www.dpi.nsw.gov.au 2011

Delve

TRANSFORMINGOUR INDUSTRIES

ContentsTRANSFORMING OUR INDUSTRIES

SMS savvy Irrigation advice via satellite

Water wisdom Farmers make every drop count

Robust rice Standing up to the cold

Canny croppers Big water savings in cotton

Lamb logistics Matching ewes and lambs

Body builder Lamb meat for health

Future fishing Assessing fish stocks

Dinner winner Fish recipe—Leatherjacket

Bat banter Locating bats in forests

Bug barcodes Recording insect DNA

Cultivating communities Farming in urban areas

Precision decisions Educating future farmers

Laser leaders Lasers in forestry

Saline spotter Measuring salt in soil

Helping hand Tackling Aceh’s salinity

Shadowing sharks Shark tracking research

Remarkable reefs Attracting fish for fishers

Fluoro fingerlings Dyeing fish for research

Squirt squirm Managing marine pest threats

Forest fuel Making fuel from waste

Rabbit round-up Managing wild rabbits

Underground ultrasound Minerals exploration

Tracking tucker Identifying and tracing livestock

Best beef Standard labels for beef

Slow sensation Recipe—Comforting beef dinner

Seeing sound Tracking fish through sound waves

Fire finders Fire detecting cameras

Carbon clues A career amongst the trees

Testing trees Simulating climate change

Rethinking ruminants Breeding cattle for less gas

Organic options Organic choices on the rise

Simply spelt An ancient wheat variety

Optimum oils Getting the best olive oil

Sensing sweetness Infra-red tests on fruit

Marking meat Grading meats to Aussie standards

Outstanding oysters Super Sydney oyster developed

Tech training Radio-tracking rabid dogs

Fast-track forests Mechanised seed sowing

Pulse pluses A healthy, sustainable crop

Milking machine Robotic rotary milking system

Super savers Save on power, fuel, water and food

4

4

5

5

6

6

7

7

8

8

9

10

10

11

11

12

12

13

13

14

14

15

16

17

17

18

18

19

20

20

21

21

22

22

23

23

24

25

25

26

27

WhyDelve?

Delve 2011 aims to introduce readers to the technology and people working to sustain and improve the primary industries we rely on. What do you think of this year’s issue? Any suggestions for 2012?

Your feedback will help shape Delve.

Emaildelve.feedback@industry.nsw.gov.au

PRODUCTION TEAMDavid Alonso Love, Carmen Perry, Jo Bodley, Trudy Glasgow, Alan Hancock, Sophie Hansen, Annette McCaffery, Craig Vaughan and I&I NSW staff. Design: Miriam Oetiker

Corporate Strategy & Communications 516 High Street, Maitland NSW 2320t: 1300 736 122 or 02 4931 6666www.dpi.nsw.gov.au

WE’D LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU …

© State of New South Wales through Department of Industry and Investment (Industry & Investment NSW) 2011. ISSN: 1836-6759

You may copy, distribute, display, download and otherwise freely deal with this pub-lication for any purpose, provided that you attribute the department as the owner. However, you must obtain permission if you wish to: charge others for access to the publication (other than at cost); include the publication in advertising or a product for sale; modify the publication; or re-publish the publication on a website.

You may freely link to the publication on the Industry & Investment NSW website.

The information contained in this publication is based on knowledge and understand-ing at the time of writing (January 2011). However, because of advances in knowledge, users are reminded of the need to ensure that information upon which they rely is up to date and to check currency of the information with the appropriate officer of Industry & Investment NSW or the users independent adviser. Recognising that some of the information in this document is provided by third parties, the State of New South Wales, the author and the publisher take no responsibility for the accura-cy, currency, reliability and correctness of any information included in the document provided by third parties. Photos page 11 courtesy Arup Food and Agriculture.

With one-third of Australia’s population living in NSW, our farmers, foresters, fishers, miners and a raft of other professionals, work hard to feed and house us and make a significant contribution to Australia’s exports.

Delve magazine takes a peek behind the scenes of our everyday lives, at the technology and people working totransform the industries we rely on each day.

This year, our focus is the remarkable work undertaken by government scientists and industry leaders to ensure the sustainable growth of NSW primary industries. Technology is one of the main forces transforming all parts of our society. NSW industries such as farming, fisheries, forestry and mining all use ever evolving advanced technology to make their work safer, more efficient and environmentally friendly. And this often leads to better outcomes for the entire population—fresher food, wiser use of resources and a healthier environment.

We hope you enjoy delving into the future of NSW industries. You can visit our website www.dpi.nsw.gov.au for more information.

2011

to carry on intensive or thoroughresearch for informationDelve

2 3

Some people think that Australia is too dry to grow crops like rice. But NSW government researchers are developing varieties of rice that flourish with less water.

Rice plants are sensitive to the cold. Lower temperatures can make the anthers—the pollen-bearing part of the flower—become sterile, and so unable to produce the seeds that we eat. Even though rice is a summer crop, temperatures here can still drop low enough to make the pollen sterile.

One solution is a technique called deep watering. This generates a water vapour that protects the rice from cold. But there is a down-side—it still uses a lot of water.

NSW government researchers likePeter Snell are developing varieties of rice with a much better ability to resist cold. The good news is that rice can now be grown successfully with less water.

The Australian rice industry today uses 50% less water than the world average to grow one kilogram of rice.

Water wisdom

ROBUSTrice

215 pairs of jeans can be made from a

227 kg bale of cotton.

Imagine you could save 40% of the water you use at home…you’d be pretty impressed. That’s the saving that cotton growers and irrigators across northern NSW are achieving with the help of NSW government irrigation advisory staff.

Adapting to the reduced availability of water is a major challenge for cotton growers. It calls for innovation and a positive attitude to ‘making more with less’. Reducing water losses is an expensive and high tech business. Irrigators need feedback when they introduce new technologies, and our irrigation experts can help them to work out their water use.

New products that form a thin reflective film on top of water help reduce evaporation from dams and channels. Electromagnetic technologies can help identify leaky spots in dams and channels. And switching irrigation systems to more efficient options such as centre pivots—like a dangling sprinkler—is effective.

