Agribusiness Commons^™

Stem Rust And Its Management In Wheat, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Stem rust (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici) is a foliar disease that can significantly reduce wheat yields if it occurs in early spring and is not controlled. Risk factors, management strategies (including variety choices and foliar fungicides), and yield loss from different varieties are discussed here.

In Western Australia, stem rust typically causes losses of 10 to 50% in wheat, but this can increase to 90% when it occurs in early spring and is not controlled.

Stem rust affects wheat and triticale, but barley can also be a host during summer months.Stem rust produces large, reddish-brown spore masses on both …

Rural Business Development Corporation 2024 Annual Report, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

All other publications

Chair foreword

I am pleased to present the 2023-24 Annual Report of the Rural Business Development Corporation (RBDC). The role of the RBDC is to administer approved assistance schemes, carry out research and give advice to the Minister for Agriculture and Food. As a board we are deeply committed to ensuring that the Corporation is responsive to the needs of the state’s regional and rural businesses and communities.

The Corporation’s support for rural businesses in WA, principally through the administration of financial assistance, remains as vital as ever. The past year has seen many of the state’s primary producers experience …

Developing A Controlled Traffic (Tramline) Farming System, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Controlled traffic farming (CTF) is a farming system built on permanent wheel tracks where the crop zone and traffic lanes are permanently separated. It can improve profitability and sustainability.

Implements for seeding, spraying, spreading and harvesting have a particular span, or multiple of it, and all wheel tracks are confined to specific traffic lanes.

CTF increases profit by more yield, better grain quality, improved operation timeliness, and reduced costs. The environment can improve, with less nutrient leaching, less water erosion, better water infiltration, and less greenhouse gas emission. Implementation needs a clear, long-term plan, and prioritisation of soil health.

Another …

Button Grass And Its Management, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Button grass (Dactyloctenium radulans) is a native species found throughout Australia. It is a common summer weed species that depletes soil moisture and nutrients, reducing the yield potential of the subsequent crop. It also acts as a green bridge for crop pests and disease.

The rapid emergence and growth of button grass after rainfall makes it important for the Australian plague locust.

It can be a valuable pasture species in arid areas, although overgrazing of button grass can result in toxicity for sheep and cattle.

Barley Grass And Its Management In Crops, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Barley grass is a common name for Hordeum glaucum and H. leporinum. Barley grass is a major crop weeds species because the seed is readily dispersed, it is renowned for rapidly germinating in autumn, and post-emergent herbicide control options are limited. It can also act as an alternate host for cereal diseases and can develop resistance to herbicides.

The rapid germination of the species after rainfall gives barley grass the potential to act as a green bridge for cereal root rot diseases

Brome Grass And Its Management In Crops, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Brome grass (Bromus spp.) is one of the most competitive grass weeds in wheat. Over the last 10 years, brome grass has increased in importance to a greater extent than any other weed species in Australia.

Recent changes in crop production systems, increased conservation tillage, a lack of available selective herbicides, and a decline in system diversity have seen an increase in the importance of this weed in Western Australia (WA).

Seed is the main source of brome grass infestation and, as few seeds remain dormant, the most important aspect of management is to reduce its seed bank.

Annual Ryegrass And Its Management In Crops, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) is one of the most serious and costly weeds of annual winter cropping systems in southern Australia. It is highly competitive and can compete with a crop as early as the 2-leaf stage.

Annual ryegrass is a winter to spring growing weed that can emerge from late autumn to early spring. The number of emergence flushes and the density of plants that emerge are related to initial seedbank levels and the frequency and amount of rainfall.

Deferred Grazing And Sheep At The Break Of Season In South West Western Australia, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Animal production and livestock factsheets

Grazing annual pastures in the first 12 days after germination can lower the productivity of pastures during winter by removing poorly rooted plants, and by reducing plant leaf area to sub-optimal levels. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) recommends deferring grazing of pasture paddocks at the break-of-season until feed on offer is at least 500–800 kilograms of dry matter per hectare (kg DM/ha). At this level, pasture plants are likely to be firmly rooted and have sufficient leaf area to be productively grazed.

Circular Economy Thinking, Huia Adkins

Turning The Dial conference

Join us for an engaging session led by Huia Adkins, where we'll explore the principles and practices of circular economy thinking. Huia will provide insights into the importance of shifting from a linear to a circular model of production and consumption, highlighting the benefits for businesses, society, and the environment.

