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Trend What’s Working In Agriculture 26th October 2004 A new way to control possums could more than halve the use of 1080 poison. Landcare Research has made major progress towards developing a contraceptive for the pest with an experimental vaccine reducing possum fertility by one third. Fertility control vaccine works by immunising female possums so their eggs are not fertilised. The vaccine will be trialled as a bait in the field soon. Cypress sawdust could be used commercially to make natural pesticides. Research is showing cypress sawdust extracts contain enough naturally bio-active compounds to protect impregnated timber from attack by termites and fungi, even at low application rates. It is possible cypress sawdust extracts could be used for a wider range of pests and diseases. Lucerne can be grazed earlier in the spring. Traditionally farmers have been told they should not graze lucerne in spring until around 10% of the plants are flowering. New research is showing farmers can graze earlier, without harming root reserves, as long as lucerne is about 30cm high. Lucerne can stand earlier and more frequent spring grazings, but leaving lucerne to flower following autumn rain has a positive impact on production the following year. |
©2004 The Main Report Ltd