Life Sciences Commons^™

Pest Slugs And Snails And Their Management In Broadacre Crops, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Slugs and snails cause damage to all broadacre crops. Numbers of slugs and snails have increased in broadacre cropping in Western Australia (WA) with the use of minimum tillage and stubble-retention practices. These systems increase the organic content of paddocks and soil moisture content, leading to higher survival levels of slugs and snails.

Slug and snail pests in Australia have come from other countries, mainly in the Mediterranean region. They have similar lifecycles, which means similar management techniques can be employed to control them in broadacre crops.

Effective management requires application of controls that coincide with different phases of the …

Powdery Mildew And Its Management In Wheat, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Powdery mildew is a fungal leaf disease that reduces yield and grain quality in susceptible wheat varieties. Disease is both stubble-borne and carried over on green bridge (secondary spread by wind borne spores). It has multiple, fast life cycles in a growing season and can be difficult to control once established. The best approach is an integrated disease management strategy.

With wheat area in Western Australia dominated by susceptible varieties, such as Scepter, powdery mildew remains a concern for growers statewide and has been particularly persistent and damaging in the Esperance Port Zone.

Greenfeed Methane Measuring Machine, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Animal production and livestock factsheets

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) now has the cutting-edge GreenFeed machine which measures emissions from individual cows and sheep, allowing us to determine Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions more accurately in the paddock.

Stop Crop Weed Seed Set, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Numerous options can be used to prevent weed seed set, which provides an opportunity to control weeds in the pasture, late fallow, late stubble, and in-crop phases for the next season.

Wa Insecticide Guide 2024 - Autumn Winter, Rebecca Severtson, Svetlana Micic

PestFacts WA

Registered chemicals for broadacre crops in Western Australia.

The insecticides listed in the tables within this guide can be used on any crop appearing on the chemical label, if the rate used does not exceed the highest rate that is registered for use on that crop.

There are many products with different trade names that contain the same active ingredient. This list is not exhaustive and does not imply any specific recommendations of brand names.

Unless otherwise specified, all insecticides listed are emulsifiable concentrates (EC). Other insecticide formulations are suspension concentrate (SC), wettable powder (WP), capsule suspension (CS), wettable granules …

Prevent Weed Seed Introduction And Spread, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Growers can implement strategies to reduce and avoid unnecessary introduction and spread of weeds. These strategies will also reduce the risk of importing herbicide resistant weeds.

Smut And Bunt Diseases Of Cereals And Their Management, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Cereal smut and bunt diseases are caused by fungi that parasitise the host plant and produce masses of soot-like spores in the leaves, grains, or ears. The diseases can reduce yield and quality of harvested grain.

Wild Radish And Its Management In Crops, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum) is highly competitive in crops and can cause a yield loss of 10 to 90 %.

Wild radish has fibrous stems that make harvesting difficult by choking the header comb, it is an alternative host for numerous pests and diseases, and it can cause animal health problems when grazed.

Joining - Setting The Potential Of Your Ewe Flock, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Animal production and livestock factsheets

Joining is the time when the potential lambing of your flock is set, so make the most of it.

Preparation of ewes and rams for joining should start 8 weeks prior to joining for the greatest benefit.

Key tactical decisions around ewe and ram health and nutrition should be made prior to joining. This should ideally start 8 weeks before joining as the impact of nutrition, shearing and teasing take time to influence joining success.

The majority of the ewes in Western Australia are seasonal breeders. The spontaneous cycling in Merinos and breeds such as Poll Dorset are least affected …

Weed Seed Wizard Scenario - Glyphosate Resistance In Barnyard Grass In Goondiwindi, Queensland, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity research reports

The Weed Seed Wizard is a national collaborative project that uses paddock management information to predict weed emergence and crop losses now and in the future.

The Weed Seed Wizard is a computer simulation tool that:

• applies to all Australian grain growing areas

• helps growers understand and manage weed seedbanks on their farms

• uses farm management records to simulate how different crop rotations, weed control techniques, irrigation, grazing and harvest management tactics can affect weed numbers, the weed seedbank and yields

• uses farm-specific management and site-specific weather

• is multi-species

See www.dpird.wa.gov.au for further information on Weed Seed Wizard.

