Latest news with #DPIRD
West Australian
2 hours ago
- Science
- West Australian
WA sheep feed efficiency and methane emissions project update delivered at New Zealand conference
WA research on sheep feed efficiency and methane emissions has been delivered at an international livestock genetics conference in New Zealand. Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development research scientist Brittany Bolt presented preliminary findings from a joint DPIRD and Meat and Livestock Australia project that has indicated potential to select more feed efficient and methane-reduced sheep. Ms Bolt presented the preliminary findings at the 26th Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics Conference in Queenstown on June 24. She said a critical strategy for growing market access, profitability, and the sheep industry's long-term sustainability was sheep feed efficiency and reduced methane emissions. 'During the past two years we have collected feed intake, liveweight and growth from 756 weaners from MLA's Resource Flock at DPIRD's Katanning Research Station, which uses industry nominated genetics from Merinos, maternal, terminal, and shedding breeds,' she said. 'From our measurements, we found that liveweight and growth account for 72 to 89 per cent of variation in average daily intake. 'When we adjust average daily intake for liveweight and growth, we can identify animals that are consuming more feed and those that consume a lot less at the same liveweight and growth. 'There is significant variation across and within all breed types in the study, which suggests that there is opportunity to select for more feed efficient animals.' Researchers in the joint project utilised portable accumulation chambers on Resource Flock weaners to measure methane. 'Methane is an important part of understanding productivity efficiency as methane is a bi-product of ruminant digestion — energy that is not used for growing muscle, wool, or fat — it can be viewed as wasted energy,' Ms Bolt said. 'Like feed intake, liveweight and growth are major drivers for methane production, generally, the greater the liveweight and growth the greater the methane produced. 'What this means is, if we are selecting only for reducing methane, we are sacrificing production.' Ms Bolt said the research has demonstrated a large amount of variation in both feed intake and methane production. 'We have been able to identify animals that are consuming less feed, producing less methane with the same amount of liveweight and growth as animals that are conversely eating a lot and producing more methane,' she said. 'This research highlights the potential for genetic improvements to help reduce methan emissions and enhance feed efficiency in sheep, offering pathways to a more sustainable and profitable sheep industry. Feed intake and methane data will continue to be collected at in Katanning for the next three years. 'The feed intake and methane data collected here in WA, will ultimately contribute to the development of new Australian Sheep Breeding Values to allow producers to select for more efficient and productive sheep,' Ms Bolt said. Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis said the research is 'critical' for helping producers adapts and access new meat markets while the sheep industry is facing significant change. 'The conference provides a platform to present WA's research on methane and feed efficiency traits, fostering collaboration with global experts, industry leaders, and breeding groups to drive innovation in livestock genetics,' she said. 'Attending the conference will bolster Brittany's expertise in livestock genetics, and means she will bring that knowledge back to WA to support the development of genetic strategies to improve sheep productivity. 'This research is a credit to the work of DPIRD and its scientists, and with Brittany and Amy representing the next generation of local scientists, I think our industry is in good hands.'
West Australian
6 days ago
- Health
- West Australian
Destructive shot-hole borer reaches Perth's far northern suburbs
The destructive polyphagous shot-hole borer has reached Perth's far northern suburbs, with the City of Wanneroo now reporting its first case. News of the detection comes just over a week after the state government announced it would transition from eradicating to managing the pest, which was first detected in Perth in 2021. The City of Wanneroo said they're working with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development to implement a Tree Management Plan for the affected tree - which is in the suburb of Wanneroo - and will keep a close watch on the area in the coming weeks. Wanneroo Mayor Linda Aitken said the city is committed to taking swift action to prevent the pest's spread. 'The PSHB could significantly impact the City of Wanneroo's urban canopy if it were to become established here,' she said. 'It's important that we all check our trees for signs and report any suspected sightings, to allow DPIRD to investigate. 'Protecting and increasing our canopy cover and vegetation is a key goal for the City, as set out in our Urban Forest Strategy.' As Perth's most northern metropolitan local government, the City of Wanneroo covers 685.8 square kilometres, stretching from Girrawheen to Two Rocks. In the neighbouring council, the City of Joondalup has also confirmed three PSHB cases on council-managed land and is continuing to work with DPIRD to these infestations. Following the decision to end eradication efforts, the State Government has committed an additional $62.6 million to biosecurity responses and $2.17 million to research projects to help curb and treat infestations, including chemical treatments aimed at managing the spread of the shot-hole borer. WA Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis believes the State has a strong foundation to manage the pest moving forward, as the infestation remains confined to the metropolitan area. 'We will continue to look for alternative solutions by supporting local scientists to undertake more research under WA conditions,' Ms Jarvis said. 'The more we can learn about this pest, the better equipped we will be to protect and support our State's tree canopy and agricultural industry.' For more information on PSHB and the signs to watch for, DPIRD is encouraging residents to visit their website and use the MyPestGuide app to report any suspected sightings.
