The-Australian-Agronomist-magazine_Spring 2015

MAGAZINE

SPRING 2015 ISSUE 2

Beeing smarter about border security

UNITING GM AND ORGANIC

Root diseases on the rise for grain growers

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• Contains two CNIs; clothianidin and imidacloprid.

• Formulation does not contain a synthetic pyrethroid.

• For professional application only to ensure even and accurate application to each and every seed.

• May offer the added benefit of Stress Shield™.

Effect of Poncho Plus on pasture establishment Targetting Yellow Headed Cockchafers

500 Plant establishment %c/w UTC.

Broad spectrum insect control in forage brassicas, grass pasture and broadleaf pasture.

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Comparison Chart for grass and broadleaf pasture Poncho Plus

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Cutworms Wireworms

Forage brassica

Aphids

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The added benefit of Stress Shield

YHC

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Lucerne flea Control

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• Bayer CropScience has identified an additional effect of imidacloprid that allows the plant to better regulate its response to abiotic stress.

• This effect helps to maximise the health and vigour of crops which in turn can have a positive impact on yield and profit margin.

www.bayercropscience.com.au 2

seedgrowth.bayer.com

THE AUSTRALIAN AGRONOMIST SPRING ISSUE 2

CONTENTS 4 BEEING SMARTER ABOUT BORDER SECURITY

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26

40

SURCOMETRICS: THE SCIENCE OF PLANTED FURROW PERFORMANCE

FEDERATION HELPS UNLOCK SECRETS FOR FUTURE YIELDS

HOW WE’RE USING SCIENCE TO TURN WASTEWATER INTO WINE

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AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY OF AGRONOMY CM DONALD MEDAL

31 FRUIT SALAD OF EXPORTS HIT THE SHELVES IN ASIA

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44 TURNING UP THE HEAT TO COMBAT CROP PESTS

ROOT DISEASES ON THE RISE FOR GRAIN GROWERS

8 23

38

CROPPING DRIVES PRODUCTION AT ROSEVALE UNITING DAIRY GM AND ORGANIC

46

SUNDAY SOIL SUCCESS

YOU CAN HELP MAKE NEW PERSISTENT VARIETIES

50 FOCUS ON HEALTHY SOILS

10 PIG WASTE COULD PROVIDE MORE FOR FARMS

PO BOX 812 Strathfieldsaye VIC Australia 3551 P: 03 5441 8166 E: info@theaustralianagronomist.com W: www.theaustralianagronomist.com Editorial Lucinda Barty Email: info@theaustralianagronomist.com Phone: 03 5441 8166

Design & Advertising Michael Cook Email: michael@theaustralianagronomist.com Phone: 03 5441 8166

Publisher Paul Banks Email: paul@theaustralianagronomist.com Phone: 03 5441 8166

BEEING SMARTER ABOUT BORDER SECURITY

BY LUCINDA BARTY

THE HUMBLE BEE MAY NOT SEEM LIKE THE TYPICAL PARTNER OF ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY, YET IN THE WAR AGAINST VARROA MITE AND OTHER BEE PESTS, INSECT AND MACHINE FORM AN UNLIKELY PARTNERSHIP. Upon their wings, bees carry the future of many of Australia’s agricultural industries with up to 65% of food production in the country dependent on bee pollination according to the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC).

Australia is also the last continent on earth where Varroa mite does not exist – a title authorities and agriculturalists alike are keen to preserve through the National Bee Pest Surveillance Program (NBPSP).

“A large number of agricultural industries are really aware of what a threat to Australia’s bee pollinators may mean to them,” says Dr Dave Alden, Senior Program Manager for the RIRDC. “We are keen to encourage collaboration, cooperation and the dissemination of information about bee pests and diseases between beekeepers and agriculturalists.”

Using solar panels, smart phones and electronically monitored look-alike hives, those involved hope to snare feral bee intruders and carriers of Varroa mite as they enter Australian shores. In a 4

scheme that could be likened to the hunt for a wanted fugitive, remote sensing technologies, frequent inspections and sweep netting are also employed, making it ever more difficult for foreign bees and mites to infiltrate Australian bee colonies.

Approximately 378 hives are needed across 42 of Australia’s main shipping ports, trapping bees as they disembark onto Australian soil. Photos are taken automatically at regular intervals in the bait hives, alerting local government apiary officers of the presence of bee intruders within 24 hours. By providing constant monitoring, the smartphone enabled alert system reduces reliance on inspection visits to detect pests.

Given the economic viability of honey bee pollination, funding for the project is a small fee to ensure that bees can continue to carry out the crucial task of pollinating Australian crops and plants.

With pollination services estimated by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture as contributing between $620 million and $1,730 million to the

value of Australian agricultural production per annum, bees generate far more than just honey.

Of the crops reliant on bees acting as pollen couriers between one plant and the next Lucerne, cotton, canola and clover perhaps hold the most significance to Australian crop farmers and pastoralists.

Other produce from carrots and broccoli to onions and macadamia nuts may also be affected by a lack of viable pollinators, indicative of the far reaching and varied role of bees in the food and fibre production chain.

Although the size of a pinhead, the Varroa mite stands as one of the biggest pest threats to Australian bee populations. The Asian Honey Bee and other exotic strains also pose risks to European Honey Bee populations as carriers of the Varroa mite which not only drains the bee of vital fluids but weakens it and make it susceptible to diseases that the mite bring with them.

Current estimation models place the potential spread of the Varroa mite across the continent at 2-3 years with flow on

THE AUSTRALIAN AGRONOMIST SPRING ISSUE 2

“Bees carry the future of many of Australia’s agricultural industries with up to 65% of food production in the country dependent on bee pollination.”

Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC)

effects involving the gradual reduction in yield and quality of crops dependent on bee enabled pollination. Whilst the mite has been present in neighboring New Zealand for over ten years, it has been kept at bay via an extensive array of existing biosecurity measures. All beekeepers in Australia have already received a hive biosecurity manual developed by Plant Health Australia with funding from the Honey and Pollen Program, a collaboration between RIRDC and Horticulture Innovation Australia. The biosecurity manual details what to look for and who to contact in the instance of foreign bees, diseases or mites. Apiarists may already be aware of potential threats yet horticulturalists and those in the agricultural field need to heed the potential negative effects of Varroa mite also.

“Current biosecurity measures are keeping Varroa and other unwanted pests at bay for the moment, but an outbreak is almost inevitable. If we detect foreign pests as soon as possible, we maximise our opportunity to destroy intruders and

minimise the potential size and cost of an eradication program,” says Dr Alden.

Despite apiarists and quarantine officers seemingly leading the fight against Varroa, managed hives and monitored bee colonies contribute a relatively small amount to overall crop pollination in Australia compared to that of feral bee populations. Whilst the time and money costs of managing commercial hives will invariably skyrocket if Varroa reaches Australia, the effects on feral or ‘free’ pollination could be devastating.

NBPSP is a jointly funded initiative of Plant Health Australia, the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council (AHBIC), Horticulture Innovation Australia (HIA), RIRDC, Grain Producers Australia (GPA) and the Australian Government Department of Agriculture on a national and state-bystate level. In order to properly protect Australian agricultural industries with widespread implementation of the program, however, much more funding is needed.

5

GROWERS ARMED TO MEET BROADLEAF WEED CHALLENGE Crop rotation changes and developing herbicide resistance has caused in-crop broadleaf weed control challenges for various grain growers, however newer chemistry is protecting yields by up to 1.5 t/ha and its safety and compatibility is also allowing application savings.

On the Yorke Peninsula, Chris Davey, Agriservices Agronomist with YP AG at Kadina, said the increased use of lentils and other break crops in rotations, which prevented the use of Glean® and Logran® herbicides due to plantback restrictions, had contributed to broadleaf weed problems.

“Some growers are following wheat-lentil-wheat programs,’’ Chris said.

He said milk thistle, Indian hedge mustard and prickly lettuce were common, while bifora, snail medic and native burr or barrel medic were also prominent.

“Broadleaf populations, including wild radish, have been building up.’’

“There is also resistance to Group B herbicides, developing resistance to Group I herbicides and suspected resistance to Group F herbicides.

“Wild radish, together with bifora, can reduce cereal yields by 0.5-1 t/ha and with snail medic can take out lentils completely.

For a 1.5 t/ha crop, that can be a loss of $1350/ha or more at current prices.’’

The introduction of Velocity® post-emergent herbicide had allowed use of a different herbicide activity group (Groups H and C) and Chris said it had been adopted quickly.

Velocity is based on the novel active ingredient, pyrasulfotole, and also includes bromoxynil and Bayer’s crop safener, mefenpyrdiethyl. The pyrasulfotole interrupts several biological processes crucial to weed growth, while the bromoxynil, which acts primarily as a contact foliar herbicide with virtually no soil residual activity, further disrupts the photosynthetic process, resulting in a unique action against weeds.

Chris said applied from the three-leaf to early tillering crop stage, the good compatibility of Velocity with UAN liquid fertiliser,

insecticides, fungicides and trace elements had also been highly beneficial.

“The ability to mix fungicides with Velocity is very good, whereas with other products it can amplify the crop effects. The chemistry with other herbicides is also not as strong as Velocity on key problematic weeds.’’

“The good compatibility and crop safety can save applications for growers – and this can also be important here because we can have wet and windy conditions, so spraying days can be at a premium.’’

He said application timing was a compromise between the weed stage, including getting as many germinations controlled as possible, and the crop stage. Velocity had shown to have the best control when applied early to crops.

Velocity was generally applied with 80-100 litres per hectare of water using low pressure air induction nozzles to achieve a medium to course droplet size, depending on the mixing partner.

At Saddleworth in the Lower North, Heath Ward, Agronomist with AW Vater & Co, said prickly lettuce, milk thistle, bifora, volunteer legumes, deadnettle, bedstraw, Indian hedge mustard, wild radish and wild turnip were some of the major broadleaf weeds.

“Milk thistle and prickly lettuce are everywhere and there are only a few things that control them. Growers can go with Velocity early and maybe come back with Lontrel®,’’ Heath said.

“A lot of Affinity® (Group G) herbicide is used for bedstraw and bifora, so Velocity is a good product to use in rotation. We have to watch resistance – and having the Group H is a benefit.

“It will be good to get away from MCPA mixes and while 2,4-D has been applied at late stages previously, growers can go earlier with Velocity and the speed of kill is great.

“Growers could control smaller weeds with Velocity, but most are holding off for more weeds to germinate so they might save a second pass.’’

He said due to the excellent compatibility and crop safety of Velocity, it could also be applied with propiconazole in wheat and barley crops, whereas this was not possible with Affinity.

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THE AUSTRALIAN AGRONOMIST SPRING ISSUE 2

DATA – THE KEY TO UNLOCK ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC VALUE

In the endless pursuit of new solutions for age-old agricultural problems, ‘crowd sourcing’ of data and ideas could be the answer.

In a first for the industry, the collaboration of a prominent crop chemical provider with the Open Data Institute (ODI) will make collected data accessible, palatable and easy to apply.

Publishing a broad range of data on the six ambitious commitments in The Good Growth Plan, Syngenta have furthered the aim of unlocking more environmental, social and economic value from agriculture.

Jeni Tennison, Deputy CEO and CTO of the Open Data Institute, said: “Open data has the power to solve our most challenging sustainability problems. For example, how can we provide all the world’s people with adequate nutrition, whilst protecting our precious natural resources? Agri-tech businesses have a big role to play in finding novel solutions to these problems. It is encouraging that Syngenta is taking a step that puts them at the forefront of the open data movement in their sector. We look forward to working with them to unlock benefits for farmers and consumers worldwide.”

The data are searchable, useable and shareable via the Internet.

