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CD-Rom Tips On Vegetable Irrigation

NSW Agriculture has released an interactive CD-ROM for irrigated vegetable crops. While the information is targeted at crops in the Murray-Darling basin, there is a wealth of information for melon, processing tomato, carrot and onion growers.

By Department of Primary Industries - 5th April 2005 - Back to News

These guidelines were developed by Bill Ashcroft, Mark Hickey, Robert Hoogers, Kim Philpot, Jane Hulme and Abdi Qassim.

The publication is part of a joint project funded through the strategic investigations and education program of the Murray-Darling Basin Commission (MDBC), among the National Vegetable Industry Centre, Yanco, NSW Agriculture and other staff in NSW Agriculture, and the Office and Institute of Sustainable Irrigated Agriculture, Tatura, Department of Primary Industries (DPI).

Irrigation is a major input for successful vegetable crop production in southern NSW and northern Victoria. Its efficiency is becoming more important as demand grows for water. How that water is managed on-farm depends on the grower’s experience and approach to irrigation scheduling.

Outlined in the manual are tips for success in managing sprinkler and furrow irrigation. The guidelines, based on field investigations, combine the knowledge and skills of growers, researchers and consultants. Growers who follow the guidelines can:

• Improve investment returns by increasing yield and crop quality;
• Save irrigation water so cropping area can be increased or surplus water sold;
• Reduce drainage volumes and chemicals moving off-farm;
• Reduce environmental impacts of irrigation, keeping rivers and ecosystems healthy; and
• Make less water available to weeds and diseases, thus reducing pesticide use.

For further information contact Bill Ashcroft at DPI Tatura on 5833 5222.

PRODUCTIVE GRAZING, HEALTHY RIVERS FIELD DAY - IMPROVING RIPARIAN AND IN-STREAM BIODIVERSITY

You are invited to attend the Productive Grazing, Healthy Rivers field day on Thursday 21^st April 2005 at the Athlone Hall, on the Drouin-Korumburra Rd, Athlone, commencing at 10.00am. Lunch will be provided.

Participants will have the opportunity to hear about the project and have an informal discussion with the Productive Grazing, Healthy Rivers team.

Some of the topics to be covered are:

• How can weeds in your riparian zones be better managed?
• What biodiversity is found in your riparian zones?
• How you can assess biodiversity on your farm?
• What are water bugs and what do they indicate about water quality?
• How can weeds impact on the regeneration of native trees?

Techniques used in the project will be demonstrated during a walk along a creek at a local farm.

Management of riparian areas (land besides waterways) is not usually considered an integral part of a grazing business. However for farmers who have access to creeks and rivers, the management of riparian land has a direct impact on their productivity.

A study in 2002 of the condition of riparian zones on dairy farms in Gippsland, showed that the majority of the areas are in poor condition.

The Productive Grazing, Healthy Rivers project aims to improve riparian and in stream biodiversity in high rainfall, intensive grazing systems through better management practices for riparian zones and remnant vegetation.

For further information and to help with numbers, please contact Leah Fensham at DPI Ellinbank on 5624 2222.

EYE CANCER OF CATTLE

Eye cancer or malignant tumour is a common condition of the eyeball or eyelid of cattle. It is most common in Herefords or their crosses and is most likely to be seen in older cattle. It is rarely seen in other breeds.

Australian climatic conditions, with excessive solar radiation, contribute to a higher prevalence of eye cancer in this breed than in their natural environment in the Northern Hemisphere.

It is illegal to put cattle with malignant tumours, including eye cancers, into Victorian saleyards. It is also illegal to bring these cattle into Victoria without a licence. However, special conditions allowing the sale of cattle with very early stage cancers apply in saleyards.

The recommended method of disposal of cattle with small eye cancers is to send them direct to an abattoir. However, cancerous growths up to the size of a five-cent coin that are not bleeding or discharging may be sent to a saleyard for slaughter.

Cattle with eye cancers between the size of a five cent coin and a 20 cent coin (2-3 cm) that are not bleeding or discharging may go direct to an abattoir at the owner's risk of non payment. Otherwise, they must be treated or destroyed humanely on the farm. They must not go in, or near, a saleyard.

Under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, owners may face cruelty charges if they allow eye cancers to grow too large. In all cases, early detection and treatment or disposal is necessary. As cancer is a notifiable disease, owners should seek veterinary advice when in doubt.

Coloured cards showing various types of eye cancers are available to assist cattle producers deal with this disease. These are available from Stock Agents and DPI offices.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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