THE LUCERNE LEADER

Issue 41 JUNE 2016

NEW EO Announced

In this issue: By Guy Cunningham, Chairman

New EO Announced 1 Over the past few months, our Executive Officer (EO) Nicola Raymond, along with her partner Ian Matheson, has relocated to the Riverland. With the EO needing to be near the major lucerne seed growing region of Australia, she offered to step down from the role, Rabobank Farm Managers Program 2 but potentially continue in other capacities as required.

Nicola has been a dedicated Executive Officer for our organisation over the past five years Golden Dodder Update 3 and has continued to build a great platform in which we continue to grow. We really appreciate her commitment to the EO position, and are very grateful of everything that she has achieved. Seed Market Reports 4 We recently advertised for a replacement EO and from a good field of candidates and a Russian Wheat Aphid 8 rigorous interview process, we are delighted to announce that Jenny Aitken has officially commenced in the EO role from Tuesday 17th March.

Post-shearing Growth in Sheep 9 About Jenny Aitken Jenny is based on a property just outside Keith and her career has been centred on people Dairy SA News 10 – radio broadcasting, organisation, apprenticeship monitoring, community development, parliamentary liaison - dealing with people with a large range of issues and priorities. She is reliable, highly organised, able to work as a team member or independently as needs New Seed Wasp Research Project 12 dictate and above all, discreet in business matters.

Jenny was raised on a grain and contract harvesting enterprise and has a good Horticulture Industry Award 13 understanding of rural issues. One of her roles in radio was as a rural reporter, so she has a breadth of understanding of the agri-political scene. She has also been a media adviser to The Hon Barnaby Joyce MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Water Executive Committee Members 14 Resources.

The world’s leading specialist in food and agribusiness banking Good people to know

THE LUCERNETHE LUCERNE LEADER LEADER ISSUE 38 ISSUE SEPTEMBER 41 JUNE 20152016 PAGE 1 NEW EO Announced cont. By Guy Cunningham, Executive Chairman

She also has a good understanding of how the lucerne seed Exciting New Projects industry operates and its importance to both this region and the wider areas of Australia. Now in our 11th year of operation, our organisation is currently planning a strategic review, which coincides with a number of Jenny is passionate about agriculture and looking forward to her exciting new projects in the pipeline, which will be announced role and meeting members and stakeholders. Nicola and Jenny will soon, for the longer term benefit of our members. work closely in the next few months to ensure that our organisation achieves a smooth, orderly transition. I hope you will join with me in thanking Nicola for her work and welcoming Jenny into her new role. USA Tour

Although Jenny has commenced her role as the Executive Officer of Lucerne Australia, Nicola will continue to prepare, manage, execute and attend the forthcoming Lucerne Australia Study Tour to the USA in July-August. She will work closely with the 20 participants of this tour to ensure a highly successful, educational and enjoyable experience. Nicola will formally step away from the organisation at the conclusion of this tour but has offered to support us with new projects in the future, as required.

Rabobank Farm Managers Program

Lucerne Australia is pleased to announce that Joe Cook from Keith is the successful applicant for the Rabobank Farm Managers Program which was held Sunday 5 to Friday 10 June 2016 at Novotel Barossa Valley Resort, Golf Links Road, Barossa Valley.

The Farm Managers Program is specifically for farm managers who will be running and/or taking ownership of a progressive agribusiness in the future. The program is presented by business professionals, agricultural specialists and academics who introduce themes of business management through presentations, discussions, work groups, farm tours and case studies. It is a week- long management course to acquire skills to contribute to the strategic direction of the farm business. Rabobank Farm Managers Program recipient, Joe Cook. Joe farms in partnership with his parents on a property south of Keith in South Australia. The farm’s main enterprise is lucerne seed but the highly mixed farm also produces lucerne and cereal hay, sheep for meat and wool, beef cattle, canola, barley and lentils. investigator for the successful application to RIRDC Pasture Seeds for the In Field Evaluation for Fertilisers for Lucerne Seed Production. Joe has completed a Diploma in Rural Business Management and in 2003 participated in the South Australian Rural Leadership Joe is currently a member of the RIRDC Pasture Seeds Advisory Program. He was an integral part of the Lucerne Australia Steering Panel. Committee which led to the formation of Lucerne Australia in 2005. During his six year term on the LA Executive Committee, Joe is looking forward to the opportunity to enhance his knowledge Joe served as Chairman for two years. Two of Joe’s achievements of business management and communication skills and says whilst on the LA Executive were helping to improve the system for he is looking forward to the opportunity as it has been highly gaining phytosanitary certificates for export seed, which involved recommended to him by past participants. liaison with AQIS and Biosecurity Australia, and being the principle

PAGE 2 THE LUCERNE LEADER ISSUE 41 JUNE 2016 Golden Dodder Update By Guy Cunningham, Chairman

As you will be aware, in the 2013 harvest season the lucerne seed affected paddocks are able to stay in production while there is full industry adopted a PCR testing regime aimed at minimising the cooperation with the management plan. spread of golden dodder and aiding in early detection. Risk with Imported Seed The introduction of the test has been a success and congratulations must go to the industry for the level of adoption achieved, with Lucerne stock seed is often imported into Australia from other seed cleaners in the south east adopting the system. This season countries, including those that are affected by golden dodder has also seen an improvement with notifications. Growers now and other noxious weeds. Whilst there are international seed receive a formal notification of their test results. testing regulations to ensure seed is clean of weed seeds, Lucerne Australia recommends growers are vigilant to minimise risk of any Latest Results contamination. This is particularly true as there have been instances of contaminated imported seed affecting Australian growers in the Since we started PCR testing, a summary of the results can be past. Lucerne Australia recommends that where possible, growers shown below: only use stock seed produced in Australia to minimise risk.

