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2011 News
Happy Christmas from the Graham Centre
23 December 2011
We would like to take this opportunity to wish you a very Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year. Travel safe and enjoy the time with your family and friends. Looking forward to working with you all again in 2012.
Blackleg breakthroughs
22 December 2011
Blackleg is a devastating disease of canola but if it is contained, canola can continue to be a mainstay crop in mixed farming systems in southern New South Wales. A conference on February 7, 2012 will discuss exciting and new research findings that will reduce blackleg impacts. Read more.
Strengthening overseas partnerships
19 December 2011
Dr Hao Zhang, a visiting scientist from Inner Mongolian Agricultural University, will be working with Dr Guangdi Li and his team for the coming six months. Dr Zhang's expertise is in plant ecology, particularly in the area of reproductive allocation in relation to population density, propagule size and environmental conditions. Dr Zhang will be working with the pasture research team on a range of projects, including the EverCrop and Crop sequence projects. Dr Zhang will also run glasshouse/hydroponic experiments in the area of perennial legume screening in acid soils.
Great debate steals the spotlight
19 December 2011
Graham Centre staffand members gathered last week for the annual Graham Centre End of Year Function.
The Inaugural great debate addressing the topic 'There is no future for the sheep industry in the mixed farming zone' provided much entertainment with the 'Government' team of Jim Virgona,Julie Pattemore and Michael Friend claiming victory over the 'Oppositon' team of Gaye Krebs, John Harper and Jane Quinn. Members were also recognised for their 2011 achievements.
Stubble Management - an integrated approach
9 December 2011
The benefits of stubble retention are well known, but wet seasons have seen a shift in farmer attitudes towards stubble management. Managing high stubble loads requires careful planning to ensure effective sowing during the following season. The Graham Centre's brochure 'Stubble Management - an integrated approach' is now available for farmers, agribusiness and the wider community. The brochure provides an overview of stubble management options - at harvest, after harvest and at sowing, and the need for an integrated management approach that combines several strategies. Other information on weather conditions, new research findings, the Rural Fire Service and where to go for further information are also included. Contact the Graham Centre for hard copies or download here.
Farewell to Vice-Chancellor
8 December 2011
The Graham Centre Board of Management met for their final 2011 meeting in Wagga today. The Board and Research Management Committee members enjoyed a dinner the evening before, to thank and farewell CSU Vice-Chancellor and Graham Centre Board Member Professor Ian Goulter. Professor Goulter has been instrumental in establishing and guiding the Graham Centre and we wish him well in his retirement.
Program logic workshop
1 December 2011
The clear message from our funding providers
is that we must be able to demonstrate strong links to all stakeholders and monitor and evaluate the outcomes of research investment. Twenty one Graham Centre researchers (PhD students, extension staff and established researchers) participated in a Pilot Program Logic Workshop at Wagga on 29-30 November. Researchers received training on developing Program Logic models for project planning.
The benefits of a program logic framework include: defines the parameters of a project, clearly spells out the outcomes and issues the project will address, clarifies target audiences - the supply chain from research findings to application, spells out the changes that will occur because of the project, ensures assumptions are explicit (e.g. linkages + activities), clarifies how, when, and who will monitor outcomes and facilitates measurement of impact.
Perennial wheat team meets in Wagga
1 December 2011
The Perennial Wheat team of researchers from NSW DPI, CSU and CSIRO met in Wagga today to discuss 'Dry matter partioning and root growth in perennial wheat'. The research aims to quantify the lifecycle, re-growth, root and shoot dry matter partioning, water use and yield of wheat (5 perennial varieities and 1 control) in the plant crop, over the dry season fallow and the ratoon crop. It is also aiming to quantify how these patterns change if water is withheld during the dry season fallow alone and during the dry season fallow and ratoon crop.
Expert comment on Basin draft plan
25 November 2011
The highly anticipated draft plan setting out how water will be managed in the Murray Darling Basin will be released on Monday 28 November. Graham Centre Director Professor Deirdre Lemerle and Centre member Dr Iain Hume, a specialist in agricultural hydrology, are amongst a number of commentators available to provide analysis of various aspects of the draft Murray Darling Basin Plan. Read more.