This Queensland …

Sclerotinia Management For Narrowleaf Lupin Crops In Western Australian Farming Systems Daw2104-002rtx: Project Results Summary For 2021-2023 Research Results, Ciara Beard, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity research reports

Extensive research has been conducted in 2021-2023 to expand our understanding of the distribution of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum incidence in lupin in WA, the infection process, yield and grain quality impacts, and management strategies. The research was conducted via commercial crop surveys, and experiments in the field, lab, controlled environment and glass houses by Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) and collaborators Centre for Crop and Disease Management (CCDM), Mingenew Irwin Group (MIG), and lupin growers.

Wa Insecticide Guide 2024 - Winter Spring, Svetlana Micic, Alan Lord

PestFacts WA

The insecticides listed in the tables within this guide can be used on any crop appearing on the chemical label, if the rate used does not exceed the highest rate that is registered for use on that crop.

There are many products with different trade names that contain the same active ingredient. This list is not exhaustive and does not imply any specific recommendations of brand names.

Workshop On Recreational Fisheries In Stock Assessments (Wkrfsa), International Council For The Exploration Of The Sea (Ices)

Fisheries Research Articles

ICES Technical Report Contributors (Editors)

Martina Scanu; Zachary Radford

Contributors (Authors)

David Curtis; Didzis Ustups; Eneko Bachiller; Estanis Mugerza; Gwladys Lambert; Hans Jakob Olesen; Ioannis Thasitis; Ivo Sics; Jonnathan White; Karina Ryan; Kieran Hyder; Kjell Nedreaas; Lennert van de Pol; Lucia Zarauz; Manos Koutrakis; Marie Storr-Paulsen; Martina Scanu; Matthew Farthing; Nicola Walker; Paul Bouch; Pia Schuchert; Sean Tracy; Simon Weltersbach; Sophy Phillips; Zachary Radford.

Executive summary

The Workshop on Recreational Fisheries in Stock Assessments (WKRFSA) aimed to establish a process for integrating recreational fisheries (RF) data into stock assessments. The workshop addressed three questions: identifying obstacles to RF inclusion, creating …

Weed Seed Wizard Scenario - Dormancy Shift In Barley Grass In Balaklava, South Australia, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity research reports

The Weed Seed Wizard is a national collaborative project that uses paddock management information to predict weed emergence and crop losses now and in the future.

The Weed Seed Wizard is a computer simulation tool that:

• applies to all Australian grain growing areas

• helps growers understand and manage weed seedbanks on their farms

• uses farm management records to simulate how different crop rotations, weed control techniques, irrigation, grazing and harvest management tactics can affect weed numbers, the weed seedbank and yields

• uses farm-specific management and site-specific weather

• is multi-species

See www.dpird.wa.gov.au for further information on Weed Seed Wizard.

This South …

Weed Seed Wizard Case Study - Grower From Western Australia’S Central Wheatbelt, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity research reports

The Weed Seed Wizard is a national collaborative project that uses paddock management information to predict weed emergence and crop losses now and in the future.

The Weed Seed Wizard is a computer simulation tool that:

• applies to all Australian grain growing areas

• helps growers understand and manage weed seedbanks on their farms

• uses farm management records to simulate how different crop rotations, weed control techniques, irrigation, grazing and harvest management tactics can affect weed numbers, the weed seedbank and yields

• uses farm-specific management and site-specific weather

• is multi-species

See www.dpird.wa.gov.au for further information on Weed Seed Wizard.

This case …

Weed Seed Wizard Scenario - Herbicide Resistance In Wild Oats In Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity research reports

The Weed Seed Wizard is a national collaborative project that uses paddock management information to predict weed emergence and crop losses now and in the future.

The Weed Seed Wizard is a computer simulation tool that:

• applies to all Australian grain growing areas

• helps growers understand and manage weed seedbanks on their farms

• uses farm management records to simulate how different crop rotations, weed control techniques, irrigation, grazing and harvest management tactics can affect weed numbers, the weed seedbank and yields

• uses farm-specific management and site-specific weather

• is multi-species

See www.dpird.wa.gov.au for further information on Weed Seed Wizard.