In the lucerne seed industry in Australia there are a number of Samples Total Number of % Positive major marketers who may have slightly varying protocols for Tested Positives ensuring that lucerne seed is clean of weed seeds. Consequently, we recommend that all growers communicate openly with their Batch 1: 2012 harvest 181 11 6% marketer about any imported seed to minimise risk. seed/dust examples Future Activities Batch 2: 2012 havest 685 6 0.9% samples • Additional funding will continue to be sought to implement a full industry code of practice around the PCR test for the Batch 3: 2013 harvest 816 10 1.3% prevention of golden dodder. samples • SARDI continues to refine their testing procedure to improve Batch 4: 2014 harvest 843 11 1.3% the reliability of both the test results and the processes for samples testing.

Batch 5: 2015 harvest 705 9 1.27% • The management plan developed for properties affected samples by golden dodder will continue to be updated by Natural Resources South East. Staff are available to support affected Batch 6: 2016 harvest 737 19 2.6% growers. samples We thank you in anticipation for the continued support of the This season there has been an increase in the number of positive program and will keep you informed of progress as we tackle the results, which is a cause for concern. issues at hand.

Support from Natural Resources South East from a positive test We welcome any comments you have on the current system and if you have any suggestions for improvements, please let us The industry has developed a “Positive Test Result Protocol”. The know? timeliness and openness of communicating the detection of dodder has improved significantly in the last few years but can still Thank you for your ongoing support to minimise the risk of be improved and these guidelines support this. spreading golden dodder.

It is a legal requirement to notify the Natural Resources South East of the detection of dodder within 24 hours. Their team will Background fully support growers in managing pest plant infestations and the sooner they can do this the better. Golden dodder is a category 1 declared plant and is notifiable under the NRM Act, SA. It is the role of the South East NRM Board, within Natural Resources South East is an excellent resource for growers its resources, to provide advice and assistance to affected growers. who have received a positive PCR test. They provide advice Destruction of this high-priority declared plant is achieved through and on-ground assistance and destruction of this high-priority an agreed property management plan. ‘Quarantine’ provisions are declared plant. This is achieved through an agreed property not enacted and affected paddocks are able to stay in production management plan developed between the grower and the local while there is full cooperation with the management plan. However, Authorised Officer. ‘Quarantine’ provisions are not enacted and a positive result may have some implications on the management of your crop.

THE LUCERNE LEADER ISSUE 41 JUNE 2016 PAGE 3 Seed Genetics Market Report By Walter van Leeuwen, Sales & Marketing Manager, Ph: 0419 983 984

I’m composing this article whilst traveling in Argentina after attending the International Seed Federation (ISF) World Seed Congress, hosted in Punta del Este Uruguay. This yearly congress provides a valuable platform to the international seed industry to share and exchange new technology innovations, concepts, information, industry trends and opportunities in this ever- changing global village. ISF is hosted by a different country each year, and Australia has been granted the honour of hosting ISF in Brisbane during May 2018. I’m sure that the Australian seed industry will capitalise on this major event and showcase the local seed industry innovations in plant breeding, seed production, agronomy practices and trade activities, and what we can offer to the global seed community.

Getting back to lucerne seed business. 3. The Argentine economy is adjusting as the newly-elected government policies are filtering through the various I’m pleased to convey that the bulk of our probable 2016 lucerne industries. Inflation and interest rates have elevated after the seed crop has found a home! I’m using the term probable, as some sudden devaluation of the Argentinean Peso against other of the delivered crop still needs to be cleaned and tested to verify major currencies. that each lot meets the required contracted standards. Overall I’m pleased to report the quality of this year’s crop is excellent. On the flip-side, the liberation of certain policies and the relaxation of bureaucratic processes required to import goods from overseas We have an eventful shipment schedule from now and over the have helped to smooth the way for the importation of seeds into next six months as we strive to execute confirmed orders shipments Argentina. Compared to last year, this year’s sales campaign is far to various destinations around the world. more advanced in Argentina.

