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The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is working with the Grains Research and Development Corporation to back grains research in Western Australia and is seeing growers reap the results through the States record harvest.

DPIRD grains researchers will be presenting some of their latest findings at the upcoming 2022 Grains Research and Development Corporation's Grains Research Updates. The Updates will be held as a virtual event over six days kicking off next week on 21-22 February and continuing through March.

DPIRD grains director Kerry Regan said scientific research was the key to helping growers adapt to produce better crops, increase profitability and export competitiveness, and in turn support regional economies and communities.

The departments scientists and researchers are working across a broad range of areas developing innovative cropping technologies and management practices tailored to WAs unique growing conditions, Ms Regan said.

Growers are using this information on crop and soil management strategies and new technologies to increase returns on investment in their farm business.

Ms Regan said building scientific, industry and export capacity of the States grains industry was vital to building resilience and profitability into the future.

We have just seen another record harvest with growers delivering 24 million tonnes of grain. This couldnt be achieved without the innovative research to underpin it, Ms Regan said.

Continuing to look at how we can do things better, how technology can be applied, what is the impact of climate change, market variability and the information growers are asking for is vital.

Collaboration on research and development that drives innovation and international competitiveness is also important.

An emerging imperative is to respond to the environment, social and governance standards that are rapidly emerging in international and domestic markets, including the requirement to account for greenhouse gas emissions.

We are working closely with universities, CSIRO, private companies, interstate agencies, consultants, growers and grower groups to link innovation from the lab to the paddock to the market.

Grains Research Updates are a great example of collaboration between key industry partners and provides a fantastic platform for our researchers to share their work and how it will benefit grain growers.

Eighteen department researchers will present over the six days across a wide range of topics, including plenary sessions on carbon neutral grain farming by 2050, managing risk versus potential in wheat crops, optimising fertiliser applications and a panel session on fertiliser strategies in response to higher prices.

Breakout sessions will cover nitrogen in legume crops, crop protection focusing on bacteria and grain yields linked to frost, electric weed control, spraying for yellow spot in wheat, seeding rates and ryegrass in canola crops, winter wheats for the WA environment, pre-harvest sprouting management and tips for canola establishment.

For more information and to participate in the Grains Research Updates 2020 visit the GRDC Updates and events page.

Media contact:

Katrina Bowers/Megan Broad, media liaison +61 (0)8 9368 3937

Link:
DPIRD backing grains research and development in Western Australia - Government of Western Australia

The media revelled in Liverpools 2-0 win away to Inter Milan in the Champions League, with certain individuals receiving special praise.

Jurgen Klopps men produced a strong away performance on Wednesday night, riding a few waves of Inter pressure but ultimately getting the job done in the space of eight minutes.

Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah scored Liverpools goals at the San Siro, before seeing the game out with consummate ease.

The Reds are now firm favourites to reach the quarter-finals, as an unprecedented quadruple still remains possible, if unlikely.

Heres a look at how the media reacted to Liverpools victory.

Goals Neil Jones felt Liverpool got the job done in professional fashion:

At the final whistle, Simone Inzaghi looked like a man whod just had his lunch money stolen. No wonder.

Liverpool have one foot in the Champions League quarter-finals, while Inter find themselves halfway out the door.

And it all seemed to happen in the blink of an eye. For five-sixths of this last-16, first-leg clash, a cigarette paper wouldnt have separated the two teams.

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If they can win like this when playing like this, imagine what they can do when they really click.

Melissa Reddy of the Independent enjoyed the gritty style of victory, too:

Simone Inzaghi would have been dismayed, but not dumbfounded. Inter Milans coach predicted such an ending back in December when the Champions League last-16 draw was made.

Teams like Liverpool have something more, he mused. They always give you the idea that youre in it, that you can score a goal. Instead, they punish you.

It was all shaping up for an Inter triumph, persistent pressure blended with winning the duels, but then Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah breached their defence eight minutes apart to enact Inzaghis prophecy.

