News
CSIRO DEVELOPS ‘GENE SANDWICH’ TO ENHANCE WHEAT RUST RESISTANCE

Australia is expecting a strong wheat crop this year, but that would be threatened if a large outbreak of wheat rust occurred. However, researchers at CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, led an international effort to develop wheats with a stronger and potentially more durable level of resistance against rust diseases by “stacking” five resistance genes together.
Read full storyDraft Report of the Independent Review of the Agvet Chemicals Regulatory System

The independent panel has released its draft report on the review of Australia’s agricultural and veterinary (agvet) chemicals regulatory system. Public comments are invited by 26 February 2021.
Read full storyCSD releases new crop modelling tool

Crop modelling tool assists cotton growers and consultants to estimate potential yield throughout the season.
Read full storyForecast of near record 51.5m tonne national winter crop

New South Wales is on the verge of a record-breaking winter crop, with forecast production of more than 17.6 million tonnes driving near all-time high production prospects for Australia overall. The ABARES Australian Crop Report - December 2020 forecasts a 76 per cent rise in Australia’s 2020-21 winter crop production to 51.5 million tonnes, second only to the record 56.7 million tonnes in 2016–17.
Read full storyNew organic herbicide great for tree crops

Grochem Australia has launched a new non-selective, organic herbicide in what it describes as a major breakthrough for the horticulture sector.
Read full storySerpentine leafminer detected in SE Queensland

Serpentine leafminer has been found in a commercial vegetable crop in the Fassifern Valley
Read full storyAll farmers encouraged to map crops to prevent spray drift damage this season

All cropping farmers are being encouraged to play their part in preventing off-target spray drift damage by mapping their fields this season.
Read full storyBOM's outlook suggests a wet summer. But never rule out fire

Summer is set to be wet, according to the official outlook from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM). Despite it being relatively dry over the past few weeks the La Niña declared back in September is still strong, according to BOM senior climatologist Andrew Watkins. At the moment, short-term climate drivers are conspiring to keep things dry, giving farmers a handy window to try and get the crop out.
Read full storyAgchem Safety Week – Industry Insights 24 Nov

Agsafe to host virtual presentation of two passionate advocates.
Read full storyGreat leap forward in innovation and choice for South Australian Farmers

South Australian growers will have access to GM crops from next season after Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development David Basham declared that all of mainland South Australia’s farmers would be allowed to commercially cultivate the crops.
Read full storyWe’re back! Australia on track for above-average winter crop

Australia is on track for a major recovery in grain production, with the winter harvest set to come in at above-average levels, according to just-released forecasts by agribusiness specialist Rabobank. In its Australian Winter Crop Production Outlook 2020/2021, the agribusiness bank says after three successive years of below-average production due to drought in many parts of the country, Australia’s “long-awaited grain production recovery is here”, with the nation expected to harvest 47.4 million tonnes of winter grains, oilseeds and pulses this year.
Read full storyCorteva’s new organic insecticide

In a commitment to the sustainability of Australian farmers, Corteva Agriscience has launched a new organic insecticide. Entrust Organic is a naturally derived insecticide, based on metabolites produced by the fermentation of naturally occurring soil organisms. Its favourable environmental and end-user safety profile offers many benefits to growers wanting effective control of damaging pests.
Read full storyDPI 'Farms of the Future' Breakfast Webinar Series

As part of the NSW Government's Regional Digital Connectivity program, NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has set up three commercial demonstration 'Farms of the Future' sites across NSW to showcase currently available farm connectivity and sensor technology.
Read full storyFirst fall armyworm detected in NSW between Moree and Boggabilla

A pest which has the potential to destroy crops has been discovered in New South Wales for the first time. Growers in northern NSW have been urged to be on the lookout for fall armyworm in crops following the positive identification of a single male moth trapped between Moree and Boggabilla on Tuesday.
Read full storyResearchers investigating virus outbreak in faba beans

A combination of a wet start to the year and the perfect breeding ground for aphids may have been responsible for unusually severe outbreaks of viruses in faba bean crops in northern New South Wales this season.
Read full story