They include 2014 baseline information for agricultural efficiency indicators collected on 3,600 farms in 41 countries across Europe, Africa, Latin America, North America and Asia Pacific, representing about 200 crop-climate combinations. It is the first time information at a crop level, including resource efficiency, has been made public in this way by a commercial organisation.

Syngenta has standardised the published data and is working with the ODI to create a common language around the collection, measurement and sharing of crop-level information. This will improve understanding of how to best to deliver The Good Growth Plan commitments, which include helping to feed a growing global population by making crops more efficient while rescuing farmland and helping biodiversity flourish.

Syngenta also announced a collaboration with the ODI, an independent, non-profit open data expert. The ODI works with organisations to create economic, environmental, and social value from open data. It helps unlock supply, generate demand, create and disseminate knowledge to address local and global issues.

Syngenta aims to achieve financial standard auditing of The Good Growth Plan data in the near future. In addition to annual data updates, Syngenta plans to share insights on the progress of its six commitments on a regular basis.

Mike Mack, CEO of Syngenta, said: “Making this data public will allow people to make their own assessments of the progress of our Good Growth Plan. It is also blurring the traditional roles of business, government and NGOs by highlighting our collective responsibility to address acute global challenges. Above all, the data will be of value to farmers, enabling them to increase productivity sustainably and to enhance their livelihoods.”

Syngenta and the ODI will in 2015 hold an “Innovation Workshop” promoting the exchange of ideas, best practices and perspectives on the potential of open data in agriculture. The workshop will explore how crowd sourcing and open data can drive the discovery of innovative and sustainable solutions to agricultural challenges. The workshop will also inform a planned international research challenge from Syngenta.

“Making this data public will allow people to make their own assessments of the progress of our Good Growth Plan.”

Mike Mack

7

CROPPING DRIVES PRODUCTION AT ROSEVALE DAIRY

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THE AUSTRALIAN AGRONOMIST SPRING ISSUE 2

ROSEVALE DAIRYING BROTHERS DARREN AND CRAIG SELLARS HAVE INCREASED MILK PRODUCTION SIGNIFICANTLY WITHOUT MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES BY MOVING FROM A PASTURE-BASED SYSTEM TO CROPPING CORN AND BARLEY. Sellars Farms retired pastures in 2001 and moved to a mixer wagon and feed pad system, before switching to their current system of total mixed rations in 2005.

Milk production increased from 1.5 million litres from 200 Fresian cows in 2001, to 3 million litres of milk from 350 Fresians in 2015 - a rise from 20L per cow per day to 28L. Darren, who handles the crop business, said upgrading their feed system had facilitated much of the business’ growth.

“We have steadily increased our dry matter tonnage and herd size, which has allowed us to get more milk from each cow without a large capital outlay,” he said.

Growing crops also meant they avoided expensive brought-in feed and weather related risk.

“Growing corn instead of relying on pastures means the window for failure isn’t so narrow.

“If you are hit hard by rain, you have the chance to sell the corn for grain if silage is no longer an option.”

The pair, who runs the dairy, cropping and beef operation with parents Lindsey and Heather, have also grown the operation by introducing GPS and precision planting, improving the irrigation system and improving herd genetics through a breeding program. The big cropping payoff for the Norco suppliers came this year when their PAC 607IT corn crop broke the farm’s grain yield barrier during February’s harvest.

grass, which proliferated after flooding in 2013, due to the variety’s herbicidetolerant trait.

“We’re situated low in a valley so we’re always getting water through here.

“About 8 feet of water came down from the valley and washed weeds and Johnson grass into the paddock, so an IT corn was needed for that Lightning herbicide.”

Lightning is the herbicide component of the Clearfield production system for post-emergent control of key weeds in Clearfield corn hybrids. Mr Sellars planted 200 ha of corn in September, doublecropped 10 ha of corn in February and planted 160 ha of barley in April. The corn was seeded with a John Deere MaxEmerge precision vacuum planter on 76cm rows at 65,000 seeds per hectare and had seven irrigations using a Trailco T400 travelling irrigator.

“It had a good start until it was hit by the November heat. Then it had good rain in December, with about five inches falling.”

The grower finished his first corn harvest with a Case header and four row snapper front in February and his second lot in June.

“Growing corn instead of relying on pastures means the window for failure isn’t so narrow.”

Darren Sellars

The Sellars brothers will be growing all PAC 607IT for the 2015-16 season for weed control. With such great results from what originally seemed a risky switch, the change to cropping is one they hope will ensure the future of their operation.

“We averaged 14.3 t/ha across the crop, and the best was 14.8 t/ha. That’s the biggest corn crop we’ve had. You feel a bit proud when you see that,” Mr Sellars said.

Alongside a bumper yield, the Sellars were able to tackle weeds such as Johnson 9

PIG WASTE COULD PROVIDE MORE FORÂ FARMS MURDOCH UNIVERSITY RESEARCHERS ARE INVESTIGATING WHETHER THE EFFLUENT FROM PIGGERIES CAN BE EFFECTIVELY TREATED WITH MICRO AND MACROALGAE SO THAT SPECIES OF THE ORGANISM CAN BE SAFELY FED BACK TO PIGS.

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The Cooperative Research Centre for High Integrity Australian Pork (Pork CRC) has invested $300,000 with the Algae Research and Development Centre at Murdoch University to investigate the proposals, which would cut costs, recover energy from waste and reduce the potential for groundwater contamination at piggeries.

So far Centre Director, Dr Navid Moheimani and his team from the School of Veterinary and Life Sciences have discovered three different types of microalgae that can grow on untreated piggery anaerobic digestate effluent, which typically contains extremely high levels of ammonium.

THE AUSTRALIAN AGRONOMIST SPRING ISSUE 2

“Pig slurry could well be viewed by the industry as a resource rather than a waste management issue.”

Dr Navid Moheimani Anaerobic digestion in lagoons or ponds on farms is currently the most common method used to process piggery waste.

The discovery is a world first and offers a potentially cost effective means of remediating piggery effluent.

They have found that microalgae remove ammonia, other nutrients and potentially reduce the pathogen load in the effluent, meaning that the treated waste water can be reused.

The algal biomass produced is potentially a protein rich food source for pigs and other animals, although Dr Moheimani said extensive testing would be required.

“We have high hopes that this method of treating effluent will ensure the algal biomass produced can be fed back to the pigs which will make Australian piggeries much less wasteful and more cost competitive,” said Dr Moheimani.

“Of course if this works for pigs, it could also work for different livestock.

“Pig slurry could well be viewed by the industry as a resource rather than a waste management issue.”

Dr Moheimani and his colleagues are now looking at methods to optimise the growth of the microalgae on the effluent and are bioprospecting for suitable species of macroalgae to grow on piggery effluent. Macroalgae are larger and easier to harvest than microalgae.

The anaerobic digestion process currently used in piggeries produces a low quality fertiliser. A byproduct of this process is the creation of biogas, which is a renewable energy source consisting mostly of methane and carbon dioxide. This is often used to generate electricity on farms.

The project is also supported by the Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia and the University of Melbourne (Dr Peter Cakebread).

According to Pork CRC Program Four (‘Carbon Conscious Nutrient Inputs and Outputs’) Leader, Rob Wilson, this exciting area of research for the Pork CRC follows a successful Honours project

by Mr Ayres.

“Australian pork producers are a resourceful group, as demonstrated by the successful uptake of energy replacement by the capture and use of biogas on-farm and this work complements the environmental credentials of pork producers while exploring the possibility of producing a food source or a co-digestion product for bioenergy output,” Dr Wilson said.

If they find the micro and macroalgae grown on effluent is unfit for consumption by pigs, Dr Moheimani said his team will investigate how algae can help to maximise biogas production from piggery effluent.

This is a multidisciplinary project involving experts with different backgrounds. Dr Moheimani is the project principal investigator while his Murdoch University colleagues Professor John Pluske, Emeritus Professor Michael Borowitzka and Dr John Huisman are contributing their expertise in nutrient studies, algal cultivation and economics and macroalgal bioprospecting respectively. Dr Sasha Jenkins from the University of Western Australia, is helping to investigate the anaerobic digestion process while Jeremy Ayre is conducting his PhD mainly on microalgae cultivation aspects of the project. Mr Ayre is in his first year of study and his scholarship is co-funded by the Pork CRC and Murdoch University.

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SCIENCE STAFF DIG DEEP TO STRENGTHEN CORE SUPPLY Getting soil ready for the cropping season has taken on a whole new meaning for the soils research team at Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (DEDJTR) Horsham.

As well as routine soil sampling and testing and field trial establishment the team has used a truck-mounted crane, barrel augur and PVC pipes to collect large, intact soil cores for a very different cropping study.

The study is part of the six-year-old Soil, Free Air Carbon Dioxide Enrichment (SoilFACE) project which is assessing how crops grown in soils collected from the Wimmera, Mallee, and Western District will respond to future elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations (eCO2).

Soils are collected as 105 cm deep, 30 cm diameter cores, weighing up to 150 kg each. These are placed into a series of specially designed bunkers sunk into the ground in a paddock at the SoilFACE project site near Horsham.

DEDJTR technical officer Mel Munn said the team had devised a system where intact soil profiles are collected from the ground in PVC sleeves using a crane and barrel augur.

“Scientists have an idea and it is up to us technical staff to make it a reality. Being the only experiment of its kind in Australia (and probably the world) when we first extracted the cores back in 2009, it was a case of refining the process though careful planning and a little trial and error.

“Back then we had trouble with the soil not completely filling the pipe and leaving air gaps in the middle that we could not see. We’ve also learned that the soil has to be at the right soil moisture level.

“It also took a while to work out how to extract a 1.05 metre deep core and we finally settled on the barrel augur.”

Ms Munn said the SoilFACE project had eight bunkers, each with 43 individual cores and this year about 128 cores had been replaced, with 48 from the Mallee soil, 32 from Hamilton and 48 from Horsham.

“Some of the caps on the bottom of the old cores had cracked with age and we also collected a few extras to have some spares ready in case we need them from year to year.”

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Initially the soil was sourced from Walpeup (Mallee), Horsham (Wimmera) and Hamilton (Western District) but this year the Mallee soil came from Warracknabeal.

Ms Munn said it had proven to be an interesting project over the years.

“We have gained new insights into how soil and the plants will interact under future climates with high atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and what we need to do now to adapt to these changes.”

What is SoilFACE? SoilFACE is a series of 344 large intact soil cores exposed to both ambient (current) CO2 levels (400 parts per million) and 2050 levels (550 parts per million). SoilFACE aims to better understand how changes in plant growth resulting from elevated CO2 also affects soil properties, such as soil carbon, and phosphorus, nitrogen and carbon cycling and how the eCO2 response changes with different soil types. SoilFACE is part of joint Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and DEDJTR research on the impact of future CO2.

Major findings over past six years: • Increased above and below-ground crop biomass requires more N and P inputs for crops to take advantage of the ‘CO2 fertilisation’ effect.

• This increased requirement for N must be met by increased rates of fertiliser as fertiliser N use efficiency is not changed under eCO2.

• Legumes may also become important in future cropping systems in order to supply extra N needed for succeeding cereal crops but will only be able to fulfil this role if sufficient P is available for N fixation.

• Future eCO2 can reduce grain quality (especially protein) but the response depends on the crop type and agronomic management.

• Future levels of eCO2 may change soil carbon dynamics (and therefore carbon sequestration) as well as increasing the rate of soil emissions of nitrous oxide, a powerful greenhouse gas.

