AgWired

I have to thank Wendy Lewis with FS Communications for helping me “cover” the Agricultural Biotechnology International Conference in Australia. She’s getting me story ideas and pictures!

Here’s one on Australian researchers developing drought tolerant wheat. We might need some of this here in the midwest unless we get some rain soon.

Victorian scientists have identified new drought resistant wheat lines that could mean millions of extra dollars in farmers’ pockets, Minister for Innovation John Brumby announced today at the Agricultural Biotechnology International Conference (ABIC) in Melbourne. Department of Primary Industries (DPI) scientists based in Horsham, within the Molecular Plant Breeding CRC, have identified bread wheat lines that yield up to 20 per cent more grain than current varieties, under drought stressed conditions.

“Wheat is Australia’s largest crop, with Victorian wheat exports valued at $384 million in 2004-05,” Mr Brumby said. “However Australian wheat is grown under rainfed conditions and a lack of rainfall frequently reduces the crop yield. “With at least half of Australia’s wheat production area subject to drought every year, these new lines could earn Australian wheat farmers an additional $270 million a year.

I think this looks like a tasty morsel. Cod is an excellent fish. These biotech researchers in Australia though seem to have gotten off the track a little bit don’t you think? I’ve tried to keep this a very clean site and stay away from the “s” word but this story is too good to pass up.

Victorian scientists have revealed the once thought monogamous Australian fish, the Murray cod could be playing the field. Minister for Innovation, John Brumby, said while Murray cod were commonly believed to be monogamous, a study of the fish larvae genes has shown that some cod were polygamous with pairings of two females and one male discovered in several captive spawnings.

Announcing the surprising findings today at the Agricultural Biotechnology International Conference (ABIC) in Melbourne today, Mr Brumby said scientists from Department of Primary Industries (DPI) had made the discovery. “The more we know about the Murray cod, including its sex life, the better we will be able to manage the population levels as well as develop its export potential,” Mr Brumby said.

Oh my gosh. I had no idea. Fascinating. How is biotechnology involved? The “the study is just one component of a larger project which is utilising advanced gene marker and reproduction technologies to enable the development of selective breeding programs for the production of bigger, more colourful and healthier cod for aquaculture purposes.”

There’s a big biotechnology conference going on in Australia this week. I was invited to attend but have to be in Kansas City and then on to Norway. Darn the luck, eh?

But that doesn’t mean I can’t let you know what’s happening down under. Here’s an interesting story.

Victorian scientists are using leading biotechnology to take the sneeze out of the chief culprit of hayfever – ryegrass – which afflicts 1.8 million Australians and hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Minister for Innovation, John Brumby, today announced the findings to mark the start of the Agricultural Biotechnology International Conference (ABIC) in Melbourne.

Mr Brumby said the researchers at Victorian Department of Primary Industries (DPI) had developed a new variety of ryegrass, which does not cause the sneezing and itchy eyes of hay fever. “Through the use of innovative biotechnology, relief is now in sight for sufferers and businesses alike across the world,” Mr Brumby said.

Alleluia! I would love to leave my Zyrtec behind. I’m sure many of you would too. How about John’s title? Minister of Innovation. I like that. I also like the fact that they’re sending me great pictures to go along with the information. I’ve got more to post later today.

Oh, and by the way, did I mention I wish I could be there to take these pictures myself?