Luckily, the partnership between NSW government staff and irrigators translates into great improvements in efficiency. In fact, Australian cotton growers are three times more efficient than the world average, producing 7.8 bales per mega litre of water used, compared to 3.3 bales in the 1970s.

Canny croppers

4

SAVVY FARMERS IN THE HAWKESBURY-NEPEAN region can now receive free daily irrigation recommendations by SMS. These text messages are saving water, improving crops and increasing productivity. This means cheaper food prices, higher product quality and a better environment.

The system uses a combination of satellite, weather station and on-farm data to provide simple SMS messages. These advise farmers about where to irrigate, how much water to use and how long to run their irrigation systems.

In full operation the SMS program will prevent up to 38,800 kg of nitrogen and 7200 kg of phosphorusfrom entering the river system each year.

Irrigation farmers move water—mostly from dams and rivers—to their crops to produce milk, fruit and vegetables, and lots of other crops we depend on, such as wheat, cotton, canola and rice, as well as animal feed. An enormous amount of irrigated produce is grown in the Hawkesbury-Nepean region, right on Sydney’s doorstep.

Australia’s variable climate means that irrigation farmers need great skill to keep ‘producing the goods’ and run a successful business. An irrigation farmer has to know ‘truckloads’ about soils, plants, scheduling crop water needs, sowing, harvesting, machinery, pest and disease control, finance and marketing.

NSW government staff assist irrigators to maximise production from water by providing advice, conducting research, and delivering irrigation training courses to keep irrigators up to date with the latest methods.

When you next tuck into a delicious, fresh salad think about the irrigation farmer who grew it—there’s one near you. In fact, there are seven main inland irrigation areas in NSW located on major river systems—Murray, Murrumbidgee, Lachlan, Macquarie, Namoi, Gwydir and Border Rivers.

Not all farmers rely on rain to provide water for their crops.

Less than 1% of all agricultural land in

Australia is irrigated; and more than half

of that irrigated land is in NSW.

SMSsavvyThe service is used by the turf, vegetable, orchard, flower and dairy industries. It is part of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River Recovery Program and is provided through the Water Smart Farms Project. The Project aims to have 250 farmers from across the Hawkesbury-Nepean region using the service to save water by September 2011.

NSW government researchers are leading the way in harnessing modern technology to deliver specific information directly to those who need it.

Leatherjacket might be considered the ugly duckling of the fish world. But despite appearances, leatherjackets are proving a winner for dinner. The fish is a good stand-in for snapper, dory and whiting with attractive pearly white flesh and no strong ‘fishy’ smell.

Plus, leatherjacket is fast growing and fished at a sustainable level in NSW fisheries.

Leatherjackets are great for barbecuing, roasting or simply pan-frying. Undeservedly neglected by consumers, it is inexpensive, selling for $6–10 a kilogram.

FUTURE fishing

www.sydneyfishmarket.com.au/aussieseafood

YOU CAN HELPLearning to cook less commonly

used fish is the most direct way you can help keep our fisheries

sustainable.

Dinner Winner

FISH RECIPES

Serves 44 medium leatherjackets, heads and skin off steamed rice ready to serverocket leaves for presentation, optional2 lemons, cut into wedges16 sage leaves

1/3 cup capers in brine, rinsed and dried¼ cup extra virgin olive oil120g butter1 cup plain floursalt flakes and freshly ground black pepper, to tasteMethod

1. Dust fish thoroughly in flour seasoned with salt and pepper and shake gently to remove excess.2. Heat a large frypan over a high heat and add olive oil.

When oil is hot, reduce heat to medium and add fish. Cook on one side for 4–5 minutes, until golden. Add butter and as soon as it starts to bubble and foam, turn fish over. Cook for another 2–3 minutes, until flesh flakes easily when tested with a fork, basting a few times, then remove from the pan and keep warm. 3. Return the pan to a high heat, add sage leaves and capers,

and cook until the butter starts to brown. Add a good squeeze of lemon juice and remove from heat.4. Serve fish with sage, capers and butter spooned over the

top and steamed rice on the side. Garnish with a lemon wedge, and rocket leaves (optional).

Recipe courtesy of FISHline—Sydney Fish Market’sconsumer advice service, phone 02 9004 1122www.sydneyfishmarket.com.au

LEATHERJACKETS WITH BURNT BUTTER AND CAPERS

Do you eat fish?Nutritionists recommend we eat fish twice a week for improving brain function, along with other health benefits. A growing concern is whether we can eat fish and seafood sustainably so that there is enough for future generations.

Many government agencies around Australia—including NSW—assess the status of fish stocks in our waterways. This information gives some guidance about which species are in danger of being overfished, and which can be sustainably harvested. Want to know more about where NSW seafood comes from, who catches it and how they do it? Visit the Aussie Seafood website to hear our fishers talk about sustainability and their industry. Don’t miss the simple, scrumptious recipes developed by the Sydney Fish Market.

BODY BUILDER

Lamb logistics

Many Australians need to increase their intake of essential fatty acids like omega-3 to reduce the risk of chronic disease. Most health recommenda-tions suggest eating more fish. But NSW govern-ment researcher Dr David Hopkins says red meat might hold the answer. Although it contains less omega-3 fatty acids per gram than seafood, Australians eat more grams of red meat.

The benefits of omega-3 include improved cardiovascular health, improved foetal and early childhood growth and development, reduced type-2 diabetes, and reduced asthma.

David is studying* what influences omega-3 levels in lambs. This is the largest study of its kind ever undertaken in the world, analysing 4000 lambs across Australia. Early research suggests that feed choice is the primary driver but sire (male parent) selection also plays a part.

So far, lambs produced at the Cowra Research Station in central west NSW have produced the highest levels of omega-3 fatty acid levels in lamb meat. These Cowra lambs grazed quality lucerne and perennial (year round) pastures.

*through the Co-operativeResearch Centre for Sheep IndustryInnovation (Sheep CRC).

There may be more reason to bite into lamb than just its yummy taste. It’s healthy too!

Authorities suggest a daily intake of omega-3 oils of 430 mg for women

and 610 mg for men. Most Australians consume only 30 mg per day..6 7

Which lambs come from which ewes? Orange Agricultural Institute livestock researcher Steve Semple was trying to answer this question in the far west of NSW.