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THE AUSTRALIAN AGRONOMIST SPRING ISSUE 2

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13

SURCOMETRICS: THE SCIENCE OF PLANTED FURROW PERFORMANCE

BY EDWARD SCOTT

Evidence has emerged that conservation tillage is producing unintended consequences for soil at the paddock level. This includes the physical and chemical alteration of soil down through the soil profile, leading to new constraints for plant growth and crop yield. But perhaps more importantly, is the evident lack of industry focus on soil and complacency towards soil management, leading to a ‘blind spot’ in the farmers land management toolkit.

is as tillage implements are used to sow. Sowing equipment can be used and simply modified in a strategic manner that is suitable to soil type and soil condition, in order to capitalize on this point of intervention to manage soil conditions for plant performance and soil potential. The approach replaces the current “plants down” approach to soil management or soil adaptability with a “soil –up” approach that is key to further progressing agricultural productivity. This is the focal point of Surcometrics.

Soil is often now being cultivated (and fractured) to greater depth with conservation tillage than previously in conventional tillage systems where historically many tillage passes worked the soil more vigorously to a shallower depth. This is the case, certainly with knife edged tillage, using tractors with far more horsepower per tyne than ever before. This deeper tillage can lead to soil disturbance and compaction, which can have positive or negative consequences depending on the soil type and condition.

The focus of some farmers is now turning back to soil management as the base of agricultural production and as a key indicator to land management performance. Outlined below is a soil management tool that is being used as part of this approach.

Many cropping systems are utilizing variable rate nutrient applications (nitrogen and phosphorus) across landscapes according to soil types. “However little consideration is provided to the condition of the soil down through the soil profile.” When conservation tillage practices are applied to a management system the Surcometrics approach provides insight into what is known as a Vertical Rate guideline. This is seen applied in Figure 1 where the use of dual line liquid delivery along with granular fertiliser application has been able to manage the pH of the solutions applied at two different depths in the soil profile. This effectively incorporates the impact of the individual soil horizons on plant accessible water and nutrients (including oxygen and carbon dioxide).

The zone of influence, in-furrow around the tyne or disc where the seed and fertiliser is placed, is often poorly understood from a production perspective. When fertilisers are placed in-furrow the interactions that occur in that zone are critical for the uptake and effective utilisation of available and accessible nutrients.

Surcometrics is already being utilised in management strategies throughout Australian cropping systems. This has been evident in many forms and individual applications of the concept. These approaches are being proven on a case by case basis to improve soil performance, and in turn, increasing plant productivity.

Surcometrics is the use of individual and inter-related factors (inherent and dynamic) related to soil condition – chemical, physical and biological, soil nutrient availability and nutrient uptake potential as effective reference points for the improvement of crop productivity in individual and varying soil types.

Surcometrics is effectively an in-furrow based interpretation of soil condition and land suitability (capability) to generate field information powerful enough to effect net farm productivity.

‘Surcometrics (The science of planted furrow performance), is a term derived from the Spanish word for furrow (Surco) and the word “Metrics” which is the English word used to describe the standards of measurement by which efficiency, performance and progress can be measured and assessed. The soil science involved in comprehension of how soil condition relates to plant productivity needs to be considered by farmers far more comprehensively than in the past if conservation tillage systems are to advance. The best intervention point for plant production 14

“However little consideration is provided to the condition of the soil down through the soil profile.”

References Koch et al. 2015. Monitor soil degradation or triage for soil security: an Australian paradox

THE AUSTRALIAN AGRONOMIST SPRING ISSUE 2

Liquid Delivery Line 1: Applied below seed (12cm) (Purple indiator - high pH)

Liquid Delivery Line 2: Applied with Seed (2-4cm) (Green indicator - Neutral pH)

Figure 2: In field soil investigation to assess soil capacity and the impact the soil profile has on plant performance.

15

NUDAN SUMMER FEED A WINNER FOR ANGUS STUD On a small grazing property on the Campaspe River near Axedale, John and Robyn Knight are living their dreams and building up their small Angus stud, Campaspe Rocks Angus.

Over the past five years, they have worked hard to improve the ryegrass and clover pasture base, add fencing and laneways to the property and build soil fertility, while at the same time improving their genetics by acquiring quality breeding cows.

“It’s a tough game and very competitive, so we’ve got to make every post a winner,” said Mr Knight.

A constant supply of quality feed throughout the year is a priority, with 10 head of elite breeding donor cows and 40 head of recipient cows for embryo transfer and artificial insemination, plus calves and bulls on the 84 hectare farm.

That’s why they started growing forage sorghum last summer.

“We grow a cereal crop of oaten hay in winter, but we have had three dry springs so decided to look at growing a crop that would allow us to put some hay away for the coming year,” he said.

John Knight from Campaspe Rocks Angus has a wealth of feed on his Axedale stud this summer. He is pictured in Nuseed’s latest forage sorghum variety, Nudan.

The success of their first forage sorghum crop led them to expand their plant this summer to 20 hectares.

They also tried a new variety, Nudan forage sorghum, on the advice of Hayden Coombes from Statewide Irrigation and Rural Supplies, Bendigo.

Nudan is a new release forage sorghum hybrid from Nuseed with fine stems and soft leaves for early summer grazing and outstanding hay.

The sudan x sudan grass is recommended for dairy farmers, lamb and beef producers looking for high quality summer feed for their animals.

The Knights planted their two hectare Nudan crop in midNovember with 50mm of follow-up rain, alongside two other varieties of forage sorghum – Lush and Ultrafeed.

The crops were irrigated in mid-December, but didn’t really take off until mid-January when they received 69 mm of rain.

“It grew from 400mm to up to my chest after that rain,” Mr Knight said.

“You could actually watch it grow in January. I reckon it was growing three inches every night with the humid weather we had here.”

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THE AUSTRALIAN AGRONOMIST SPRING ISSUE 2

The Knights strip-grazed the Nudan sorghum in blocks of 40 metres by 25 metres.

“We fed 45 head of cattle on that Nudan for three weeks and you could see their condition improving over that time,” he said.

They have also been able to cut their Nudan and other forage sorghum crops for hay.

Getting the double benefit of grazing and hay has been a big boost for the Knights.

“Our first objective was always to make some hay, but it has produced so much feed that we ended up buying store lambs,” Mr Knight said.

“We could have easily grazed 100 head of cattle on that two hectare block of Nudan and six hectares of Ultrafeed and Lush for four or five weeks.”

The crop was undersown with 100kg/ha of urea and planted with 100kg/ha of DAP at a seeding rate of

20kg/ha. It was irrigated once in December and will be irrigated again in February to promote another flush of growth.

Mr Knight has found it quite water efficient, holding on well with a monthly irrigation or rainfall.

He said the feed quality was excellent, with Nudan growing a thin stalk and softer leaves.

“You can see the quality in the paddock and pick where the Nudan crop ends and the other sorghum varieties start,” he said.

Mr Knight recommended Nudan to other graziers as a way to get ahead over summer.

“For anyone looking for more quality feed or hay over the summer period, it is the way to go,” he said.

“With the feed we get out of it from a small amount of irrigation, it’s just magic.”

“With the feed we get out of it from a small amount of irrigation, it’s just magic.”

John Knight

17

FARMERS TO PLANT LARGEST GM CANOLA CROP YET Australian farmers continue to embrace GM technology in greater numbers and have now planted more than 1.5 million hectares of Roundup Ready® canola since its introduction in 2008.

Despite an expected 9% drop in the size of this season’s overall canola crop, local growers have purchased a record one million tonnes of Roundup Ready canola seed, up 15% on last season.

More than 436,000 hectares of GM canola will be planted this year, up from nearly 350,000 hectares last year. GM canola varieties now make up 22% of the canola planted in the states that allow GM canola to be grown – Western Australia, Victoria and New South Wales.

Monsanto Australia Managing Director, Daniel Kruithoff, said farmers continue to turn to Roundup Ready canola despite a tough start to the canola season. “Another strong increase in the area planted to Roundup Ready canola varieties clearly demonstrates the ongoing value growers see in the technology. Nearly 1,200

farmers will grow GM canola this season, 20% more growers than last year, and we expect this growth to continue.

“Roundup Ready canola boosts the productivity of farmland by providing growers with an effective tool to manage weeds which are estimated to cost farmers about $1.5 billion to control and an additional $2.5 billion in lost agricultural production.

The share of Roundup Ready canola planted this season rose in every state reaching 30% in WA, 13% in Victoria and 11% in NSW.

“Growers are also turning to Roundup Ready canola to improve their yields through high performing GM varieties..

“It is becoming clear that GM crops will play a bigger role in helping Australian farmers meet the growing demand across Asia for our quality food and fibre, thanks to the growing acceptance and cultivation of GM crops across the region.”

“Australian growers are facing strong competition in key markets such as China and Japan which last year imported $4 billion worth of canola, most of it GM, from Canada,” Mr Kruithoff said.

NEXT SEASON’S WEED CONTROL STARTS NOW. The only registered glyphosate for pre-harvest weed control in canola.

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE © 2015 Nufarm Australia Ltd. All trade marks (®,™) are owned by Nufarm Australia Ltd or used under license.

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AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY OF AGRONOMY - CM DONALD MEDAL

BY LUCINDA BARTY

PROF GRAEME BLAIR

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Within the field of agronomy, the CM Donald Medal is an accolade gained by only the most dedicated and passionate in the areas of agronomic research, development and extension. The award, to be formally presented by the Australian Society of Agronomy at their upcoming conference in Hobart, recognises eminent Australian agriculturalists with a long and distinguished career. With an illustrious career and lifelong commitment to obtaining a deeper understanding of the relationships between soil fertility and plant nutrition, Adjunct Professor Graeme Blair is a worthy recipient of this year’s CM Donald Medal.

due to his tireless efforts and commitment to furthering his research. By sharing his findings and methodologies with undergraduate and postgraduate students he has taught and guided throughout his career, his work continues to develop and contribute to the way we manage and utilise soils.

“In the 15 awards made over 33 years, a whole range of people have been recognised by the Australian Society of Agronomy for their breadth and depth of contribution, so it’s great to be a part of this group and to gain the recognition of peers,” said Prof Blair in light of his award.

In particular, his studies of the transformations between organic and inorganic forms of sulfur in soil have yielded practical applications for agriculture. Plant metabolism is dependent on the presence of sulfur, hence metabolic function, crop yield and produce quality are all impaired where there is a deficiency of this vital nutrient.

The increasing use of low sulfur containing fertilisers and increasing crop yields due to other technological advances are just some of many precursors of lower soil sulfur levels. A decrease in the use of sulfur containing pesticides and fungicides presents yet another reason.

Throughout his work, Prof Blair has significantly furthered knowledge in the area of mineral nutrition of pastures and crops. Soil organic matter and the role it plays in plant nutrition supply are understood to a far greater extent

“Australia is becoming more sulfur deficient and my team and I have found that this can be addressed in a prescriptive way by selecting the appropriate fertiliser for an area based on its sulfur content.”

THE AUSTRALIAN AGRONOMIST SPRING ISSUE 2

S SULFUR

The development of the KCI-40 sulfur test which is now used across all soil testing laboratories in Australia, has been the result of vast research and trials conducted by Prof Blair and his colleagues. The KCI-40 test has also been rapidly adopted by Australian farmers as a soil test for monitoring and remedying sulfur deficiencies in their soils. Economically, Prof Blair’s efforts were estimated by ACIL consulting following the tests release to have contributed $2.4 million in additional profits to NSW growers in 1998 alone.

Prof Blair has also taken on various secondment and consulting roles assisting a vast number of Research and Development organisations in the management of their research portfolios.

In 2000 Prof Blair was awarded the prestigious International Fertiliser Award by the International Fertiliser Industry Association for outstanding research contributing to the efficient use of mineral fertilisers and for effective communication of the finding to agricultural community.

