However, the road rules were not clarified. 

The road rules 2014 – part 7, Div 3, 74, Giving Way – clearly state that a driver entering or leaving an area like a shopping centre, must give way to a pedestrian or other vehicle. 

Drivers still need to know that if they don’t give way they are breaking the law. 

I look forward to clarification if I am in error of this interpretation. 

Helen Benham 

Leeton 

THE Australian beef industry will benefit with the completion of three years world-leading research on genetic traits to breed lower methane producing cattle.

The innovative research has produced the first and most comprehensive estimates of genetic parameters in the world for methane-producing traits in beef cattle.

The genetic merit of methane emissions traits can now be described and will pave the way for the development of Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) in our national genetic evaluation system BREEDPLAN®.

Cattle producers have tools to potentially identify bulls whose offspring will produce less methane - without impacting on their productivity or profitability.

In Australia about 10 per cent of all greenhouse gas emissions and two thirds of agricultural emissions come from methane produced by livestock, mainly produced by animals’ feed digestion. Reducing these emissions will be good for the environment.

It is expected that in 10 years of selection using DNA based genomic breeding values, the animals born will produce 4 to 5 per cent less methane than animals at present.

They found that animals that use feed more efficiently for growth, naturally produce lower levels of methane gas.

This means, Australian beef cattle producers are able to breed cattle that are more feed efficient, which reduces the cost of production and reduces methane emissions.

Breeding these types of cattle will help to ensure an environmentally sustainable future for our industry.

The DPI cattle methane team conducted the research in partnership with the University of New England. Research was also conducted with the Angus herd held at the DPI Trangie Agricultural Institute.

This comprehensive research work is a great example of organisations working together collaboratively, with the co-operation of various scientists, technicians and support staff over many years.

The cattle methane reduction project is supported by co-funding from the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, as part of its Filling the Research Gap Program and Meat & Livestock Australia.

The final report – Genetic technologies to reduce methane emissions from Australian beef cattle is available on the DPI website http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/livestock/beef/breeding. 

Dr Paul Arthur

DPI leader beef genetics 

Yay: It doesn’t get said often enough, but yay to our emergency services in Leeton. 

They do a great job day in and day out. Well done. 

Yay: To Leeton Shire Council for its decision to standalone.

We must all support them in their fight to do so.