“To select the best sheep for breeding you need to know who their mothers are,” says Steve. “That means running around a paddock and catching them as soon as they are born. It’s a lot of hard work.” After many days of running around, Steve and sheep breeder Mark Mortimer decided to try and invent something to make life easier. They came up with the Pedigree Matchmaker System.

“The maternal bond is strong in sheep. Lambs will follow their mothers around for six to eight weeks after they are born,” said

Steve. “So we tag the lambs with a radio frequency ID tag, then we set up a data reader between the feed and the water. It records data about the proximity of

particular lambs to particular ewes as they pass. After four to six weeks, a list of tag numbers is created and farmers can locate a

lamb’s mother with about 95% accuracy,” he said.

Steve took his system to ABC Television’s New Inventors program and was AWARDED ‘BEST INVENTION’ of the episode. The judges were impressed and described it as a well-designed, practical and original solution to a common problem.

The invention means that farmers can achieve improved breeding value from sheep with verylittle extra expense or effort.

For the latest statusreport visit:www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries

Flying foxes do not use echolocation but fly by vision, so are not recorded in species surveys.

BatBanterResearchers have long known that bat chat is more than mere babble. In fact many bat species emit calls and listen to the echoes that return from objects in order to navigate.

Listening to bat chat is an essential forests management tool. An accurate knowledge of the presence and abundance of bats, in particular threatened species, is necessary before planning for activities like timber harvesting can begin, as bat habitat needs to be protected.

Identifying bats has been difficult because just as people from different regions have different speech patterns, so do bats living along the east coast of NSW. Forest researchers once used a time-consuming process to detect the different bat dialects. They would record bat echolocation calls as a sound file on their laptop and painstakingly compare these recordings with a reference library of existing bat calls.

NSW government researchers Brad Law, Mark Chidel and Maria Adams* took more than 4000 bat calls from their reference library and used the AnaScheme software program, devised by Matthew Gibson from the University of Ballarat, to develop identification keys to bat calls that a computer can read.

Now researchers can leave a recorder in the field for long periods, automatically recording bats’ echolocation calls. The recordings are then compared using the keys on the new software. This will ultimately increase accuracy and speed in identifying bats in forestry work and in programs to monitor biodiversity.

*with funding from the Australian Biological Resources Study

bugBARCODES

Scientists have recoded DNA barcodes for 48,676 butterflies and moths and are planning to record a further 111,324.

Australia is one of the world’s more urbanised nations, with just over three-quarters of the population living in 17 major cities.

integrated system, growers can use as little as 5% of the water used by traditional aquaculture or farming systems to grow the same amount of produce.

The very latest city planning around the world integrates food production within the built environment. Planning buildings and city blocks as their own mini-ecosystems that recycle nutrients and waste is at the cutting edge of urban design. Corner store farms might just be next.

Urban agriculture can include backyard and community gardens, rooftops, school agricultural plots, and high-tech set-ups. Each type has its own distinctive benefits, values and planning requirements.

The NSW government has encouraged and supported commercial efforts to develop some of the more hi-tech systems. These can combine aquaculture (growing fish) with chemical-free greenhouse plant production that may be capable of organic certification. By developing a completely

Cultivating communities

In the old days, taxonomists—professional biologists who are trained to identify different species—identified species of insects using careful observation. But the development of DNA barcodes has brought new levels of speed and accuracy to the task. The new technology allows rapid and accurate identification of exotic insect pests for example, making it ideal for biosecurity and surveillance activities.

Researchers have discovered that it’s possible to find short unique sequences of DNA that can be used to identify just about every species on the planet. The researchers plan to build the largest database of its kind, by taking a snippet of DNA from all the known species on Earth in what is known as the Barcode of Life Initiative. They then link the genetic information to photographs, descriptions and scientific information.

NSW government researcher Dr David Gopurenko and his team in Wagga Wagga are part of this global effort. They have recorded more than 5000 specimens, including leaf hoppers (which can spread bacterial diseases in crops), other insects, fungi and weeds.

Imagine quarter-acre city gardens growing fresh vegetables and teeming with fish.Imagine them dotted every few kilometres throughout cities across the globe. You could simply walk from home to the farm on the corner to buy your healthy, fresh produce.

Imagine low or no transport, refrigeration or storage costs, and no extra labour costs above what farmers are paid to produce the food. Say ‘hello’ to urban agriculture.

David Mason, a leader in urban agriculture, has worked in this area for almost 20 years and has helped developers of urban agriculture systems in NSW.

David completed a world study tour of Singapore, Holland, England, USA and Canada thanks to the Churchill Foundation. He thinks urban agriculture will totally change how we relate to our food. It will cut down on the carbon footprint of food and might help break down the ‘city versus country’ mentality.

David became aware of some very forward-thinking urban agriculture innovation in his Churchill study tour. A study by the South Australian Department of Primary Industries suggests that this agriculture already represents up to 25% of Australia’s total farm production ($7 billion of $28 billion). So, urban agriculture isn’t just about the future.

8 9

In Australia we have problems with salinity due to groundwater rising through salt-bearing soils.

After the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, one of the biggest problems for villagers in affected areas like Aceh, Indonesia was that their soil became salty from all the sea water that had washed over farm land.

Farmers in Aceh had no idea that the tsunami had caused their land to become

Salinity is the build-up of salt in soil and water. For farmers, too much salt in the soil can mean the difference between a good harvest and none at all.

Understanding soil is probably one of the most important skills a farmer can develop. And while knowing how salty soil is can help a farmer plan for the season ahead, to do it properly has involved sending a soil sample to a lab and waiting weeks for a result.

Farmers can now tell if their soil is saline (salty) on the spot with an instrument called EM38. It works by using an electromagnetic field to induce a small electrical current to flow through the soil. The amount of current which flows indicates the amount of salts in the soil as salt is a good conductor. Having a quick, easy and inexpensive way of telling how much salt is present saves time and money.

Once farmers have an idea of how salty their soils are, they can work to improve their soil or change what they plant.

Saline SPOTTER

too salty to grow their usual crops. This salt had to be leached away by rain before

crops could be grown successfully again.

NSW government staff worked with agricultural staff in Indonesia to assess land for salinity using the EM38. This information was used to advise farmers when land was once again suitable for growing crops.