Despite “retiring” in 2002, Blair has maintained advisory roles including to Shell Canada’s sulfur Enhanced Fertiliser program in South America and South-East Asia. In recent years he has assist Quinpan Fertilisers with the development of a sulfur enhanced triple super phosphate (TriplePluS). Through these activities he has assisted in the creation of products now readily used by Australian and overseas farmers with successful results.

Prof Blair’s success in the development of tangible soil treatments translates to his publishing career also. Having co-authored over 200 peer-reviewed journal papers and more than 150 international conference proceedings he is a prolific publisher within the scientific and agronomic communities alike. Several books, book chapters, institutional publications and literature for the agricultural industry are also part of his extensive repertoire, informing the next generation of agronomists and scientists.

As the well qualified winner of the 2015 CM Donald medal, Prof Graeme Blair has made significant contributions to the fields of plant nutrition, forage science and soil organic matter dynamics. In particular, his studies and developments involving sulfur fertilisation, sulfur soil testing and the dynamics of sulfur and phosphorus as plant nutrients in crops and pastures have drawn wide praise. Through his work at the University of New England, he has ensured the transfer of not only his knowledge and findings but enthusiasm for the progression of the field in agronomic science.

“Australia is becoming more sulfur deficient and my team and I have found that this can be addressed in a prescriptive way by selecting the appropriate fertiliser for an area based on its sulfur content.”

Prof Graeme Blair 21

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THE AUSTRALIAN AGRONOMIST SPRING ISSUE 2

UNITING GM AND ORGANIC GENETIC ENGINEERING AND ORGANIC FARMING SEEM OBVIOUS OPPOSITES IN A SEA OF IDEOLOGICAL DEBATE ABOUT FOOD PRODUCTION AND SAFETY BUT WHAT IF THE TWO DON’T HAVE TO BE MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE? WHAT IF GENETICALLY MODIFIED (GM) AND ORGANIC FARMERS COULD CO-EXIST PEACEFULLY AND EVEN COLLABORATE TO CREATE SAFE AND NUTRITIOUS FOOD THAT CONSUMERS CAN AFFORD AND FARMERS CAN PROFIT FROM?

BY LUCINDA BARTY

A form of sustainable agriculture drawing on both the practices of GM and organic farming is not far off according to a new wave of plant pathologists, geneticists and farmers alike. Pamela Roland is one such person championing the collaboration of GM and organic. As a plant pathologist and geneticist herself and a professor at the University of California, Davis, Roland has accumulated a vast knowledge of the principles of plant genetics and traits.

In the past year, 4 million subsistence farmers across seven countries were able to feed millions more by cultivating a seed carrying a gene isolated by Roland and her team. In spite of this, however, the polarising ideological debate between GM and organic has seen Roland face her fair share of detractors who are fearful of perceived risks associated with transgenic plants.

By isolating genes from rice that can resist diseases and better tolerate flooding, Roland and her team have enabled farmers in vulnerable agricultural areas to generate high yield harvests.

Regardless of the climatic challenges facing them, afflicted farmers can be guaranteed of a plentiful supply of income and food for their local community. With genes for hardiness and disease resistance, certain forms of GM plants lend themselves well to organic farming practices, increasing the possibility of an integrated theory of agriculture.

Whilst virtually all of the food we eat has been genetically improved or altered to some degree through selective breeding, the relocation of genes from one plant or organism to another, is what inspires radical debate. Organic farming, its supporters will argue, aims to minimise harm

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“Farming practices that enhance soil fertility and crop biodiversity whilst also making the most effective use of land and water should stand as the ultimate goal of GM and organic farming alike.” to the environment and consumers in line with nature while GM practices aim to forcibly alter it. A recent high profile case in Western Australia’s Supreme Court demonstrated this fear yet saw an organic farmer lose to his GM growing neighbour. With approximately 17% of all crops in WA in 2014 GMO’s, GM canola farmer Michael Baxter was one of many. Organic farmer Steve Marsh, however, sued his former friend for profit lost by losing his organic certification, a ruling he said was the result of GM plants contaminating his crop. Indicative of the fear of GM plants still alive within the community, Farming practices that enhance soil fertility and crop biodiversity whilst also making the most effective use of land and water should stand as the ultimate goal of GM and organic farming alike. In light of the scramble for profits often associated with GM crops, focus needs to be given instead to practices from any style of farming that reduces the need for toxic compounds, reduces soil erosion and aids in sequestering carbon.

Where this ultimate goal begins to clash with GM farming practices, however, is in the case of herbicide resistant plant varieties such as Roundup Ready canola. These plants are genetically modified to contain resistance to common herbicides such as roundup. In this manner, unwanted weeds can be thoroughly treated when spraying a crop without risking the health of the GM plants. Whilst this makes weed management much easier for the farmer, it means that more herbicide is used overall.

A distinction often missed in discussions about GM, however, is the difference between herbicide tolerant GM plants and those that have been modified to produce compounds naturally lethal to insects. Bt crops produce the same natural toxin as bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis. Prior to the advent of GM crops, Bt toxin was a commonly used pesticide administered as bacterial spores sprayed onto plants and killed insects that ingested it. Whilst lethal for insects, even vast quantities of the toxin are considered harmless to humans yet it seems that this insight has been lost with the introduction of GM plants that produce their own Bt toxin.

In spite of the fact that Bt plants are safe for humans and subsequently reduce the overall use of insecticides, in the public eye they are still emphasised for being ‘unnatural’ and in turn, 24

unsafe. The origin of many of the modern plants used for human consumption, however, involves some degree of manipulation throughout their history. The high-yield corn plants we are familiar with today, for example, are the result of selective breeding of the North American weed Tesonite. All commercial plant varieties are indeed vastly altered from their original state, some through the natural insertion of bacterial genes in nature. In this instance, it cannot be the manipulation of plant DNA that strikes an issue with people, but the manner in which it is done.

Genetic engineering stands as the main method of producing new plant varieties but is by no means the only way. Mutation breeding, hybrids and backcross breeding. As genetic engineering involves the inserting of genes from one organism into another, it runs the risk of the gene inserting itself at unintended locations along the DNA strand. This, in-turn, leads to unwanted and unexpected results. It is because of this risk that GM plants must undergo rigorous testing in both the lab and out in the field before they can be released commercially. Are there other methods of plant breeding, however, that take more of a genetic risk in creating new varieties?

In the instance of mutation breeding, taking a risk is certainly a central feature. By irradiating plants or their seeds, the DNA sequence becomes fractured and randomly rearranged, sometimes killing the plant, and other times enhancing favourable characteristics. The Star Ruby Grapefruit, for example, came about as the result of induced mutation and produces far larger and sweeter fruit than its predecessors. Similarly, the process has been applied to apple varieties to produce plants more suited to different local climates.

Hybridising plants is yet another way to alter plant DNA with the aim of retaining favourable traits from each plant. In reality, however, combining two plants is bound to result in some offspring with the undesirable traits from each or an unfavourable combination of both. Seedless Watermelons, whilst beneficial for their market value, are also inherently sterile. Whilst the absence of seeds may be advantageous when sought out by consumers, it also means that the grower needs to repurchase and sow the seeds each year.

THE AUSTRALIAN AGRONOMIST SPRING ISSUE 2

By comparison, backcross breeding involves identification of a desirable trait in one plant that does not exist in another, closely related plant and crossing the two. By doing this, the traits for disease resistant can theoretically be transferred from one plant variety to another, but this is not always a faultless process.

While backcross breeding may eventually produce the ideal desired plant, it is also a method far more likely to produce unwanted results than genetic engineering.

In turn, when genetic engineering goes right, the positive flow on effects can have world-wide reach.

‘Golden Rice’ is perhaps the most prominent example of vitamin enriched GM plant and involves inserting genes that stimulate the production of betacarotine or vitamin A. The Golden Rice Project was even awarded the “Patents for Humanity” award in 2015, courtesy of the U.S. Whitehouse Office of Science and Technology

Policy. Such accolades were given to the project based on the ability of Golden rice to address vitamin A deficiency and the subsequent vision problems it is responsible for in many regions across the world.

Such a feat, it would seem, provides the perfect reason to push ahead with GM products, yet, in reality, for any product to have a sustainable life span it must be viable for farmers to grow it and acceptable to the public for it to even exist. In Australia, the only GM crops to have taken root are insect resistant and herbicide tolerant cotton and herbicide tolerant canola. With potential for many more crops to be introduced, where does this leave Australian farmers? The line between ideology and demand is becoming blurred amidst an influx of conflicting information and opinions and what the future holds is at this stage no clearer.

25

FEDERATION HELPS UNLOCK SECRETS FOR FUTURE YIELDS AN ICONIC WHEAT VARIETY RELEASED IN 1901 HAS COME OUT OF RETIREMENT TO HELP SCIENTISTS BETTER UNDERSTAND HOW TO GROW CROPS IN 2050.

Federation Wheat, which was one of the first rust resistant and high yielding varieties developed in Australia, is among 12 new and old varieties being tested under higher carbon dioxide (CO2) levels predicted for 2050.

The trial was carried out at the Australian Grains Free Air CO2 Enrichment (AGFACE) site which grows crops in open-air 12-metre wide circular plots exposed to higher CO2.

Scientists know that grain protein levels and bread quality decrease under elevated CO2 but the amount of this decrease varies across cultivars or varieties.

Department of Economic Development Jobs Transport and Resources (DEDJTR) scientist Dr Lance Maphosa said his research aimed to understand the impacts of different genetic varieties under the higher CO2 levels.

“Federation is an old tall variety that was developed before the “green revolution” and might respond differently to elevated CO2, which could help researchers improve future wheat cultivars,” Dr Maphosa said.

“We have chosen crops which are tall, dwarf, some have beards or awns and others don’t, others high or low protein or have water or nitrogen use efficiency traits.”

“From this we expect a range of physiological responses to the higher CO2 levels.”

“We hope that this work will help to unlock the secrets to help growers improve yield and sustain quality under elevated CO2.”

Scientists have harvested the 2014 trials and will continue testing traits at the site in 2015.

Since AGFACE began in 2007 DEDJTR scientists have learned that higher CO2 has a fertilisation effect and can boost growth if the crops receive sufficient water but they have also found that crops will need more nutrients to grow in future conditions.

Supervising scientist Dr Surya Kant said the team hoped to find out which plant growth traits and yield components were most affected by elevated CO2.

“We also want to see if elevated CO2 will affect tillering ability, biomass, plant stature and architecture and if it will impact on wheat processing and baking quality.”

“From this we will get a better idea of which varieties will be the winners under changing environment conditions,” Dr Kant said.

26

About AGFACE Rising carbon dioxide levels will increasingly impact grain yield, quality and profitability and AGFACE is researching the extent of this impact so that the Grains industry can prepare for the future.

AGFACE scientists are testing crop traits, nitrogen management and pests and diseases under higher CO2 and using their findings to identify and begin solving future challenges now.

This includes testing how effective these adaptive crop traits will be in reducing the loss of protein and maintaining yield under elevated CO2 across a range of environments.

This work is an investment now for a more productive, profitable and sustainable cropping future.

AGFACE is a collaborative effort DEDJTR and the University of Melbourne.

It is also supported by funding from the Grains Research and Development Corporation and the Australian Government’s Department of Agriculture.

THE AUSTRALIAN AGRONOMIST SPRING ISSUE 2

“Federation is an old tall variety that was developed before the “green revolution” and might respond differently to elevated CO2, which could help researchers improve future wheat cultivars.”

