Winter Edition – No: 47 2015

CREATIVE YET REALISTIC. BUT AGAINST THE LAW??? AT THE VERY LEAST IT GETS PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT AG!!!

President: Justin Connors Manilla Central School Wilga Avenue Manilla NSW 2346 02 6785 1185 www.nswaat.org.au [email protected] ABN Number: 81 639 285 642

Secretary: Carl Chirgwin Coolah St, Griffith NSW 2680 02 6962 1711 [email protected]. au President‘s Report 2 Membership List 4 Treasurer: Graham Quintal NSWAAT Winter Muster 9 16 Finlay Ave Beecroft NSW 2119 National Conference 11 0422 061 477 Competitions, Events and Information 14 [email protected] Updates 19 Technology & Communication: Ag Articles 20 Ian Baird Young NSW Upcoming Ag Events 30 02 6382 7950 [email protected] Ag Resources 31 Internet Sensations 42 Ben Bowman Smart Phone Apps 45 [email protected] Schools in the News 46 Georgina Price Primary Industries Education Foundation Snippets 48 Forbes High School [email protected] Around the Traps 50

BAAT Editor: Erin O’Neill Lake Cargelligo Central School [email protected]

Robbie Ashurst Crestwood High School [email protected]

Email List Manager: Jashim Uddin Broken Hill High School [email protected]

SAAG Reps: Graeme Harris (Farrer) [email protected]

Rob Henderson (Tomaree High) [email protected]

EDMODO Phil Armour (Yass High) [email protected]

Archivists: Tony Butler (Tumut High) [email protected]

Phil Hurst (Hawkesbury) [email protected]

Nigel Cox (Singleton) 1

2015 Autumn Bulletin No 46 www.nswaat.org.au

Previously in our BGM at Ballina 2015 as a collective group we voted to amend our constitution and become unincorporated. Since this decision, we have been advised via the Professional Teachers Council and Fair Trading NSW, to not go through with this and cancel our application to no longer be incorporated for various insurance reasons. Ivan Gant has led the way with this process, outlining for NSWAAT to meet future incorporation obligations we need to sequentially complete the following: · Revise our constitution from the existing 1996 model on file with Fair Trading to include statements like online meetings are held to pass motions. · Send an email to all members with the new constitution attached outlining that we are holding a special meeting online, via Skype to: · Pass a resolution to adopt the new constitution. This will enable the association to hold online AGMs in years where there is no conference. · Pass a resolution rescinding the motion to cancel incorporation.

You will receive an email in the near future explaining how and when we are planning to host our first online meeting for all financial members to begin this formal process of amending our constitution.

On another note, Carl and I have been working closely with Michelle Fifield from DPI, looking into some exciting prospects of further building our relationship with NSW DPI. This will involve opening up possible opportunities for DPI to run exclusive training sessions at their various facilities, linking specific training sessions to NSW board of studies syllabus and VET outcomes. One of the ideas floated was that of running ―VET workshops‖ whereby a region of schools would be invited to attend a 2 or 3 day workshop, utilising DPI‘s resources and trainers. Various VET competencies could be practiced and then assessed (via that student‘s teacher) over the couple of days. This will be especially useful to those schools who have limited resources available, not to mention the excellent networking opportunities to see and learn from other trainers, honing one‘s skills even more. Once again, I will be forwarding out further information via email regarding Michelle‘s plans.

I have also been working on creating a small group to hold a biannual ―green teachers conference‖. This will be available for first and second year out teachers who are beginning their career as Ag teachers. This will be run on the off year (away from our biannual conference). Ideally this will be a registered course, utilising some more experienced teachers and professionals to provide tuition and advice on current

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2015 Autumn Bulletin No 46 www.nswaat.org.au practices. My thoughts were to base this 3 or 4 day workshop in Tamworth early term 2 2016. The location will change depending on executive and available trainers. Skills and info to include; · Animals in schools · Chemicals (providing participants with appropriate training and chemcert certification) · Provision of various resources, info on schools budgets and ideas on running school farms · And last but not least, lots of networking.

This little ―green teachers conference‖ will be much like the Primary Industries training alot of us have completed and enjoyed with a very hands on approach focusing on skills and networking.

Finally an update on the NSWAAT conference 2017. The Sydney organising committee have hosted various meetings this year, to discuss locations, resources and activities. This all appears to be progressing smoothly. The executive of the NSWAAT are eagerly awaiting the Sydney committee‘s proposals on these plans whereby we can approve and start to publish in preparation of 2017 while also providing BOSTES enough time to make it a registered course.

Yours in Agriculture,

Justin Connors

INTERESTING??? AND WE CERTAINLY DON‘T HAVE OUR AG CLASSES EVERYDAY OF THE WEEK. MIGHT EXPLAIN SOME THINGS!

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June 2015

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Title First Name Surname School

1 Teacher of Agriculture

2 Teacher of Agriculture

3 Teacher of Agriculture

4 Teacher of Agriculture Pennant Hills High School

5 Teacher of Agriculture Wingham High School

6 Teacher of Agriculture Woodenbong Central School

7 Teacher of Agriculture Wee Waa High School

8 Teacher of Agriculture Kingswood High School

9 Ms Susan ADAM Northern Beaches Christian School

10 Mr Bryon ADAMSON Corowa High School

11 Mrs Cassie ANDERSON St Paul's College

12 Mr Philip ARMOUR Yass High School

12 Ms Robbie ASHHURST Crestwood High School

13 Ms Megan ATKINSON

14 Ms Sunrae BAILLIE , Forster Campus

15 Mr David BAKER Macarthur Anglican College

16 Mrs Dianna BEALE

17 Mrs Susan BEHAN Denison College-

18 Miss Louise BIANCHI

19 Miss Erin BLAKE Hursltone Agricultural High School

20 Mr David BLOWES Molong Central School

22 Mr Ben BOWMAN Scone High School

23 Mr Graham BRAMLEY St Paul's College

24 Mr Eddie BUCKINGHAM Mullumbimby High School

25 Ms Jennifer CAINES Mount Annan Christian College

26 Mr Scott CALLAGHAN Mount Austin High

27 Mr Carl CHIRGWIN Griffith High School

28 Ms Tamara COLE

29 Ms Stephanie COLGAN Red Bend Catholic College

30 Mr Justin CONNORS Manilla Central School

31 Mrs Elena DAGHER

32 Mrs Anita DE LA MOTTE Bomaderry High School

33 Miss Erin DENNIS Lake Cargelligo Central School

34 Miss Alice DORMAN Trangie Central School

35 Mrs Susan EARL Red Bend Catholic College

36 Mr Cameron ELLISON McAuley Catholic School Tumut

37 Mr Guy FAHEY

38 Mrs Sarah FOSTER Dubbo Senior College Campus

39 Mr David GILLARD

40 Mr Milton GOWER Macarthur Anglican School

41 Mr Richard GRANT James Ruse Agricultural High School

42 Mrs Claire HARDY Menai High School

43 Mr Graeme HARRIS Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School

44 Mrs Leonie HARRIS Frensham

45 Mrs Lois HARRISON Merriwa Central School

46 Mr Bill HASZARD Retired

47 Mr John HAWKINS Wingham High School

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48 Mr Colin HAWTHORN Red Bend Catholic College

