RIRDC Completed Projects in 2005-2006 and Research in Progress as at June 2006

Environment and

Farm Management

December 2006 RIRDC Publication 06/078

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© 2006 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. All rights reserved. ISBN 1 74151 162 3 ISSN 1440-6845 RIRDC Completed Projects in 2005-2006 and Research in Progress as at June 2005 – Environment and Farm Management Publication No 06/078 The information contained in this publication is intended for general use to assist public knowledge and discussion and to help improve the development of sustainable industries. The information should not be relied upon for the purpose of a particular matter. Specialist and/or appropriate legal advice should be obtained before any action or decision is taken on the basis of any material in this document. The Commonwealth of Australia, Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, the authors or contributors do not assume liability of any kind whatsoever resulting from any person's use or reliance upon the content of this document. This publication is copyright. However, RIRDC encourages wide dissemination of its research, providing the Corporation is clearly acknowledged. For any other enquiries concerning reproduction, contact the Publications Manager on phone 02 6272 3186. RIRDC Environment and Farm Management R&D Program Manager Dr George Wilson Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation Level 2, 15 National Circuit BARTON ACT 2600 PO Box 4776 KINGSTON ACT 2604 Phone: 02 6281 2160 Fax: 02 6272 5877 Email: georgewilson@awt.com.au RIRDC Publications Manager Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation Level 2, 15 National Circuit BARTON ACT 2600 PO Box 4776 KINGSTON ACT 2604 Phone: 02 6272 3186 Fax: 02 6272 5877 Email: rirdc@rirdc.gov.au Website: http://www.rirdc.gov.au

Published in December 2006 Printed on environmentally friendly paper by Canprint

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Foreword RIRDC has produced Research in Progress, as at June 2006, which contains short summaries of continuing projects as well as those that were completed during 2005-2006 for all of the Corporation’s 22 program areas. The complete report on all the programs is only available in electronic format on our website at http://www.rirdc.gov.au The following report is a hardcopy extract covering the Environment and Farm Management Program. It contains all entries from continuing and completed Environment and Farm Management research projects funded by RIRDC. This program aims to enable agricultural production systems that have significant diversity, flexibility and robustness to be resilient and respond to challenges and opportunities. This report is the newest addition to our extensive catalogue of over 1500 research reports, videos and CD-Roms of projects supported by RIRDC. Please contact us for the latest publications catalogue or view it on our website: • downloads at www.rirdc.gov.au/reports/Index.htm • purchases at www.rirdc.gov.au/eshop Peter O’Brien Managing Director Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation

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Contents

ENVIRONMENT AND FARM MANAGEMENT COMPLETED PROJECTS

PROJECT No

PROJECT TITLE RESEARCHER PHONE ORGANISATION PAGENo

Sustainable production systems development

CSW-41A Quantifying salinity risk from modern agriculture in brigalow landscapes

Mr. Perry Poulton (07) 4688 1202 CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems

1

MFR-3A Aquaculture in Saline Groundwater Evaporation Basins

Fiona Gavine (03) 5774 2208 Department of Primary Industries (Vic)

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New and emerging agri-industry systems

SWT-1A Industrial seaweed agronomy in saline drainage water evaporation basins

Mr Robert Cordover (02) 6282 6181 Robert Cordover T/A Seaweed Trading

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Impediments/Risk management

SAR-49A Native vegetation and profitable perennials to ameliorate salinity, and enhance biodiversity, beneficial insects and pest control

Dr Peter Taverner & Ms Glenys Wood

(08) 8303 9660 South Australian Research and Development Institute

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New technology systems – management

UWA-73A Investigation into legumes with pharmaceutical and aquaculture potential

Dr Shao Fang Wang (08) 9222 3040 University of Western Australia

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Decision support and precision agriculture

KDI-28A Precision farming. What is it delivering to farmers?

Mr Ben White (07) 4639 6180 Kondinin Group 10

Farm management and environmental management systems

MS056-04 Developing a national certification process for environmental management in Australian agriculture.

