AG in FOCUS Winter 2011-12

In this issue

Incorporating research and development news from:

Bright future for wool industry

Sheep provide insight into value of saltbush

Curtailing the constraints to boost yields

AG in F CUSWinter 2012

Building better businesses

Department ofAgriculture and Food

X30 Console - Complete control any way you want to see it

Unique drag-and-drop interface puts complete precision farming solutions just a touch away. X30 console gives all-in-one control of guidance, autosteering, sprayer, spreader, planter control, mapping, data management, and more. Let your Topcon dealer point you to System 350 with the X30 console. See how quickly and easily you can turn touch into action.

Easy Touch, Easy Go

www.topconpa.com

System 350 with optional AES-25 Electric Steering

3AG in Focus Winter 2012 www.kondiningroup.com.au

AG in Focus WA is a partnership publication between Kondinin Group and WA’s leading agricultural research bodies and industry experts. A unique publication, AG in Focus WA delivers the latest research and innovations that are of most relevance to agriculture, with the aim of helping you improve the productivity, profitability and sustainability of your farming operation.

What is AG in Focus WA

Contents

4

9

20

Department of Agriculture and Food, WAMain office: 3 Baron-Hay Court, South Perth WA 6151Mailing address: Locked Bag 4, Bentley Delivery Centre WA 6983P: (08) 9368 3333 F: (08) 9474 2405E: [email protected]: www.agric.wa.gov.au

AG in F CUSMaking a difference in drought 4-5

Planning for profit 5

Building business resilience 6

Group works to boost yields 7

Alternatives for unproductive soils 8

Boosting profit from Yield Prophet® 9

Prepared for anything 10

Wool profits from student research 11

New research targets wild radish 12

Crop root study to boost Australian grain production 14

Toxin profile of head blight revealed 16

Boosting canola yields in high rainfall zones 19

Saltbush leaves sweet taste in your mouth 20

Establishing sub-tropical grasses in the South West 23

Managing the farm from the phone 25

Our cover: Brad Smith at his Eradu property is going online to improve returns from his cropping enterprise.Photo: DAFWA

DISCLAIMER: This publication is for information purposes only. The publisher and its agents or employees shall not be liable for any loss or damage suffered by any person as a result of reliance on any of the contents hereof, whether such loss or damage arises from the negligence or misrepresentation or any act or omission of the publisher or its agents.

The opinions expressed in AG in FOCUS are not necessarily those of Kondinin Information Services. © Kondinin Information Services 2011. All material appearing in AG in FOCUS is the subject of copyright owned by Kondinin Group and is protected under the Australian Copyright Act (1968), international copyright and trademark law. No portion may be reproduced or duplicated by any process without the prior written permission of Kondinin Group.

AG in Focus WA is published by Kondinin GroupMailing address: PO Box 78, Leederville WA 6902P: (08) 6316 1355 F: (08) 6263 9177E: [email protected]: www.kondiningroup.com.au

Corrigin Farm Improvement GroupAnita StoneSecretaryPO Box 2, Corrigin WA 6375E: [email protected] W: www.cfig.asn.au

Evergreen FarmingErin GorterExecutive OfficerPO Box 231, Kojonup WA 6395P: (08) 9833 7524W: www.evergreen.asn.au

Facey GroupFelicity AstburyExecutive OfficerPO Box 129, Wickepin WA 6370P: (08) 9888 1223F: (08) 9888 1295W: www.faceygroup.asn.au

Fitzgerald Biosphere GroupPO Box 49, Jerramungup WA 6337P: (08) 9835 1127F: (08) 9835 1329W: www.fbg.org.au

Liebe GroupChris O’CallaghanExecutive OfficerPO Box 340, Dalwallinu WA 6609P: (08) 9661 0570F: (08) 9661 0575W: www.liebegroup.asn.au

Mingenew-Irwin GroupJane BradleyExecutive OfficerPO Box 6, Mingenew WA 6522P: (08) 9928 1645F: (08) 9928 1540W: www.mingenew-irwin.asn.au

North East Farming FuturesChris WheatcroftExecutive OfficerPO Box 478, Geraldton WA 6531P: (08) 9971 1471F: (08) 9971 1284W: www.neffgroup.com.au

Ravensthorpe AgriculturalInitiative NetworkRodger WalkerProject OfficerPO Box 292,Ravensthorpe WA 6346P: (08) 9838 1018F: (08) 9838 1635

SEPWANiki CurtisExecutive OfficerPO Box 365, Esperance WA 6450P: (08) 9083 1125W: www.sepwa.org.au

Southern DIRTErin GorterExecutive OfficerM: 0429 833 752E: [email protected]

WA No TillageFarmers AssociationDavid MinkeyExecutive OfficerMO82, UWA,35 Stirling Highway,Crawley WA 6009P: (08) 6488 1647W: www.wantfa.com.au

West Midlands GroupHellene McTaggartExecutive OfficerPO Box 100,Dandaragan WA 6507P: (08) 9651 4008F: (08) 9651 4107W: www.wmgroup.org.au

Grower Group Contacts

At a glanceThe Drought Pilot has demonstrated a •preparedness and quick response to drought assistance, generating greater short and long term benefits than slower traditional drought assistance packages.

More than 2200 people attended •DAFWA’s Plan, Prepare and Prosper workshops, which have been extended to another 200 places for businesses.

$16.3 million worth of Business Grants •have been administered by DAFWA to improve rural business operations.

As the Drought Pilot initiative winds up at the end of June, the program has shown there is a better way of providing support than existing Exceptional Circumstance (EC) assistance.

The Federal Government is now completing a review of the Drought Pilot and considering a new drought policy, having recently declared the nation ‘drought free’ for the first time in more than a decade.

Meanwhile, the Western Australian Pilot has demonstrated the success of a proactive ‘hands-up’ approach, rather than traditional ‘handouts’.

The Pilot was immediately put to the test when it was launched in April 2010, with a ‘one in 100 year’ drought across much of the State.

It enabled assistance to be triggered immediately, rather than waiting for two years to qualify for EC assistance, which would not have been achieved as 2011 was an average year.

As a result, people in crisis received support when they needed it – not two years later – with the Federal Government providing Centrelink income support, a Healthcare card and family counselling in large numbers.

The Department of Agriculture and Food played a central role in the Pilot developing the Plan, Prepare and Prosper workshops, delivered to more than 2200 people across the State.

The workshops will continue in the 2012-2013, with funding available for another 200 places for eligible businesses as part of a suite of department capacity building activities.

“This new series will link with other business development programs run by the department,” Director General Rob Delane said (see story adjacent).

“The department will tailor the workshops to the specific needs of regions and industries and will make improvements in response to feedback from previous workshops.

“These training programs are part of a range of activities and tools for farmers in 2012-13 to help them improve profitability and deal with business challenges.”

The five-day free workshops are designed to improve the participants financial and business skills and resilience and address

issues like their work/life balance and succession planning.

The workshops also provide a forum for communities to come together and share the strategies for coping with variable seasonal conditions.

There has been positive feedback from the workshops about their value. Four testimonies are documented on the department’s website.

Initial surveys also showed the perception of participants of being drought-prepared rose from 23 to 59 per cent during the workshops, with confidence in implementing business plans rising from 52 to 89 per cent. Confidence in the future also rose from 64 to 85 per cent.

The workshops were complemented by Business Grants, which were provided by the Commonwealth to help build business resilience and were administered by the department.

To date, more than $16.3 million has been approved for a wide range of investments, including business training, liming, machinery and erosion treatments.

While the Drought Pilot closes on June 30, 2012 the Commonweath has announced a Centrelink Transitional Farm Family Payment (TFFP) package of income support for farm families in need. Contact 1800 050 585 for more details.

For more information about the Drought Pilot and the Plan, Prepare and Prosper workshops see the department’s homepage www.agric.wa.gov.au or call 1800 198 231.


More than 900 rural and regional businesses across our vast State are stronger and more resilient as a result of the State and Federal Governments Drought Pilot program.

Making a difference in drought

DAFWA: Business resilience

Natalie Bowman (left) and her father Dennis Madgen, husband Leon and son Murray with a new sprayer bought with assistance from a Drought Pilot Business Grant. The Bowmans benefitted greatly from attending the Plan, Prepare and Prosper workshops.

4 AG in Focus Winter 2012 www.kondiningroup.com.au

Planning for profitA new workshop to help rural businesses improve farm profitability will be launched in spring.The Planning for Profit workshops, developed by the Department of Agriculture and Food, will focus on how to increase profitability by addressing the key drivers of profit — price, yield and costs.

The program will help participants identify strategies to influence these key profit drivers to potentially generate small and large profit gains.

Although the workshops will complement the Plan, Prepare and Prosper workshops (previously part of the Drought Pilot program), participants don’t need to have completed them to attend the Planning for Profit modules.

The workshops will commence in the low to medium rainfall areas, as part of the department’s Pathways to Resilience initiative, but will also link into other programs such as the North Eastern Agricultural Region (NEAR) Strategy.

Department Director General Rob Delane said the workshops were another step in the department’s endeavours to support farmers to build better farm businesses in Western Australia.

“The new workshops are an ideal step for people in farm businesses who want to focus more closely on the bottom line,” he said.

“We are bringing together expertise from across the department to give rural businesses the means to maximise their profits — whatever the season or state of the global economy.

“We’re all about working together to help people make better decisions, by developing the training, models and tools to do so.”

To register your interest in the Planning for Profit workshops call Natalie Hogg 9690 2081 or email [email protected].


Case study: Never too knowledgeable to learn something new

Property Profile Farmers: Natalie and Leon Bowman, sons Ashleigh (19) and Murray (18)

Location: Glen Hartley, Grass Patch, 85km north west Esperance

Property size: 9200ha (8000ha arable)

Average annual rainfall: 350mm

2010 rainfall: 302mm

Enterprises: wheat, barley, peas, canola, beef cattle

Natalie and Leon Bowman have attended many farm business workshops over the years, but they found the Drought Pilot program’s Plan, Prepare and Prosper workshops a worthwhile investment.

The couple participated in the five-day workshops during 2010-11, seeing it as an opportunity to update their strategic plan.

Mrs Bowman said as a result, the couple now had a much stronger plan for the future.

“The workshops forced us to look 10 years ahead – something you don’t do very often – and think this is where we want to be, how we need to get there and to break that down step by step,” she said.

“We now have a much more thorough business plan as a result.”

The couple particularly enjoyed networking with other farmers during the workshops.

“It was interesting sharing ideas with other people about what we could be doing to solve problems in different ways,” Mrs Bowman said.

Although the family had been through a lot of succession planning in recent years, the workshops provided an opportunity to reopen the discussion.

“It was good to think about the next step, especially with our teenage sons getting older,” Mrs Bowman said.

The Plan, Prepare and Prosper workshops are broken into five modules: introduction to strategic planning, managing finances, balancing life, managing the farm environment and bringing it all together.

The couple found sessions on equity ratios and benchmarking particularly interesting and adding value to their existing knowledge base.

While the Bowmans operation hasn’t changed radically as a result of their completion of the Plan, Prepare and Prosper workshops, Mrs Bowman said they have given them greater confidence about the future.

“They really helped to affirm that we’re on the right track.”

Farm businesses do not have to be experiencing drought to attend the workshop.

In fact, like the Bowmans, many growers who have experienced the impact of the wet 2011 harvest will find the workshops re-tailored to address this development.

“Last season started extremely dry, then we had small but regular rain from May until early August, which allowed our crops to grow well. But then it all stopped and because there was no subsoil moisture they did not hang on well,” Mrs Bowman said.

“When the rain finally arrived in late October it was too late for much of them. Since then, the rain has not stopped. Throw in the odd bits of hail and some frost and harvest was a very difficult process.”

Regardless of what 2012 brings, Mrs Bowman urged farmers to attend the workshops.

For more information about the Plan, Prepare and Prosper workshops visit www.agric.wa.gov.au.

Grass Patch growers Leon and Natalie Bowman attended the Plan, Prepare and Prosper workshops, which gave them greater confidence about the future.

Section: Slug

AG in Focus Winter 2012 www.kondiningroup.com.au6

DAFWA: Business analysis

Building business resilience Department of

Agriculture and Food

The keys to business resilience and landholders’ ability to adapt to climate and price volatility are being examined by a wide-ranging survey of Western Australian growers.