49 Mr David HENRY Karabar Distance Education Centre

50 Mr Michael HOLLAND Scone Grammer School

51 Mr Ben HOLMES Alstonville High School

52 Mrs Kristina HOTSON Camden High School

53 Mr Peter HUMPHRIES

54 Mr Grant JACKSON

55 Mr Charlie JAMES

56 Ms Jacquie JOHNSON Pre-Service Trainee Teacher

57 Mrs Karen JOHNSTON Hursltone Agricultural High School

58 Mr Jarrod KELLY Kyogle High School

Ms Kerry Kete

59 Mrs Prue KESBY St Mary's College

60 Mr John KILLEEN Bossley Park High School

61 Mr Shayne LAWRENCE Dungog High School

62 Mr John LEHMAN Yolla District High School

63 Miss Renae LIDGARD Molong Central School

64 Mr Scott MACKENZIE GRC Penshurst Campus

65 Mr Steve MAGINNITY Alstonville High School

66 Miss Hayley MAHONEY Picton High School

67 Miss Melissa MARSHALL

68 Ms Diana MARTIN

69 Mr Greg McALPIN Hurlstone Agriculture High School

70 Mr James McDONALD Yass High School

71 Mrs Leigh McLEAN Portland Central School

72 Mr Allan McMILLAN Wagga Wagga High School

73 Mrs Maree McNEIL Shoal Haven High School

74 Mr Mick MELINO St Johns College

75 Mr Luciano MESITI Colo High School

Mr Timothy MINEHAN Young High School

76 Ms Elizabeth MUDFORD St Francis de Sales Regional College

77 Mr David MULLER St John Evangelist Catholic High School

78 Mrs Rochelle MUTTON MacKillop College

79 Mrs Bronwyn NIELSEN Calrossy Anglican School

80 Mr Steven NOAKES Kadina High School

81 Mr Graham QUADE Tullamore Central School

82 Mr Graham QUINTAL Treasurer NSWAAT

83 Mr Renato RAMSAY Sydney Distance Education High School

84 Mr David RANDALL Richmond High School

85 Ms Tiffany ROBERTSON Coonamble High School

86 Mr Warwick ROLFE

87 Mrs Katie ROWE Gulargambone Central School

88 Mr Peter RYAN

89 Mr David SAUNDERS Orana/Coffs Harbour

90 Mr Warwick SHAW Woodenbong Central School

91 Miss Nicole SIMMONS Warialda High School

92 Mr Paul SMITH Cowra High School

93 Mr Jade SMITH Dunedoo Central School

94 Mr Geoff SMITH Oakhill College

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95 Mrs Deb SNAITH Macintyre High School

96 Mr Stuart STOUT

97 Mr Leigh THATCHER High School

98 Mrs Katie TWOMEY James Ruse Agricultural High School

99 Ms Caroline UNTERRHEINER Tumbarumba High School

100 Miss Skye VAN DEN BERGE Marion College

101 Mr Ron VICTOR Morisset High School

102 Ms Jane WALKER Chatham High School

103 Mrs Nikia WATERS Hillston Central School

104 Mr. Gary WEBB

105 Miss Nicolet WESTERHOF Elizabeth Macarthur High School

106 Mr Mark WHITFELD All Saints College Bathurst

107 Mrs Melissa WILLCOCKS Ashford Central School

108 Mr Maurice WOODMAN Murray High School

109 Mrs Jennifer WOODWARD

110 Mr Luke WOODWARD Richmond River High School

111 Mrs Jan YOUNG Murrumburrah High School

Life Members

Ian BAIRD Tony BARNETT Don BARTHOLOMEW Lisle BROWN Tony BUTLER Peter CRICK Rod FRANCIS Ivan GANT Bob GUEST Graeme HARRIS Phil HURST Peter JONES John LEE Robyn O'LEARY Gail ROBERTS Norm ROBINSON Trevor SEWELL Jenni WILKINS

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Associate Membership

Sally BANNERMAN SACEC Arthur KELLY NSW BOSTES NSW RAS Sydney Olympic Park Cameron ARCHER Tocal College (NSW) Ben STOCKWIN PIEF (ACT) Jade HAUSER UNE (NSW)

Affiliate Membership – (NAAE)

Alysia KEPERT Agriculture Curriculum Consultant (WA) Andrew COSBY Elisabeth Murdoch College (VIC) Andrew JOKANTAS Nhill College (VIC)

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2015 Autumn Bulletin No 46 www.nswaat.org.au

Membership of the Association

^ Membership fees to the NSW Association of Agriculture Teachers are now due:

If you are: not financial or a new graduate or TREASURER your membership status has lapsed

Graham Quintal & you require Resources. 16 Finlay Ave Beecroft NSW 2119 Aggie contacts. [email protected] Information/subsidies of Agriculture Teachers conferences. Assistance in your professional duties.

…t then you need to join the Association to assist in maintaining:

COMPLETE THE - the Association’s strength & support across the “APPLICATION FOR state, MEMBERSHIP ” - the place of your subject in the school curriculum, FORM ON THE NEXT - networking throughout the state, PAGE - delivery of a BAAT, once a term via email, & (Bulletin Association of Agriculture Teachers) SEND TO THE - your say in Agriculture & PI teaching issues, ASSOCIATION’S - access to professional readings. TREASURER WITH YOUR PAYMENT.

NSWAAT WEBSITE

www.nswaat.org.au Please visit the website and catch up on what has been happening. There are lots of photos from the Biennial Conference and many resource links to assist your teaching of Agriculture and Primary Industries.

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ABN: 81 639 285 642

TITLE NAME SCHOOL POSTAL ADDRESS

Postcode EMAIL PHONE FAX MOBILE DATE

MEMBERSHIP School Individual Payment Method

Email this Membership form to: [email protected]

Post cheque to: OR Pay via Direct Deposit: Graham Quintal Account Name: NSW Association of Agriculture Teachers 16 Finlay Ave BSB: 082 939 BEECROFT Account Number: 639 757 522 NSW 2119 Reference: Your Initial, Surname and "Memb".

MEMBERSHIP FEES: $60 / annum

MEMBERSHIP REQUESTED No of Years

PAYMENT $

* Membership is based on a calendar year.

Office Use Only

Date Received Receipt # Receipt Sent

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2015 Autumn Bulletin No 46 www.nswaat.org.au National Association of Agricultural Educators Biennial conference, Western Australia, January 2016

“Excellence and Innovation in Agricultural Education”

SUNDAY JAN 10 MONDAY JAN 11 TUESDAY JAN WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY 12 JAN 13 JAN 14 JAN 15 10am pick up Perth Conference opening Travelling day 9am CBD Harvey to NAAE BGM farewell Morning speakers Denmark and Travel to Harvey via Opportunitie transfer Mandurah visiting s for Choice of 2 to points of interest Australian routes. Albany/ along the way Agriculture Combination Combination Perth The Route 1: of of Thrombolites Agricultural “Steak and eggs presentation presentation at Lake Education tour” s, panel s, panel Clifton, landscape in discussions discussions Pinjarra WA (Travelling and field and field heritage sites Panel through Boyup trips related trips related discussion: Brook, Kojonup to to Attracting and Mt Barker agriculture agriculture students to viewing organic and and our industry beef agricultural agricultural production, free education education range eggs, Afternoon tours rolled oats, Arrive WACOA Harvey Choice of field tours indigenous food Great to local Harvey crops) Southern Check-in to businesses showcase- accommodation Route 2: choice of 2 “Fruit and veg tours: tour” (Travelling Tour 1: Tour of WACOA through Valley of the Harvey campus Bridgetown, Giants Manjimup and Treetop walk Mt Barker Tour of viewing WACOA Tour 2: trufferie, apple Denmark Albany and avocado campus Anzac Centre farm, and and Albany Planfarm Port presentation) Evening Dinner at WACOA Dinner at Dinner: Conference Welcome BBQ Harvey and evening WACOA Ocean Beach dinner and entertainment Denmark and surf club entertainme evening nt at entertainment Southern End winery

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2015 Autumn Bulletin No 46 www.nswaat.org.au Competitions, Events and Information

Norman Lethbridge Award 2015

The Norman Lethbridge award is an award that was established to help encourage youth that live within city limits andhave a passion for agriculture, but may not have the same opportunities to follow this passion as their bush counterparts.

This award is open to students and cadets between the ages of 16 and 25, who are studying agriculture or a similar subject, involved in the grazing industry and reside within 200 kilometres of Sydney.

This is the 13th year of the Norman Lethbridge award, named in memory of the NSW State Committee past secretary and well known stock and station agent - Norman Lethbridge who served the NSW State Committee from 1983 until 1994.

Announced earlier in the year, the Norman Lethbridge Award was officially presented to this years winner, Amy Schembri, Kurrajong, during the judging of the Angus at Sydney Royal Easter Show.

Amy was nominated by Caroline Chisholm College, Glenmore Park.

