Katherine Research StationPO Box 1346, Katherine NT 0851

Phone (08) 8973 9739Fax (08) 8973 9777

Krs.DPIF@nt.gov.auISSN 0394-9823

www.dpif.nt.gov.au

EDITION 319- June 2014

Department to assist pastoralists with feral animal controlThe DPIF Stock Inspectors/Biosecurity Officers are required under the National Emergency Animal Disease Response Agreement to maintain a core group of experienced aerial platform shooters for emergency animal disease preparedness and response.

Since the successful completion of the Brucellosis and Tuberculosis Eradication Campaign, it has become increasingly more difficult for our staff to find cost effective ways of maintaining high levels of competence and experience in the field.

A plan was recently approved to offer the services of this core group to those involved in feral animal control, including pastoral properties and Aboriginal-controlled areas. This work will provide valuable experience to them and to the department.

The department would supply the shooter/shooters and firearms required for the job. The other party would be responsible for the helicopter hire, fuel and ammunition. The job would have to be carried out in accordance with the department’s high standard of WH&S and animal welfare conditions.

The program will be restricted to the number of hours required to keep our personnel at a high level of competence, so enquiries for these services will be dealt with on a first-in first-served basis.

If you think this proposal could assist you or your organisation please contact Ian Doddrell or your Regional Livestock Biosecurity Officer (RLBO) to discuss your situation.

Darwin Region Katherine Region Tennant Creek Region Alice Springs RegionIan Doddrell (RLBO) Greg Scott (RLBO) Tom Haines (RLBO) Greg Crawford (RLBO)Ph: 08 8999 2030 Ph: 08 8973 9754 Ph: 08 8962 4458 Ph: 08 8951 8125

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New staff members bring international and industry experience to the DPIF Plant Industries teamMarije

On 1 April the Plant Industries team welcomed a new member, Marije (pronounced Mariah) Ten Napel. She will be the new Development Horticulturalist and has already taken on the arduous task of developing a project plan for a water use efficiency trial and is the project leader for Action on the Ground—all in addition to being our extension officer.

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ContentsDepartment to assist pastoralists with feral animal control..........1

New staff members bring international and industry experience to the DPIF Plant Industries team.................................2

The greener pastures of Berrimah beckon…....................................3

New to FutureBeef.....................................3

Mites in melons result in Emergency Use Permit..............................4

Action on the Ground sees new equipment perform....................6

Katherine Regional Outlook Conference................................................9

Australian Farmer of the Year..................11

Nuffield Scholarships...............................11

Book review: The Power of Animals........12

Advanced livestock movement and management course................................12

Round the region.....................................13

Pastoral market update...........................14

Katherine region events calendar............16

Marije earned her Master’s degree in irrigation and water engineering in 2009 at Wageningen University and Research Centre in the Netherlands, and has put her skills and knowledge to use with a company (WaterWatch NL) in the Netherlands working on a project (WATPLAN) based in South Africa. Her work and studies in South Africa have helped monitor catchment systems in Swaziland, Mozambique and South Africa.

Marije came to Australia in 2012 and has since been granted permanent residency. We look forward to working with her and learn from the skills and knowledge she has brought with her.

AliDr Ali Sarkhosh hails from Iran where he gained his Bachelor of Plant Production at the University of Shahre-Kord, finishing in 2003, followed by a Master of Horticulture at Tehran University, finishing in 2005.

He then began his PhD of Horticulture (Breeding and Biotechnology) at the University of Tehran and the New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research, from which he graduated in 2010. His PhD thesis was in the area of pomegranate breeding and genetics.

After graduating, Ali moved to Australia where he worked as a horticulturalist with PMG Agriculture, a large melon and pomegranate farming business based in Condobolin, NSW. Initially his work centred on pomegranates, but in 2013 he transferred to “Desert Springs Farm” at Ali Curung where his role focussed on melon production and developing the property for horticulture.

Ali commenced at KRS on 28 May as a technical officer on the Australian Government-funded project “Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions through Improved Nitrogen Management on NT Farms”. This project is investigating ways to reduce greenhouse gases by better nitrogen management in horticultural and fodder crops across northern

Australia. However, with his wealth of scientific knowledge and practical farming expertise, Ali is sure to make a positive contribution to the many areas of crop research being undertaken by DPIF.

Welcome, Ali and Marije, to the Katherine region and to the DPIF Plant Industries team.