At a glance:A new collaborative research project •will analyse 10 years of production data from 250 growers across WA to examine how producers adapt to climate variability.

Analysis will include a socio-•managerial survey to determine the role of community and farm families in building farm business resilience.

The results will be used to identify •opportunities to boost business resilience.

A decade worth of on-farm and social data from 250 landholders across the State’s agricultural regions will be analysed as part of new research to build business resilience.

The Adaptive Capacity and Adaption Strategies of Australian Farmers Experiencing Climate Change and Climate Variability project was initiated by the Department of Agriculture and Food and funded by the National Climate Change Research Adaptation Facility.

The project takes a holistic approach to studying resilience in farming over a decade. Researchers will investigate business characteristics and social factors that lead farms to be profitable.

The department is working collaboratively with three WA farm management consultancies – Farmanco, Planfarm and Evans and Grieve and Associates – as well as with researchers from Curtin University, CSIRO, the University of Western Australia and the University of the Sunshine Coast.

Department chief economist Professor Ross Kingwell is leading the $250,000 project.

Professor Kingwell said the project was relevant to all growers because price volatility and season volatility over the past decade were likely to be repeated during the next decade.

“The consultants have provided 10 years of production records to 2011-2012 – kept confidential – for each grower,” he said.

“We will be able to see how farms have tracked during that period, particularly those that have experienced a lot of climate variability.

“Irrespective of the regions or the decade, growers have faced some considerable challenges and we want to know what sort of systems worked and where in the State farm businesses have performed well.”

A socio-managerial survey, with questions about what social clubs growers have attended and for what length of time, will look to determine how the community in which a grower lives affects his or her farming operation and profits.

“Growers’ ability to cope and adapt depends not only on personality traits, but also family and community support,” Professor Kingwell said.

“The assessment of the growers and their communities will be wide-ranging, involving questions on all aspects of their farming practises and social lives, so we can get a detailed picture of the social capital that farmers draw upon.”

With the main portion of the data to be analysed in August 2012, Professor Kingwell said it was too early to tell what recommendations would be drawn from the project results.

“We are confident that strong trends will appear, such as what information services are the most useful resources and what impact good farm management has had on profits,” he said.

“For example, it may be revealed that the most profitable growers not only used all available information sources but also consulted with their families neighbours and community members.

“Similarly, growers with a certain personality trait or characteristic may be linked to higher profit at the end of a good season.

“In poor years, their yields and losses may be no different to their neighbours’, but the profitable growers manage to do things a little better in the good years by better using available information or social networks.”

Once the trends have emerged, the department and other stakeholders will be able to target support and investments to help build business resilience, statewide.

The main analysis of the on-farm and social data is expected to be finished in December 2012 and released early next year.

Professor Kingwell said the project would complement other department initiatives, such as the Bridging the Yield Gap and Pathways to Resilience programs.

contact Professor Ross KingwellChief Economist P: (08) 9368 3225E: [email protected]

Department of Agriculture and Food chief economist Professor Ross Kingwell.


At a glanceBridging the Yield Gap• was initiated by the Department of Agriculture and Food in 2010 to help boost yields and profitability in the medium-high rainfall area.

Local Innovation Partnerships• are being piloted in 2012 between DAFWA, established grower groups and other independent groups of growers to address specific constraints to crop production.

Initial groups have been established •at Brookton-Beverley, Ravensthorpe (RAIN) and the Northern Agri-Group (Northampton – Binnu), with discussions being held with other groups.

colin Butcher is one of about 15 growers at Brookton and Beverley participating in a pilot Local Innovation Partnership, established as part of the Department of Agriculture and Food’s Bridging the Yield Gap (BYG) initiative.

The group is working with the department to analyse obstacles in the way of boosting grain yields in the area.

Mr Butcher said although he was unsure of his wheat yield potential, he knew it could be improved.

“I believe we could see a 25-30 per cent increase in yield in our area, if we could get control of some of the constraints,” he said.

“I think over the medium term, say about three years, a 10 per cent increase in profit margin could be achievable if we start to implement some of these ideas.”

Mr Butcher is keen to explore issues like agronomic constraints, management and modifying the mix of enterprises to improve profitability.

“I have always thought it would be worthwhile to achieve more of our potential yield. The BYG program focuses on enabling us to investigate some of the options to achieve this,” he said.

“Achieving an ideal sowing time has always been tricky for us, so we’re looking at what we can do to be ready to go at the right time.

“Getting the right mix between sheep and grains is another focus. This has traditionally been an intensive livestock grazing area so ensuring we have the optimal mix that gives us the best overall profitability is what we are looking at.”

Mr Butcher said one of the biggest constraints facing his property was the variety and type of soils on his property, including non-wetting gravels and sands, which he believes could be turned into opportunities.

“We have some highly acidic subsoils and some very difficult duplex soils that cause waterlogging in some seasons,” he said.

“In the long run we need to find out the best techniques to be able to use these soils more effectively.”

While the BYG focus is on improving grains profitability, these pursuits link into

other on-farm enterprises to which the department can provide support.

Other issues on Mr Butcher’s agenda include improving the performance of his pastures, for the benefit of both his cropping program and sheep, as well as investing in the health of his sheep by investigating the use of lick feeders as part of his supplementary feeding program.

He is also looking to benefit from what others in the group are examining, like stubble management, growing serradella on sandy soils, managing silver grass, labour management and purchasing bulk chemicals.

As the season progresses, the Local Innovation Partnership group will share resources while implementing different strategies to get a consensus about what works best.

Mr Butcher said the BYG project was a great way to tap into the department’s research and support to back up modifications to his programs.

“The BYG project asks us to set some goals, so rather than just randomly implementing ideas, we can try to determine how quickly we can reach those targets or whether or not they are unrealistic and we need to adjust them,” he said.

“It has given us access to information that was available in the department that we probably weren’t aware of. It would appear that BYG’s not only helping growers, but it is giving the department a focus as well and the partnership will be mutually beneficial.”

For more information about the BYG program visit www.agric.wa.gov.au/byg

contact Jamie BowyerDevelopment Officer (Innovation Partnership Groups)P: (08) 9368 3135E: [email protected]


Brookton grain grower Colin Butcher is confident he can significantly increase his wheat yields – and subsequent profits – by at least 10 per cent by overcoming soil constraints and sowing a higher proportion of crop earlier.

case study Farmer: Colin Butcher

Location: 20km north east of Brookton

Property size: 3200ha

Average annual rainfall: 420-450mm

Enterprises: 65% cropping (wheat, barley, lupins canola, oaten hay)35% grazing (2500 Dorper ewes)

Brookton grower Colin Butcher is working with a Bridging the Yield Gap Local Innovation Partnership to improve crop performance and profitability.

Group works to boost yields

DAFWA: Business partnerships


At a glanceA project in the North Eastern •Agricultural Region aims to improve the profitability of farm enterprises by making better use of unproductive soils.

A recent survey has shown 10 per cent •of soils in the region are consistently unprofitable.

Subdivision to facilitate the sale of •land for alternate land uses, such as carbon farming, is being explored as a tool for economic development.

The Changing Land Use of Unproductive Soils project, which is a part of the North Eastern Agricultural Region (NEAR) Strategy, aims to boost landholders’ resilience and drought preparedness by making more effective use of lesser quality soil types.

The Department of Agriculture and Food initiative partners with the Department of Planning and Land Insights, an experienced land planning consultancy, and is funded jointly by the department and the Rural Business Development Corporation.

Department development officer Mike Clarke said a recent study revealed about 10 per cent of soils in the NEAR were consistently unprofitable for growing wheat.

“These soils used to return a profit when growing season rainfall was higher and input costs were lower,” he said.

“However the decline in seasonal rainfall combined with higher input costs means that growers are now losing money when these soils are cropped.”

The project has explored options to improve the profitability of these soils, including tree planting, sowing perennial pastures, pasture cropping, the use of soil ameliorants and applying new technologies, such as rotary spading, but all with limited economic success.

Another emerging opportunity for these soils is tree farming for carbon sequestration.

The project is examining the role subdivision might play to facilitate a change in land use.

Mr Clarke said this option may provide an alternate land use that is more sustainable and suited to the land’s capability.

“Subdivision laws in WA in agricultural areas are all about preserving productive agricultural land,” he said.

“Policy changes that allow farmers to subdivide unproductive soils and sell them for alternative land uses could be a useful tool for industry development.”

The department recently undertook a case study on a Mullewa grower, Mike Doherty, to gain an insight into the issues associated with subdivision (see case study).

The department intends to develop a blueprint to make the subdivision process for

rural properties easier and facilitate industry development, working closely with the Department of Planning, local government and other stakeholders.

“Good cropping land needs to be identified and retained for this purpose, as cropping remains a dominant economic driver within the NEAR,” Mr Clarke said.

“Fostering a change of land use to carbon plantings on poorer performing agricultural land may provide economic development opportunities for the NEAR.”

The process may also provide opportunities to subdivide remnant vegetation for sale to, potentially, mining companies requiring environmental offsets, private nature conservancies or individuals wanting a bush block.

“We would like alternative land uses, such as tree farming, to be integrated into the agricultural landscape and enhance, rather than, displace agriculture,” Mr Clarke said.

“By exploring alternative options like this, growers will be able to improve their whole farm productivity and profitability and be in a better position to manage seasonal variability.”

For more information about the NEAR Strategy visit www.agric.wa.gov.au and search for ‘NEAR strategy’

contact Mike clarkeDevelopment Officer, GeraldtonP: (08) 9956 8527 E: [email protected]

Alternatives for unproductive soils Department of

Agriculture and Food

Poor soils in the North Eastern Agricultural Region (NEAR) are being examined, with a new program looking at ways for growers to implement alternative land use practices.

After months of trying to sell his property so he could retire, Mullewa grain grower Mike Doherty was finally able to sell it by subdividing the unproductive soils off from the good farming country – all for the original asking price.

The 1560 hectares of unviable land was sold to carbon company Carbon Conscious last year, while the productive cropping land was bought by a neighbour.

Mr Doherty said the subdivision process was long, complicated and expensive,

requiring him to go through several authorities for approval.

“By subdividing off the better country, which included the sheds, silos and water supplies, it made it more manageable for anyone who wanted to buy it,” he said.

When the productive land of the farm was re-marketed it attracted a lot of attention and sold quickly.

“Even though it all took time, it was worth it, because the property didn’t sit on the market for years costing me money,” he said.

Above: Mullewa farmer Mike Doherty subdivided the unproductive soils on his property to expedite the sale of his farm so he could retire.

Farmer: Mike Doherty (retired)

Location: 10km north of Mullewa


Average annual rainfall: 330mm

Enterprises: wheat, lupins

Case study

DAFWA: Business opportunities


Boosting profit from Yield Prophet®

At a glanceYield Prophet• ® is a commercial online crop production model that provides users with real time crop growth information to make paddock specific yield forecasts.

The model is based on local soil •characterisation, season to date rainfall, climate data and paddock history.

Western Australian growers, with the assistance and support of the Department of Agriculture and Food, have been leaders in the use of Yield Prophet® since its inception eight years ago.

The online crop production model, developed by the Birchip Group and CSIRO, provides grain growers with real time information about crop growth as the season progresses, from which growers can make more informed input and management decisions.

It requires the collection of actual soil and moisture data from dedicated Yield Prophet® sites.

The department is adding three more sites to its existing 22 sites around the wheatbelt, while it is also managing another 11 new Grains Research and Development Corporation sites.

The addition of 30 new weather stations, announced in the 2012-13 State Budget, will also provide valuable data.

This information will be supported as the season progresses with a dedicated webpage on the department’s website with useful Yield Prophet® information, including links to its Statistical Seasonal Forecasting data, Crop Yield Potential maps, AgTactics, soils reports and more.

While many growers use Yield Prophet® in association with their consultants in making decisions, many use it as part of a grower group, pooling information and experiences, and gaining a broader appreciation of what drives crop yield and growth in their local area.

This year, the department is focusing its efforts on the application of Yield Prophet® in the Southern and Central Agricultural Regions, working directly with growers to tailor it to their local operations.

Meanwhile, it continues to support growers in the Northern Agricultural Region, who have been national leaders in adopting the technology.

During the season the department will also review Yield Prophet®, as it considers further improvements to enhance its use and impact.