This New …

Agave Tequilana - Environmental Weed Risk Assessment 2024, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Environmental Weed Risk Assessments

Introducing new plants to an area may have both positive and negative effects on the environment, economy and community. To minimise the negative environmental impact of introducing new agricultural species, DPIRD conducts a risk assessment procedure based on widely accepted scientific standards. This report assesses Agave tequilana. Agave tequilana, commonly called blue agave or tequila agave, is a succulent native to the states of Jalisco, Colima, Nayarit and Aguascalientes in Mexico. In its native range lue tequila predominantly grows at high altitudes ( > 1,500m) on iron-rich, fertile soils of volcanic origin (Chambers and Holtum 2010). The ‘Jalisco’ region where A. …

The Impact Of Changing Joining Rates On The Western Australian Sheep Flock, Kate Pritchett

Animal production and livestock research reports

Given the poor seasonal conditions and low prices experienced in 2023/24, the Western Australian (WA) sheep industry is experiencing a period of very poor industry sentiment often compared to that seen in the 1990’s following the collapse of the wool reserve price scheme.

These difficult times mean producers have had to make production decisions for their businesses which may have flow on effects for the entire state flock. One commonly discussed option by industry and consultants was to join less ewes to reduce the feed burden on farm and help mitigate losses due to low prices. This computer modelling aimed …

Loose Smut Of Barley And Its Management, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

The fungal disease loose smut of barley parasitises the host plant and produces masses of soot-like spores that infect the seed head, reducing the yield and quality of harvested grain.

Smut diseases are host specific, meaning that smut of one cereal crop will not infect others (for example, loose smut of barley does not infect wheat or oats).

In many cases grain receival points have low or zero tolerance of smut contaminated grain.

State Barrier Fence - Esperance Extension Project Overview 2024, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity published reports

Western Australia’s State Barrier Fence plays an important role in protecting landholders inside the fence by preventing the movement of animal pests, including wild dogs and emus, from pastoral areas into the agricultural regions. It is a state asset which is managed by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

The original fences (numbers 1, 2 and 3) were constructed between 1902 and 1907. Originally known as the Rabbit Proof Fences, it has also been known as the State Vermin Fence, the Emu Fence and now the State Barrier Fence. Since 2010, the fence has been upgraded to wild …

Bedstraw Eradication Program 2023-24: Annual Report, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity published reports

The Bedstraw Eradication Program operates under the Biosecurity and Agricultural Management Industry Funding Scheme (Grains) Regulations 2010.

Approved Plans developed annually for each infested property in consultation with the Grains, Seeds and Hay Industry Management Committee (GSHIMC), the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) and the landholders detail management actions, estimated costs and timeframes of agreed actions. DPIRD implements the Program which includes 6 consecutive years of winter spray treatments, followed by a 3-year release protocol and post-eradication monitoring phase. Machinery inspections, quarantining, landholder compliance winter spraying and end of season double-knock herbicide treatments form the key components …

Skeleton Weed Program 2023-24: Annual Report To Grain Growers, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity published reports

Skeleton weed is a major pest of grain crops and can significantly reduce grain crop yields by competing for moisture and nutrients (mainly nitrogen), due to its deep perennial root system. Skeleton weed is a declared plant in WA under section 22 of the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act (2007) and is assigned to control category 2 (Eradication) for the whole of the State, except in the Narembeen and Yilgarn Shires, where it is category 3 (Management).

Exact Testing For Heteroscedasticity In A Two-Way Layout In Variety Frost Trials When Incorporating A Covariate, Angelika A. Pilkington, Brenton R. Clarke, Dean A. Diepeveen

Grain and Other Field Crops Research Articles

Two-way layouts are common in grain industry research where it is often the case that there are one or more covariates. It is widely recognised that when estimating fixed effect parameters, one should also examine for possible extra error variance structure. An exact test for heteroscedasticity, when there is a covariate, is illustrated for a data set from frost trials in Western Australia. While the general algebra for the test is known, albeit in past literature, there are computational aspects of implementing the test for the two way when there are covariates. In this scenario the test is shown to …

Should Crop Sequences In Western Australia Include More Lupins?, Christophe D'Abbadie, Sud Kharel, Ross Kingwell, Amir Abadi Ghadim

Grain and Other Field Crops Research Articles

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is an increasing priority for Australian grain producers. Could substituting lupins for canola, as a rotational break crop, enable farmers to reduce their emissions by less use of nitrogenous fertilisers?

