Tuesday, March 19, 2024

CATEGORY

Research

Respiratory viruses fall victim to tea tree oil’s virucidal vigour: AgriFutures Australia

Deeper understanding of the anti-viral activity of tea tree oil opens doors to animal and human health applications. While tea tree oil is relatively well-known for its ability to treat a range of bacterial and fungal infections, new research has confirmed the homegrown essential oil could also be a valuable tool in the fight against respiratory viruses in livestock and humans.

Improved margin outlook for Australia’s upcoming winter crop – Rabobank

Australia’s grain growers are looking to improved prospects in the season ahead, with 2024/25 gross margins set to increase on the back of a lower cost of production, Rabobank says in newly-released research report ... The report, Australia’s winter crop gross margins – which analyses winter crop performance from 2017/2018 – forecasts 2024/25 average gross margins for the three major Australian winter crops (wheat, barley and canola)...

Eco-acoustics – Understanding the forest through listening: DBCA

A scientific survey is being carried out in the Perth Hills, near Mundaring. Scientists are seeking to better understand the health of the forest through the simple art of listening. Using the emerging science of eco-acoustics, researchers are monitoring forest soundscapes to better understand and benchmark ecosystem health.

Record lamb slaughter reduces flock size

After three years of consecutive growth, the Australian sheep flock is set to decrease by 2.9 per cent to 76,500,000 in 2024, according to the latest Sheep Industry Projections from Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA). During the 2020-2022 rebuild phase, producer focus on productivity and genetics has led to impressive marking rates across the sheep flock.

Addressing El Niño misconceptions: BCG Trials Review Day

Understanding climate indicators was a key message from BCG’s Climate Expert Kate Finger, who presented BCG’s Trials Review Day ... The senior researcher explained to the 170 plus farmers and advisers in attendance that a declaration of an El Niño, as happened last year, “did not always equal drought.”

Microgrid research will benefit renewable energy needs of country Australia: Charles Sturt University

A Charles Sturt University team is researching the deployment of microgrid projects that aim to meet the energy needs of regional communities in Australia ... The team’s research explores a range of topics relating to microgrid business models, ownership structure and project financing.

Mystery coin

Ian Hutton. Some years ago Island resident, Esven Fenton, brought a very worn copper coin to the Museum. Esven had found this on the ground close to the site where Perry and Sarah Johnston had their cottage on the south side of Capella hill.

New species recorded in Lord Howe Island Marine Park

Summer has proven to be an exciting time for observing new fish species in the Lord Howe Island Marine Park (LHIMP). Three species not previously recorded in the marine park have recently been reported: a potbelly seahorse (Hippocampus abdominalis), seawhip goby (Bryaninops yongei) and lattice butterflyfish (Chaetodon rafflesii).

CSIRO breakthrough to boost disease resistance in crops 

Scientists at CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, have achieved a breakthrough in molecular plant pathology, marking a technological leap forward for breeding durable disease-resistant crops. Plant pathogens – organisms which cause plant diseases - greatly reduce agricultural productivity and are a persistent threat to global food security.  

GRDC leads $42m initiative to bolster biosecurity for Australia’s grain growers: GRDC

A groundbreaking $42.7 million national biosecurity initiative led by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) in partnership with five state government departments is set to transform the effectiveness and responsiveness of Australia’s grains biosecurity system. The six-year initiative will use state-of-the-art technology and processes to improve Australia’s ability to rapidly detect and accurately diagnose exotic pests and plant diseases...

Controversial biosecurity levy attracts fresh criticism: NFF

Another independent body has ... raised concerns the Government’s proposed Biosecurity Protection Levy “does not pass critical scrutiny”, validating the claims of Australia’s 85,000 farming families. Independent academics from the Australian National University's Tax and Transfer Policy Institute (TTPI) have backed widespread condemnation of the Government’s proposed policy which is due to come into effect in just a matter of months. 

Cattle methane

Cattle Australia has urged the federal government to rethink the role of methane in the beef industry in its decisions on how Australia will tackle climate change in the future. CA, which is the peak council for the grassed beef sector, said a single focus on absolute emissions reduction under current carbon dioxide-equivalent accounting frameworks was detrimental for the beef industry.

Invasive weed could be turned into a viable economic crop: UniSA

One of the most invasive Australian weeds is being touted as a potential economic crop, with benefits for the construction, mining and forestry industries, and potentially many First Nations communities. The prickly paddy melon weed, which costs the agricultural industry around $100 million a year in lost grain yields, cattle deaths, and control measures, could turn into an unlikely money spinner...

Latrobe Valley’s future in hydrogen

Hydrogen and the potential of Gippsland and its industries to play a role in the hydrogen technologies seen as crucial for the energy transition are set for a higher profile in the region, with Federation University in Churchill the focal point ... “The aim was to bring these players to one platform... ": Professor Surbhi Sharma.

The rise of insecticide resistance in the redlegged earth mite: AgriFutures Australia

Insecticide resistance in redlegged earth mites (RLEM) has been closely monitored over the last 15 years ... The RLEM poses a significant threat to establishing crops and pastures across the southern growing regions of Australia.

Snap into innovation: Australia’s crocodile industry unveils RD&E plan: AgriFutures Australia

... a significant milestone for the developing Australian crocodile industry ... the launch of the Australian Crocodile Industry RD&E Plan 2024-2029 ... The recently finalised plan is designed to assist Australia’s 21 operators in capitalising on the industry’s recent growth and expansion across the country.

Investment in research and development crucial for advancing Australian agriculture: ABARES

Research and development (R&D) funding for Australian agriculture in the fiscal year 2022-23 amounted to $2.32 billion, according to a new report from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES). Acting Executive Director of ABARES David Galeano said that while this figure was slightly lower than the previous year's $2.35 billion, it demonstrated the sustained commitment to increasing agricultural technology and knowledge.

GRDC invests $1.9m in research for climate-resilient crops

The GRDC has partnered with the Australian National University (ANU) and industry partners to invest in research to accelerate the development of climate-resilient crops … investment will focus on the development of heat tolerant wheat genetics, as well as determining what makes a wheat crop able to survive, grow and produce yields under high-temperature conditions.

Australian almond sector set for “year of growth”: Rabobank

The Australian almond industry is on track to enjoy a "much better year in 2024", Rabobank says in a newly-released report, with producers expecting to see margin improvement thanks to lower input prices, affordable water prices and high water availability, better climatic conditions and improving export prices.

‘Trading places’ – the slowly changing face of Australia’s dairy trade: Rabobank

Australia’s dairy import and export mix is "slowly trading places" – with export volumes falling sharply in recent years while imports have spiked, Rabobank says in a newly- released report.

Report shows Australian horticulture’s mixed fortunes: Hort Innovation

New data shows mixed fortunes for an Australian horticulture sector facing numerous challenges; however, the long-term outlook remains strong with total production value increasing by 2.8 per cent to $16.3B. The latest edition of the Australian Horticulture Statistics Handbook ... includes information on 75 different horticulture categories across fruit, vegetables, nuts, and greenlife.

New data reveals why SA jetties are worth saving: LGASA

New research shows the South Australian economy could lose over $103 million every year if jetties along our coastlines ceased to exist, supporting calls for the State Government to increase funding for repairs and maintenance. Released by the Local Government Association, the Value of Jetties report for the first time places a dollar figure on just how much jetties are worth to SA communities and the economy.

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