Senior development officer Caroline Peek is the department’s State coordinator of Yield Prophet® and said it was an important tool to help build growers’ resilience to better manage seasonal variability.

“We’ve been working closely with growers and consultants to improve the input data and use of Yield Prophet®,” Ms Peek said.

“People are now getting the hang of how to use the information derived from Yield Prophet®, and are using it at a higher level to make better decisions about varieties and sowing time, fertiliser and chemical applications, as well as making more accurate yield predictions.

“One thing we will test this year is how growers make decisions and whether at the end of the year their yields reflect their level of inputs.”

The department’s Yield Prophet® activities complement other projects, including the North Eastern Agricultural Region (NEAR) Strategy, Pathways to Resilience and Bridging the Yield Gap.

For more information about Yield Prophet® visit the department’s website: www.agric.wa.gov.au

contact caroline PeekSenior Development OfficerP: (08) 9081 3104E: [email protected]


The use of an online decision-making program to optimise cropping decisions is being refined and bolstered to further improve grower profitability.

Eradu grower Brad Smith checks soil moisture levels at the start of seeding to feed into his Yield Prophet® program.

Farmer: Brad Smith

Location: Eradu, 70km east of Geraldton


Average annual rainfall: 325-350mm

Enterprises: cropping (wheat, canola, barley, lupins)

Case study

Eradu grower Brad Smith, with his consultant, has been using Yield Prophet® for four seasons as an extra decision-making tool in his farming operation.

Mr Smith said Yield Prophet® took the guesswork out of monitoring plant growth and crop moisture levels, while the accurate moisture levels also helped control pests and weeds.

This year, Mr Smith said he would use a soil moisture probe on one or two sites on his property for the first time.

“We are going to use a soil moisture probe to see how closely it tracks to the Yield Prophet® tool,” he said.

Mr Smith said he had no plans to stop using the tool because the financial benefits of knowing his yield estimate far outweighed the additional few minutes spent inputting data each week.

“I think we will use the tool for another two or three years — it’s only getting better as time goes by,” he said.

DAFWA: Business tools


DAFWA: Business protection

At a glanceThe department is enhancing its •ability to respond efficiently and effectively to an agricultural emergency or incident.

Staff receive nationally accredited •training in emergency response procedures and management.

Generic emergency training •complements the department’s commitment to incident response, including technical training and policy, early detection and diagnosis, traceability and communications.

The Department of Agriculture and Food recognises agricultural threats and has invested in emergency management preparedness to ensure early detection, rapid diagnosis and an efficient response to biosecurity incursions.

The department has significant experience in animal, plant and weather related emergency responses and participates in the national arrangements to respond to a pest or disease outbreak, incident or other crisis.

Preparedness has come under scrutiny recently as part of the Commonwealth’s Matthews Review (2011) of Australia’s preparedness for the threat of foot and mouth disease.

The department is enhancing its generic incident management and logistics training to improve its capacity to respond – not just to a biosecurity incident – but also fire, flood or other disasters such as chemical contamination.

Regulation and Response Director, Sarah Wylie, is leading a program to build staff expertise by providing generic emergency preparedness and planning training across the department.

Dr Wylie said under the Emergency Animal Disease Response Agreement and the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed, the department had an obligation to train staff to an accredited national standard.

“We’re training people to make sure that we can mount an efficient and effective response so those affected can return to business as soon as possible,” she said.

“As a result, individual staff will be fully familiar with their roles and responsibilities in the event of an emergency, know what they have to do, when and how, and their competency will be backed by training.”

The courses cover process and procedures, team management, logistics, documentation, communication and occupational health and safety.

The courses complement existing plant and livestock technical training across the department.

While Western Australia has had a few biosecurity outbreaks in recent years, they are comparatively minor compared with those of our near neighbours.

“Equine influenza in New South Wales and Queensland in 2007 were the closest the department has come to a major incident where we were involved in quarantine, inspection and industry liaison,” Dr Wylie said.

“Department members of the National Rapid Response Team, who are recognised nationally as leaders in their respective emergency response roles also went to the east to help.”

DAFWA staff participate in an emergency scenario training program in Northam in 2011, to ensure staff are ready and able to respond to emergencies.


The risk of a major biosecurity incident in our region is mounting, with increasing globalisation and the impact of a changing climate.

The department is now establishing a Statewide First Response Team to identify staff for 30 key roles.

Other department activities include a series of emergency response scenarios held last year for staff in Geraldton, Albany, Bunbury and Northam, using Newcastle disease in poultry and khapra beetle in grains as scenarios.

Dr Wylie said the department-wide endeavours all served to protect the State’s $6 billion agricultural production sector.

“This is all part of the emergency continuum, which includes preparedness and planning, response and recovery,” she said.

contact Dr sarah WylieDevelopment OfficerDirector, Regulation and ResponseP: 9368 3451E: [email protected]

Prepared for anything

Recent nearby outbreaks• Branchedbroomrape

– South Australia

• SiamweedandPartheniumweed– Queensland

• Lowpathogenicavianinfluenza– Victoria, 2012

• Footandmouthdisease–Japan,2010; South Korea, 2010–11

• Myrtlerust–Queensland,NSW

• Codlingmoth–easternstates


DAFWA: Business careers

Wool profits from student research

At a glance:Four Murdoch University honours •students are recipients of Australian Wool Education Trust scholarships.

The scholarships will fund projects to •reduce labour requirements and improve the reproductive performance of Merino ewes.

The projects will complement research •by the Department of Agriculture and Food and Murdoch University to benefit the sheep industry.

Four university students are recipients of scholarships from the Australian Wool Education Trust.

The Trust funds projects that will have a significant impact on wool science and textile education and have broad outcomes for the whole industry.

The projects will be pursued under the guidance of Department of Agriculture and Food and Murdoch University researchers Andrew Thompson and Mark Ferguson, and will link to several of the department’s other projects.

Dr Thompson said 15 scholarships were offered nationally and this was the first time all the applicants from Murdoch University were successful.

“These bright students, who are all completing an honours degree in animal science at Murdoch University, are keen for a career in the sheep and wool industry,” he said.

Dr Ferguson said all of the students were undertaking research on commercial farms.

“Their projects are industry focused and will complement the department’s and

extensive data collected by the Billandri Poll Merino stud at Kendenup.

“I’m particularly interested in the link between wrinkle score and reproductive performance such as ewe fertility and fecundity,” she said.

“We expect this research to show that Merino ewes with high wrinkle scores have similar reproductive rates but poorer lamb survival compared to plainer body ewes.”

Jasmin Koric of Mingenew was keen to undertake a project that could contribute to increasing sheep numbers in the wheatbelt.

“We know that some Merino sheep are more able to tolerate tough conditions and lose less weight and condition during summer and autumn when there can be limited feed.

“We also know that resilience in Merinos is a heritable trait that could be bred for, but we don’t know how resilience to liveweight loss is related to other wool and lamb production traits,” she said.

“It is logical to believe that ewes that lose less liveweight during summer and autumn will be in better condition for mating and during pregnancy and they will, therefore, produce more lambs that are bigger at birth and more viable.”

Ms Koric said she would know some of the answers in six months time.

All the projects are underway and expected to be completed by November.

contact Dr Andrew Thompson P. (08) 9368 3662E. [email protected]

Dr Mark Ferguson P. (08) 9368 3524E. [email protected]

Murdoch University’s research on reproductive performance and developing easy care sheep,” he said.

Chloe Bairstow of Lake Grace is examining the relationship between selection for high growth rates and the reproductive rates of Merino ewes mated at 8-10 months of age. She is working closely with the Moojepin multi-purpose Merino stud at Katanning.

“Joining Merino ewe lambs could provide a short term opportunity to produce extra lambs and assist in meeting the existing demand for sheep and wool and contribute to rebuilding the national sheep flock over the longer term,” Ms Bairstow said.

“However, more research needs to be undertaken to provide farmers with the information and tools needed to achieve successful results in a cost effective way.”

Ms Bairstow said it was likely joining Merino ewe lambs would only be appropriate in some years for a proportion of the flock and for farmers with high growth genetics.

Courtney Fewster, from Beermullah near Gingin, aims to quantify the interactions between improving fleece weight and compromising lamb survival in Merinos.

“There is currently some confusion about the relative emphasis that should be placed on fleece weight in Merino breeding programs,” she said.

“This project will work closely with industry to develop an understanding of the negative associations between increasing fleece weight and decreasing ewe fatness and lamb survival.

“I hope to provide information to more accurately determine the value of clean fleece weight in selection programs.”

Cara Allan of Perth is defining the impact wrinkle score has on other components of the Merino production system working with


The future of the sheep and wool industry is in good hands, with four young women committed to improving its profitability.

DAFWA senior researchers Dr Andrew Thompson and Dr Mark Ferguson (not pictured) will oversee the projects of Australian Wool Education Trust scholarship recipients Chloe Bairstow (left), Courtney Fewster, Jasmin Koric and Cara Allan.


With increasing resistance to herbicides, wild radish has recently overtaken annual ryegrass as the most problematic weed in northern Western Australia.

CROPPING: Wild radish

New research targets wild radish

At a glance:In the face of rising herbicide •resistance new research in WA’s northern agricultural region will present viable options for wild radish control.

Old registered chemicals sequenced •and mixed with new chemicals will be tested as a control measure to manage resistance.

Integrated weed management is •the key to successfully controlling wild radish.

Wild radish will be the Grains Research and Development Corporation’s focus for the northern agricultural region (NAR) in 2012, with new research by agricultural consultancy Planfarm and the Department of Agriculture of Food working to identify ways to delay the onset of herbicide resistance.

Planfarm agronomist and consultant Andrew Sandison said growers faced significantly higher wild radish control costs due to herbicide resistance in many major herbicide groups.

“Having viable options for wild radish control in cereal cropping systems in the NAR is vital to maintaining the financial viability of growers in the region,” he said.

Mr Sandison said despite the difficulty in controlling wild radish in-crop, there was anecdotal evidence suggesting that older registered chemicals, if used at

the right time, might provide adequate control if used in sequence with newer registered chemicals such as pyrosulfotole (for example, Velocity) and pyraflufen (for example, Ecopar).

The new research project will test the effect of these herbicide sequences on wild radish at different sites in the NAR.

About four trials on different farms will take place, with a wide range of herbicide treatments tested in the 2012 season.

Mr Sandison said the use of older chemicals, in the correct sequence and mixes with newer herbicides, would also reduce growers’ reliance on newer, more expensive herbicides and lessen the risk of resistance occurring.

“Some growers are using as many as four applications of the same herbicide in two years, which could lead to these newer chemical groups developing resistance much earlier than they should,” he said.

Consultants from agricultural consultancy Planfarm and the Department of Agriculture of Food’s (DAFWA) Peter Newman will coordinate the research, while the Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative will provide advice.

controlling radish populationsAfter good growing conditions across WA

in 2011, growers have been faced with the challenge and expense in controlling wild radish populations.

Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative researcher Michael Walsh said there were several methods growers could use to combat resistance, including sowing weed-free seed.

“Growers concerned about the development of multi-resistant wild radish populations should focus on keeping wild radish populations at very low levels using all other feasible control techniques in addition to herbicides,” he said.

“Double knock, high seeding rates, crop-topping, crop competition, crop rotations and harvest weed seed collection all help to maintain weed seedbanks at very low levels.

“Cutting for silage or hay, grazing pasture, or brown manuring can also provide effective control.

“Sowing weed-free seed is critical.”

Dr Walsh said the top priority for growers should be using diverse integrated weed management (IWM) practices and minimising the number of weed seeds in the soil by preventing weeds from setting seed, or removing any weed seeds before they entered the seedbank.

“Economic returns averaged over a 20-year period for IWM systems are greater than herbicide-only systems, due to the lower seedbank numbers in the IWM system and fewer weeds to manage on an ongoing basis,” he said.

More information about controlling wild radish and other weeds can be found at: www.grdc.com.au/weedlinks

contact Peter NewmanP: (08) 9956 8563E: [email protected]

A 5% tariff is applied to a range

of common chemicals including Glyphosate, Atrazine, Simazine, Diuron, Triasulfuron and the active ingredient of Trifluralin and all 2,4-D phenoxy chemicals.