Forming Collaborative partnerships
25 November 2011
Dr Abul Hashem, a Senior Research Officer with the Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia visited the Graham Centre on 24 November. While here, Dr Hashem spoke with several Centre members regarding potential collaboration on national and international projects. He also toured the facilities here in Wagga and spoke with several post-graduate students.
Agricultural science careers in action
23 November 2011
From laboratory testing to sloshing around in rice paddies and working in a winery, a student camp with a difference is being hosted by the Primary Industries Centre for Science Education (PICSE) from Monday 28 November. The experience aims to give high school students an insight into science career paths. Read more
Targeting teachers to inspire science careers
23 November 2011
The role science plays in helping agriculture meet the global challenge of feeding almost nine billion people by 2050 was the key topic of discussion among school teachers at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga this week. The Primary Industries Centre for Science Education (PICSE) hosted 10 teachers from the Riverina, Victoria and South Australia for two days of professional development from Monday 21 November. Read more
Draft Murray Darling Basin Plan soon to be released
8 November 2011
Murray-Darling Basin ministers met today as the newly-named Legislative and Governance Forum on the Murray-Darling Basin (formerly known as the Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council). Following the outcomes from today's Ministerial Forum the MDBA is now clear to commence the 20-week formal consultation period on the draft Basin Plan from the 28 November 2011. The consultation period will allow people to learn more about the issues affecting the basin and enable them to have their say and contribute to the future of this very important region of Australia.
Trial looks at beneficial way to recycle dairy cow manure
31 October 2011
The Dairy NSW Members' Council meeting at Wagga Wagga this week will include a visit on Tuesday 1 November to a local dairy farm that has been the focus of research trailling the application of composted dairy waste to irrigated forage crops. Read more
Minister for Primary Industries visits the Graham Centre
27 October 2011
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The Minister for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson, visited the Graham Centre yesterday as part of her visit to DPI and CSU, Wagga. Centre Director Deirdre Lemerle and IAC Chair Lucinda Corrigan met with the Minister showing her the new NaLsH facilities, highlighting the Centre's expanding capacity in facilities and showing our research to increase productivity in a variable environment. Ms Hodgkinson also met with Centre PhD students, gaining an understanding of the wide scope of research being undertaken.
Picnic showcases Graham Centre wetlands
27 October 2011
The Innagural Graham Centre Wetlands picnic on Wednesday 26th October was an opportunity to showcase the wetlands to community and school groups. Representatives from local Landcare groups, Greening Australia, Wagga Wagga City Council, TAFE and local schools attended, hearing and seeing first hand the development of the wetlands as part of the field site and the opportunities for including native ecosystems within agricultural landscapes.
More education needed to improve animal welfare standards
26 October 2011
Graham Centre member and CSU expert in animal production belives greater education is the key to improving animal welfare standards in the live export chain. Professor Peter Wynn was welcomed new rules for the $1 billion Australian live export trade. The federal government has accepted recommendations of the Independent Review of Australia;s Livestock Export Trade and by the end of 2012 all live exports will be traced and auited. Read more
2nd Annual International Food and Trade Exhibition
25 October 2011
The 2nd Annual International food and trade exhibition was held today, celebrating the cultural diversity of CSU for United Nations Day. Thirteen nations were represented wearing their native costume and providing a banquet of food from their native countries. It was fantastic to see the post- graduate students taking so much pride in their countries and cultures. The International Food and Trade Exhibition was sponsored by the Graham Centre and the National Wine and Grape Industry Centre.
Snap-shot of research trials and results for agribusiness
21 October 2011
The Annual Graham Centre Agribusiness Field Day was held on Tuesday 18 October, with 40 consultants and advisors from across southern NSW attending. The field day was a travelling day looking at research trials at the Graham Centre and NSW DPI field sites. The field day provided a snap-shot of current research looking at integrated weed management - in particular wild radish, herbicide control of fleabane, canola sowing time, impact of yellow leaf spot on wheat yield, canola drought tolerance, wheat crop tolerance, tynes versus discs - herbicide crop safety, annual legumes - new varieties and species and companion perennial pasture species.