The Saudi authorities have seemingly not yet announced the Over the last couple of weeks I have had several unsolicited framework to phase out production of forages that was signalled enquiries for sprouting quality lucerne, as this market segment is late last year. So it is difficult to anticipate the short-term fallout pursuing lower price lucerne seed. This suggests that uncertified of the policy on the wider lucerne seed industry. However, from inventory levels remain tight subsequent to our well below average what I understand, the bulk of the upcoming California certified local dry-land crop harvest. CUF101 has already been forward-sold. This element underpins the ongoing solid demand from this region, which is the one of largest Overall the demand continues to be buoyant and robust for certified markets and consumers of non-dormant lucerne varieties. seeds into the MENA & Argentina markets. This narrative should become evident once the official ABS export figures are released. The Argentine market is precariously placed. Demand is seemingly Obviously this is totally subject to these markets remaining glitch- solid as the local seed crop is insignificant after numerous heavy free. rain events hampered seed production. Moreover with the heavy rainfall events during March and April, buyers are anticipating that Certified seed prices in each market region have increased and are large areas will need to be replanted during late autumn, winter at near-record levels. This has caused buyers from certain regions to and early spring, as pastures have drowned. be out-priced and certain buyers are only purchasing seed to cover their immediate needs. Also the price gap between certified and However a combination of factors in Argentina is causing some uncertified lucerne has perhaps reached an unhealthy situation. uncertainty amongst farmers, as they are carefully considering how best to invest their monies due to: I will be joining those members who have signed up for the LA USA study tour group in late July this year. It’s definitely a fantastic 1. The current ongoing glut associated with the global dairy opportunity to learn more about the lucerne (AKA alfalfa) industry industry in this part of the world.

2. Beef prices have eased slightly, compared to 2015

PAGE 4 THE LUCERNE LEADER ISSUE 41 JUNE 2016 Seedmark and Heritage Seeds Market Report By Craig Myall, International Business Manager, Ph: 0407 620 580

The recent harvest was a very good one for our seed producers with the tonnage of both our own and FGI varieties around 15-20% above the historical average in yield per hectare. This coupled with the highest price ever paid in company history to our proprietary growers, has resulted in a very successful harvest.

Lucerne demand continues to be strong on the export market with the Middle East, United States, Argentina and South Africa all demanding solid levels of seed. Whilst the tonnage exported for the first three months of the calendar year is well down on the previous two years, this is only reflective of the low carryover position of Australian seed available at this time of year. What is very pleasing from a company perspective is that demand for our Demand for Heritage Seeds and FGI varieties for current sowing cultivars continues to expand, which will result again in a complete has been excellent and as a result we are almost full with our stock out of all varieties for our international markets, whilst requirements. Should you wish to discuss our remaining varieties domestically we have also realized excellent sales distribution off available for planting and contract terms and conditions, please the back of a successful national autumn marketing campaign of contact Nathan Smith on the number listed below. our entire Lucerne portfolio. Craig Myall International Business Manager 0407 620 580 Questions do still remain unanswered in our major markets however, with the continual debate around water accessibility in Saudi Arabia Nathan Smith Lucerne Production Manager 0408 655 220 a major concern, the unknown impact of GMO traits on the future international marketplace, whilst nationally the downturn in dairy Daryl Turner National Production Manager 0418 191 060 is also at front of mind. Positively Argentina looks to have turned the corner on its most recent issues as the government is working Tom Botterill Procurement “Publics” Manager 0439 384 375 very hard to improve its position particularly in the beef sector and in-turn on the importation of agricultural goods.

Naracoorte Seeds - Market Report By Joshua Rasheed, Public Lucerne Seed Trader, Ph: 0427 790 655

What a lucerne seed season 2016 has turned out to be and one that will be reflected on for years to come. We have generally seen average to above average lucerne seed yields and record prices for all lucerne cultivars, certified and uncertified.

The public variety Siriver has again led the market and we have now seen most marketers follow suit and come out with some very strong prices for their proprietary varieties.

As it stands today there would be little to no certified seed that All in all a great year for lucerne seed producers and we will all be hasn’t being bought and sold and even uncertified lucerne seed hoping this continues going into next year. One little bit of advice being offered is starting to slow. Like 2015, this should again mean I would give all lucerne seed growers is to check your silos, sheds the lucerne seed cupboards will be bare coming into the 2017 and cleaning sheds to see if you have any lucerne seed lying around season. that you have forgotten about or misplaced, as history will show that when seed prices hit record highs there is generally only one This season we again saw strong interest from Saudi Arabia and way they will go and that is down. Let’s just hope it is not down too the US to a lesser extent, but the really pleasing news was seeing far! Argentina showing strong interest and this looks like continuing over the coming years. We cannot sit back and rely on Saudi Arabia Naracoorte Seeds are actively purchasing public Lucerne seed, so buying large volumes of seed every year, like they have over the please feel free to give me a call to discuss on 0427 790 655. past few, because when they stop we will need all other regions to pick up the slack.

THE LUCERNE LEADER ISSUE 41 JUNE 2016 PAGE 5 PGG Wrightson Seeds Market Report by Daniel Steadman, International Trading Manager, Ph: 0408 838 687

Another harvest done and dusted and with the cold weather approaching, it must be seeding time again. The team at PGG Wrightson Seeds are very happy with the harvest results and are now busy preparing for the year ahead.

