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Department For Agriculture And Food – Northern Beef Futures: Valuing Security Of Supply, Department Of Agriculture And Food Wa

Animal production published reports

The DAFWA-NBF project is committed to identifying growth and value creation opportunities for the WA Beef industry and have engaged PwC to estimate the value of increased security of supply.

A joint PwC/NBF team have developed a WA beef value chain model to better understand the industry’s potential and establish the potential value associated with changes in the security of supply.

Results indicate that, over a five to twelve year timeframe, the WA Beef industry might have the potential to grow cattle disposals, double revenue to $1.2B and increase profit by $0.5B.

A diversified market which includes Japan and China …

Bioenergy And Carbon Farming Opportunities In The Pilbara, Robert Sudmeyer, Kim Brooksbank, David Rogers

Bulletins 4000 -

The Pilbara region covers 270 000 square kilometres of north-west Western Australia. Its main agricultural land use is pastoralism, with beef cattle grazing native pastures. Currently, only 24km² is under irrigation, with irrigated fodder the principal crop, but this could expand to 100km². This expansion has the potential to significantly broaden the economic base of the Pilbara.

Irrigation and the opportunities for changing land use and management may facilitate greater participation in the carbon economy by Pilbara land managers. Bioenergy feedstocks could be sourced from purpose-grown crops or agricultural wastes. Carbon farming activities may be facilitated by …

Identifying Soil Constraints That Limit Wheat Yield In The South-West Of Western Australia, Dennis Van Gool

Resource management technical reports

Wheat is grown on about 18 million hectares in the South-West Agricultural Region of Western Australia from north and east of Geraldton to Esperance in the south-east. Yields are frequently constrained by a range of soil factors.

This report uses existing conventional soil-landscape mapping to analyse the effects of 17 known soil constraints that limit crop production and roughly prioritises the areas where they occur.

Traditional land capability maps are prepared using a most-limiting factor approach, which assumes that ameliorating the most limiting constraint will result in a yield increase until the next most-limiting constraint is reached. Where there are …

Identifying Soil Constraints That Limit Wheat Yield In The South-West Of Western Australia, Dennis Van Gool

Resource management technical reports

This is a novel approach using regional-scale information. The analysis estimated that:

• most of the wheat-growing land in south-west WA has one or more soil constraints
• about 1.6 million hectares (9% of the total area) are not suitable for cropping
• about 2.2 million hectares (12% of the total area) are suitable for cropping but are subject to many (more than 3) constraints; soil amelioration is unlikely to significantly improve profitable yield gain
• subsurface acidity extends over 12.6 million hectares (about 70% of the total area); about 7.6 million hectares of that area (42% of the total area) is estimated to …

Identifying Groundwater - Dependent Wetlands Of The Broome Sandstone Aquifer In The La Grange Groundwater Area, Nicholas Wright, Richard J. George Dr, Robert Paul, Paul Raper

Resource management technical reports

This report identifies wetlands that are likely to be dependent on the Broome Sandstone aquifer within the La Grange groundwater allocation area. The Broome Sandstone aquifer is the dominant groundwater resource in the area. With potential agricultural growth of this area, it is necessary to understand, monitor and manage the aquifer and its dependent wetlands. This report describes how we created a watertable surface that was used to identify wetlands and to determine which of the previously mapped wetlands are likely to be sourced from the Broome Sandstone aquifer. A watertable surface was created from 148 points taken from bore …

Economic Impact Evaluation Of Bovine Johne’S Disease (Bjd) Management Options In Western Australia, Ananda Ghose Dr, Leo Loth Dr, Mia Carbon Dr, Bruce Twentyman Dr

Biosecurity research reports

Bovine Johne’s disease (BJD) is an infectious disease of cattle caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Mptb) that can also affect other ruminants such as goats, alpaca, sheep and deer. It causes chronic wasting and incurable diarrhoea leading to deaths in mature cattle. Subclinically affected animals may have reduced growth and milk production levels.

