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Current Issue
November-December 2021
Production, marketing and topical articles for the Australian Grain industry.
Feature Articles
Growing an Aussie sesame industry
An ancient oilseed revered for its medicinal and nutritional properties, interest in sesame seeds and its derivative products is rapidly gaining around the world. Changing attitudes towards food, increasing wealth and consumer interest in health foods has driven market growth, with the global yield of sesame doubling between 2001 and 2014 – an increase from three million tonnes to a peak of more than six million tonnes.
Farm nutrition improvements flow from new liquid system
A focus on improving soil health has led to significant changes over the past two years for Shannon Byron and his family, farming at Kellalac, south of Warracknabeal in Victoria’s Wimmera. Shannon farms with his wife Emma and parents Kim and Lynette Byron on ‘Kelvin Downs’ growing wheat, canola, lentils, chickpeas, barley, vetch and the occasional bean, lupin or pea crop, as well as running some sheep and cattle.
Well-managed lucerne gives the fodder industry its backbone
This article is a focus on that magical old lucerne plant which is often described as the backbone of fodder cropping in Australia and other countries. This strong perennial legume plant is renowned for its deep tap-root penetrating down many metres in non-constrained soil profiles. But to realise the many benefits of lucerne, getting it established to this “tough as old boots“ stage needs some serious thought and the right land preparation.
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Over The Back Fence
A more efficient agvet chemical regulator
Agricultural and Veterinary amendments have passed Parliament on Dec 1 which streamlines the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority and establishes a new governance board.
Novel implants to protect Australia’s wildlife from feral cats
New technology developed by the University of South Australia may put an end to predatory cat behaviours in native environments and help control Australia’s feral felines.
New technology is helping growers target fall armyworm
MagGrow, the company behind the patented, proprietary technology that is reducing waste associated with conventional pesticide spray applications, has seen adoption among Queensland sweetcorn growers across several production regions in targeting fall armyworm pressures.
“Wonka factory" of Aussie foods
Expect more delicious and premium Australian food in fridges across the globe, with the creation of The University of Queensland’s Agri-Food Innovation Alliance.
Timing is right for a career in agriculture
Increased confidence in the agriculture sector is resulting in a corresponding rise in employment opportunities with leading agribusiness Nutrien Ag Solutions filling 800 roles to date in 2021.
