield, and greater N recovery compared to untreated controls. Nitrogen application enhanced shoot and grain traits; however, a diminishing response was observed with increasing N rate. Regression tree analyses showed that N rate, soil acidity and clay contents were the key drivers of root development and grain yield, once soil compaction is alleviated. Soil re-engineering also increased in-season water use, resulting in lower residual soil moisture at harvest. Conclusions
Integrated soil physical and chemical amelioration substantially improved yield, root traits and resource acquisition of triticale on deep coarse sand. These findings highlight the potential of deep-profile re-engineering to overcome subsoil constraints, although further field validation is warranted for broader application
Alternative proteins in Aquafeeds: Evaluating methanotrophic and hydrogenotrophic bacterial meals in yellowtail kingfish diets
No full textThis study evaluated the effects of replacing fishmeal with microbial single-cell proteins (SCPs) in diets for juvenile yellowtail kingfish (YTK, Seriola lalandi), assessing growth, feed efficiency, nutrient digestibility, gut histology and microbiome, blood biochemistry and gene expression. Eight experimental diets were formulated, using methanotrophic (SB) and hydrogenotrophic (LT) SCPs at inclusion levels of 4 %, 8 %, and 16 %, alongside a control diet (42.2 % fish meal) and a combination diet (4 % SB + 4 % LT). Fish were reared in 500 L tanks for 12 weeks, after which growth performance, feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and health indices were measured. Significant improvements in FCR were observed in the 8 % SB and 16 % SB groups (0.99 and 0.98, respectively), compared to the control diet (1.06). Protein and energy retention were also highest in the 8 % SB and 16 % SB diets, with respective retention efficiencies of 39.0 % and 37.8 %. Apparent digestibility was comparable across diets, with protein digestibility peaking at 87.9 % in the 4 % SB + 4 % LT diet. Histological analysis revealed no significant changes in intestinal or skin integrity. Blood biochemistry, hematology, gene expression profiles and microbiome were unaffected by SCP inclusion, except for a notable decrease in gut bacterial diversity in fish fed the 4 % SB + 4 % LT diet. Overall, these results demonstrate that SCPs, particularly SB at 8 % and 16 % inclusion levels, can effectively replace fishmeal in YTK diets without compromising health or growth, while enhancing feed efficiency and nutrient retention
Trenching and compost sustain grain yield increases over nine years on deep sands but at a cost
No full textContext. Crops grown on deep sands on the south coast of WA are limited by soil physical and chemical properties including compaction and poor nutrition. Aims. Crops grown on deep sands on the south coast of Western Australia are limited by soil physical and chemical properties including compaction and poor nutrition. Our aim was to determine what effects deep-placed organic amendments have on soil properties and crop production in a deep sand and whether such amendments are profitable. Methods. A long-term field trial was conducted over nine years (2015–2023) to investigate soil amendments including lime (0 and 2 t ha−1 ) and composted chicken litter (0, 10 and 20 t ha−1 ) with and without incorporation in trenches (0.1 m wide, 0.5 m deep spaced at 0.9 m) in an incomplete factorial design on crop yields, soil chemistry, soil physical properties, root growth and economics. Key results. Grain yields were increased by more than 1 t ha−1 yr−1 where compost and lime were incorporated to 0.5 m. Grain yields for the highest yielding treatments were at or near their rainfall limited yield potential. The yields for surface applied compost did not differ to those that were trenched. The yield increases were attributed to higher nutrient (N, P, K, S) supply, higher pH and organic carbon, reduced bulk density and soil strength within the trench lines, along with increased root activity. The time taken for the compost applied treatments to exceed the cumulative profits of the Control treatment ranged within 19–29 years assuming current prices, costs and yield trends. Conclusion. Reduced bulk density and soil strength associated with trenching was found to persist within the trench lines for at least six years resulting in increased root growth at depth. The addition of composted chicken litter, either surface spread or incorporated in trenches increased grain yields more so than trenching alone. Implications. The compost treatments, although having the highest grain yields, were not commercially viable at the rates applied. The trenched treatments had higher cumulative yields than those treatments that were not trenched. In the absence of compost, the trenched treatments were the most profitable with discounted returns AUD282 to AUD931 ha−1 higher than the Control over nine years
Is the ‘Réunion’ planthopper Euroxenus vayssieresi (Hemiptera: Issidae) a new emerging invasive pest species spreading across the tropics?