2011 Riverina volunteer of the year
18 October 2011
The Graham Centre's Professor Ted Wolfe has won the award for 2011 Riverina Volunteer of the Year. Ted won the award for his outstanding commitment and dedication to his work as a volunteer and has enriched the community in which he serves.
The state volunteer awards ceremony will be held on 5 December at Parliament House, Sydney.
Congratulations and well done Ted.
Showcasing native plants in the farming environment
6 October 2011
A native plant nursery if to be established at the Graham Centre as part of a demonstration site for sustainable farming practices. The nursery has received funding from the CSU Sustatinability Grant Program, administerd by CSU Green. Read more
Graham Centre field site part of regional study tour
6 October 2011
Agricultural science students from Sydney University last week visited the Graham Centre field site as part of a study tour of the region. Researchers from the Graham Centre, CSU and DPI addressed the group speaking about their trial demonstrations on pasture varieties, crop sequencing, herbicide resistance, stubble management, crop diseases, soils and biosecurity - on-farm and in the supply chain.
Riverina students are top crop
20 September 2011
Agricultural science students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) have again excelled at the Australian University Crops Competition held in Temora in September with two students named in the competition’s top five. Crop agronomy lecturer in the School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences at CSU in Wagga Wagga, and Graham Centre member Dr Sergio Moroni said, “The Charles Sturt University team performed extremely well throughout the competition. The seriousness of the event did not deter them from enjoying themselves. They made me proud.” Read more.
School students solve science questions
20 September 2011
From bouncing balls to lava lamps, teenage sleep deprivation to what makes plants grow – 100 school students have put their scientific theories to the test at a competition held at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga. The Science Investigation Awards were held by the Primary Industries Centre for Science Education, in partnership with CSU, on Friday 16 September. The major prize, the EH Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation’s Science Investigation Award, was won by Jasmine Garland, a Year 10 student from Mount Austin High School in Wagga Wagga, for her project looking at plant tolerance to acid, salt and grey water. Read more
Pigeon Virus Warning
19 September 2011
A veterinarian researching infectious diseases in wild pigeons and doves in Australia and overseas has supported calls for hobby pigeon owners to follow good biosecurity practices, following the DPI declaration on Thursday 15 September that the avian paramyxovirus is a notifiable emergency animal disease.
"Pigeon owners should limit the risk to their flocks by practising strict biosecurity," said Dr Andrew Peters, a veterinarian who is currently doing a PhD through the Graham Centre. He is researching infectious diseases in wild pigeons and doves in NSW, Queensland, Northern territory and Papua New Guinea. Read more
Graham Centre Field Site self-guided tours
19 September 2011
Graham Centre Director, Professor Deirdre Lemerle is encouraging growers, agribusiness and the broader community to take a self-guided tour of the Graham Centre Field Site. The field site is located on the corner of Coolamon and Prices Road. Field site booklets containing notes of demonstrations and researcher contact details can be found in the mailbox located inside the gate at the field site or downloaded here.
Interstate visitors impressed with Graham Centre Field Site
19 September 2011
On Monday 12 September, five students from Curtin University visited the School of Agriculture and Wine Sciences (SAWS) and the Graham Centre Field Site. The students visited as part of their trip to Temora to participate in the Australian University Crops Competition. The visit was hosted by Richard Early (Technical Officer, SAWS) and Dr Sergio Moroni, Graham Centre and Lecturer, SAWS.
Graham Centre Annual Field Day ticks all the boxes
8 September 2011
The annual Graham Centre Field Day held on 7 September proved successful with farmers and agribusiness, with about 80 people attending. Graham Centre researchers presented results from their demonstration trials with a particular focus on canola, stubble in cropping sequences, water movement and weed management.
Click here to view photos from the field day or read more about the demonstrations.
FarmLink Research Expo
6 September 2011
The inagural FarmLink Research Expo will be held on Wednesday 14 September 2011. The expo will showcase more than 3500 trial plots, more than a dozen research companies and Australia's largest merino evaluation. Expo invitation and further information.