"Been Doin' This 20 Years" - Insights Of A Long-Term Food Recycler, Eric Berrill

Turning The Dial conference

Who we are; how our farming roots with Nindi Feedlots led to current food recycling operations at Nork Solutions, and our very near future of exporting our innovations via NúaTech. Our plans to accelerate our rate of innovation and iterative development via a virtous cycle of R&D in NúaTech, and improvement insights via real-world deployment in Nork Solutions.

A quick look at economic and ethical case for a non-zero level of overproduction of food staples. The benefit for regulation to differentiate between overproduction wasted to landfill, and overproduction reintegrated back into any level of the food supply chain.

The function …

Driving Sustainability With Circular Packaging, Hamoun Aria

Turning The Dial conference

Disrupting Tradition, Empowering Sustainability

Get ready to explore the cutting edge of packaging innovation with Hamoun Aria from C4C Packaging in this dynamic session. Hamoun will guide us through the latest advancements in sustainable packaging solutions, showcasing C4C Packaging's innovative approaches to reducing environmental impact while maintaining product integrity.

Join Hamoun's speech, discover how C4C's innovative approach is redefining packaging, creating a more sustainable future for the beverage industry, and providing Australian businesses with a competitive edge in the global marketplace.

Innovation - Packaging, Eduard Alcordo

Turning The Dial conference

Join us for an exciting session with Eduard Alcordo from FP Paradigm, where we'll explore groundbreaking advancements in food and beverage packaging technology. Eduard will provide insights into FP Paradigm's transformational mission and vision, highlighting their commitment to developing breakthrough technology aimed at reducing reliance on fossil fuel-based plastics.

Breakout - Sustainable Packaging: The Balance Between 2025 & 2030 Targets, Nerida Kelton, David Kilpatrick, Michael Dosser, Bonnie Marshall

Turning The Dial conference

This session will bring together four experts that come from fibre and renewables, active & intelligent packaging, Single Use Packaging regulations, Save Food Packaging Design and Sustainable Packaging Design. Together they will discuss how to navigate the food waste and packaging waste paradox and how to design the optimum packaging with the lowest environmental impacts without unintended consequences.

Speakers

• Nerida Kelton, AIP
• David Kilpatrick, Zipform
• Michael Dossor, Result Group, Managing Director
• Bonnie Marshall, National Retail Association, Communications Manager, Policy team

Breakout - Food Waste: What More Could We Do?, Janet Howieson Dr, Lynne Loo, Shy Vishnumohan Dr

Turning The Dial conference

Dive deep into the critical issue of food waste and explore practical solutions to maximise value-adding opportunities within the food and beverage manufacturing sector. Speakers

• Sam Oakden, End Food Waste Aus
• Phil May, DPIRD
• Fran Ferreira, Foodbank WA, Chief Operating Officer
• Janet Howieson, Curtin University
• Hayley Borissow, Sodexo, Sustainability & Decarbonisation Manager

Breakout - Practicalities Of Esg – How To Prepare, Plan And Respond To The Green Economy, Karen Erasmus, Elizabeth Ploetz

Turning The Dial conference

This workshop is designed to help businesses respond to growing demands to disclose not only emissions data, but broader ESG information.

While there is a major focus on carbon emissions and disclosure, there is increased pressure to disclose supply chain impacts on topics such as waste, water management, packaging, sourcing/procurement, employment practices, and customer/employee health and safety.

This 90-minute workshop will focus on four key areas:

• An overview of the ESG landscape and how it is reshaping trade lines and competition.
• The ESG essentials including stakeholder expectations, reporting landscape, data, strategy and communication.
• Case study discussion on energy transition, climate-related …

Breakout - Esg: Co-Designing Sustainability Solutions For The Wa F&B Manufacturing Sector, Min Teah

Turning The Dial conference

This workshop is tailored for participants interested in exploring global best practice sustainability in food and beverage manufacturing, and connecting with likeminded stakeholders to co-design their own solutions for greener value chains.

Professor Min Teah will present leading examples from around the world and offer opportunity to hear perspectives from local businesses on their different approaches to tackling common challenges, improving sustainability outcomes, and moving from sustainability as a niche concept and additional expense to a requirement for market access and basis for improved business and commercial outcomes.

Participants will be able ask questions; identify, brainstorm and problem-solve shared challenges; …

Wa Best Practice In Packaging, Jacqui Kay

Turning The Dial conference

Join us for an insightful session led by Jacqui Kay, Agricultural Produce Commission Communications Officer, as we explore best practices in packaging within Western Australia.

