Bigger department benefits agriculture
Western Australia’s agriculture and food sector is set to benefit from the State Government’s decision to amalgamate key agencies working to support our primary industries and regions.
On 1 July, the departments of Agriculture and Food; Fisheries; and Regional Development joined with the staff of the nine Regional Development Commissions to form the new Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD).
These major structural changes are happening across the public sector to create more collaborative departments focused on whole-of-government objectives to deliver services in a more efficient and effective way.
Ralph Addis has taken on the role of acting Director General of DPIRD to help build an organisation to be proud of, and achieve more together than as individual agencies.
Ralph was the Director General of the Department of Regional Development.
He hails from a family farm near Cranbrook and has a first-hand appreciation of the challenges of modern agribusinesses.
The Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia's (DAFWA's) former acting Director General Mark Webb has moved on to lead the new Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
Mark made a major contribution to the department and the sector over the past 14 months.
While the new combined department officially started operating on 1 July, with all staff brought under the one banner, the full transition of functions and services will take some time longer.
A project management team, including representatives from DAFWA, has been established to guide this transition.
Mark Sweetingham has been appointed as DPIRD’s Deputy Director General for Agriculture and will help navigate this latest evolution of the department.
Given Mark's previous role as Executive Director of Grains Research and Development Transformation, he is well aware of the pressures and opportunities facing the WA agriculture and food sector and is committed to ensuring we are well equipped to take our sector forward.
Mark has expressed his excitement about the future of agriculture and the synergies and opportunities to be generated by working together in a bigger more collaborative department.
During this transition process it is ‘business as usual’ for the agriculture and food staff, who continue to work with the expertise and passion for which they are renowned.
Our valued partnerships remain strong and our research and development activities will stay on track with universities, grower groups and organisations, such as the Grains Research and Development Corporation.
DAFWA has had many incarnations over the past 124 years, to enable it to support the continued development of agriculture and food in Western Australia to the sophisticated, modern agribusinesses that we have today.
This is yet another chapter in that proud history, which will enable us to tap into the skills and resources of other aligned departments and pursue significant activities that advance the capability and prosperity of the sector.
We invite all stakeholders to join us along this journey and to keep the lines of communication open so we can build an innovative, relevant and robust department that will meet the needs of the agriculture and food sector for generations to come.
For more information visit the department amalgamation webpage on the DAFWA website.
Department helps agricultural businesses to navigate 2017 season
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) officers throughout the grainbelt and adjacent areas are working to support agricultural businesses affected by below average rainfall.
While good levels of stored summer soil moisture has been topped up by autumn rains on the south coast and parts of the Great Southern, areas in the northern and north-eastern agricultural area and the lower Great Southern are experiencing well below average rainfall.
The image below shows total WA rainfall from 1 April to 2 July 2017.
The department’s Statistical Seasonal Forecasting (SSF) system's June seasonal outlook predicts below average rainfall for the majority of the South West Land Division for winter and spring.
The SSF indicates a 0-40% chance of exceeding median rainfall from June to August for the majority of the grainbelt, in the decile 2-3 range, based on a poor to good predictive skill, with the exception of Ravensthorpe and the western part of the Esperance Shire, which has a higher chance of 40-60% of exceeding average rainfall, in the likely 4-7 decile range.
The longer term outlook for June to October is also for a 0-40% chance of exceeding median rainfall, in the 2-3 decile range, across the majority of the South West Land Division, based on a 50-75% consistent predictive skill.
Department officers from across the grainbelt are liaising with local grower groups, consultants and farming organisations to ensure agribusinesses receive the support they require.
A Season 2017 webpage is available on the department’s website that harnesses a vast range of information to assist landholders to navigate the season ahead.
It includes useful information on crop agronomy, livestock management, farm budgeting and health and financial information.
Climate and weather tools
The department’s website has several climate and weather tools to assist decision making, including:
- Weather stations - real time data form more than 170 weather stations around the State, including weather summaries, charts and Doppler radar rainfall and wind images
- Seasonal climate information - including rainfall forecasts, plant available soil moisture maps, potential yield calculator and frost risk maps
- Rainfall to date tool - graphs tailored to location
- Soil water tool – graphs showing soil water accumulation
- Potential yield tool - calculates potential wheat yield to location
- Extreme weather events tool – maps real time information about frost and heat events.
