Department participates in the Territory Natural Resource Management Conference

The 2016 Territory Natural Resource Management Conference, an event proudly sponsored by the Department of Primary Industry and Resources (DPIR), was held last week in Darwin with a strong department presence throughout the conference.

This year’s theme ‘Shaping the future of natural resource management’ focused on innovative practices and collaborative projects to showcase and encourage real natural resource management change.

The department hosted a conference trade booth highlighting our agricultural diversification research, buffalo research program, Darwin Aquaculture Centre collaborative projects and legacy mines rehabilitation work.

The Darwin Aquaculture Centre hosted a field trip focusing on tropical rock oyster aquaculture development in Indigenous communities, shellfish quality assurance development and trepang aquaculture at the Warruwi community in Arnhem Land. Coastal Plains Research Farm and Plant Industries staff also hosted a field trip to build awareness of the importance of soil management and water for a successful horticultural industry in the Top End.

Participation from across the department continued throughout the three-day conference. ‘Understanding soil nitrous oxide emissions from NT farms: Improving efficiency of nitrogen fertilisers’ was presented by Mila Bristow, Principal Research Scientist, focusing on better understanding and management of nitrogen on farms.

Stuart Smith, Central Australian Horticulture Development Project Manager participated in the interactive poster sessions discussing ‘Water with quality constraints: Can you still sustain plant industries in Central Australia?’

The Quality Graze Producer Steer Challenge in Central Australia was also a finalist in the ‘Research in natural resource management’ award category and received a highly commended accolade. Coral Allan from Arid Zone Research Institute (AZRI) attended the awards ceremony as part of the TNRM Gala Dinner on behalf of the team.

Access information on the department’s presentations at the Territory Natural Resource Management Conference by contacting Mila Bristow via email: mila.bristow@nt.gov.au

Arthur Cameron talks about good soil and tropical grasses during the TNRM tour to Coastal Plains Research Farm