E D I T I O N 3 1 4 A p r i l / M a y / J u n e 2 0 1 3Katherine Research StationPO Box 1346, Katherine NT 0851

Phone: (08) 8973 9739

Fax: (08) 8973 9777

Krs.DPIF@nt.gov.au

ISSN 0394-9823

Diversity aplenty at this year’s Farm and Garden Day

The Katherine Research Station’s Farm & Garden Day was once again held on the 6th of April, focussing around the theme of “Celebrating the diversity of agriculture in the Northern Territory”. The event was well attended with 1,470 people attending and more than 25 exhibitors from both Katherine and Darwin on display.

Farm tours proved popular with the local residents as research staff presented the upland rice variety trials, explained the reasons behind the different cattle breeds in the NT, mango rootstock trials, biofuel crops and recent developments in the mahogany plantation. Several presentations were made in the Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries tent by DPIF staff members including Berrimah Farm’s Extension Officer for Plant Industries, Megan Connelly.

Megan provided a demonstration on the different methods of propagating plants commonly found in the garden. These ranged from starting plants in water to general soft and hard wood cuttings to starting plantlets from veins in leaves of begonias. Megan stated that the three key factors to keep in mind when propagating plants are to be clean at all times when propagating, keep the humidity up where possible and not to place plants in full sun afterwards.

Tahnee Thompson, Regional Weed Officer from the Department of Land Resource Management, Weed Management Branch, gave a comprehensive presentation regarding the benefits of managing weeds, how to plan weed management, identifying common weeds and an outline of useful herbicides and cost effective application. Tahnee also talked about the type of service the Weed Management Branch is able to provide landholders, and gave information on the current landholder assistance programs that the government is providing through support from Territory NRM, which include

Figure 1. Winners of the "Most outstanding exhibitor award" Territory Rural accept the plaque from Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries, Hon. Willem Westra van Holthe.

CONTENTSThe Katherine Rural Review is prepared by the Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries, Katherine.

It is designed to provide advice to people in primary industry in the Katherine region.

For further information please contact Jodie (08) 8973 9730.

This edition includes information about:

Diversity aplenty at this years’ Farm and Garden Day ------------------------ 1-2

Polledness in cattle ----------------------------------------------------------------- 3-4

FutureBeef and Twitter ------------------------------------------------------------- 5

What the heck is Guar? ------------------------------------------------------------ 6

Hendra virus vaccine -------------------------------------------------------------- 7

Rural business support continues ------------------------------------------------ 8

New faces – Renae McLean ------------------------------------------------------------- 8

Round the region ------------------------------------------------------------------- 9

Pastoral Market Update ----------------------------------------------------------- 10-11

provisioning of herbicide and equipment for the control of Chinee apple and Gamba grass. Katherine Landcare also received an important mention, as the Weed Management Branch have been working with this group to provide landholders with help to manage a range of woody weeds. She also reminded listeners that the Crawford Street Weeds compound is staffed every Friday afternoon from 1.00pm - 4:15pm for members if the public who would like to participate in these programs or ask questions about weed management on their property.

Katherine Research Station’s Plant Industry Technical Officer Khamla Mott, gave a hands on demonstration regarding how to successfully graft mangoes. The demonstration was very informative and was not limited to mangoes, as it is possible to graft fruit trees and certain vegetables as well. The benefits of grafting were explained for both the back yard gardening enthusiast as well as the commercial grower.

Entomologist Austin McLennan gave the background on fruit fly research being conducted out of Katherine Research Station and why this is important for the national mango industry. Audience members had the chance to hear about and see some of the tools used to track the risk of fruit fly infesting mangoes, and have their questions answered about how this research might relate to fruit fly problems in the home garden.