Dr Lance Maphosa 27

FLEXIBILITY FOR GROWERS THERE’S NOTHING QUITE LIKE FIRST HAND EXPERIENCE TO ASSESS A NEW PRODUCT, AND FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND AGRONOMIST TIM HEATH KNOWS IT’S MORE IMPORTANT IN HIS GAME THAN ALMOST ANY OTHER. Mr Heath, an agronomist with GT Ag Services on the Atherton Tablelands, has been eagerly anticipating the new insecticide Movento® Energy after seeing it tested locally over the last couple of seasons.

The Bayer CropScience product has recently been registered for the control of banana weevil borer and rust thrips in bananas.

“I’ve seen several trials conducted both on the Atherton Tablelands as well as Innisfail and Tully in some quite different production areas, including trials that have been fully block replicated so you can actually walk through the site and see the differences between Movento Energy, Confidor® Guard and the untreated control,” he says.

28

Mr Heath says the new product will make a major difference to his clients looking for greater flexibility in controlling the major pests, banana weevil borer and w.

“The product Movento Energy is replacing, Confidor Guard, which is known to induce a red spider-mite flare in some circumstances, a problem well-known by growers.

“The reason flare occurs is the red spider mites can react to Confidor Guard and lay an increased number of eggs, like a stress effect from the product,” he explains.

This means until now growers have had to avoid using Confidor Guard during hot, dry and dusty conditions, as this is when mite numbers are generally at their highest.

All indications are that the application timing of Movento Energy will be much more flexible thanks to its two active ingredients imidacloprid and spirotetramat.

“While not a miticide, spirotetramat does not induce the usual mite flare-ups, meaning Movento Energy can be applied when the banana crop actually needs it, although mite populations still need to be managed carefully.

THE AUSTRALIAN AGRONOMIST SPRING ISSUE 2

“It also gives growers the flexibility of being able to spread that workload throughout the year rather than trying to do it all during the wet season” Tim Heath

“It also gives growers the flexibility of being able to spread that workload throughout the year rather than trying to do it all during the wet season,” he says.

I’d like to thank companies like Bayer, who continue to invest in research and development to help move the banana industry forward,” he concludes.

With individual block management on-farm becoming more and more important for Mr Heath’s clients, especially with recent biosecurity issues in the industry, Movento Energy will bring significant advantages for farmers.

“Growers want to go into one particular block, do the work required, clean down machinery and people, and then move on to the next block.

“They will be able to go through a block, do the follower selection and apply Movento Energy all in one pass.

“So instead of doing two passes, you could just do one pass throughout the paddock and then move on to the next block, reducing the movement of machinery and staff,” Mr Heath says.

An ability to control banana weevil borer and rust thrips at the correct timing and reduce management to one pass will also mean better plant productivity according to Mr Heath.

“It will definitely mean healthier plants - potentially I guess healthier plants means less other diseases, whether it be leaf disease, nematodes, all those things – it all just helps to create healthier blocks of bananas,” he explains.

Mr Heath says anticipation is already growing amongst north Queensland banana growers around the launch of Movento Energy.

“We’ve been out talking with banana growers about this product for some time now, even taking growers through these trial sites and they’re definitely excited to see it.

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NEW COTTON RESEARCH CENTRE Growers, industry representatives and government officials came together to mark the official opening of a new cotton research centre in Toowoomba today.

The modern facility will allow Monsanto to undertake increasingly sophisticated research to enhance future cotton technology development. The increased investment in Monsanto Australia’s research capability will ensure cotton growers continue to benefit from its highly successful insect-tolerant and herbicideresistant cotton for years to come.

Monsanto Australia’s Managing Director, Daniel Kruithoff, said the investment in the new research centre demonstrates Monsanto’s commitment to the ongoing sustainability and competitiveness of cotton production in Australia.

“Bollgard technology helped Australia become one of the worlds most sustainable and productive cotton producers by reducing the industry’s insecticide use by 95% since 1996. To ensure local growers continue to benefit from this cutting-edge technology, we have

invested in this new purpose-built cotton research centre to ensure that position is maintained.

“With a focus on bringing to market new technologies and a dedicated Bt Resistance Monitoring Program (RMP) the new centre increases our research capacity and will help ensure Australian cotton growers remain among the most productive and innovative in the world.

“Our ongoing commitment to innovation and collaboration with industry partners ensures we will play our part in the future success of cotton farming in Australia,” Mr Kruithoff said.

Cotton Australia Chief Executive Adam Kay also welcomed the investment, saying the new research centre plays an important part of the overall stewardship of biotechnology products for the Australian cotton industry.

“The Australian cotton industry is recognised as a world leader in its stewardship of biotechnology products having had 19 successful seasons of production of GM cotton. The new centre

signals Monsanto’s long term commitment to the industry and ensures the stewardship around new biotechnology will be solid as we move forward,” Mr Kay said.

Peter Graham, Chief Executive of Cotton Seed Distributors (CSD) said the new centre reinforces the strong partnership between Monsanto and CSD as well as the industry more broadly.

“The new centre in Toowoomba is a significant investment that demonstrates Monsanto’s commitment to deliver growers a pipeline of new technology.

We look forward to continuing to work with Monsanto to leverage those traits to be part of the package offered to the Australian cotton grower for years to come,” he said.

The new facility will provide Monsanto’s entomologists and researchers with the resources required to undertake more sophisticated testing of the company’s existing and pipeline technologies, and a base to conduct field tests and expanded pest resistance research.

AGT UNLEASH NEW WEAPON IN THE WAR AGAINST WEEDS Wheat growers throughout the lower rainfall areas of South Australia and Victoria now have access to a new AH quality, fast maturing Clearfield® tolerant variety, with the release of Hatchet CL Plus.

Bred by AGT, Hatchet CL Plus (tested as RAC1843) was developed from a cross between popular low rainfall variety Axe, and a Clearfield® tolerance donor. Its maturity is even faster than its parent Axe, which is considered the fastest maturing variety commonly grown by southern Australian farmers.

SA/Vic marketing and production manager Dan Vater sees Hatchet CL Plus as a unique option, set apart from all other available varieties.

“No other variety combines Clearfield® tolerance with very fast maturity. Hatchet CL Plus is quite a bit quicker than benchmark Clearfield® varieties Grenade CL Plus and Kord CL Plus, so it should have a great fit for those farming in shorter season environments and low rainfall situations. Because it is so fast, it really is best suited to later plantings, to help avoid the risk of frost at flowering time”.

As a weed management tool, Hatchet CL Plus’ maturity gives growers the option of delayed sowing which allows the use of a knockdown herbicide on a pre-sowing flush of weeds, while the Clearfield® tolerance trait embedded in the variety allows for an

30

in-crop application of the group B herbicide Intervix® to control problem weeds such as brome grass, barley grass and wild oats if needed.

While sharing the same adaptation profile, AH quality and stable grain size as Axe, Hatchet CL Plus offers advantages over its parent including higher grain yield in low yield potential situations, imidazolinone (Intervix®) herbicide tolerance, CCN resistance, and improved stem rust resistance.

Booleroo Centre farmer Neil Innes grew a pure seed production crop of Hatchet CL Plus in 2014.

“Axe has always performed well in our environment, and I regard Hatchet CL Plus as being the next evolution of Axe. Last year I only sowed the Hatchet CL Plus in mid June, which is fairly late, but like Axe, it bounced out of the ground. It was pleasing to see that despite the very dry spring we had with only 65mm of in-crop rainfall, it still yielded around 2 t/ha”.

“I think Hatchet CL Plus will suit those looking for another weed management tool, or for growers who are just looking for an Axe replacement. For them, the Clearfield® tolerance is just a nice bonus”.

Seed of Hatchet CL Plus is available for the 2015 season now, through AGT Affiliates.

THE AUSTRALIAN AGRONOMIST SPRING ISSUE 2

THE HON. BARNABY JOYCE MP MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE

FRUIT SALAD OF EXPORTS HIT THE SHELVES IN ASIA A veritable fruit salad of Australian horticultural products is being exported overseas in record numbers, demonstrating the tangible benefits of the government’s trade efforts to growers’ bottom lines.

Minister for Agriculture, Barnaby Joyce, said products such as cherries from Tasmania, table grapes, citrus and a range of other fruits had access to vastly improved trade conditions in the past 18 months in many of Australia’s key markets.

“Other key horticulture exports including asparagus, mangoes, olives and macadamias now face zero tariffs entering Japan.

Similarly, cherries from Tasmania, almonds and dried grapes enter Korea duty free.

“Once the China—Australia FTA enters into force, all tariffs on horticulture products will be eliminated within four years, except citrus where tariffs will be eliminated within 8 years.

“Our horticultural exports have exploded recently giving producers and exporters a big boost across Australia with improved farmgate returns,” Minister Joyce said.

Minister Joyce emphasised the role of recent free trade agreements in providing further opportunities for Australian agricultural exports.

“Improved market access for Tasmanian cherries to South Korea and other parts of Asia has boosted cherry exports by 30% this season.

“Our recent free trade agreements with South Korea, Japan and China eliminate tariffs on key horticultural products and greatly increase the competitiveness or our horticultural exports,” Minister Joyce said.

“This is a great result for growers and industry experts predict cherry exports from Tasmania could rise as much as 25-fold under the Korea—Australia Free Trade Agreement which has seen exports increase from virtually nothing to almost $4 million this year.

“Mango exports to Korea for the 2014–15 season more than doubled those of the 2013–14 season and exports are now up to around 12% of total production.”

“We’ve gained new market access for table grapes to Japan and Korea which has created significant new growth in exports in the 2015 season, with exports to Japan worth around $10 million and exports to Korea worth over $2.5 million.

“We’re also at the table negotiating new trade agreements with India, and key Asia-Pacific regional trading partners through Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and the Trans Pacific Partnership.

“These agreements and ongoing negotiations show the commitment of this government to opening up new markets and reinvigorating existing markets for Australian products.”

We will continue pursuing the best opportunities and conditions for Australian producers, and continue to increase returns to the farmgate.

“With these improved trade terms and a lower Australian dollar, conditions are ripe for more growth of our horticulture exports.”

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R ISSUE 1 AUST WINTER ISSUE 1 RA REAC LIA’S M APPIN HES VED DIMENTHE THPIRROG TS SI GNA?P RD O JEC O IN A D AUSTRA GRO FUN NEW P LIA NO 12 REACHE ’S MAPPING FOR THE MY FRO ROSMTHE THIRD DIM M AGRONO SKIE MY F ENSION? AUSTRALIA’S S MY FRO MAP NO FUN PING IES DIN REACHES RO K TH GTHE S E THIR A AG SKIES M RONOMY FRO FUNDING FOR 12 G APPRO HED DIMENSIOT NEW APPR ING M N? FOR 12 PRO VED FUNDING APPR APP NEW PR OVED THE SKIES JECTS OVED A’S M THIRD OJECTS LI FOR A 12 NEW PROJ E R ECTS AUST CHES TH ON? REA IMENSI D

MAGAZINE

The Australian Agronomist is a new quarterly publication for agronomists, consultants, field consultants, and research scientists across all primary industry sectors.

Available in print and online editions, this quality publication will present vital content, information and research in a format designed to engage its readership.

RESEARCH HAS PROVEN THAT ON FARM DECISIONS ARE MADE BY AGRONOMIST AND CONSULTANTS

THE MORE CONTRIBUTIONS, THE BETTER The launch of The Australian Agronomist heralds the arrival of a new, high quality quarterly publication directed towards agronomists, agronomy as a profession, and all the issues relating to this important science.

This independent magazine will engage a readership of agronomists, consultants and research scientists working in the agriculture sector, with broad ranging content that is interesting, relevant and up to date.

It will be equally relevant to agronomists and consultants working or specialising in all primary industry sectors, including broadacre, horticulture, viticulture, pasture and meat, milk and fibre production.

