ECONOMICS | R&D a top investment for agriculture
Productivity growth has made agriculture the best performing industry in all sectors of the Australian economy, despite the drought.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/september-2007/top-ag-investment

FISHERIES SCIENCE | Hi-tech tracking of Shoalhaven fish begins
Researchers have released the first of 60 fish fitted with high-tech tracking devices back into the Shoalhaven River as part of a major NSW Government study of their biology, ecology and the effects of environmental flows.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/september-2007/shoalhaven-fish

PEST ANIMALS | Managing bird damage
Horticulturalists have been provided with a new resource to help minimise pest bird damage, estimated to cause losses of $300 million across Australia each year.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/september-2007/managing-pest-bird-damage

ENTOMOLOGY | Grub's passion for plastic causes water loss
Research by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has found that a small white grub is responsible for water leaking from sub-surface drip irrigation pipes used by some lucerne growers.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/september-2007/passion-for-plastic

HORTICULTURE | Convenience drives sales
Convenience foods are an "extraordinary" driving force for the fresh fruit and vegetable market, according to speakers at the Australasian Postharvest Conference.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/september-2007/convenience-drives-sales

HORTICULTURE | Industry backs mild onion classification
Onions that are mild in favour and suitable for eating raw are to be labelled as mild under a new classification system arising from NSW DPI research
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/september-2007/classifying-mild-onions

ENERGY | Algae is a potential renewable fuel source
NSW DPI researchers are exploring the potential of algae as a raw ingredient for biocrude.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/september-2007/algae-fuel-in-tank

BIODIVERSITY | Quick measures of biodiversity fail the test
Efforts to restore wildlife habitat outside national parks need to be supported by more accurate ways of measuring biodiversity, say NSW DPI researchers.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/september-2007/biodiversity-checks-fail-test

BIODIVERSITY | Eucalypt plantings benefit declining bird species
Species of woodland-dependent birds whose numbers have been declining are finding new homes in plantings of eucalypts and shrubs.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/september-2007/eucalypts-help-bird-species

SOILS | NSW DPI soils scientist among world's top ten
Respected international journal Soil & Tillage Research has named NSW DPI scientist Yin Chan as one of the world's most read soil scientists.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/september-2007/among-top-ten