Expert speakers at grains update
Five Agriculture Victoria researchers are among guests invited to present at a Grains Research Update in Bendigo this week.
The Grains Research Development Corporation event, on today and tomorrow, features Agriculture Victoria senior research scientist Jason Brand, Grant Hollaway, Mark Mclean, Roger Armstrong and Josh Fanning.
The Grains Research Update provides agronomists, consultants, researchers and growers with a forum to showcase innovative thinking and latest research outcomes relevant to modern farming systems.
An advisory committee made up of grain-industry leaders has selected topics and speakers.
Topics are – • Nitrogen fertiliser use efficiency ‘rules of thumb’ put to the test and soil amelioration practices to alleviate subsoil constraints – Roger Armstrong, Agriculture Victoria. • Cereal disease wrap-up – Grant Hollaway and Mark Mclean, Agriculture Victoria. • Faba bean agronomy update – Jason Brand, Agriculture Victoria and James Manson, SFS. • Pulse disease update – Josh Fanning, Agriculture Victoria.
The 2021 update will be a hybrid event, to a limited number in a live audience at All Seasons Bendigo and an interactive livestream.
The event starts at 8.55am today and ends at 4.15pm tomorrow.
People can view a full program and more details online at grdc.com.au/events.
The State Government will increase the allocation of a Kangaroo Harvesting Program in 2021 to help manage a ‘notable’ increase in the estimated statewide kangaroo population.
A Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning survey in 2020 estimated the kangaroo population is almost two-million across Victoria – up almost 40 percent compared with 2018.
Agriculture minister Mary-anne Thomas said the program would increase to 95,680 to prevent kangaroos competing with livestock for stock and feed, and damage to crops and fences.
“It’s important that kangaroo numbers are sustainably managed in Victoria to reduce impacts on landholders and the community,” she said.
Ms Thomas said the government would allow the extra meat to be made available for human consumption – not just for pet food – and look for opportunities to export the skins to reduce waste and boost economic opportunities.
“This program provides a service to farmers and an income to trained professional shooters,” she said.
“The changes to how products generated from the Kangaroo Harvesting Program can be used gives more options to harvesters and processors to make use of these animals and reduce waste – and create more jobs in country towns.”