In 1993 the Federal Parliament of Australia instigated the Prices Surveillance Authority, the forerunner organisation to the current day ACCC, to do a study on farm chemicals. Interestingly they started this because they were concerned about high chemical prices. It was 4Farmers who in the mid 90s fixed that problem with some real action! I’m glad we didn’t wait for the PSA study or

Edition 2, 2010

Are you aware that unfair tariffs could be costing you over $1 per cropped hectare?

Glyphosate Price Review

government to save us.Of all the recommendations made including removal of all tariffs none were adopted. Tariffs had already come down from the 30% protection in the 80s and got to 15% during the early 90s. After the study during the 90s they got down to 5% but unfortunately it stopped there. Sadly farm organisations and federal politicians continue to ignore it for now almost 20 years later.

2,4-D has an additional 5% dumping duty. The 5% dumping duty is an extra penalty that has remained there because of government bureaucrats in Customs producing a sham report and being too lazy to get their research right. Chinese suppliers were too busy selling chemicals to answer bureaucrat’s surveys.I remember sitting in the Customs head office in Canberra back in August 1995

Intelligence about the farm chemical business

4Front4Farmers … For Farmers

70 McDowell Street, Welshpool WA 6106 Phone: 1800 038 445 | Fax: 9356 3447 www.4farmers.com.au

fighting for a tariff concession on chlorsulfuron (one of our first products of which we halved the price).The customs officer tried to tell me the company opposing our tariff concession claim (the second biggest generic at the time) made the product locally and had a 70 page report from them saying so. I told him it was bulldust! I was able to see his computer screen and pointed out they were also getting it from China (I also saw they were paying 35% less than us but were still selling it double our price) and bringing it in under another duty free tariff number. He was pretty mad with the other company and needless to say we got our concession.

I digress with this story because the skullduggery is still being played throughout this industry today (Don’t get me started with false factory registrations and many other lies). Any of the big companies being protected by tariffs of course are going to fight tooth and nail to uphold them.

We would not be so certain about a rise in Glyphosate prices, as suggested by some forecasters.Based on the information that we have, we believe prices are more likely to remain moderate unless the AU$ takes a dive. In our opinion there’s no need for buyers to be panicked into buying now ahead of a price rise.

Glyphosate 95% acid is currently priced at just under US$3/kg. This is at the lower end of the range.Since January 2005 to December 2009 prices have ranged from approx US$2.50/kg to over US$14/kg. If the period July 2007 to December 2008 is excluded, the price variation is much more stable with the median price being just over US$3/kg – close to the existing price.Technical grade material had a significant price rise leading into 2008. This aberration was due to

constrained capacity at the time combined with strong demand in America.It’s a strong contrast to the current situation where it is claimed Chinese herbicide production in 2010 is running at its lowest capacity operating rate “in history” – just 20%, according to Chinese stock market analysts, China Galaxy Securities.

Reports of a 9% export rebate on Glyphosate being withdrawn in China only affected technical grade material. It is likely to mean the relative competiveness of fully formulated imports will improve.None the less, retail prices are relatively low. If you feel more comfortable locking into current prices then you’re unlikely to get better value than 4Farmers Glyphosate 470.Glyphosate 95% acid USD / Kg price of exports from China to Australia

Continued on page 2.

See us at your next field day and sign our petition to remove tariffs on imported farm chemicals. Fields days we will be attending include SA - Cleve; WA - Dowerin, Newdegate, Mingenew; NSW - Walbundrie.

2007

Edition 2, 2011Intelligence about the farm chemical business

4Front4Farmers … For Farmers

Phone: 1800 038 445 | Fax: 9356 3447 www.4farmers.com.au

The recent mouse plague across eastern

Australia exemplifies what we’re about and why 4Farmers was started.

Firstly, 4Farmers wanted to help

farmers. Secondly, we wanted to do it at a fair price. The practice of charging what one can get away with is not us.

While low cost 4Farmers mouse bait might be gaining publicity in the East I’m pleased to say there are other products we have dramatically slashed the prices on by more than 75% in the last year.

I hope people who appreciate what we’ve done with mouse bait might consider us for other chemical requirements because we need farmer support to continue what we do.

Our loyal clients know they may not in all instances get the very cheapest price but they know it will be fair and a good quality product.

They also see the bigger picture of supporting a company that genuinely cares about them.

Our association with major players like those pictured shows we’re not a “two bob trader”. Worldwide contacts, particularly like these in China, as also in India, help us to know this market as well as anyone. The Chinese in return respect 4Farmers particularly for how we fought against Glyphosate dumping duties in 1996 and 2001.

I’m staggered about the outcome of the Federal Court case that resulted in the Trifluralin tariff being reinstated (see p3). It makes me very angry that Nufarm and Customs would play the game like this.

There’s little to gain for 4Farmers by having tariffs removed but that hasn’t stopped us from investing a heap of time and money in fighting them to reduce costs further for farmer benefit.

It’s another case of wanting to put farmers, like you and me, first.

Welcome

Phil Patterson, Managing Director

From left Mr. Feng Shan YIN, Business director for Feng Shan Chemical (the biggest Trifluralin manufacturer in China who 4Farmers registered after much persistence in 2005), Mr. Shou Hai YANG, Board Chairman for Red Sun Group (the biggest Paraquat manufacturer and collectively the biggest agchem exporter in China), Mr. Liang JIANG, Board Chairman for Good Harvest Group, Mr. Bao Song TANG, Board Chairman for Wynca Group (the last two gentleman are with the two largest Glyphosate manufacturers in China).

From the frontline in the ‘mouse war’One of the worst mouse plagues

in many years across South Australia, Victoria and New South

Wales has been a massive problem for many farmers in these areas.

Bait before this year costing farmers over $10/kg needed to be spread at 1kg/ha sometimes several times. This cost would make growing crops, particularly in marginal areas where the problem has generally been worse, almost unviable in average years.

A critical need for mouse bait emerged in autumn as the established suppliers struggled to meet demand and farmers had to wait over a month for supply in many cases while crops got eaten out.

The dire shortage and high cost of bait resulted in many farmers resorting to making their own illegal baits. Besides less efficacy these baits presented greater risks for off target species and the farmers own health.

4Farmers, which had already been working on registration for mouse bait, swung into action seeking an emergency permit to help save the situation.

Originally we fought for a permit for farmers to do their own on farm baiting. This was rejected at the time but we continue to hold hope of developing an effective on farm solution in the near future.

Finally, in mid June we obtained an emergency permit that allowed manufacture at regional baiting stations. The 4Farmers model of regional baiting stations allowed farmers to use their own grain. At time of writing this permit was due to expire 30th September 2011.

We were not only pleased to help meet a short fall in supply to people in a desperate situation, but were able to supply product for less than $2.50/kg (excluding farmer seed and packaging) or less than 25% of the other commercially available sources.

4Farmers is associated with some of the biggest players of chemicals in China. We have significant relationships which have been cultivated over many years.

At a recent Chinese Expo 4Farmers MD Phil Paterson caught up with some of his Chinese friends. Probably few others could have assembled the same group.

Mixing with the Chinese Kings of Chemical

4Farmers … For Farmers

If you truly want quality chemicals at the best value you would be dealing with 4Farmers now

Call your local 4Farmers distributor or head office for delivery of chemicals to you anywhere in WA

1800 038 445www.4farmers.com.au

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

Glyphosate 875 best rainfastness

No Profit/No Drum Glyphosate specialSOWING early crop with little germination? Or you may have already

used Glyphosate? Spraying small weeds is a situtation where people should be

considering spraying with Paraquat or Paraquat/Diquat (BrownOut)

instead of Glyphosate. Or consider spraying Paraquat on weeds

before crops germinate.

Using Paraquat takes some pressure off Glyphosate and hopefully

puts you a little further away from the disaster of Glyphosate

resistance.Price is no excuse.Paraquat and BrownOut are cheaper than ever.

GET cash purchases of Glyphosate 875 at less than cost

price!!Mention this ad and purchase 4Farmers Glyphosate 875 SG

for cash and pay only $142.69/20kg inc GST ($6.49/kg ex GST).

Based on active only that’s equivalent to paying only $3.34/L ex

GST for 450g/L product.

You’re left without the hassle of any drum and you have

one of the best performing Glyphosates available.

This special is only available while stock lasts.

There has never been a better time to try this

revolutionary product.Order your requirements now!

■ Stuart Chamberlain and Paul Harley standing in front of

pallets of Glyphosate 875 for their 6000ha cropping program.

Stuart says 4Farmers Glyphosate 875 definitely works best

for them.

Propyzamide performs on resistant ryegrass

Knockdown with Paraquat NOW

Survival (% of non treated) of resistant (solid circle) and susceptible (open circle) ryegrass.

1.5l/ha Glyphosate 450 (bottom set) v equal

rate of Glyphosate 875+0.25% wetter. Results

7 days after spraying with rainfall events 60

minutes, 120 minutes and no rain after

spraying. Glyphosate 875 decisively better

results observed (top row). Photo taken April

3, 2012.

Trials done by David Eksteen, 4Farmers

agronomist, Walbundrie NSW, March/April

2012

4FARMERS FOR FARMERS

4Farmers Pty Ltd Suppliers of agricultural chemicals to protect your crops.

Free Call 1800 038 445 70 McDowell St, Welshpool, WA 6106

Ph: (08) 9356 3445, Fax (08) 9356 3447 www.4farmers.com.au

IN RECENT trials comparing 4Farmers Glyphosate 875

Granules to Roundup® Attack™, a conventional 450g/l

Target formulation and a 500g/l potassium salt

formulation, the 4Farmers Glyphosate 875 SG was

observed to be the best performing glyphosate product.

“4Farmers Glyphosate 875 SG product had the best

brownout of weeds over time,” says David Eksteen

4Farmers Agronomist.

“As far as rainfastness all the Glyphosates seemed

similar and rainfast after around two hours. None were

significantly better in spite of any advertising saying

otherwise. If anything I would say from trials the

Glyphosate 875 was slightly best in this respect too.”

Newdegate WA farmers Stuart Chamberlain and Paul

Harley agree for their 6000ha cropping program that not

only does 4Farmers Glyphosate 875 perform well, the

high concentration granules are a big

advantage.

“Handling granules just suits us so much

better than messing around pumping liquid

from 110L drums. And not having the

hassle of dealing with a few more drums is

fantastic,” says Stuart.

1375853

ANOTHER4FARMERS BARGAIN:

Paraquat 250 as cheapas $3.47/L inc GST($3.15/L ex GST).

Even cheaper for cash &

4Farmers customers!

Avoid diseasein your cereals.

For the cheapest and most

cost effective in furrowcontrol use

Triadimefon 500 Dry.

■ Field trial with base treatment of 1.1kg/ha Atrazine pre

sowing and 1kg/ha Atrazine PSPE. Distinct boomspray line

where 1L/ha Propyzamide added pre sowing with Atrazine

on right and much improved ryegrass control.

RESEARCH by Walsh et al (2011) proved Propyzamide at

250g/ha achieved greater than 95% control of multi resistant

ryegrass including that resistant to Trifluralin.

In contrast Pyroxasulfone (Sakura®) was similar performance

and Prosulfocarb+s-metolachlor (Boxer Gold®) was less

effective. Diuron at best offered only suppression.

Propyzamide is not presently registered on any broadacre

crops like lupins or canola but there have been some positive

trials and registration may happen in the future. It does have a

registration on pasture.4Farmers still has stocks available as cheap as $24.20/L inc

GST ($22.00/L ex GST).

60 minutes 120 minutes Control - no water

1337568


4Farmers Pty LtdSuppliers of agricultural chemicals

to protect your crops and animals.

Free Call 1800 038 445

Ph: (08) 9356 3445 Fax (08)

9356 3447 – 70 McDowell St,

Welshpool, WA 6106

4FARMERS

FOR FARMERS

Farmer trial with base treatment of 1.1kg/ha Atrazine pre-em

and 1kg/ha PSPE. Area on left had addition of 1L/ha

Propyzamide 500 pre-em.

Imidacloprid (Gaucho®) and other

seed dressings get cheaperFARMERS wanting to Imidacloprid or the equivalent of Gaucho® to protect crops

like canola from insect attack after planting should check out 4Farmers recently

released generic copy, 4Farmers Imidacloprid 600.