No full textBiosecurity is increasingly challenged by emerging horticultural pest insects, coupled with increasing pathways for incursions. The so-called ‘Réunion’ planthopper, Euroxenus vayssieresi (Hemiptera: Issidae) appears to be a new emerging invasive horticultural pest species that is spreading across tropical regions around the world. Its true origins, pathways, hosts and impacts on plants are largely unreported. Here we report the first two detections of E. vayssieresi within the Australian region, in tropical locations over 1600 km apart, suggesting rapid long-distance human-mediated movement. Additionally, we provide the first global account of the horticultural impacts of the planthopper. We model the climatic suitability for the planthopper across the world, highlighting where this pest is most likely to establish if introduced. Silent or cryptic invasions by poorly detected, but rapidly expanding invertebrate species such as the Réunion planthopper represent ongoing challenges for biosecurity monitoring, emphasizing the importance of both sufficient surveillance to detect such cryptic pest species, and taxonomic resources capable of facilitating early detections of cryptic invasions
NDP 54 V1 - National diagnostic protocol for Meadow spittlebug (Philaenus spumarius)
No full textNational Diagnostic Protocols (NDPs) are diagnostic protocols for the unambiguous taxonomic identification of plant pests. NDPs: are a verified information resource for plant health diagnosticians are consistent with ISPM No. 27 – Diagnostic Protocols for Regulated Pests provide a nationally consistent approach to the identification of plant pests enabling transparency when comparing diagnostic results between laboratories; and, are endorsed by regulatory jurisdictions for use (either within their own facilities or when commissioning from others) in a pest incursion.
Where an International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) diagnostic protocol exists it should be used in preference to NDPs, unless it is shown that the NDP has improved procedures for Australian conditions. NDPs may contain additional information to aid diagnosis. IPPC protocols are available on the IPPC website:
https://www.ippc.int/core-activities/standards-setting/ispm
Rural Business Development Corporation Annual Report 2024-25
No full textIn this report, the Rural Business Development Corporation is referred to as ‘the Corporation’ or ‘the RBDC’. The RBDC is an independent statutory authority of the Government of Western Australia (WA), established under the Rural Business Development Corporation Act 2000 (Act). The Act preserved and continued the body corporate established by the Rural Adjustment and Finance Corporation Act 1993.
What we do
The RBDC administers approved assistance schemes on behalf of the WA Government for the benefit of rural industry and regional communities. Approved schemes may provide financial assistance by way of loans, grants, or other financial incentives. The Act allows the RBDC to administer assistance schemes that are approved by both the Minister for Agriculture and Food and the Treasurer. The RBDC can also provide advice to the Minister on a range of rural issues. The RBDC works with farmers, fishers and foresters, and liaises with industry organisations and other stakeholders to ensure evidence supports its advice and actions. The RBDC supports viable and sustainable primary producers and small businesses in rural and regional WA
Resource Assessment Report No. 3: Gascoyne Demersal Scalefish Resource 2024 assessment
No full textThe Gascoyne Demersal Scalefish Resource (GDSR) comprises over 80 species inhabiting inshore (20-250 m deep) and offshore ( \u3e 250 m deep) waters in the Gascoyne Coast Bioregion (GCB; south of Onslow to north of Kalbarri). The GDSR is primarily targeted by commercial, charter and recreational boat-based line fishers. Snapper and Goldband Snapper are the indicator species selected for monitoring and assessing the status of the inshore suite of the GDSR, while Ruby Snapper and Greybanded Grouper are the indicators for the offshore suite.
Periodic assessments of GDSR indicator species demonstrated that historical fishing of Snapper led to stocks being below the limit reference level between 2010 and 2020. A formal harvest strategy was introduced in 2017 for the GDSR followed by a recovery plan for oceanic Snapper in 2018. The recovery plan is designed to limit total removals (including retained catches and estimated post-release mortality) of Snapper by all sectors to no more than 100 t and recover stocks to the threshold level by 2027 and the target level by 2037. The main commercial fishery targeting the GDSR, the Gascoyne Demersal Scalefish Managed Fishery (GDSMF), holds a Wildlife Trade Organisation accreditation (valid until January 2028; Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water 2025).
This 2024 GDSR assessment is focused on the two main indicators (Snapper and Goldband Snapper) that collectively make up are a large proportion of the total catches retained by all fishing sectors. The assessment includes available catch and effort information and biological data (sizes and ages) for Snapper up to 2023 (inclusive) and for Goldband Snapper up to 2020 (inclusive)