The WA cattle industry needs to determine what level of protection from BJD incursion and spread is required for WA, including at the border, and how this is best achieved. The primary decision to be made is whether BJD is best managed on a statewide basis …

Ici, Sprayseed And The W.A. Department Of Agriculture, Geoff Pearce

All other publications

The story which follows tells how the systems for planting cereals, developed on research stations over a period of about 40 years, has been changed by a Commercial Chemical Company using newly developed herbicides to replace cultivation.

Climate-Ready Agriculture: A Situation Statement For Western Australia, Robert Anthony Sudmeyer, Anne Bennett, Melanie Strawbridge

Bulletins 4000 -

Projected future changes in the state’s climate will present new challenges for our producers. The Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA) continues to work with agricultural industries to lay solid foundations for an agricultural sector that has a range of response options.

This situation statement provides an assessment of how climate-ready the state’s agricultural sectors are and provides guidance for investment priorities for DAFWA for the period 2015–2020.

Pumping Tests, La Grange Region, Western Australia, Groundwater Consulting Services

Natural resources commissioned reports

Groundwater Consulting Services was contracted to collate and analyse pumping test information from four sites in the La Grange region, near Broome. Two of the pumping tests were conducted by Groundwater Consulting Services and two pumping tests were conducted by Kimberley Water Pty Ltd under instruction from the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia.

The major objective of the work was to provide aquifer hydraulic data to be used as input into a numerical model being developed by the Department of Agriculture and Food. A secondary objective was to provide irrigation water supply development advice for potential irrigation projects. …

A Hydrochemical Assessment Of Groundwater Recharge And Flow In The Broome Sandstone Aquifer, La Grange Area, Western Australia, Glenn A. Harrington, Nikki M. Harrington

Natural resources commissioned reports

The Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia has undertaken a four-year Royalties for Regions funded project in the La Grange Groundwater Area south of Broome. The purpose of the project was to provide improved knowledge and confidence about soil suitability and water availability for potential expansion of irrigated agriculture in the region. A range of complementary techniques have been used to assess the groundwater resources in the Broome Sandstone aquifer, including contemporary approaches such as drilling and aquifer pumping tests, and state-of-the-art approaches such as airborne geophysical surveys and hydrochemistry investigations.

This report presents a synthesis of all hydrochemistry …

Cockatoo Sands In The Victoria Highway And Carlton Hill Areas, East Kimberley: Hydrogeology, Aquifer Properties And Groundwater Chemistry, D L. Bennett, John Andrew Simons, Richard J. George Dr, Paul Raper

Resource management technical reports

Cockatoo Sands are recognised as potentially suitable for irrigated agriculture because they are generally well drained and not subject to waterlogging or inundation. These characteristics allow them to be cultivated and prepared for planting various crops during the wet and dry seasons of northern Australia. Expanding agricultural production onto the Cockatoo Sands around Kununurra will increase opportunities for agriculture by increasing the overall scale of agriculture, allowing year-round agricultural enterprise, new crops and new market opportunities.

DAFWA has assessed the soil characteristics and agriculturally suitable areas of Cockatoo Sands in the Victoria Highway and Carlton Hill areas near Kununurra. Potential …

Climate Change: Impacts And Adaptation For Agriculture In Western Australia, Robert Anthony Sudmeyer, Alexandra Edward, Vic Fazakerley, Leigh Simpkin, Ian Foster

Bulletins 4000 -

This bulletin reviews the latest scientific information relating to climate change and agriculture (broadacre, livestock, horticulture, pastoral industries) in Western Australia.

Comparative Assessment Of Crops To Use Potential Additional Water Resources In The Warren–Donnelly Catchments, James Dee, Ananda Ghose

Bulletins 4000 -

Through the Royalties for Regions funded Southern Forests Water Futures Project, the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia undertook a study to understand the economic benefits of developing new water resources in the Warren–Donnelly catchments in the south-west of Western Australia.

The Warren–Donnelly catchments have long been associated with intensive horticultural activities. The major perennial crops are pome fruit (apples and pears), avocados, stone fruit and wine grapes. The major annual crops are ware potatoes, seed potatoes, processing potatoes and brassica crops for the Perth Market over summer. There are emerging new industries including truffles, summer strawberry production, processing …

Review Of Land Capability Assessment For The Swan Valley, Peter Tille, Angela Stuart-Street

Resource management technical reports

Land capability review for the Swan Valley.