The Research Station also ran a number of competitions throughout the day including “What crop’s what?”, “How many fruit flies in the jar?” and the controversial “Hayathalon”. The Hayathalon was an Ironman style event where participants were required to participate in a hay bale carrying running race as well as a hay bale toss. Thirteen people participated in this unique event which hoped to raise awareness among consumers of the different qualities of hay and the existence of official standards that consumers can be on the lookout for to ensure the quality of their purchase. The winner of the hay toss component was Mark Fleming from

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Figure 2. Megan Connely, Extension Officer, provided a presentation titled "Why not take a garden cutting?"

Figure 3. Winner of the Hayathalon, Aaron Hockey (centre) from Bendigo Bank with activity organisers, Andrew Owens

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Katherine Research StationPO Box 1346, Katherine NT 0851

Phone: (08) 8973 9739

Fax: (08) 8973 9777

krs.dpifm@nt.gov.au

ISSN 0394-9823

the Watershed Katherine exhibit, with a toss distance of 8.52m, while Aaron Hockey from the Bendigo Bank exhibit was the overall event winner.

Polledness in CattleTim Schatz, Principal Pastoral Production Research Officer, Berrimah

Whether cattle are horned or polled is determined by their genes. The main gene that influences polledness is the horn/poll gene and all cattle have this gene. In some cattle this is the only gene affecting polledness, but there are 2 other genes that can also affect polledness in some cattle. These are the Scur gene (which can occur in all breeds) and the African horn gene (which only occurs in tropical breeds). The frequency of the African horn gene (Af) in different breeds is not known but is generally considered to be quite low. The frequency of the Scur gene is more common than the African horn gene, but both of these genes play a minor role in affecting polledness in comparison to the horn/poll gene, and in fact only interact with or modify the expression of the horn/poll gene.

The way the genetics of polledness works is as follows: All animals inherit a pair of alleles (form of a gene) for the horn/poll gene (they get one copy from each parent). The gene for polledness (P) is dominant to the gene for horns (H) and so when an animal has copy of the polled gene it will be polled even if its other copy of the gene is for horns. Animals with one of each copy of the gene (i.e PH) are known as being heterozygous polled and appear polled even though they carry one copy of the gene for horns. Heterozygous polled animals can produce horned offspring when they pass on a copy of the gene for horns (H) to their offspring, and their offspring also get a copy of the gene for horns (H) from their other parent (and so are HH). Therefore if a producer is trying to breed a polled herd it is better to use homozygous polled (PP) bulls as they will always pass on a polled gene (P) to their offspring.

The following table shows the percentage of polled progeny that result from parents with different combinations of the horn/poll genes. However it should be noted that when the Scur and African horn genes are present in a herd that the percentages of offspring that are visually polled and horned are likely to be different as some of the cattle with the horn/poll genes for polledness (ie. PP and PH) can have scurs or horns due to the effects of the Scur and African horn genes (this will be explained later in this article).

Table 1. The percentage of polled and horned offspring from parents with different horn/poll genes.

Parents Offspring

Bull CowHomozygous polled (PP)

Heterozygous polled (PH)

Homozygous horned (HH)

Homozygous polled

Heterozygous polled 50% 50%

Homozygous polled

Homozygous horned 100%

Homozygous polled

Homozygous polled 100%

Heterozygous Heterozygous 25% 50% 25%

Figure 3. Winner of the Hayathalon, Aaron Hockey (centre) from Bendigo Bank with activity organisers, Andrew Owens

polled polled

Heterozygous polled

Homozygous horned 50% 50%

Heterozygous polled

Homozygous polled 50% 50%

Note: Homozygous polled (PP) appear polled, Heterozygous polled (PH) appear polled, Homozygous horned (HH) appear horned.

Unfortunately where the Scur and African horn genes are present in a population (herd), then the genetics of polledness is more complicated and the proportion of polled and horned offspring is more difficult to work out. These genes interact with the horn/poll gene to determine whether progeny appear polled, horned or scurred. (Scurs are generally loose and movable beneath the skin ie. they are not attached to the skull. The size of scurs is quite variable; ranging from small scabs to growths about 15 cm long, although they are usually short).