4Farmers also continues to offer fantastic pricing on traditional seed dressings

Tebuconazole 25T (similar to Raxil®) and Triadimenol 150C (Baytan ®) in liquid or

powder form.

Propyzamide beatsResistant RyegrassPROPYZAMIDE continues to demonstrate exciting

potential in an integrated strategy to economically

control ryegrass resistant to all other herbicides.

It’s only registration presently in broadacre is for a

range of grasses that Propyzamide has traditionally been

restricted to horticulture uses due to its high cost.

Presently in broadacre its only registration is for a range

of grasses in legume pastures. Trials in crops like

Canola have been encouraging and suggest grain

residues low enough that will possibly gain registration

in the future. For best efficacy, like many herbicides, good moisture

conditions are important. It has also generally worked

better applied pre-emergent, and incorporated in a

strategy with other chemicals like Atrazine.

4Farmers is proud to be at the forefront providing

Australian farmers with economical herbicide

alternatives. 4Farmers are continuing to run a crazy “No

Profit Special” on a limited amount of Propyzamide 500

with prices in the low $20’s per unit for liquid and

granules. Talk to 4Farmers quickly to secure your

supply.

Generic version of Flame® available

(and possible On-Duty®)CLIENTS with a need for Flame® (Imazapic) this season are advised that a

generic version, 4Farmers I-PIC 240, will be available shortly.

There is also a good chance a generic version of Arsenal® (Imazapyr) will be

available prior to this season, 4Farmers Imazapyr 750 WDG. Also possible from

4Farmers this season is a copy of On-Duty® which is a mixture of Imazapic and

Imazapyr.

NEW PRODUCTSTrifluralinavailableat 4FarmersTHERE have been rumorsabout scarce supplies ofTrifluralin. Stocks have been

an issue for some companies

but it’s not envisaged for4Farmers. 4Farmersconfidently expect to supply its

current orders and more.To secure your supplies at

good prices put your order with

4Farmers now.


4FARMERS – FOR FARMERS

IF farmers are serious about herbicide

resistance and preserving their number

one chemical Glyphosate they need to

consider alternatives like Paraquat.

Knockdown control with Paraquat is

also better than Glyphosate in

situations where weeds are small or

weeds maybe becoming stressed.

Rather than mess around with 110L

drums consider getting nearly 15%

discount by buying in 1000L IBCs.

To make handling safer and simpler

for May only receive a free micro matic

with every 1000L IBC of Paraquat sold.

■ 4Farmers Brown Out offers a cheap

alternative for Paraquat + Diquat

If Paraquat alone is not enough and you want Paraquat + Diquat

(equivalent to SpraySeed®) use 4Farmers Brown Out 250.

Brown Out will give better control than Paraquat alone where

broadleaves are a problem.

4Farmers prices are hard to beat from $7.20/L ex GST or $7.92/L

inc GST. Like Paraquat for this month we are offering free micro

matics with every 1000L IBC sold.

Extra Knock Down Kick with

4Farmers Brown Out 250

4Farmers BargainParaquat 250 from$3.15/L ex GST (or$3.47/L inc GST).May special freemicro matic for

1000L IBC.

4Farmers Pty Ltd Suppliers of agricultural chemicals to protect your crops.


Ph: (08) 9356 3445, Fax (08) 9356 3447

www.4farmers.com.au

Get serious with Paraquat 1000L IBC

4FARMERS and independent trials consistently prove granular

glyphosate like 4Farmers Glyphosate 875 SG has superior performance

to all others“4Farmers Glyphosate 875 SG product has been the best performing

Glyphosate in trials against other Glyphosate products including

Roundup® Attack™”, says David Eksteen 4Farmers agronomist.

“As far as rainfastness all the Glyphosates seemed similar

and rainfast after around two hours. None were significantly

better in spite of any advertising saying otherwise. If anything

I would say from trials the Glyphosate 875 was slightly best

in this respect too”.“As well as better field performance Glyphosate 875 SG

provides handling advantages especially over clients

otherwise using 110Ls or 20Ls”.

Newdegate farmers Stuart Chamberlain and Paul Harley

agree for their 6000ha cropping program that not only does

4Farmers Glyphosate 875 perform well, the high

concentration granules are a big advantage.

“Handling granules just suits us so much better than

messing around pumping liquid from 110L drums. And not

having the hassle of dealing with a few more drums is

fantastic’, says Stuart.

■ Stuart Chamberlain and Paul Harley standing in

front of pallets of Glyphosate 875 for their 6000ha

cropping program. Stuart says 4Farmers

Glyphosate 875 definitely works best for them.

The Best Glyphosate is in a Box

STOP

PRESS!OMETHOLATE 290 –

AVAILABLE NOW!

RED HOT PRICE!

KNOCK OUT KNOCK DOWN SPECIALS


4FARMERSFOR FARMERS

4Farmers Pty Ltd Suppliers of agricultural chemicals to protect your crops.Free Call 1800 038 445 70 McDowell St, Welshpool, WA 6106Ph: (08) 9356 3445, Fax (08) 9356 3447 www.4farmers.com.au

1374

801

Glyphosate 875 granules provebest performer

Bush Myths and Misinformation

IN recent trials comparing 4Farmers’ Glyphosate 875granules to Roundup® Attack™, a conventional 450g/lformulation and a 500g/l potassium salt formulation, the4Farmers Glyphosate 875 SG was observed to be the bestperforming glyphosate product.“4Farmers Glyphosate 875 SG product had the bestbrownout of weeds over time,” said David Eksteen4Farmers agronomist. “As far as rainfastness all the Glyphosates seemedsimilar and rainfast after about two hours. None weresignificantly better in spite of any advertising sayingotherwise. If anything I would say from trials theGlyphosate 875 was slightly best in this respect too”.Newdegate farmers Stuart Chamberlain and PaulHarley agree for their 6000ha cropping program that notonly does 4Farmers Glyphosate 875 perform well, thehigh concentration granules are a big advantage.“Handling granules just suits us so much better thanmessing around pumping liquid from 110L drums. Andnot having the hassle of dealing with a few more drumsis fantastic,” Stuart said.

MAY SPECIALSTHERE has never been a better time to try Glyphosate 875granules than now with a big 6% discount for cashpurchases which reduces the price after discount to$142.69/20kg inc GST ($6.49/kg ex GST).Based on active only, a 450g/l product would need to be$3.34/L ex GST to be equal value. Even allowing forwetter the granules are likely to compare better valuethan any Glyphosate liquid in 110 or 20L containers.Anyone who wants the best Glyphosate, wants easierhandling, and cheaper product then call 4Farmers nowfor Glyphosate 875 SG.Buy a pallet or 480kg (24x20kg boxes) of Glyphosate875 or more and receive a 6% discount on cash purchasesof Triadimefon 500 Dry or Propyzamide 500 SC.

1.5l/ha Glyphosate 450 (bottom set) v equal rate ofGlyphosate 875+0.25% wetter. Results 7 days after sprayingwith rainfall events 60 minutes, 120 minutes and no rain afterspraying. Glyphosate 875 decisively better results observed(top row). Photo taken April 3, 2012.Trials done by David Eksteen, 4Farmers Agronomist,Walbundrie NSW, March/April 2012

■ Stuart Chamberlain and Paul Harley standing in front ofpallets of Glyphosate 875 for their 6000ha croppingprogram. Stuart says 4Farmers Glyphosate 875 definitelyworks best for them.

THERE is plenty of nonsense we get frustrated with, frommisinformed independent experts as well ascompetitors. Some of them are;1. Triadimefon 500 Dry is a past product? Not true!Triadimefon is at least as good if not arguable betterefficacy than Flutriafol for in furrow disease control.It's also the cheapest fungicide control for $2.40/hainc GST and it is very easy to apply right up untilbefore going out to the paddock. Dust and smell havealso been minimised with 4Farmers Triadimefon 500Dry and far better than product of the past and

certainly better than any competitor. Don’t overlook itin a year likely bad for disease and tight for cash.2. Glyphosate can be rainfastness in half an hour?Nonsense. No Glyphosate 4Farmers has trialled asdemonstrated it is significantly better than anotherdespite any advertising saying otherwise.3. All generic Glyphosates need wetter added to them?Not 4Farmers 470 which contains 15% wetter. Intypical winter spraying in Southern Australia youshouldn’t usually need to add wetter to 4FarmersGlyphosate 470.

60 minutes 120 minutes Control - no water


4FARMERS

FOR FARMERS4Farmers Pty Ltd Suppliers of agricultural chemicals to protect your crops.


Ph: (08) 9356 3445, Fax (08) 9356 3447 www.4farmers.com.au

1373

382

40% of paddocks have

resistance to Trifluralin!

Propyzamide another

resistance toolPROPYZAMIDE is another chemical proving

very useful for those with increasing

ryegrass resistance problems on their farm.

Discuss with 4Farmers how it might best fit

into yourresistancestrategy.Those whowant it areunlikely tofind itcheaperthan at4Farmers.

Glyphosate losing control

THE loss of Glyphosate in our cropping system would be

disastrous.One strategy to manage the potential problem is incorporating

Paraquat or Paraquat/Diquat into your system where ever possible

such as through a “double knock” technique or where there are

small and/or stressed weedsmore suited to these knockdowns.This strategy is especiallyimportant to the increasingnumber of people considering

Roundup Ready® crops andincreasing reliance onGlyphosate.Price is no excuse.

Talk to 4Farmers about howcheap Paraquat and Brownout are today.

FORTY per cent of paddocks have ryegrass that is

resistant to Trifluralin. This was part of the alarming results found in a GRDC

2008 survey for herbicide resistance in the mid north of

Sout Australia. Results in other areas of SA were 39pc

in the south east, 19pc in the Mallee and 5pc for the

Eyre Peninsula. We don’t mean to be alarmist, and other areas in

Australia haven’t yet demonstrated the same level of

resistance, however it does illustrate the potential for

how things could head even with a chemical like

Trifluralin if used extensively like it has been in SA.

If Trifluralin resistance is no concern to you then the

cheapest and most effective pre-emergent control of

ryegrass is more Trifluralin.

However if you perceive there is a need to rotate away

and relieve pressure on Trifluralin which is a Group D

chemical, then options you could consider are Triallate

which is Group J and/or Metolachlor a group K.

These alternatives should arguably be considered

before jumping to other expensive and highly touted

chemicals Boxer Gold® and Sakura®.

There are pluses and minuses with any of

these alternatives. For example Triallate can be

useful for control of Wild Oats.

The other significant advantage of a three way mix of

Trifluralin, Triallate and Metolachlor is that it might be

possible to achieve the most effective ryegrass control

at a cheaper cost.Whether you need Trifluralin, Triallate or Metolachlor

it is unlikely you will find a better price or quality than

4Farmers.

SOURCE: Funded GRDC, conducted at Hart SA by Gill et. al. (2010)

Ryegrass plants per square metre (% control)

Herbicide TreatmentJuly

Average AugustAverage

Nil (untreated control) 385 325

Trifluralin 480 1.5L/ha (IBS) 157 (59) 156 (52)

Triallate 500 3L/ha (IBS) 132 (71) 119 (63)

Boxer Gold 2.5L/ha (IBS) 89 (77) 136 (58)

Sakura 118g/ha (IBS) 106 (72) 75 (77)

Outlook 1.0 L/ha (IBS) 128 (67) 186 (43)

Trifluralin 480 1.5L/ha +

Triallate 500 2.0L/ha (IBS) 70 (82) 78 (76)

Trifluralin 480 1.5L/ha

(IBS)+Triallate 500

2.0L/ha BS)+Metolachlor720

1.0L/ha (PSPE)

30 (92) 33 (90)

(PSPE or knife point pre)


4FARMERSFOR FARMERS

4FARMERS has been encouraging farmers to consider Triallate and/orMetolachlor in mixes with Trifluralin for pre-emergent cereal spraying.Triallate is a Group J chemical and Metolachlor is Group K so gettingaway from Trifluralin that is a Group D chemical.Why bother with Boxer Gold® or wait for Sakura®when combinations ofthe above chemicals give such comparatively good control and such goodvalue.Especially with prices for Triallate as low as$8.20/L exGST and Metolachlor $5.95/L exGSTthis alternative becomes even more attractive.

1340802

RED HOT 4Farmers prices helpfarmers beat Ryegrass ResistanceFARMERS should be consideringalternative chemicals in their sprayingstrategy to beat herbicide resistantryegrass.