Ms Philippa Rowland, Mr Geoff Gorrie, Mr Michael Waller, Em Prof Bob Douglas

02 62880823 Australia 21 Limited 11

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ENVIRONMENT AND FARM MANAGEMENT RESEARCH IN PROGRESS

PROJECT No

PROJECT TITLE RESEARCHER PHONE ORGANISATION PAGE No

Decision support and precision agriculture

UNS-18A Sustainable small-scale agri-industrial projects neighbouring the Greater Blue Mountains protected area

Dr John Merson (02) 9385 2425 University of New South Wales

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Farm management and environmental management systems

BCG-2A Diversity in a piped system Mr Ian McClelland (03) 5492 2787 Birchip Cropping Group 14

ANU-71A Greening EMS Products- drivers and impediments to sustainable value chain

David Dumaresq and Saan Ecker

(02) 6251 8150 Australian National University

15

Frontier Technology

CCW-1A Utilizing NIRS and DNA technologies to manage rangeland sustainability

Mr Peter McCafferty (08) 9222 3017 Chemistry Centre (WA) 16

CSL-22A Electrical root mapping Dr Tim Ellis (02) 6246 5743 CSIRO Land and Water 17

QUT-9A Development of liquid desiccant solar drying system for agricultural products

Dr. Kame Khouzam (07) 3864 2483 Queensland University of Technology – School of Engineering Systems

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Aquaculture and hydroponics

DAQ-335A Assessment of Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) for wastewatrer bioremediation

Mr Brett Herbert (07) 4092 9913 Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (QLD)

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ENVIRONMENT AND FARM MANAGEMENT COMPLETED PROJECTS

Sustainable production systems development

Project Title: Quantifying salinity risk from modern agriculture in brigalow landscapes

RIRDC Project No.: CSW-41A Researcher: Perry L Poulton Organisation: CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems Phone: (07) 4688 1202 Fax: (07) 4688 1193 Email: Perry.Poulton@csiro.au

Objectives • Quantifying the chemical status of soils beneath existing native vegetation and cultivated systems.

• Better aligned modelling tools for exploring impacts from tree clearing and past agricultural enterprises on groundwater recharge.

• Assessing appropriate cropping system strategies to minimize movement of salt and potential salinity hazard in brigalow cropping regions.

• Fostering cross disciplinary discussion and collaboration with researchers from other projects in this region.

Background Historically large areas of Queensland and to a lesser extent Northern NSW covering some 5.13 million ha supported brigalow (Acacia harpophylla) dominated forests in their natural state. These native systems utilise the majority of annual rainfall and have remained in a state of equilibrium for potentially thousands of years. Tree clearing and subsequent cultivation has increased soil water recharge rates and mobilized natural salts. This project applies the technique of using soil chloride profiles and simulation models in assessing drainage and potential deep drainage risk from past and modern agricultural practice.

Research Soil profiles were sampled for a naturally occurring environmental tracer, chloride beneath native vegetation and adjacent cultivation. Differences between chloride profiles provide useful indicators of mobilization of soluble salts due to drainage and are a direct consequence of agricultural management since clearing.

Comparison of this change in chloride mass with the steady state native vegetation enables estimates of potential recharge rates. The Agricultural Systems Simulation Model (APSIM) was configured to estimate chloride movement and subsequent drainage as a result in change to agronomic management.

Outcomes Study sites in Southern Queensland contain soil chloride levels in the order of 30-80 t/ha beneath the native brigalow vegetation to 3.9m soil depth. Comparison of open paddock cultivation indicates that up to 20 t/ha of chloride had been leached since clearing occurred. Long-term simulations of cropping systems comparing soil chloride profiles over 35 and 50 year

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periods since clearing predict recharge rates taking decades to move to depth representing mean annual drainage rates of <11 mm yr -1. Scenario studies indicate continuation of current agronomic management into the future results in increased drainage.

Implications Wetting fronts can be reversed through the introduction of deep rooted perennials, such as lucerne (3 years in 20) as part of a rotation to maintain salt levels below the root zone of annual crops and above water tables.

Publications Poulton, P., Huth, N., Carberry, P., 2005. ‘Use of simulation in assessing cropping system strategies for minimising salinity risk in brigalow landscapes.’ Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 45, 635-642.