The gene for scurs is transmitted separately to the horn/poll gene and so has no effect on the presence or absence of horns. Scurs can only be seen in animals that have the horn/poll genes for polledness (ie. PP and PH), as all animals with the horn/poll genes for horns (HH) will have horns and this will not allow any expression of the Scur gene to be seen.

As with the horn/poll gene, animals inherit one copy of the Scur gene (either Sc or Sn) from each of their parents. However the gene for scurs is expressed differently to the horn/poll gene. The way the gene for scurs is expressed depends on the sex of the animal. In males the Scur gene (Sc) is dominant, so heterozygous males (ScSn) appear scurred, and to appear polled a male must have 2 copies of the gene for no scurs (SnSn). In females the Sc is recessive so heterozygous females (ScSn) appear polled and only females with 2 copies of the Scur gene (ScSc) have scurs.

Table 2 shows how the horn/poll and Scur genes interact to determine the horn status of animals.

Table 2. Horn, poll and Scur interactions

Horn/poll Gene Scur gene Females Males

PP ScSc Scurred Scurred

PP ScSn Polled Scurred

PP SnSn Polled Polled

Note: the outcomes are the same for heterozygous polled (PH) animals, but all horned (HH) animals will have horns and this will not allow any expression of the Scur gene to be seen.

While the frequency of the African horn gene is much lower, it can also effect whether animals appear horned or polled when it is present. The African horn gene works similarly to the Scur gene in that the African horn gene (Af) is dominant to the polled gene (An) in males and recessive in females. Therefore if an animal has the African horn and Scur genes (as well as the horn/poll genes); for a male to be actually polled it must have the horn/poll genes for polledness (ie. be PP or PH) and 2 copies of the Scur genes for polledness (SnSn) and 2 copies of the African horn gene for polledness (AnAn). It is generally believed that the incidence of the African horn gene is very low but where a homozygous polled (PP) bull is used over Brahman females and a small percentage of the male calves have horns then this would be due to the African horn gene (Af) being present in the cows.

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Katherine Rural Review, Issue 290

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Katherine Research StationPO Box 1346, Katherine NT 0851

Phone: (08) 8973 9739

Fax: (08) 8973 9777

krs.dpifm@nt.gov.au

ISSN 0394-9823

As a result of the way the genetics of polledness works, it is not possible to predict with accuracy the incidence of polledness in the offspring from PP or PH bulls in herds where the Scur and African horn genes are present. In these situations the percentage of polled animals will be affected by the frequency of the Scur and African horn genes in the cow herd (and there are not currently tests for these genes). However if homozygous polled bulls (PP) that are actually visually polled (and so must be SnSn and AnAn if they have Scur and African Horn genes) are used, then over time the frequency of the Scur and African horn genes will be diminished and the incidence of polledness will increase. While the breeding of a polled herd will be quicker if only PP bulls are used (identified by DNA testing) and cows that are not polled are culled, selecting for a single trait such as polledness is not advised as it can be at the expense of other economically important traits (eg. growth, fertility etc.). Rather a more balanced approach to selection with a priority for polled animals is recommended.

FutureBeef and TwitterHave you considered registering for a FutureBeef webinar? How about following FutureBeef on Twitter to get links to the latest research articles?

FutureBeef joined Twitter on 2nd May 2012 and has since attracted over 900 followers. Twitter is often described as a text-based messaging system or microblog. There are 140 characters in each tweet – that’s it! You can upload an image or video in your tweet or even incorporate a link to a favourite website or news item. Those people who follow you on Twitter will receive your tweets.

Each quarter, FutureBeef tweets over 150 updates with links to tools, articles, events and information relating to RD&E in the northern beef industry. Twitter is proving to be a strong medium for promotion of events and training as well as encouraging the reading and sharing of new information and research.