Commentators on NSW budget
6 September 2011
The NSW O'Farrell government is due to bring down its first budget since the Coalition won office at the March state election. Professor and Director of the Graham Centre, Deirdre Lemerle, is available to provide comment and anlysis on the budget in relation to Agriculture and Primary Industries and what it means for the communities of regional NSW. CSU news
Industry research in the spotlight
5 September 2011
Research focussing on weed and disease management, the importance of diverse rotations – particularly canola, stubble in cropping sequences, and the behaviour of water movement and availability within the soil profile will be the focus of this year’s Graham Centre Annual Field Day.
Researchers from Charles Sturt University and the Department of Primary Industries will present their trials and results to growers, advisers and natural resource managers. Read more
Monitoring OJD in abattoirs
26 August 2011
Gudair vaccination coupled with abattoir monitoring is hailed as the key to a successful decade-long drive to reduce ovine Johne's disease (OJD) in NSW.
Over the past 10 years, 7.6 million sheep from 32,000 consignments from NSW have been monitroed by inspectors in abattoirs across eastern Australia, showing a progressive decline in OJD-infected sheep at slaughter.
Read more in the September edition of Agriculture Today.
Strong global reach
23 August 2011
The recent inaguration of the Feed Mill at the Agricultural University, Peshawar, Pakistan highlights the Graham Centre's strong international links. The Feed Mill was inaugurated by the University's Vice Chancellor, Professor Khan Bahadar and has been established as a component of the Feed Technology and Research Centre. The estimated cost of the Centre is $39.34 million.
The University is also hoping to have the dairy processing unit functional in the near future, facilitating the linkage of the University with the peri urban dairy farmers. A Dairy Herd Improvement Team has been established and will focus on reducing the losses on farms due to mis-management and enhancing product quality through better management practices, linking with formal markets through feed supply and milk collection. Professor Peter Wynn, Graham Centre, has been instrumental in establishing the Dairy Herd Improvement Team.
Assisting farmers in East Timor to improve crops
23 August 2011
In a country ranked as one of the poorest nations in the world with high illiteracy rates, it comes as no surprise that the approach of East Timor's farmers to managing diseases and pests in their crops is a far cry from Australia's approach to biosecurity.
Professor in Plant Pathology Gavin Ash, Graham Centre and Charles Sturt University is leading an AusAID-funded project to increase the capacity of East timor to imrpove its management of diseases and pests on crops.Read more
Student prize winner at ARAB conference
19 August 2011
Congratulations Siong Tan on your award for Best Student Prize at the recent 17th Australian .jpg)
Research Assembly on Brassicas (ARAB) in Wagga Wagga.
Siong is a Graham Centre PhD student researching "Isolation and characterisation of proteins from Australian canola varieties".
Diet may affect sex of lambs
17 August 2011
Research at Wagga Wagga revealing diet may affect the sex ratio of lambs by up to 15 per cent may lead to a breakthrough in sheep reproduction, NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) research leader Dr Ed Clayton said today.
"The results are the exciting culmination of a number of years work and have the potential to change the way producers manage reproduction in ewe flocks," Dr Clayton said.
Canola - Still the Golden Crop
12 August 2011
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The striking bright yellow flowers of canola crops are a common sight in the rural areas of southern Australia. Canola remains the largest broadleaf rotation crop in temperate Australia, offering benefits in breaking disease cycles and providing a range of herbicide options for weed control. In addition, canola is a valuable oil for human consumption and a high protein component of animal feed.
The 17th Australian Research Assembly on Brassicas (ARAB) will be held at the Riverina Playhouse, Wagga Wagga, next week (15-17 August), with staff from NSW Department of Primary Industries and seed companies comprising the organising committee for this years conference.