Content will be diverse and include articles and features covering R&D developments and updates, soil science, pest and disease management, technology and equipment, resistance management, product launches and updates, interviews with leading agronomists, opinion pieces from industry leaders, current affairs and both local and world issues relating to farming, agronomy and agribusiness.

Please send your submission to Lucinda Barty at info@theaustralianagronomist.com or phone 03 5441 8166 if you would like to discuss further.

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• Do you have an opinion about a certain topic or issue?

• Would you like to share the outcomes and results of a R&D project?

• Have you launched a new product that delivers on an unmet need?

• Do you know an expert whose experience is worth sharing?

There is scope and opportunity for agronomists, consultants, industry bodies, research entities and corporates to contribute content.

You are invited to submit articles, press releases, or research summaries for editorial consideration.

ISSUE

1

THE AUSTRALIAN AGRONOMIST SPRING ISSUE 2

AUSTRALIAN MACADAMIA INDUSTRY ANNOUNCES A BIOLOGICAL CONTROL FOR MAJOR DISEASE HUSK SPOT The Australian macadamia industry has had a big win in the fight against its most damaging disease, with the announcement today that a biological control for husk spot has been commercialised.

Husk spot (or Pseudocercospora macadamiae) occurs in nearly all macadamia orchards on the Australian east coast (where the majority of growers are based) and can cost the industry more than $10 million in lost production per season.

Today’s announcement is the culmination of three years of extensive scientific research and field trials by Tasmanian plant pathologist Dr. Dean Metcalf and reinforces Australia’s position as the world leader in the development of biological controls on-farm.

It is welcome news for the country’s 600+ macadamia growers, who funded the 3-year project through the industry’s levy program and matched federal government (via Horticulture Innovation Australia) funds.

“Growers around Australia will be rejoicing that another option to manage such a predominant issue has been identified, especially as this is a biological control option,” said Australian Macadamia Society (AMS) Productivity Development Officer Robbie Commens.

“Macadamias with husk spot lose their fruit prematurely, with some macadamia growers experiencing direct yield losses of up to 30% in a badly affected season”.

Mr. Commens said the breakthrough represented a big step forward for the Australian industry which is the world leader in macadamia production and innovation, largely due to its strong investment ($4million annually) in research and development and marketing, made possible by the grower levy and Horticulture Innovation Australia.

“The Australian macadamia industry’s R&D program leads the way in biological control and our growers are committed to developing more sustainable methods of crop protection. We’re also leading a new initiative to develop a sustainable program to manage two other major pests - fruit spotting bug and lace bug.

“Projects like these help to create a strong and sustainable future for not only our industry but also for the communities in which we operate.

“This project is a brilliant example of growers’ R&D levies and Horticulture Innovation Australia’s matched funding investment delivering tangible outcomes to growers that will ultimately increase grower production and improve industry sustainability.

The return on investment back to the growers from this and other projects is conservatively estimated at tens of millions of dollars in our industry.”

“Husk spot also impacts upon the saleable kernel. It increases operational costs at the processing stage and a harvested crop with high levels of immature kernel is downgraded. Ultimately, husk spot is bad news for the macadamia grower, because it results in lower financial return.”

Dr. Metcalf made the groundbreaking announcement at the industry’s annual Consultants Forum in Brisbane last week, attended by Australia’s macadamia researchers, growers and industry consultants.

The new prototype, named Macanizer contains a mixture of the fungi Trichoderma and Gliocladium native to areas where macadamias grow. These fungi compete with the fungus which causes husk spot and parasitise the growing mycelium of the disease.

“Experiments suggest that it will reduce the level of husk spot by about 65%, and there is likely scope to improve this as we come to better understand the best way to use it,” said Dr. Metcalf. “Another interesting development is that Macanizer also has the ability to suppress Botrytis rot in macadamia flowers, which can be a significant problem in some seasons.

“When I started this project I told everyone that it would be challenging, and it was, so this is a hugely satisfying accomplishment,” said Dr. Metcalf, who will now embark on a 12 month on-farm trial of the prototype.

Dr. Metcalf acknowledged the collaboration and efforts of other key industry representatives including Robbie Commens (AMS), Jeremy Bright (NSW DPI), Dr. Femi Akinsanmi (QAAFI) and Steve McLean (SunCoast Gold).

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GM SAFFLOWER THRIVING IN WA TRIALS

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THE AUSTRALIAN AGRONOMIST SPRING ISSUE 2

Trials of genetically modified safflower in Western Australia’s Ord irrigation scheme are indicating it has the potential to be a billion dollar industry for the region in the future.

A one hectare trial conducted at the Frank Wise Research Centre near Kununurra has delivered very promising results.

CSIRO’s Craig Wood said the plants were very happy in the tropical environment.

“It turns out the Ord is a really nice place to grow safflower, the plants themselves loved it,” Dr Wood said.

“The oils were the best we have ever seen in terms of their functional properties and the plants themselves were large and very healthy.”

“The oils were the best we have ever seen in terms of their functional properties and the plants themselves were large and very healthy.”

Craig Wood

The trial is a collaborative effort between the CSIRO and the Grains Research and Development Corporation.

The plant was also trialled in Narrabri in New South Wales and in Canberra in the ACT, but Dr Wood said the results were most promising for the Ord. “It’s a little bit early on to say that it’s much better in Kununurra but they were the best and healthiest plants we have grown so far.”

It wasn’t a complete surprise the crops grew so well considering safflower was grown in the region during the 1960s as one of its first crops.

OPPORTUNITIES OF SAFFLOWER OIL IN INDUSTRY However, the oil content of the genetically modified crop impressed researchers.

Traditionally safflower produces the oil used in vegetable oil and Dr Wood said the genetically modified plant had been altered to make the oil it produces more stable.

“We are the leading edge for genetically modified safflower for this particular type of oil.

“This oil is not grown anywhere else in the world so it’s a unique and an Australian invention, one may say.”

The increased stability in the oil allows it to be used in industrial processes.

“Industrial processes are looking for oils, not necessarily from plants, but any type of oil that is very stable under temperature, it doesn’t go off, it doesn’t form into any fancy polymers.”

Dr Wood said there were a variety of purposes the oil could be used for, including in transformers.

“All of transformer boxes at the end of the street that convert different types of high voltage electricity into different household power supplies each one of those boxes has currently mineral oils that come from petrochemicals.

“It would be very interesting if we could replace those oils with these kind of sustainable safflowers oils,” he said.

Dr Wood said the market for such ‘green’ oils could be worth billions…

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ROOT DISEASES ON THE RISE FOR GRAIN GROWERS

Grain growers – especially those intending to sow wheat-onwheat – have been warned to plan for the risk of crop diseases, in light of survey results that show a general increase in soil borne pathogens.

The Department of Agriculture and Food’s Focus Paddock project, funded by the Grains Research and Development Corporation, has shown a steady increase in the detection of root pathogens across 184 participating paddocks from throughout the wheatbelt.

Research officer Wayne Parker said while around 6% of paddocks had pathogens present at levels likely to cause yield losses, visual ratings indicated that the majority of paddocks contained low levels of root diseases.

Mr Parker said that while tests had confirmed the presence of disease in the soil, disease expression was dependent on interaction between the host and environment.

“The five-year survey of Focus Paddocks has demonstrated that soil borne pathogens are on the rise, particularly in a wheat-onwheat crop rotation and, especially, in the Southern Agricultural Region, which can have conditions more conducive to disease,” he said.

“These observations have been backed up by analysis by department plant pathologists, who have found increases in rhizoctonia, root lesion nematode and crown rot.

“Over the five year period from 2010 to 2015 the percentage of paddocks with DNA testing positive to crown rot pathogens increased from 13 to 37% while root lesion nematode detections increased from 31 to 60%.”

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The detection of rhizoctonia has also increased from 16% of paddocks in 2010 to 48% in 2015, based on soil DNA tests.

One positive found by the project was the decline in rhizoctonia DNA after a crop of canola.

“This presents the opportunity to incorporate crop rotations together with sub-seed soil disturbance and specific fungicides to better manage this disease,” Mr Parker said.

“These results reinforce the important role break crops have in managing the risk of crop disease.”

Mr Parker said growers who knew their disease risk status could make more informed decisions to protect their crop and optimise profitability.

“While time doesn’t allow for soil testing to influence break crop choice for this season growers need to keep a monitoring brief on their crops and pastures,” he said.

“Suspect plants and soil should be sent to the AgWest Plant Laboratories for diagnosis.

“There is also extensive information on department’s website on how to mitigate the risk of root diseases, which includes paddock selection, crop sequencing, variety selection and treatment options.”

The Focus Paddock disease monitoring was made possible via collaboration between DAFWA, the Liebe, Facey and MingenewIrwin grower groups and the Western Australian No-Tillage Farmers Association, with support from the South Australian Research and Development Institute.

Growers can subscribe to the department’s PestFax e-newsletter to receive updates about disease and pest risks during the growing season.

THE AUSTRALIAN AGRONOMIST SPRING ISSUE 2

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SUNDAY SOIL SUCCESS VICTORIAN RESEARCH HAS IDENTIFIED WAYS TO NEARLY DOUBLE THE YIELDS ON SOME CROPS GROWN IN SODIC SOILS. About 8 million hectares of Victorian soils are sodic, which costs Victorian agriculture more than $340 million annually.

A four-year Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (DEDJTR) field experiment in Victoria’s southern Wimmera tested a range of different management strategies on sodic soils – which have poor drainage after rain then quickly set like cement when they dry out.

DEDJTR Senior Research Scientist Roger Armstrong said composted organic matter, deep ripping and gypsum were combined to nearly double the yields of some crops grown in sodic, or Sunday soils, at Ivan Smith’s Brimpaen property.

“Landholders often refer to the sodic soil as ‘Sunday soils’ - too wet to sow until Saturday but too dry to sow on Monday.

“Consequently growers often achieve disappointing grain yields, despite the potential for much better results given annual rainfall of up to 420mm.”

With DEDJTR and Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) funding, Dr Armstrong’s team has conducted a large-scale field experiment over four

cropping seasons to investigate how these ‘Sunday soils’ could be better managed to improve grain yields and growers’ profitability.

“Our experiment investigated a number of different management strategies including applying high rates of nitrogen and trace elements, raised beds, deep ripping with and without added gypsum, applying composted organic matter and spring sowing.”

“Raised beds have been used in high rainfall regions to manage waterlogging but their use was relatively novel for a medium rainfall environment and sodic clay soils. During the experiment we experienced a range of seasonal conditions, ranging from well above average growing season rainfall to near drought.”

Dr Armstrong said improving crop nutrition alone generally did not improve grain yields while adding ameliorants such as composted pig bedding-litter, or deep ripping and gypsum, produced grain yield increases in all crops by up to 48% compared to the control treatment.

“Similar grain yield increases were produced on raised beds even in seasons when growing season rainfall was well below average. Largest yield increases (up to 2 t/ha or 63%) were measured where raised beds and soil ameliorants were used, combined with extra nutrients (nitrogen),” he said.

“Delaying sowing crops until spring to avoid water-logging, consistently produced lower grain yields compared to the normal autumn sowing.

“Treatments that improved grain yield also resulted in improved rooting depth.

Grain yield improvements appeared to be related to improved access to nitrogen and decreased N deficiency of the crop rather than an ability to use more soil water.”

Dr Armstrong said it was critical to supply extra nutrients to the crop to maintain the significant improvements in yield potential achieved through overcoming water logging and improved root growth and soil structure.

“This research has provided grain growers with the potential to significantly increase grain yield not only in Victoria but throughout large areas of southern Australia where sodic soils are common.”

Dr Armstrong said it was necessary however for growers to account for the initial high cost (and access to soil ameliorants) before implementing some of these different management strategies.

