August 2006 issue - Science and Research Updates

SCIENTIFIC COLLECTIONS | Pressed plants key to Australia's future
Collections of pressed plants, stuffed birds and pinned insects are a vast and rich resource whose full potential is yet to be realised, according to Dr Tim Entwisle, Executive Director of the Botanic Gardens Trust, Sydney.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/august-2006/pressed-plants-key-to-australias-future

FORESTRY SCIENCE | Chambers help predict response of eucalypts to climate change
A unique experiment which aims to predict how Australian eucalypt forests will respond to greenhouse-induced climate change within the next 100 years is taking shape on the western Sydney skyline.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/august-2006/predict-response-eucalypts-climate-change

PLANT PROTECTION | Illustrations of agricultural pest insects, mites and diseases on display in Sydney
A major exhibition of scientific illustrations of agricultural pest insects, mites and plant diseases is being displayed in Sydney as part of celebrations for National Science Week. The Natura Morta exhibition features artwork by EH (Emil) Zeck and Margaret Senior, who worked for the former NSW Department of Agriculture and produced artwork from the 1920s to 1960s.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/august-2006/illustrations-agricultural-pest-insects-on-display

ANIMAL PRODUCTION | New automated milking system up and running
A state-of-the-art automated milking research facility designed to boost the profitability of Australia’s dairy industry is now in operation at Camden, in Sydney’s outskirts.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/august-2006/new-automated-milking-system

ANIMAL PRODUCTION | Japan welfare comparison
A study of the behaviour of Japanese cattle may shed some light on the welfare of cattle in Australian feedlots. NSW DPI researcher Bob Kilgour, normally based at Trangie, recently travelled to Japan to undertake a study which could deliver some results that may make a big difference to intensive beef production on Australian soil.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/august-2006/japan-welfare-comparison

AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS | Collaborative dividends huge
Australian farmers continue to reap enormous benefits from collaborations with international agricultural research agencies, set up in the 1960s to alleviate world food shortages.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/august-2006/collaborative-dividends-huge

HORTICULTURE | Organic seed supply a hurdle
The authors of a new report, Production of Organic Vegetable Seeds and Seedlings, are recommending that producers form co-operatives to facilitate the supply and purchase of organic seed and seedlings.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/august-2006/organic-seed-supply-hurdle

HORTICULTURE | Frequent picking not nuts - it pays
Harvesting macadamia nuts more than once a month can yield $250 a tonne extra for growers through improved quality, says a study on 40 farms.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/august-2006/frequent-picking-nuts-pays

ANIMAL PRODUCTION | Weeds wipe 15% off the value of livestock commodities
Australia’s livestock producers are losing income of up to $2.4 billion a year because of weeds in pastures, according to researchers from the Cooperative Research Centre for Australian Weed Management.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/august-2006/weeds-wipe-15-percent-off-livestock-commodities-value