Correct mite
identification essential
It is important for farmers to monitor mite numbers as crops emerge. Examine plants for damage and search for mites on leaves and on the soil surface. Before deciding on the most appropriate control measure, ensure the mite has been correctly identified. Problems can occur when growers use targeted rates of pesticide to control a particular mite pest and have then found another mite is present that is not controlled by the applied insecticide. For example, pesticide rates of many products used against redlegged earth mites are not effective against bryobia mites and balaustium mites.
Balaustium mites are emerging as a major pest in Australia, with reports indicating they can cause extensive damage to emerging cereal, canola and lupin crops. Balaustium mites are often confused with other mite pests and are difficult to control with current pesticides, so an on-farm integrated pest control program is recommended by industry experts.
New wheat growers
group formed at
Ardlethan meeting
A new wheat growers action group has pledged to fight the federal government in its plans to deregulate the industry. The new Wheat Growers Action Group (WAG), formed at a meeting at Ardlethan, was attended by a large number of regional wheat growers. Surveys indicate that over 80 per cent of wheat growers want the retention of a Single Desk marketing system. The Wheat Growers Action Group calls upon all Australian Wheat growers to unite and fight for their future and strongly oppose the new Wheat Export Marketing legislation.
Aerial surveys to predict water flows in wetlands
Environmental water management is set to improve in the Macquarie Marshes as aerial surveys begin to capture data for high-tech models of wetland water flows.
Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, Verity Firth said the high-tech surveys are a vital part of managing and protecting our State’s wetlands.
“This is about combining the best science and research to inform the delivery of life-giving environmental water flows for our fragile wetlands and river systems,” Ms Firth said.
Lachlan Grazing Management Project
field days
A series of field days will introduce farmers and the wider community to the Lachlan Grazing Management Project. The project seeks to demonstrate the benefits of enhanced soil health, production and biodiversity through improved grazing management. The core practice being applied to each site is high density, short duration grazing, with full pasture recovery allowed before the next grazing event. Participating landholders have undertaken to manage their sites along project guidelines for five years. This initial series of field days will give visitors that chance to see the land condition first hand at the start of the project, with follow-up field days planned over the subsequent four years to monitor progress. Field days are being held on June 11 at Grenfell and Cowra, June 12 at Rankin’s Springs and West Wyalong, June 16 at Condobolin and Trundle and June 17 at Bigga and Fullerton.
Lamb feedlotting
decision maker
Prime lamb finishers can now take the guess-work out of making crucial decisions on lamb feedlotting. With the costs for the two key inputs - store lambs and grain - at record highs, producers are naturally very apprehensive in making the decision to invest in feedlotting lambs.
NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Livestock Officer, Geoff Duddy, said a special feedlotting calculator can now be used for both Prime Lamb and Merino lamb finishers. “The Sheep CRC, in partnership with NSW DPI, has developed the calculator and will be making it available free of charge to industry,” Geoff said. “It allows a feedlotter to enter in potential enterprise costs and find the break-even points”,” Geoff added. Although designed specifically for feedlotting it can be adapted to estimate feeding costs for supplementary and maintenance feeding.
A number of free workshops to explain the feedlot calculator, and discuss recent developments in the lamb feedlotting sector, will be run in the following towns:
* Cootamundra Tuesday June 3 3-5pm Ex-Services Club
* Cowra Wednesday June 4 9-11am Services Club
* Forbes Wednesday June 4 3-5pm Services Memorial Club
* Dubbo Friday June 6 3-5pm Cattleman Motor Inn
Locust information essential
Farmers must report any recent locust activity or sightings of locust egg beds to their Rural lands Protection Board (RLPB) so action plans for the anticipated spring hatching can commence. This region is a key area of concern to authorities and they want to ensure they are prepared for any spring outbreaks.
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