Second prize was awarded to Samantha Woodcock, Moss Vale, nominated by Chevalier College, Bowral

Third prize was awarded to Nicholas Byrne-Quinn, Castle Hill nominated by Oakhill College, Castle Hill

While the Runners Up were: Elizabeth Farrugia, Rouse Hill, nominated by Marian College, Kenthurst Mitchell Clarke, West Pennant Hills, nominated by The Kings School, Parramatta Zachary Jobson, Frenchs Forest, nominated by St. Augustines College, Brookvale Jacob Johnson, Castle Hill, nominated by Oakhill College, Castle Hill

This prestigious award was once again, sponsored by “Booroomooka Angus” Stud, Bingara. Established in 1926, Booroomooka Angus is owned and operated by the Murno family.

To get involved, go to the following website: http://www.angusaustralia.com.au/enews-a-media/193-2015-news/1870-norman-lethbridge- presentation.html

My name is Melinda Barton, I work for RuralBiz Training in Dubbo. Hopefully you will remember corresponding with my predecessor, Robyn Diamond, in regards to our online careers expo back in 2013 (email chain below to job your memory!). We are running another session on Tuesday 4th August and were hoping to enlist your assistance once more with spreading the word for us. All information is available on our website and people can register an expression of interest. As with the last one, a recording will be made of the session and sent to those who register to receive it. http://www.ruralbiztraining.com.au/ag-careers

Any suggestions you have as to other places I could spread the word on this would be great.

Many thanks Melinda Barton 14

2015 Autumn Bulletin No 46 www.nswaat.org.au OVERVIEW OF THE “ACTIONS FOR NSW AGRICULTURE” INITIATIVE

www.australianfutures.org A MULTI-SECTOR, NON-PROFIT, NON-PARTISAN INITIATIVE HOSTED BY

THE AUSTRALIAN FUTURES PROJECT Our Objective The objective of the Australian Futures Project is to build Australia‟s capacity to make decisions for a flourishing shared future in the 2020s and „30s. We are about making long-termism easier in Australia. Our vision is an Australia with: Broad Leadership: A wide range of Australians engage in a mature and respectful debate about the society they want Australia to become and the key steps we need to take to get there given our current situation and the global trends that are likely to shape the future Active Contribution: Citizens and organisations at all levels of society and across all sectors and disciplines contribute to a flourishing shared future and take accountability for the future Australia they are creating by their action and inaction, rather than relying on or blaming others 21st Century Competence: Australians and Australian institutions at all levels have the necessary relationships, knowledge, skills, and experience to enable inspired leadership, informed decisions, and cross-sector action in a complex and fast-changing world Functioning Relationships: There are functioning relationships: between government, citizens, experts, media, and business; between politicians and bureaucrats; and between levels of government

How We Work We are about making long-termism easier in Australia. We engage broadly and work collaboratively. We are multi-sector, non-profit, and non-partisan. We work in two ways. Social Labs: supporting groups working on complex societal issues to build their own capacity prosperous future improve outcomes for Australian children

Incubator Initiatives: finding, testing, and building improvements to Australia‟s decision-making system -Sector Leadership Program for Emerging Leaders in the public service, business, academia, and the community sector dership Program for Parliamentarians

Who We Are We are a multi-sector, non-profit, and non-partisan initiative. We engage broadly and work collaboratively. We have a lean team with strong governance. The overall project is guided by an Advisory Board, while each of our major initiatives is guided by a voluntary steering committee. We magnify our insight, reach, and impact by drawing on contributions from our partners and an extensive network of leaders and thinkers across Australia and overseas. The Australian Futures Project is funded largely through philanthropic sources. Major supporters include La Trobe

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2015 Autumn Bulletin No 46 www.nswaat.org.au University, the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation and the Gourlay Charitable Trust. A full list of supporters is available on our website. Please visit www.australianfutures.org for more information. www.australianfutures.org A MULTI- SECTOR, NON-PROFIT, NON-PARTISAN INITIATIVE HOSTED BY

ACTIONS FOR NSW AGRICULTURE – CARL CHIRGWIN, OUR REPRESENTATIVE – CONGRATULATIONS!!! www.australianfutures.org A MULTI-SECTOR, NON-PROFIT, NON-PARTISAN INITIATIVE HOSTED BY

CONFIRMED PARTICIPANTS

To ensure diversity, participants were enrolled through a mix of targeted invitation and (more than half) through a public call for applications. We were overwhelmed with the positive response, with three times as many applicants as places available. After much deliberation and careful selection, we are pleased to announce we have our team! Each participant is taking part in their personal capacity, not as a representative of their organisation. Steering Committee members are also included and are marked with an asterix (*). Confirmed participants are: resource management (f.a.r.m.)

Landcare organisation

lia

n, Deputy Director General, Agriculture NSW, NSW Department of Primary Industries

nt and Outlook, ABARES

-Downs, Executive Director, Embark Australia Ltd

Agriculture Teachers Secretary

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2015 Autumn Bulletin No 46 www.nswaat.org.au

search

Sturt University

rdan, CEO of Regional Development Australia (Mid North Coast)

Land Services (LLS)

st Local Land Services (LLS)

-Prinicpal, Woodpark Poll Merino stud, ‘Eurolie’, Hay

rector, Youth Food Movement Australia www.australianfutures.org 2

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Updates

Change in the approval of a particular activity Recently the Schools Animal Care and Ethics Committee (SACEC) have made a change to the animal welfare guidelines relating to sheep. They have decided that while the administration of subcutaneous injections is a category 3 activity, the exception to this will be the administration of the Gudair vaccine for the control of Ovine Johne’s Disease.

Students must not administer this vaccine. This vaccine must be administered by a person competent in its use. If it is not administered correctly there is a high risk of human and/or animal injury. The administration of all other vaccines will remain a category 3 activity and hence be able to be carried out by students.

This update has been made on the Animals in schools website>sheep>health (http://nswschoolanimals.com/sheep/sheep-health/)

Two new resources The first is Plants in agriculture ( http://www.learning.schools.nsw.edu.au/plants/) . This resource has been created using funding from the Rural and Remote Blueprint with the goal assisting Stage 6 Agriculture students.

The resource includes videos that were filmed at the Sydney University Plant Breeding Institute at both Cobbitty and Narrabri and features Angus Stewart and academics. There are activities with suggested answers, photos and some fact sheets.

The second is a series of videos titled, Keeping poultry in schools (https://www.youtube.com/user/LearningNSWDEC/playlists) . These nine videos have been produced through a partnership between the NSW Department of Education and Communities and the Poultry Cooperative Research Centre, using experts from the CRC and .

They were initially produced to help the growing number of primary schools that are keeping poultry and to demonstrate some of the guidelines relating to animal welfare in schools but I hope they will also be valuable for Years 7 – 10 students studying Agriculture.

They are housed on the LearningNSWDEC along with other video series as well as being embedded in the Animals in schools Poultry notes, and are accessible to the public.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any doubts about your responsibilities for the care and use of animals in schools. I am more than happy to clarify any of the commonly held misconceptions that seem to be prolific about what you can and can’t do with animals in schools.

Sally Bannerman Animal Welfare in Schools Advisor Secondary Curriculum Learning and Leadership Directorate NSW Department of Education and Communities

Level 3, 1 Oxford St Darlinghurst NSW 2010 Tel: 9244 5520 Mob: 0417 473 280 [email protected] www.schools.nsw.edu.au/animalsinschools 19

2015 Autumn Bulletin No 46 www.nswaat.org.au Advocates for Agriculture at the Easter Show- April 2015

We believe that the issue of low numbers of youth in agriculture can only be solved by working with young people to make their voices heard. To help address the important issue of youth in food and agriculture UWS has, once again, run it's Youth Agvocate Forum (YAF). YAF is a year 10 camp that puts 18 selected Agvocates together and asks them to picture the agricultural future they want to see and challenges them to make this a reality. Today's blog comes from two of our amazing Agvocates, Erin Eisenhuth and Madeline Tindale from Marian College.

From the 26-28 of March Madeline Tindale and I participated in the 2015 Youth Agvocate Forum. The Youth Agvocate forum was run by the University of Western Sydney (UWS) and supported by the Royal Agricultural Society (RAS). We spent time at both the University of Western Sydney and the Royal Easter Show.

Throughout our time we worked on tackling the controversial problems surrounding why adolescents are not motivated to get involved in Agriculture. The participants were a variety of Agriculture students from across NSW. We were placed in groups of three to create a pitch in the form of a video that would be presented to the RAS. Our pitch was based on the creation of an idea that would bust the negative myths associated with agriculture and help motivate adolescents to become involved in the industry.

