Department of Primary Industries and Regions’ Post

Happy #natforestryday24 Australia! 🌲🌲 Did you know that every tree that is harvested for South Australia’s forestry industries is planted specifically for wood production?? This is to make sure our native forests are protected, and forest industries remain sustainable as they continue to support the state’s economy and regional communities. 👏 These sustainably grown and harvested trees produce a variety of products including timber for housing industries, fence posts and trellis for agricultural farms as well as high quality paper for writing and printing. However, none of this would be possible without the contribution of the 6,500 full-time employees in the South Australian forestry sector. 🧑🤝🧑 #PIRSA #natforestryday24 Australian Forest Products Association

A snapper, a scientist, a recreational fisher and a conservationist walk into a bar. What happens next….? In response to the depleted Snapper stocks in SA waters, the current Snapper fishery closures draw a lot of passionate discussion and commentary – and understandably so! This #ScienceWeek we take stock of the 12 research projects of the Snapper Science Program, led by SARDI, that will inform government decision making and policy to support the recovery of the Snapper fishery. From biology and ecology, to estimating biomass, and ongoing monitoring and assessment – the Snapper research undertaken here in SA is the most comprehensive of its kind in Australia. But don’t take our word for it. Read about this critical work at the online Snapper Recovery Hub – developed and published in collaboration with the Snapper Science Stakeholder Group – a contingent of commercial, charter and recreational fishery representatives, along with major funding partner the FRDC - Fisheries Research and Development Corporation Snapper recovery - PIRSA 👉 https://ow.ly/X83m50SYYIG

Pardon you! 🤭 But thanks, great job, and happy #ScienceWeek to ewe! 🤲 Livestock emissions, including those from sheep, account for 15% of Australia’s total greenhouse gas emissions, with methane from livestock making up 70% of all agricultural emissions. Scientists at SARDI are tackling this climate challenge head-on (literally) with their flocks of research partners out at Turretfield Research Centre, Barossa. You’d need to ask our talented staff exactly how they trained the sheep to eat from this high-tech methane-measuring feeding machine, but it took them no less than 8 weeks! Feed is dispensed every 30 seconds and whilst Woolly Wilma chews that up, she drops the goods, and the methane is measured. You see it’s the burps, not the farts, from livestock that are the real threat to climate. And that’s why the Australian Government is announcing a further $3m investment in the Methane Emissions Reduction in Livestock (MERiL) Program. Learn more about that here 👉 https://ow.ly/NRNa50SYYE8 Data source: Australian Government’s Climate Change Authority

Over 400 exhibitors arrived in Cleve this week for the well-known agricultural Eyre Peninsula Field Days which attracted more than 10,000 visitors over the 3-day event. The Eyre Peninsula Field Days showcase new farming technologies, innovation and inspiration for the SA rural community. With expert speakers, displays and demonstrations, the event helps to build growth, education, partnership and sustainability for SA farmers and rural communities. PIRSA’s biosecurity, drought management, fisheries and aquaculture teams were on site in the PIRSA tent and spoke to many attendees throughout the event. Topics of interest included support and education for producers on SA’s transition to electronic identification (eID) for sheep and farmed goats, how the SA Drought Hub is helping farmers with drought resilience, and how the AgTech program is supporting primary producers to adopt to fit-for-purpose and cost-effective technology to improve productivity and performance on-farm. #PIRSA #EPFieldDays

F****! The F-word in a farmer’s vernacular is not what you might expect… It’s FROST ❄️❄️❄️ - the dreaded natural phenomenon that can take down harvest yields overnight – at great expense! SARDI scientists are currently working on developing FROST-resistant wheat breeds that layer themselves up protectively with thicker, fatter, juicer and higher-grain-count spikes. The hypothesis is a sturdier spike of wheat is more likely to fare better in a frost event. For example, if 50% of florets were lost to frost, an 80-grain per spike breed would still have a higher number of grains filled at maturity than a 60-grain variety… great news for yields, and farmers! This is important work, because production risk from frost, especially for wheat, has risen by up to 30% in recent decades… a workplace hazard on a grand scale. A current trial of higher-yielding wheat is currently underway at frost-prone Farrell Flat on Ngadjuri Country. The trial will be harvested in November when yield and spike traits (seed number and seed weight) will be analysed. Using cutting edge science like this to support farmers and SA’s primary industries with current challenges is why SARDI has such a passionate and dedicated team of experts on its books. We’re proud to be working in partnership with Mick Faulkner of Agrilink Agricultural Consultants Pty Ltd on this important trial. Learn more 👉 https://ow.ly/Jltj50SYYBR This work is supported by the SA Drought Hub #ScienceWeek

SARDI’s research boat, the MRV Ngerin really gets around! See where it is right now: https://ow.ly/o9rG50SYYbV This #ScienceWeek, researchers from University of Tasmania's Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies - IMAS are leveraging their Southern Australian Coastal Research Vessel Fleet (SCRVF)-fully funded voyage on the Ngerin to explore Beagle Marine Park in central Bass Strait. In collaboration with Parks Australia and the National Environmental Science Program (NESP @nespmarinecoastal) the researchers are assessing the effectiveness of Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) to observe the sea floor – potentially transforming the way Parks Australia monitors and protects Australian Marine Parks. Observations through the an underwater robot fitted with seven cameras have revealed thousands of Port Jackson sharks, huge scallops and bright sponge-covered reefs 50-70 metres below the surface. Applications close on the 28th of August, more info on the fleet and how you can apply for fully-funded sea time here 👉 https://ow.ly/SzFe50SYYbW https://ow.ly/o9rG50SYYbV

Call out for last minute applications from wine industry professionals with expertise in tourism, sustainability, research and academia, winemaking and viticulture! The Great Wine Capitals Outbound Knowledge Exchange Bursary Program is a chance to travel overseas and build knowledge and skills by learning from international industry experts. Applications close soon (Friday 23 August, 5.00pm ACST) - https://lnkd.in/gmbn6Rqk South Australian Tourism Commission | South Australian Wine Industry Association | University of Adelaide #GreatWineCapitals #AdelaideGreatWineCapital 

If you follow this channel, you’d know that many thousands of sterile fruit flies have been released across SA regions to combat Queensland fruit fly. But how are they made sterile? Scientists from SARDI have been working side by side with PIRSA’s Biosecurity team at a dedicated facility in Port Augusta… Here, under high biosecurity conditions, they breed the fruit flies, mark the larvae with a special dye, and expose them to a massive X-ray! This wipes out their reproductive capabilities so that when released over affected areas, their best attempts at procreation fall, well,… flat. That’s great news for fruit and veg. Bad news for fruit flies! This #ScienceWeek discover more about this technique and its impacts here: Sterile insect technique (SIT) - PIRSA (https://ow.ly/4Ilq50SYbSU)

‘Be the Change’ was the theme for this year’s Thriving Women Conference delivered by WoTL (Women Learning Together) in the Adelaide Hills. Congratulations to the WoTL team for putting on this showcase that brings together over 200 women in agriculture from across South Australia. As stewards of the land, innovators in sustainable practices, and advocates for rural communities, this conference empowers women in agriculture and rural communities to spearhead positive change and work towards a sustainable future for agriculture. PIRSA is proud to support this initiative and women in ag. #TW2024 #thrivingwomen