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- PIRSA News June 2023
PIRSA News June 2023
- PIRSA News June 2023
- Vote for your favourite Ag Town
- Your views wanted on emergency warnings
- SA home to world-first NOLO wine facility
- 2023 SA Rural Women’s Award winner announced
- SA bans use of opera house yabby nets
- New cattle diseases guide
- Field demonstration busts electrofishing myths
- Inaugural climate change conference in Adelaide
PIRSA News
PIRSA News June 2023
Vote for your favourite Ag Town
Public voting is now open for the 2023 South Australian Agricultural Town of the Year Award.
A total of 49 towns across the state have been nominated for the award, and we’re asking the public to vote for the town you think best represents agriculture.
The towns with the most votes will be announced 3 July in the 'Top 10 Ag Towns'.
Those towns will then go through an independent judging process to determine three finalists, with one receiving the coveted title of the 2023 Ag Town of the Year.
This is the fifth annual Ag Town award, with the program highlighting the significant contribution the agricultural sector and regional communities make to South Australia’s economy, and our world-class and innovative agricultural practices.
Past winners have included Mypolonga, Kimba, Pinnaroo and Cleve. Who will be crowned the winner in 2023?
Voting is open until 5 pm on Wednesday 28 June – submit your vote now!
Your views wanted on emergency warnings
You are invited to have your say on how emergency information is delivered in future, as part of an engagement project reviewing the Alert SA app.
The Alert SA app, managed by the South Australian Fire and Emergency Services Commission (SAFECOM), serves as a state-owned platform to deliver emergency warnings and information to the South Australian community. Since its launch in December 2019, the app has had over 325,000 downloads, processed more than 10,000 incidents and delivered more than 71 million notifications.
PIRSA staff recently participated in a half-day workshop organised by SAFECOM, seeking ideas and taking a fresh look at how the current Alert SA app might be redeveloped to provide a 'multi-hazard' public information and warnings solution.
PIRSA’s Emergency Management Planning Officer Meredith Jenner, and Public Information Lead Celia Brissenden were two of around 80 participants on the day from a full range of emergency services, state and local government, and representatives from relevant national and interstate agencies.
Meredith said the workshop was a well-run and interesting half day, and she’s looking forward to the next steps.
"Alert SA was initially multi-hazard but is currently a fire-only alert system, and SAFECOM is now gearing up to develop a modern, comprehensive multi-hazard platform, which of course PIRSA welcomes," said Meredith.
"SAFECOM is doing a lot of community engagement and stakeholder research to gather feedback on their preferences for receiving and acting on emergency information.
"I really encourage all PIRSA staff to complete the AlertSA YourSAy survey to give your perspectives on how emergency information is shared, and ideas for crucial elements to include in a multi-hazard app.
"This is an amazing opportunity to have input to the future of emergency warnings in South Australia."
At the conclusion of the engagement project, SAFECOM will prepare a report for the State Emergency Management Committee with recommendations for Alert SA moving into the future.
To download the app or for more information, see Alert SA Mobile App.
Have your say
Complete the Alert SA survey.
Email a submission to PIAW@eso.sa.gov.au
Post your written submission to:
SAFECOM - Public Information and Warnings
GPO Box 2706
Adelaide SA 5001
SA home to world-first NOLO wine facility
Consumer demand for no and low alcohol (NOLO) wines is rising rapidly, and South Australian wine businesses have a unique opportunity to be front and centre of the emerging market.
NOLO wines are specifically crafted to be alcohol-free or have a reduced amount of alcohol compared with traditional wine. The global NOLO wine market is growing rapidly and was worth about $1.58 billion in 2020, with Australia representing 5% of volume and 3% of value.
The world's first NOLO Trial Scale Research Facility was officially launched on 5 April by The Hon Clare Scriven MLC, Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development and Minister for Forest Industries.
Made possible by a $1.98 million investment by the Government of South Australia, the new NOLO facility is located at the University of Adelaide’s Hickinbotham Roseworthy Wine Science Laboratory at the Waite Campus.