During the camp we worked together with assistance of James Arvanitakis (Humanities Lecturer, Head of the Academy at UWS), Ben Egan (Cotton Farmer, NSW Farmers Dubbo branch chair and Young Farming Champion) and Therese Mcgillon (Project Manager for the Renewal of Agriculture Project at UWS) to produce innovative ideas that would encourage the involvement of adolescents in agriculture.

We had the opportunity to participate in a Google Hang out that was live streamed to YouTube. Throughout the Google hang out we listened to Damien Balzer (Youth Food Movement Greater Western Sydney co-chair and UWS Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security student), Francis Arias (UWS Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security student on exchange to Montana State University studying Sustainable Livestock Production), Hannah DelCurto (Lecturer, Montana State University studying Sustainable Livestock Production) and Camille Colman (Member Service Advisor & Young Farmers Coordinator | NSW Farmers) who shared their experience and knowledge on the topic. We also had the opportunity to pitch 'live' our ideas in front of them and receive great feedback and constructive criticism. View the full Google Hangout (opens in new window) .

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We participate in ice cream tasting and a behind the scenes tour of the district exhibits. Over the 3 days we created new friendships with like-minded Agricultural students as well as UWS' Agriculture Engagement Officers, Chris and April who enthusiastically ran the camp and made it into such a great experience.

I also just wanted to say a big thank you to both Chris and April for the amazing experience that they both provided us with. I had a fantastic time,I learnt so much and made some great friends. So thank you so much for the great opportunity.

All of the Agvocate's final videos pitches can be viewed from the following UWS Agriculture YouTube (opens in new window) channel.

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Agriculture on the curriculum

These resources will ensure all school kids can gain an understanding of our primary producers

Students from Bondi Public School in NSW are involved in a food and waste program which teaches them about growing, harvesting, cooking and recycling their own garden and chicken coop.

NEW school resources will boost student learning in agriculture, says Education Minister Christopher Pyne.

School students of all ages will now be able to learn more about Australia‘s important agricultural sector through the Australian government‘s $2 million Agriculture in Education initiative.

Mr Pyne launched the first set of online teaching and learning resources created under the initiative at Stradbroke School in Adelaide, South Australia, on Monday.

―These informative videos and resources will ensure all school kids – whether they are from the city or the bush – can gain an understanding of our primary producers throughout their school years,‖ Mr Pyne said.

The materials showcase the diversity and economic importance of food and fibre production in Australia, and are aligned to Australian Curriculum learning areas, including science and geography.

Topics covered by the materials include: designing and making a financial plan for a market garden, food security, and sustainable production practices in food and fibre.

More than 75 high quality digital learning resources aligned to the Australian Curriculum are now freely available to schools online.

―This government believes all students should be given an opportunity to learn about the Australian agriculture sector,‖ Mr Pyne said.

―It‘s important that all kids know where their food comes from and how their clothes are made.‖

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New South Wales Young Farmers launch Sydney branch with radical message

Photo: Young people involved in science and agriculture studies talk with Anna Rose from Earth Hour at a launch a new branch of the NSW Young Farmers. (David Claughton)

About 50 young people gathered in a Parramatta Hotel in Sydney this week to launch the new branch of a farming group.

It is the Sydney branch of Young Farmers.

The meeting featured some unusual speakers and a fairly radical message from Anna Rose, of Earth Hour and Costa Georgiadis, ABC Gardening Australia host.

"You are more powerful than you think," Mr Rose told the crowd of mainly science and agriculture students.

Photo: Costa Georgiadis (ABC Gardening Australia host) talks passionately at a NSW Young Farmers meeting in Sydney with students agriculture and science. (David Claughton)

Ms Rose was at a similar meeting nine years ago, which she said, led to the creation of Earth Hour.

"We had a group of about this size and we thought 'who knows what we'll achieve?'," she said.

"We're young but we're full of ideas and if we come together maybe we can make something big happen."

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2015 Autumn Bulletin No 46 www.nswaat.org.au Earth Hour now has 120, 000 young people involved and hundreds of groups working with young people to find solutions to climate change.

Costa spoke about the importance of changing the language around farming and finding images to redefine what a young farmer is.

"We need images to change the vocabulary and change the dialogue, and sharp witted stuff that puts farming where it should be; as the most important staple in everyone's life," he told the crowd.

"It's all about growing young farmers."

Alexandra Ijadica is the founding director of the Youth Food Movement. We're young but we're full of ideas and if we come together maybe we can make something big happen." Anna Rose, Earth Hour

"I think it's fantastic that the real story of agriculture if finally being told," she said.

"You hear in the news that we're suffering a drought and we need a bit of a hand, but there's so many fantastic stories about being a producer, whether you're an urban farmer or a broadacre farmer, that are happening every day, but rarely the [coverage] that they should get."

Jo Newton is a post graduate student of genetics and vice chair of the new branch of NSW Young Farmers.

"It's more than just what happens at the farm gate," he said.

"NSW Farmers is the peak industry body for agriculture and farming, [but] there's an entire industry and supply chain involved in agriculture.

"We've got groups like the Youth Food Movement, agribusiness professionals here in Sydney that are a part of that supply chain and we think it's important that they have the opportunity to network to engage with other young people that live in metro areas, but also to get out there and engage with our regional and rural base too."

Demand for organics is outstripping supply, so a gathering of young farmers is probably a good place to encourage interest in the sector.

Peter Hastie is with the National Association for Sustainable Agriculture, Australia.

"We see the importance of creating that link between production and processing and consumption."

NSW Farmers CEO Matt Brand said: "We encourage all young people who have an interest in agriculture to tap into our diverse network and gain a greater understanding of the innovation taking place in our industry."

"Our plan is for the whole supply chain to be involved and interact with our Sydney branch which we hope will become a hub for where the city meets agriculture."

Field Days

10-11 Jul 2015 MUDGEE SMALL FARM FIELD ph 02 63723899 DAYS [email protected] P O Box 12 www.arec.com.au Mudgee 2850

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2015 Autumn Bulletin No 46 www.nswaat.org.au High school Closing the Gap through agriculture.

Photo: Coonamble High School students, Brooke Elsley, Adrian Davis and Bradley King, with agriculture teacher Adam Macrae and the school's cattleyards. (Alex Blucher) Map: Coonamble 2829

Over the last decade Coonamble High School in rural New South Wales, has being making a big push to 'close the gap' with their agriculture course.

The school of just over 200 students has seen a dramatic increase in the number of students studying agriculture.

Photo: Coonamble High School students, Brooke Elsley, Adrian Davis and Bradley King, with the ribbons that they've won at agricultural shows (Alex Blucher)

More than half the school's students now study agriculture, and the majority of those learning about farming and animal husbandry are Aboriginal.

Last year every Year 12 student went into a job, to university, or further training.

A big part of that success has been the creation of The Bovine Appreciation Club by agriculture and primary industries teacher, Adam Macrae, also known as 'Macca.'

"We grow our own feed, we source cattle and breed our own cattle from surrounding areas and beyond, prepare them for the showing or put them or put them through the butcher shop," Mr Macrae says.

As part of The Bovine Appreciation Club the students travel to some of the most prestigious agricultural shows, including the Sydney Royal Easter Show and the Royal Queensland Show, or Ekka.

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2015 Autumn Bulletin No 46 www.nswaat.org.au Adam Macrae says that the secret in getting students to come to school is in being an attractive option for their time.

"We have to be very honest with what we're competing with. In a country town like this if we can have boys finishing year 12, as well as having a swag of skills in the agricultural industry, it makes them very employable Coonamble Clontarf Academy Director, Luke Ballard

"We're competing with not coming to school, getting up to all that mischief that the kids that aren't engaged in school will carry on with, so we have to be an attractive market option for their time," Mr Macrae says.

The Clontarf Foundation's Coonamble branch, called the Coonamble Clontarf Academy, has worked closely with Adam Macrae to get more Aboriginal students into studying agriculture.

The Clontarf Foundation is a national organisations which focus on improving the education, self-esteem, life skills and employment prospects for Indigenous male students.

The organisation is one of only five out 150 Indigenous programs that didn't get a big funding cut in the Federal Budget, which saw $534 million slashed from the sector.