“Some costs, such as those involved in applying high rates of composted organic matter or deep ripping/gypsum slotting, can be quite significant.”

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THE AUSTRALIAN AGRONOMIST SPRING ISSUE 2

“Delaying sowing crops until spring to avoid waterlogging, consistently produced lower grain yields compared to the normal autumn sowing.”

Roger Armstrong

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HOW WE’RE USING SCIENCE TO TURN WASTEWATER INTO WINE IT’S A ‘GRAPE’ DAY FOR TURNING WASTEWATER INTO WINE. Bill Gates caused a stir by drinking a glass of water that had, only five minutes earlier, been human waste.

No, Billionaire Bill hadn’t lost a dare. He was actually showcasing his faith in the latest wastewater processing technology – technology that could, if utilised properly, go a long way towards solving the global issue of access to clean drinking water.

Though, it’s not just drinking water that’s in the picture. Imagine, that instead of sipping from a glass of water, Bill was instead quaffing a Barossa Valley red, produced from a vineyard that uses wastewater to irrigate vineyards. It’s an entirely possible scenario (although we’re not sure how often Bill visits Tanunda).

For many, reconditioned wastewater is taboo for consumption, but as Bill so prominently demonstrated, wastewater processing technology is a viable way of both hydrating our planet and reducing waste.

Which is why we’ve been working with some of Australia’s leading wineries to prove that wastewater can play an important role in wine production.

In a recently released report – Sustainable recycled winery water irrigation – we demonstrate how wineries could reuse their wastewater to safely irrigate their crops. Not only would the reuse of wastewater result in cost savings and better environmental practices, but it could even improve the quality and yield of the crops themselves.

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THE AUSTRALIAN AGRONOMIST SPRING ISSUE 2

Dr Anu Kumar. Credit: CSIRO

In fact, some of the participating wineries were so satisfied with the results that they have begun implementing our guidelines themselves.

Dr Anu Kumar The (Adelaide) hills are alive with sound of wine growing. Our lead scientist on the report, Dr Anu Kumar, and her team developed the guidelines after rigorous field, laboratory and glass house trials with participating wineries in the Barossa Valley, Riverina and McLaren Vale regions.

Anu and her team looked at the options for the reuse of wastewater on the vineyards – irrigation, evaporation and disposal – and found that, on the whole, irrigation was the most sustainable.

The study found that wastewater containing less than 60 mg per litre of sodium, 1250 mg per litre of potassium and 625+1084 mg per litre of sodium plus potassium (in combination) was safe for application on grapevines. Of particular interest, the nutrients and organic matter in winery wastewater can even enhance soil productivity, increasing crop growth and yield.

In fact, some of the participating wineries were so satisfied with the results that they have begun implementing our guidelines themselves.

But Anu and her team have been upfront in explaining this isn’t a one size fits all solution. For instance, wastewater can also increase soil salinity, which is bad news for healthy soil.

“It really isn’t a one-approach method,” said Anu. “Individual wineries need to discuss how they use wastewater with experts to ensure that guidelines are being adhered too, as well as the strict regulatory conditions.” When it comes to wastewater, there is much to consider.

Dr. Kumar and her research team will continue to work with their partners at the University of Adelaide and the Australian Grape and Wine Authority (AGWA) to share these findings with other wineries around Australia.

In a country like Australia that is so susceptible to drought conditions and water shortages, it’s important that we find more efficient and sustainable ways to use what can be such a scarce resource.

Now, to get Bill down to the Barossa for that glass of red…

In conjunction with Dr Kumar and her team, the Australian Grape and Wine Authority has published a useful resource kit which includes more information about winery wastewater management and recycling.

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NEW RESEARCH FACILITY BRINGS NEW TECHNOLOGIES The recent launch of a new agricultural solutions research farm in Tamworth, New South Wales, promises to bring revolutionary sustainability and productivity benefits for Australian agriculture.

Research at the farm will focus on developing a wide range of cropping solutions in representative Australian conditions, with the capacity to conduct over 100 trials at a time. The facility will enable Australian growers to more readily access cutting edge solutions across a range of economically valuable crops, to meet their future challenges.

Minister for Agriculture, the Hon. Barnaby Joyce, officially opened BASF’s AgSolution farm, signifying the valuable contribution it will make to Australian agriculture by fostering research, innovation and education.

The farm will play an important role in the process of maximising the performance of active ingredients for Australian growers before scaling up products to bring to market. It will complement research conducted in trials across Australia and globally. The future pipeline will build the breadth and depth of the portfolio on offer, including biological, nutrient and water management solutions.

Minister Joyce said, “The Tamworth region is an ideal location for the research, as it has climatic conditions and soil types representative of a wide range of strategically important agricultural production regions in Australia. The new BASF AgSolution farm in Tamworth brings with it a range of productivity benefits that will help Australian growers in the future.”

Photo Caption: BASF launch new AgSolution farm in Tamworth. Left to right: BASF opens new AgSolution farm in Tamworth. From left: Gavin Heard, Development and Regulatory Affairs, BASF; Tony Moskal, Head of Agriculture, BASF; Australia's Minister for Agriculture, Hon. Barnaby Joyce; and Ross Pilling, Chairman and Managing Director, BASF Australia and New Zealand.

The new AgSolution farm is an integral part of BASF’s long - term ability to drive productivity benefits in Australian agriculture and build local knowledge in collaboration with key distributors, grower groups, technical experts and government organisations.

Tony Moskal, Head of Agriculture, BASF Australia and New Zealand, said, “BASF is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, with a long heritage of innovation. Within the Crop Protection division, we invest around 10% of our annual sales globally in research and development to help bring innovative solutions to the market. This helps enable growers to overcome challenges and at the same time build a stronger scientific knowledge base.

By engaging with Australian farmers and listening to their specific needs, we’re now able to tailor our research programs to optimise product performance.”

The research facility is the seventh BASF AgSolution farm in the growing Asia Pacific region, bringing with it far reaching research, development and economic benefits.

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Photo Caption: Australia's Minister for Agriculture opens BASF's new AgSolution farm in Tamworth. From left: Ross Pilling, Chairman and Managing Director, BASF Australia and New Zealand; Australia's Minister for Agriculture, Hon. Barnaby Joyce; and Tony Moskal, Head of Agriculture, BASF Australia and New Zealand.

THE AUSTRALIAN AGRONOMIST SPRING ISSUE 2

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TURNING UP THE HEAT TO COMBAT CROP PESTS Microwaves and a mapping technology are being explored by the Department of Agriculture and Food to control weeds and pests in Western Australian grain crops.

The research was profiled today (24 February) at the 2015 WA Agribusiness Crop Updates, hosted by the department and the Grains Research and Development Corporation.

Laboratory experiments using a household microwave have found the technology can be effective at low doses to eradicate snails, while higher doses can effectively kill weed seeds.

“There is the potential to use microwaves to eradicate small areas of resistant or noxious weeds, such as ryegrass, skeleton weed or bedstraw.”

Department senior research officer John Moore said the experiment demonstrated that microwaves could be used successfully to control localised concentrations of snails or seeds.

John Moore

“Snails have long been a problem in the eastern states and now they are becoming an increasing problem in the WA broadacre sector with the increased use of lime, stubble retention and minimum tillage.”

Mr Moore said microwave technology could be incorporated into a slow moving autonomous rover that could travel at around one kilometre per hour to treat small areas of weed or pest infestations.

“This technology could be quite feasible to control snails at a cost of $10-20 per hectare, where there are small infestations,” he said.

Mr Moore said one benefit of microwave technology was that it could kill seeds in the soil – even while dormant.

“There is the potential to use microwaves to eradicate small

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areas of resistant or noxious weeds, such as ryegrass, skeleton weed or bedstraw,” he said.

“However, at the current cost of more than $100 per hectare, it is not likely to be widely adopted on a broadacre basis until the research is done to reduce the cost.”

The department is now collaborating with the University of Melbourne on projects to examine the application of this technology.

Mr Moore has also been working with Cordering grain grower Tim Harrington on developing a machine to detect and map contaminants in grain as it is being harvested.

The pair has designed a device to identify contaminants, such as weed seeds, insects, snails or diseases and record the time and location in the field so as to produce a paddock scale map.

The prototype device incorporates a collector, transporter, sensor, GPS and computer.

Mr Moore said the equipment had the potential to further advance precision agriculture.

“Development of this technology will assist growers to benchmark, evaluate and refine weed and pest control programs, while also reducing chemical controls and the risk of herbicide or pesticide resistance,” he said.

“The device could also aid early detection of invasive weeds and pests, enabling a more rapid and effective response.

“We are working towards paddock trials using these approaches in the next year or so.”

THE AUSTRALIAN AGRONOMIST SPRING ISSUE 2

NEW GRAIN TEAM TAKES RESEARCH FROM PLOT TO PADDOCK Six new regional research agronomy jobs have been created to help take agricultural research results from the grains laboratory to the commercial paddock.

Three regional research agronomists and three graduates have been appointed as part of a Regional Research Agronomist Program.

This program is funded by the Victorian Government and the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) as part their five-year $60 million Bilateral Research Agreement.

The staff will be located at Department of Economic Development Jobs Transport and Resources (DEDJTR) offices at Horsham, Hamilton and Bendigo, with graduates also doing placements with commercial agronomists and farmer groups in those regions.

Speaking about the new positions at the recent GRDC Adviser Updates in Ballarat, Professor Chris Blanchard, from the GRDC Southern Regional Panel said the new roles were part of a five-year program designed

to streamline the adoption of research findings in the grains industry.”

The new research agronomists will access, translate and adapt national research into southern Australia’s medium and high rainfall cropping zones,” Prof Blanchard said.”

They will design, establish, analyse and report on crop agronomy field trials and demonstrations in their regions.”

There will also be industry collaboration to help take research findings from the white peg to the paddock, as staff develop an important bridge between scientists, grower groups, advisors and agribusiness.”

The new program includes a cohort of three graduates to be appointed each year for three consecutive years as part of an Agronomist Development Program which will run for 18 months.

The graduates will undertake placements with agribusiness, growers groups and DEDJTR as a means of building capacity and capability for the grains sector.

DEDJTR Horsham research scientist and crop modeller Dr James Nuttall, has been appointed to the role of Senior Regional Research Agronomist.

Dr Nuttall is joined at Horsham by Regional Research Agronomist Ashley Wallace and graduate Jack Edwards, who recently graduated from the University of Sydney.

Regional Research Agronomist Frank Henry is working from the DEDJTR Hamilton office with graduate Madeleine Francis, who recently completed an Agricultural Science Degree at the University of Tasmania.

DEDJTR’s Seasonal Risk Agronomist, Dale Grey will work with La Trobe University graduate Julia Severi, at Epsom.

The graduates will also be supported by commercial agronomists Craig Drum, Tatyoon Rural Supplies, Rob Launder, AgriTech Rural and Greg Toomey, Landmark and the Southern Farming Systems and Birchip Cropping Group.

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By subscribing, you’re guaranteed an issue will reach you directly four times a year.

Subscription options: Subscribe online at www.theaustralianagronomist.com Mail to PO Box 812 Strathfieldsaye, VIC Australia 3551 or Email through your details to info@theaustralianagronomist.com

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YOU CAN HELP MAKE NEW PERSISTENT VARIETIES HAVE YOU NOTICED UNUSUAL PLANTS IN YOUR TRAVELS AROUND THE FARM OR THE LOCAL AREA THAT YOU HAVE THOUGHT WOULD HAVE POTENTIAL AS A PASTURE VARIETY? Perhaps you have a 30 year old pasture paddock that has survived the many recent drought years. If the answer is yes, read on and find out how you can be a part of developing a new variety.