The land capability review of the Swan Valley examined and updated previous soil and capability studies done in the area, which are still considered highly relevant for the planning requirements of the Swan Valley. As a result we have updated information on the potential for irrigated agriculture in the Swan Valley which will guide decision-making in the future.

This review uses a modified version of a new approach to presenting information for land use planning, developed by DAFWA in the Mid West region.

The main findings of the review include:

• The alluvial terraces …

Goldfields Nullarbor Rangelands Biosecurity Association Inc. Annual Report 2015/16, Goldfields Nullarbor Rangelands Biosecurity Association Inc.

Recognised biosecurity group reports

The Goldfields Nullarbor Rangelands Biosecurity Association Inc. (GNRBA) is unique in rangeland management across Western Australia. It has a huge area to service and is working hard to provide a top class service to ratepayers. It is now well recognised as being a leader in the RBG’s in WA.

The GNRBA Inc formally became operational on 1^st July 2011. At this time it took over the APB Zone 9 operations.

Pilbara Regional Biosecurity Group Inc. Annual Report 2015/16, Pilbara Regional Biosecurity Group Inc.

Recognised biosecurity group reports

The Pilbara RBG is a not for profit association formed under the Associations Incorporation Act 2015, providing declared pest control programs for land managers, particularly in the pastoral zone. The associations’ primary purpose is the control of declared pests using funding from Declared Pest Rates paid by landholders on pastoral stations. These Declared Pest Rates funds are matched dollar for dollar by the WA Government to reflect the public benefit of controlling declared pest animals and weeds. The association is formally recognised by the Hon Minister for Agriculture and Food as a recognised biosecurity group (RBG).

Meekatharra Rangelands Biosecurity Association Inc. Annual Report 2015/16, Meekatharra Rangelands Biosecurity Association Inc.

Recognised biosecurity group reports

The Meekatharra Rangelands Biosecurity Association Inc (MRBA) is an industry body with a membership of all pastoralists in the Shires of Yalgoo, Mount Magnet, Cue and Meekatharra. The Association has been established under the Biosecurity and Agricultural Management Act 2007 with a charter to manage and control declared pests, both animal and plant. The MRBA Constitution provides for a Management Committee, of up to eleven members, with the responsibility of overseeing the operation of the Association.

Carnarvon Rangelands Biosecurity Association Inc. Annual Report 2015/16, Carnarvon Rangelands Biosecurity Association Inc.

Recognised biosecurity group reports

The CRBA is a not for profit association formed under the Associations Incorporation Act 2015, providing declared pest control services for land managers throughout Shark Bay, Carnarvon, Exmouth, Murchison and Upper Gascoyne Shires. The associations’ primary purpose is the control of declared pests using funding from Declared Pest Rates paid by landholders on pastoral stations. These Declared Pest Rates funds are matched dollar for dollar by the WA Government to reflect the public benefit of controlling declared pest animals and weeds. The association is formally recognised by the Hon Minister for Agriculture and Food as a recognised biosecurity group (RBG).

Eastern Wheatbelt Biosecurity Group Inc. Annual Report 2015/16, Eastern Wheatbelt Biosecurity Group Inc.

Recognised biosecurity group reports

The Eastern Wheatbelt Biosecurity Group (EWBG) Inc. has been assisting the sheep industry to manage wild dog predation in the eastern wheatbelt since 2001 and has developed robust relationships with industry members, local governments, the mining industry, and state government departments. The Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW) is the responsible state government agency for managing wild dogs on Unallocated Crown Land (UCL) and DPaW estate. To achieve this DPaW employs a dogging contractor to undertake wild dog control in the region and assists in funding baiting programs when funding is available.

Kimberley Rangelands Biosecurity Association Activity Report 2015/16, Kimberley Rangelands Biosecurity Association

Recognised biosecurity group reports

The Kimberley Rangelands Biosecurity Association (KRBA) has an annual Large Feral Herbivore culling program that includes feral donkeys, horses and camels with other animals such as water buffalo and pigs targeted when located. The program focusses primarily on donkeys, using the radio telemetry technique with horses and camels culled opportunistically during tracking. Currently there are 135 active collars throughout the region.