4Farmers is slashing its prices on aselection of products to achieve this,which is particularly helpful if coming offa tough season.

4Farmers still has time to ship in theproducts below in time for the coming season.Get your orders in now. These specials willclose 4th March or when stocks run out.Paraquat cheaper thanGlyphosate prices!

PARAQUAT at prices as low as $3.60/L ex GST means it’scheaper than some Glyphosate prices.There has never been a better time to consider rotating toParaquat as an alternative knock down if weeds are small. Resistance to Glyphosate is very serious but unfortunatelythe reality for some farmers. Protect Glyphosate andincrease its longevity. At very least farmers consider usingParaquat in a “double knock strategy” in tandem withGlyphosate.4Farmers also has BrownOut (Paraquat & Diquat mix likeSpray.Seed®) at low prices too.

Triallate, Metolachlor take pressure off Trifluralin

“Especially this cheap, Triallate or Metolachorcombinations with Trifluralin must be considered if seriousabout resistance,” Terry Piper, 4Farmers Agronomist.

“Paraquat or Brown Out is abargain at these price. Thinkabout them instead ofGlyphosate,” Neil Mortimore4Farmers GM.

ONLY at 4Farmers are you likely to get Propyzamide thisseason. Field results for control of resistant ryegrass withPropyzamide have generally proved very good. Particularlyif used early, conditions are moist, and also if in combinationwith other products like Atrazine.Prices as low as $19.95/l exGST makes Propyzamide aserious consideration. This price has been out there for sometime but the window of opportunity is likely to close soon.4Farmers is hopeful to widen registration past pasturesinto other crops like canola in the future if residue testing inharvested grain is satisfactory.

PROPYZAMIDE ONLYAT 4FARMERS

Farmer trial with base treatment of 1.1kg/haAtrazine pre-em and 1kg/ha PSPE. Area on lefthad addition of 1L/ha Propyzamide 500 pre-em.



4FARMERSFOR FARMERS


1361

746

WITH summer rains from Esperance to Geraldton it looms big for summer spraying in WA.Therefore get your orders in for summer sprayswith 4Farmers now. Not only might supply gettight but you are unlikely to find better value than4Farmers.Common alternatives for summer weeds;Glyphosate - 0.5-1L/ha. For stressed weeds ortough customers like Windmill grass 2+L/ha.Maybe add oil if humidity is low.Triclopyr – Paddy melon 100-150ml/ha. Afghandown to 75ml/ha

2,4-D Ester 800 – 300-500ml/ha Good spike forBrassica weeds, Stinkwort, Goosefoot, Afghanmelon. Could substitute for equivalent Ester 680rates.Metsulfuron – 5g/ha for Brassica weeds,Wireweed, Doublegee. Not on land for lupins.There are many other permutations of summerweed controls. More information can be foundon our reference notes for summer weed controlon our web site www.4farmers.com.au ordiscussion with one of our agronomists.

NEW 4Farmers seed dressings containing Imidacloprid have been proven toachieve consistent yield benefits especially in canola and barley, as well aswheat.Imidacloprid controls aphid feeding in crops which is in turn effectivelysuppresses spread of disease. In canola, control of green peach aphid (GPA)to suppress beet western yellow virus (BWYV) has increased yields up to 88%.In cereals it is also very impressive for consistently controlling cereals aphidsand managing barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV).4Farmers has been marketing Imidacloprid 600 (similar to Gaucho® orEmerge®) for a year. Recently released is 4Farmers Imid-Triadimenol(similar to Zorro®) which is registered in cereals. Like the name suggests,aside from Imidacloprid it is mixed with Triadimenol (contained in Baytan®)which provides control of cereal smuts and bunts.

Big summerspraying looms

Ester 800 rules

4Farmers Ester800 continues tobe a very popularcost effectiveproduct

Imid-Triadimenol cereal seed dressing(similar to Zorro®) is an exciting newregistration says 4Farmers RegistrationOfficer Amanda Powell

ESTER 800 is a better herbicide than lowvolatile alternatives for situations farmerscan appropriately use it. Not only is there abundant antidotalevidence of this from farmers but it is alsosupported by CSIRO research that proves lowmolecular weight volatile esters like Ester800 are more active than the highermolecular weight low volatile esters.Ester 800 has superior efficacy and isdecisively cheaper gram for gram than Ester680.4Farmers Ester 680 prices are good, so thatmakes Ester 800 superb value.

New Imidacloprid seed dressingincreasing yields and profits

50% cheaperthan equivalentproducts


4FARMERSFOR FARMERS


1369

779

ARE the chemicals you’re buying really stack up against 4Farmers?Take Glyphosate for example. Even if what you’re buying is cheaper does it really compare?

DupedTHE only thing worse than buying cheap inferior product is buying over priced product hyped up with advertising.

Take the claims of a certain glyphosate product that claims rainfast is less than an hour and no evidence to support thoseclaims. Don’t get fooled!! Get a product proven as good and much cheaper from 4Farmers.

Imazapic andImazapyrWHAT are these new chemicalsfrom 4Farmers ???

Talk to 4Farmers or youragronomist and if they have aplace on your property?

Why not buy the cheapest and bestquality chemicals from 4Farmers?

Bargains for this week only!Limited Stock…be quickPara…what…under $3/L ($3.30/L inc GST)!!For one week only, until 16th March, if you have bought or committed to buyingall your pre-season Glyphosate and Trifluralin through 4Farmers then you’re entitledto buy Paraquat 250 in 1000L for $2.95/l ($3.25 inc GST)A more cost effective resistant ryegrass solution withTriallate & MetolachlorBefore you introduce Sakura® or Boxer Gold® into your programme considerTrifluralin, Triallate and Metolachlor. Trials prove that a mixture of these chemicalscan be cheaper and more cost effective.For one week only, until 16th March, if you have bought or committed to buyingyour pre-season Trifluralin through 4Farmers you can also get a 4% discount ofeither Trifluralin or Metolachlor in 1000L or 200L containers.These discounts make Triallate as cheap as $8.66/l inc GST ($7.87ex) andMetolachlor $6.23/l inc GST ($5.66/l ex). WOW!!OTHER GREAT PRICESHERBICIDES

Imazapic 24020L $858 inc GSTSEED DRESSINGS

Tebuconazole 25T (like Raxil®) 10L $154 inc GSTImi-Triadimenol (like Zorro®) 10L $165 inc GST

BRAND Buy a trusted known brand that’s stands behind the productACTIVE 4Farmers usually have what is stated on the drum 470g/l or more.Others often have less, hopefully within legal limit?SURFACTANT Fully loaded. 15% surfactant.Others might have little or poor quality surfactant.TECHNICAL SUPPORT Yes 4Farmers have agronomists and chemists you can talk toDRUMS No deposit and we take back the emptyPAYMENT End of next month, possible June terms

WaginWoolorama4FARMERS can be found atWagin Woolarama in the sameplace as it was last year at site471.

Everyone is welcome. We willdefinitely make it worth yourwhile to drop in!


4FARMERS – FOR FARMERS

GET on top of RLEM and buy Omethoate insecticide cheaper thanshops that are probably buying wholesale.

4Farmers Omethoate is ridiculously cheap. Better hear the pricefrom your local distributor or call 4Farmers otherwise you will thinkit a misprint.

4Farmers Pty Ltd Suppliers of agricultural chemicals to protect your crops.Free Call 1800 038 445 70 McDowell St, Welshpool, WA 6106Ph: (08) 9356 3445, Fax (08) 9356 3447www.4farmers.com.au

WE recently saw so called “specials” touted by a well knownonline seller that were over 20% more than 4Farmers regularprices.

Farmers who might be buying from this competitor areprobably thinking they are getting a bargain when they are reallypaying well over the odds.

The lesson is if you want the best value chemicals you call4Farmers.

If you aren’t serviced by a local 4Farmers distributor you callus on 1800 038 445 and we can deliver anywhere in the State.

■ Don’t get sucked into phony “specials” says4Farmers GM Neil Mortimore. For mostchemicals including Diflufenican, Bromoxynil,LV MCPA/DFF and Omethoate you are unlikelyto find better value than 4Farmers

Beware of high price specials

Azoxystrobin fungicide

at affordable prices

available this season.

1377001

STOP

PRESS!

Specials that weren’treally specials• LV MCPA 250g/l + Diflufenican 25g/l (Tigrex® like pre mix)

so called special $11.50/l ex GST.4Farmers price for the same thing is down to $9.65/l ex GST.

• Bromoxynil 250g/l + Diflufenican 25/g/l (Jaguar® like premix) so called special $11.80/l ex GST.Why pay so much when you can tank mix 4FarmersBromoxynil 200 (down to $6.40/l ex GST) 4FarmersDiflufenican (also very cheap!) and make up equivalentproduct for $9.60/L, nearly 20% cheaper!!

4FARMERS have the best value on all the knockdowns.Glyphosate 470 – Astute growers will like our legendaryGlyphosate 470 for the fact it is packed with 14% wetterand easier flowing in cold weather. If you want liquidGlyphosate big 1000L IBCs are the way to go.

Glyphosate 875 – If 1000L is too much go for 20kgboxes of granules. They dissolve easier than any othergranule, the formulation of granular glyphosate is betterthan all other forms, and there are no drums to botherabout.

Paraquat & Brown Out – Ifgetting late with stressedweeds or small weeds maybeswitch to Paraquat or BrownOut. It also gives theGlyphosate a break and restsconcerns about resistance. Geteither of these in a big 1000L IBC at anunbeatable price and receive a free micro matic soremove any concerns in handling from the big drum.

Omethoate…Outrageous!!!

For Knockdowns – Stop at 4Farmers

Where are you buying your chemicals?

Section: Slug


Research has provided new insight to genetic variation in lupin root systems. The findings may assist breeding new varieties of lupins and other cereal crops, with improved and more efficient root capture systems.

crop root study to boost Australian grain production

At a glance:The world’s largest lupin genetic •resource collection has been screened to reveal huge variation in lupin root systems.

Studying and breeding crop varieties •with superior root systems will be the next frontier of agricultural science.

Improved efficiency in acquiring water •and nutrients by roots will improve yields and help drought-proof crops in the future.

university of Western Australia (UWA) researchers say the “next frontier” of agricultural science is trying to understand the complex function of crop root systems to significantly increase Australian grain production in the face of climate variability.

UWA scientists experimented with lupin roots to improve the water use and nutrient uptake of narrow-leaf lupin varieties that account for half of all grain legumes produced in Australia — an industry worth more than $600 million a year.

The study, published in May in the international journal, Plant Soil, warned Australian grain producers they face increasing threats from poor local soils, harsh growing conditions and declining and unpredictable rainfall due to climate change.

To help address this, a team led by UWA-based chief investigators Winthrop Professor Zed Rengel and Winthrop Professor Kadambot Siddique used new screening techniques and advanced computer

modelling to understand lupin root systems variability.

“We screened the world’s largest lupin genetic resource collection and identified tremendous genetic variation in lupin root systems,” Professor Rengel said.

“Our findings may be used in breeding new varieties of lupins with modified root system and function that may produce higher yields in soils with relatively limited water and nutrient resources.”

Similar approaches could also be used to identify genetic variation in root system and function in Australian cereal crops such as wheat and barley, according to Professor Siddique, director of UWA’s Institute of Agriculture.

Adapting to climate changeProfessor Siddique said climate change

and increased risk of drought made it imperative for Australia to develop new ways to make crops more water and nutrient efficient.

Roots efficient in acquiring soil resources (water and nutrients) are fundamental to growing high-yielding crops in Australian soils, but have been largely ignored by scientists.

“It’s the next frontier of agricultural science,” Professor Siddique said.

“Traditional crop root systems are poorly suited to the harsh environmental conditions of Australian agriculture.

“Their inefficient use of water and fertilisers not only reduces yields, but also increases salinity and algal blooms (eutrophication) in waterways due to excessive nutrient run-off.

“Farming terms of trade – commodity value relative to production cost – have declined consistently over time. Although this has been offset substantially by increased production efficiency, the onset of climate change may ultimately make farming unprofitable and threaten our ability to feed the world.”

Greater efficiency undergroundUse of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilisers

to grow crops in water-limited and nutrient-poor Australian soils is a big cost that will increase for grain producers as energy prices rise and global rock phosphate stocks decline.