Helping hand

Rising groundwater also affects rural infrastructure including buildings, roads, pipes and underground cables.

Laserleaders

Airborne LiDAR can measure tree height more accurately than traditional survey techniques on the ground.

HOW MANY TREES ARE IN A FOREST?

Farmers occupy and manage 61% of Australia’s landmass.

Throughout the ages, agriculture has benefited from technological advances that were often

developed for other industries. The industrial

age brought mechanisation and artificial fertilisers; the technological age offered genetic engineering.

Now the information age brings the potential for precision agriculture through satellite and global position systems (GPS) and digital

imagery to assess and understand local variations in agricultural requirements. Precision agricultural systems are part of modern farming practices and allow land to be managed by the square metre instead of the square mile.

These days, working in primary industries can be a high- tech affair with young farmers undergoing rigorous training.For almost 50 years Tocal College, near Maitland NSW, has specialised in agriculture and land management courses. While courses have changed over the years to keep students in touch with technological advances, students at Tocal consistently graduate with the practical skills that are required by employers.

On-farm experience seems to make all the difference. Students are rostered on to work experience on large commercial farms and cropping properties in westernNSW, where they have the opportunity to try out technology and study how it can be used to improvewhole farm management.

If you would like to consider a course in agriculture or land management, visit Tocal College’s website:

www.tocal.nsw.edu.au

Using high-speed lasers, NSW government forestry researchers are much closer to being able to answer that question.

Traditionally, small areas of forest were surveyed by field workers to obtain a picture of the forest as a whole. With new airborne laser systems known as LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), the entire forest can be scanned using high-speed laser pulses.

An aeroplane or helicopter fitted with LiDAR simply flies over a forest and sensors rapidly collect information about the forest and send it to a distant location. This information is used to generate three-dimensional (3D) data and paints a detailed picture of a forest.

In Green Hills State Forest near Tumut NSW a two year trial in a pine plantation has shown that LiDAR can accurately determine forest boundaries, count the number of trees per hectare and measure tree height.

The new technology means forestry workers will be able to better manage the health of the forest, optimise the timber available for the harvest and plan for the future.

10 11

Precisiondecisions

Fish love to hang around structures. Whether it’s a natural coral reef or an artificial structure like a jetty or shipwreck, fish just can’t help themselves. These sheltered areas become the aquatic equivalent of a large metropolis—crowded and pulsing with diverse life.

NSW government fisheries staff have led the way in constructing artificial reefs in NSW estuaries. The man-made estuary reefs consist of up to 400 huge concrete balls, some weighing up to 1000 kilograms. Scientific monitoring of these artificial reefs has found that they have attracted a high diversity of fish species while having little impact on existing habitats.

Most of us would rather avoid sharks, but one NSW government scientist goes out of her way to get up close to as many sharks as possible. Dr Amy Smoothey has been running a fascinating research project in Sydney Harbour, tagging and monitoring sharks.

The project aims to reduce the risk of an encounter between sharks and humans by tracking sharks’ natural movements. By finding out if there are any particularly dangerous areas in Sydney Harbour, scientists will be able to make recommendations about the safest areas for swimmers and other leisure users.

Since March 2009, 11 bull sharks, all male and longer than 2.5 metres, have been tagged. Each tag has its own unique code and can transmit signals for up to 10 years. These signals are detected by a network of underwater listening stations in Sydney Harbour and along the NSW coast.

Results from tracking these sharks suggest that they can move very large distances in relatively short periods of time. The data provides a fascinating insight into one of the world’s most interesting shark species.

Visit SharkSmart to learn more about sharks: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/info/sharksmart

Dr Smoothey performing surgery

Scientists are now working on an artificial reef to be built in the ocean. This will be a large, steel skeletal reef, custom made for the conditions in NSW oceans. Each reef unit will be 12 metres high and will weigh 35 tonnes. The high quality reef will be used for recreational fishing, while maintaining biological effectiveness for bottom-dwelling and ocean-living fish species.

In just 17 days one tagged shark travelled from the Sydney Harbour to just off the

coast of QLD—over 1174 km away.Remarkable reefs

Yellowfin bream were spotted schooling around an artificial reef in Botany Bay just two days after placement.

Squirt squirm

It sounds harmless enough, but a sea squirt got scientists squirming in southern NSW last year. Underwater divers spotted what

they thought was a non-native invasive marine pest known as a colonial sea squirt (Didemnum vexillum), on a wharf in Twofold Bay. This species, which can be orange-yellow or cream in colour, attaches itself to wharves, boat ramps, ropes and boats, and can spread easily.

The creature forms tendrils that hang vertically. These look like dripping wax and can smother

animals like mussels and oysters, potentially killing shellfish that are important to the economy and disrupting native ecosystems. The sea squirt has been known to ruin marine infrastructure, natural habitats, and aquaculture farms in other countries.

To stop boats and other vessels spreading the suspected pest, Twofold Bay was immediately declared a quarantine area. Numerous samples were collected and, fortunately, testing by NSW, Australian and overseas scientists showed that the particular species being investigated was not a problem.

With an estimated 250 introduced exotic marine species in Australia, swift identification is essential. NSW government staff work to manage the pests, weeds and diseases which threaten fisheries, agricultural and forestry productivity and environmental health.

Carp, an invasive fish pest, are incredibly resilientand out-compete our native fish species for food and habitat.

Murray cod are a prized catch of freshwater anglers as they’re one of Australia’s largest freshwater fish, and although tiny as fingerlings (centre in hand), they can grow up to 1.8 m and weigh more than 100 kg!

FluoroIf you love fishingthen you’ve probably come across one or two of the 60 million native fish released into the Murray-Darling Basin over the past 30 years. But keeping track of these hatchery produced fingerlings to study their fate has been difficult. With no easy and painless way to distinguish wild stock from hatchery stock, fish researchers were left in the dark—until now.

NSW government hatchery staff assisted researchers from the University of Adelaide and the Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, to come up with a method called osmotic induction marking. This involves putting the fish in a salt bath for a short time, which causes the cells to lose water, and then immersing them in a fluorescent dye known as calcein. The calcein creates a permanent mark on the bony parts of the fish.