Success with CSU Sustainability Grant
3 August 2011
The Graham Centre has been successful in gaining a $15,000 grant through Charles Sturt University's Green Program to establish a native nursery. The nursery will be used as an educational tool for teritary and secondary education, for training landscape managers on the range of native species available, to provide material for bioviversity plantings across the CSU Wagga campus and at the Graham Centre Field Site and to develop in collaboration with the local aboriginal community a source of seed of species useful for food, fibre and other uses.
International speaker on global food security
26 July 2011
The Importance of Irrigated Agriculture to Global Food Security is the title of a free seminar in Wagga Wagga by world-leading research agronomist, Professor Kenneth G Cassman. The public lecture will be held from 8.30am on Wednesday 27 July at the NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute. Professor Cassman is being brought to Wagga Wagga by the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology (AIAST) in association with the Graham Centre. CSU news
Livestock field days highlight industry research
26 July 2011
This years Graham Centre Beef and Sheep Field Days will focus on reproduction. Industry experts from CSU, NSW DPI and local producers will discuss issues of key relevance to producers and the industry. Download media release CSU News
Graham Centre members receive CSU Vice Chancellors award for teaching excellence
25 July 2011
Congratulations to Associate Professor Samson Agboola and Dr Paul Prenzler who are part of the Chemistry Teaching Team, who have received the Team Award for the 2011 CSU Vice Chancellors award for Teaching Excellence. The awards will be formally presented at the annual presentation ceremony at CSU's Wagga campus on 29 August.
Rhizolysimeter facility officially opened
21 July 2011
The $4 million redevelopment of an underground field laboratory complex, including a rhizolysimeter and automated rainout shelters at CSU in Wagga, was officially opened by the Minister for Regional Australia and Regional Development, the Hon. Mr Simon Crean MP on Thursday 14 July. While opening the facility, Minister Crean reinforced the Government's support for regional development.
What's the real cost of sheep measles to the industry?
18 July 2011
Anecdotal data shows sheep measles causes major financial losses to the Australian sheep meat industry, but accurate data on the exact finanical loss is not available and is urgently needed. A team of researchers led by Dr David Jenkins and Dr Jan Lievaart from the Graham Centre have been successful in gaining $429,000 in funding from Meat and Livestock Australia to answer this question. Download media release
Minister Crean goes underground at CSU for agricultural research
13 July 2011
It is hailed as one of the largest and only functioning root growth and soil water research facilities in the southern hemisphere. A $4 million redevelopment of an underground field laboratory complex, including a rhizolysimeter and automated rainout shelters at CSU in Wagga, will be officially opened by the Minister for Regional Australia and Regional Development, the Hon. Mr Simon Cream MP on Thursday 14 July.
The rhizolysimeter facility is an important tool for the Graham Centre and is part of a much bigger $45 million project known as the National Life Sciences Hub (NaLSH) under construction at CSU, Wagga. The hub, which is due for completion in 2012 is funded from the Australian Government's Education Investment Fund. Read more
CSU researchers examine impact of climate change on Paterson’s Curse control
13 July 2011
When the purple flowers of Paterson's Curse begin to carpet paddocks this year researchers at Charles Sturt University will be paying particular attention. A research project led by Dr Paul Weston, from the EH Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation is investigating the impact of climate change on this invasisve weed and the insects used to control it. Read more
Securing a Clean Energy Future – the carbon price and the land-based sector
12 July 2011
As you no doubt will be aware, the Federal Government announced its long-awaited plans for pricing carbon pollution on July 10. For more information click here.
Inaugural Merino 2020 Conference
6 July 2011
MERINO 2020 is a national whole-of-industry event that will provide attendees with up-to-date information on improving productivity, sustainability and marketing outcomes with the goal of increasing profitability on-farm. To register and for more information click here.