“More efficient root capture systems may cut costs and substantially increase Australian grain yields, with the added benefit that better nitrogen uptake may also significantly improve grain quality,” Professor Siddique said.

The UWA-based study – in collaboration with the Western Australian Department of Agriculture and Food, Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research and US Pennsylvania State University – was funded by an Australian Research Council Discovery Project grant and paves the way for similar research in wheat and barley.

contact Winthrop Professor Zed Rengel E: [email protected]

contact Winthrop Professor Kadambot siddique P: (08) 6488 2557E:[email protected]

Genetic variation in lupin root systems has been revealed by new research.

CROPPING: Root systems

“A lot of things have changed over the years. But not WFI’s friendly service.”

Meet Lindsay. He’s been insuring his farm with WFI, part of Wesfarmers Insurance, for as long as he can remember. Which is not surprising because we have over 90 years of experience in farm insurance. During his time on the land, Lindsay reckons one of the things that hasn’t changed is the friendly, personal service he receives from his local WFI Area Manager. As a result, he always knows who to call, from enquiry to claim.

To find out for yourself why we’re good people to know, call 1300 934 934 or visit wfi.com.au

Roseworthy Farm - Lindsay

GC_WFI1212

To see if our product is right for you, always read the PDS from the product issuer, WFI (ABN 24 000 036 279 AFSL 241461).

WFI11212_AG Focus WA.indd 1 25/05/12 4:12 PM


Scientists recently identified the toxin profile of an isolated Fusarium head blight outbreak in Western Australia in 2003. The results of the study highlight the potential threat of the disease to crops in the state.

CROPPING: Head blight

Toxin profile of head blight revealed

At a glanceScientists have discovered the •toxin profile of head blight following an outbreak of the disease in WA in 2003.

This is the first time mycotoxin •profiles for WA have been defined highlighting the ongoing potential threat to crops in WA.

Despite the low occurrence of the •disease in WA, monitoring of crops is required to prevent an outbreak.

Plant pathologists and chemists from the University of Western Australia (UWA), in collaboration with the CSIRO Plant Industry in Brisbane and the Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia have identified the mycotoxin profile associated with an outbreak of Fusarium head blight.

Until now, outbreaks of Fusarium head blight in WA have been infrequent and sporadic compared to major outbreaks in eastern Australia, including wheat crops in south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales during the 2010-11 season.

Using fungal isolates obtained from the 2003 outbreak of Fusarium head blight, UWA researchers have now published the first mycotoxin profile study from that outbreak in the paper: Mycotoxins produced

by Fusarium spp. associated with Fusarium head blight of wheat in Western Australia.

Co-author from UWA School of Plant Biology and UWA Institute of Agriculture Professor Martin Barbetti said the study was conducted to improve understanding of the disease and help control the impacts for growers such as reduced yield.

“Four main mycotoxins were detected in the study, with this being the first time mycotoxin profiles for WA have been defined,” Professor Barbetti said.

The identity of the Fusarium species collected from this region during the head blight outbreak was revealed in the study. They confirmed the associated pathogens to be F. graminearum in particular and also F. acuminatum or F. tricinctum.

“The toxicity of their crude extracts from millet seed cultures to brine shrimp was associated with high mortality levels,” Professor Barbetti said.

“Brine shrimp were used in the study because they are very sensitive to bioactive compounds.

“They can tell us fairly frequently whether a compound is carcinogenic.”

While such outbreaks of Fusarium head blight reduce yield, Professor Barbetti said the biggest concern was greatly reduced marketability of grain with mycotoxin contamination.

The milling, malting and brewing industries set very strict tolerances for Fusarium toxins in wheat and barley. Oats,

triticale and rye are also susceptible to Fusarium head blight.

Professor Barbetti said the situation in WA regarding Fusarium head blight remains poorly defined in terms of distribution and toxigenicity of contributing Fusarium species.

“Links between outbreaks and weather variables are unexplored and no attempts have been made to develop or apply risk management tools needed by farmers, advisers and grain exporters to manage Fusarium head blight under current or future WA climate scenarios,” Professor Barbetti said.

“There is an urgent need for monitoring not just for the presence of the specific Fusarium species in any affected grain but also for their potential mycotoxin and other toxic secondary metabolites.

“In today’s competitive export markets, the cereal export industries in WA can ill-afford to continue to leave such issues unaddressed.”

Professor Barbetti said understanding the range and types of mycotoxins produced from WA’s 2003 outbreak may also be relevant to regions with similar Mediterranean climates and cropping practices such as South Africa and other regions that may experience similar conditions to WA as a consequence of climate change.

contact Professor Martin Barbetti P: (08) 6488 3924E: [email protected]

CROPPING: Head blight

SSSSunSuSunSunSunSunSununununununnunnnnSuununSunSunSuSS nSununSunSSuSuSSSuunnSSSunuunSunSunSuSuSunSuSuSuSSSunnuSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSuSSSSSSSS corcorcorcorcocorcorcorororooorcoroorccoororcccorcccc p-Mp-Mp-Mp-Mp-Mp-Mp-Mp-Mp-Mp-MMp-Mp-MMMp-Mp-MMp-Mp-MMp-M-MMp-Mp-Mp-Mp Mpppp Mp Mp MMpp etwetwetwetwetwetetwetwetwetwetwetwetwetwetwetetwtwtwetwetweetwtwtwtwwtwwwtwwway ay ay ay ayayay ayay ayayayayayayaayyyaaayaaa LtdLtdLtdLtdLtdtddLtdLtdLtdLtdLtdLtdtdLtdLtLLLtdL ABABABABABABABABABN 6N 6N 6N 6N 66NN 6N N 66 06 06 06 06 06 06 006 0010 10 10 10101010001000 831831831831831831318333 727272727272227227272722.2.22.22.222.22.22222.2 BSBSBSBSBSBSBBSBSBSBSBSBBSBSBSBBSBSBSBSBSBBSB UN6UN6N6UNNNUN6UN6UN6UN6UN6UN6NNNNUN6NNNUN6NNNNNNUN6NNUN6UN6UU 6UN662262262262262262262222222622622226222226262266222222_B_B_B__B__B__B__B__B__B__B_B_BBB_B__B_BB_B_________B_________KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK

13 11 7577

suncorpbank.com.au/agrii

We’ll come to you

B S U N 6 6 2 2 _ B _ K . p d f P a g e 1 2 9 / 0 2 / 1 2 , 6 : 0 4 P M

Fusarium damaged kernels appear shrivelled and have a white or pink discolouration.

Facts about Fusarium head blight• Fusariumisalargegenusoffungiwidelydistributedinthesoil.Mostspeciesareharmlessandare

abundant members of the soil microbial community, however, others produce mycotoxins in cereal crops that can affect human and animal health if they enter the food chain.

• ThefungusFusarium graminearum causes several head blight producing toxins — the most common types being DON (deoxynivalenol or vomitoxin). The fungus is spread through infected seed or from infested crop residues.

• DistributioninWAislimited,butmonitoringforthepresenceofthefungusandtheirpotentialmycotoxin is required to prevent an outbreak. It is a persistent threat to wheat, barley, oats, triticale and rye crops.

• Thefungussurvivesonstubbleandcanspreadthroughwindblownsporesoronseed.

Potential lossesReduced grain number and smaller grain sizecanaffectyieldbyupto30-50percent, with severe quality impacts. Where the disease becomes endemic significant discounts have been applied to grain.

Fusarium head blight is one of the most devastating and serious diseases of barley. Malting markets are very sensitive to it because it causes excess foaming during brewing. The milling, malting and brewing industries set very strict tolerances for Fusarium toxins in wheat and barley.

Symptoms in winter cereals include dead bleached spikelets several weeks after flowering. Spikelet death spreads along the head. During wet conditions pink or orange spores form at the edge of glumes.

Australian

12th September 2012

Farmer of the YearAwards

NomiNate todayKondinin Group, ABC Rural and the Australian

Rural Leadership Foundation are proud to host the third Australian Farmer of the Year Awards.

The awards celebrate the highly professional, innovative and sustainable approach of our farmers,

showcasing their passion and raising the profile of the important role they play in Australia.

www.kondiningroup.com.au

abc.net.au/rural


Growth in canola production in the high-rainfall regions of WA will benefit from research aiming to improve plant physiology and the development traits which lead to higher yields.

Boosting canola yields in high rainfall zones

At a glance:Results from a three-year research •project show the importance of breeding canola cultivars suited to high-rainfall cropping regions in WA.

Rapid early growth and later-maturing •cultivars gave a yield advantage in average and above-average rainfall years.

The Agricultural Production Systems •Simulator canola model will be used to expand the results across different soil types and locations within the region.

canola cultivars and management practices, which contribute to rapid and early growth, are the key to high yields in Western Australia’s high-rainfall cropping zone, according to new results from a three-year research project.

The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and CSIRO are co-funding the research by Perth-based CSIRO senior research scientist Dr Heping Zhang.

The area is expected to play an important role in future growth in grain production

and includes high-rainfall zone research at trial sites near Kojonup.

“We have been interacting with canola breeders from WA and across the country to provide information on plant physiology and development traits that are associated with high yield in the high rainfall environment of south western WA,” Dr Zhang said.

“Just like in other regions, rapid early growth is important. Differences established early in the season are carried through to flowering and are eventually reflected in crop yield,” he said.

No penaltyDr Zhang said this holds true whether the

focus is on variety choice or agronomic-management decisions such as fertiliser or seeding rate.

“Importantly, while increasing inputs provided significant yield benefit in good years, it did not penalise the crop in bad years as canola has that flexibility,” he said.

“Of course, in bad years there was no return on the additional investment in the higher inputs.”

The result showed varieties which had higher early-growth rates, such as hybrids,

or which matured later, also gave a significant yield benefit in good years.

“As for management inputs, while these choices did not express their higher-yield potential in dry years, at least they did not result in a yield penalty,” Dr Zhang said.

Widespread applicationResearchers now aim to use the results

of the field experiments to test the Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM) canola model.

This will allow the results to be extended across a number of soil types and locations within the region.

Importantly, it will also help growers and researchers know what to expect in terms of year-to-year variation.

“We think there is a big need for more research to improve the management of canola across all regions of the state, especially with the increasing diversity of new varieties becoming available,” Dr Zhang said.

contact Dr Heping ZhangP: (08) 9333 6497E: [email protected]

Early vigour in hybrid canola (Pioneer 46Y78, left) is a trait which allowed greater production of dry matter leading to 30-40% higher yields (in both average and above average rainfall years) compared to TT canola (CB Argyle, Thunder and Tornado, right).

CROPPING: Canola


Studying the preferential grazing habits of sheep could help graziers get more and better feed from their land and improve the productivity and welfare of their animals.

saltbush leaves sweet taste in your mouth

LIVESTOCK: Grazing

Above: CSIRO researcher Dr Hayley Norman, with grower Tony York. The preferential grazing of sheep is being studied to improve selection of saltbush plants that grow faster and are more digestible and appetising to livestock.

At a glance:Natural selection of shrub species •by sheep is providing valuable insights into nutritional value of saltbush plants.

With funding through the Future Farm •Industries CRC, CSIRO has screened more than 80,000 plants to determine their nutritional traits.

Ten new trial sites in WA will come •online in 2012.

summer and autumn feed shortages are a familiar problem for livestock producers in Western Australia.

Salinity, drought and changes in rainfall patterns all affect animal health and productivity.

To buffer this periodic lack of green feed, many producers rely on saltbush, an Australian perennial shrub adapted to dry and saline areas.

These plants offer Australian producers the option to lessen the impact of drought and salinity and also have the potential to improve livelihoods for small landholders globally, according to Perth-based CSIRO researcher Dr Hayley Norman.

“A major advantage of saltbush is their very high levels of vitamin E, an essential vitamin that is lacking in dry feed during summer,” Dr Norman said.

“However, different shrub varieties have different qualities. Some have moderate digestibility, high salt levels and high content of natural chemicals that deter grazing by native and domesticated animals.

“Most commercial plantations of saltbush are based on seed collected from wild plants that have yet to be improved through domestication.

“Our aim is to identify and domesticate the wild varieties that have the best qualities to be used as a diet supplement for livestock.”

LIVESTOCK: Grazing

Sheep are smart when it comes to avoiding toxins and even selecting particular plants to overcome nutritional deficiencies.