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The greener pastures of Berrimah beckon…It is with sadness that we wish to inform KRR readers that our beloved Action on the Ground Officer, Khamla Mott, has left Katherine Research Station (KRS) to take on a new position as Research Horticulturist at Berrimah. Since starting at KRS in early 2012 as a Technical Officer, Khamla has been involved in many projects including Action on the Ground and the establishment of new mango variety trials, both in the NT and interstate. Khamla also assisted vegetable and fruit growers in a number of ways ranging from helping to register new mango varieties, to providing up-to-date information on research developments as well as being the first to volunteer to answer any plant related enquiries that comes into our office. In addition to this, Khamla was also the first one to volunteer to organise KRS social events such as Melbourne Cup Day luncheons and Christmas parties. Now in Darwin, Khamla’s new role requires her to undertake a variety of tasks from using tissue culture to propagate plants, to undertaking a range of research and extension activities around the issue of resin canal disorder in mangoes.

Khamla has been an integral part of not only the Plant Industry Team but also the greater KRS Team. Although we have lost Khamla to Berrimah, and we miss her bright smile and positive outlook daily, she is not lost to NT primary industries. KRS would like to wish Khamla all the best in her new role.

New to FutureBeefFutureBeef has recently uploaded some new clips to YouTube including many of the presentations made at the Northern Beef Research Update Conference in 2013. Some of the presentations include:

Insights from the Cash Cow project, by Michael McGowan Keys to making genetic progress, by David Johnston Practical options of the paddock – the why, the how and the what, by Ian Braithwaite 16 years of grazing research at Wambiana grazing trial, by Peter O’Reagain Beef supply chain development, by Brad McCormick Meat quality of grain finished, entire, male Bos indicus cattle by Lee Fitzpatrick The diversity and potential within the legume Desmanthus, by Chris Gardiner.

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To watch any of these presentations, simply go to

futurebeef.com.au/resources/multimedia/ and search for the clip you desire.

FutureBeef also regularly posts research project updates as well as details about upcoming events on both Facebook and Twitter.

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Mites in melons result in Emergency Use PermitAustin McLennan Plant Industries Regional Team Leader & Senior Entomologist

This year has seen some additional challenges for melon growers in the Katherine region, with the occurrence of pest mites in large numbers for the second year in a row. In response to the emerging situation this year, DPIF and NT Farmers have worked together to secure an Emergency Use Permit for a miticide not previously available to the industry. The permit was issued by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) on 3 June.

The permit (PER14870) allows the use of products containing 18 g/L abamectin for the control of two-spotted mites in watermelons, rockmelons and honeydew melons. This permit includes products with trade names such as Vertimec® and Sorcerer®.

Abamectin has translaminar activity meaning the product moves from the top surface of the leaf to the underside where the mites live, so it was considered likely to be more effective than other miticides registered in melons. Since the issue of this permit, the DPIF Plant Industries team at the Katherine Research Station has been working with growers to assess the performance of abamectin products against the current mite infestation to see if a longer-term permit should be pursued.

All growers should read the permit before using these products in melons. For example, there are particular requirements about not applying more than two (2) sprays per crop and allowing at least 28 days between applications.

For more information or copies of the Emergency Use Permit please contact either the Katherine Research Station or NT Farmers (details below), or search for the permit on the APVMA website (https://portal.apvma.gov.au/permits).

Emergency Use Permit PER14870 - Contact Details

DPIF - Austin McLennan

Senior Entomologist & Regional Team Leader, Plant Industries

Katherine Research Station

Email: austin.mclennan@nt.gov.au

Mob: 0488 764 592

NT Farmers – Greg Owens

Vegetables Grower Engagement Officer

Darwin

Email: greg@ntfarmers.gov.au

Mob: 0434 746 575

Background on mites in melonsMites are tiny relatives of ticks and spiders that feed on the contents of individual plant cells with their piercing mouthparts, causing nutrient depletion of the affected cells and a characteristic yellowing of the infested leaves. They are typically present in melon crops at very low densities and cause no damage, but when present in large numbers can severely stunt vine growth and reduce crop yields. The main mite species of concern in melons is the two-spotted mite, Tetranychus urticae. However, this year a second dark-red mite species is also present in high numbers. Its identity is still being confirmed by DPIF.

Worldwide, mites are not a common problem in melon or other cucurbit crops but factors that can lead to their build-up include high levels of dust and the use of broad-spectrum insecticides. Broad-spectrum products might help control a target pest (such as aphids or even mites) but can also disrupt other insects and predatory mites that help to keep the pest mites in check. However, another important factor that can drive increases in mite populations are warmer temperatures, and it seems likely that this year’s warmer than average May has been one of the main contributors to the mite build-up seen in some Katherine region melon crops this year.

