Professional Development Day 21 Nov 2007
Venue: Dept of Agriculture and Food
Barron Hay Court South Perth
Topics
Sheep Genetics Johan Greef
Purpose: To improve product over time, more wool, quality of wool, meat etc. With genetics changes are permanent over time c.f. other methods of improving output Breeding for one trait can cause problems down the track i.e. Breed for fleece weight increase selects for lower body fat which in tougher environmental conditions results in lower breeding rates and lower success with lamb survival (milk production lower). Program from 1988 breeding for resistance to intestinal worms 95% success rate, ie no. of worms in the bred group down c.f. control group 95% Research is being done in the Eastern states with regards to genetic adaptation of the worms to the change in the resistant sheep. No results at this stage. These programs are selective breeding programs. Though the trend is towards identifying genes responsible for certain traits this is not a reliable way to identify sheep now. It may become more interesting in future. No splicing is being done at this stage.
Fruit Fly Tour Rose Fogliani
Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata) Not in South Australia. Sterile males are sent to SA to eliminate infestations when discovered. Funded partly by SA government. See www.agric.wa.gov.au
European House Borer program Danica Collins researcher
Most prevalent in Germany. Larval stage up to 18 years, consuming untreated pine, detritovores Purpose: no. of houses in WA with pine roofing timbers since mid-90’s is substantial Largest infestation is Gnangara pine plantation, north of Perth. Neighbouring Ellenbrook has had approximately 2000 homes built in this time. Original find was Parkerville (Perth hills) in an ornamental beam in a lounge room. Timber was traced back to Murdoch plantation, south of Perth. Plantation is now not there and a remnant timber stand was found to be contaminated. Look out for exit holes, oval with long axis parallel to grain Current research is pointing to sound detection being the most viable way to find the pest inside wood. The bite sound is characteristic by species. Adults tend to lay eggs on the original wood they grew in. Flight is not common but is known as the timber is finished with the female will look for another host. Summer is flight season. If you have any untreated pine around get rid of it before summer. Website access www.ehb.wa.gov.au Contact DAFWA Communications Dept. for incursions
Climate Change Ian Foster
Implications for agriculture in WA Models show little variability to 2050 plus 1 – 1.5 degrees C After 2050 the implications of decisions made today will impact with maximum effects felt around 2200 These maximums will be determined by actions taken between now and 2050 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report worth accessing, represents 10’s of thousands of papers being read and compared. Issues touched on: Impact of natural releases of carbon due to warming eg. permafrost melting, decomposing and release of methane (carbon molecule); photosynthesis will only take up so much before saturation is reached and many species have optimum temperature ranges for use of carbon in photosynthesis; North and south poles are behaving very differently – ice melting fast in north, Antarctic ice is decreasing but much more slowly – due to physical reasons. Warming is greatest in polar regions Typically Mediterranean climate regions around the world are worst hit by temperature changes and rainfall reduction. Deforestation is responsible for rainfall reductions in rainforest regions. Some evidence of this in WA but this is not the whole story as we have experienced fewer low pressure systems and cold fronts. Urban planning to incorporate green areas to cool micro-climates. We know what needs to be done but regulations and advice is not being observed or valued. Mandate and change will happen. Crop Modelling future impacts by districts – yields decrease across the board but Wandering and Corrigin yields are projected to rise and stay the same respectively. These two areas have different soil types that have a bearing on this. These projections take no impact on adapting existing systems, crop genetics or land use changes in to consideration. Economics also drive trends as much as what climate change can. This year’s low yields will pay high prices per tonne somewhat negating impacts. Cost of imports also has impacts mainly through the cost of fuels that make up transport and processing proportions of pricing. Trend in SW WA is for the least change in crop production from Gingin to Albany along the coast. And yet the expansion of population growth is also happening in this region diminishing the amount of arable land in this prime area. Community changes are also making an impact. Children are not following their parents in to farming as much as they used to. Marginal farming areas are closing down crop production. Perhaps room for rationalisation of wheat farming? Salinity changes and rainfall reduction: slows the salinity increase as water recharge is what lifts the salt to the surface. It however just changes the timeframe, it will not stop the change itself. Carbon trading + above rationalisation + revegetation = reducing CO2 and salinity Ultimately a strong intergenerational issue with commensurate moral implications.
www.ioci.org.au and www.agric.wa.gov.au
Organic Farming Steve McCoy
About whole systems not just avoiding chemicals. About balance. Conventional farming doesn’t look at the biology of the soil like organics do. Conventional farming more at risk to pest and disease though production levels might be good. Market growing 20% per year and becoming more mainstream. Why? Safety, nutrition, taste, environment issues, animal welfare, social reasons Strong regulatory framework has been established from which prosecutions have been successfully done. This is to be made an Australian Standard for national congruency. Neighbouring properties can contaminate an organic farming property so negotiation is a key part of the process. Dept supports farmers scientifically and in market development.
Compost Technology Bob Paulin
Environmental concerns drive composting – agric fertiliser runoff Predominance of waste and % of waste that is organic Landfill costs Australia 3 times cf. damage caused by salinity Compost a solution for fertilising – after 2 years no need for fertilisers/pesticides Balance nutrients Simple technology Two stages: Thermophylic (hot) then Mesophylic (cooling) maturing phase Stage 1 = pasteurisation ~ 20 days Stage 2 = compost that can be stored Degrades organic substances, problems come from contaminants such as glass, chemicals. Compost can be created for your needs. Cost savings in money saved on fertiliser alone. Growers need to become aware of the alternative available. Composting increases soil carbon and reduces nitrogen in ground waters. Increases soil biological activity reducing pests and diseases. Reduces water loss through evaporation and leaching. Soil holds more water. Creates a lighter soil better aerated great for root health. The microbial activity stimulated in the soil drives soil productivity. With regards given to sustainability for the long term composting is an alternative for the entire community. Relationship btwn city and farm land will change. Do we want to produce or import our food? "Sustainable community is about soils" Civilisations have failed because soils have failed. Soils provide food, clean water, and clean air via plants. Sensible regional planning is necessary and crucial for city viability long term. Planning for future development of WA needs to consider regional areas first and city needs second.
Quarantine Issues Peter Davis
Exotic pests’ identification is important Speed is an issue. V. interesting
Science Graduates Needed Darryl Hardie
CRC Plant Biosecurity +50 y.o. average age of entomologists in WA Business is attractive for the money but boring, science involves talking across many disciplines and is interesting The resource sector and manual skills demand is temporary/cyclical Science is long term, always needed and sexy! Only 1 taxonomist in WA that works identifying insects for the dept.! Engineers, computer programmers, all are required Impression is that high school makes science seem the most difficult of subjects so kids aren’t choosing them Community doesn’t pay scientists what their future impact on our economy is worth. Science is fun. Let’s show kids how.
Attendees:
Richard Joyce Teacher Dawson Park Primary School Steve Craik Principal Atwell College Martyn Cresswell Teacher Edney Primary School Amanda Lobegeiger Science Teacher Carmel Adventist College Athol Grosse Science Teacher Carmel Adventist College Kate Cunningham Science Teacher Forrestfield Senior High School Anne Mawhirt Science Teacher Forrestfield Senior High School Shirley Duggleby Teacher Edney Primary School Trevor Sholson Science Teacher CAPS School, Coolgardie Sandy Pascoe Teacher Bibra Lake Primary School