If you are new to Twitter or yet to leap into the Twitter space, don’t worry, you’re not alone! A great way to learn more about this networking tool is to talk to those who are using it! Why not ask them what they tweet about? Why they tweet? Or what’s in it for them?

If you’re considering joining Twitter, think carefully about what interests you and what information you would like to share with others. When you set up an account (https://twitter.com/signup) you will need to choose a Twitter name as well as enter a short sentence that tells people a little bit about you. Once you have a log-in and password you can ‘tweet’ and reply to other tweets, as well as ‘re-tweet’ others and ‘favourite’ tweets.

Recently, FutureBeef hosted a free webinar in partnership with BeefCentral.com titled, “Beef up your Twitter effectiveness”. The web-based seminar featured presentations from Meat & Livestock Australia online manager Matthew Dwyer in Sydney, Feast Fine Foods marketing manager Vince Minervini in Adelaide and AgChatOz co-founder Sam Livingstone in Canberra, who each offered

Figure 1. A first cross Senepol mickey, naturally polled

advice on how people in the beef industry can “beef up” their Twitter effectiveness. A total of 322 people registered for the webinar.

On the webinar, information was shared about how people in the beef industry are using Twitter. It was highlighted that people used Twitter to pass along information, to engage in conversations with others, and to promote their industry, product or service.

FutureBeef webinars are a great way to listen and learn first-hand from industry professionals. They enable participants to watch and listen to a presentation from their mobile devices or computers and ask questions via their keypad/board.

Webinars run every few months and anyone can register to attend. Topics and dates are advertised a few weeks in advance at the FutureBeef calendar http://futurebeef.com.au/events/.

If you would like to suggest a topic for a future webinar, you can email BeefCentral at feedback@beefcentral.com.

The FutureBeef Program is a collaborative extension program aimed at bringing the latest research technologies and best management practice knowledge, skills and training to northern beef producers.

The industry website www.futurebeef.com.au allows those working in or seeking to enter the beef industry to freely access a range of technical production resources and tools in areas of animal improvement, grazing land management and business management.

What the heck is Guar?Malcolm Bennett, District Agronomist, Katherine

This year the Northern Territory has experienced a renewed interest in the production of guar; approximately 20ha of guar was sown by John Etty on his property, Sandy Creek, west of Katherine.

So what is guar? Guar, (Cyamposis tetragonoloba) also known as Cluster Bean, is a summer

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Katherine Rural Review, Issue 290

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Katherine Research StationPO Box 1346, Katherine NT 0851

Phone: (08) 8973 9739

Fax: (08) 8973 9777

krs.dpifm@nt.gov.au

ISSN 0394-9823

growing grain legume. This annual crop is indeterminate (continuous) in flowering, prefers light sandy soils and is highly drought resistant. Guar grows between 0.4 to 3.0 metres tall, with a growing period of approximately 120 days. Commercial grain yields range from 0.4 – 2.0 t/ha dry land and irrigated crops have yielded up to 2.5t/ha. In Australia guar is grown for its endosperm, which is milled to a fine powder known as guar flour or guar gum (food ID no 412). Once milled, guar flour is used to add viscosity to liquids, such as ice cream, cream cheese, BBQ sauce, orange juice, and cat and dog food. Guar flour has major applications in the paper, explosives, and oil and gas industry (including use in the ‘fracking’ of coal seam gas). The by-product of milling guar seed is guar meal made from the germ of the seed. Guar meal is high in protein (approx. 47%) and highly suitable as a stock feed.

In Australia, climatic conditions suitable for growing guar are in a band of country from northern New South Wales up through southern and central Queensland round to the NT and across to northern Western Australia. The band generally coincides with the 500mm to 750mm annual rainfall. In the NT guar has being successful grown south of Katherine in the late 70’s and again in the mid 80’s.

Seed coat is lost in processing. The endosperm contains 60-70% guar gum and the seed germ contains 47% protein.