Jacqui has been working in FMCG for 20 years and has seen the evolution of consumer packaging over the years.

Now is the time for brands to work with strategic partners to find more sustainable packaging solutions. Jacqui will talk through an award winning case study from WA that demonstrates what is being achieved.

Innovations In Packaging, Vikas Ahuja

Turning The Dial conference

What will the most sustainable food & beverage packages of the future be? Discover some trends towards the the future of packaging with Vikas. What are the roadblocks and how do we get to high recycling rates in Australia?

Sustainable Packaging - A Global Perspective, Nerida Kelton, David Kilpatrick, Michael Dossor, Bonnie Marshall

Turning The Dial conference

Nerida will provide a global view on what sustainable packaging really looks like for WPO Members. There are many pieces to the jigsaw puzzle when discussing Sustainable Packaging and there is no silver bullet as every product needs a fit-for-purpose, functional solution.

Food Waste - An Industry Perspective, Matthew Kronborg

Turning The Dial conference

Join us for an eye-opening session led by Matthew Kronborg from Grainstone, as we explore the issue of food waste from an industry perspective.

Valorising Wa Waste Streams, Janet Howieson Dr

Turning The Dial conference

Join us for an enlightening session led by Janet Howieson from Curtin University, as we delve into the fascinating topic of valorising waste streams in Western Australia. Janet brings a wealth of expertise in sustainability and waste management, and she will share insights into new methods and frameworks being developed for SME’s to start addressing opportunities in reducing food waste. Discover how businesses can understand their waste streams, potentially capitalise on untapped opportunities, reduce environmental impact, and contribute to a more sustainable future. Whether you're a seasoned industry professional or new to the concept of waste valorisation, this session promises …

Food Waste 2030 Targets, Steven Lapidge

Turning The Dial conference

Australia's commitment to the 2015 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals commits us to reducing food loss and halving food waste by 2030. The 2017 National Food Waste Strategy takes this a step further, requiring a halving of all food loss and waste by 2030. With Australia wasting 7.6 million tonnes of food per year either target is a monumental task. This talk will outline the current activities of End Food Waste Australia and partners that are working towards achieving the ambitious goal, along with how we are tracking as a nation.

The Changing Retail & Consumer Landscape, Tristan Kitchener

Turning The Dial conference

Grocery retailing is facing unprecedented challenges driven by a convergence of factors throughout the value chain. The pandemic spurred innovation and permanently altered consumer behaviours, now dealing with rising inflation and tightening discretionary spending. This presents both challenges and opportunities for retailers, producers and supply chain stakeholders.

Sustainability remains a priority for consumers and retailers, but both are hesitant to bear the associated costs. Effectively communicating sustainability efforts and leveraging retailer networks are crucial to build scale and extend reach to consumers, along with developing economically viable solutions.

Additionally, it's vital to recognize the necessary skills for engaging with retailers …

Identifying High-Value Tactical Livestock Decisions On A Mixed Enterprise Farm In A Variable Environment, Michael Young, John Young, Ross S. Kingwell, Philip E. Vercoe

Animal production and livestock research articles

Context

Australia is renowned for its climate variation, featuring years with drought and years with floods, which result in significant production and profit variability. Accordingly, to maximise profitability, dryland farming systems need to be dynamically managed in response to unfolding weather conditions.

Aims

The aim of this study is to identify and quantify optimal tactical livestock management for different weather-years.

Methods

This study employed a whole-farm optimisation model to analyse a representative mixed enterprise farm located in the Great Southern region of Western Australia. Using this model, we investigated the economic significance of five key livestock management tactics. These included …

Benchmarking Your Cold Chain - Benchmarking Tool, Mark Mitchell, Adam Wade

Turning The Dial conference

No abstract provided.

Benchmarking Your Cold Chain - Bega Case Study, Mark Mitchell, Adam Wade

Turning The Dial conference

No abstract provided.

Benchmarking Your Cold Chain - Overview And Optimisation, Mark Mitchell, Adam Wade

Turning The Dial conference

No abstract provided.

Communicating Sustainability Through Brand And Packaging, Min Teah

Turning The Dial conference

No abstract provided.

Design Principles For Sustainable Packaging, Nerida Kelton, Ralph Moyle

Turning The Dial conference

No abstract provided.

Janet Howieson - Wa Food Waste Management, Janet Howieson

Turning The Dial conference

No abstract provided.