Over the last 10 years the pasture industry in Australia has seen a decline in the number of public sector breeding programs for forage species. This responsibility has now been passed onto the private seed companies in Australia however very few have taken on the responsibility of breeding new varieties in Australia for Australian farmers. Breeding new varieties costs a lot of money; many perennial species can take up to 12 years to get to market at a cost of over $1 million each.

These collections were trialled in Australia; parents were selected and crosses where made to create new varieties. Some of the old varieties developed in this way include Sirosa phalaris, Currie cocksfoot, Demeter fescue and Medea perennial ryegrass.

Many companies have gone for the cheaper option of accessing varieties from overseas breeding programs and then selling them in Australia. "With greater variation in our climate over the last 30 years and the challenges that climatologist are predicting in the future imported varieties will not sustain our pasture industry."

Another method that was used to develop varieties was the natural selection method.

This was how the varieties Victorian ryegrass and Kangaroo Valley were developed. The origins of these varieties are that they evolved from seed imported from England in the 1850s. The climate in England is very different to most of temperate Australia; it has very cold winters and ideal conditions in summer for growth. Australia has most of its rainfall around winter, where most of the growth occurs followed by hot summers where growth is limited. The plants from this seed from England grew here for over 100 years before plant collections were made. Natural selection occurred over time and changed these plants to grow more in the winter and less in summer to suit our climate.

The answer for our future lies in the past.

A lot of the pasture species developed in Australia in the past were from collections of plants from North Africa and the Southern Mediterranean region. These were identified as having similar climatic conditions experienced in the temperate areas of Australia. These regions are also close to the centre of the origin of most traditional pasture species. Many Australian public breeders targeted the Middle Eastern region for their collections.

These two methods used in the past could now be combined to create new pasture varieties in Australia. This is where farmers can be involved in the breeding of a new variety. You may know of paddocks of a pasture species or pasture trials that have been there for a long time without renovation eg over 30 years. Or you may have notice unusual plants in your travels around the farm or the local area that you have thought would have potential as a pasture variety.

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THE AUSTRALIAN AGRONOMIST SPRING ISSUE 2

An example of a story such as these was the development of Camel perennial ryegrass.

A farmer at St Arnard contacted Valley Seeds to tell them that he had unusual looking perennial ryegrass growing on his farm. This may not sound unusual but the annual rainfall of St Arnard is 550mm, well below the range that ryegrass persists in. After collecting plants and evaluating them with further breeding and development, Camel perennial ryegrass was created.

The Australian pasture industry needs help from farmers to develop the next generation of persistent varieties. If you come across any plants that are of interest please give Anthony Leddin a call. Anthony is this years MLA Young Scientist of the Year recipient and plant breeder for Valley Seeds. Call Anthony on 0408 333 046 or an email on aleddin@valleyseeds. com and he will come along to collect some plants to start the process to develop a new persistent and productive variety.

“With greater variation in our climate over the last 30 years and the challenges that climatologist are predicting in the future imported varieties will not sustain our pasture industry”.

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NEW HORIZONS The key to better crop performance could be just 40cm away with a new initiative from the South Australian Government set to revolutionise the Agriculture may stand as a significant contributor to the GDP of the nation, but soil management is the key to making that impact far greater. In South Australia alone, current approaches to soil management have seen predictions of $200 million per annum growth in the sector over the next 20 years.

A new initiative of the South Australian Government and partners, however, proposes growth of up to $600 million per annum within 5 years.

While such a feat could be predicted to demand an overhaul of current land management practices, the South Australian Government’s ‘New Horizons’ project requires little change. In fact, the project involves precisely 40cm of change in an effort to use the first 50cm of the soil profile rather than simply ten. In doing so, the roots of crops planted in tilled soils are encouraged to move deeper into the sub-soil layer where they take up more water and nutrients.

The antiquated notion that only the top 10cm of soil needs to be managed in any agricultural scenario stems from 1940’s observations long since due for review. Much of the machinery of the era reached only 10cm beneath the soil surface with most plant roots concentrated in this area above harder to penetrate compacted soil.

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With the productive capacity of up to 40% of South Australia’s agricultural land affected by poor soils, the constraints to root growth in sub soils should pose reason enough to seek out alternative methods of soil management. As well as soil compaction creating a physical barrier to root growth, low fertility or nutrient deficient soils can leave soil moisture ineffectively used as roots cannot grow at sufficient depth. Likewise, soils with high salinity or pH prove hostile to root growth as do those with high concentrations of sodium and boron.

Despite strong evidence already existing in support of deeper growing roots gaining more moisture and nutrients, more research is needed. By working closely with farming groups, the New Horizons project aims to increase awareness and uptake of more advanced soil management techniques within not only South Australia but the nation as a whole. Research findings and evidence collected through the project will subsequently collated into an effective resource for farmers and agronomists for maximising productivity with minimal environmental interference.

With early evidence suggesting an average 70% increase in crop yield, the New Horizons Program aims to not only improve understanding of soil processes and productivity but determine reliable means of measuring soil modification benefits.

THE AUSTRALIAN AGRONOMIST SPRING ISSUE 2

SPOTLIGHT PLUS A NEW OPTION FOR DESICCATING POTATOES Agronomists in the potato industry will be able to offer growers a new herbicide for haulm desiccation this season, thanks to the recent registration of Spotlight Plus.

He explained that complete stem kill was essential to ensure that crop damage was minimised during harvest.

Spotlight Plus is used around the world as a safe and effective way to desiccate potato crops prior to harvest.

Although there is no harvest withholding period after Spotlight Plus application, it is recommended to delay harvest 14 to 21 days after application so to allow for maximum skin hardness therefore reducing potential damage during the harvest process.

“This means switching to Spotlight Plus for potato haulm desiccation is safer for spray operators and the environment,” he said.

“When recommending Spotlight Plus, Agronomists can be confident that as a contact product with no movement within the plant it cannot cause internal browning of tubers or damage to the crop,” he said.

Agronomists may already be familiar with Spotlight Plus for controlling suckers in grape vines and olives, or as a tank mix with a knockdown herbicide for hard-to-kill broadleaf weeds.

“Spotlight Plus also has an in-built adjuvant system designed to maximise efficacy and reduce drift,” Mr Neumann said.

“We are very pleased to be able to add this new option for potato growers and look forward to working with rural retailers on the potato industry as they introduce Spotlight Plus to their customers,” he said.

Jock Neumann, FMC’s Area Business Manager for South Australia, said Spotlight Plus was a welcome addition on the existing chemistry available for potato growers and offered a number of advantages.

“Spotlight Plus is highly effective at killing potato plant stems, not just the leaves,” Mr Neumann said. He also added that, “Spotlight Plus is renowned for its ability to stop re-growth from the desiccated crop.

This is important as regrowth reduces skin set and slows stolon detachment which then leads to damage during harvest and reduced post-harvest quality and shelf life”

In addition, he said Spotlight Plus was a non-scheduled poison with an excellent toxicological profile.

SNACK TO THE FUTURE Australians now snack four times as much as they did ten years ago, according to new consumer research, presenting a valuable opportunity for the vegetable industry to capitalise on this trend by creating more healthy snack options for Australians on the go.

The latest Project Harvest report, produced

by Colmar Brunton, has found that over the last decade snacking in Australia has increased by more than 400% in terms of frequency, penetration and monetary value.

The study has also indicated that consumers now have greater knowledge and expectations of their food’s nutritional value than they did a decade ago, which has created market openings for healthy, consumer-friendly snacks.

“Over the last ten years, we’ve seen busier Australian lifestyles push traditional meals aside in favour of more versatile single-serve items, leading to this rise in Australians consuming snack foods,” said AUSVEG Deputy CEO, Andrew White.

“At the same time, they’re increasingly aware of the specific health benefits they want from their foods and are looking for products that suit these needs.”

“Project Harvest has suggested that by putting consumer needs at the forefront of new product development, the vegetable industry can take full advantage of the increasing demand for healthy snacks.”

AUSVEG is the leading horticultural body representing 9,000 Australian vegetable and potato growers.

The research has identified that some consumers already regularly enjoy veggie favourites as snacks, with 37% of Australians crunching cucumber and 35% snacking on celery.

“We know people prioritise really quick, clean food options for snacks, and what we’ve found is that for a lot of consumers, raw vegetables like celery, cucumber and carrots fill that need – they take seconds to prepare and there’s very little waste,” said Mr White.

“This is a great chance for industry to capitalise on the snacking trend. There are already vegetable products internationally which are tailored to this market – for example, a snack pack product has recently been launched in South Africa which includes pre-cut cucumber wedges.”

“We’d encourage Australians to visit the vegetable aisle the next time they’re looking for a quick bite – a vegetable-rich diet is a vital part of a healthy lifestyle, and by turning to veggies for a between-meal snack they can make a real difference to their well-being.”

Project Harvest research is funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited using the National Vegetable Levy and funds from the Australian Government.

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FOCUS ON HEALTHY SOILS North Coast Local Land Services is celebrating the 2015 International Year of Soils through a range of projects and activities that focus on the importance of soil. Sustainable soil and land management is central to ensuring a healthy environment, productive food systems and improved rural livelihoods.

The UN General Assembly declared 2015 the International Year of Soils which aims to increase awareness and understanding of the importance of soil for food security and essential ecosystem functions.

North Coast Local Land Services has recently concluded a project that established 27 demonstration farms across a range of industries including grazing (beef, sheep & dairy) and cropping (vegetables, herbs and fodder) extending from Richmond catchment in the north to the Hastings catchment in the south and inland to the Tablelands.

The project, Action on the Ground – Best Management Practices of Carbon Management on Northern Rivers Farms, was supported by North Coast Local Land Services and Landcare Networks through funding received from the Australian Government.

Each farmer involved in the project was offered a financial incentive to adopt and implement land management practice changes with an aim to increase soil carbon in the soil, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, particularly nitrous oxide, and implement innovative practices.

Selina Miller, Land Services Officer with North Coast Local Land Services said, “Finding innovative ways to protect and enhance soil quality is important because soils are the basis for healthy food production.”

She continued, “Some of the practices implemented in this project included reducing or replacing inorganic nitrogen based fertiliser with applications of an organic soil amendment such as compost, compost tea, composted manures and chicken litter.”

“Our participants composted dairy solids and turned on-farm waste into woodchips and compost for mulching, they also adopted biological and conservational 50

farm practices including minimum till, direct seeding, leaving crop residues, rotational grazing and cell grazing.” Selina said.

“We were pleased with the outcomes achieved under this project, particularly soil organic carbon percentage change found in the surface 10 cm of soil between 2012 and 2014. Treated plots gained 0.43% and control plots (not treated) fell by 0.13%.

This difference was found to be statistically significant (P=98%) indicating a positive response to organic soil amendments applied and adoption of innovative practice changes.” Selina concluded.

In recognition of the International Year of Soils 2015, North Coast Local Land Services has announced sponsorship of the National Biological Farming Conference and Expo, convened by Soilcare Inc. The Conference will be held on 7 - 8 November at Southern Cross University in Lismore, NSW. The key objective of the conference is to facilitate the discussion of best-practice, sustainable agriculture and offer farmers and agri-businesses educational and networking opportunities.

Keynote speakers include international speakers who are world leaders in the field of biological farming and award-winning farmers who have been recognised for their leadership and innovative farming practices.

Lindy Brown, Team Leader Land Services, said of the sponsorship, “We’re excited to be involved with a forum that will advance biological farming systems and address issues of productivity and sustainability.”

She continued, “Healthy soil is critical for food security and a sustainable future for the North Coast, it is vital that we all continue to improve the health of our soil resource.”

North Coast Local Land Services is continuing to invest in a number of soil health projects in the coming years with investment from the Australian Government National Landcare Programe.

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