Pastures

The bioeconomy will provide a platform to a sustainable future by providing security of food, water and energy supplies, reduced emissions, and the sustainable use of both biological and non-biological resources.

Integrated weed management (IWM) utilises a combination of complimentary practices such as grazing, herbicide application, land fallowing and biological control to help manage weeds.

Australasia’s major science and agribusiness conference, being held in Christchurch, New Zealand, from 28-30 October 2008, is expected to generate strong debate on the future for Trans-Tasman animal industries, in light of increasing global concern about food security.

Researchers have completed the first stage of development work on a comprehensive model of the spread of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in cattle to evaluate policy surrounding the management of FMD and other exotic diseases should an outbreak occur in Australia.

Australasia’s major livestock industries’ science and agribusiness conference – Horizons in Livestock Sciences – will be held in Christchurch, New Zealand, from 28-30 October 2008.

New research aims to help canegrowers and the broader sugar industry to take advantage of the tools and techniques of precision agriculture (PA) in pursuit of both production and natural resource management goals.

Better Basin Futures research aims to develop tools, knowlege and strategies to predict and assess catchment and water use at the system scale.

Our researchers are using their skills to explore the relationships between irrigation systems and surrounding catchments, including the links between supply, allocation, productivity and ground water, and identify opportunities for integrated use of surface and groundwater.

CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems has expertise in the rangeland and savannas region of Australia. Current research will supply information to pastoralists to assist them to manage the land to achieve both greater productivity and sustainable use of the natural resources.

This video demonstrates a virtual fence for livestock that allows better use of pasture, protects the environment and reduces labour. (2:30)

Australia’s farmers are our climate change 'warriors', and many of them are already meeting the challenges of climate change, with major modifications to the way they produce our food. In this podcast, Dr Mark Howden from CSIRO’s Climate Adaptation Flagship, explains how farmers are dealing with challenges such as lower rainfall and irrigation allocations. (4.51)

The CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems laboratory in Alice Springs conducts research that addresses regional futures, indigenous livelihoods, conservation planning and management, sustainable agricultural systems and knowledge management in arid and semi-arid rangelands.

The Davies Laboratory is located in Townsville, North Queensland, serves as base for researchers from CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems, CSIRO Land and Water and CSIRO Plant Industry.

This article from Farming Ahead contains four stories on groundwater, adapting to climate change, assessing a ‘green’ agricultural system and cover cropping. (1 page)

An overview of the research activities, achievements and capability of the Managing Australian's Soil and Landscape Assets theme within CSIRO's Agricultural Sustainability Initiative. (4 pages)

"Alpine grazing reduces blazing" is a widely and strongly held view, in both rural and urban regions, concerning fire in Australia’s high country. CSIRO along with its' partners tested this view following the widespread fires in Victorian high country in 2003.

Increasing market preference for grains free of chemical residues is driving research into potential alternative methods of insect control.