Year 11 student Adrian Davis, who's 17, is one of 63 students who are part of the Coonamble Clontarf Academy and is an important member of the Bovine Appreciation Club.

"I like leading the cattle, driving tractors, feeding them and taking them to steer shows...we win ribbons," Adrian says.

Photo: Coonamble High School students, Brooke Elsley, Adrian Davis and Bradley King, with agriculture teacher Adam Macrae and the school's cattleyards. (Alex Blucher)

Also the head teacher of learning innovation at Coonamble High says Adrian is a good guy to have around.

"Adrian is an absolute natural with cattle, he's a big robust chap, he's very gifted, very brave, he's also got a wonderful stock sense and any steer that's big and ugly and mucking up, Adrian usually gets it and invariably he usually comes out on top," Mr Macrae says.

Australian Bureau of statistics figures show that 55 per cent of Indigenous high school students in Australia finished school last year, compared to over 83 per cent non-Indigenous.

Coonamble Clontarf Academy director Luke Ballard says that they are working hard with the school to do their bit to close that gap.

"Our main goal is to engage the boys in education, improving their attendance and their engagement in school, hopefully getting them through to year 12 and into meaningful employment,"

"We want to have things at the school that they want to be a part of, so with the Ag stuff, more trips away and more things that the boys are really interested in the better.

"They really took to it and loved working with the animals.

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2015 Autumn Bulletin No 46 www.nswaat.org.au "In a country town like this, if we can have boys finishing year 12, as well as having a swag of skills in the agricultural industry up their sleeve, it makes them very employable," Mr Ballard says.

Photo: The Coonamble High Clontarf Academy team in their club house 'The Nest,' from left Year 11 student Adrian Davis, Clontarf team members Vili Sorilo, Adam Cohen and director Luke Ballard. (Alex Blucher)

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2015 Autumn Bulletin No 46 www.nswaat.org.au Stock skills in danger of being lost as opportunities to learn disappear

Lucky man: Sheep classer Chris Bowman of Hay in NSW has worked with some of the most knowledgeable people in the industry. Source: News Corp Australia

CHRIS Bowman counts himself a lucky man to be born when he was.

As a professional sheep classer, he has built his trade on stock skills honed working alongside some of the legends of the Merino game since picking up a job at Uardry in the NSW Riverina when he was 17.

In his early 20s, he ranged from Queensland to NSW, working on Burenda at Augathella, then Egelabra stud and Eenaweena station at Warren, before returning to Uardry in 1989 as stud - manager.

―I am very fortunate to have worked with some of the best stud breeders and stud masters in Australia,‖ he said.

―People like Hugh Lidiard, Bill Bailey, Tom Lilburn and more recently Forbes Murdoch — all brilliant sheep men.

―Over that time I‘ve been able to develop stock skills and learn the skills of stud sheep selection from those stud masters.‖

Mr Bowman said changing times meant fewer opportunities for young people to learn the trade and he is concerned traditional skills will be lost as more technology comes into play.

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2015 Autumn Bulletin No 46 www.nswaat.org.au ―Most properties these days are running with minimum labour and getting contractors in to help, which means the sort of experience I had just isn‘t as available as it used to be,‖ he said.

―People who haven‘t been lucky enough to come up in the system I have can get all the research and information but they don‘t have the hands-on experience you build up over time.‖

Mr Bowman said it didn‘t matter how much data was available, nothing could replace being able to walk along a race and class a sheep for type and the basic survival attributes of structure and constitution.

―There will still be young people coming through who will develop those skills but they won‘t be in the same numbers we‘ve seen before because the opportunities just aren‘t there,‖ he said.

―In a decade, there is going to be a huge void of people who have the skills to run these big sheep operations.

―My advice to young people is if you get the opportunity to work on a property that still offers that sort of experience, jump at it.‖

Merriwa Central School with their ribbon. Students left to right, April Eipper, Matthew Porter, Craig Walker and Hanna Byfield.

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2015 Autumn Bulletin No 46 www.nswaat.org.au

MEDIA RELEASE “A new and defined pathway for students from Tocal has been established with the University of New England. The Bachelor of Agrifood Systems was introduced a couple of years ago by the University and much work has been done to fully embed units from the Vocational Education and Training sector into the study program. As a result there is a seamless passage from studies at Tocal to UNE.

Tocal now delivers the Diploma and Advanced Diploma qualifications online so students can study wherever and whenever they choose and then articulate directly into the Bachelor of Agrifood Systems. They can also choose to enrol at both institutions and complete the Tocal College and UNE courses in an integrated study program.

We are finding students are commencing at Tocal in Certificate III for one year and then doing Certificate IV in the second year. Those who are keen commence the Diploma in their second year combined with their Certificate IV studies and many are finishing the year with both a Cert IV and a Diploma. After completing the Advanced Diploma units needed they are virtually halfway to a university degree”. Dr Cameron Archer, Tocal College Principal said.

This is a wonderful step forward and opens up studies at university for Tocal students. We have found that 15-20% of our graduates continue their studies onto university either directly after leaving Tocal or after some years of industry experience. In the past we have negotiated credits with universities and this has worked reasonably well. The UNE pathway is much clearer and more defined and has potential to make the transition from Tocal to university much, much easier”. Dr Archer said.

Further details of these courses can be found on the Tocal website www.tocal.com.au

For further information contact Dr Cameron Archer AM Principal Tocal College 0427 202948 [email protected]

Upcoming Agricultural Events Shows

AUGUST 2015

Tullamore P A & H Assn Inc: 14 August 2015 - 15 August 2015 Mungindi Show Society Inc: 14 August 2015 - 16 August 2015 Weethalle Show Soc Inc: 15 August 2015 Trundle P & A Assn Inc: 18 August 2015 - 19 August 2015 Ganmain Show Soc Inc: 22 August 2015 Bedgerabong PA & H Assn Inc: 22 August 2015 Peak Hill P A & H Assn Inc: 25 August 2015 - 26 August 2015 Condobolin PAH & I Assn Inc: 28 August 2015 - 29 August 2015 Barellan Show Soc Inc: 29 August 2015 Penrith Dist A H & I Soc Ltd: 29 August 2015 - 30 August 2015 Wentworth Show Soc Inc: 29 August 2015 - 30 August 2015 Parkes P A & H Assn Inc: 31 August 2015 - 2 September 2015

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2015 Autumn Bulletin No 46 www.nswaat.org.au Agriculture Resources Report time again…….

Try this program, its fantastic…. Free to download of net, it’s a great way to speed up your reports.

You can adjust and modify to your own specific needs, class needs and student needs. Brilliant! http://www.rayslearning.com/report.htm is a highly motivated student who displays a sound understanding of the key concepts of wheat production. He is an enthusiastic student who has shown a strong commitment to developing his practical skills at the Agriculture farm. However his examination mark could be substantially improved next semester if he was to undertake regular revision. is an enthusiastic student who always works well in class. She is cooperative in all areas and has developed a sound display of wheat production. She is becoming more confident in answering examination style questions and her practical skills and efforts at the Agriculture farm have developed very well. Continued application in class and increased revision should see improve further next semester. is a competent student who generally displays enthusiasm in all areas of Agriculture. The results indicate that she has a sound understanding of the key principles of wheat production and her practical skills are continuing to develop at a good pace. Her examination mark could have been better though and this should improve IF increases her study and revision at home. has enthusiastically participated in all areas of Agriculture this year. He always works well in class and has developed a sound understanding of wheat production. His efforts this year are to be commended as he has displayed some great practical skills at the farm. However, examination mark could still be substantially improved with increased revision at home.

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2015 Autumn Bulletin No 46 www.nswaat.org.au Identification of Cereal Seedlings Cereals growing in the field at the seedling stage may need to be identified as:

spray contractors may need to make sure of the plant species before advising on spraying for weed control with currently registered herbicides. land valuers and surveyors completing cereal production forecasts often need to identify cereals at the early growth stages. farmers with potential wild oat problems in their crop may wish to differentiate wild oats from cultivated oats or other cereals to determine whether they should spray their crops. In order to identify different cereal species, close observation of the seedlings at the junction of the leaf-sheath and leaf-blade is required (see the illustrations).

The following features help to distinguish the different cereal species.

Ligule The ligule is a projecting flap or collar located at the junction of the leaf-blade and leaf-sheath. The ligule prevents water entering inside the leaf-sheath where it might be retained and cause rotting.

