Biosecurity benchmark
From the March 2009 edition of Agriculture Today.
Laboratory scientists and technicians from around Australia and New Zealand converged on Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute in early February to learn how to implement the innovative virus testing techniques used during the devastating 2007 equine influenza outbreak.
Dr Peter Kirkland and his virology lab team at Menangle developed testing techniques during the EI crisis that enabled a fast turnaround of the thousands of samples submitted daily.
Up to 3000 real time PCR tests and 2500 ELISA tests were processed in NSW each day.
Such a high throughput is unsurpassed in any veterinary laboratory worldwide.
Participants at a two-day workshop experienced first hand the equipment and procedures successfully used by NSW DPI during the outbreak.
Laboratories in other states are now being equipped to NSW standards so they can deliver an optimal response to any future emergency animal disease threat, further enhancing the national biosecurity capacity of Australia’s veterinary laboratory network.
Dr Kirkland and his team thoroughly deserve this recognition from their peers.
Majority in drought
Drought conditions are worsening with the area of the State affected by drought now 56.6 per cent.
The area experiencing marginal conditions has increased from 9.1pc to 15.7pc.
The area considered satisfactory has fallen to 27.7pc – down from 37.6pc.
The west and south west of the State are the worst affected, with recent hot weather burning off pasture, drying up water supplies and affecting livestock health.
Extreme temperatures have led to widespread hand feeding of stock in many parts of central and southern NSW.
Storm victims’ help
Producers affected by a severe storm in the Cootamundra and Harden regions on January 22 can now apply for Natural Disaster Assistance.
The severe rainstorm caused more than $2 million in damage to crops on at least 60 properties covering about 50,000 hectares.
During a period of about 20 minutes, about 70 millimetres of heavy rain fell and resulted in damage to pasture, stubble and fodder crops, and fences.
Also, farmers in the Cootamundra and Harden areas affected by a hailstorm on December 23 are now eligible for assistance.
Affected landholders can now apply for Natural Disaster Relief Assistance through the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1 800 678 593.
The assistance comes in the form of loans of up to $130,000, at 2.85 per cent interest per annum with a two-year interest-free and repayment-free period.
