October 2006 issue - Science and Research Updates

HORTICULTURE | Chemical use in greenhouses to be cut by half
Chemical use in many vegetable-producing greenhouses could at least be halved in the next three years as a result of a new NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) research project.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/october-2006/chemical-use-greenhouses-cut-by-half

ANIMAL PRODUCTION | Beneficial bacteria help keep pigs healthy
An innovative alternative to using antibiotics in piggeries is being trialled by DPI scientists. Probiotics, which are used in humans to promote gut health, are being fed to intensively reared pigs.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/october-2006/beneficial-bacteria-used-keep-pigs-healthy

CROP PROTECTION | No-till trial starts a farming revolution
A joint NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and Central West Farming Systems (CWFS) trial has proven its worth during the current drought and triggered a massive conversion from conventional cultivation to no-till farming.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/october-2006/no-till-trial-starts-farming-revolution

PLANT PRODUCTION | Spelt could handle climate change
The seeming adaptability of spelt and other specialty grains suggests they may have a role to play as the impacts of climate change are felt.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/october-2006/spelt-could-handle-climate-change

BIODIVERSITY | Bats need space in tree plantings
A study of bats on farms suggests that new approaches are needed to revegetation and that it should not be automatically assumed that planting of native trees will increase biodiversity.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/october-2006/bats-need-space-tree-plantings

ANIMAL PRODUCTION | Sheep research pushes boundaries of precision production
New precision production tools include software that will help producers make informed decisions about which stock to keep.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/october-2006/sheep-research-precision-production

CROP PROTECTION | Crown rot puts another sting in the tail for 2006
The 2006 winter cropping season has been a tough one across much of the northern grain zone. Unfortunately losses due to crown rot may make it even tougher.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/october-2006/crown-rot-sting-in-tail-for-2006

DROUGHT | Handy DPI calculator helps farmers make tough drought decisions
NSW DPI has developed a calculator which helps farmers make decisions on the future of their failing crops.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/october-2006/calculator-helps-drought-decisions

PLANT PROTECTION | Faster ways to identify fruit flies
A team at the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute (EMAI), Camden, is developing an automated, rapid diagnostic system to genotype fruit flies.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/october-2006/faster-ways-purge-fruit-flies