April 2007 issue - Science and Research Updates

WATER MANAGEMENT | Sun shield reduces water needed to grow vegetables
A new means of shielding broadacre vegetable crops from the sun could massively reduce the quantity of water required to grow vegetables in some of the driest parts of the Murray Darling Basin.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/april-2007/sun-shield-vegetables

WATER MANAGEMENT | Water quality vital for long-term farm viability
Water quality is as important as quantity for long-term farm viability when irrigating crops and pastures with groundwater, according to research into soils in the Murray irrigation areas.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/april-2007/soil-tests-gypsum

CLIMATE CHANGE | Helping farming systems cope
No-till farming tools developed for a variable climate more than 30 years ago are likely to have an even greater role in tackling climate change.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/april-2007/farming-system-can-cope

VETERINARY SCIENCES | Documenting livestock diseases
Deterioration of a large and invaluable specialist collection of livestock diseases catalogued on tissue slides is being arrested.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/april-2007/digital-disease-pics

LIVESTOCK | Feed testing takes off in drought
Farmers across the State are finding that NSW DPI's new stockfeed testing service has filled in a gap in the market by providing accurate data to enable farmers to make best use of available feed.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/april-2007/feed-testing-service

HORTICULTURE | Integrated pest management best for vegetables
While integrated pest management (IPM) is internationally accepted as the best approach to prevent new insects and diseases moving into vegetable crops, too few experts or resources exist to initiate specific IPM projects for all vegetables.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/april-2007/fewer-ipm-resources

HORTICULTURE | Growing better beetroots
A new beetroot research project aims to double production and improve quality and consistency.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/april-2007/better-beet

CHEMICAL SCIENCES | Lavender tests help growers meet standards
More and more NSW lavender growers are getting their oils chemically analysed to help them better understand their product and improve their management practices.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/april-2007/lavender-oil-tests