Cropping
The below average rainfall conditions have already had an impact on cropping programs and many grain growers are modifying their plans to optimise crop potential.
The department has undertaken modelling to identify likely impact from delayed emergence of wheat and canola crops so growers can evaluate whether other options need to be considered for these paddocks.
There has also been research on the value of reseeding canola crops.
In addition, work has been done on breakeven yields for wheat and canola.
Livestock
The department has been monitoring the situation to assist livestock producers to make informed decisions about feed budgeting, stocking rates and opportunities to capitalise on solid market conditions.
Livestock feeding has been a priority, with Pastures from Space observations showing low amounts of food on offer, across much of the grainbelt.
Many livestock producers have already commenced supplementary feeding and feed budgeting will be essential if dry conditions persist in coming months.
The department has a number of tools and calculators to assist sheep grazing management.
Department officers report livestock across the regions are currently in good condition.
Support Services
It seems likely that 2017 will be a variable season for much of the grainbelt.
Good communication and social support will be essential to help each other through the months ahead.
Services are available to assist people through this difficult period:
- WA rural health, financial and information support directory
- Rural Financial Counselling Service WA or freecall 1800 612 044 - free financial counselling services to assist primary producers
- Regional Men’s Health Initiative or call (08) 96902277
- Farm Household Allowance or call 13 23 16 – a household support payment from the Australian Government
- Farm Business Training or 1800 198 231 – targeted training to improve business management provided via the department.
The Season 2017 webpage will be updated with relevant, useful information as the season progresses.
Bravo to strong industry collaboration
Western Australian apple growers have recently completed the second harvest of fruit from the department's new apple variety, ANABP 01, for which the premium fruit will be sold as Bravo™ apples.
Bravo™ is the result of more than 20 years commitment by department apple breeders.
The ANABP 01 variety was made commercially available to growers in 2014.
Department staff have continued working closely across industry to ensure that the apples produced meet the Bravo™ quality specifications.
Fourteen orchards in Western Australia and six orchards in the East produced enough fruit to harvest this season.
The department collected apples weekly from all of these orchards to test maturity and quality.
Growers received these results to assist with the decision of when to harvest the crop.
Results also assisted Fruit West Co-operative Ltd and WA Farm Direct with managing the total crop.
The department was encouraged by the willingness across industry to work together and share information and experiences to achieve the best for everyone out of this new variety.
In early May, apple industry representatives together with WA top retailers, chefs and media were joined by Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan to launch the 2017 Bravo™ apple season.
The evening focused on introducing the food industry to this exciting new apple.
A long table meal created by renowned chef Sophie Zalokar featured Bravo™ apples in each course.
Bravo™ apples have been available in retailers across WA and all of the cities in the East Coast since mid-May.
The limited supply fruit will be available for the next 2-3 months.
It is also expected that trial shipments of fruit will be sent to premium Asian markets with the aim to increase exports in the coming years.
Bravo™ features, fact and figures
The apple features a distinctive dark burgundy skin colour which stands out like no other apple variety.
The sweet balanced flavour and firm juicy texture give the apple a pleasant eating experience.
There are high expectations that this apple could become as popular worldwide as the other department bred apples Pink Lady™ and Sundowner™.
An impressive 200 000 trees have been planted with a further 100 000 trees due to be planted into orchards this winter
Nurseries have already received orders for trees in 2018.
The increasing uptake of the variety across Australia is due to growers seeing how well the variety is performing in all the growing regions and how it is suited to Australia’s growing conditions.
Visit our webpage New generation burgundy coloured apple - Bravo™ for more information on the apples background, breeding process, tree growth, value to consumers, industry benefits and tree purchase.
For more information contact Steele Jacob, Technical Officer, Manjimup on +61 (0)8 9777 0136.
Best practice lamb marking
At lamb marking, using best practice guidelines, particularly when it comes to tail length, will have the best outcome for the lamb.
Lambs should be marked before they are 12 weeks of age, with the youngest lamb being at least 24 hours old so a maternal bond can be established.
Producers are urged to tail dock their lambs at the third joint (or to the tip of the vulva in ewes and to the same length in wethers).