Researchers can detect this in the field for several years by shining a special torch on the fish. There’s no need to harm or kill them and they’re perfectly safe to eat. Up to 20,000 fish can be tagged in just 10–15 minutes. It’s a quick and effective way to measure the success of costly fish stocking programs. This work is supported by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority’s native fish strategy.

sharksShadowing

12 13

Scientists around the world are racing to find alternative fuels to oil. A team from NSW is looking to plantation forestry prunings for the answer.

Dr Tony Vancov and his team have been trying to turn ‘woody’ fast growing plants, which can be regularly harvested, into fuels such as ethanol.

“The material has to be readily available in large quantities, easily transportable, have no human nutritional value and very little financial value,” Tony says.

In NSW, sustainable plantation management involves regular ‘thinning’ of trees, with the cut material often being left where it falls. These prunings, according to Tony, tick all of the above boxes. Also, they can be stored for extended periods, and because they aren’t too heavy, can be easily transported in large quantities.

Tony’s team is now gearing up for stage two of the project, researching how to produce a commercially viable fuel that, he says, should be on the market in the not too distant future.

It’s hard to believe that cuddly rabbits could ever be a problem, but wild rabbits

currently cause over $200 million in damage to Australian farms, forest plantations, rural

communities and food production industries each year.

Recent rain has created ideal breeding conditions for rabbits; and landholders, communities and scientists are concerned that rabbit numbers are set to skyrocket.

Unfortunately we can’t rely on viruses alone to solve the problem. Myxomatosis and

Rabbit round-up

the Calicivirus still get rid of large numbers of rabbits. Myxomatosis, for example, kills around 50% of affected rabbits but these adaptive creatures are developing resistance to biological controls and sheer numbers mean they continue to survive.

NSW is a partner in a national program called RabbitScan which invites everyone—even people living in cities, to report rabbit sightings and any evidence of damage. The data is revealing rabbit hot spots and is used by landholders to better manage their properties.

E10 fuel contains a mixture of 10% fuel

ethanol and 90% unleaded petrol.

In over 150 years of mining operations, the vast majority of resources still sit beneath our feet. To access these valuable resources, we face new challenges. These include how to reach deeper mineral deposits, and how to maintain our intellectual and technological edge, as well as better managing the use of land. The key to achieving all this is exploration.

Building an accurate inventory of precisely where the resources are located is the first step. To achieve this, the NSW government has invested in exploration research in the New Frontiers exploration initiative.

Already, high resolution geophysical surveys from aircraft have been conducted, which now map more than 84% of the State. These allow geologists to look deep into the Earth’s crust for petroleum and minerals.

Under roundULTRASOUND

WHETHER IT’S GOLD OR LEAD, copper or coal, mineral or metal—mining is big business in NSW. Mining accounts for 43% of our total merchandise (goods) exports. This makes it our largest single export industry and a vital cog in the successful running of our State.

Ultimately, mining is responsible for the materials we need to run our computers, offices, businesses and industries—and to prepare our meals, run our cars, build our houses and supply energy. NSW will soon boast Australia’s largest underground mine, with the recent announcement of Newcrest’s Cadia East gold and copper deposit development. But even that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Rabbits have high breeding rates and females can produce as many as 30-40 offspring in just 12 months.

In addition, seismic surveys are carried out, mainly along major roads, using state-of-the-art ‘Vibroseis’ technology MOUNTED ON SPECIALLY EQUIPPED TRUCKS. This technique uses low-impact seismic (vibrating energy) waves that travel down through the earth providing almost an ‘ultrasound’ of the earth. The waves are reflected back to the surface and are recorded by sensitive monitoring equipment spread out along the surface. The seismic data is computer processed and allows geoscientists to ‘see’ the geological features deep below the surface.

Mining is a major contributor to our economy, in terms of business activity, investment, employment, regional development, and export revenue.

More about the New Frontiers initiative: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/minerals/geological/initiatives/new-frontiers

Help stop the hop or find out more about the problem at: www.rabbitscan.net.au

15

One advantage of the system is that it allows meat products to be traced to the property and the producer. Processors can identify the producers of the best cattle, and seek out their product again.

NLIS Sheep & Goats and NLIS Pork are also used to identify and trace sheep, lambs, farmed goats and pigs.

The National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) is Australia’s scheme for

identifying and tracking livestock. Australia has a national herd of 28 million beef cattle—so there is plenty to keep an eye on!

NLIS Cattle involves using electronic identification devices in the ears of cattle. Each device contains a unique number and is used to identify where the animal was born. Every animal that passes through a saleyard is scanned by an electronic reader, recorded and allocated the property identification code of their destination. This information is stored in a centralised national database.

Can a steak be tracked from paddock to plate? Sure can!

Tracking tucker

Producers must notify the database when animals move from property to property.

This system provides whole-of-life traceability and helps Australia respond quickly to major food safety or disease incidents. Your local butcher as well as our overseas trading partners can be confident in the safety and integrity of meat under this quality assurance system.

Australia is the second largest beef exporter in the world (after Brazil). NLIS is an important program in maintaining access to our key export markets in Japan, the United States and Korea.

There are 48,866 farms producing beef cattle in Australia.

STANDARD RETAIL DESCRIPTION

Approximate ageat processing

Yearling 18 months or less

Young 18 months to 2.5 years

Intermediate 2.5 to 3 years

Mature 3 to 3.5 years

Economy 3.5 years or more

BEST BEEFChoosing the best beef for a casserole or BBQ is now much easier thanks to a new ‘truth in labelling’ initiative designed to help consumers know more about the beef they’re buying.

Standard retail descriptions have been designed to help shoppers understand the age of the animal their beef comes from. Age can impact on the tenderness and flavour of beef. Generally, younger cuts are more tender and ideal for something like a BBQ. Increasing age means more flavour with the older cuts best suited to stews, casseroles or curries.

The NSW Food Authority has created posters and flyers to help retailers explain the descriptions to their customers. Ask your local butcher for a free copy of What’s the beef?