Football365s Matthew Stead felt Inter matched Liverpool in general, but the visitors ruthlessness shone through after the substitutions:

The hosts gave a phenomenal account of themselves, from Milan Skriniar keeping pace with Virgil van Dijk in the ludicrously imperious defensive stakes, to Arturo Vidal inhaling the vaguely chaotic nature of this bout and using it to sustain his lifeforce. Ivan Perisic and Hakan Calhanoglu might similarly be wondering what more they could have done.

But they are not Liverpool and Simone Inzaghi is not Jurgen Klopp. As good as he and his team are, they faced and fell to a ruthless machine that bounced off the ropes to land two knockout blows.

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For so long it was Inter who had the best of it, but Klopps substitutions swung the game. The introduction of Luis Diaz, Jordan Henderson and Naby Keita on the hour, combined with Inters reluctance to make any such change, reinvigorated Liverpool.

It came at a time when they really ought to have been behind on the balance of play. But Henderson and Keita helped reestablish midfield control, while Diaz was a livewire.

Martin Samuel of the Mail lauded Klopps tactical nous in the second half:

Scorers get the headlines but, make no mistake, this was Jurgen Klopps triumph.

He is not a man for dramatic gestures mid-game. Dramatic emotions on the touchline maybe, but Klopp is not one of those managers who makes flurries of changes, or embarrasses a player by hooking him after 20 minutes.

So when he makes a substitution after 45 minutes, and three at once 15 minutes later, something must be wrong. And something was going terribly wrong for Liverpool in the San Siro on Wednesday night.

They were pinned back, overrun. They couldnt breathe such was Inter Milans second-half pressure. So Klopp acted. He ditched Sadio Mane for Luis Diaz, brought Jordan Henderson and Naby Keita into the overwhelmed midfield. And he changed the game. Suddenly, Liverpool were out of their half, giving as good as they got.

The Telegraphs Jason Burt focused on Firminos continued importance:

There is so much understandable talk of a changing of the guard along Liverpools frontline with the arrival of Luis Diaz and the blossoming of Diogo Jota that it is forgotten what a decisive performer Roberto Firmino can still be.

The Brazilian appears to have lost his place in the famed attacking trident, for the big games at least, but he emerged after half-time to replace the injured Jota and make the vital breakthrough in the first leg of this Champions League tie which was actually in danger of running away from Liverpool.

The Mirrors Freddie Keighley was impressed with Virgil van Dijk:

Jurgen Klopp declared Virgil van Dijk is back to his best after Liverpools 1-0 victory over Burnley on Sunday, and the Dutchman proved it once again in the Lombardy capital.

Van Dijk was hugely impressive against Inter Milans strike partnership of Lautaro Martinez and Edin Dzeko, positioning himself to snuff out the danger and using his remarkable recovery pace to

During Liverpools spell under the cosh early in the second half, the 30-year-old was seen bellowing to his teammates, urging them to raise their level and caulk the gap between defence and midfield.

Van Dijk was paired with Ibrahima Konate rather than Joel Matip at centre-back as Jurgen Klopp and the Frenchman made a number of important interventions including a fine block to repel Ivan Perisics effort just before the hour mark.

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher loved Ibrahima Konates display, taking to Twitter to provide his thoughts:

Jones feels the coming months could be hugely exciting:

And so on to Anfield we go. Liverpool have back-to-back home games in the Premier League now, a chance to make up some ground in their pursuit of Manchester City.

After that comes the Carabao Cup final, and next month brings an FA Cup fifth round tie with Norwich before the second leg against Inter.

Big games, big stages, big possibilities. A big few months lie in wait for Klopp and his side.

This Is Anfield also looked ahead to a key period:

So back to Anfield well go and given our form there, hopes will be high that were heading into the last eight.

Before then, though, theres a lot to get through for the Reds including two games against Norwich and a cup final.

The first one against the Canaries is in the league and at the weekend, back to Anfield where weve won 11 of the last 12 in all competitions and are unbeaten all season long.