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RIRDC COMPLETED RESEARCH New and emerging agri-industry systems

Project Title: Aquaculture in Saline Groundwater Evaporation Basins RIRDC Project No.:

MFR-3A

Researcher: Fiona Gavine Organisation: Department of Primary Industries

Private Bag 20 Alexandra Victoria 3714 Australia

Phone: 03 5774 2208 Fax: 03 5774 2659 Email: Fiona.gavine@dpi.vic.gov.au Objectives

• To develop a commercially viable aquaculture system applicable to existing

and planned saline evaporation basins throughout the Murray Darling Basin. • To develop business planning guidelines applicable to aquaculture in inland

saline waters.

Background Salinisation of land and water resources is a critical problem in inland Australia that has rendered large areas of agricultural land unproductive and caused a marked deterioration in the quality of surface waters. In the Murray-Darling Basin, an engineering solution to the salinity problem has been adopted and a number of large-scale salt water interception systems have been built. These schemes work by intercepting saline water flows and disposing of them, usually by evaporation. Salt water interception schemes are expensive to build and have ongoing operating costs. This project investigated the potential role of aquaculture in offsetting some of the operating costs as aquaculture has the unique potential to utilise the existing resources (water, land, energy) of salt interception schemes to produce other value-added commodities.

Research The project set up and operated an aquaculture production facility at a saline water evaporation basin in northern Victoria. The industry partner in the project, Pyramid Salt Pty Ltd, currently owns and operates a salt water interception scheme at Pyramid Hill, south of Kerang, that produces various quality grades of salt. Aquaculture infrastructure was already on-site as trial, but this had been unused for many years and required extensive upgrading and repair. A staged approach was adopted for the development of the pilot scale aquaculture venture at Pyramid Salt and the site was commissioned in March 2004. The project focussed on the production of frozen 125g blocks of Artemia biomass for sale to the Aquarium industry, primarily in Melbourne. The production methods, yields and revenues of biomass production were summarised in the final report and were used to prepare a series of extension tools that can be disseminated to other potential investors in inland saline aquaculture.

Outcomes The research had demonstrated that the production of Artemia biomass at salt interception schemes can be economically viable, with the appropriate site selection and production technology to maximise production and minimise costs. The prevailing climatic conditions will determine the extent to which water

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heating is required over the year and this will have a major bearing on the design and operation of the facility, particularly if there is no ready access to solar pond technologies. The prime outcome of this project is commercialisation of the concept. A joint venture is currently negotiating to take over the business developed from the production facility.

Implications The aquaculture venture developed under this project represents only one aspect of inland saline aquaculture that is applicable to saline groundwater interception schemes. This technology and the production techniques associated with it are transferable to other evaporation basins in the MDB. Other aquaculture options that need further investigation include the stocking of Artemia in evaporation ponds for cyst production. This is more likely to be viable at the larger evaporation basins such as the new development at Pyramid Creek. There is also potential to develop other species (including fish and crustaceans) in the outdoor ponds provided that culture does not impact on the quality of water available for salt production.

Publications Gavine, F. M. (2005). Key drivers for the future development of inland aquaculture in Australia. Proceedings of the World Aquaculture, 2005, Bali, Indonesia, May 9-15, 2005.

Bretherton, M. J. (2005). Inland salinity – aquaculture lends a hand. Poster at the Young Professionals Forum, Department of Primary Industries, October 2005.

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RIRDC COMPLETED RESEARCH

Project Title: Seaweed Agronomy - Cropping in inland saline groundwater evaporation basins

RIRDC Project No.: SWT-1A Researcher: Robert Cordover Organisation: Seaweed Trading

71 Mountain Road ALLENS RIVULET TAS 7150.

Phone: (04) 2999 0120 Fax: (03) 6239 6784 Email: cordover@seaweedtrading.com Objectives • To make productive use of inland saline groundwater by developing

an agronomy of Gracilaria seaweed that will provide a profitable crop for farmers with salinised land that no longer supports traditional cropping.

Background The world market value for the agar gel–bearing Gracilaria seaweed is $137 million and growing. The loss of thousands of hectares of farmland to salinisation requires an innovative response to change the problem of saline groundwater into a resource. There is a large body of research on seaweed physiology, nutrition and growth in culture that could inform field trials to develop a seaweed agronomy in the dry land salinity and irrigated salinity regions of the Murray Darling Basin and Western Australian Wheatbelt.