Last year the Australia Guar Company (AGC) established broad-acre trials of guar in central QLD, using the old cultivar CP177 to produce sufficient seed to allow commercial areas (approx. 2000 ha) to be planted in Australia in 2012/13. New superior selections were also released for commercial testing. John Etty from Katherine was given seed of Selection 07 to evaluate.

In March 2013, Tony Matchett (Manager AGC) and Malcolm Bennett (District Agronomist Katherine) visited Sandy Creek to inspect John’s guar crop. All were very impressed with guar’s drought tolerance and thought 1.5t/ha was achievable especially since the Easter rainfall has restored a full soil moisture profile.

Vaccine arrives to boost the fight against the deadly Hendra virus

About Hendra virusHendra virus is a serious infectious disease transmitted by flying foxes shedding the virus in their saliva, urine, aborted foetuses and/or reproductive fluids. Hendra is a zoonotic disease that can kill both horses and humans.

Where does the Hendra Virus come from?

Figure 2. An excellent stand of guar on Sandy Creek

Horses are thought to contract Hendra virus by ingesting contaminated feed or water. The virus can spread from horse to horse and horse to human through close contact with respiratory secretions and or blood from an infected horse. The virus was first discovered in the Brisbane suburb of Hendra in 1994.

Rapid development of the vaccine Equivac CSIRO provided the safe handling of Hendra virus and testing of the Equivac HeV at its high containment facility in Geelong, Victoria, the only laboratory in the world capable of such high-risk work.

With the introduction of Equivac® HeV vaccine, which is available from accredited veterinarians, the vaccine will assist in breaking the cycle of transmission that puts humans at risk of contracting this potentially lethal virus from horses. With no known cure for Hendra, the Equivac HeV vaccine is positioned to become the most effective defence against this virus and significantly decreases the risk of exposure to Hendra virus for horse owners, handlers and veterinarians. For that reason, the Australian Veterinary Association recommends that all horses be vaccinated against the Hendra virus. The vaccine will also help to protect the health of horses and is a major win for anyone working in the equine industry. The development of a horse vaccine was crucial to breaking the cycle of Hendra virus transmission from flying foxes to horses and then to people, as it can prevent both the horse developing the disease and then passing it on. For the first time, we have a Hendra specific tool that provides both veterinarians, owners and handlers with a greater level of safety when they come into contact with sick horses.

Conditions of use of the EQUIVAC HeV VIRUS VACCINE FOR HORSES . The vaccine must only be used by registered veterinary surgeons who have been

accredited. Each vaccinated horse must be permanently identified by a microchip which carries a

unique identification sequence. Record of each vaccination is to be entered into the HeV vaccine national online registry

within 48 hours of vaccination. Details to include breed, sex, age, batch of vaccine used and the unique microchip identification details. Details of the owner or manager and location of the equine at the time of vaccination.

Any adverse reactions resulting from the use of the vaccine is to be reported as soon as possible.

Vaccination.It is recommended that in horses 4 months of age and above, two 1ml intramuscular shots be given 3 weeks apart, followed by a periodic booster shot.

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Katherine Rural Review, Issue 290

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Katherine Research StationPO Box 1346, Katherine NT 0851

Phone: (08) 8973 9739

Fax: (08) 8973 9777

krs.dpifm@nt.gov.au

ISSN 0394-9823

Rural business support continuesChristine Long, Policy Director, Darwin

A free financial support service to assist primary producers, fishermen and small rural businesses is now available in the Top End during 2013.

The Australian and Northern Territory Governments have allocated funding for a pilot scheme in 2013 and one of SA’s rural business support officers, Mr Charlie Goode will be based in the NT at various times throughout the year. Some will be familiar with Charlie from his time here following the live export trade crisis.

The rural financial counselling program, run by Rural Business Support, can assist clients with short and long term planning as well as support in dealing with banks and lenders and referrals to other professional service providers.

Charlie’s next visit to Katherine will be at the Katherine Show with further dates to be advised in due course.

