issue 170 may june 2024
This page shows the articles in issue 170 may june 2024 of GroundCover. As articles are developed and published online, the list below will grow until all articles are available.
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Proactive approach to weeds takes time
Issue 170, May-June 2024 - 17 Jun 2024Having the time to be proactive is one of the challenges when managing weeds for Peter Bach, who farms 1000 hectares near Pittsworth in south-eastern Queensland, with his wife, Kylie. Peter employs multiple tactics to keep on top of ryegrass, barnyard grass, feathertop Rhodes grass and Johnson grass but says other on-farm jobs often pull him away from weeds and the need to be on top of them constantly.
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Barley proves to be a cereal contender
Issue 170, May-June 2024 - 14 Jun 2024Better frost tolerance combined with new malt market options is reaffirming Peter and Kylie Bach’s decision to choose barley as their winter cereal.
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Inaugural focus session provides a taste of careers in grains
Issue 170, May-June 2024 - 13 Jun 2024As the job market becomes increasingly more competitive, and especially in Western Australia where grains and mining recruitment compete, industry bodies are exploring means to attract graduates to their sectors. This was the thinking behind an inaugural ‘careers in grains’ focus session chaired by GRDC director Bob Nixon at the February GRDC Updates in Perth. Tertiary and postgraduate students were supported by the Mt Burdett Foundation to attend both the session and the first day of the Updates.
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Strategies to maximise groundcover following deep tillage
Issue 170, May-June 2024 - 12 Jun 2024Agronomic practices post strategic deep tillage are being refined by a team of Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development researchers across four port zones in Western Australia. The research points to the importance of the timing of the operation, choice of variety and seeding rates to maximise ground cover and minimise soil erosion loss.
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Project targets chickpea expansion into acid soils
Issue 170, May-June 2024 - 11 Jun 2024Since acid sensitivity prevents chickpea cultivation on large swathes of grain growing regions, a project that screened for acid-tolerant germplasm and rhizobia will deliver substantial benefits to growers when chickpea varieties with acid soil tolerance are released
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$42m diagnostics initiative to bolster grains biosecurity
Issue 170, May-June 2024 - 10 Jun 2024A new five-year National Grains Diagnostic and Surveillance Initiative will use state-of-the-art technology and processes to improve Australia’s ability to rapidly detect and accurately diagnose exotic pests and plant diseases. The $42 million national biosecurity initiative is set to transform the effectiveness and responsiveness of Australia’s grains biosecurity system.
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Unearthing insights – how amelioration affects weed management
Issue 170, May-June 2024 - 07 Jun 2024Insights into the diverse effects of tillage on weed ecology, seed burial patterns and herbicide performance after strategic deep tillage are better informing weed management. GRDC supported research with DPIRD is pointing to more informed weed management practices to help ensure the longevity of strategic deep tillage amelioration.
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New researchers given experience to present at the Perth GRDC Updates in a ‘snapshot’ session
Issue 170, May-June 2024 - 06 Jun 2024A novel ‘snapshot’ session at the Perth GRDC Updates gave seventeen early-career scientists the opportunity to hone their communication and presentation skills in an industry context.
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Re-imagining heat tolerance traits in wheat – part 2
Issue 170, May-June 2024 - 04 Jun 2024New ways to select for heat tolerance in wheat are under development in four new projects that are mining wheat’s heat-responsive biochemical processes using advanced phenotyping technology
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Location, location, location
Issue 170, May-June 2024 - 31 May 2024Smaller blocks on sought-after locations close to Tamworth have ripple effects on enterprise decisions and practices.