Research Seaweed field trials were run in 1000 m2 saline groundwater evaporation basins at four sites in Victoria. For more precise nutrient studies, controlled trials were done in 675 l pools set inside the basins. Peer reviewed scientific literature that reported on the effects of environmental and water chemistry variables on Gracilaria growth and physiology were used to inform the field trials.

Outcomes Information was collected on the wide variety of groundwater chemistry in the basins studied and the viability of seaweed in various groundwater types was shown. Growth rates for Gracilaria in Victoria did not meet the target values reported in the literature but the small result that was achieved has given hope to several communities in salt-degraded areas that seaweed could yet be a profitable crop and provide value addition by local processing industries.

Additional support for further research is being provided by State and Federal agencies.

Implications Productive use of saline groundwater provides a chance to recover income lost to communities where farmland is being degraded by salinisation of soils and infrastructure. Seaweed cultivation in Australia will have competitive advantages over the current South American supply of Gracilaria in both quality of product and the cost of raw material transport to the major Asian markets. Small factories to extract gel or add value to the product have been shown to be financially profitable for small communities in Asia and provide employment and spin-off industries.

Publications Hedt, S 2005, Saline Groundwater seaweed demonstration site trial report,

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Dept of Primary Industries, Horsham Victoria.

Cordover, R 2004, ‘Seaweed as an innovative crop for inland saline waters.’ in Irrigation More from Less, Grains Research Update, GRDC, Tatura VIC.

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RIRDC COMPLETED RESEARCH Impediments/Risk management

Project Title: Native Vegetation and profitable perennials to ameliorate salinity, and enhance biodiversity, beneficial insects and pest control

RIRDC Project No.: SAR-49A Researcher: Dr Peter Taverner & Ms Glenys Wood Organisation: South Australian Research and Development Institute

Box 397 GPO, Adelaide SA 5001. Phone: (08) 8303 9660 Fax: (08) 8303 9542 Email: taverner.peter@saugov.sa.gov.au ; wood.glenys@saugov.sa.gov.au Objectives The knowledge of whether:

• key beneficial insects of agricultural pests are present on native remnant vegetation and profitable perennials and

• beneficial insects and pests move between the profitable perennials or native remnants and agricultural systems, and potentially provide pest control

• demonstration plots assist with delivery and adoption of information

A framework to design and manage a sustainable agricultural system that integrates natural resource management with opportunities for pest control and profit, while meeting market demands for clean green produce from established and emerging industries.

Background On the Northern Adelaide Plains (NAP), weeds are recognised as a major issue because they harbour Western Flower Thrips (WFT), which feed on horticulture crops and infect them with Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV). Some weeds also host the virus, which increases the chance of infection into nearby crops. Current strategies to control WFT and weeds, including ‘bare earth’ buffers around crops and high chemical use, are expensive and not sustainable. An alternative would be to replace weeds with native plants that can be shown not host TSWV or harbour WFT. Growers will prefer the native plants that are indigenous to the Northern Adelaide Plains (NAP) and have the added benefit of potential commercial value. In addition, perennial native plants may support integrated pest management (IPM) strategies by providing stable refuge for natural enemies near ephemeral horticultural crops.

Research In this study on the NAP, the potential for indigenous native plants and grasses to harbour pests was examined and compared with weeds. Deep-rooted native perennials were established near horticultural crops and sampled over several seasons for the presence of key pest insects and beneficial invertebrates.

Outcomes The abundance of WFT on brassica weeds was up to 300 times higher than on native perennial plants and up to 160 times higher than the native grasses surveyed. This represents a significant reduction in the presence of this important pest. The native plants and grasses also recorded far fewer tomato

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and onion thrips, which can also vector TSWV. This suggests that these native plants and grasses are poor host to WFT, however, more work needs to done to see if these plants also carry new pest problems or more effective natural enemies. Although some invertebrates could be identified as potential pests or natural enemies, a large proportion were either harmless or their roles were unknown. Regardless, the types and numbers of different insects on each plant species varied considerably.