Auricle The auricles are located at the lower end of the leaf-blade, where it meets the leaf-sheath. They may be extended as a pair of claw-like projections. Auricles are most obvious on barley and are absent in oats.

Leaf-blade The leaf-blade of cereals is twisted or curled. When viewed from above these twists are either clockwise or anti- clockwise.

Key identification of common cereal seedlings

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2015 Autumn Bulletin No 46 www.nswaat.org.au Oat Auricles absent, leaf-sheath and blade hairless (scattered hair on some varieties). Ligule medium length. Leaf- blades twist anticlockwise.

Barley Auricles long, slender and hairless, leaf-sheath and blade usually hairless, scattered hairs on some varieties. Ligule of medium length. Leaf blades twist clockwise.

Rye Auricles very short and hairless, leaf-sheath and blade have an inconsistent degree of hairiness. Ligule short. Leaf- blades twist clockwise.

Wheat Auricles blunt and hairy, leaf-sheath and blade always hairy. Ligule of medium length. Leaf blades twist clockwise.

Triticale Auricles blunt and hairy, leaf-sheath and blade hairy. Ligule of medium length. Leaf-blades twist clockwise.

Wheat and triticale are difficult to distinguish since their vegetative characters are similar. Removal of the seedling from the soil and observation of the grain shell may be a means of distinguishing wheat from triticale.

Wheat grain shells tend to be lighter in colour than triticale. Wheat shells are oval; triticale grain shells are oblong.

Wild oat The common wild oat, a significant weed of cereal crops, cannot be distinguished from cultivated oats during vegetative growth. Wild oat seed however can be distinguished from the cultivated oat. Wild oat grain is usually darker, may retain its awn and is hairy at the base of the husk. The husk of cultivated oats is hairless.

An easy way to identify all oats from other cereals is to observe the twist of their leaves. When viewed from above, the oat leaf has an anti-clockwise curl. The leaves of other cereals curl clockwise.

Plant No. Wheat Oat Barley Faba Bean Comment

1

2

3

4

5

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2015 Autumn Bulletin No 46 www.nswaat.org.au

Things to Know for the Agriculture HSC 2014

Keyword Meaning Remember Example Identify Name something One or two words cow Outline List the main 2 or 3 dot points - Gather ingredients features and mix - Place in feeding trough & bring cows in. Describe Provide features Sentences and The temperature needs to more in depth be between 5 and 25 degrees for photosynthesis to occur. Explain Relate cause & Sentences, uses There will be more meat effect therefore, but. so to sell therefore you will get more money. Discuss State issues, Table Mulesing stops blowfly ads/disads due to wool free area. It cause pain to lambs. Support an Sentences, one Mulesing stops blowfly Justify argument sided and lowers chemical costs.

State issues, Table Although mulesing is Evaluate ads/disads, painful it is better for judgement lambs to suffer a little than to die a painful death as an adult. Analyse In depth Need to give: Live Export examination Strengths S – provides income Weaknesses W – crammed on ship Opportunities O – live overseas markets Threats T – animal welfare groups The first thing that Check back thru Always write something Don‘t rewrite the comes to your work especially if as 99% of the time you question!! head is usually you miss will get at least one mark! right. questions.

Remember to match marks with writing amount! EG. 3 marks = 3 sentences or points or issues!

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2015 Autumn Bulletin No 46 www.nswaat.org.au Sustainable Agricultural Production

- The sustainable practises used by aboriginals (eg fire, leaving plants to regenerate)

- The major changes and developments in Australian agriculture (eg grazing to land clearing for cropping and the use of irrigation)

- The chemical and physical characteristics of soil (pH, Nutrient levels, OM, Carbon level, Porosity, Texture, Structure and bulk density)

- Green manuring, stubble mulching and other alternatives to inorganic fertilisers

- The nitrogen and carbon cycle

- The farming practices that have led to soil degradation, such as salination, (land clearing and over irrigating) acidification (under prolonged use of improved pasture), soil structure decline ( heavy machinery, over cultivation, loss of organic matter) and erosion( land clearing, over grazing, loss of ground cover)

- Sustainable farming practices, including minimum tillage and crop rotation

- Describe farming/agricultural practices that have affected water quality and quantity including fertiliser usage (eutrification of waterways), the effects of stock (overgrazing), effluent management , chemicals, grassed waterways, riparian zones, dam construction and irrigation methods (over irrigating or the inefficiency of flood irrigation)

- Describe different water sources and their management on farm.

- Describe techniques used to manage soil fertility such as conservation tillage systems, maintenance of soil organic matter (or carbon), green manure crops, crop rotations, planting deep-rooted crops, organic fertilisers, inorganic fertilisers, pasture ley phase and nutrient budgeting

- Explain how catchment management authorities and government, communities and farmers work together for clean waterways (providing money for off source watering, laws against spraying to close to waterways, irrigation licences)

Plant Production Systems

- Outline the growth phase (germination to flowering or head set, with tillering , boot stage etc) of one monocotyledon (monocot –wheat etc) and one dicotyledon (dicot – Mung beans etc)

- Explain the processes of respiration and photosynthesis and how the 2 interact to produce the net assimilation rate

- Write the word equation for photosynthesis

- Explain how water and nutrient uptake affect photosynthesis

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2015 Autumn Bulletin No 46 www.nswaat.org.au

- Outline the effects and uses of plant hormones including auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, ethylene and abscisic acid

- The constraints imposed by environmental factors, including light, temperature available moisture, oxygen/carbon dioxide ratios, wind and biotic factors (diseases and pests) on plant growth, development and production

- Explain how farmers can overcome environmental constraints

- Developing plant breeds suited to improve product quality, yield and environmental adaptation(genetically selected wht that can grow on limited water or resistance to rust, wheat with lower GI)

- Outline plant breeding systems and their genetic basis including selective breeding, hybridisation and genetic engineering

- The major components of interference in plant communities, ie plant competition (for water, nutrients sunlight etc), allelopathy (chemical growth inhibitors of surrounding plants eg caster oil plants)

- Describe how farmers manage plant competition through plant density and weed control strategies

- The role of native and introduced pasture species in pasture management systems (native essential in drought conditions and improved essential for high levels of production with greater palatability and digestibility

- Explain the importance of having a diverse (more than one type of plant) pasture mix (winter feed, legumes providing nitrogen etc)

- Interpret an agricultural pesticide label and relate it to safe practice and correct usage

- Define integrated pest management (IPM) (Combining Chemical, physical, biological and genetic methods)

- Outline IPM‟s ability to reduce the problems of pesticides and chemical resistance in target organisms (must also be able to explain how resistance occurs)

- Evaluate an IPM program

Animal Production Systems

- Label a ruminant and monogastric digestive system and discuss the similarities and differences between the two

- Describe the relationship between rumen microbes and the animal (cellulose broken down to VFA’s which are the energy source for the animal)

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2015 Autumn Bulletin No 46 www.nswaat.org.au

- The nutritional requirements for cattle (being able to make protein from non protein nitrogen sources etc) (use nutritional data to determine the suitability of animal feeds)

- Describe the nutritional requirements for a monogastric

- Use nutritional data to determine the suitability of animal feeds in terms of energy and protein requirements for particular production stages for one monogastric and one ruminant (you will be given nutritional information and be asked to justify its suitability)

- Design and explain a ration to meet the nutritional requirements of a selected animal for a particular stage of production

- Define, Gross energy, Metabolisable energy, Net energy, Maintenance energy and draw a diagram to show the losses.