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Figure 1. Characteristic yellowing of melon leaves due to feeding by pest mites. These vines have been affected by high numbers of mites feeding on the underside of the leaves

One of the most important strategies for managing mites (and all crop pests) is to regularly monitor for them. Mites are very small and it is difficult to see individuals in the field without the use of a hand lens or, in the lab, a microscope. In other industries such as cotton, mite sampling strategies are often based around the percentage of leaves infested. A leaf is regarded as infested if it contains even just one pest mite. By tracking the percentage of infested leaves over the development of the crop, trends can be picked up if the population across the field starts to rapidly increase. Picking up these increases is important because it is much easier to control moderate populations than those that are already high and rapidly growing.

Figure 2. Most mite infestation in cucurbits are due to the two-spotted mite Tetranychus urticae. This year a reddish-coloured species of plant-feeding mite has also been seen on melon crops in the Katherine region (pictured). Its identity is still being confirmed. Mites are very small - each one in the picture is less than 1 mm in length.

Mites have a number of natural enemies that may already be in local melon crops, including several species of predatory mites, some tiny ladybird species that are mite-feeding specialists (e.g. Stethoris sp.) and plant-feeding thrips which do not eat the adult mites, but are known to feed on their eggs. Conservation of these species through the use of selective or minimal insecticides may assist in

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reducing the likelihood of mite outbreaks. Several species of predatory mites can also be purchased from commercial suppliers of biological control agents for release in crop. However, predatory mite releases are more suited to preventing outbreaks than overcoming them once they have occurred, and specific recommendations for how to best integrate them into NT melon crops are yet to be established.

Action on the Ground sees new equipment performTeagan Alexander Katherine Research Station

On 7 April, the Plant Industries team enjoyed the arrival of the much anticipated automated soil gas sampling equipment. This technology will assist in the collection of greenhouse gas samples from the Australian Government funded project “Nitrogen fertiliser management strategies for emerging plant industries in Northern Australia”. The project is trialling new practices to reduce emissions in Top End farming systems. The automated system will also reduce the labour required to conduct sampling in the field.

The new equipment was designed, developed and built by a team from the Queensland University of Technology (QUT). Once ready, the equipment was freighted to Katherine and a representative of QUT, Dave Rowlings, came to demonstrate the equipment. Penny Goldsmith, Agronomist from the Ord Cooperative Kununurra, also came to learn how to use the equipment. Penny, the first project officer to utilise this technology outside of QUT, will use the equipment to measure emissions from different fertiliser treatments on sugar cane. Not only does the equipment collect gas samples for measurement of nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide and methane, but particular chambers also record soil temperature and moisture. Once all the chambers are connected to the main control box, a laptop or tablet is used to configure settings via WIFI such as date, time and how often samples are taken.

Seeing the equipment in action stimulated lots of “oohs” and “aahs”. For gas sampling, the lids of the chambers automatically close, then the gas line is purged of unwanted gases or previous samples. The equipment then sucks the gas out of the chamber and pumps it up to the main control box. Slowly, an automatic needle pierces a vial that has been loaded into the box filling it with gas. A trapdoor then opens and the vial drops into a drawer below to await collection. Once all the samples have been taken, the lids of the chambers re-open, automatically, hence the “oohs” and “aahs” as things happen without direct human physical interaction.

Having seen the demonstration of the equipment, the Action on the Ground team are keen to utilise it for their next wet season experiments.

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Main control box Gas chamber

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Register now!

Trisha Cowley

8973 9770

trisha.cowley@nt.gov.au

Garry Riggs

8978 6448

lakefieldstation@bigpond.com

Lakefield StationSaturday 5th July 2014

Speakers:

Garry Riggs, Keith Holzwart, Geoff Niethe, John Bertram, Trisha Cowley and Karen May

What’s on? Value of Natural Resource Management

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Lakefield Station Field Day

Joint field day between: DPIF and Roper River Landcare Group Inc.

Breeding for polledness Results from the Polled Producer Demonstration

site at Lakefield and Avago Tips to successful AI in northern herds BBSE - Selecting sound bulls Breeding objectives to guide herd development Weighing up home bred bulls vs bought bulls The power of BREEDPLAN Tour of Lakefield

Sponsored by:

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Katherine Regional Outlook Conference

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Did you see it?Australian Farmer of the Year The Australian Farmer of the Year Awards celebrate the highly professional, innovative and sustainable approach of our farmers and farming families, showcasing their passion and raising the profile of the important role they play in Australian agriculture.

With 11 award categories, the winner of each category automatically qualifies for the prestigious Australian Farmer of the Year award. Categories that might be of interest to KRR readers include:

Livestock Producer of the Year Young Farmer of the Year Rural Exporter of the Year Biosecurity Farmer of the Year (animal category) Biosecurity Farmer of the Year (plant category)

Hosted by Kondinin Group and ABC Rural this year’s dinner and award ceremony will be held at the Langham Hotel, Melbourne on Wednesday September 10, 2014. For more info: www.farmingahead.com.au/FarmerOfYear

Nominations close 27 June 2014.