Implications Each plant species supports a unique combination of insects and this may play an important role in determining the pests and natural enemies in nearby crops. This confirms the concept of informed and deliberate plant choice to reduce pest issues; an approach we refer to as ‘revegetation by design’.

Publications Stephens, CJ, Schellhorn, NA, Wood, GM and Austin, AD 2006, ‘Parasitic wasp assemblages associated with native and weedy plant species in an agricultural landscape.’ Australian Journal of Entomology 45, 176-184

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RIRDC COMPLETED RESEARCH New technology systems - management

Project Title: Investigation into legumes with pharmaceutical and aquaculture potential

RIRDC Project No.: UWA-73A Researcher: Dr Shao Fang Wang Organisation: University of Western Australia Phone: (08) 9222 3040 Fax: (08) 9325 7767 Email: swang@ccwa.wa.gov.au

Objectives • Develop a capacity for chemical analysis of legumes such that species from the unique University of Western Australia genebank with valuable pharmaceutical or aquaculture benefit can be developed.

• Undertake chemical identification of isoflavonoids and bioactive compounds from legumes and asses their efficacy in mammalian breast/prostate cancer proliferation assays.

• Generate a basic knowledge of the chemistry of legume germplasms such that cultivars can be developed to suit specific industries.

• Develop cultivars for specific industries. Background Research Outcomes Implications Publications

Compendium not received.

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RIRDC COMPLETED RESEARCH Decision support and precision agriculture

Project Title: Precision farming. What is it delivering to farmers?

RIRDC Project No.: KDI-28A Researcher: Mr Ben White Organisation: Kondinin Group Phone: (07) 4639 6180 Fax: (07) 4639 9110 Email: ben@kondinin.com.au Objectives • To document the economic, management and environmental

improvements farmers are achieving or not achieving through the application of precision farming technologies.

Background Research Outcomes Implications Publications

Compendium not received.

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RIRDC COMPLETED RESEARCH

Farm management and environmental management systems

Project Title:

Developing a national certification process for environmental management in Australian agriculture.

RIRDC Project No.: MS056 - 04

Researcher: Ms Philippa Rowland, Mr Geoff Gorrie, Mr Michael Waller, Em Prof Bob Douglas Organisation: Australia 21 PO box 3244 Weston ACT 2611, 2611 Phone: 02 62880823 Fax: 02 62880623 Email: bobdouglas@netspeed.com.au; Rowland@netspeed.com.au

Objectives • To explore the possible shape of a national approach to environmental

certification of use of Australia's agricultural land resource and the feasibility of a national monitoring system of the environmental resilience of Australia's agricultural land.

• To consult with leaders of an Australia's agricultural bodies on these matters.

Background Australia 21 in collaboration with the Queensland Department of Primary

Industries and Fisheries held a roundtable in March 2005 which identified the need for an options paper on certification and information systems and the need to consult with key stakeholders on the feasibility of developing national coherence and convergence on these matters.

Research An options paper that built from recent Australian experience with Environmental Management Systems (EMS) and current national agricultural monitoring systems was prepared by a team from Australia 21 with input from a steering group that had representation both from agri-political bodies and from 3 state Departments of Primary Industry. The paper was then circulated to a group of stakeholders who were invited first to respond to it on paper and then to meet to discuss the paper and the responses. 35 written responses were received and distributed to the participants in the Roundtable in advance of the meeting. The discussion by 46 participants was audio-taped and a draft consensus statement was prepared which was modified in the light of comments from the participants.

Outcomes The process indicates that there is now an opportunity for Australia to move towards the development of a national approach to certification of the environmental stewardship of agriculture that is internationally credible and underpinned by a national information management system providing a real basis for long-term adaptive management. The evolving national framework should seek to harmonize certification and working systems for the property manager and should build on the interests and enthusiasm that have been generated through the pilot activities in recent years. An underlying principle needs to be to reduce complexity. Australia should now embark on a process that pays attention both to agricultural management processes and environmental outcomes. It should build on a dynamic relationship between landholders and catchments and on the principles that have been developed in the course of the recent pilot studies. This development of a credible

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framework and a national “brand” will require the efforts of a new network of stakeholders which brings together the interests of farmers, catchment authorities, state and federal agencies which have responsibility both for primary industry and natural resource management. Leadership for this approach could come through a task force established by the current EMS Advisory Committee.