We are continuing to invest and increase our commitment to the lucerne industry and the area we have under contract this year increasing sharply on the demand from our domestic and export sales of our proprietary varieties. We are continuing to see an achieve a fantastic gross return per hectare under a systems based increase in the demand for seed with premium prices being paid. approach of grazing, hay and seed. While the dairy industry has had some poor news in recent weeks, the strength of the beef industry is being sustained. We recently launched our Siriver Mk II Pool contract which has received very high levels of interest. As part of supporting our In addition to investing in more contracted area, we have recently existing and new pool growers, we are continuing to invest in new had Rebekah Allen join the PGW Seeds Production team in South export homes for our very high yielding, premium export variety Australia. Rebekah has a strong agricultural background, growing to ensure there will always be strong demand. The listing and up in rural South Australia. She has owned and operated her own evaluation process often takes a number of years in most countries Murray Grey cattle stud, showed her cattle regionally and at the and we have strategic partners around the world which enable us Adelaide Royal Show. Rebekah has recently completed a Bachelor to do this. of Agricultural Sciences at Adelaide University, with a strong focus on agronomy, research and trials. We aren’t currently seeing much interest in the uncertified high dormancy seed with the feedback from our buyers being they We have recently attended the International Seed Federation are anticipating an above average US crop which will supply their Congress in Uruguay to meet with our international customers needs. This will be one to watch in the coming months whether and brokers. Demand for lucerne is continuing to grow in South this feedback is correct and we will be able to report back after our America due to increasing demand for beef and our proprietary Lucerne Australia trip to the US in July / August. varieties are locally bred so they are well suited to the environment. PGW Seeds have wholly owned subsidiaries and joint ventures From the operations part of the business, we had a record amount in Argentina, Uruguay & Paraguay which allows us to work with of seed being processed through our Keith facility this year on the farmers in developing their systems based approach and, of course, back of the upgrades we completed before Christmas. With the this includes our proprietary lucerne varieties to maximise their majority of the seed now cleaned, the next stage of reconfiguration gross margins per hectare. The South American customers pay a and upgrade of all our cleaning lines will commence shortly to premium for their locally bred varieties which regularly perform ensure we have even greater capacity and better machinery to well under their conditions. meet the needs of the growers and the market. Our shed is open access to all growers to have their seed cleaned in, regardless of With harvest all wrapped up now, our growers are very pleased with who is it for or who it is sold too. Our pricing is competitive and we their results from this year’s harvest. We have had some growers have full confidence in our ability to produce an excellent job. achieving over 1000kg/ha in seed yields and the majority of our varieties had yields that were generally average to above average. The team at PGG Wrightson Seeds wishes everyone a good season Our Titan 9, Siriver MK II, Stamina 5, Kaituna and Arauca varieties ahead and let’s hope the rain keeps coming, especially in spring.

Agronomy Report By Lisa Charlton, Executive Committee Member, Ph: 0408 856 445

A pleasing season for the 2015/2016 lucerne seed harvest, as with the amount of hectares sown to lucerne on irrigation staying the season undoubtedly did start very dry. Seed prices were firm, and hectares being sown to lucerne on dryland have increased appreciably good, a pleasant relief for growers, followed by years slightly on previous years. of unpredictable and unreliable seasonal conditions, and/or the incidence of insect damage, which we only saw low levels this past Insect pressure to date has been consistent with previous years, season. Red legged earth mite, pasture looper, and some lucerne flee being seen in newly sown paddocks. 2016 season has brought a delayed sowing date for new lucerne being sown, this has been due to lack of early rains, or even May Producers are quiet positive with the current season outlook, rainfall which is crucial for sub soil moisture on our lighter country. hoping prices stay steady, following a good rainfall year. Sowing has only now commenced for both irrigated and dryland,

PAGE 6 THE LUCERNE LEADER ISSUE 41 JUNE 2016 Lucerne Export Statistics from Australia - January 2012 to March 2016 Courtesy of Teague Australia

Lucerne Exports Statistics from Australia January 2012 to March 2016 Quantities below are in kg

Year to date Difference Month 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2015 & 2016 January 310,144 245,741 687,172 698,895 374,150 -324,745 February 445,793 118,025 518,553 1,099,252 148,919 -1,275,078 March 130,625 269,091 334,033 582,929 227,050 -1,630,957 April 385,262 424,057 171,816 549,340 May 594,069 647,509 495,472 940,000 June 721,122 1,509,605 1,029,000 2,176,805 July 951,685 1,510,278 1,260,782 1,649,080 August 430,924 1,482,357 1,217,121 834,178 September 726,310 811,667 1,516,965 770,857 October 509,447 719,882 1,356,922 667,503 November 169,450 363,877 810,704 543,246 December 483,832 379,122 829,293 511,127 Total 5,858,663 8,481,211 10,227,833 11,023,212 750,119

This summary was produced using data supplied by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. PDF SUPPLIED

Lucerne Exports Statistics from Australia 2011- 2016 2,500,000

2,000,000

2011 1,500,000 2012 2013 1,000,000 2014 2015 500,000 2016

0

We thank Teague Australia, an associate member of Lucerne Australia, for supplying these figures.

