March 2007 issue - Science and Research Updates

FORESTRY SCIENCE | Termite chemicals degrade faster in soils
Chemicals commonly used to protect timber from termites have been found to degrade at a faster rate than is presumed by Australian regulatory authorities.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/march-2007/termite-chemicals

FIELD CROPS | NSW takes lead on chickpeas
The NSW Department of Primary Industries is taking a lead role in breeding chickpeas nationally in the new joint venture, Pulse Breeding Australia (PBA).
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/march-2007/nsw-takes-lead-on-chickpeas

FISHERIES SCIENCE | Eastern Australian salmon 'under-utilised'
A study of the biology, population and catch composition of eastern Australian salmon is to help determine how best to manage stocks of fish in NSW waters.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/march-2007/study-salmon

LIVESTOCK | Tailoring production to targets
A computer modelling tool has been developed that aims to increase farm profitability by better matching livestock feed demands with forage resources.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/march-2007/tailoring-production-to-targets

ENTOMOLOGY | Mud and maccas mix
Researchers have identified a significant link between muddy mangroves and macadamia farms - both are favoured sites for macadamia nutborer.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/march-2007/mud-and-maccas

WEEDS | Controlling pasture and cropping weeds without herbicides
A major investigation is to be undertaken into non-herbicide strategies to manage pasture and cropping weeds in southern NSW farming systems.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/march-2007/new-approach-weed-control

CROPS | Summer cropping options for north
Although sorghum accounts for 60 per cent of the summer crop area sown in NSW, maize and sunflower may be better options in northern NSW.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/march-2007/summer-cropping-options-for-north

GOATS | Boer bucks boost production in trial
Boer goats can survive and successfully boost goatmeat production on western division pastoral properties, according to results from an on-farm trial.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/march-2007/boer-bucks-production-trial

GENERAL | New $1 million lab opened at Tamworth
Minister for Primary Industries, Ian Macdonald, today opened a new $1 million soil and plant processing facility at the NSW Department of Primary Industries’ Tamworth Agricultural Institute.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/march-2007/new-lab-opened-tamworth

CROP PRODUCTION | New durum wheat variety helps industry break new ground
A new durum wheat variety bred at the NSW Department of Primary Industries’ Tamworth Agricultural Institute has the potential to expand Australia’s durum wheat industry into new regions.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/march-2007/new-durum-wheat-variety

GENERAL | Agriculture precinct bolsters research in Orange
The signing of an historic agreement between the NSW Government and Charles Sturt University is expected to bolster the NSW Department of Primary Industries’ (DPI) cutting-edge sheep research programs.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/march-2007/research-in-orange