ScienceNetwork WA

A SCIENTIST with 20 years experience breeding field peas (Pisum sativum L.) recommends genetic modification research to mitigate the effects of black spot (Didymella pinodes).

IDEAL conditions for producing perennial legumes – that could be used to relieve the shortage of forage during dry periods – have been identified by agricultural researchers.

A NEW study has shown reducing rates of herbicide use on annual ryegrass may lead to increases in herbicide resistance affecting Australian crops.

WESTERN Australian Department of Agriculture and Food researcher Richard Fennessy is investigating the nuances of the ‘cold soak’ process on the quality of West Australian reds.

MURDOCH University researchers are researching a solutions to possible environmental management problems stemming from inland saline aquaculture.

FARMERS, emergency service agencies and agriculture students are benefitting from the rollout of 70 new weather stations across the south-west by the Department of Agriculture and Food WA (DAFWA).

MURDOCH University scientists have spearheaded international research into creating pest resistant varieties of wheat and barley crops which could be available to Australian grain growers as early as May 2014.

RESEARCHERS have shown combining zero tillage with stubble retention farming practices can help water infiltrate sandy, water repellent soils in Western Australia.

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN pig farmers have successfully grown and milled the first pig-specific food to be developed and released in Australia.

EXPERIMENTAL pressure probes will be field tested this growing season to help identify drought resistant lines of wheat to combat changing climate conditions.

IT’S been described as the missing link in precision agriculture—and it could save the agricultural industry between $500 million and $1 billion annually.

WA has a new hope for drought-tolerant fodder during the dry months after researchers announce the plant tedera holds promise as a new pasture species for sheep and cattle.

NEW UWA research looks at the economic impacts of implementing soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration methods into farming practices and shows that these impacts may prove impractical for farmers.

THE Predictive Ocean Atmosphere Model for Australia (POAMA) for seasonal forecasting may give farmers more certainty about seasonal outcomes by helping them make important farm-based decisions.

WATERLOGGING is a key abiotic stress affecting crops in WA, similar to drought, salinity and element toxicity—but modifying germplasm for specific regions could help to increase tolerance.

ACCORDING to research from the CSIRO, land administrators should be aware of the substantial ecological barriers and time frames involved in achieving rangelands of a particular composition following changes, as these have a major influence on what they can demand of pastoral leases.

MURDOCH University scientists have quashed a long-held theory that ‘flighty’ cattle produce ‘dark cutting’, a commercially unfavoured attribute to beef.

EXPERTS at the State Biosecurity Forum recommend strong partnerships and global strategies to secure protection of present and future agriculture for WA.

SHEEP farmers can now safely feed lupin supplements to pregnant ewes—in recommended amounts—with a reduced worry of killing embryos and causing infertility.

A STUDY of the welfare of caged production hens has recommended chickens have access to a nest box to lay their eggs without being disturbed.