BEEF RECIPES

Slow SensationServes 4Preparation time 15 minutes. Cooking time 2 hours.600 g chuck beef, trimmedcouscous, ready to servezucchini, cut into large chunks, steamed and ready to serve

3 Roma tomatoes, chopped1 large red sweet potato, cut into large chunks1 onion, chopped2 tsp olive oil2 tsp sweet paprika2 tsp ground cumin750 ml bottled tomato passata sauce (or sieved canned tomatoes)

400g can chickpeas, drained1/2 cup water

Method1. Cut beef into 2.5–3 cm cubes. Season with pepper. Add a little oil and mix. 2. Heat a large frypan over medium-high heat. Brown beef in two batches. Remove and place in a heavy-based pot.3. Reduce heat in frypan, add oil, onion and spices and cook

for two mins. Add passata and water, stir until it boils. Pour over the beef, add tomatoes and sweet potato.4. Partially cover pot, keep heat low. Simmer until meat is very

tender. Stir occasionally. Add a little water if needed as it cooks. 5. In the last ten minutes, add chickpeas to warm through. SERVE WITH COUSCOUS, ZUCCHINI & CORIANDERRecipe courtesy www.themainmeal.com.au

Australians eat an average 35.7 kg of beef and veal per person, per

year. 16 17

FireFINDERSSpeed is everything in a bushfire.

The ability to find and attack a fire in its early stages can mean the difference between

a few burnt hectares and an inferno that can ruin lives and destroy communities.

CSIRO has been trialling the latest weapon to detect summer bushfires. Three new bush fire detection cameras have been put through their paces near Tumut in southern NSW. The cameras are designed to provide

fire fighters with information on where a fire is and how big it is. Each camera is able to monitor 10,000 square kilometres, scanning 360 degrees every six minutes, non-stop, day and night.

Fire managers will assess trial results from the three camera systems before deciding whether to adopt them on a broader scale. Until then, fire towers manned by trained human observers keep watch over fire prone areas during summer.

Temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, atmos-pheric stability and rainfall influence bushfire behaviour.

7.5

7.06.5

6.05.5

5.04.5

4.0

7.5

7.06.5

6.05.5

5.04.5

4.0

3.0 3.03.5 3.5

metres

Have you ever wondered what fish do at night? NSW scientists have been trialling cameras which use sound

waves to pick up the acoustic echoes of fish swimming. They then convert the sound waves into digital images, which can be viewed on a personal computer. Because it relies on sound, the camera—known as a DIDSON—is able to observe fish at night and in dirty or cloudy water. This opens the door for new underwater research, including ways to help migratory fish.

NSW trials with the DIDSON showed that black bream “really freak out” when they encountered fish ladders—devices used to help fishes’ natural migration. Researcher Lee Baumgartner explains: “They swim up to the ladder, get spooked and then swim away quickly.”

Thanks to the camera, scientists no longer need to physically catch fish to gather information about their biology and ecology. They can now work with fish non-destructively, without nets or traps. By directly observing how fish behave when they migrate, feed and spawn, researchers will be better placed to develop management and survival plans.

Golden perch can travel up to 2000 km in a single upstream migration.

Delve:

Fabiano:

Fabiano:

Delve:

Fabiano:

FABIANO XIMENES IS A RESEARCH OFFICER with the NSW government in Sydney and is the program leader for New Forests—a program focused on research in the areas of carbon sequestration, salinity management, land rehabilitation, bioenergy and soil carbon. Working in forests for ten years, he has spent the past few years digging up landfill sites to determine how much carbon is stored in wood and paper products. Delve magazine asked Fabiano to explain.

Fabiano:

Fabiano, what role do trees play in the carbon cycle?

Delve:

Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air through a process called photosynthesis. As a tree grows, the absorbed carbon dioxide is converted to carbon and stored in the wood. In fact, 25% of the weight of a growing tree is carbon.

What do you currently do in forestry?

I study the carbon cycle in forests and forest products. One of my main areas of research includes examining the fate of carbon in wood and paper products from landfill sites. We have discovered that when trees are harvested and processed into products the carbon doesn’t disappear. It remains stored in the wood for a very long time. We can now accurately determine how much carbon is stored or has potentially been lost. If we can demonstrate long-term carbon storage in wood and paper products in landfills we can more properly realise their positive greenhouse credentials.

You studied forestry in Brazil. What differences and similarities are there between forestry work in Brazil and Australia?

Delve:

The differences are quite noticeable. Here in Australia, there is a wide-spread view that forestry activities are not environmentally sound. In contrast, in Brazil the general public has much more acceptance of the scientific management of forests for production. Over there the forestry debate is more concerned with whether pulpwood plantations should replace native forests rather than a more fundamental question of whether native forestry should be undertaken at all.

2011 is the UN International Year of Forests. What do you hope for?

I would like to see forestry professionals take a more prominent role in the climate change debate.

I would also like to see forestry professionals more involved in important decisions about forestry and a better understanding among the general public of the balance that can be achieved between conservation and production. I would like everyone to know that NSW State forests are managed sustainably for a variety of uses and values and this has been independently certified.

Of the 1.9 million hectares of native State forest in NSW, less than 3% is harvested annually to supply timber.

cluescarbon

18 19

Australia’s native trees have revealed themselves to be true ‘Aussie battlers’.

Researchers from the NSW government and the University of Western Sydney are using high-tech tree chambers—like enclosed

glasshouses—to imitate conditions predicted under climate change. The results are being used to devise management strategies for the 21st century.

Research scientist Dr Craig Barton of the Hawkesbury Forest Project says the team has already uncovered promising data about how our forests might adapt. ”Because these chambers encase the whole tree canopy, we‘re able to study the trees’ water, carbon and nutrient cycles and the way they all interact under different conditions,” Craig said.

”Most trees can acclimatise to changes in their environment. But these trees—growing in soils low in nutrients, typical of most Australian conditions—are actually adjusting how they use their resources and becoming more water efficient. This means they continue to grow as before but use less water.”

While the experiment provides information about how trees will respond, it’s still early days. The data needs to be fed through complex models to predict how larger scale ecosystems may respond.

The rocket-like tree chambers are designed to hold entire trees up to10 m tall.

Re-thinking

Testi

ng tr

ees RUMINANTS

Cattle and sheep have become involved in an international push to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Both animals are ruminants (animals that chew their cud) and they produce large quantities of the gas methane as they digest grass in their stomachs. Methane has a global warming potential around 23 times that of carbon dioxide.