Research into calf scours
5 July 2011
Charles Sturt University (CSU) researchers are asking beef producers to help them find out more information about a condition affecting up to 10 percent of calves. Researchers from the Fred Morley Unit are undertaking one of the first studies of the impact of scours (diarrhoea) in calves in Australian beef herds. Surveys have been sent to 1000 beef producers in the Hume LHPA area and researchers hope to follow up by collecting samples from affected animals to identify the types of pathogens casuing the infection. Producers who return their surveys will receive free entry to the Graham Centre Beef Field Day on Thursday 4 August. Read more
2011 Farmer of the Year Awards
5 July 2011
The Australian Farmer of the Year Awards celebrate the highly professional, innovative and sustainable approach of our farmers, showcasing their passion and raising the profile of the important role they play in Australia. Hosted by Kondinin Group and ABC Rural, the awards are designed to promote a positive image of Australian farmers, inspire and encourage career choices and investment interest in Australian agriculture. Click here to nominate or find out more information www.kondiningroup.com.au
PICSE Think Tank: Positions Vacant: Young Scientists wanted for Australia’s Future Food Security
20-22 June 2011
The Primary Industry Centre for Science Education (PICSE) recently held a Think Tank event in Canberra with the theme “Positions Vacant: Young Scientists wanted for Australia’s Future Food Security”. Senior representatives from DAFF, DEEWR, DIISR, Agribusiness, RDCs, ASTA and Universities joined PICSE students from across the country, to hear how the PICSE program has affected their career directions and changed their lives. A cocktail reception followed the event, showcasing the PICSE program and its impact on students to a number of MPs at Parliament House. Federal Member for the Riverina Michael McCormack was in attendance to show his support for the PICSE program.
Climate 11 - Impacts and Adaptations
24 June 2011
A symposium on Climate was held on 22-23 June by the NSW DPI and the Graham Centre. Staff from NSW DPI and the Graham Centre travelled from across the state to listen to researchers discuss climate projects and their current research. Keynote speakers addressed the symposium about decisions made by farmers relating to climate change, biophysical modelling and managing climate risk, NSW/ACT regional climate modelling, different views of climate change and farming systems, the capacity of rural communities to adapt and economic implications of climate. See photos.
2011 Agriculture Enrichment Day
24 June 2011
The Graham Centre's Annual Agriculture Enrichment Day was held on 10 June, with some 70 students attending from schools across the Riverina. The day encourages students to consider a career in agriculture, with students experiencing first hand, work carried out by agricultural professionals including ultrasounding sheep, semen collection, insect identification, soil salinity and plant pathology.
Crawford Parlimentary Seminar
9 June 2011
The Crawford Fund is offering a scholarship for a graduate student to attend this year's Crawford Fund sponsored Parliamentary Seminar in Canberra (15-16 August) discussing the supermarket revolution in the developing world. Read more
Experts tackle live export issue
8 June 2011
ABC's Four Corners program on Monday 30 May showed Austalian cattle being subjected to inhumane treatment in Indonesian abattoirs, and today the Federal Government has indefinitely suspended Indonesian cattle exports. Professor Peter Wynn, Graham Centre and CSU School of Animal and Veterinary Science is well placed to comment on the welfare of animals, meat produce markets and the live export industry. Read more
Practical hands-on experience for agriculture students
30 May 2011
The Graham Centre 2011 Agriculture Enrichment Day offers high school students studying agriculture and primary industries the opportunity to observe and participate in work done by professional agricultural and animal scientists. Program and further information CSU News
Research Centre Fellows highlight breadth of research
24 May 2011
The Graham Centre 2011 Research Centre Fellows were honoured at a luncheon on 16 May, 2011. Funding from CSU will allow the Centre to support the full-time release of key researchers for a period of six months. Download media release
2010 Stripe Rust results
23 May 2011
Results from trials conducted at Cowra and across Southern NSW looking at the severity of stripe rust in wheat are now available. The trials compared the effect of stripe rust on yield at different sowing timesand fungicide treatments. Stripe rust trial results (Cowra) Stripe rust trial results (Southern NSW)
2011 Australian Academy of Science Awards for International visit
23 May 2011
Dr Shokoofeh Shamsi, School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences and Graham Centre member, won the 2011 Australian Academy of Science Awards for International Visit. She is going to visit Dr Hiromu Sugiyama National Institute of Infectious Diseases, as part of her ongoing research interest on “Emerging problems in seafood-borne parasitic disease in Australia: toward developing accurate diagnostic techniques”.