Perth Now
6 days ago
- General
- Perth Now
Wanneroo reports first case of destructive shot-hole borer
The destructive polyphagous shot-hole borer has reached Perth's far northern suburbs, with the City of Wanneroo now reporting its first case. News of the detection comes just over a week after the state government announced it would transition from eradicating to managing the pest, which was first detected in Perth in 2021. The City of Wanneroo said they're working with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development to implement a Tree Management Plan for the affected tree - which is in the suburb of Wanneroo - and will keep a close watch on the area in the coming weeks. Your local paper, whenever you want it. Wanneroo Mayor Linda Aitken said the city is committed to taking swift action to prevent the pest's spread. 'The PSHB could significantly impact the City of Wanneroo's urban canopy if it were to become established here,' she said. 'It's important that we all check our trees for signs and report any suspected sightings, to allow DPIRD to investigate. 'Protecting and increasing our canopy cover and vegetation is a key goal for the City, as set out in our Urban Forest Strategy.' As Perth's most northern metropolitan local government, the City of Wanneroo covers 685.8 square kilometres, stretching from Girrawheen to Two Rocks. In the neighbouring council, the City of Joondalup has also confirmed three PSHB cases on council-managed land and is continuing to work with DPIRD to these infestations. News of the infestation comes just a week after the state government announced it would be transitioning from eradication to management of the pest. Credit: Pia Scanlon / The West Following the decision to end eradication efforts, the State Government has committed an additional $62.6 million to biosecurity responses and $2.17 million to research projects to help curb and treat infestations, including chemical treatments aimed at managing the spread of the shot-hole borer. WA Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis believes the State has a strong foundation to manage the pest moving forward, as the infestation remains confined to the metropolitan area. 'We will continue to look for alternative solutions by supporting local scientists to undertake more research under WA conditions,' Ms Jarvis said. 'The more we can learn about this pest, the better equipped we will be to protect and support our State's tree canopy and agricultural industry.' For more information on PSHB and the signs to watch for, DPIRD is encouraging residents to visit their website and use the MyPestGuide app to report any suspected sightings.
Perth Now
25-06-2025
- General
- Perth Now
Councils waiting to hear how tree pest will be managed
Perth councils are waiting to hear from the State Government on how it will manage the spread of the polyphagous shot-hole borer, with one claiming it had not been told before the government announced it was changing tack. The government announced last week it would be moving to a management strategy to control PSHB as it was 'no longer technically feasible' to eradicate the pest. The tiny beetle, which burrows into trees and infects them, was first detected in 2021 and since then has infected around 4800 trees in the metropolitan area. Your local paper, whenever you want it. Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development deputy director general Mia Carbon said the National Management Group had determined eradication could no longer be achieved due to a number of factors. GEN Press conference update on the bio-security response to an invasive beetle pest (Polyphagous shot-hole borer) at Hyde Park. Mia Carbon of DPIRB and minister John Carey. Credit: Iain Gillespie / The West Australian 'Determining factors included the difficulty in detecting and controlling new borer infestations at an early stage before the pest can reproduce, and the current lack of effective chemical treatments available for killing the borer,' Dr Carbon said. 'Ongoing eradication efforts would require the removal of a significant number of trees from Perth's urban canopy and, given the biology and behaviour of the pest in the WA environment, are unlikely to be successful long term.' Town of Victoria Park mayor Karen Vernon said the town was disheartened by the news the government had given up pursuing eradication of PSHB and was not informed of the plan to transition to the management phase prior to the announcement. 'However, throughout this crisis we have maintained that the response should be evidence-based and led by experts, whilst actively and transparently engaging community stakeholders, including local government,' she said. 'The town has a 20 per cent canopy target in line with its Urban Forest Strategy and is diligently pursuing this goal in the face of coinciding challenges, including a drying climate, hotter summers and continued loss of canopy. 'Adding the continued presence of PSHB to this mix poses yet another serious threat to our urban canopy and ecology. 