- The processes of growth and development in animals in terms of the proportion of bone, muscle and fat and explain how a farmer might manipulate these through the use of hormones, nutrition and genetics

- Discuss the use of breeding systems in animal production systems including crossbreeding and line breeding

- The role of hormones in the regulation of animal reproduction and behaviour (testosterone, oestrogen, progesterone, prostaglandin, follicle stimulating hormone and luteinising hormone)

- Explain the interaction between hormones in an animal‟s oestrus cycle

- Identify the factors that limit fertility of farm animals including genetics, environment, pests and diseases, management and nutrition

- Evaluate management techniques available to farmers to manipulate reproduction in farm animals including artificial insemination, multiple ovulation, flushing, embryo transfer and oestrus synchronisation

- The factors that limit the fertility of farm animals (temperature, nutrition disease etc)

- outline the role of objective measurement and heritability on the breeding programs of farms, using at least one specific industry program as an example (Birthweight, docility, 200 and 400day weights, scrotal size have all improved the limousin breed)

- Explain the complex interaction between the problem organism, the host and the environment for one animal disease

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2015 Autumn Bulletin No 46 www.nswaat.org.au

- Evaluate an IPM program, naming the target organism and the animal host Eg. Blowfly

- Describe how knowledge and understanding of animals‟ physical and behavioural characteristics can assist in the management of a particular animal species

- Discuss the factors that should be considered when carrying out a particular husbandry practice to reduce the negative welfare impacts to the animal such as use of appropriate equipment, skill of the operator, timing of the animal practice, management of the animals after completion of practice

- Discuss one ethical issue relevant to an animal production system such as mulesing, live export (travel and treatment in other countries), battery egg production(cage size), use of farrowing crates (size of crate and movement of pig)

- Explain animal welfare legislation for a specific farm animal and discuss the implications of the legislation for the relevant production system (castrating and dehorning cattle, mulesing, battery hens and farrowing crates)

Microbes and Invertebrates

- Explain the role of microbes and invertebrates in the decomposition of organic matter and nutrient cycling.

- Describe the fixing of atmospheric nitrogen via their association with legumes

- The disease triangle - the complex interaction involving problem organisms (pathogenic microbe or invertebrate), the host and the environment in plant and animal disease

- Learn one plant and one animal disease in relation to the disease triangle

- Explain how pest resistance occurs and the methods a farmer can take to avoid it (use chemical with different mode of action, do not use chemical to often, use correct dosage rates)

- Interpret a chemical label and relate it to safe practice and correct usage

- One case of integrated pest management (eg Bt cotton) and the advantages and disadvantages. (Biological, Genetic, Chemical Environmental)

Experimental analysis and research in plant/animal systems

- The role of a control, randomisation, replication and standardisation of conditions

- The collection and analysis of data (Doing a test for significance such as an analyses of variance and calculate a measure of variability (standard deviation) using a calculator/computer)

- Make recommendations based on the interpretation of the results of agricultural experiments.(Keeping in mind that experimental results can be different in different soil types, animals, environmental conditions etc)

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2015 Autumn Bulletin No 46 www.nswaat.org.au - Describe a first-hand investigation to determine the effects of planting density on plant growth and/or yield

- The advancement of agricultural production as a result of research into genetics, pest control, reproductive technology, cultivation methods etc.

- Explain why research is important and describe how it has impacted on plant and animal industries

The farm as a business

- Identify the agribusiness inputs that a farm uses (Stock and station agents, agronomists, finance, chemicals, Vet etc)

- Describe the range of marketing strategies such as vertical integration, contract selling, direct marketing, cooperatives and marketing boards and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each

- The ways in which the market can influence the farm (supply and demand, Consumer influences such as mulesing or hormone free beef)

- Ways in which governments can intervene in aspects of agricultural production and marketing (Buffer stock schemes, quotas, tarrifs, NLIS, permits to export such as live beef to indonesia etc)

- assess farm production systems based on measurements of quality and quantity

- Outline the financial pressures that may impact on farmers including the irregular nature of income, high expenditure on inputs, the dynamic nature of markets and interest rates and risk management

- Describe techniques to analyse the financial situation of a farm enterprise including calculating gross margin and return to capital

- outline the importance of ongoing research related to agricultural industries

- describe recent technologies and their impact on agricultural production and/or marketing

The marketing of a specific farm product

- Describe the quality criteria and product specifications for beef (fat depth 7-12mm, pH 5.5, Marbling etc) and wheat (protein an moisture content)

- Relating product specification to advertising and sale (highly marbled beef advertised as being very tender)

- Describe how a farmer may assess his stock for market specifications (weighing, scanning etc) 39

2015 Autumn Bulletin No 46 www.nswaat.org.au Assess a current advertising or promotional campaign for the product

- The processes involved in turning cattle into steaks and wheat into pasta.

- Influencing consumers through advertising (eg promoting lean beef as a healthy meal choice)

- Describe the value added products that beef can be turned into (kebabs, pies etc) and evaluate ways in which this is done (eg making kebabs in the shop takes little time for the butcher and adds 30% to the value of the beef, this is a very effective way of value adding).

- Draw a flow chart of the beef marketing chain from paddock to plate

- Evaluate marketing information, such as a sales report, for a product

- Describe factors affecting the supply of and demand for the product (weather, consumer choice

- Interpret supply and demand information for a product (low numbers at sale yards)

- Construct a gross margin to compare enterprises and show that this is affected by quality and quantity (protein and yield or muscle score and weight)

- Describe how an enterprise may be monitored (calving %, weight gain etc)

- Describe the timing of operations for beef and wheat (joining, calving etc)

- Describe on and off farm problems that may occur in meeting market specifications (On- drought and providing enough nutrition, Off- rough handling causing dark cutting meat)

- Outline government influence on the production and marketing of the product such as legislation, regulations, codes of practice, low cost loans, tax incentives

Agricultural technology

- Learn 2 technologies (1plant,1animal), describe how they improved ag production and marketing.

- Learn the advantages and disadvantages of genetic engineering in plants and animals (To produce livestock with desired characteristics such as fine wool and milk with more protein, to produce biopharmaceuticals such as blood clotting factor for haemophiliacs and to produce animals for transplant organs)

Elective- Climate

- Greenhouse effect, (methane gas, fossil fuels), weather patterns (el nino, la nina)

- Effects on agriculture

- Ways to combat climate change in agriculture

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2015 Autumn Bulletin No 46 www.nswaat.org.au - Research methodology and presentation of research (Feed additives to reduce methane in cattle) – design of the study – methodology of the study – collection of data for the study – presentation of data – analysis of the data – conclusions and recommendations

- explain the need for research in the development of agricultural technologies

Kimberlin Education | Your digital education agency. Leading the charge in the creation of interactive educational content for the last five years, Kimberlin Education is a full service digital agency that imparts your www.kimberlineducation.com.au

Hi everyone, my company creates teacher resources on behalf of many primary industry organisations. Would any teachers in this group or in the AgTeachersNetwork be interested in participating in focus groups to help direct the content and delivery method of them? The focus groups run every so often and we provide a Visa cash card as a thank you for participating. They can be done via phone or video so you don't need to leave your classroom. If anybody is interested please go to the NSWAAT Facebook page for more information or email [email protected] to forward you on information

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2015 Autumn Bulletin No 46 www.nswaat.org.au

Appetite for Change: A Journey From Planet to Plate (Earth Hour 2015 Documentary)

Appetite for Change: A Journey From Planet to Plate (Earth Hour 2015 Documentarybe https://earthhour.org.au Earth Hour created 'Appetite for Change: A Journey from Planet to Plate' to shine... youtu.be

Grains Information

get "GroundCover" from the Grain Research and Development Corporation, GRDC. PO Box 5367 , Kingston ACT 2604. Regularly send printed material plus CD called GroundCover TV.

also grdc.co..au/gctv

New resources - check it out - share your thoughts on whether they are useful?

http://www.agrifoodskills.net.au/?page=AgEducation

Agriculture in Education - AgriFood Skills Australia Agriculture in Education is a programme that aims to help teachers in Australian Schools better understand the products and processes associated with food and fibre production. The project is funded by the... agrifoodskills.net.au 42

2015 Autumn Bulletin No 46 www.nswaat.org.au https://www.youtube.com/user/LearningNSWDEC/playlists More resources - Keeping Poultry in Schools videos, excellent resources.

LearningNSWDEC youtube.com

http://www.learning.schools.nsw.edu.au/plants/ New resources online.

- Plants in Agriculture learning.schools.nsw.edu.au

Combine Harvester animation http://tractorvideos.net/combine-harvesting-animation/

Combine Harvesting Animation - Agriculture Technologies http://tractorvideos.net/combine-harvesting-animation/ tractorvideos.net

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2015 Autumn Bulletin No 46 www.nswaat.org.au

Appreciate Australian Agriculture Infographic youtube.com Appreciate Australian Agriculture Infographic A motion graphic communicating interesting facts about Australian agriculture. youtube.com

Schools Battle It Out Over Chickens

To keep you informed, please see a link to this month's 'Chook Chat' (the blog for the Australian Chicken Meat Industry) focusing on a recent school competition growing meat chickens and how close to commercial industry standards they can get in their own facilities.