Implications The opportunity to build on the momentum that has been established in recent years as a result of federally funded projects on Environmental Management Systems could establish Australia as an international pace-setter in monitoring the landscape and provide Australian products with a market edge.

Publications Rowland P., Waller M, Gorrie G and Douglas B. Towards a national approach to certification and information management in Australian agriculture. Occasional paper Australia 21 August 2005

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ENVIRONMENT AND FARM MANAGEMENT RESEARCH IN PROGRESS

Decision support and precision agriculture

Project Title: Sustainable small-scale agri-industrial projects neighbouring the Greater Blue Mountains protected area

RIRDC Project No.: UNS-18A Start Date: 01-Jul-2004 Finish Date: 30-Apr-2008 Researcher: Dr John Merson Organisation: University of New South Wales Phone: (02) 9385 2425 Fax: (02) 9385 8003 Email: j.merson@unsw.edu.au Objectives • facilitate long-term sustainability of agri-industries along the north-

eastern boundary of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area (GBMWHA) which enhances neighbouring protected conservation area and Sydney catchment.

• identify and document economic, social and environmental impacts of agri-industries.

• develop linkages between industry, government and community for trials of integrated technology systems

Current Progress In the current phase of the project, policy and institutional issues which emerged from a survey carried out with farmers in the region, will be interpreted in relation to contemporary concepts from adaptive management. A preliminary application of a policy sciences approach has been applied to provide a rational comprehensive assessment of the policy context. It is planned that further stages in this inquiry will iterate between the policies impacting on the particular behaviours of the representative landholders and the broader policy trends at regional and larger scales. A key focus will be the role of local government instruments, particularly Local Environmental Plans (LEPs). As well as drawing upon technical aspects of the particular case studies, the inquiry will be informed by the broad ranging technical review undertaken in the early stages of this project. This review included studies, reports and guidelines regarding: rural land use; catchment regions and pollutant generation rates; impacts of rural subdivision; protected cropping industry; environmental protection and restoration for rural residential landholders; horticulture in drinking water catchments. This regional information provides a generic background relevant to the management practices generally applied in the case study region.

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RIRDC RESEARCH IN PROGRESS

Farm management and environmental management systems

Project Title: Diversity in a piped system

RIRDC Project No.: BCG-2A Start Date: October 2004 Finish Date: October 2006 Researcher: Jonathan Starks Organisation: Birchip Cropping Group Phone: 03 5492 2787 Fax: 03 5492 2753 Email: jon@bcg.org.au Objectives • Evaluate from a biodiversity and practical farm management

perspective the compatibility of various water delivery systems and water access points within the Wimmera and Mallee environment, for value to native fauna and habitat function.

Current Progress Installation of biodiversity water troughs is complete. A strategy for planting aquatic vegetation in the biodiversity troughs to provide habitat and maintain water quality has been developed and is currently being implemented.

Winter and spring monitoring of birds, mammals, frogs and reptiles has been completed. The frog surveys were undertaken following the winter / early spring channel flow and dam fill so that calling and spawning events, particularly in channels where water is present for only a few weeks, could be sampled.

A project database has been developed in conjunction with CSIRO. All survey data are entered and back-ups kept. Incidental observations of frog occurrence, particularly in the northern mallee are also recorded.

A poster promoting the project was presented at the annual Birds Australia Congress in Bendigo in early October 2005. Presentations about the project have been made to regional community groups. Regular updates on progress of the project are published in the BCG newsletter and website (www.bcg.org.au).

A student from Melbourne University, in collaboration with BCG, completed a detailed background study of frog populations in the Wimmera Mallee.

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RIRDC RESEARCH IN PROGRESS

Project Title: Greening EMS Products- drivers and impediments to sustainable value chain.

RIRDC Project No.: ANU -71A Start Date: 1 February 2006 Finish Date: 21 May 2007 Researcher: David Dumaresq and Saan Ecker Organisation: School of Resources Environmental and Society,

Australian National University Phone: (02) 6251 8150 / 0428 172 011 Fax: (02) 6125 0746 Email: saane@westnet.com.au / david.dumaresq@anu.edu.au Objectives • This project aims to provide the framework for agricultural industries to

implement whole of supply chain environmental certification systems enabling progression from producer only EMSs to producer to consumer systems.