Klopp has already explained how well be rotating more frequently for the coming run of games, with Leeds and West Ham the other opponents before the second leg with Inter.

Everyone will be needed and by the time that game comes along, well hopefully be a point or two closer to Man City and have a trophy in the bank. On we roll.

Finally, Reddy was another who was eyeing up glory for Liverpool this season:

The scoreline will feel agonising for his (Inzaghis) charges, but enlivens Liverpools ambition of picking up more than one piece of silverware this season.

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Henderson was excellent in midfield as Liverpool swung the game and tie in their favour, keeping the big picture of Champions League glory in frame.

Original post:
Klopps subs swung the game as media admire hugely impressive centre-backs - This Is Anfield

New Zealanders abroad are being urged to come home and do their patriotic duty - picking and packing kiwifruit - in the national interest.

(Source: 1News)

And, if they're quick, they can help out sending New Zealand's first red kiwifruit abroad.

New Zealand's annual harvest began in Te Puke this week, a Bay of Plenty town known as the kiwifruit capital for its hillside orchards teeming with fruit.

The harvest will take roughly four months and kiwifruit marketers Zespri are hopeful of a record haul.

Last year, 177 million kiwifruit trays - or 5.3 billion pieces of fruit - were taken from trees, and this year, the forecast is for 190 million trays.

That's if they can find enough staff.

The workforce is usually comprised of around 60 per cent locals, 20 per cent Pacific workers, and 20 per cent backpackers, but with border settings still tightly-controlled, that backpacking crowd isn't available.

New Zealand's tight labour market exacerbates the problem; unemployment is a staggering 3.2 per cent, meaning there are fewer Kiwis looking for work than usual.

New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc chief executive Colin Bond says they're appealing to Kiwis - whether at home or abroad - to make up the shortfall.

"We could be around 6000 short because that's about the number of backpackers that we normally have," Bond told AAP.

"Our challenge is how do we cover that gap? So we're going to try and attract more New Zealanders."

Last month, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced a reopening strategy that begins with Kiwis based in Australia, who can enter from next week without staying in MIQ.

From March 14, that will extend to working holiday makers, leaving a tight turnaround before the picking peak in mid-April.

Given that, growers are hopeful Kiwis in Australia might jump the ditch and roll their sleeves up.

"We're a billion (dollar) industry for New Zealand and that money flows back to local communities," Bond said.

"It is about people pitching in and coming to do your bit, to pick a bit of 'kiwiana' and come and help out the growers."

Kiwifruit is big business in New Zealand.

It is the largest horticultural export, outdoing even wine, and is expected to be worth up to $NZ3 billion this year.

This year, pickers will get their hands on a new variety: Zespri's RubyRed flavour.

The new fruit has been engineered over the past decade to ensure it's the right colour, taste, is easily stored and grown for commercialisation.

"It's a beautiful-tasting fruit," Bond said.

"When you slice them open you'll get red flesh and they're slightly different on the outside as well.

"The green has the hairy fuzz. The gold has a smooth skin. The ruby red is a slightly different shape and colour again."

Zespri claims the RubyRed has an edible skin, and the fruit is "high in antioxidants, rich in Vitamin C and it's a good source of folate, potassium, and Vitamin E".

Just a few hundred thousand trays are being exported this season, making it a tiny slice of the overall market.

Sadly for Australian consumers, they're bound for Singapore, Japan and China - with Australia part of plans further down the track.

That means the best route for Australians to try the fruit is to head to New Zealand and pick them.

Bond said the vast majority of packhouses pay the living wage - NZ$22.75 an hour - or above, while pickers can attract an average of NZ$27.

Read more:
Kiwis abroad urged to return home and pick kiwifruit - 1News

The simple answer is no.