THE LUCERNE LEADER ISSUE 41 JUNE 2016 PAGE 7 Russian Wheat Aphid by Steve Manning, Cox Rural Agronomist, Ph: 0429 624 333

Every year at the GRDC Adviser update in Adelaide the SARDI and hence they continually need a food source to have new entomology team delivers a presentation on the possible biological young in order to continue the population. Managing the threats to cropping here in SA and one of the pests mentioned is green bridge is very important for RWA population density. Russian Wheat Aphid. It has now occurred that this has happened Thankfully at this stage Lucerne has not been identified as a and we now know we have Russian Wheat Aphid (RWA) in South host for RWA. Australia. Going forward for this season we need to manage this pest so it does not cause significant financial losses. • There is no recorded resistance of RWA to any insecticide known in the world. In fact when I spoke to SARDI entomologist they So what do we know about RWA? seemed very calm about it, the common products that we have already will be sufficient to manage this aphid in their view. After speaking to SARDI entomologists, tech officers from R&D chemical companies and staff from Bio-Security SA and this is what • RWA is different to Green Peach Aphid. GPA lives on brassica I have learnt so far: and pulse crops, RWA survives on cereal and grasses. GPA is also a virus vector for Cucumber Mosaic Virus, RWA has not • RWA is not a vector for virus spread. This has been well been identified as a virus vector in any crop that it has affected. communicated over the last week, the loss of yield from RWA is caused by a toxin in their saliva which is damaging to the plant. • Adult RWA do have wings but are weak fliers. Therefore they They are easily washed off with rainfall. This will give the plant can move by flight, carried by winds to new paddocks. How far some relief for a while but as soon as the weather clears and they can move is up for debate. aphids are active they will move back onto the plant and start feeding again causing damage. • Either way, there is no substitute for good property hygiene prior to sowing by cleaning up volunteer cereals. • RWA is damaging (in order of damage severity) to barley, durum, bread wheat and triticale causing yield loss. Whilst it is • Seed treatments are very good management options for economical to manage RWA in the above crops please do not aphids. Imidacloprid is commonly used overseas and proves forget about oats as they will still harbour RWA, but they less to be less harmful to beneficial insects unlike some foliar affected by their colonisation. applications.

• This gives the RWA a possible host on crops that are not • At the time of writing this there have been positive managed for RWA and a chance to reinfest wheat and barley identifications across all regions of SA and now moving into crops. Victoria. For further information or possible identification contact your agronomist. • RWA found in Australia are a female population only (asexual reproduction). This means that there is no egg laying by RWA Beekeeper Alert: Russian Wheat Aphid Spraying by Trevor Weatherhead, Executive Director, Ph: 07 5467 2265

With the finding of Russian wheat aphid in South Australia and now confirmed in Victoria, see http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06- 10/endemic-russian-wheat-aphid-spreads-from-sa-tovic/7498650 beekeepers need to be aware of what spraying may take place.

Whilst the affected crops are not ones that honey bees usually work e.g. wheat, barley, oats, there is the possibility of spraying taking place near other crops that bees may be working. If you spray pirimicarb on non-flowering plants that are close to other plants in flower you must only spray in the late evening when bees The two approved chemicals for spraying are:- have stopped working.” pirimicarb – a check of half a dozen products on the Australian chlorpyrifos - a search of the APVMA website shows a link to the Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) website following warning on one product label. “DANGEROUS TO BEES. DO shows that there is no information on toxicity to honey bees on NOT spray any plants in flower while bees are foraging.” those labels. A New Zealand Government website, https://www. business.govt.nz/worksafe/information-guidance/all-guidance- Beekeepers should make sure that they look at local media reports items/hsno/guidancedocs-epa/pirimicarb-insecticide-guidance- to see what may be happening in their area. Further advice can 4mb-pdf , has the following warning “Pirimicarb is toxic to bees. be obtained from your local Department of Primary Industries or You must not spray pirimicarb where bees are foraging or onto any Agriculture or the South Australian Department website at http:// flowering plants, including weeds. www.pir.sa.gov.au/biosecurity/plant_health/exotic_plant_pest_ emergency_response/russian_wheat_aphid

PAGE 8 THE LUCERNE LEADER ISSUE 41 JUNE 2016 Post-shearing growth in lambs - dispelling the myths By Sean Miller, SheepConnect SA

We’ve all heard it many times, and it’s hard to argue against it; when So why is it that the lambs generally “look better” after they are a few weeks after the carry-over lambs are shorn, they look full, they shorn? Well, to cope with the extra energy requirement to regulate appear well conditioned, and “doing well”. But is this really the case, body temperature after shearing, the lambs are able to increase or is there more to it than the eye sees? their intake by some margin. However, this takes a couple of weeks to be fully achieved, and by then, with full (over-full) stomachs, the To understand what actually happens, let’s consider the mechanisms lambs “look great”. A classic deception of the eye; that if they were that are put into place by sheep after they are shorn. weighed and compared to unshorn sheep a couple of months after shearing, the deception would be exposed! Of course, shearing means removing the fleece and the main function of the fleece in woolled sheep is to keep the animal in a So why shear carry-over lambs? That question comes back to a ‘thermo-neutral’ condition. In other words, the fleece is a highly flock management decision. If the lambs have longer skins than effective regulator of body temperature, both during winter and the market requires, or there is a risk of seed contamination, summer. flystrike, or lice problems, then the management imperative is clear and shearing is justified. Otherwise, the cost of shearing, When the fleece is removed, irrespective of the time of year, the and the hidden cost of a growth rate reduction, and less efficient animal ‘feels’ some degree of cold, and as an immediate consequence conversion of feed to bodyweight for up to 2 months after shearing the body kick starts a compensatory mechanism to generate more make a strong economic argument against shearing ‘out of season’. heat to cope with the effects of exposure. This mechanism requires energy, and the animal responds by shifting a substantial proportion of the energy that was previously being used to ‘grow’, to processes that are devoted to keep the sheep ‘warm’.