Current Progress Progress has included completing supply chain interviews, consumer interviews, developing industry, NGO and government partnerships. Three supply chain forums were organised as below.

May 25-26 – “Does Sustainability Sell” trade stall at the National Buying Green Conference, Perth

Thirty participants at the conference were given 10 minute interviews regarding attitudes to ‘green’ products.

May 29th – Food for Thought Community Forum and Product Tasting, Perth

Fifty people from a diverse range of interests attended the forum held in partnership with the Conservation Council of WA. These included farmers from the ten case studies. The event involved a dialogue between consumers, retailers and farmers about agricultural sustainability, labelling, certification, consumption patterns and impediments and opportunities for advancing sustainable production and consumption. Ten consumer questionnaires were also completed.

May 30th Presentation and Open Forum, Margaret River – “Should we take demands for sustainability in the wine industry seriously?”

Fifteen people attended a forum held in partnership with the Curtin University Centre for Wine Excellence and the Margaret River Wine Association. Attendees included representatives from one of Australia’s largest wine corporations, smaller winemaking operations and regional NRM. The Wine Federation of Australia’s Amy Bessel presented international trends relating to ‘green’ demands. This was followed by a vigorous discussion.

Supply chain interviews

Interviews were held with actors in a biodynamic grain supply chain including the grower in the wheatbelt and the baker at Yallingup.

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RIRDC RESEARCH IN PROGRESS

Frontier technologies Project Title

Utilizing NIRS and DNA technologies to manage rangeland sustainability

RIRDC Project No.:

CCW-1A

Start Date: 01-Nov-2004 Finish Date: 30-Apr-2007 Researcher: Mr Peter McCafferty Organisation: Chemistry Centre (WA) Phone: (08) 9222 3017 Fax: (08) 9325 7767 Email: pmccafferty@ccwa.wa.gov.au Objectives

• To provide a more comprehensive knowledge of the diet of

rangeland animals through sample collection and analysis using the NIRS/DNA technique. Producers will have a powerful tool to optimise production while simultaneously maintaining environmental sustainability (and species biodiversity) of the rangelands.

Current Progress

Sample collection Samples have been collected from:

a. AgWA Bull trials ex Vasse Research Station b. Ag WA bovine samples from the Pilbarra (duplicate samples sent to

CSIRO for cross-validation). c. AgWA bovine samples ex SW WA. d. Curtin ovine samples from penned and field trials. e. Selected plant species from rangelands. DNA Method Development Methods for the determination of plant species (lupin, oats and lucerne) have been developed (see publication listed below). Methods for the determination of selected native plant species are currently under development.

NIRS Method Development Classical chemistry data has been determined on several hundred samples to allow for NIRS calibration (other metric have also been collected). Additional NIRS work will begin on the samples collected to date in this quarter. This project has attracted three PhD and one Masters students at Curtin University with studies directly related to this research.

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RIRDC RESEARCH IN PROGRESS

Project title: Electrical root mapping

IRDC Project No.: CSL-22A Start Date: 22-Jul-04 Finish Date: 30-Nov-06 Researcher: Dr Tim Ellis Organisation: CSIRO Land and Water

GPO Box 1666 Canberra ACT 2601

Phone: 02 6246 5743 Fax: Email: tim.ellis@csiro.au Objectives

• This project aims to provide the framework for agricultural industries to implement whole of supply chain environmental certification systems enabling progression from producer only EMSs to producer to consumer systems.

Current Progress Rapid, non-destructive methods for measuring plant roots are the ‘holy grail’

for root researchers because conventional sampling and measuring techniques are destructive, laborious and expensive. This project builds on a scoping study undertaken by CSIRO and supported by JVAP and RIRDC during 2002/03. The preliminary work showed some promising results for locating plant roots by detecting electromagnetic fields, resulting from high frequency excitation of the plant. During 2004/05, we improved the design of our original detector probes, and we can now locate large (>2 mm), individual roots with millimetre precision. The detection of smaller roots is progressing; however, improvement in our detection capability has highlighted weaknesses in our technique for electrically exciting the plant. Better conceptual and analytical electromagnetic models for the propagation of electric fields along roots are being developed. Attempts to improve our predictive capability are progressing, with permittivity measurements of soil and root medium continuing. Final measurements and final report preparation are planned for later this year.

