News

Stacking the odds against awnless barnyard grass this summer

Herbicide & fungicide resistance Oct. 9, 2020



Sometimes herbicide resistance comes with a fitness penalty that growers can use as an Achilles’ Heel to drive down weed seed production. Unfortunately, glyphosate resistance seems to confer no such disadvantage on awnless barnyard grass. In a recent random survey of summer-growing weeds in the northern grains region, 36 per cent of awnless barnyard grass (Echinochloa colona) populations proved resistant to glyphosate.

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Gene search aims to combat heat stress in canola

Winter cropping Oct. 2, 2020



Identifying the genes that make canola heat tolerant is the aim of a five-year Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) research project now underway, with field trials planted in New South Wales and Western Australia in 2020. The long-term objective of the research (full story available in GroundCover™ online) is to provide heat-tolerant germplasm to plant breeders.

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Potential to expand horticultural industries in Northern Australia

Agribusiness Tropical agriculture & sugar cane Oct. 1, 2020



Northern Australia has long been regarded as an important gateway to the Asian market. However, due to Australia’s focus on supplying the domestic market, horticultural industries in the region have yet to take full advantage of international market opportunities.

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Updated risk management advice for Septoria

Fungicides Sept. 29, 2020



Growers in the high rainfall zones of southern Australia have a new resource to help guide their management when it comes to the serious wheat disease Septoria tritici blotch (STB).

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Hard-working apparel makes farm life easy

Dairy Sept. 23, 2020



Farmers work hard – usually in tough conditions – so having access to the best tools of the trade is critical to counter those long, trying days. When it comes to gumboots and wet weather gear, there is no better choice for your customers than two iconic brands – both of which are bywords for quality and proven performance – Skellerup and Line 7. Both are available through Australian family-owned company Daviesway.

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Best ‘spring flush’ in three seasons for Australian dairy

Dairy Sept. 23, 2020



Australian dairy is heading for its best ‘spring flush’ in three seasons, as timely rainfall in key regions ramps up the nation’s milk production, according to a newly-released sector report.

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UPL Australia to distribute Penncozeb

Rural Business Sept. 22, 2020



UPL Australia has welcomed Penncozeb 750DF into its portfolio of products and will now distribute the fungicide in Australia.

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Agriculture’s crop-led recovery on track despite COVID-19

Agribusiness Sept. 15, 2020



Agriculture's crop-led recovery from drought remains on track but falling prices and global economic uncertainty from COVID-19 is forecast to temper earnings. ABARES’ September Agriculture Commodities report released today finds that the gross value of production is forecast to stay unchanged at $61 billion despite a significant rebound in crop production.

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Growers advised to bait at planting as mouse numbers rise

Summer cropping Sept. 10, 2020



Northern New South Wales and southern Queensland grain growers are being encouraged to bait for mice when they plant summer crops, with mouse numbers expected to rise under favourable conditions across the region. CSIRO mouse researcher Steve Henry, whose work has support from the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), is advising growers to closely monitor for mouse activity and bait to protect winter crops pre-harvest, as well as newly planted summer crops.

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New South Wales leads expected winter crop bounce back

Winter cropping Sept. 8, 2020



Australian winter crop production is forecast to increase by 64 per cent in 2020-21, with New South Wales expected to have its second biggest winter crop in a decade.

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More grain in the bin, more dollars in the pocket with harvester forums

Winter cropping Sept. 8, 2020



Grain losses during harvesting equate to significant lost income for growers across Australia every year. To support growers in their efforts to reduce harvest losses and improve operations at harvest time, the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) is hosting a series of free-of-charge harvester forums.

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Hostile fungus found to protect against cereal diseases

Rural Business Sept. 7, 2020



A fungus that devastates many crops can act as a powerful biocontrol agent against fungal diseases in cereal plants when modified by mycovirus infection, according to research by The University of Western Australia’s Institute of Agriculture and Huazhong Agricultural University in China.

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New variety transitions quinoa from boutique to broadacre

Winter cropping Sept. 5, 2020



A new open access quinoa variety developed in Australia is set to boost opportunities for farmers to grow the popular superfood, with increased production potential for both local and international markets. As the first public, non-contract variety in Australia, “Kruso White” may be the key to transitioning quinoa from a niche, cottage crop to wider adoption across Australian broadacre farming environments.

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Biosecurity measures reinforced for brown marmorated stink bug season 2020-21

Product development & regulatory services Sept. 1, 2020



In response to the rapid expansion of brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) throughout Europe and North America, the department has retained the seasonal measures to manage the risk of BMSB from arriving in Australia for the 2020–21 BMSB risk season.

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Cattle weigh themselves with Trutest

Cattle health Fencing, livestock handling & ID Aug. 26, 2020



The Tru-Test remote walk over weighing (Remote WOW) system has revolutionised the way Australian cattle producers run their business as it means that cattle can now effectively weigh themselves – without a human in sight.

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