Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia
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Can the necrophagous blow fly Calliphora vicina (Diptera: Calliphoridae) be reared on plant-based meal?
No full textThe use of the blow fly Calliphora vicina as a potential pollination species to augment the current reliance on honeybees (Apis mellifera) in Australian horticulture requires knowledge of how best to mass-rear this fly species. Calliphora vicina lays eggs onto carrion soon after death, and the resultant larvae that hatch are necrophagous and feed on the decomposing tissues of the dead animal. Newly hatched larvae of this fly were provided with plant-based meals (soya bean and canola) and compared with larvae provided with livestock-derived meatmeal to determine if plant-based meal could be used to mass-rear this blow fly species. Both soya bean and canola meal media did not support larval survival through to adult emergence. The addition of only 10% whole egg powder to the plant-based meals enabled survival to eclosion of 39% and 13% on soya bean and canola-based media, respectively, compared with 76% on livestock-based meatmeal with 10% whole egg powder. Larvae fed a diet of livestock-based meatmeal with 10% whole dried egg powder had the fastest development to the pupal stage, the highest pupation rate, the heaviest pupae, and the highest subsequent adult eclosion. This study concluded that the use of plant-based meals as a diet for the mass-rearing of the blow fly C. vicina was not a viable option
The nexus between rotation profits and emissions: the impact of legumes?
No full textMitigating greenhouse gas emissions is an increasing priority for Western Australian grain producers. This study investigates the environmental and economic viability of integrating lupins and legume pastures into crop rotations at three locations in Western Australia\u27s grainbelt. Modelling simulations using the Economic Valuation of Alternative Land Use Sequence (EVALUS) model were conducted at each location to examine the gross margins and emissions associated with including lupins and legume pastures in current rotations. Findings indicate that replacing canola with lupins consistently reduces emissions at all locations. However, retention of canola over lupins generally boosts profits, highlighting the need to develop other more sustainable and profitable alternatives to canola. Inclusion of legume pastures rather than lupins yields mixed results. A phase of pasture with legumes in the sward provides fixed nitrogen to subsequent cereal crops and thus reduces the need for applied fertiliser and educes attendant emissions. However, the trade-off is increased farm level emissions (Scope 1) from livestock grazing in the pasture phase, thus increasing overall farm-level emissions in several analysed scenarios. Modelling results demonstrate how land use diversification can support business resilience and profitability but also highlight the pressing need for technological and biological innovation to mitigate agricultural emissions. The results illustrate that continued research and policy support is needed to drive sustainable and profitable practices in dryland agriculture in Western Australia
Western Australia Pastoral Land Tenure - Goldfields - Nullarbor Region
No full textA map of the Goldfields - Nullarbor region of Western Australia showing the pastoral lease boundaries and names and their tenure. Includes an index of pastoral leases.https://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/gis_maps/1018/thumbnail.jp
Ecological risk assessment for the Western Australian Cephalopod Resource
No full textOn 27 October 2023, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD, Department) convened an ecological risk assessment (ERA) of the fisheries that access the statewide Cephalopod Resource (Resource), which comprises a range of octopus, squid and cuttlefish species. This document contains the background information used to support the ERA risk scoring process, and a summary of the workshop discussions that were relevant to the risk scoring. The background information includes an overview of Western Australian commercial fisheries that access the Resource, focusing primarily on the Octopus Interim Managed Fishery (OIMF), Cockburn Sound Line and Pot Managed Fishery (CSLPMF), South Coast Line and Fish Trap Managed Fishery (SCLFTMF), and commercial open-access fisheries (OAF) in each bioregion. This report also includes information about statewide recreational and charter fisheries that access the Resource. The Department conducts ERAs as part of its Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management (EBFM) framework. Accordingly, the ERA considered the potential ecological impacts of harvesting of the Resource. This includes impacts of fishing on all relevant retained and bycatch (non-retained) species, endangered, threatened and protected species, aquatic habitats and the broader environment. Risk scores were determined during the ERA workshop, based on available scientific information and expert knowledge. The assessment conformed to the AS/NZS ISO 31000 risk management standard, and to the methodology adopted by the Department, which uses a consequence-likelihood analysis for estimating risk. A broad range of stakeholders were invited to participate in the ERA workshop, including representatives of the commercial, recreational, and charter fishing sectors, State and Commonwealth Government agencies, the conservation sector, universities, and DPIRD staff including fisheries managers, scientists, compliance officers and biosecurity personnel. Outcomes and scoring from the workshop are summarised in this document. Thirty-eight ecological components were scored for risk, including individual components that were separated by bioregion or by fishery. The vast majority (32) of ecological components were evaluated as low or negligible risks, which do not require any specific control measures. There were 6 medium risks, which were assessed as acceptable under the current monitoring regime and control measures that will be in place over the next five years. No components were scored as high or severe risks. It is recommended that the risks be reviewed in five years
CloudS2Mask: A novel deep learning approach for improved cloud and cloud shadow masking in Sentinel-2 imagery