This year, twelve leading Australian scientists have been awarded scientific grants to undertake important international collaborative research under the International Science Linkages – strategic Policy Component. The program supports Australian scientists, from both the public and private sectors, to collaborate with international partners on leading edge science and technology in order to contribute to Australia's economic, social and environmental wellbeing.
The biological battle over snails
17 May 2011
'As slow as a snail' is an expression which fails to ring true for a CSU research team seeing an effective and environmentally-friendly means of eradicating a major pest of the Australian grains industry-the land snail. Read more
Research Officer joins the team
11 May 2011
The Graham Centre welcomes Jonathan Holland to the team. Jonathan has recently been appointed as a Research Officer and will support the development of an international node of research for food security and environmental sustainability. jholland@csu.edu.au or jonathan.holland@industry.nsw.gov.au
Climate 11 - Impacts and Adaptations Symposium
11 May 2011
The Graham Centre and DPI are inviting staff from all DPI divisions and from the Graham Centre to attend the "Climate 11 - Impacts and Adaptations Symposium" on 22-23 June. The symposium will be held at the CSU Convention Centre and will provide access to a range of current research and climate projects. It will healp build staff's capacity to work in the area of climate and identify opportunities for future collaboration. Read more Download call for abstracts form
Shortfall in graduate supply for a strong employment market
6 May 2011
Graham Centre member and CSU Strategic Professor Jim Pratley recently presented at the 2011 ABARE Outlook Conference. Jim spoke about the shortfall in graduate numbers in the agricultural industry and his presentation can be viewed on YouTube. Download Professor Prattley's ABARE Outlook Presentation
CSU commentators for federal budget
6 May 2011
Graham Centre Director Professor Deirdre Lemerle today provided comment and what the federal government budget will mean for research funding. Read more
Murrumbidgee Landcare Regional Awards
4 May 2011
Graham Centre Director Professor Deirdre Lemerle today presented the Landcare Primary Producer award to Danny Flanery, at the Murrumbidgee Landcare Regional Awards Ceremony. Professor Lemerle congratulated Danny on his award and the significant contribution he has made to Landcare through sound land management practices and sustainable productivity. Professor Lemerle was also part of the independent judging panel and was impressed with the high quality of entries in this years awards.
Wool - exciting future prospects
4 May 2011
The Graham Centre together with Sydney University have organised a wool symposium to be held on 18 May at Hay, NSW. The symposium will provide an opportunity for wool growers to meet with key industry speakers and future leaders in the industry - 40 final year students from Charles Sturt and Sydney Universities. Download program
Research Liaison Officer - Communications
27 April 2011
The Graham Centre welcomes Toni Nugent to the team. Toni has recently been appointed as Research Liaison Officer - Communications, and will work closely with the media building strategic links to promote and raise the profile of the Centre. Read more in our Autumn Innovator on page 4
Seed weed research good news for silage makers
5 April 2011
Research has confirmed what many farmers had hope for - that silage making eliminates or reduces weeds. NSW DPI Livesotck Research Officer, John Piltz, an expert on silage, said research recently conducted by the Graham Centre has shown that in most cases weed seeds incorporated in silage became non-viable. Download media release (pdf)
More than 400 people attend silverleaf nightshade workshops
30 March 2011
More than 400 farmers, advisors and weed control officers recently attended 14 workshops in NSW, Victoria and South Australia to hear the latest research on the management of the perennial weed silverleaf nightshade. Download media release
Autumn spikes in air quality in Wagga Wagga
22 March 2011
The effect of dust and smoke from biofuel reduction burning and agricultural stubble burning on air quality in Wagga Wagga is the subject of a landmark pilot project currently underway. The project is a collaboration between the EH Graham Centre (an alliance between Industry & Investment NSW and Charles Sturt University [CSU]), Centre for Inland Health (CSU), NSW Health, Wagga Wagga City Council and the NSW Department of Environment Climate Change and Water (DECCW). Download Media Release (pdf)
Major award for leading weeds research
11 February 2011
The life-time's work of Professor Roger Cousens in leading the search for weeds solutions has been recognised with a prestigious award from the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA). Prof. Cousens has spent 27 years researching the ecology and biology of weeds and in 1995 published the book "Dynamics of Weed Populations". He is currently a member of the RIRDC Weeds Advisory Committee and works in the Department of Resource Management and Geography at the University of Melbourne. At the 51st annual meeting of the WSSA on 7 February, Prof. Cousens was awarded honorary membership for his research, which has shed light on the population dynamics of weeds and competition between weeds and crops. RIRDC congratulates Prof. Cousens on his achievements, saying the recognition is testament to the importance of the body of work he has produced during his career as only one honorary member is selected each year by the WSSA.