After collecting saltbush from across Australia, Dr Norman and her collaborators – funded through the Future Farm Industries Cooperative Research Centre – faced the daunting task of screening 80,000 plants for nutritional traits.

“We know that sheep are highly selective when grazing, so we combined traditional laboratory screening for digestibility with preference ranking by sheep,” Dr Norman said.

The team planted the saltbush collection in WA, NSW and South Australia.

To their surprise they found that sheep grazing the three test locations demonstrated remarkably similar preferences among the shrubs.

“Our laboratory tests indicate that those varieties the sheep clearly preferred had higher digestibility, higher protein and lower salt content,” Dr Norman said.

“The sheep also demonstrated strong preferences among these elite shrubs. They appear to detect some qualities that we have not yet measured; they may be selecting for or against a mineral or plant chemical.”

Using this ‘nutritional wisdom’ along with traditional agronomy, the scientists have selected superior saltbush plants that grow faster and are more digestible and appetising to sheep.

Three experimental sites have been running near Tammin for the last six years, but another 10 sites in WA will soon host saltbush experiments and three more in SA and NSW.

Sites in WA include properties near Tammin, Kellerberrin, Cranbrook, Broomehill, West Arthur, Latham, Yealering and Calingiri.

According to Peter Jessop, from the NSW Department of Primary Industries, producer groups have shown great interest in hosting the experiments.

“We are now entering the final stage of testing these plants on farms across Australia before commercial release in a couple of years,” Mr Jessop said.

“Including sheep in the selection process helps identify plant genotypes that have higher palatability, higher nutrition and lead to higher voluntary feed intake.

“This novel approach offers a quick and inexpensive tool to assist the early stages of plant domestication and is particularly valuable when dealing with perennial plant species that are new to agriculture.”

contact Dr Hayley NormanResearch Officer, CSIROP: (08) 9333 6000E: [email protected]

Sponsors of the WA research sites include:

• TamminLandConservationDistrictCommittee

• KellerberrinLandConservationDistrict Committee

• GilliamiiGroupwithasiteinCranbrook

• KatanningLandcare(SouthwestCatchments Council)

• SouthernDirt(SouthwestCatchments Council)

• MooraMilingPasture Improvement Group

• YarraYarraCatchment Regional Council

• CRCSaltcapProject

CONTACT YOUR NEAREST HONDA DEALER 1300 1 HONDA

Trash and Transfer Pumps

Full range of Honda Generators availablewww.honda.com.au

Tillers

Lawnmowers



workshopworkshopMANUAL

workshopBEST OF

W O R K S H O P S E R I E S

YOUR PRACTICAL GUIDE TO WORKSHOP SAFETY AND FARM REPAIRS

Step-by-step practical instructions •to help you work faster, safer and get better results

The essential workshop •companion for every farmer

Just • $49.95 through the Kondinin Group online bookstore at www.bookstore.kondinin.com.au

Stocks are limited so •order your copy now

SecretS of the farm Shed revealed

P 08 6316 1355 | F 08 6263 9177 | E [email protected] | www.bookstore.kondinin.com.au

Kondinin Group’s research engineers lift the lid on dozens of tips and

tricks for the workshop


New research shows how simple changes in agronomy have enabled sub-tropical grasses to be successfully established in Mediterranean climates.

Establishing sub-tropical grasses in the south West

At a glance:Research has revealed the tools •required for establishment of sub-tropical grasses in the south west of WA.

Time of sowing, when the soil •temperature is not too cold, is critical for establishment.

Sub-tropical grasses provide out of •season green feed for livestock, lifting productivity and reducing grower’s reliance on supplementary feeding during autumn.

Everyone knows the potential of sub-tropical perennial grasses in the northern agricultural region of Western Australia. Just as everyone knows how hard it has been to get them established from seed successfully.

Traditionally grown in northern NSW and Queensland, Department of Agriculture and Food WA researcher Phil Nichols says new research shows success can be achieved.

“We are talking about growing plants way out of their normal range,” Dr Nichols said.

“These are sub-tropical grasses and we are talking about growing them in a Mediterranean climate here in the south-western part of Australia,” he said.

“When we began this research in 2006 some farmers were achieving good establishment, so we knew it was possible, but we did not really know how to establish them reliably.

“But in the end we were pleasantly surprised at how simple the agronomy was.”

The basic elements of the agronomic package were published by DAFWA in September 2010 and the full story behind the research is now online in Future Farm Industries CRC Technical Report 9: Establishment of sub-tropical perennial grasses in south-western Australia.

Dr Nichols said the key to successful sub-tropicals was good planning, not sowing too deeply, sowing into furrows and obtaining seed with good germination.

“In many ways we had to break a few rules from the sub-tropics in looking at how to establish these plants in this climate,” he said.

“The time of sowing is very important and there is only a narrow window when conditions are right.

“They need to be sown late winter to early spring, when the soil temperature is not too cold, but you can’t wait too long or they will run out of soil moisture.”

The research investigated the establishment of kikuyu, Rhodes, panic and signal grasses and setaria.

“The work into growing these grasses was begun by the Evergreen Farming group and the group’s activities have led to rapid adoption of the key elements of

the package, which has seen a terrific rise in success with establishing sub-tropicals in WA,” Dr Nichols added.

“When we started in 2006, it was common to see very patchy establishment, with seedling densities of less than one plant per square metre.

“Now, farmers are getting reliable establishment, with more than 10 plants/m2

surviving through to the following year.”

Sub-tropical grasses can increase productivity by providing out-of-season green feed, improved seasonal distribution of feed and reduced reliance on supplementary feed in autumn.

They also provide environmental benefits from reduced drainage to groundwater management and reduced wind erosion.

To download a copy of Future Farm Industries CRC Technical Report 9 visit www.futurefarmonline.com.au

contact Dr Phil NicholsP: (08) 9368 3547E: [email protected]

“These are sub-tropical grasses and we are talking about growing them in a Mediterranean climate here in the south-western part of Australia," he said.

LIVESTOCK: Pasture


Free to Join!

• Deliveredstraighttoyourinbox• Twoeditionsperweek• Includingfeaturestories• Breakingnews• Trainingcoursedates• What’sinsidethelatestissueofFarmingAhead

• Andmuchmore!

Head to our website www.kondiningroup.com.au and click on Join Mailing List on the right hand side of the page

Or contact us on 1800 677 761 email [email protected] or go to our website www.kondiningroup.com.au

Join Kondinin Group’s e-newsletter and receive up-to-date rural and agricultural news

Kondinin Group e-newsletter

TECHNOLOGY: Smartphones

Farmers can now reply to emails, trade grain and input farm data from the paddock using smartphones thanks to a revolution in communication technology.

At a glance:Technology is helping farmers save •time, record accurate data and spend more time with their families.

A number of farming applications •have been developed for smartphones to help farmers make better business decisions.

Popular desktop programs are being •converted to smartphone applications, so farmers can access and input information in the paddock.

Today’s smartphone technology and the hundreds of agricultural-related iPhone and android applications on the market means growers can obtain information and run their business from their fingertips — anywhere and anytime.

Smartphone applications have allowed farmers to check important business influences such as the weather and grain and livestock markets. They have hip-pocket access not only to various calculation tools, but also to remarkable hand-held programs to record data and information.

According to Fairport Farm Software marketing director Colin Booth the days of

writing farm data on bits of paper and inputting them on to the computer at night is disappearing.

“The convenience of being able to capture the data as you go is what makes these apps so attractive,” he said.

Mr Booth said the new technology saves farmers several hours of work each week, leaving them more time to make smarter business decisions.

“What data they didn’t bother recording in the past – because it was too much hassle – they will now be able to record because it is at their fingertips and the right applications for the job have been developed.

Managing the farm from the phone

After buying an Android smartphone last year, Mr Hall said using the new technology allowed him to make instant business decisions, which increased his profits.

“It gives me a chance to deal with opportunities as they arise,” he said.

“I might be moving some sheep and I can hurry them up the paddock then let them go at their own pace while I reply to a few emails or trade some grain at the best price.”

However, the biggest advantage is saving time spent on data entry and replying to emails — time he now spends with his children before they go to bed.

“The day is almost finished when I walk in the door, whereas before I would be dealing with emails,” Mr Hall said.


“It gives me more family time with my kids, who are 4, 7 and 9 this year.”

After using the desktop PAM system for several years, Mr Hall has been trialling the new Android application.

He said once the application was installed on the phone of every one of his workers, it would allow everyone to connect instantly and update data such as fertiliser inputs.

“This makes our operation more interactive and accurate.”

With 80 per cent of his farm receiving good mobile phone coverage, Mr Hall said the other 20 per cent let him down while trying to connect and use certain smartphone applications.

“A big threat to our operation would be to lose network coverage — I don’t know how we would operate without it.”

Brookton farmer goes 'smart'

Embracing new technology not only means Brookton farmer Murray Hall keeps his workers connected and his farm data up to date, but it also allows more time with his young family.


10 apps to noteThere has been enormous growth in smart phone applications for farmers and popular apps include:

“With farm equipment technologies such as autosteer, growers are often sitting on the tractor with little to do.

“With one eye on the road they could also be updating records or checking information on the multitude of agricultural-related apps which exist for smartphones today.”

A popular desktop computer program for farmers – Paddock Action Manager (PAM) – is currently being developed for both iPhone and Android applications.

The application will revolutionise how farmers operate, according to Mr Booth, who said they will now require just one smartphone device instead of the PAM handset as well.

He said the PAM application for smartphones took two years to develop and

“The convenience of being able to capture the data as you go is what makes these apps so attractive,” he said.

has almost the same functions as the desktop program.

“We developed a system where farmers can synchronise data directly with PAM and they can achieve that with a wireless network or 3G.

“Farmers can record data whether they are on or offline and when they are back in range they can sync that data by pushing one button.

“Our best guess is at least 50 per cent of our clients will start using the application as soon as it is released.”

For more information on PAM technology visit Fairport at www.fairport.com.au

contact colin BoothP: (08) 9367 5814E: [email protected]

ProfarmerThis application was developed by NZX ProFarmer Grain Australia and allows you to keep up to date with daily grain prices and contact the grain buyer with the best bid (iPhone and android).

Weed ID: the Ute GuideA GRDC app which helps identify the most common weeds in southern Australia (iPhone and android).

Water StorageFind how much water is available in individual storages. Compare levels to the previous calendar year and see changes from the previous day, week, month or year (iPhone).

iCarbonCalcDetermine your carbon footprint and identify potential carbon savings through diagrams and charts based on proofed datasets (iPhone).

iFirelert (national)Brings you all the latest fire information and allows you to share incident information via SMS, email and social media (iPhone).

Weatherzone PlusGet real-time observations for temperature, wind speed and direction, pressure and rain. It includes a GPS search feature for your current location (iPhone and android).

Seed Rate CalculatorCalculates seed rate based on weight, germination and expected field losses (iPhone and android).

Livestock CounterReduce the risk of distractions and full hands ruining your livestock count (android).

PocketPAM2Collect crop observations, pest and disease records and weed counts – then send your records back to PAM. The GPS option allows you to geo-locate your inspection sites (iPhone and android).

BubbleThis app turns the phone into a spirit level (android).

TECHNOLOGY: Smartphones

Call toll free 1800 700 096www.dowagro.com.au

Own a bright future

The all-new forward thinking range has landed.

The trouble with buying old technology today, is finding someone to sell it to tomorrow.

At New Holland, we have a clear view of the future. And it’s all thanks to combining EcoBlue™ SCR technology with many intelligent features, like the award winning ergonomic Sidewinder II™, which is used to drive all our high-horsepower equipment.

These unique combinations of smart operational enhancements – such as Engine Power Management, Transmission with Ground Speed Management, “Active” Suspension systems and TerraLock™ Automated Traction Control – all provide greater value, lowering your overall cost of ownership whilst delivering much more responsive power. And that all adds up to enhanced overall productivity and operating efficiency.

It’s so forward thinking, everything else seems backward. To find how New Holland high-horsepower tractors can keep you ahead of the game now and in the future, visit brightfuture.com.au/scr or contact your local New Holland dealer.

NEHOLL0235_Farming_Ahead_297x210.indd 1 25/05/12 3:19 PM

Documents

AG in FOCUS Winter 2011-12