Bodhi Edwards, Senior Industry Adviser, Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA), says the centrepiece of the facility is a spinning cone column, a form of low-temperature vacuum steam distillation.
"This will allow research and new product development trials to use as little as 150 litres of wine – far less than commercial-scale equipment, which requires a minimum volume of 10,000 litres," said Mr Edwards.
South Australian wine businesses can apply to use the facility to develop new high quality NOLO wine products at a subsidised cost.
"Allowing businesses to test methods at a trial scale reduces upfront investment and gives businesses the confidence to commercialise their products for market," said Mr Edwards.
Researchers from the University of Adelaide and Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI) will also share access to the facility. Their work will aim to develop the sensory qualities of NOLO wine products, including:
- improved mouthfeel
- enhanced flavour
- greater aroma retention.
For more information or to apply to use the facility, see No and low (NOLO) alcohol wine.
2023 SA Rural Women’s Award winner announced
The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) is proud to announce Ali Paulett, of Paulett Wines in the Clare Valley, as the 2023 AgriFutures SA Rural Women’s Award winner.
Ms Paulett’s project, the Bush DeVine Indigenous Australian Native sensory bush food garden is located at Paulett Wines, her family's 40-year-old winery and restaurant.
Education was the motivation behind the Bush DeVine Garden which was planted in 2010 and has since become a showcase for school groups and visitors alike who wish to connect with the land, our history, and the local First Nations Ngadjuri people.
As the state winner, Ms Paulett will be awarded a $15,000 grant from national sponsor Westpac, which she will use to expand the Bush DeVine Garden and the educational components so it’s more accessible to all.
The Hon Clare Scriven MLC, Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development and Minister for Forest Industries offered her congratulations to Ms Paulett.
"I'm pleased to announce Ali as the 2023 AgriFutures Rural Women's Award winner for South Australia. I commend Ali's achievements in not only creating a unique garden, but also a space that the local community and First Nations groups can use," said Minister Scriven.
"I also say well done to finalists Bridget Johns, Emily Riggs, Kerri Cliff and Lyndsey Jackson and thank them for their ongoing contributions to their local communities and to primary industries in South Australia. I'm sure you will continue to make positive impacts in your chosen fields."
Ms Paulett will now go on to represent South Australia in the 2023 AgriFutures Rural Women's Award National Announcement in Canberra in September. Further grants will be awarded to the national winner and runner-up thanks to Westpac.
For more information, see AgriFutures Rural Women's Award.
SA bans use of opera house yabby nets
South Australia will ban the use of opera house style yabby nets, effective from 1 July 2023 to further protect platypus and other air-breathing animals at risk from the use of the nets.
The ban follows research and consultation with the key recreational fishing stakeholder groups and impacts all fishers, recreational and commercial.
Executive Director, PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture, Professor Gavin Begg said the main issue with the nets is the real dangers posed to air-breathing animals such as platypus, freshwater turtles and Rakali (water rats) that could potentially get caught in them.
It will also bring consistency for fishers travelling between states as the ban will put South Australia in line with most other states – Western Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory and Tasmania – who have already banned the nets. Queensland allows use of the nets only in limited areas, where platypus or at-risk animals are not located.
Fishers will still be able to use pyramid nets for yabby fishing, allowing people across South Australia to fish for yabbies without the need to change gear.
"There was a common desire to ensure people could still enjoy the time-honored tradition of yabbying in a way that didn't impact on the non-targeted species particularly platypus, freshwater turtles and rakali (water rats)," Professor Begg said.
For further information on the ban of opera house nets and advice on permitted yabbying devices in South Australia see Permitted fishing gear.
New cattle diseases guide
South Australian cattle farmers will be better equipped to deal with livestock diseases thanks to the new Cattle Diseases Guide.
Developed through the Department of Primary Industries and Regions' (PIRSA) Red Meat and Wool Growth Program, in collaboration with Animal Health Australia, the Guide will help farmers take action when faced with common cattle diseases and conditions found on South Australian farms.
Animal health officers and vets from the red meat and wool industry have contributed to the guide, offering the most current advice on how to identify signs and symptoms of disease as well as recommendations on treatment and prevention options for farmers.
