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Australian cool-season pulse seed-borne virus research: 1. alfalfa and cucumber mosaic viruses and less important viruses
No full textHere, we review the research undertaken since the 1950s in Australia’s grain cropping regions on seed-borne virus diseases of cool-season pulses caused by alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) and cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). We present brief background information about the continent’s pulse industry, virus epidemiology, management principles and future threats to virus disease management. We then take a historical approach towards all past investigations with these two seed-borne pulse viruses in the principal cool-season pulse crops grown: chickpea, faba bean, field pea, lentil, narrow-leafed lupin and white lupin. With each pathosystem, the main focus is on its biology, epidemiology and management, placing particular emphasis on describing field and glasshouse experimentation that enabled the development of effective phytosanitary, cultural and host resistance control strategies. Past Australian cool-season pulse investigations with AMV and CMV in the less commonly grown species (vetches, narbon bean, fenugreek, yellow and pearl lupin, grass pea and other Lathyrus species) and those with the five less important seed-borne pulse viruses also found (broad bean stain virus, broad bean true mosaic virus, broad bean wilt virus, cowpea mild mottle virus and peanut mottle virus) are also summarized. The need for future research is emphasized, and recommendations are made regarding what is required
Panel Discussion - ESG and Market Access - charting sustainable market pathways
No full textThis panel will feature one of our local leading producers, industry leaders and experts in agribusiness, carbon and energy transition and retail and value chains as they share stories and tackle tough questions about the pursuit of a greener marketplace. They will discuss strategies to meet market and consumer demands and expectations, prepare for energy and climate risk and transition, and navigate the complexities of balancing plastic packaging, food waste and carbon miles.
Panellist Larissa Taylor, Savoir Consulting, Director Tristan Kitchener, Kitchener Partners, Director Doriana Mangili, Sweeter Banana Co-Operative, Business Manager Cath Oates, Wine Australia, Deputy Chair
Facilitator Meri Fatin, WA Climate Leaders, Conveno
Estimating the size of retained canola seed
No full textThe size of canola seed (or number of seeds per kilogram) is essential in calculating the seeding rate for the crop. The rate needs to be high enough to get good establishment and protect against pests, diseases, or other seeding issues.
To work out the seeding rate, the seed size or number of seeds per kilogram. This can be easily calculated by farmers who retained seed
Developing a controlled traffic (tramline) farming system
No full textControlled traffic farming (CTF) is a farming system built on permanent wheel tracks where the crop zone and traffic lanes are permanently separated. It can improve profitability and sustainability.
Implements for seeding, spraying, spreading and harvesting have a particular span, or multiple of it, and all wheel tracks are confined to specific traffic lanes.
CTF increases profit by more yield, better grain quality, improved operation timeliness, and reduced costs. The environment can improve, with less nutrient leaching, less water erosion, better water infiltration, and less greenhouse gas emission. Implementation needs a clear, long-term plan, and prioritisation of soil health.
Another term that is commonly used for controlled traffic farming is ‘tramline farming’. Controlled traffic farming and tramline farming have been used interchangeably in Australia. Worldwide, ‘controlled traffic farming’ is the more broadly used term for a system with permanent traffic lanes. In Europe, ‘Tramlining’ refers to seasonal wheel tracks that are commonly used for spraying and usually replaced each year
Feral goat
No full textThe goat (Capra hircus) was one of the first animals to be domesticated, 8 to 10 thousand years ago. Archaeological work indicates the earliest attempts at domestication were in dry hills surrounding the Mediterranean basin. The ability of goats to utilise the coarse browse of mountainous areas made them suitable for domestication, in preference to sheep. With large-scale domestication of goats throughout the world, goats escaped and established feral goat herds on most continents. Overgrazing by goats has caused severe environmental damage, worldwide.
Goats arrived in Australia with the first fleet. They were introduced to many areas by early settlers and spread further by miners and railway gangs, who used them as a source of milk and meat. Goats were introduced into WA in the early colonial era. They were kept for a mohair industry and to provide milk, butter, and meat. They were also used for light haulage and goat racing. In 1870, 50 goats were taken to Shark Bay, WA. By 1894, there were 4500 goats in WA, and by 1905, they were reported throughout the state. Large herds grazed on sheep and cattle stations; these were dispersed when the mohair industry did not develop as hoped. Breeding groups escaped and formed feral herds on many stations. Feral goats were declared vermin in the Upper Gascoyne district in 1928, at Marble Bar and Port Hedland the following year, and Mullewa and Meekatharra in 1954
Growing oaten hay on frost prone paddocks
No full textGrowing oaten hay on frost-prone paddocks minimises the frost risk because it is cut soon after flowering, avoiding the frost sensitive period. If severe frost damage occurs to other crops, baling them for hay may reduce economic loss.
Oats are much more tolerant than other cereals to frost events that occur during vegetative growth and flowering
Pumping groundwater for salinity control in WA
No full textDPIRD recommends that groundwater pumping is used as part of an integrated water and salinity management program.
Groundwater pumping can lower local water tables, recover land for production and reduce the spread of local salinity or to protect high value assets at risk, such as townsites, roads or railway lines. Pump water can be discharged to safe disposal points or used on farm for desalination
Adopt-a-trap to help detect European wasps
No full textEarly detection of European wasp is important to prevent the spread and establishment of nests, and the Adopt-a-trap program is a key part of annual European wasp surveillance.
The department intensively traps the highest risk areas of the state, but the Adopt-a-trap program can extend surveillance beyond these areas and into the regions to enhance community surveillance.
The trapping method used in the Adopt-a-trap program is very successful in catching European wasps. They address the wasps’ sense of smell and foraging habits to find food. Trapped wasps are useful in alerting us to the presence of a nearby nest — usually within 200 metres from the trap. Trapped wasps help us track down and destroy the nest.
Community members, businesses in industrial areas, and local governments are invited to Adopt-a-trap to monitor European wasps during the active wasp season, from December to May.
When the weather starts to heat up, it’s time to hang the trap in a backyard tree with an ice cube-sized piece of fresh fish inside, inspect regularly, and change the fish lure weekly or fortnightly
European wasp: declared pest
No full textThe European wasp is one of the worst wasps in the world — harmful to people, outdoor lifestyles, and horticultural and agricultural industries. Early detection of wasp activity is critical to prevent the wasp establishing in Western Australia (WA). This is achieved via collaboration between residents, businesses, industry, and government
Guide to supplementary feeding and budgeting
No full textSupplementary feeding of sheep, with grain, hay or silage is necessary when pastures or stubbles are deficient in energy and protein.
A good supplementary feeding program will ensure sheep utilise as much dry paddock feed as possible as well as provide sufficient supplementary feed for maintenance or growth.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development recommends supplementary or confined paddock feeding to maintain livestock productivity and avoid animal welfare and soil erosion problems