Docking at the third joint will reduce the risk of flystrike and other health problems such as rectal prolapses and cancer in ewes.
The department recommends producers use rubber rings or a hot gas knife when tail docking.
The hot knife method is preferable for tail docking on lambs that are mulesed.
Mulesing may not be necessary on some properties that are in a low risk area, and on properties where producers actively select and breed for fly and worm resistance.
Animals that are sold for slaughter prior to the high flystrike risk period may not need to be mulesed.
The department recommends the use of pain relief for mulesing, tail docking and castration where appropriate.
There are now three registered pain relief options that producers can use at lamb marking.
The Australian Pest and Veterinary Medicine Association (APVMA) have registered the below products for pain relief at lamb marking:
| Product | Description and Use | Veterinary prescription needed | Meat withholding period (days) | Export Slaughter Interval (ESI, days) |
| Tri-Solfen® | Pain relief following mulesing, tail docking and castration. Post-operative gel spray providing local anaesthetic and antiseptic | No | 90 | 90 |
| Buccalgesic ® | Alleviation of pain and inflammation for castration and tail docking. Pre-operative liquid administered orally. | Yes | 10 | 10 |
| Metacam 20®* | Alleviation of pain and inflammation. Pre-operative subcutaneous injection. | Yes | 11 | 11 |
*Lambs must be older than 14 days
Tri-Solfen® cannot be used when using rings to castrate and tail dock.
Buccalgesic® and Metacam 20® can be used for both ring and knife methods but require a veterinary prescription.
Please note that Tri-Solfen can now be purchased over-the-counter without the need for a veterinary prescription.
It is essential that producers follow all label directions when using pain relief products, and off-label use is not permitted without veterinarian approval.
For more information, please visit the APVMA website.
Lambs should also be vaccinated with a 3-in-1 or 6-in-1 vaccine.
Vaccinating against scabby mouth is recommended, especially if they are likely to be sold into a live export market or finished in a feedlot.
Visit our Best practice lamb marking page for further information.
For more information contact Julia Smith, Development Officer, Albany on +61 (0)8 9892 8450.
Soil testing to support better fertiliser decisions
Grazing farmers across the South West are being encouraged to take part in a soil testing project designed to support farmers to make better fertiliser decisions.
The project involves soil testing, nutrient mapping, farmer workshops and the option for one on one accredited agronomic advice.
Ken John, a beef producer from Karridale who was involved in the soil testing program in 2016, said he was absolutely rapt in the program and had saved about $3000-$5000 this year making changes to his fertiliser program.
Ken said he now had a good understanding on what soil pH is doing across his farm. He encourages all farmers to do the course.
The soil testing project is part of the Regional Estuaries Initiative (REI) aimed at improving water quality in regional estuaries and waterways.
Soil testing programs undertaken across the broader South West over the last eight years have shown that around 70% of paddocks have more phosphorus than needed to support pasture growth.
Test results also showed that many paddocks also had a deficiency of potassium and/or sulphur, and were constrained by soil acidity.
Results from over 160 000 ha of sampled grazing land suggest that farmers may be better off applying potash, gypsum or lime to correct deficiencies rather than using the traditional superphosphate where it is not needed.
Money will be spent more wisely if soils have been tested.
More accurate fertiliser application will also keep nutrients on farm and out of waterways and estuaries where they affect water quality.
With nutrient run-off from agricultural land representing the largest source of nutrients entering estuaries in South West WA, farmers have a critical role to play by working together to reducing nutrient runoff to improve water quality.
Livestock producers with more than 40 hectares of cleared arable land and located in the Peel Harvey, Leschenault, Geographe, Lower Blackwood, Scott River, Wilson and Oyster Harbour catchments are being encouraged to apply to participate in the 2017 nutrient mapping program.
Registrations of interest will open on 1 July via the REI website.
For more information contact Peta Richards, Development Officer, Manjimup on +61 (0)8 9777 0144.
Lifetime Ewe Management course
Lifetime Ewe Management (LTEM) is a best practice ewe management program aimed at increasing on-farm productivity and profitability by focusing on condition scoring ewes, assessing pasture and feed budgeting.
Benefits from participating in LTEM come via two avenues:
- increased efficiency due to improved understanding of the pasture-animal system.