Recently and for the first time in NT, a local primary producer was successful in securing a special Federal Government grant for businesses experiencing short-term cash flow problems.

While details of debt reduction through low interest and other loans announced by the Australian Government through the Farm Finance Package are still undisclosed, Rural Business Support is able to provide further information as it comes to hand.

The rural financial counselling service is free, independent and confidential with flexible appointments at the Darwin or Katherine Offices or on your property by arrangement.

As Charlie is already heavily booked for his next visit, please book early for future visits by calling him as per below to make an appointment:

Free call 1800 836 211

Charlie Goode 0418 850 251

Renae McLeanBorn: Griffith, NSW

Raised: Darwin, NT

Position: Livestock Biosecurity Officer

Story before now: Having grown up around stations in her youth, it was always in Renae’s plan to become involved in the beef industry as an adult. You may

Figure 1. Charlie Goode of the SA Rural Business Support, now available to assist NT businesses in the primary industries and fisheries sectors.

recognise Renae from the 2 years she has previously spent working for Elders in Darwin and Katherine as a merchandise salesperson. Before this, Renae completed a Bachelor of Agribusiness.

Role at KRS: Renae has taken over Nick Krebb’s position in the Biosecurity Team and has been out conducting inspections, post mortems, taking blood samples from the sentinel herds and conducting audits. Renae is looking forward to getting out and about to stations in her new role.

Round the Region ~ Yesteryear

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Katherine Rural Review, Issue 290

Above: Greg Scott as a bright eyed and bushy-tailed 18 year old ringer on Wave Hill Station in 1968 with an earlier version of the stock camp Toyota.

Below: A Pastoral Production meeting sometime in the mid to late ‘90’s. Back: Rohan Sullivan, Reg Andison, Bruno Hogan, Daryl Parker, Peter Ridley, Tony Moran, Bluey Lewis, Michael Cobiac, Tom Stockwell, David La Fontaine, Neil MacDonald. Front: Rodd Dyer, Jack Wheeler and Linda Cafe.

E D I T I O N 2 9 0 J U L Y / A U G U S T 2 0 0 8

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Katherine Research StationPO Box 1346, Katherine NT 0851

Phone: (08) 8973 9739

Fax: (08) 8973 9777

krs.dpifm@nt.gov.au

ISSN 0394-9823

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Katherine Rural Review, Issue 290

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Katherine Research StationPO Box 1346, Katherine NT 0851

Phone: (08) 8973 9739

Fax: (08) 8973 9777

krs.dpifm@nt.gov.au

ISSN 0394-9823

Katherine Region Events CalendarEvent Location DateJulyKatherine Show Katherine Showgrounds 19-20 July www.katherineshow.org.au/

AugustBarkly Herd Management Forum Newcastle Waters, Beetaloo

and Anthony Lagoon 6-8 August Helen.MacMillan@nt.gov.au

Mango Integrated Pest Management Workshops Katherine 10 August Warren.Hunt@nt.gov.au

Northern Beef Research Update Conference Cairns 12-15 August www.nbruc.org.au

MLA Beef Up Forum Adelaide River 28 August Arthur.Cameron@nt.gov.au

MLA Beef Up Forum Mataranka 30 August Jodie.Ward@nt.gov.au

Please email with updates of events happening in your area: jodie.ward@nt.gov.au

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DisclaimerWhile all care has been taken to ensure that information contained in this publication is true and correct at the time of publication, the Northern Territory of Australia gives no warranty or assurance, and makes no representation as to the accuracy of any information or advice contained in this publication, or that it is suitable for your intended use. No serious business or investment decisions should be made in reliance on this information without obtaining independent and professional advice or both in relation to your particular situation.

Reproduction of Rural Review ArticlesThe Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries (DPIF) welcomes the reproduction of articles appearing in this newsletter, but requests that the technical information be confirmed with the editor or author, prior to publication. The department also requests that acknowledgement be made for any original work sourced from the Katherine Rural Review.