Aim

This study aims to identify if replacing canola with lupins in rotations at a range of locations in Western Australia’s grainbelt is environmentally and economically attractive.

Methods.

Bio-economic simulation modelling is used to examine the gross margins and emissions associated with replacement of canola by lupins at 14 locations in the grainbelt of Western Australia in variousland use sequences.

Key results

Replacing canola with lupins …

Agricultural Groundcover Update December 2023, Justin Laycock

Natural resources published reports

Summary

• About 96% of the grainbelt had adequate vegetative groundcover (more than 50%) to prevent wind erosion in December 2023.
• In the northern half of the grainbelt, a larger-than-average area has 51–60% groundcover, which is expected to decrease to below 50% over the summer.
• Just under 4% of the grainbelt (553,000 ha) had less than 50% groundcover, which is inadequate to prevent wind erosion. West Midlands Ag Soil Zone had the highest risk of wind erosion and 11.4% of this farmland had inadequate groundcover.
• Less than 0.5% of the grainbelt had a high to very high risk of wind erosion …

Carbon Neutral By 2030 - Katanning Research Station, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Climate Science Published Reports

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development's (DPIRD) Katanning Research Station (KRS) is developing practical techniques and methods for mitigating carbon emissions from the livestock industry.

This research will help the livestock industry in Western Australia (WA) access anticipated future markets for carbon neutral food and fibre products.

Profitable, Low-Emission Nitrogen Application Strategies In Western Australian Dryland Cropping, Christophe D'Abbadie, Sud Kharel, Ross Kingwell, Amir Abadi Ghadim

Grain and Other Field Crops Research Articles

Context

Australian grain producers may need to report their farm greenhouse emissions. Accordingly, nitrogen fertiliser application strategies will need to include consideration of their environmental as well as economic impacts.

Aims

We aim to identify the nitrogen application strategies suited to dryland cropping in Western Australia that are highly profitable and that generate lower emissions.

Methods

Simulation modelling is used to examine the gross margins and emissions associated with four broadly different nitrogen strategies at 14 locations in the grainbelt of Western Australia for different frequencies of cropping.

Key results

Strategies that generate high gross margins and moderate emissions often …

A Large-Scale Experiment Finds No Consistent Evidence Of Change In Mortality Or Commercial Productivity In Silverlip Pearl Oysters (Pinctada Maxima) Exposed To A Seismic Source Survey, Miles J G Parsons, Diego R. Barneche, Conrad W. Speed, Robert D. Mccauley, Ryan D. Day, Cecile Dang, Rebecca Fisher, Hosna Gholipour-Kanani, Stephen J. Newman

Fisheries Research Articles

High-intensity, impulsive sounds are used to locate oil and gas reserves during seismic exploration of the seafloor. The impacts of this noise pollution on the health and mortality of marine invertebrates are not well known, including the silverlip pearl oyster (Pinctada maxima), which comprises one of the world's last remaining significant wildstock pearl oyster fisheries, in northwestern Australia. We exposed ≈11,000 P. maxima to a four-day experimental seismic survey, plus one vessel-control day. After exposure, survival rates were monitored throughout a full two-year production cycle, and the number and quality of pearls produced at harvest were assessed. Oysters from two …

Wind Erosion After Fire In Western Australia - Frequently Asked Questions (Faqs), Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Natural resources factsheets

These are some common questions after serious fires in the agricultural areas of south-west Western Australia. Staff of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), agronomists and farmers with experience have contributed to the answers.

Please note that these answers are general in nature, and land managers wanting advice for a specific property will need to ask local professionals or experienced land managers.

For more information about recovering from fire and wind erosion, see the DPIRD website.

State Of The Fisheries: Status Reports And Aquatic Resources Of Western Australia 2022/23, S.J. Newman, K.G. Santoro, D.J. Gaughan

Status Reports of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

Aquatic resources within Western Australia (WA) are in good condition, and this has positioned WA as a global leader in sustainable fisheries management. The sustainable fisheries of WA continue to support our strong economy and regional communities. Nonetheless, the lack of a consistent approach to build in the knowledge of Traditional Owners remains a gap in our longer term fisheries science in Western Australia.

Climate change and climate variability continues to impact fish stocks, challenging our ability to effectively monitor, assess, and manage fish stocks. We are continually working with our stakeholders, and the broader community to be adaptive, responsive, …