Two bits of news I found today show doubts across the world about genetically modified crops.
One is from China - the world's most populous, and single party State. Apparently, they have bowed to public opinion and banned imports of genetically modified soybean variety -
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/09/26/china-grains-gmo-idUKL3N0RK1C420140926
The other story from the United States, is a second discovery of unauthorised genetically modified wheat, which has caused several Asian countries to temporarily ban imports of wheat from the United States.
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/usda-makes-2nd-discovery-gmo-wheat-25784235
Forget that GM crops may be quite safe - just watch the price signals. W.A. farmers seem to be doing this - after five years, only 17 per cent of the canola crop is planted to GM varieties.
http://davidreesconsulting.blogspot.com.au/2014/07/where-is-gm-profit-margin.html
Sunday, 28 September 2014
Wednesday, 24 September 2014
Are the Chinese better farmers than us?
I now have a couple of newspaper stories suggesting that the Chinese think they can farm better than the locals. The latest one was this one, targeting the dairy industry -
http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/business/dairy/chinas-dairy-churn-we-can-get-more-milk-out-of-your-cows/story-fnkeqg0i-1227061082840
Presumably they will not be constrained by lack of capital - that will be a good start to doing a better job. The other key seems to be their plan to bring in Chinese workers, who may work harder for less money, which would also help.
A similar story was published about the Beidahuang Group's Ongerup plans -
https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/24193062/china-riding-on-sheeps-back/
Again, with plenty of capital to achieve the economies of scale, together with their own labour force, they would be off to a good start.
From previous attempts by outside investors, we might have the advantage of local knowledge, but this may not always be the case. You could argue that sometimes outsiders have been more innovative than locals such as newland farmers in Western Australia several decades ago, who pioneered innovation such as no-till. Our challenge will be to continue such innovation, without abandoning lessons already learned.
http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/business/dairy/chinas-dairy-churn-we-can-get-more-milk-out-of-your-cows/story-fnkeqg0i-1227061082840
Presumably they will not be constrained by lack of capital - that will be a good start to doing a better job. The other key seems to be their plan to bring in Chinese workers, who may work harder for less money, which would also help.
A similar story was published about the Beidahuang Group's Ongerup plans -
https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/24193062/china-riding-on-sheeps-back/
Again, with plenty of capital to achieve the economies of scale, together with their own labour force, they would be off to a good start.
From previous attempts by outside investors, we might have the advantage of local knowledge, but this may not always be the case. You could argue that sometimes outsiders have been more innovative than locals such as newland farmers in Western Australia several decades ago, who pioneered innovation such as no-till. Our challenge will be to continue such innovation, without abandoning lessons already learned.
Tuesday, 16 September 2014
No horses for Albany parade
Apparently, public safety now demands that horse representing the Light Horse Brigade will not be able to participate in the Albany Anzac centenary celebrations on November 1st. Yet local politician, MHA Peter Watson has some 30,000 signatures to support including the horses.
Billy Kingston (pictured below) has been parading on his horses for years in Albany parades up York Street. Now this has become a public risk.
This decision may seem absurd, but such concerns about public safety have become established in all parts of society. Farming has been relatively isolated, but the new corporate investors are much more attuned to what is required, and may help with guidance for locals.
Billy Kingston (pictured below) has been parading on his horses for years in Albany parades up York Street. Now this has become a public risk.
This decision may seem absurd, but such concerns about public safety have become established in all parts of society. Farming has been relatively isolated, but the new corporate investors are much more attuned to what is required, and may help with guidance for locals.
University of Western Australia - research proposal?
For the last year, I have been working on a research proposal to the University of Western Australia, titled "Farmer engagement in the development of innovation". I think it is of major importance to farming in Western Australia, but it is a moving target, and I am happy to share with anyone interested, as it takes shape.
Thursday, 4 September 2014
Why we can now handle stubble
Following a previous post about stubble problems -
Previous post about 2013 stubbles
- an interesting point from a farmer at the Newdegate field days was that over the last nine years, they have upgraded their harvester four times, and increased horsepower from about 300 HP to 550 HP. They could now harvest at "beer can height", as well as being able to handle damp straw an hour earlier and an hour later each day.
This explains why the heavy stubbles of 2013 were rarely a problem at seeding for the 2014 crop, based on roadside observation. Most farmers have been slowly upgrading harvest machinery, and can now cope with heavier stubble loads.
How do you add that to your cost-benefit analysis on up-grading the harvester?
Previous post about 2013 stubbles
- an interesting point from a farmer at the Newdegate field days was that over the last nine years, they have upgraded their harvester four times, and increased horsepower from about 300 HP to 550 HP. They could now harvest at "beer can height", as well as being able to handle damp straw an hour earlier and an hour later each day.
This explains why the heavy stubbles of 2013 were rarely a problem at seeding for the 2014 crop, based on roadside observation. Most farmers have been slowly upgrading harvest machinery, and can now cope with heavier stubble loads.
How do you add that to your cost-benefit analysis on up-grading the harvester?