Easiest analogy;

You are the host of a party. You then invite 11 other people, for a party of 12 people. One member of your party (let's call them W) is not liked by 3 other members (we will call them 'the clique'). During the party, 2 members of 'the clique' talk about W to every other member of the party to the point where some of the other guests dissociate from W. Can blame W blame you for defamation?

I would say yes if any one of these conditions could be met:

(A) You would have to have known about the nature of the relationship between W and 'the clique' prior to inviting all of them to the same party.

(B) You would have to have knowledge of and ignored the actions of 'the clique' during the party.

(C) You would have to have knowledge of and ignored any request W made to limit 'the cliques' actions.

In this situation you are social media, W is a public figure, 'the clique' are bad actors, and the other guests are random users.

Condition A requires websites confirm identities with background checks (Think Chinese internet). This is possible, but expensive for small private sites (like JapanToday) and could be seen as invasive for those who could pull it off (like Alphabet/Google or Meta/Facebook).

Condition B requires that the websites not moderate or monitor what discussions happen between it users. Users are not free to share any kind of content between other users (hi moderators, watch this get edited) on any website. Facebook will take down content it does not like, JapanToday will lock comment sections and delete posts deemed inappropriate.

Condition C requires websites to receive complaints and not act on them. Facebook has historically had no direct phone number but there is a reporting system and again they will delete content. JapanToday has a reporting system in place and does delete comments.

While there is an argument to be made about the decision-making process and timing of editing, moderating, and presenting content, it is hard to argue that a third party can act in a way that exposes a media company to defamation.

More:
Do you think media companies should be held liable for defamatory third-party comments on their Facebook pages or discussion boards? - Japan Today

Over the weekend, emboldened by a cowardly mainstream media and a slow-moving January 6 House Select committee, Donald Trump escalated his efforts to seize control of the story of the violent insurrection at the Capitol he incited last year. At a rally held in Conroe, Texas, on Saturday, Trump painted the insurrectionists as martyrs and heroes, claiming those who have been arrested and charged more than 700 "are being treated so unfairly" and promised, "if it requires pardons, we will give them pardons."On Sunday, Trump doubled down, releasing a statement all but confessinghe had wished for then-Vice President Mike Pence to overturn the election on January 6.

"Mike Pence did have the right to change the outcome," his statement claimed. "Unfortunately, he didn't exercise that power, he could have overturned the Election!"

RELATED:Why voters don't blame Republicans for the Capitol riot no GOP leaders have been arrested yet

The statement makes clear what Trump's intentions were when he incited the people to storm the Capitol on January 6, some of whom were recorded chanting "hang Mike Pence." (Trump has previously defended the chanters.) On Monday,Asawin Suebsaeng of the Daily Beast reported that Trump has been conspiring for months with GOP lawmakers, should they regain control of Congress in the midterm elections, to abuse their power to launch fake "investigations" into January 6 aimed at further confusing public understanding of the riot and painting the insurrectionists as martyrs.

Want more Amanda Marcotte on politics? Subscribe to her newsletter Standing Room Only.

Trump's boldness in trying to rewrite the history of January 6 is horrific, but not shocking. The man has never failed to press an advantage. He has a huge one when it comes to gaining control of the narrative of January 6: There's no one really out there stopping him. The mainstream media is falling behind on the job, failing to treat Trump's downright criminal aggression on this front with the gravity it deserves. Meanwhile, Democrats who ostensibly control Congress and the White House are too slow-moving and cautious in their response, giving Trump the opening to go all-out with his valorization of January 6 and efforts to stoke further attacks on democracy.

The one-year anniversary of January 6 came and went. President Joe Biden marked the occasion with a speech, and plenty of information was leaked to the press, but overall, it simply didn't garner the attention needed to counter Trump's revisionist history. Promises were made that "televised hearings and reports that will bring their findings out into the open," and yet this entire month went by without a single hearing.

