Porter Novelli Adelaide

 

 Key points:

• More than 60 farmers attend GRDC Update at Eudunda
• Grain marketing potential in growth of intensive livestock in Mid-North
• Launch of GRDC-SARDI guide to frost management

Strong growth projected for intensive livestock industries in the Mid-North hold significant potential for local grain producers.

More than 60 grain producers attended the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Update held at the Eudunda District Hall on Tuesday to hear researchers and experts address issues such as climate change, on-farm storage, weed control and crop nutrition.

Growers however were intrigued by a presentation from PIRSA Livestock’s Michael Moore, who discussed strategic plans for the growth of intensive pork and poultry industries in the Mid-North.

“Australians are steadily increasing their consumption of pork and chicken,” Mr Moore said. “Strict protocols prevent importation of uncooked pork and chicken, so this growing demand must be satisfied by domestic production.”

Mr Moore said South Australia’s poultry industry, located mostly in the Mid-North, was projected to grow to almost $1 billion by 2015. The pork industry – again located largely in the Mid-North – was expected to grow to almost $700 million by 2010.

“By 2015, these industries will require more than 17,000 tonnes of feed a week and cereal grains will comprise about 70% of this diet,” he said.

The Eudunda GRDC Update saw the launch of the GRDC-funded publication Managing Frost Risk, compiled by SARDI’s Melissa Rebbeck and agricultural consultant Garren Knell.

GRDC Southern Panel chair and Kapunda grower David Shannon said the GRDC was committed to research and development that helped growers manage the risks associated with climate variability and extreme weather events such as frost, drought and heat waves.

“The guide assists growers to estimate exposure of crops to frost risk, and to identify the weather patterns leading to frost events,” Mr Shannon said.  “Growers in the southern cropping belt will be able to have it on hand to work through frost events in their area, and it covers agronomic approaches to lessen the risk of frost damage and ways of dealing with frost-damaged crops.”

Weather was another focus of the update, with SARDI climatologist Dr Peter Hayman discussing the potential impacts of climate change on rainfall patterns and cropping in the Mid North. Dr Hayman said local farmers had demonstrated resilience in managing climate variability and this would stand them in good stead in the event of greater climate change.

The Victorian Department of Primary Industries’ (DPI) Peter Botta discussed the need for planning for end-user requirements when considering the purchase or use of on-farm storage including silos, sheds and silo bags. Mr Botta said end-user requirements were becoming increasingly strict, necessitating the use of properly maintained sealed and aerated storage, correct use of fumigants and protectants, and regular monitoring of stored grain.

Other topics included crop nutrition with a focus on nitrogen and carbon in soil organic matter, controlling ryegrass in intensive Mid-North cropping rotations with a focus on managing herbicide resistance, and developments in spray technology with trials now indicating that nozzles delivering coarse droplets – an important factor in controlling spray drift – could now deliver efficacy equivalent to nozzles which produced finer sprays.