Genomic Gains And Farming Management Efficiencies

FERTIGATION NOW READILY ACCESSIBLE

GLOBAL crop nutrition leader, Yara, has released a new range of highly soluble NPK compound granular fertilisers that can be applied via ‘simple’ irrigation systems.

YaraRega fertilisers – derived from the old Norse word for ‘rain’ – feature a special coating that protects the granules during storage and handling yet dissolves readily in water. Yara Crop Nutrition Commercial Manager, Paul Eitzen, says the technology means fertigation is now readily accessible to all vegetable and fruit growers. “YaraRega is a great concept,” he says.

“They deliver a balanced and efficient source of essential macro- and micro-nutrients for optimal growth and quality.

“More importantly, they are highly water soluble and can be delivered via macro, micro and overhead sprinklers or furrow irrigation systems.

“This means fertigation is now a practical and costeffective option for all producers.

“Alternatively, they can be broadcast as a soil application before anticipated rainfall or irrigation.

“We have received great feedback from producers who have already incorporated YaraRega into their management program.”

YaraRega 13-2-21 contains a balance of nitrogen (13%), phosphorus (1.75%) and potassium (20.8%), as well as the micronutrients, sulphur (9%), magnesium (0.42%), boron (0.08%) and zinc (0.08%). “This balance is ideal for crops that require high amounts of nitrogen and potassium but have low phosphorus requirements, such as tree crops and bananas,” Paul says.

“40 percent of the nitrogen is present as ammonium nitrate, meaning it is available for immediate plant uptake and reducing nitrogen losses caused by volatilisation. “This can improve fertiliser use efficiency and reduce environmental impacts.

“Another advantage of the low phosphorus content is that it helps to protect water quality in reef catchments. “As a compound fertiliser, there is no nutrient segregation during shipping, handling or spreading.” Other formulations include 9-0-30 +S and 15-7-13 +S, Mg, Boron and Zinc. YaraRega formulations are 99% soluble, with any residues having a negligible particle size of less than 100 microns. “By comparison, standard granular fertilisers can contain up to 20 percent ‘fillers’, coarse and insoluble particles that can block filters and drips,” Paul says.

“Some others also have special coatings that help to improve their handling or spreading as dry granules but once dissolved in water, these waxes and oils are released into the solution and can create blockages.

“Once added to water, YaraRega dissolves quickly meaning water flow rates are not affected during fertigation.

“Nevertheless, it is not recommended for use in hydroponic irrigation systems.” YaraRega complements the rest of the Yara range, including YaraTera watersoluble NPK crystalline fertilisers for use in hydroponic systems, YaraVita foliar micronutrient fertilisers, YaraLiva calcium nitrate fertilisers, YaraMila NPK compound fertilisers and Yara Liquids fertilisers. Yara fertilisers are supported by range of innovative decision-making tools to provide a complete crop nutrition solution for all production systems. “Our objective is to help growers get the very best results from their investment in quality crop nutrition solutions,” Paul says.

GENOMIC GAINS AND FARMING MANAGEMENT EFFICIENCIES IN LIVESTOCK DNA TESTING

Livestock genomics or genetic testing has significantly evolved over the past decade, as a result of advances in scientific research into herd genomics, DNA testing capabilities and industry demand for more reliable techniques.

Traditionally, producers relied on blood card and hair pulling techniques to gather DNA from their herd to find out information on parentage, hereditary traits, and genetic defects. However, calls for efficiencies and product development have enabled new technologies such as Allflex’s Tissue Sampling Units (TSU’s) to emerge.

New scientific discoveries of DNA markers linked to certain traits in livestock, such as resistance to common diseases, has also driven a demand for more advanced testing methods to help producers improve their economics through selective breeding for milk quality and productivity, meat quality, fleece quality and longevity.

Allflex Australia, Area Sales Manager, Wal White, who has had significant experience on both sheep and cattle farms across regional New South Wales said, “Having worked with blood card and tail hair methods before and seeing firsthand the experiences of producers when out on farm; hair pulling and blood cards can be problematic. Both methods can be labour intensive, have a high contamination risk; can result in insufficient sample size and sample failure; and be at risk of misidentification when samples are mistakenly sent to the lab without the correct IDs.”

Allflex TSU’s offer a quick, reliable and accurate genetic testing method that manages these common testing challenges.

“More and more producers and stud owners are moving to TSU’s to make things quick, simple and reliable,” said Wal.

TSU’s are gaining market share compared with traditional approaches, with a take-up rate in sheep markets of 90%, and 50% in cattle markets according to one of the largest DNA testing services.

Allflex’s TSU system enables farmers to easily collect small, high-quality tissue samples from an animal’s ear that are instantly transferred into a self-contained, pre-labelled vial with unique 2D barcodes, which mean that they can be seamlessly linked to an electronic ID ear tag.

The system delivers this tissue in a format that makes it easier for laboratories to test and automate some of their laboratory procedures reducing cost and processing times.

Another added benefit is that the samples contain a large quantity of high-quality (wet) DNA material as a result of the unique liquid buffer that the tissue sample is deposited into. The buffer solution itself becomes the sample used for DNA testing and can be stored and re-sampled for additional testing at a later stage.

“The TSU system, streamlines the sampling and testing process, and automates the processing in labs, meaning faster results, and a reduced need for resampling.”

Another benefit is that producers and studs don’t need to wait up to 6-months for hair follicles to mature (for a quality sample). TSU’s are clean, fast and can be done within minutes after the animal is born.

“This gives producers a time advantage by being able to make informed breeding and farm management decisions straight after birth not 6-months down the track.”

Tissue sampling and DNA testing will continue to be a significant growth area in the livestock and food industries. Changing global needs such as providing quality animal protein for a growing population; improving sustainability and welfare in animal agriculture; and meeting a growing consumer and governmental demand for traceable, ethical and eco-friendly products will continue to drive the search for new identifiable genetic traits in livestock and linking back to those individual unique identifiers.

For expert advice, head into your nearest Elders branch.