Just as scientists elsewhere are working to reduce emissions from cars, in NSW agriculture they are researching how to cut emissions from cattle and sheep— without compromising the quality of the meat, milk and wool. The answer lies in good-old-fashioned animal breeding.

Dr Robert Herd leads the research team from his base at the Armidale Beef Industry Centre of Excellence. He explains, “We have established that if you take a bull that produces less methane and breed a herd from him, then those sons and daughters will also emit less methane.”

Mating for the project’s ‘next generation’ began in July 2009. According to Dr Simon Bird, who is overseeing this stage, “The low emitting offspring will be a world-first demonstration of breeding cattle that produce less greenhouse gas without sacrificing growth performance.”

Greenhouse gas emissions from livestock were reduced by 31.7% in

NSW between 1990 and 2008.

Simply speltDavid Booth is an organic wheat farmer in Cootamundra. He says people like organic produce for two reasons—health concerns and knowing where their food comes from. “It’s people wanting to reconnect to the land,” he says.

Unlike more conventional agriculture, organic farming looks to old solutions. “I don’t think we’re reinventing the wheel but there’s certainly a lot of going back to the old way of doing things. Organic farming pays more attention to the seasons. We adjust to what’s available whereas conventional agriculture can tend to push things to the maximum.”

Above—Spelt trials being inspected by farmers.There are over 1000 certified organic farmers in NSW.

NSW government researchers have been trialling different spelt wheat cultivars for organic production on David’s property. Spelt is a very old variety and even though it is highly nutritious with an appealing nutty flavour, it has a low yield. So, David says, big multinational seed companies won’t take it on because they want a big return and to sell to as many growers as they can. “That’s why we need support to help us trial what might work,” David says.

So far in a trial with the NSW government, Biological Farmers, and Grains Research Development Corporation, 20 spelt cultivars that might be good for organic production have been trialled and narrowed down to three of the most viable.

If you’ve eaten something grown organicallythis week, you’re part of a growing trend.

The production and consumption of organically grown produce—food grown without the use of chemicals and pesticides—has increased almost 50% in the last two years. The organic meat sector has also reportedly grown in turnover by 25% in the past year.

From organic eggs, fruit, milk and meat to chemical-free wine and even essential oils for cosmetics, consumers are embracing organics and farmers are rising to meet the demand. More than 60% of Australian households now buy organic on occasion, up from 40% in 2008.

The organic industry employs around 25,000 people, with organic farmers tending to be younger on average than non-organic farmers. With the number of organic farmers increasing by 4-5% annually, the industry continues to grow in NSW.

options

20 21

QX stands for ‘Queensland unknown’ and is a seasonal

parasite, which is often responsible for the deaths

of large numbers of oysters.

Curious about QX?

Find out more:

www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/pests-diseases/animal-health/

aquaculture/qx-oyster-disease

A healthy oyster farm in the Hawkesbury area.

The virus, which only affects Sydney rock oysters (Saccostrea glomerata), all but wiped out oyster farms in the Georges River and devastated those on the Hawkesbury.

NSW government scientists played a key role in diagnosing and controlling the disease. And since then their research has helped revive the $40 million a year industry.

NSW researchers worked with Georges River oyster famer, Bob Drake, to develop a disease-resistant Sydney rock oyster known as the ‘super oyster’. The new variety was literally ‘born’ in a NSW government oyster hatchery in southern Sydney.

OUTSTANDINGoystersIn 1995, an oyster diseaseknown as QX almost killed off NSW’s largest aquaculture industry.

There are 5.9 million beef cattle in NSW.

Choosing quality meatcan be a daunting task.Make a poor choice and your family will soon let you know. The guess work has made buying meat a gamble—until now.

Meat Standards Australia is the world’s first paddock-to-plate grading system for meat. The program grades beef, lamb and sheep meat and recommends appropriate cooking methods for consumers—taking the guess work out of eating quality.

According to NSW government principal research scientist Dr Paul Greenwood, the new system is backed by consumer-based research and considers important factors like taste and tenderness.

“One of the many good things about this system is that it considers what families really want to eat,” he said. “This means happier consumers…who can now buy meat from their supermarket and feel confident about what quality product they are taking home to enjoy.”

The program was recently awarded a NATIONAL EUREKA PRIZE FOR EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH by an Interdisciplinary Team.

MARKINGMEAT

The fruit responds differently to the light depending on its internal characteristics and the camera is able to measure the levels of substances such as sugar in the fruit.

The machine can process up to 10 pieces of fruit per second, per lane, and has the potential to improve the overall quality of our fruit.

There’s no way to tell if your peach is sweet, or your orange tasty, until you take that first bite.

But NSW scientists at Dareton research station are now trialling camera technology and infra-red light to determine the sweetness of fruit without damaging it. As the fruit travels along a sorting machine it passes underneath a detector which beams the infra-red light.

The main citrus fruits grown in NSW are navel

and Valencia oranges, mandarins, lemons, limes

and grapefruit.

Buying fruit can be a gamble.

swee tness

Sensing

NSW government scientists at Wagga Wagga are searching for the answer. They already use nine different tests to work out the authenticity and quality of oil samples.

Chemist Jamie Ayton says the tests help to reassure consumers. “We’re also looking at a new project to identify how to extend oil stability so that the fruity olive oil flavour lasts longer.”

“Some oils made from younger, early-harvest olives have a pungent, bitter flavour which is not popular with some consumers; and while oils from older olives taste mellow, they may have a shorter shelf-life,” Jamie said. “Our research is examining how to get the best of both worlds.”

Other factors that impact on how long oil will last include crop management, olive variety and harvesting techniques.

OPTIMUM

How long can olive oil be stored and still taste great?

22 23

Mother Nature took centuries to create the majestic forests of NSW. But with a little help from technology, NSW government staff have managed to create their own miniature forest of six million trees in just under one year.

The secret weapon behind this success is a new mechanised seed-sowing machine, developed by Forests NSW. The machine has already produced more than six million containerised pine seedlings at the Blowering Nursery near Tumut. The $120,000 mechanised sowing line and $130,000 worth of new equipment has automated most tasks that used to be done by hand.

The technology has increased seedling survival and nursery productivity. Forests NSW now have a ‘ready made’ forest they can plant, this year or next, depending upon the weather.

