Technical Annual Report 2004-05
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Northern Territory Department of Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines Primary Industries Technical Annual Report 2004-05 Primary Industries Berrimah Farm Makagon Road Berrimah NT 0828 GPO Box 3000 Darwin NT 0801 AUSTRALIA www.primaryindustry.nt.gov.au [email protected] Tel: +61 8 8999 2202 Fax: +61 8 8999 2307 Technical Bulletin No. 323 Price: $11.00 ISSN: 0158-2763 Please note: Although the research, development and extension work outlined in this Technical Annual Report was conducted under the previous Department of Business, Industry and Resource Development, it is being reported under the new Department of Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines (DPIFM). This is being done in order to promote the new DPIFM among the Northern Territory primary industries and because the work is of an ongoing nature. DISCLAIMER While all care has been taken to ensure that information contained in this Technical Bulletin is true and correct at the time of publication, changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of its information. The Northern Territory of Australia gives no warranty or assurance, and makes no representation as to the accuracy of any information or advice contained in this Technical Bulletin, or that it is suitable for your intended use. You should not rely upon information in this publication for the purpose of making any serious, business or investment decisions without obtaining independent and/or professional advice in relation to your particular situation. The Northern Territory of Australia disclaims any liability or responsibility or duty of care towards any person for loss or damage caused by any use of or reliance on the information contained in this publication. October 2005 CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................5 PASTORAL........................................................................................................................................................7 SERVICE: AGRICULTURE ...................................................................................................................7 Program: Cattle Production from Mixed Farms ...................................................................................7 Sub-program: Livestock Management .................................................................................................7 Program: Improved Pasture, Hay and Seed Production ...................................................................26 Sub-program: Pasture Development..................................................................................................26 Program: Irrigation Production...........................................................................................................32 Sub-program: Douglas Daly - Irrigated Crops....................................................................................32 Sub-program: Cotton..........................................................................................................................44 Program: Dry Land Cropping.............................................................................................................48 Sub-program: Farming Systems ........................................................................................................48 Program: Buffalo Production..............................................................................................................49 Program: Agroforestry........................................................................................................................53 Program: Extension ...........................................................................................................................61 Program: Weeds ................................................................................................................................62 SERVICE: PASTORAL PRODUCTION...............................................................................................71 Program: Native Pasture Management .............................................................................................71 Program: Grazing Management.........................................................................................................75 Program: Herd Management .............................................................................................................85 Program: Extension and Training ......................................................................................................93 Sub-program: Indigenous Pastoral Program ...........................................................................100 SERVICE: ANIMAL DISEASE CONTROL ........................................................................................102 Program: Berrimah Veterinary Laboratories ....................................................................................112 Sub-program: Diagnostic Pathology ........................................................................................114 Sub-program: Virology .............................................................................................................117 SERVICE: LIVESTOCK MARKET ACCESS .....................................................................................125 Program: Livestock Market Access..................................................................................................125 SERVICE: RESEARCH FARMS........................................................................................................140 Program: Research Farms...............................................................................................................140 SERVICE: TECHNICAL SERVICES - LIVESTOCK EXPORTS........................................................143 Program: Technical Services...........................................................................................................143 Sub-program: Livestock Exports..............................................................................................143 SERVICE: WATER MICROBIOLOGY...............................................................................................148 Program: Water Microbiology ..........................................................................................................148 Sub-program: Water Microbiology Laboratories ......................................................................148 RESOURCE PROTECTION.......................................................................................................................... 150 SERVICE: PLANT HEALTH (PRODUCTION).................................................................................. 150 Program: Plant Health (Production) ................................................................................................ 150 SERVICE: PLANT HEALTH (PROTECTION)................................................................................... 188 Program: Plant Health (Protection) ................................................................................................. 188 HORTICULTURE........................................................................................................................................... 208 SERVICE: HORTICULTURE INDUSTRY INFORMATION SERVICE ............................................. 208 Program: Horticulture Industry Development Service..................................................................... 208 Program: Indigenous Horticulture Development ............................................................................. 220 Program: New and Improved Products........................................................................................... 222 Program: Production Systems ........................................................................................................ 241 Program: Supply Chain Development............................................................................................. 269 Program: Horticulture Information Service...................................................................................... 272 PUBLICATIONS, CONFERENCE PAPERS AND PRESENTATIONS ........................................................ 274 Technical Annual Report 2004-05 INTRODUCTION Following the Northern Territory elections in 2005, Government Departments were restructured in order to improve the efficiency of delivery of services to the community. To focus more on the provision of services to the three natural resource base industries in the Territory, the Department of Business, Industry and Resource Development became the Department of Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines (DPIFM). This Technical Annual Report presents a summary of research, development and extension services provided to the Territory’s primary industry in 2004-05 by Primary Industries in DPIFM. Those services covered the three major areas of primary industry: pastoral, resource protection and horticulture. Many services are provided through investigative projects which are conducted either on government research farms or on private farms. The aim is to deliver timely solutions to problems that limit the profitability and sustainability of primary industry enterprises. The Pastoral Division provides research, development and extension services to the pastoral and agricultural industries to improve productivity, profitability and sustainability.