Check out hemp trial
Farmers interested in seeing how the emerging industrial hemp crop can be grown in Australia can see a trial at Hamilton, western Victoria, on February 9.
Crops have been planted in northern NSW and southern Queensland in recent weeks to increase the network to nine Industrial Hemp Varietal Trial sites.
These sites are designed to capture key performance data including yield and quality for different varieties under different agricultural sowing times and environmental conditions across Australia.
South Australian Research and Development Institute IHVT national coordinator Mark Skewes said the key outcome of the three-year IHVT would be individual recommendations about which varieties to grow and the best time to sow in each region.
“Providing a coordinated approach across trials in different regions of Australia and providing access to comparable data will enable growers to make informed decisions on-farm,” Mr Skewes said.
Industrial hemp, which must be grown under state government permits, has very low tetrahydrocannabinol content but is high in protein and healthy fats, and since 2017 it has been legal to sell industrial hemp seed for human consumption.
The need for the IHVT was identified in the Australian Industrial Hemp Strategic RD&E Plan (2022-2027) developed by AgriFutures Australia, which sets out a clear pathway to grow the industry.
More information on field day times, locations and programs will be made available soon at Industrial Hemp AgriFutures Australia.
Project to identify carbon opportunities
Researchers are hoping a project that uses artificial intelligence and satellite imagery could make it cheaper and easier for landowners to realise the potential of carbon on their farms.
Federation University computer scientist Mohammed Rahman is leading the research that includes the development of a machine that can then learn to give accurate soil carbon estimates.
“My aim is to develop the algorithm that will measure the soil carbon by analysing the images,” Mr Rahman said.
By using free images from NASA and the European Space Agency Sentinel satellite, Mr Rahman aims to turn the imagery into two dimensional maps so farmers can prioritise where they capture and store carbon.
Carbon farming involves landholders removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through methods like tree planting, and increasing decomposing plant material and microbes to store carbon in the soil.
Victorian farmer Peter Moore, whose land was used to carry out some of the research trials, said while he had long known the benefits of soil health, having extra information around carbon would help.
“If I get the information I can actually determine just how much nitrogen I might need, these sorts of things,” Mr Moore said.
Push for Papua New Guinea workers
Australia will support a push by Papua New Guinea to increase the number of workers taking part in a scheme to provide labour for farms and other industries.
PNG nationals are among people from 10 nations taking up jobs in Australian agriculture, fisheries and horticulture under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility Scheme.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his PNG counterpart James Marape agreed recently to a boost in participation in the scheme.
“Acknowledging Prime Minister Marape's ambition to deploy 8000 PALM workers to Australia, the prime ministers asked responsible ministers to identify ways to strengthen PNG’s worker mobilisation system and to consider at the 2023 ministerial forum specific actions for each side to take,” they said.
“Australian farmers and producers benefit from the expertise and industry of your people,” Mr Albanese said in the historic address.
“Just as importantly, the people of PNG earn good wages and develop new skills they can use to support their families, educate their children and invest in opportunities that will deliver further prosperity for themselves and PNG.”
The two leaders noted the Albanese Government had committed to provide in-country support for PNG’s Pacific Engagement Visa applicants to connect with employers in Australia.
As well, reciprocal work and holiday visa arrangements from July 1 will allow young adults to have an extended holiday in each other’s country, during which they could work and undertake short-term study.