- meeting targets for the condition score profile of the ewe flock.
In favourable seasons, when there is adequate supply of green pastures at lambing, providing sufficient feed to the pregnant/lactating ewe is made easier.
However, in poorer seasons, or when we experience a late break, determining how much feed is needed to maintain those ewes in good condition is more of a challenge.
By getting involved in a LTEM training program you will better understand the influence ewe nutrition has on the performance of the ewe and her offspring.
You will be able to make more informed decisions about your ewe management to optimise stocking rates and manage risks to avoid “disasters”.
The course shows you the difference between what you are doing and what you should be doing.
It makes you aware of the implications of not responding to changes in seasonal conditions and gives you confidence and knowledge that what you are doing is right.
Course outline
Lifetime Ewe Management is a nationally accredited course involving groups of 5-6 producers and six 'hands-on' sessions over a period of 12-18 months.
Training under the LTEM program equips participants with best practice management principles for ewe management to increase on-farm productivity and profitability.
The timing of each meeting is linked to critical stages in the management of the ewe’s reproductive cycle.
All sessions involve a visit to each participant’s farm and focus on condition scoring, pasture assessing and feed budgeting activities that are practical and applicable to the farm business.
Each producer monitors a mob of their own ewes to demonstrate the effects of nutrition and management in their environment.
Key topics covered in the course:
- the principles and practices of LTEM
- weaning and preparing ewes for next year's joining
- linking ewe condition at joining with lambing potential
- pregnancy management and the impacts of ewe nutrition
- looking forward and planning for lambing — optimising lamb survival and future productivity
- potential reproductive rate and the impacts of ewe nutrition in late pregnancy.
- setting up for joining in the second season — manipulating ewe condition and preparing rams
- economic analysis of different feeding strategies.
What are the steps to getting started?
- Get your group together, minimum of five participants, preferably close by and good friends.
- Contact your preferred trainer.
- Your trainer will forward your groups details to Rural Industries Skill Training (RIST) located in Hamilton, Victoria.
- RIST will be in contact with you via email and provide a link for online registration and pre-course survey for you to complete. You will need to supply your AWI growers number to be eligible for the subsidy.
- Once all participants have registered your trainer will contact you to set a commencement date. All participants must attend session 1 to undertake the course.
The LTEM workshop provides a pathway for you to develop a successful and productive animal production system.
For more information contact Mandy Curnow, Senior Development Officer, Albany on +61 (0)8 9892 8422 or Melanie Dowling, Development Officer, Katanning on +61 (0)8 9821 3248.
Take your PIC…and renew on time
Livestock producers are reminded to make sure their stock brand and property identification code (PIC) registration is up to date to avoid delays at saleyards and processors.
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) Registrar of Stock and Apiaries reminds producers to renew their brand on time to avoid being automatically deregistered.
Without registration producers are unable to sell or move stock legally.
Recently, several consignments of stock have been delivered to saleyards and abattoirs where the brand and PIC had expired.
These stock cannot be moved or sold until the brand is renewed, creating considerable delay and inconvenience for both the owner and the saleyard or processor.
The department Brands office currently mails renewal notices to all registered producers five weeks before the registration expiry date.
From 1 July, producers will be given eight weeks notification.
In 2016, the Brands office processed 6808 registration documents, including new registrations, re-registrations, transfers, cancellations and property detail amendments.
An additional 6433 renewal notices were issued.
Almost half of these renewals had to be issued a second notice as registered owners failed to pay the renewal fee before the PIC expiry date.
This equates to 50% of the year’s PIC renewals with a potential ‘urgent’ need for processing.
This creates processing bottlenecks and subsequent problems with consignments from expired PICs arriving at the saleyard or processor.
To ensure they receive their renewal notice, PIC owners are reminded to update their postal details within seven days of any change of address as is required by the legislation.
Re-registrations can be returned by post or email.
Every PIC is published on the National PIC Register and is used by the Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) program to accredit producers to use the commercially required suite of National Vendor Declarations (NVDs).
If a producer hasn’t paid their livestock owner registration renewal fee on time, their PIC will be deregistered, with both the department and LPA.
This means they can’t use an NVD and the PIC won’t be recognised by saleyard and abattoir operators.
