Final reports

Organisation: University of Melbourne
Project start date: 30 Jun 2016
Project end date: 30 Jun 2016

This proof-of-concept project was aimed at evaluating the potential for using naturally occurring protozoa to control pest molluscs such as the grey field slug ( Deroceras reticulatum). This project aimed to identify effective Australian protozoan parasites of the key pest, grey field slug. Following testing of the capacity for infection of the slugs by ingested protozoa, maternal transmission to …

Organisation: Plant Health Australia
Project start date: 16 May 2016
Project end date: 26 Sep 2016

Karnal bunt (KB) is caused by a fungus ( Tilletia indica ) which affects bread wheat, durum wheat and triticale. While KB causes little yield loss, it can be difficult to manage in rotations and detection of spores in grain shipments is a quality issue and can result in consignment rejection to current grain export markets. This scoping study identified the development of DNA amplification…

Organisation: AgCommunicators Pty Ltd
Project start date: 1 Jan 2016
Project end date: 30 Jun 2016

The November 2015 Pinery bushfire destroyed an area of more than 85,000 hectares of highly productive agricultural land in South Australia's (SA's) Lower North region. The destruction and damage caused by this fire will continue to have lasting consequences on the productivity of this land. The effect of the fire posed significant challenges to growers' productivity from erosion and bared soils,…

Organisation: Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources - Victoria
Project start date: 1 Oct 2015
Project end date: 30 Oct 2016

The Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (DEDJTR) Victoria (VIC) 'Climatedogs' animations are an awarded climate communication tool which frames and explains the key drivers of climate variability in an entertaining and informative way. This project has updated the science and modified the VIC Climatedog animations and made them publicly accessible so they can now be…

Organisation: International Plant Nutrition Institute
Project start date: 1 Jul 2015
Project end date: 31 May 2016

The efficiency of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and sulphur (S) use in the grains industry, as well as all agricultural production, using consistent and transparent methods was estimated. Regional and national balances show annual, spatial and industry variation. When considered across all sectors, P removal is significantly less than P supplied, while K and S application are…

Project start date: 16 Jun 2015
Project end date: 16 Jun 2015

Water repellence (non-wetting) is a high risk in the Albany Hinterland, Esperance Sandplain and Fitzgerald Biosphere sub-regions and a moderate risk in the Kent-Frankland and Pallinup North Stirlings sub-regions (Natural resource management issues for the South Coast Regional Strategy, March 2005). Most farms on the lighter soil types through these districts have an area of non-wetting soil and…

Organisation: CSIRO
Project start date: 1 May 2015
Project end date: 30 Sep 2015

This project reviewed the current state of knowledge of management strategies for addressing the non-wetting (water repellent) behaviour of sandy soils and associated constraints to water use and crop yield. It also developed recommendations for a targeted research, development and extension (RD&E) program to enable growers to better manage this problem. This review involved four key activities;…

Organisation: AgCommunicators
Project start date: 15 Apr 2015
Project end date: 30 Jun 2016

'More than Gumboots and Tractors' was a professional development event for secondary school career advisers that provided an insight into careers and opportunities in the Australian grains industry. The day featured presentations portraying the grains industry, on-farm innovation, research and industry careers plus university and training entry prerequisites, pathways and scholarships.…

Organisation: Synergy Consulting
Project start date: 1 Apr 2015
Project end date: 31 Mar 2016

Eastern areas of the western Australian grainbelt are receiving significant 'out of growing' season rainfall, providing growers with early sowing opportunities in approx. 50% of years (source: Bureau of Meteorology (BoM)) This project attempted to validate grower practice, especially in relation to wheat in regard to April sowing. This project aimed to look at three times of sowing (TOS) by four…

Organisation: University of Queensland
Project start date: 1 Apr 2015
Project end date: 31 Mar 2016

This project: 1. Reviewed literature outlining the technical understanding of soil nitrogen (N) and sulphur (S) supply processes and environmental losses. 2. Surveyed more than 300 advisers and agribusinesses nationally to determine how N fertiliser recommendations are made and the assumptions underlying them. 3. Documented the key Decision Support Systems (DSS) and their assumptions used to help …