Natalie Moore, NSW DPI and grower Ken Campbell at Tabulam in 2005

Crop Agronomy Research

The Crop Agronomy Research team works closely with growers and industry organisations to develop improved crop varieties (eg. soybean, triticale and barley) for the diverse cropping systems of the NSW North Coast.  Variety development meets the demands of expanding markets for Australian grain and changing community expectations about food crops and how they are grown.  Grafton is the coastal evaluation node for the Australian Soybean Breeding Program.

Aquatic Weeds Research

David Officer, NSW DPI: Sampling cabomba in a lily covered dam. Photo: Suzanne Hayward

The Aquatic Weeds Research team works with industry to develop integrated control systems for aquatic weeds. Current work focuses on cabomba and parrots feather. Cabomba is a WONS (weed of national significance) which currently has no effective registered herbicide. Research is underway in different climate zones to identify herbicides that are soft on the environment but tough on cabomba. Additional work is underway to improve our understanding of the interaction of cabomba with native aquatics and non chemical management strategies.

Soils Research

The current research project title is “Impacts of climate change on coastal floodplains, geochemistry of acid sulfate soils and water quality” and is an Australian Research Council linkage grant between DPI and Southern Cross University. 

Phil Hirst, NSW DPI: investigating lateral seepage of groundwater at Grafton

As the title suggests it is a study into the effect of climate change on the chemistry of acid sulfate soils and associated water quality. Monitoring of drain infilling in an acid sulfate soil continues at Shark Creek. (P.Hirst) 

Fisheries

The Grafton Aquaculture Centre (GAC) is a pond-based freshwater aquaculture facility where research into the culture and conservation of native freshwater fishes is undertaken.

Between 1986 and 1990, there was a conservation project for the endangered eastern freshwater cod (Maccullochella ikei). As part of the project, hatchery techniques were developed and 30,000 fingerlings stocked into parts of the Clarence and Richmond river systems where the species had become extinct. Current research is investigating aspects of the ecology and life history of eastern freshwater cod to provide information for management and conservation of the species.

Since 1990, there has been a major research project to develop techniques for the intensive culture of silver perch (Bidyanus bidyanus). Silver perch is an excellent species for commercial aquaculture, and the techniques developed at GAC provide a basis for industry development through-out Australia.
Past research topics have included production techniques and fish husbandry, water quality, disease management of broodfish, larval rearing, off-flavour, nutrition, feeding and evaluation of genetic strains.

Pond located at Fisheries Grafton

• diseases and health management
• genetic improvement and
• cage culture.

The life cycle of silver perch is closed, and an artificial breeding program is undertaken each year to produce fingerlings for research and stocking.

An extension service is provided by GAC staff to transfer technology to the aquaculture industry and to handle public enquiries about aquaculture and fisheries. 

Current staff consists of a Scientist-in-Charge, four Fisheries Technician and three PhD students (two from the University of New England and one from Southern Cross University). The students are working on silver perch genetic improvement, silver perch cage culture and the ecology and conservation of eastern freshwater cod. 

Forests NSW

Tree Improvement Program –Grafton Forest Technology Centre

Controlled pollination of eucalypt flowers for the breeding program

The focus of Forest NSW’s Northern Tree Improvement Program is the genetic improvement of eucalypt species and development of cost effective strategies for deployment of improved material into operational plantations. The main breeding objectives are to improve plantation productivity by improving growth and form traits, improve solid wood properties and reduce risk to plantations through pest, disease and environmental factors.  The key species under improvement are Eucalyptus pilularis (blackbutt), Corymbia citriodora subsp. variegata (spotted gum) and Eucalyptus dunnii (Dunn’s white gum).  The Grafton Forest Technology Centre (GFTC) is a key component of this program, providing expertise in germplasm capture and propagation to facilitate the delivery of this improved material.  

The GFTC clonal propagation facilities were completed in the second half of 2008. 

Eucalyptus pilularis clonal seed orchard for production of genetically improved seed

One purpose for the facility is to produce plants from cuttings of genetically improved E. pilularis to establish pilot scale operational plantations.  The other use of the facility is to propagate, by cuttings and grafting, plants of selected material for establishing eucalypt research trials and clonal seed orchards.  In winter 2008, grafting of selections of Pinus radiata was carried out for the first time in Grafton, with ramets now available for planting of a clonal seed orchard.

In 2006, the Hardwood Tree Improvement Program was awarded a Climate Action Grant by the Dept of Environment and Conservation to develop elite germplasm of alternative eucalypt species and hybrids that have potential to produce viable plantations in low rainfall areas such as the Hunter Valley.  The final stages of this project are underway in the clonal propagation facilities, with the multiplication of selected clones of dryland species to establish clonal seed orchards on joint venture sites.

Tree Improvement Program clonal propagation facilities completed in 2008

In March 2009, a Subtropical Eucalyptus Workshop was held by the Tree Improvement Program to present the progress on breeding and deployment programs, wood properties studies and silvicultural work carried out by the Tree and Plantation Improvement teams.  This event was well attended by staff of Forests NSW and representatives from a number of other government organisations, private companies and universities involved in forest industries, particularly in Northern NSW and Queensland.   

FORESTS NSW - GRAFTON PRODUCTION NURSERY 

Grafton Nursery specialises in growing seedlings for the hardwood plantations and northern softwood plantations of Forests NSW. The nursery also supplies commercial, high volume orders for other forestry agencies and companies in New South Wales and Queensland.

Grafton Production Nursery

• Specialist growers of sub tropical Eucalyptus and Pinus species
• Holding capacity of 7 million seedlings
• Over 50 million seedlings produced since 1996
• The site features all year round growing conditions
• Complete growing area coverage by hail protection netting
• Excellent tracking ,logistic and quality systems
• Environmental leadership in water management, pest, disease and weed controls
• Employs up to 20 staff

Contact the Nursery Manager:
Phone:   02 6644 7001
Fax:       02 6644 7041
Mobile:   0429 63453
Email:  kathrynf@sf.nsw.gov.au

Northern Region and Northeast Region

Grafton Production Nursery has a holding capacity of 7 million seedlings

Approximately 100 ha establishment of hardwood plantings for the Tree Improvement Program are continuing on the Grafton Agricultural and Research Advisory Station site.

Preparedness of the upper Northeast Fire Control Centre is on target for the next fire season. The centre will be responsible for all fire management and suppression on State Forests tenure north and west of the Clarence River to the Queensland border.

The Forests NSW offices and nursery provide accommodation and support for approximately 40 employees.