'The decision to move from eradication to management raises significant concern over the funding and resources required by the town to take on this additional responsibility whilst also achieving our own greening targets.' Victoria Park Mayor Karen Vernon said Credit: supplied / RegionalHUB Ms Vernon said the town was 'eagerly waiting' more details on the transition plan. 'It's disappointing that over a week after DPIRD announced the transition, DPIRD staff are not ready to engage with and mobilise the community in the next stage of the response,' she said. The town had to remove three green fig trees and prune another at Read Park on Albany Highway thanks to the invasive pest. Ms Vernon also said the DPIRD had cancelled its attendance at the town's upcoming community planting event, saying that they need more time to be ready to 'field community questions on the new direction'. The City of Vincent recently had to remove at least 300 trees affected by the borer from Hyde Park. Works at Hyde Park to remove trees infested with the polyphagous shot-hole borer. Credit: Kelsey Reid / The West Australian Mayor Alison Xamon said the city would like to work with the State Government in developing the new management strategy. 'Losing trees is a last resort and we need to ensure that we keep as many trees as possible,' she said. 'We will continue to work with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and the State Government to ensure our polyphagous shot-hole borer-infested trees in our parks are managed appropriately and treated where appropriate. 'We encourage the State and Federal governments to provide extra funding for local governments to effectively manage the borer and replant lost trees in response to this national biosecurity crisis.' A City of Perth spokesperson told PerthNow the city was waiting on advice from the DPIRD about how the proposed management phase will be implemented. In May last year the city committed more than $1 million to fight the pest, with parks currently under treatment including the Supreme Court Gardens, Council House Gardens, Stirling Gardens, Totterdell Park and John Oldham Park. 'In the meantime, we'll continue to action our tree-first approach which prioritises tree preservation through early intervention to minimise the impact of PSHB and protect our urban forest,' the spokesperson said. 'As a result of our proactive approach to date, less than 40 city trees have been removed due to PSHB since the outbreak began in November 2022.'
West Australian
18-06-2025
- Business
- West Australian
WA Government awards Adelaide company nearly $400,000 to combat European Starlings with AI
The WA Government is turning to artificial intelligence to scare off European starlings from fruit crops and livestock feed along the south coast, awarding an Adelaide company a nearly $400,000 tender. The project will hinge on devices capable of sensing the bird, classed as a pest in Australia, from up to 100m away and will aim to deploy 20 portable, automated acoustic surveillance devices throughout high-risk habitats along about 700kms of WA's south coast. The $373,230 tender was awarded to Adelaide-based company Supersensory Technologies earlier this month. About 400kms west of the South Australian border is covered by the project as well as about 300kms between Cape Arid and Hopetoun. The AI-geared devices will be installed as part of a Department of Primary Industry and Regional Development trapping program for the avian pests that has run since the 1970s. DPIRD senior research scientist Dr Susan Campbell said the automated acoustic surveillance devices would help bolster WA's biosecurity defences against European starlings. 'Scaling up our automated field response with these new devices increases our surveillance footprint both spatially and temporally, enabling DPIRD to mount a rapid response to any verified starling incursion,' she said. 'Commencing in the 1970s, a near continuous early detection and rapid response management program has ensured that WA remains free from established starling populations. 'However, because starlings are firmly established throughout eastern Australia, incursions represent an ongoing risk to WA's agriculture, environment and socio-cultural assets.' The project is designed to prevent the encroachment of the birds from eastern Australia, after a breeding pair were located and removed from an Esperance house late last year. It marked the first detection on the south coast in more than a decade, and sparked a rapid biosecurity response. European starlings are a 'highly adaptable' bird, according to Dr Campbell, that can disperse over large distances and rapidly breed under good conditions. Starlings can impact horticulture, grain, and livestock industries — damaging fruit crops, like cherries and grapes, and consuming high volumes of livestock feed. Dr Campbell said the devices would have the ability to constantly capture and process acoustic information through a starling-specific 'machine learning algorithm'. She said the project would help to 'scale up' the department's ongoing surveillance of the pest. 'The devices then remotely communicate plausible starling detections for manual verification in close to 'real-time',' she said.
