16 December 2009 The Department of Agriculture and Food is conducting a targeted survey in the South West on the lookout for Red Imported Fire Ants. The exotic pest has not been found in Western Australia, but an infestation in Queensland has prompted nationwide surveillance. The department&rs... more

10 December 2009 The Department of Agriculture and Food has commended the Western Australian public for helping guard the State’s environment and primary industries against exotic pests. The department’s Pest and Disease Information Service (PaDIS) spokesman Marc Widmer said Western... more

A unique grains harvest is underway to explore the potential of growing quality barley and wheat specifically for pig feed. The research brings together the Department of Agriculture and Food, Murdoch University and InterGrain, as part of a diverse project funded by the Pork Cooperative Research... more

Thursday, 10 December 2009 New laws introduced this month will provide greater certainty relating to animal welfare, biosecurity and traceability standards for Victoria’s livestock industry. Introducing the Livestock Management Act into Parliament this week, Agriculture Minister Joe Helpe... more

16 Dec 2009 Continued dry conditions throughout spring and late frosts in the NSW grain belt have impacted on winter crop yields and summer crop sowings. Industry & Investment NSW winter cereals specialist, Frank McRae, said 95% of the winter crop harvest was complete, following an early s... more

more

Farmers affected by a bushfire west of Bundarra from 12 December can apply for Natural Disaster Assistance, NSW Minister for Primary Industries, Steve Whan, said today. Mr Whan said bushfire affected more than 15,700 hectares in the NSW northern tablelands between Bundarra, Barraba and Bingara. ... more

14 Dec 2009 Scientists from Industry & Investment NSW are a step closer to reducing the impact of weeds in Australian crops, with a further $230,000 being spent researching a weed seed management tool. The five year $1million project is a joint effort between scientists at I&I NSW Wagg... more

Premier Kristina Keneally has announced an extension of a number of assistance measures for drought-affected farmers as she undertakes a two day tour of rural NSW. Ms Keneally made the announcement while visiting Bundarra near Armidale. The $8 million extension of several key initiatives refle... more

Premier Kristina Keneally will tour drought-affected NSW today and tomorrow as new figures show more than 80 per cent of NSW is now officially in drought, with seven more regions moving into drought. In total, more than 95 per cent of NSW is either in drought or considered marginally in droug... more

A three year national project to assess potential benefits of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in broadacre farming is due to start next January. Industry & Investment (I&I) NSW research entomologist at Wagga Wagga, Joanne Holloway, said the search has begun for a NSW site to set up comp... more

Trangie Agricultural Research Centre (TARC) is on track to host the 2010 NSW Conservation Agriculture Field Day on Thursday, February 18. Industry & Investment (I&I) NSW TARC manager, Anne Mabey, said the Department was a partner with the Conservation Agriculture and No-till Farming Asso... more

The future of the Department of Agriculture and Food’s internationally renowned lupin breeding program has been assured by new five-year, $14million funding.   Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman said the State Government would contribute $9million and the Grains Research and ... more

With all signs pointing towards a locust plague this spring, Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman today announced additional funding of $1.2million to help control potential swarms in Western Australia’s grain growing regions.   Mr Redman said it was important to be prepared as... more

Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman today opened a new state-of-the-art strawberry packing house and launched a new variety of strawberry in Wanneroo.   Mr Redman said it was a little known fact that strawberries are Western Australia’s most valuable fruit export.   &... more

Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman today presented $44,000 to the Ravensthorpe Declared Species Group (DSG) to help tackle the threat of wild dogs in the area.   Speaking at the Newdegate field day, Mr Redman said the funds were part of an ongoing commitment by the State Government... more

Farmers are being urged to be on the lookout for mice across NSW, with winter crops at risk of extensive damage from mice over the next few months, Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald said today. The latest monitoring by the Livestock Health and Pest Authority has revealed that mice nu... more

A new independent study has revealed primary producers could be winners and major contributors to climate change strategy if the farm sector is positioned as a carbon trading offset provider, NSW Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald said today. The study ‘Agriculture and greenhous... more

The NSW Government will conduct a review of the Bovine Johne's Disease program to identify the next steps and determine whether BJD zones in NSW can be removed, Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald announced today. The Minister has appointed Alex McDonald to chair the review, who is the... more

08 Sep 2009 Eligible grape growers and viticulturists will have the opportunity to learn the latest applied scientific research on protecting vineyard health at a workshop featuring a range of world experts and get all their costs reimbursed. "We are very lucky to have experts from the USA... more