The quick-reference guide is based on the recently updated Sheep Disease Guide that has been well received by producers since its release in January 2023. Both guides include photos and descriptions of endemic disease and cover exotic diseases most at risk of occurring in SA, including foot and mouth disease and lumpy skin disease.
Additional features include best practice management guidelines on farm biosecurity, vaccination, traceability, and livestock movement obligations.
Producers can request a copy of the guide from PIRSA or download a digital version – to do so and for more information about cattle health and diseases see Cattle.
Field demonstration busts electrofishing myths
An electrofishing field demonstration was recently held in Renmark, led by scientists from the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) and funded by the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder. The event was organised as part of the Lower Murray Flow-MER (Monitoring, Evaluation and Research) Program.
"Having had many conversations with recreational fishers in the Riverland, we knew there was strong interest in seeing electrofishing in action," SARDI Inland Waters and Catchment Ecology Program Leader, Associate Professor Qifeng Ye, said.
Around 70 attendees had a chance to learn from SARDI freshwater fish ecologist Chris Bice, who gave a brief introduction to electrofishing. This technique is commonly used by fisheries researchers to catch freshwater fish in rivers and lakes.
This method generates a field of electricity in the water, which temporarily stuns fish in the immediate vicinity (about five metres). The stunned fish are scooped up with a dip net, measured, tagged, and returned to the water. When performed correctly, electrofishing is safe for fish, and for humans operating the electrofishing unit.
During the day, attendees were able to get a close look at Henri, one of SARDI's electrofishing boats, while it was anchored on the riverbank. They then split into smaller groups, boarded pontoon boats and watched researchers onboard Henri conduct electrofishing from a safe distance.
Henri then joined the pontoon boats, where researchers demonstrated how they identify, measure and tag fish.
Participants clearly enjoyed watching the sampling method in action. Some were surprised by the targeted nature of the technique, with fewer fish caught than expected.
They were also impressed by the number of species caught. This included small-bodied native species (including unspecked hardyhead and Murray rainbowfish) and introduced species (such as eastern gambusia) they had never seen before, as well as a healthy, large golden perch and introduced species like redfin, goldfish and common carp.
Find out more about the Flow-MER program in the Lower Murray.
Inaugural climate change conference in Adelaide
The Government of South Australia delivered the first SA Industry Climate Change Conference at the Adelaide Convention Centre from 20 to 21 April, with over 800 attendees and an innovative line-up of speakers.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) proudly supported the conference and hosted a primary industries trade site which included representatives from PIRSA, Livestock SA, South Australian Dairyfarmers’ Association, Dairy Australia, Grain Producers South Australia and South Australian Forest Products Association.
PIRSA promoted several of our climate change initiatives including:
- South Australia’s Carbon Farming Roadmap
- Carbon Farming Demonstration Pilot
- current AgTech Growth Fund grant opportunities
- methane emissions reduction in livestock with the MERiL program, through research into the adaptation of water delivery technology.
Highlights included addresses from the Premier of South Australia, the Hon Peter Malinauskas MP, the Deputy Premier and Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy, the Hon Chris Bowen MP, who spoke on day 1 about South Australia’s history in leading the world in renewable energy solutions. He highlighted the necessity for Australia to continue to be at the forefront of climate change solutions, including an announcement of discounted loans for Australian motorists to purchase electric vehicles.
Conference speakers and workshops covered key trends in the agricultural sector such as:
- opportunities to reduce emissions and the innovations that can be utilised
- consumer demand for low emissions products
- how reducing emissions in the wine sector can improve export outcomes, with carbon tariffs soon set to be put in place globally.
PIRSA is committed to working with industry to prepare for, prevent where possible, and respond to climate change and emergency events that threaten SA’s primary industries and regional communities. This conference provided an opportunity for industry to come together and discuss the actions already underway and identify innovations available for use throughout our state.
For further information, see Climate change adaptation.
PIRSA News highlights the government's commitment to primary industries and regions through outward-looking stories showcasing the diversity of PIRSA's work.