With this energy devoted to regulate body temperature, it is therefore not available to be put towards growth. The net result is that lambs that have been shorn actually grow slower than unshorn lambs, and this effect can last up to 2 months after shearing.

In the case where shorn lambs are put onto fresh lucerne after shearing, a further complicating factor may also be at play. Green, leafy lucerne (pre-flowering) has high concentrations of protein. While protein is essential for muscle growth, when levels become excessive sheep must initiate mechanisms to detoxify the excess Shorn carry-over lambs may ammonia that is produced when they digest these very high appear to be well conditioned protein feeds; and that process also requires energy. Thus shorn but are they really doing as lambs on fresh lucerne pastures are undoubtedly suffering a ‘double well as they look? whammy’. Forthcoming Events AGIC Australia 2016 Conference 25-27 July 2017 Nuffield Scholarship Applications Open Now!

Grain Producers SA are offering two young grain producers the Nuffield Australia has been selecting Scholars for over 60 years. It opportunity to attend the Australian Grain Industry Conference is the leading program for primary producers in Australia which (AGIC) on 25-27 July 2016 in Melbourne and will sponsor two young identifies new leaders in industry and the community. It is also grain producers to attend. AGIC is hosted by Grain Trade Australia part of a global network of over 1,600 scholars from many other and is the premier, industry hosted conference for grain market countries. Approximately 30 Scholarships are on offer to practicing participants and service providers. Each sponsorship is valued at farmers and farm managers, including a Contemporary Scholars $2500 and includes conference registration, return airfares, travel Conference, Global Focus Program and individual study programs. and accommodation. This conference will have over 950 delegates in attendance and is an excellent networking opportunity and learning forum. Find out more details about the program here:

Read more about the conference here: http://nuffield.com.au/2017-round-of-scholarships-now-open/

http://www.ausgrainsconf.com/australia Download the brochure here:

For your chance to be sponsored by Grain Producers SA to http://www.nuffield.com.au/down_l/Nuffield.Australia.2017. attend please visit: scholarship.online.brochure.pdf

http://tinyurl.com/zg36tn4

THE LUCERNE LEADER ISSUE 41 JUNE 2016 PAGE 9 News from Dairy SA

Smarter irrigation for profit

This national project, delivered locally in partnership with DairySA, aims to quantify the expected water, energy and labour savings associated with adoption of innovative irrigation technologies over two irrigation seasons, as well as the associated management/ skills requirements, maintenance costs and labour and lifestyle implications.

The plan is for irrigators to improve their individual enterprise profit by $20,000–40,000 per annum. This project is supported by funding from the Australian In South Australia, the project is based on three centre pivots Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources as located south of Mt Gambier at Mount Schank, Allendale East and part of its Rural Research and Development for Profit Programme, Eight Mile Creek. The aims are to assess the potential performance and Dairy Australia, along with support from SADA Fresh and of variable rate irrigation (VRI) technology at each site; identify Natural Resources South East. opportunities to improve irrigation performance on those existing pivot sites; and develop a decision support tool for farmers to Building emotional resilience: new factsheet assess VRI. We have a new factsheet that outlines some strategies and provides Each pivot is being soil sampled and surveyed using EM38 resources to help you build emotional resilience in the face of day- and radiometrics technology and the pivots tested for water to-day stress and the major upheavals that sometimes happen in distribution uniformity. Each site also keeps water use and financial our lives. records that will be made available to the project. Emotional resilience is the willingness and capacity to accept that Four different VRI scenarios will be modelled at the four sites: there will be good and bad times ahead, understand our reaction to these experiences, and have strategies to manage them. • standard centre pivot – where travel speed (and application rate) can only be adjusted manually Seasons will be volatile, good things and unfortunate things will happen, change and challenges will occur. It is not whether these • variable walk speed – where travel speed can be programmed things will happen or to what extent, it is just a matter of when. for sectors determined by the angle of rotation of the pivot, Resilience is about how we deal with these events. e.g. less water applied over a laneway The factsheet, well worth a read, is available on our website: • variable sprinkler bank – a variable walk pivot with individual http://www.dairysa.com.au/news-events/building-emotional- control of four sprinkler banks resilience.aspx

For further information contact Project Manager Monique White on 0400 972 206 or [email protected]

Forthcoming Events for your Diary

25-27 July: Australian Grains Industry Conference, Melbourne 1-3 August: AFIA National Fodder Conference, Crown Perth, WA 9-11 August: Eyre Peninsula Field Days, Cleve, SA 10-12 August: Lambex Conference, Albury, NSW 24 August: GRDC Farm Business Update, Naracoorte 2-11 September: Royal Adelaide Show, SA 5-9 September: World Merino Insight, Adelaide 8 October: Keith and Tintinara District Show, Keith, SA 15 October: Naracoorte Show, Naracoorte, SA 12 November: Bordertown Agricultural Show, Bordertown, SA

PAGE 10 THE LUCERNE LEADER ISSUE 41 JUNE 2016 We’re focused on your community’s growth Proud sponsor of Lucerne Australia

We’re an agribusiness bank. That’s why we’re committed to the growth of your communities and businesses. Our local experts live and work where you do. This exclusive focus is just one of the reasons we have the most satisfied clients in the industry, and it’s why we’re proud to sponsor Lucerne Australia. Rabobank. One focus.