Last week, committee member Rep. Jamie Raskin told Dean Obeidallah in a Salon Talks interviewthat the planned hearings have been pushed back to "later in the spring, April or May more likely." Raskin blamed the delay on people like Trump's former chief of staff Mark Meadows for doing the "hokey pokey." Meadows, who has been refusing to cooperate,received a referral for contempt of Congress in December. Democrats are not rising to the moment. It's been seven weeks and Meadows still has not been arrested by Biden's Department of Justice.

RELATED:Trump is feeling the heat from investigations and wants his mob to save him

It's tempting to shrug off these delays. One could even argue that maybe it's better to have hearings closer it is to the midterm elections. But this failure to move faster is bad news for democracy. It was entirely predictable that Trump would successfully pressure his lackeys into not cooperating. The failure of the January 6 committee to anticipate that and prepare for it means that they will likely be snookered again and that "April or May" may come and go with more hearing delays caused by Trump, who now has good reason to believe he will avoid answering for his crimes for the rest of year, to the committee or anyone else. The failure to arrest Meadows, and to get more charges flowing for other non-cooperators, is clearly emboldening Trump even further.

Trump has a very good reason to delay things as much as possible: It gives him an incredible opportunity to shape the narrative. As usual, it's an opportunity he is taking full advantage of. While loyal Democratic voters won't be fooled, low information voters who also tend to be the swing voters who decide elections can and already are being manipulated by Trump's disinformation. Both focus group and polling data show that these kinds of voters have no idea how serious January 6 was, or how much the GOP is covering up for Trump's crimes while conspiring to make sure the next coup is successful. Troublingly, even Democratic voters routinely underrate the ongoing risks. The longer Democrats fail to educate voters, the more time Trump has to make sure his lies stick.

Want more Amanda Marcotte on politics? Subscribe to her newsletter Standing Room Only.

But it's not just Democrats. The mainstream media paid very little attention to Trump's escalation over the weekend. When there was front page coverage, the focus was not on the danger of Trump's open and ongoing coup. Instead it was filtered through the "horse race" style of covering politics. The Washington Post ran with "Trump's Texas trip illustrates his upsides and downsides for Republicans and their midterm hopes" while the New York Times had"Trump's Grip on G.O.P. Faces New Strains." Given those headlines, readers might imagine Trump's behavior is mainly a problem for the GOP's midterm prospects, not an open threat to national security and our democracy.

Peter Baker, a preeminent political reporter for the New York Times, acted baffled in a Sunday night tweet as to why there wasn't a bigger public reaction to Trump's statements."Old enough to remember when it would have been shocking to see a former president admit that his goal was to have 'overturned the Election.'," Baker tweeted.

As many pointed out in reply, a main reason the public seems unaware is that Baker and his colleagues are failing to make them aware. As one Twitter user noted, "Then make it a 96 pt headline on the paper where you work and have influence. The media decides how shocking something is and you know that." Others pointed out that the press was able to make a scandal over the non-story of Hillary Clinton using a private email server, and all but yawn and shrug it off when Trump publicly admits his fascistic intentions. As anyone at a progressive publication can attest, reader interest is there. There might even be more if mainstream media treated it as a scandal instead of a page A24 oddity.

RELATED:Republican voters don't actually "believe" the Big Lie about January 6 they're in on the con

Neither the Democrats nor the media are helpless in the face of Trump's continued provocations. The January 6 committee needs to be smarter about anticipating Trump's tactics, and moving faster to gain control of the narrative. Biden's Department of Justice needs to arrest Meadows.The media could choose to treat Trump's continuing efforts to end democracy with the same five-alarm coverage they gave to Clinton's mundane use of a personal email account.

The public takes its cues about what is important and what is not from leaders and media figures. If journalists and Democrats don't step up more aggressively, then Trump's lies about January 6 will keep gaining more traction. It will get even worse if Republicans control Congress next year, and use their own hearing power to offer Trump's lies an even bigger gloss of mainstream respectability. Every day Trump is allowed to control the narrative, his power only grows stronger.

Continue reading here:
Trump takes control of the Jan. 6 story while the media and Congress sleep on it - Salon