Upon renewal, the producer is required to contact LPA and request their PIC be reinstated on the accredited list.
The LPA NVD waybill is an industry-driven initiative to assure Australia’s domestic and export markets of the safety of Australian beef, lamb and goat meat.
PIC owners are urged to be patient as the re-registration process is not instantaneous.
To check the expiry date of a PIC or update details, producers can enter the code in the Brands - Property identification code enquiry page.
Adding or removing a property to a registration at any time is free of charge.
To check LPA accreditation contact 1800 683 111 or go to Livestock Production Assurance to plug in your PIC.
Other useful pages on the department website include:
- Livestock ownership, identification and movement in Western Australia
- Registering as an owner of stock or as a beekeeper
For more information contact Beth Green, NLIS Operations Manager, Bunbury on +61 (0)8 9753 0302.
Ensure livestock are fit for the journey
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is cautioning livestock agents, buyers and producers to ensure livestock being prepared for transport are fit to load.
Inspectors of the DPIRD Livestock Compliance Unit have recently dealt with incidents involving the transport of heavily pregnant animals, and an increase in the number of cattle and sheep arriving at saleyards with ingrown horns.
In these instances livestock are not fit to load.
Transporting animals in the late stages of pregnancy or recently born animals, where there is a risk of harm to the animal, is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2002.
Not knowing the animal was pregnant is not a defence. Agents, buyers and producers should be aware of the risk, and check each animal prior to transport.
Animals presented with an ingrown horn should also not be transported until they have had the horn trimmed and have recovered from any injuries as transporting animals in this condition could cause further suffering.
Ultimately, if there is any doubt about the condition of animals, they should not be accepted for transport.
Department inspectors have noticed an increased prevalence of ingrown horns during inspections at saleyards and abattoirs over the past few months.
Trimming the horns of cattle and sheep should be standard practice, particularly in animals where there is a risk of the horn becoming ingrown.
Trimming is a straight-forward procedure.
If left untreated, the horns could eventually penetrate the animal’s skull.
If the horn has penetrated the skull, it should be trimmed in accordance with the advice of a veterinarian, or the animal should be humanely euthanised.
Failing to trim the horn is a possible offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2002 and carries significant penalties.
Animal welfare codes of practice in WA have been prepared to assist producers to make decisions on issues such as transporting pregnant livestock, and how to trim horns without cutting into sensitive horn tissue.
The Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals: Cattle and the Code of Practice for Sheep in Western Australia can be downloaded from our website.
The department is committed to providing leadership and improving animal welfare outcomes in WA.
The department administers the Animal Welfare Act, and ongoing monitoring and raising awareness of animal welfare legislation and standards is critical to achieving improved compliance with the Act.
Inspectors of the Livestock Compliance Unit play a vital role. At saleyards and other places where animals are brought together, inspectors carry out inspections and liaise with industry to educate and advise on animal welfare.
Inspectors can issue Direction Notices to keep any livestock unfit for transport at the saleyard for a specified period, which may mean agistment fees for the owner.
Inspectors may also initiate prosecutions for non-compliance.
Additional information about Animal Welfare is available on our website.
For more information contact Jodie Gysen, Client Engagement Leader, South Perth on +61 (0)8 9368 3194.
AgMemo set to change
AgMemo is evolving to an industry focussed state-wide publication that provides essential, timely and relevant information to assist you in managing and developing your business.
Since its initiation AgMemo has regularly delivered bi-monthly editions specific to five agricultural regions throughout Western Australia (Southern, South West, Central, Northern and Rangelands).
In a bid to improve the way we deliver messages to subscribers we will be changing the focus from region to industry.
The main body of the newsletter will promote our department’s achievements and projects and provide timely messages that are relevant to the majority of subscribers.
Readers can then select their relevant industry (grains, livestock or horticulture) for targeted articles providing a mix of timely strategic and tactical information, issues and news.
Another exciting new feature will be a regular section listing upcoming industry funding, scholarships and events.
The newsletter will continue to be published every two months as an e-newsletter sent directly to your inbox.
The next edition you receive will be published in the new format.
The AgMemo team welcome feedback and ideas from subscribers highlighting current issues and topics that they would like to see published in the newsletter.