Pulses such as chickpeas, lentils and faba beans could offer a win/win situation for both farmers and consumers.

Pulses are a great option to balance our meat-heavy Western diet, helping prevent heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. They can also help farmers use less fertiliser and less water.

Pulses can ‘fix’ nitrogen from the atmosphere into the soil, which means a farmer doesn’t have to use as much manufactured fertiliser. This can lead to reduced costs.

Pulses have been shown to use less water from the soil than cereal crops. This means they make good ground cover plants to assist water capture after rain and leave more moisture in soil for the next crop. That’s important because research is showing that 50% of a crop’s yield is predetermined by the amount of soil moisture at the time of sowing. If farmers increased pulse production to around 20% of farm activity, they could achieve enhanced benefits from nitrogen fixing, water use efficiency and ground cover.

So get more pulses into you. There are plenty of pluses all round!

Forests NSW manages the largest plantation estate in Australia.

Pulse PLUSES

A pulse is an annual legume crop yielding seeds within a pod.

24 25

HOW DO YOU FIND RABID DOGS IN INDONESIA?Ask an Aussie scientist, that’s how. NSW government vertebrate pest experts Glen Saunders and Paul Meek, in a collaborative effort with the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, have been assisting our Indonesian neighbours track and monitor dog populations on the islands of Bali and Flores. By developing effective management techniques including vaccination, the ongoing project aims to manage the spread of the fatal rabies virus. With support from the Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, the pair provided intensive training to Indonesian Masters students on the fundamental principles of dog ecology, field investigation, dog capture, handling and radio tracking technology.

“Hands-on training in radio tracking provided valuable experience in the type of research techniques they need,” Dr Saunders said. “After

consultation with village chiefs and residents, two dogs were captured using blow darts with tranquillisers and the students were shown how to fit radio tags,” he said. “The dogs were released and observed for two days prior to our departure.”

Rabies kills tens of thousands of people around the world each year. The virus attacks the central

nervous system of warm-blooded animals including humans and is usually transmitted by a bite from an infected animal. Overseas, animals that carry rabies include: dogs, foxes, jackals, cats, bats, raccoons, skunks, monkeys and other animals that can bite

and scratch. Infected dogs remain the highest risk for human transmission.

Currently Australia is rabies-free but with large numbers of people and animals moving between

Australia and Indonesia, reducing the risk of the disease reaching Australia is essential. The learning experience wasn’t all one way with Glen and Paul gaining valuable experience in rabies control techniques in Indonesia.

Glen and Paul now receive regular updates from the Indonesian students on their progress. Currently 12 dogs have been radio collared in Bali and the information being collected is critical to future management of this disease.

This edition of Delve showcases the effort our primary producers and scientists are making

to use natural resources in a sustainable and environmentally sensitive way. We all have a role

Switch on to power saving tips:www.savepower.nsw.gov.au

to play when it comes to making the most of the resources we use. There are many ways to use less, get more out of things and improve our natural environment. Try these tips and website resources to

inspire change at your place and start saving today.

Tap into water saving tips: www.livingthing.net.au

1 Plan meals and snacks, noting down what you need and then stick to your shopping list.

2 Avoid shopping when you’re hungry—you’re likely to buy more than you need.

3 Freeze overripe bananas and use them for smoothies or baking.

SAVE FOOD

Be tempted by food saving tips:www.lovefoodhatewaste.nsw.gov.au

1 Wash fruit and vegetables and rinse dishes in a plugged sink instead of under running water.

2 Buy water efficient products. A 6-six star rating indicates the highest level of water efficiency.

3 Water your lawn less frequently. Give it a good soaking now and then. This encourages deeper roots and more drought tolerance.

SAVE WATER

SAVE FUEL1 Stuck in a traffic jam? Turn the engine off. Re-starting uses less petrol than idling.

2 Use car air conditioners only when needed. At speeds over 50 km/h however, an air conditioner is more efficient than having your windows down because of the excessive drag.

3 Change gears sooner rather than later to keep revs below2500 rpm. If you drive an automatic, ease back on the accelerator when the car gathers momentum, and your gears will change up more quickly and smoothly.

SAVE POWER

Get moving on fuel saving tips: www.livinggreener.gov.au

1 Hang your clothes outside to dry. A medium sized 2-star clothes dryer used just twice a week will use more power in a year than a medium-sized4.5-star two-door fridge.

2 Use a fan instead of an air conditioner and slash your power bill by $115 a year and reduce carbon pollution by 550 kg.

3 Switch your charger off at the wall—it's using electricity even when it's not connected to your phone.

Imagine how nice it would be for dairy farmers if the cows could milk themselves. What sounds like a crazy idea is now a reality.

In a world first for the dairy industry, Swedish company DeLaval joined forces with FutureDairy and other Australian organisations to develop a robotic rotary dairy. The robotic dairy is located at Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute site in south-west Sydney.

Designed for Australian grazing herds with more than 300 cows, the robotic rotary automates most milking tasks. The job can now be performed as a background activity, without the presence of a dairy farmer. So dairy farmers can finally sleep in!

Chair of FutureDairy, Shirley Harlock, said the robotic rotary was a major step towards addressing two of the key challenges facing the industry—the availability of labour and the lifestyle associated with dairying.

“This is one of the most exciting developments that has occurred in the 40 years I’ve been dairy farming,” Shirley said. “Although it won’t suit all dairy farmers, the robotic rotary offers considerable benefits in terms of enabling more flexible working conditions and improved lifestyle.”

While automatic milking systems have been widely adopted overseas, their application on Australian farms has been slower. This is mainly because the technology was developed for European herds which are smaller, and housed indoors for most of the year. The newly developed robotic rotary offers a better solution for larger Australian dairy herds.

NSW dairy farmers produceover one billion litres of milk a year.

One of the hardest parts of dairy farming is the early starts.

Every day!

MilkingMACHINE

26 27

INNOVATIVE RESEARCH COMPETITIVE

INDUSTRIES

To find out more about the technology, peopleand products transforming NSW primary industries:

phone our head office on 02 6391 3100 or visit

www.dpi.nsw.gov.au

SUSTAINABLEGROWTH

We work with a wide variety of primary industry sectors throughout NSW to

increase productivity and sustainability.

EFFECTIVE PARTNERSHIPS