May 2009 issue - Science and Research Updates

FISHERIES SCIENCE | Sound waves help bring back the black bream
About 30 black bream are being implanted with acoustic tags (pingers) to monitor their movements and improve fish migration along the Murray River.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/may-2009/bring-back-the-black-bream

PASTURE CROPPING | Shining a light on pasture cropping
New research results from NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) trials which put pasture cropping under the spotlight are now available to farmers.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/may-2009/shining-a-light

GREENHOUSE GASES | Roos have less impact: study
A comparative study of the energy requirements of kangaroos and sheep has concluded roos have far less impact on the environment than once thought.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/may-2009/roos-have-less-impact-study

PRODUCTIVITY | FOOD SECURITY | Research shows wide row spacing may reduce yields in cereals
Studies carried out by NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) show that where crop yield potential is high, wider row spacing can potentially reduce grain yield in winter cereal crops.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/may-2009/wide-row-spacing

GREENHOUSE GASES | Ag's nitrous oxide output under review
Soil scientist at NSW DPI’s Tamworth Agricultural Institute, Dr Graeme Schwenke, will lead a research project aiming to measure nitrous oxide emissions from soils under common cropping rotations in north-west NSW.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/may-2009/ags-nitrous-oxide-output-under-review

CROP AND PASTURE PRODUCTION | Wheat's perennial potential
A robust perennial grain crop would have the potential to increase the versatility and sustainability of Australian food production systems.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/may-2009/wheats-perennial-potential

CARBON COUNTING | Old paper samples needed
Can you help? Paper samples are needed for a DPI project researching the decay of a range of paper products in Australian landfills.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/may-2009/old-paper-samples-needed

STAFF ACHIEVEMENT | GRDC honours Cereal Pathologist

Dr Steven Simpfendorfer has won the prestigious 2009 Grains and Research Development Corporation (GRDC) northern regions Seed of Light Award.

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/may-2009/grdc-honours-cereal-pathologist

STAFF ACHIEVEMENT | NSW DPI staff top journal board
A record number of NSW Department of Primary Industry (DPI) staff have been appointed to the editorial board of an internationally respected scientific journal, Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald said today.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/may-2009/nsw-dpi-staff-top-journal-board