RAB00516-11699 Call Sarah Martin on 0429 101 840 or visit www.rabobank.com.au

THE LUCERNE LEADER ISSUE 41 JUNE 2016 PAGE 11 New Seed Wasp Research Project

Lucerne Australia (LA) is delighted to announce that we have been scientific literature reviews, extracting, amplifying, and analysing successful in obtaining funding for a seed wasp project, which will insect DNA and working with growers in primary industries. Co- be funded through Rural Industries Research and Development Project Investigator will be Professor Gurr, who has led numerous Corporation (RIRDC) using levies collected by pasture seed pest management projects in Australia and overseas. He is well industry growers. known internationally for his work on applied insect ecology and developing ecologically based strategies to combat pests. His chief Three organisations –CSIRO, SARDI and NSW DPI – were approached contribution has been to develop strategies for promoting the to provide a quotation and method for managing seed wasp over a activity of natural enemies of pests. three-year period, with some guidance by LA. 3) Background to the Project Following a detailed review of the proposals and face-to-face interviews with RIRDC and LA representatives, NSW DPI has been Seed wasp is attracted to flowering lucerne and lays eggs into successful through the process. immature seed in young developing lucerne pods. Therefore, it needs lucerne pods to complete its lifecycle. Financial losses from seed A total of $89,300 will be invested in this project from May 2016 to wasp have been accepted over time due to a lack of understanding January 2019. of the damage it does. But chemicals are not a workable option as its lifecycle is extremely short with continued overlapping generations 1) The Research e.g. all lifecycle stages are present at the same time.

The research has three parts: Seed wasp was prevalent in the 1990s in seed growing regions but its presence declined in the 2000’s due to a greater understanding a) Literature Review of the importance of sanitary practices, as recommended in RIRDC- funded research done by James De Barro. A comprehensive literature review. This will summarise existing knowledge on the biology of seed wasp, as well as other insect However, industry experienced an extreme population of seed wasp pests that are biologically similar. The resulting report will in 2012 due to the widespread presence of unmanaged lucerne encapsulate the current body of knowledge of seed-feeding wasps during the wet summer conditions in the year prior. Acres of lucerne and other insects, their natural enemies, and known methods for were permitted to set seed and the consequence was a seed wasp control. This review will also yield candidate primer sequences for population explosion with yield losses in excess of 80 per cent. developing a PCR test for presence/absence of seed wasp DNA. Then in 2015, another large population of seed wasp emerged. b) Capture data about behaviour, develop PCR test Losses were high in some regions, but it impacted on the seed processing to an event greater level than in 2012. More seed Capture data about the emergence timing, flexibility thereof, and needed drying to keep it safe. Screens, length separators, chutes regional variation in seed wasp populations. Live wasp adults and and scarifiers blocked up faster than in 2012 and screens needed larvae from lucerne paddocks in NSW and SA will be collected. thorough cleaning. Some samples will be used as a source of DNA to develop a PCR test for seed wasp. Live seed wasp will be used to establish viable Many agronomists in south-east SA now recommend growers lock- glasshouse/CT populations. These will determine how seed wasp up paddocks for seed production earlier in an attempt to minimise pupation and emergence time respond to changes in temperature damage. Although many growers heed that advice they have and humidity, and whether these patterns are consistent between concerns that it will come at a yield penalty. populations (e.g. in SA vs. NSW wasps). The research will also determine whether non-lucerne weeds e.g. clover/trefoil, can act 4) Next Steps as reservoir hosts for seed wasp. LA is proud to have lobbied hard for investment in a seed wasp c) Soil sampling to predict numbers project over the past 18 months as this has been a major industry issue for many growers in recent years. In order to develop an approach to predicting seed wasp populations, soil samples will be collected from growers and We will be approaching industry stakeholders – growers, service several methods of quantifying infested seeds will be trialled. providers, agronomists and seed cleaners – in coming months, to These include light microscopy, PCR testing, and a qPCR, which participate in a major industry workshop in spring 2016. This will will identify both seed wasp and its hyperparasites simultaneously. include a major presentation by Dr. Ainsley Seago on biology, control, The project will also analyse seed wasp dispersal through rubidium and history of seed wasp, the outcome of the literature review and chloride labelling. Analyzing population genetic data of seed wasp the approach for steps two and three of this project. There will also in SA and NSW will reveal this species’ dispersal patterns on a larger be regular progress reports and a final report extensively delivered scale. to industry in early 2019.

2) NSW DPI Project Managers We are confident that this project will deliver outcomes to more effectively manage this pest, and potentially lead to better control, The primary Project Investigator will be Dr Ainsley Seago. She is a and eventual reduction and even eradication of this pest. skilled insect taxonomist and is highly experienced in conducting

PAGE 12 THE LUCERNE LEADER ISSUE 41 JUNE 2016 Member Update Horticulture Industry Award 2016

Fair Work Commission (“FWC”) Annual Wage Review 2016

The FWC handed down its decision into the Annual Wage Review which has been underway for a couple of months.

The unions sought an increase of $30 per week.

Employer Associations sought a more modest wage increase of around 1.6% of about $12.25 per week at the base trade level.