An interesting topic showing how schools are learning about good animal husbandry and care, and at the same time about what it means to be engaged in a really significant food producing industry – and it can all be done within a school term.

The direct link to the post is http://bit.ly/1EMcpM3 or visit the blog homepage www.chookchat.org.au. Blog updates will also be communicated via the ACMF twitter channel (acmf@chookinfoline).

About the ACMF The Australian Chicken Meat Federation (ACMF) is the peak body of Australia’s chicken meat industry, representing both growers and processors. Its members are the five State Chicken Meat Councils (NSW, VIC, QLD, SA and WA), the Australian Chicken Growers’ Council and the Australian Poultry Industries Association. Its blog 'Chook Chat' is aimed at providing an insight into the way the chicken industry does things and why – it is not intended to promote products, but to provide the facts. For more information about Australian Chicken Meat Federation, visit http://www.chicken.org.au/

Media inquiries contact: Quay Communications, Emma Norgrove, M:0499 688 001, T:02 9386 9161,[email protected] - ENDS -

For more information about Australian Chicken Meat Federation, visit http://www.chicken.org.au/

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2015 Autumn Bulletin No 46 www.nswaat.org.au

Weed ID – The Ute Guide

Egg Grab n Grade

Teejet Spray select

Yates garden guide

Sheep condition scoring

APVMA

GRCD Weed ID

Drought feed calculator

MLA

The Land

My Class Table

Paddock to Plate

Farm Manager

Pestbook

Poultry Pal

OTHER FABULOUS WEBSITES RECOMMENDED BY AG TEACHERS

http://www.learning.schools.nsw.edu.au/plants/ http://nswschoolanimals.com/poultry-fowls/ - videos on keeping poultry in schools http://www.hsc.csu.edu.au/agriculture/farm_study/4548/milk-product-index.html

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2015 Autumn Bulletin No 46 www.nswaat.org.au

MERRIWA CENTRAL SCHOOL

On May 8th, Merriwa Central School was represented at the 2015 Singleton Beef and Land Management Association‘s Junior Judging event by a small group of students from years 9-12 Agriculture/Primary Industries. Two students, Travis Sutton and Craig Walker both reached the oral judging round of the competition and were awarded third and highly commended respectively in the 16-18 years category. The team also won an encouragement award with a cheque for $250 to be used by the Agriculture Department, which will go straight to the steer program.

Students from years 9-11 Agriculture also entered a competition to win a stud Angus heifer. This entailed submitting a 500 word essay on ‗Why my school would like to win a heifer?‖ before the event and being represented by a group of three at an interview before a panel of judges on the day. A number of teams from years wrote essays, which were then combined to make one submission. At the event Hanna Byfield, April Eipper and Craig Walker were our representatives and by all accounts did an amazing job. This view was obviously shared by the judges who awarded them one of the two heifers. This heifer will be the start of a breeding program for us, something that we have wanted to start for a few years now. She also comes with two straws of semen from a very nice Angus bull.

We are very excited about the results from this event, which is our first cattle event for the year. Hopefully this bodes well for the rest of the season!

Lois Harrison

Craig Walker, Hanna Byfield and April Eipper. 46

2015 Autumn Bulletin No 46 www.nswaat.org.au

School challenge steers the future of agriculture

STUDENTS from 16 schools across Sydney gained a valuable learning aid earlier this month when they were allocated a steer to feed and prepare for 100 days. It’s all part of the annual UniSchools Steer Challenge, where students take responsibility for preparing a steer for competition both on the hoof and hook. University of Western Sydney adjunct fellow in the school of science and health, and competition organiser, Stephen Blunden, said close to 120 students attended the training day at Richmond, where each participating school was also allocated their steer via ballot for the competition. “Every year we have a fresh batch of students, still as keen as ever, and their teachers are still putting in a lot of effort to enable this all to happen,” he said. “Past students involved in the UniSchools steer competition have gone on to study agriculture, both here at the University of Western Sydney, and elsewhere.” Pictured are students who attended the training day, which included sessions on parading, animal welfare, clipping and grooming, carcase traits, nutrition and live animal assessment. TheUniSchools live day will be held at Hawkesbury Showground in August.

– NICK HEYDON 47

2015 Autumn Bulletin No 46 www.nswaat.org.au

Selected Snippets from the past 6 months

To subscribe to the newsletter go to the website: www.pief.com.au or email [email protected]

Save the Date - PIEFA Conference 2016 2 - 3 May 2016 Canberra, ACT As promised last month, we are excited to announce our conference will now be held in Canberra in 2016. Please mark this date in your diaries and keep an eye on the newsletter for further announcements.

Learning from the Canadian model of agricultural education Canadian Nuffield Scholar, Becky Parker, visited Australia and New Zealand as part of her Nuffield Scholarship which is titled "Collaborative Models of Agriculture Career Education". Becky has been sponsored through the Nuffield Canada Agricultural Scholarships program by Glacier Farm Media. She is meeting with a range of agricultural industry organisations in Sydney, Melbourne and Hobart.

PIEFA Board Member, Stuart Hemmings and Chair, Cameron Archer met Becky in Sydney recently and discussed matters of mutual interest. Becky works for the Ontario Agrifood Education, which amongst other work, implements the Agriculture in the Classroom program in Ontario. She is also leader within the 4H Organisation for youth. The Agrifood project has been going for over 25 years and is funded by the Ministry for Agriculture along with corporate sponsorship. They have a range of interesting initiatives similar to PIEFA but operate only in one province. Most Canadian provinces have an agriculture in the classroom program of one kind or other. Becky had a lot of good ideas as to how there can be greater learning about agriculture in classrooms.

In particular, Becky spoke of the value of the Food Systems Diagram in highlighting the integration of careers in the agricultural sector. She also spoke of the Teacher Ambassador initiative and the role these teachers play as classroom educators for agriculture in the classroom project, as well as being facilitators for school groups attending industry events such as the Canada Outdoor Farm Show, (similar to our Ag Quip and other industry Field Day events

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2015 Autumn Bulletin No 46 www.nswaat.org.au

Resources on Primezone

From paddock to plate (ABC Splash) F - 1 Science Discover where food comes from and how it gets to the table. Explore farming practices and the processes involved in producing familiar food products. Use video clips to investigate the biological needs of food crops and farm animals. Explore the diversity of foods that may be produced from a range of agricultural produce.

Changing conditions in the pig industry Years 7 - 8 Technologies, Science and Geography This unit encourages students to examine aspects of pork production and the things that farmers are doing to produce and house their animals ethically, comfortably and more sustainably. Students explore new and existing designs, methods and technologies involved on Australian pig farms to house and produce pigs, manage resources sustainably and adapt to changing conditions.

Genetically engineered crops (ABC Splash) Year 10 Science Explore how DNA and genes transmit heritable characteristics from one generation to the next. Discover how artificial selection and genetic engineering can be used to introduce desirable traits into plant foods. Use video clips to explore the arguments for and against genetically engineered crops. Examine different perspectives and opinions on genetically modified (GM) foods.

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2015 Autumn Bulletin No 46 www.nswaat.org.au

around the traps

I attended the NSW Young Farmers Sydney Branch Launch at the Commercial Hotel In Sydney. We were joined by National Earth Hour Manager- Anna Rose, and Gardening Australia host Costa Georgiadis. Both speakers provoked thought to our attendees, to be proactive, be innovative, and make positive changes for a resourceful and productive future in agriculture. In the words of Anna- ''You are all more powerful than you think'. Many Ag University Students and Food Movement groups were present. Jo Newton Vice Chair of NSW Young Farmers opened the evening by saying that it was her experience at High School doing Agriculture that influenced her involvement in the industry. The evening was inspiring to say the least. Unfortunately, I seem to have been the only Ag Teacher present. Membership is $100 per year which includes tickets to events. Contact - Camille Coleman - [email protected] http://www.nswfarmers.org.au/advocacy/councils/young- farmers-council. The next event is Oysters and Champagne at Parliament House in Sydney. Skye Van Der Berge

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