Nuffield ScholarshipsFor over 60 years Nuffield Australia has been selecting scholars to be inducted into the Nuffield Australia Farming Scholarships program which identifies new leaders in industry and the community. Scholars represent many rural industries and are selected on merit as people committed about their industry sector. Scholars are provided with up to $30 000 to assist them to research a primary production topic overseas as well as enhancing knowledge, skills and techniques.

Applicants must be between 28 and 40 years of age, a resident of Australia, engaged in farming or fishing as an owner or manager or an active member of a farming business and intending to remain involved in Australian primary production.

Scholarships that might be of interest to KRR readers include:

A vegetable levy paying grower, supported by Horticulture Australia Limited using the National Vegetable Levy and matched funds from the Australian Government

A cattle, sheep or goat producer, supported by Meat & Livestock Australia A primary producer, supported by Woolworths A primary producer, supported by Rabobank A primary producer in the Northern Territory, supported by ANZ and the Northern Territory

Government

For more information or application details: nuffield.com.au/scholarships

Applications close 30 June 2014.

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Book review: The Power of AnimalsAuthor– Bernadette LawsonFirst edition published – 2013

The Life Story of a true Australian Horseman, written by award winning Author Bernadette Lawson (author of The True Spirit of Cyclone Yasi 2012). This gloves-off insight into Geoff Toomby’s life is mind blowing; no attempt has been made to sugar-coat his childhood of terror, ridicule and pain. Bernadette Lawson provides us with an inspirational true story of a man who has dedicated his life to making a difference to the lives of people in similar situations through the Power of Animals.

The book has over 400 pictures of people, cattle, working dogs, horses and destinations across Australia; you will be jolted into remembering the time you watched on as Geoff amazed hundreds of followers with his unique, almost ‘magical’ relationships with animals. The book provides an opportunity to learn from Geoff what it takes to live a life full of great achievements whilst gaining respect from people from all walks of life.

Geoff and his wife Vicki have faced and beaten some of life’s most horrendous challenges; they have somehow managed to live life by their virtues based on respect, integrity, honesty, equality and pride. Geoff’s lifetime vision to build trusting relations between animals and people is far from over, luckily for us Geoff and your work has just begun!

Advanced Livestock Movement & Management Course

“Keeping a smile on the face of the rural industry”

A two day stock handling course will be held at Katherine Research Station on 23/24 June, run by Neil McDonald. It is a good chance for new staff to become accustomed with smooth constant flow of livestock and learning to minimize the risk of injury to themselves and livestock.

The course will address the following:

How to start, stop and create good steady flow of livestock Pressure and relief Anticipating the moves of animals Your position in relation to the mob Understanding the distance you need to work stock from The path you walk And much more…

For more information about what you can expect from the course, check out the website: www.neilmcdonald.com.au. Cost is $385.00 inc GST per day – bookings can be made by contacting Jack Wheeler on 0417807084.

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Round the Region

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Right: Vet student bleeding a sentinel cow at Katherine Research Station for the NAMP program.

Left: Contented weaners at Kidman Springs

Right: Austin and KRS newest team member Ali checking for mites in a melon crop

Left: The newly completed pen trial facility at Katherine Research Station

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Katherine region events calendarEvent Location DateLakefield Station Field day – Bulls, Horns and NRM Lakefield Station 5 July Trisha.Cowley@nt.gov.au

ABARES NT Outlook Conference Katherine Knott’s Crossing 10 July conferences@agriculture.gov.au

Kidman Springs Field Day VRD 13 August Trisha.Cowley@nt.gov.au

International Horticultural Congress Brisbane 17–22 August

www.ihc2014.org

Beetaloo Rotational Grazing Pilot Field Day Beetaloo Station 10

SeptemberJane.Douglas@nt.gov.au

NT Field Days Katherine Research Station

18–19 September

Neil.MacDonald@nt.gov.au

North Australia Food Futures Conference Darwin 4-5

NovemberWarren.hunt@nt.gov.au

Please email us with updates of events happening in your area: jodie.ward@nt.gov.au

DisclaimerWhile all care has been taken to ensure that information contained in this publication is true and correct at the time of publication, the Northern Territory of Australia gives no warranty or assurance, and makes no representation as to the accuracy of any information or advice contained in this publication, or that it is suitable for your intended use. No serious business or investment decisions should be made in reliance on this information without obtaining independent and professional advice or both in relation to your particular situation.

Reproduction of Rural Review articles

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PO Box 1346

Katherine NT 0851

The Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries (DPIF) welcomes the reproduction of articles appearing in this newsletter, but requests that the technical information be confirmed with the editor or author, prior to publication. The department also requests that acknowledgement be made for any original work sourced from the Katherine Rural Review.

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