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RIRDC RESEARCH IN PROGRESS

Project Title: Development of liquid desiccant solar drying system for agricultural products

RIRDC Project No.: QUT-9A Start Date: February 2006 Finish Date: February 2008 Researcher: Dr. Kame Khouzam Organisation: Q.U.T. – School of Engineering Systems Phone: (07) 3864 2483 Fax: (07) 3864 1516 Email: k.khouzam@qut.edu.au

Objectives • The aim of this project is to investigate the viability of solar drying using liquid desiccant, by developing a prototype drying system applicable to a number of agriculture products (such as cereal crops). The use of solar energy has the potential to replace fossil fuels for drying purposes and to enhance the quality of produce in a reasonable processing time. Solar energy offers a cost-effective means to heating process air for the regeneration of the desiccant. The results of this project, when taken further to commercialisation, would have the potential to reduce energy bills among farmers and help create a new industry in agriculture drying and crop preservation.

Current Progress Good progress has been made in this project during the past four months. A literature research was conducted in order to review drying techniques and types of desiccants used in dehumidification. The choice of lithium chloride as a desiccant appears to be most appropriate although testing including a mixture with calcium chloride will be conducted in the following months. Samples of lithium chloride solutions of different concentration were prepared for calibration purposes.

Conceptual design of the system comprising the main parts has been selected. The packed bed design was chosen as it allows the same apparatus to work as either a regenerator or as a dehumidifier, thus sequential testing can be accomplished. A drying bin of around one ton capacity was constructed by Agridry; Industry Partner. A prototype unit for dehumidification (or regeneration) has been manufactured for the purpose of preliminary testing. The design of the solar system collector is currently in progress. Instrumentation had been purchased for measurements of inlet air and outlet air parameters, moisture content in grain, and desiccant concentration (using conductivity). Two speed controllers were assembled; one to control the air flow and the other for the desiccant circulation pump. Dehumidification testing has begun and preliminary results are promising. Concentrated solution of lithium chloride (68%-70% volume) maintained the outlet air relative humidity (RH) at 10% to 12% and increased the air temperature by 10oC to 12oC above inlet air temperature. Preliminary testing on regeneration using solar energy will commence in about four weeks.

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RIRDC RESEARCH IN PROGRESS

Aquaculture and hydroponics

Project Title: Assessment of Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) for wastewatrer bioremediation

RIRDC Project No.: DAQ-335A Start Date: 01 November 2005 Finish Date: 30 March 2008 Researcher: Mr Brett Herbert Organisation: Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Phone: (07) 4092 9913 Fax: (07) 4093 3903 Email: brett.herbert@dpi.qld.gov.au

Objectives • To investigate turning the liability of wastewater generated by aquaculture (in the first instance) into an asset. The R&D objective is to determine whether aquatic lotus plant will be a viable and successful means of removing suspended solids and nutrients from wastewaters to enable water recycling within existing operations. The project, and a complimentary FRDC application, aims to identify the nutrient assimilation capacities of various aquatic plants for remediation of agricultural wastewaters.

Current Progress Water chemistry and sampling protocols have been finalised and all monitoring equipment has been serviced.

Establishment of lotus plants has been difficult at Walkamin due to Trichoptera (insect larvae) eating the plants. Germination of seeds was determined to be the best option for farmers and for quarantine purposes (declared noxious fish and weed species are present in all local native lotus habitats). Given the difficulty in establishing plants at Walkamin, rhizomes were collected in early May and planted. Due to cooling water temperatures these are expected to be slow, although the mature leaves appear to be less susceptible to insect attack. Cooler water temperatures may be influencing insect feeding behaviour also. A contingency plan in case lotus are unable to be established is being developed.

The industry partner has lotus plants established in the experimental pond. Attacks by Pyralid moth larvae also set back plants to a degree but recent growth is rapid.

Fish are growing well and data recording is established.

Some departures from standard operating were required due to damage, power loss and access problems due to a cyclone.