"The University's Role in a Changing World"
9 February 2011
Prof Frank Garry from Colorado State University presented his seminar on 8 February on the University's Role in a changing world. Professor Garry presented some of the thoughts on the University's role within this changing landscape as it pertains to his research, teaching, and extension endeavors over the past 24 years. Read more
Science Education Officer
8 February 2011
The Graham Centre welcomes Emma Wordsworth to the team. Emma has recently been appointed as Science Education Officer in a partnership between Charles Sturt University and the Primary Industry Centre for Science Education (PICSE). Read more in our Summer Innovator on page 4
Visiting Scientists
8 February 2011
Dr Yanmin Yang is a visiting scientist working at the Graham Centre with Dr De-Li Liu. Dr Yang is an Associate Professor at the Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Also, Dr Yanjun Guo is a visiting scientist from the Faculty of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest University and funded by the Chinese Scholarship Council. He has been working with the pasture and molecular groups in the Graham Centre since February 2010 until March 2011. Read more on page 10-11
Potential for Spelt Wheat
8 February 2011
The final report of the RIRDC project "Optimising the quality and yield of spelt and other speciality grains under organic production" by researchers Ms Robyn Neeson, Dr David Luckett and Dr Jeffrey Evans. Read more on page 5
Strategic Planning Day
8 February 2011
Centre members met with RMCG Consultants, Nigel McGuckian and Dr Anne-Maree Boland on 10 December 2010 as part of the consultation process in the development of our Strategic Plan for 2011 - 2016. The day was very successful and the feedback from participants will be most useful to the consultants in developing a plan. It is clear that we need to increase research focus and strengthen our industry links, as well as build on our research capacity. The new Strategic and Operational Plans for the Centre will be finalised by February 2011.
Compost evaluation, Can Tho University, Vietnam
8 February 2011
Honours student David Gale was able to conduct the second and third phases of his honours research through field evaluation of glasshouse findings. These results suggested that compost may have the capacity to address challenges associated with depleting global phosphorus supplies and, may be part of addressing the need for global food security. Read more on page 2-3
Ethics in Agriculture Workshop
8 February 2011
A workshop was held on 30 November and 1 December, 2010 to commence a discussion on Agricultural Ethics. This was a collaboration between the Graham Centre and the Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics (CAPPE). Read more on page 4
Postgraduate Student Knowledge Sharing Workshops
1 February 2011
Postgraduate students of the EH Graham Centre, National Wine & Grape Industry Centre and the International Centre for Water and Food Security have joined together for Postgraduate Student Knowledge Sharing Workshops. Read more
15th Australian Agronomy Conference, Christchurch NZ
10 January 2011
The 15th Australian Agronomy Conference was held at Lincoln University in Christchurch , NZ. It was run in conjunction with annual conferences of the New Zealand Agronomy Society, the New Zealand Soil Science Society and the New Zealand Grassland Association. Several Graham Centre members attended the conference at which over 250 scientific papers were presented to in excess of 500 delegates. Click here for slideshow
Large life sciences building contract awarded
10 January 2011
CSU has awarded its biggest single construction contract for a multi-million dollar teaching and research life sciences hub in regional NSW. Read more
Rice yields better adaptation to drought
10 January 2011
Dr Rolando T. Cruz, a senior scientist from the Philippine Rice Research Institute ( PhilRice), the Philippines' lead agency in rice research and development, is in Australia for 12 months researching how to improve the yield of rice crops that rely on rain.