www.umag.org.au

Issue No. 4 September 2007

1. Website Update

Our web designer Frank Connell has been working very hard updating the UMAG website. Previous trials conducted by the group and topics of general interest have now been placed on the site and will be updated regularly.

The most recently completed project, and one which continues to create interest, is the Pyrethrum Daisies work where the group undertook various production trials over a two year period.

These trials concluded that new varieties of pyrethrum need to be sourced which are suited to the Upper Murray which have increased yield and quality of pyrethrin, the extract obtained from the pyrethrum plant.

2. Farmer in Focus

This month's farmer in focus is Alec McKinnon from Tintaldra. Alec is a founding member of UMAG and has been on the executive since its inception.

Tintaldra Station is a mixed grazing and cropping enterprise with a focus on pasture seed production and is owned and operated by the McKinnon family. Alec is also very involved in the Upper Murray Pastures Group which is conducting various trials and activities aimed at improving pasture productivity in the Corryong region.

The Sustainability at the Source project has a major component addressing fertiliser use and efficiency and Tintaldra Station is also involved in these trials. Alec's annual rye grass seed crop is monitored closely using the services of Serve Ag to improve the timing and rate of nitrogen inputs in an attempt to improve overall farm efficiency.

3. Vegetable Seed Industry Tour — Visit to South Pacific Seeds, Griffith.

UMAG has been working with South Pacific Seeds (S.P.S.) for several years. The two organisations have looked at the suitability of a range of seed crops including carrots, radishes, onions and brassicas and trials with many varieties have been undertaken over the years.

The Field trip will include a visit to SPS head office and a tour of their nearby research farm. The final stop will be the Colleambally Cooperative Farm where their members are looking at a range of alternative irrigation systems.

Vegetable Seed Industry Tour

Date:

11th October

Time:

7am Corryong Secondary College pickup
8am Tallangatta High School

Return:

Tallangatta 7.00pm, Corryong 8.00pm

4. Project Update

The early rains of the winter put hope in our hearts that things may have been on track for the 2007 season. SAS trials continue with work in the monitoring of soil moisture at Mitta, Tallangatta Valley, Colac Colac, Biggara, Towong, Tintaldra and Cudgewa in a range of crops.

The aim again this year is to gain a better understanding of soil/water relations with a view to further improving efficiency of water use.

The installation of Sub-surface Drip Irrigation trials are now complete with the two crops under study, lucerne and peppermint, both planted and growing away well. These plots aim to provide some local information about alternative irrigation methods, particularly in the production of fodder crops such as lucerne.

A major field day is to be held on the 13th November in the Upper Murray with guest speakers Dennis Watson (DPI ) and industry specialists Andrew Pollard (Netafim), Lauren Thompson (Irrigation and Fodder Production) and Sue Hinton (Agronomist essential oils).

This day aims to cover a range of topics relating to this type of irrigation including the costs of setting up, potential water savings and improved productivity.

Subsurface Drip Irrigation — Opportunities in the Upper Murray

Date:

13th November

Time:

10.00am

Place:

Towong, McKimmie's Property, Murray Valley Highway.

For further information please call Bernadette Thomas 0409 511 575 Booking for catering please call Brooke McKimmie 0427 931 564

5. UMAG Annual General Meeting

The AGM for the UMAG was recently held at the Corryong Shire Office with a good attendance. All positions on the executive have been filled with Bruce Saxton returned as Chairman for another year.

As was discussed in the Chairman's Report, Bruce is very pleased with the early success of the Sustainability at the Source project and is keen to see the considerable momentum maintained through to its completion.

New projects for the UMAG are also a high priority and as the Telemetry project unfolds the group is looking at opportunities for new projects and further funding. Collaborative work between the UMAG and the Landcare groups across the Towong Shire continues to expand and are a high priority.

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