The FWC handed its 2016 decision of 2.4% or $17.70 per week What do you need to do? raising the minimum award rates to $672.70 per week. As the increase is a % it results in a higher weekly rate in higher Nothing for now as the FWC will over the next few weeks issue the classification levels. new rates.

If you are paying above the award rates you can absorb the If you have an Individual Flexibility Arrangement Agreement or an increase. Enterprise Agreement check the provision for wage increases. In most instances that should result in a 2.4% on all rates but check to The increase does not come into effect on 1st July 2016 be sure. The formula to use is to multiply the current rate by 1.024.

If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact us.

THE LUCERNE LEADER ISSUE 41 JUNE 2016 PAGE 13 DO YOU KNOW THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS? Got a question for Lucerne Australia? Contact the Executive Officer or any of our Executive Committee Members who will be happy to help.

Guy Cunningham, Chairman

Guy farms with his wife Sarah and family near Willalooka. The business comprises a 300- cow stud beef cattle herd, dryland winter cropping and lucerne production, mainly aimed at seed with some hay sold off farm. Contact: 0429 875 422.

Bruce Connor, Deputy Chairman Bruce was born on the family dairy farm at Mt Compass. He relocated to a property at Tintinara in the late-1970s to grow out replacement heifers. He and his family now farms beef cattle, cropping, dryland and pivot irrigated lucerne for hay and seed. Contact: 0428 835 310.

Lisa Charlton, Associate Member Lisa has lived and worked as an agronomist in Tintinara for over a decade, specialising in dryland lucerne seed, broad-acre cropping and pasture renovation. Lisa is also involved in transport company Frank Fatchen Pty Ltd at Tintinara. Contact: 0408 856 445.

Scott Campbell, Grower Member

Scott and his family own and manage 4,100 ha at Keith. They are highly focused on dryland and irrigated lucerne production. There are also 3500 ewes and a winter cropping program. His family has been involved in the lucerne seed industry for more than 40 years. Contact: 0417 887 562.

Adam Desmazures, Grower Member Adam runs the family-owned business with wife Michelle, a young family and parents. The mixed farm has a self-replacing Merino flock, beef cattle and dryland lucerne for hay and seed, which is south of Tintinara. Contact: 0427 560 091.

Sarah Martin, Associate Member

Sarah is a Senior Rural Manager at Rabobank, responsible for a portfolio of rural clients. She holds a Bachelor of Science (Agriculture) from the University of Adelaide. She resides on a mixed farming operation (lucerne, sheep, cattle and horses) with her family west of Keith. Contact: 0429 101 840

Josh Rasheed, Associate Member Josh was appointed as the Contract Cropping Manager and Pasture Advisor at Naracoorte Seeds in 2011. In his role, lucerne is one of the major crops he is involved with. He was previously a Real Estate Agent at the family business in Meningie. Contact: 0427 790 655.

Charlie Hilton, Grower Member

Charlie’s family moved to Keith in 1970. Their focus is on lucerne hay and seed production, as well as sheep and cattle enterprises. In 2003, Charlie was awarded a Nuffield Scholarship to study lucerne seed production. He is a strong believer in the future of lucerne and its benefits. Contact: 0412 668 558

Jenny Aitken, Executive Officer

Jenny was raised on a grain and contract harvesting enterprise and has a good understanding of rural issues. After spending most of her working life in radio, she also worked for a Senator in Queensland and has a passion for promoting agriculture to the wider community. Contact: 0439 538 332

PAGE 14 THE LUCERNE LEADER ISSUE 41 JUNE 2016 2016 Associate Members/ Bronze Sponsors: AJ Cotton & MA McDonald Gibbs Agricultural Consulting Rabobank Australia Alforex Seeds Heritage Seeds/Seedmark Rural Directions Alpha Group Consulting Imperial Valley Milling Company SA Apiarists Association Archards Irrigation JJ O’Connor E. Sons Pty Ltd Seed Distributors Asure Quality Jolpac Rural Supplies Seed Services Australia Cox Rural Keith Kongal Seeds Seed Genetics International Crop Monitoring Services Landmark Keith Tatiara Seeds D & M Rural Lawrie & Co Teague Australia Dow Agro Sciences Australia Mellor Olsson Vermeeren Bros Manufacturing Elders Keith NAS Agribusiness WFI Farmers Centre Naracoorte Seeds Wickham Flower Forage Genetics International Peracto SA Wise Farm Equipment Frank Fatchen Pty Ltd PGG Wrightson Seeds Zadow Apiaries

Welcome to New Members: Alforex Seeds, Rural Directions Sponsors:

Rabobank The world’s Gold sponsor of Lucerne Australia leading specialist in food and agribusiness banking

WFI Gold sponsor of Lucerne Australia Good people to know PO Box 505, KEITH SA 5267 Seed Services Silver sponsor of Lucerne Australia Phone: 0439 538 332

Wise Farm Equipment email: [email protected] Silver sponsor of Lucerne Australia www.lucerneaustralia.org.au Twitter: Twitter.com/LucerneAust

ABN: 38 226 068 425 Mellor Olsson Silver sponsor of Lucerne Australia

Murray Nankivell Providing financial advice Postage Paid Australia

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