No full textThe Sentinel-2 satellite constellation produces high-resolution multispectral data, covering the entire Earth\u27s land surface every five days. However, the use of this data is significantly impacted by the presence of pixels affected by cloud and shadow. Precise and efficient cloud and cloud shadow masking methods are required for the automated use of this data. Here, we present CloudS2Mask, a new and open-source Python deep-learning library to detect cloud and cloud shadows in Sentinel-2 data accurately and efficiently. CloudS2Mask is trained on multiple large global datasets including CloudSEN12, KappaSet, Sentinel-2 Cloud Mask Catalogue, Sentinel-2 reference cloud masks generated by an active learning method and a custom CloudS2Mask dataset. Using techniques such as progressive resizing, hard fine-tuning, and transfer learning, CloudS2Mask outperforms published models when evaluated on both the CloudSEN12 and the PixBox datasets in terms of classification accuracy. Compared to the next best-published results, CloudS2Mask improves Balanced Overall Accuracy metrics on the CloudSEN12 dataset by 1.2% for cloud, 2.8% for cloud shadow and 1.1% for clear classification. CloudS2Mask provides a range of customisable options combined with novel pre-processing and post-processing approaches to meet task-specific needs, enabling mean scene processing speeds up to 44 times faster than current state-of-the-art methods. The application of novel techniques in CloudS2Mask, combined with its accuracy and processing speed, underscores its potential to streamline the automated cloud and cloud shadow detection of Sentinel-2 data
Ecological risk assessment for the Western Australian sea cucumber resource
No full textIn April 2024, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (Department) convened an ecological risk assessment (ERA) of the fisheries that access the Western Australian Sea Cucumber Resource, which comprises a range of species from the class Holothuroidea. This document contains background information used to support the ERA risk scoring process, along with the scores from the workshop and a summary of the workshop discussions that were relevant to the scoring. This includes an overview of commercial fisheries that access the Resource, focusing primarily on the WA Sea Cucumber Fishery, and one fishing authorisation issued under the Aboriginal Community Fishing Licence Policy. This report also includes information about the recreational and charter fisheries that access the Resource, as well as the illegal fishing sector. The Department conducts ERAs as part of its Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management framework. Accordingly, this ERA considered the potential ecological impacts of harvesting the Resource including impacts on all relevant retained and bycatch (non-retained) species, endangered, threatened and protected species, aquatic habitats and the broader environment. Risk scores were based on available scientific information and expert knowledge. The assessment conforms to the AS/NZS ISO 31000 risk management standard, and to the methodology adopted by the Department, which uses a consequence-likelihood analysis for estimating risk. A broad range of stakeholders were invited to participate in the ERA workshop, including representatives of the commercial fishing sector, State and Commonwealth Government agencies, the conservation sector, universities, and Department staff including fisheries managers, scientists, compliance officers and biosecurity personnel. In this ERA, thirty-two ecological components were scored for risk. The vast majority (27) of ecological components were evaluated as low, negligible or zero risks, which do not require any specific control measures. There was one medium risk, which was assessed as acceptable under the current monitoring regime and control measures that will be in place over the next five years. One component was not assessed due to lack of information. The following three components were scored as high risks: i) the sandfish stock in the Kimberley region, ii) green turtle breeding populations in the Kimberley region, and iii) translocation of pest species via boats/gear. These high risks were due to the impact of foreign fishing vessels that are presently engaged in illegal harvesting of the Resource in the Kimberley region. A new assessment of Kimberley sandfish biomass based on fishery-independent surveys is scheduled for late 2024. This will help to understand the impact of illegal fishing on the Kimberley sandfish stock. No component was scored as a severe risk. It is recommended that the risks be reviewed in five years
Emissions and profitability: how do nitrogen and lime affect both?
No full textIn-season adjustment of nitrogen can improve profitability and reduce emissions. Nitrogen applications for economic rather than yield maximisation can reduce emissions. Neglecting lime applications to reduce emissions likely reduces profit
Grains, seeds and hay industry funding scheme annual report 2022/2023
No full textThe Grains, Seeds and Hay Industry Funding Scheme (IFS) has been operating since 2010 to address biosecurity threats relevant to Western Australia’s (WA) grains, seeds and hay industry. The Scheme was established under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 to enable growers to identify the pest and disease priorities at a whole-of-industry level and raise funds for activities to address these priorities.
There are currently three Industry Funding Schemes in operation. In addition to the Grains, Seeds and Hay IFS, there is a Cattle IFS and a Sheep and Goat IFS. The three IFSs operate in a similar manner.
For the Grains, Seeds and Hay IFS, funds are raised through grower contributions that are collected by registered receivers. These payments are forwarded to the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD). In accordance with the IFS regulations, DPIRD maintain and administer the Grains, Seeds and Hay Industry Declared Pest Control and Compensation Account (the Account) in consultation with the industry
Food Waste Panel: Turning the Tide on Waste
No full textJoin us for a dynamic panel discussion on tackling food waste, featuring industry leaders Matthew Kronborg from Grainstone and Steven Lapidge from End Food Waste Australia. Facilitated by Meri Fatin from WA Climate Leaders, this session will delve into the complexities of food waste reduction and explore innovative strategies to minimise waste throughout the supply chain. Facilitator Meri Fatin, WA Climate Leaders, Convenor Panellist Steven Lapidge, End Food Waste Australia, CEO Matthew Kronborg, Grainstone, Founder & CE