He will be remembered by many in the pastures and grazing industry particularly for his contributions in the area of pasture establishment and management through the Prime Pastures and Acid Soil Action programs. He was also instrumental in the initiation as well as on-going development of the landscape management short course, LANDSCAN, that has been successfully rolled out to landholders in the NSW Tableland and Coastal areas over the last 12 plus years.

Mike was always very willing to share his knowledge and was one of a number of key NSW DPI pasture agronomists and livestock officers who readily assisted younger extension officers to develop their skills necessary to fulfil district extension roles in the tableland, slopes and coastal regions of NSW. Mike had a career in NSW DPI spanning 42 years, retiring from NSW DPI in 2008.

Since then Mike kept his hand in the agricultural scene with some private consulting and agricultural project work while also enjoying some well earned time travelling with his family. Our sincere condolences go to his wife Margaret and children, Jacki, Katie and David and their families.

2014 NSW Hay & Silage Competition

The NSW Hay & Silage Feed Quality Competition is run by NSW DPI with awards being presented at the NSW Grasslands Society Annual Conference to be held in Inverell July 22-24.

As part of the competition, the Wagga Feed Quality Service offers better than 30 per cent discount on normal prices for hay or silage tests. Samples can be submitted and the discount applies any time from now until early July. Prices come down to $70.40 per silage sample and $42.10 per hay sample.

The competition will compare hay and silages in each pasture or crop type category ie one award for each crop or pasture type, not separate awards for hay and silage.

Samples must be representative and must come from commercial lot size intended for feeding to animals. Minimum lot size is five tonnes of product.

Samples must be of forage (hay or silage) conserved and/or fed in 2013/14. There is a limit of four entries (samples) per farm or producer. The competition closing date is Friday July 4.

Samples (approximately 500g) are best sent using a Post Paid Feed Quality Service sample kit available from the Yass Local Land Service Office (best to contact Fiona Leech mobile: 0427 201 805). Silage should be frozen in a plastic bag then wrapped in newspaper before posting early in the week. If you don't have a green Feed Quality Service bag, samples can be posted early in the week to: Feed Quality Service, NSW DPI, Locked Bag 701, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650.

For entry forms and sample kits please phone Fiona Leech (Ph: 6118 6015; mobile: 0427 201 805; email: fiona.leech@lls.nsw.gov.au).

2013-14 Grapevine Management Guide Available

NSW winegrowers are being encouraged to get their copy of this season's edition of the ever-popular Grapevine Management Guide and access the latest information on protecting their vineyard from pests and diseases.

The 2013-14 Guide, published by NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI), is now available and provides 90 pages of detailed information including the latest changes in plant protection advice and recommendations.

This new edition has undergone a major revamp to include articles on current and future viticulture research projects, vineyard management topics and the details of industry websites and vine planting material suppliers. 

Topics covered in detail include agro-chemical use recommendations, root knot nematode management, herbicides for use in vineyards, herbicide weed resistance management. There are also project reports on botrytis fungicide evaluation trials, and Grape marc mulching trials.

Industry information providers, consultant's, agronomists and wine companies can consult the guide for the latest advice on ICA-33 fruit movements, major changes from last season in agro-chemical recommendations and best practices for avoiding glyphosate herbicide resistance development in vineyards.

Individual copies of the guide may be obtained by contacting Fiona Leech, Local Land Services, Yass Ph 61186015 or email fiona.leech@lls.nsw.gov.au. The guide is available online at the DPI website: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/aboutus/resources/bookshop/grapevine-management-guide.

Compiled by Phil Graham and Fiona Leech in conjunction with officers of the NSW Department of Primary Industries.