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Incentive funding on its way soon
 Expressions of interest will open next month for the first round of a three-year grants funding program. Land managers will have up to 12 months to complete their project.
Funding will be available to help land managers complete these kinds of projects:
- Groundcover management: including Total Grazing Pressure (TGP) fencing to help control unmanaged grazing pressure. For areas already enclosed with TGP standard fencing, funding will be available for divisional fencing with additional watering points.
- Multi-species fencing: for land managers who need a higher degree of fencing control for un-managed grazers and pest animals.
- Riparian management: to fence off riparian areas such as rivers, creeks, lakes and wetlands. Funding will also be available for watering points to replace restricted access to a permanent water source. Strategic grazing of riparian projects may be eligible.
- Targeted Aboriginal programs: Aboriginal Land Managers will have the opportunity to access a range of Land Management Activities including training, property management planning, site protection and on-ground works.
- High conservation value projects: areas of high conservation value may be eligible for up to 100% funding for protection and management.
- Rangelands rehabilitation: includes erosion control, water spreading and water ponding works to rehabilitate areas of degraded land.
To keep informed of application dates and venues for field days and workshop sessions that will help you through the application process, make sure you subscribe to this newsletter and follow us on social media (follow the links at the bottom of this email).
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New advisory group members announced
 Western Local Board Chairman, Tom Hynes has welcomed 20 enthusiastic community representatives as members of the Western Local Region’s three Local Community Advisory Committees. "The people who have put their hands up to represent the local community have an amazing wealth of knowledge as land managers, community members and within local industry," Mr Hynes said.
"Many have worked in natural resource management roles and they have shown a high level of commitment to sustainable agriculture practices and conservation management. The Local Community Advisory Groups have been created to provide input into the development of plans, projects and services and be a link between the Western Local Board and the community and I expect they will be an important part of our decision-making process."
Cobar, Bourke and Brewarrina Local Community Advisory Group members:
- Stuart Mosely (chair), Cobar
- Danielle Ward, Condobolin
- Sam Gunn, Condobolin
- David Akers, Bourke
- Rob Chambers, Osterley Downs
- Ashley McMurtrie, Cobar
- Tony Thompson, Bourke.
Balranald, Wentworth, Hillston and Ivanhoe Local Community Advisory Group members:
- Angus Whyte (chair), Wentworth
- Cynthja Pappin, Balranald
- Phil Baird, Wentworth
- Clive Linnett, Ivanhoe
- John McKeon, Hillston
- Marc O’Halloran, Balranald
- Christopher Stanmore, Ivanhoe
- Trevor Jolliffe, Balranald.
Far West Local Community Advisory Group members:
- Louise Turner (chair), White Cliffs
- Penelope Clarke, Broken Hill
- David Sandow, Broken Hill
- Garry Hannigan, Broken Hill
- Caitlin Myors, Wanaaring.
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Animal management issues
Autumn wild dog control program
 Our Biosecurity Team has been busy this month, coordinating our autumn wild dog control program. Nearly 180,000 baits will be distributed throughout the Western Local Region, thanks to the support of nine local Landcare and pest management groups and the NSW Farmers Association.
The program has already distributed 40,700 of the 140,000 ground baits and a further 36,000 baits have gone by air to areas that are inaccessible for ground baiting. The remainder will go out in the next few weeks. Wild dogs have a devastating impact on livestock production across the region and cause significant economic impacts, as well and stress for livestock producers and their families.
The next baiting program will be in spring. Talk to your local Biosecurity Officer to find out if there is a pest management group near you so that you can become involved.
For land managers in the Wanaaring area, please continue to contact Fred Miller at the local office, where services continue as usual.
Are your rams ready?
 Now is a great time to think about making sure your rams are ready for next season's joining. Ovine brucellosis is present in many sheep flocks in NSW and in all breeds.
It causes considerable economic loss in many flocks, through ram wastage, low lamb-marking percentages and long drawn-out lambing seasons. It also causes epididymitis in rams, resulting in infertility and sterility in some affected rams. In some flocks, it also causes abortion in a small percentage of ewes.
The best time to test rams for ovine brucellosis is six weeks after rams are separated from the ewes. This allows plenty of time to eradicate infected rams and source new rams if needed. You can read more about ovine brucellosis and talk to your local Biosecurity Officer to learn more about testing.
Cattle tag reminder
 When moving cattle to a saleyards or off your property, please remember that stock must have NLIS tags. Cattle producers may face fines for cattle presented at saleyards without NLIS devices.
Stock inspectors across NSW are being issued with NLIS Offence Reports regarding untagged stock at saleyards. Every beast must be fitted with a device under the Stock Diseases Act. In cases where large numbers of tags are missing or repeat offences, producers can expect a warning letter or even a fine.
Where stock agents arrange emergency tags at the saleyards, producers face an added expense and lose the lifetime traceability of the animal, which can lead to a 5c/kg discount from feedlot buyers.
So please remember your obligation to help improve tracing in the event of disease outbreaks and to ensure access to valuable export markets for Australian beef.
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Events near you
Another season short of feed?
This workshop has the tools you'll need!
 A workshop in Cobar in June will feature guest speaker Dennis Hoiberg who will address how to make the most of yourself and create better opportunities in your farming business.
Cobar Golf and Bowling Club
Tuesday 16 June, 9.30am-2pm
This is a chance to find out about the range of funding and support services available.
Other speakers will include:
- Western Local Land Services - upcoming funding opportunities
- Rural Resilience Program, NSW Department of Primary Industries - drought support
- Rural Financial Counselling Service – drought support and rural financial support options
- Interrelate Dubbo - mental health support available in Western NSW.
This workshop has been supported by The House with No Steps and Interrelate
RSVP: email Kerry Johnson or phone 02 6836 1575
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Training and opportunities
Demonstration fencing sites
 A field day is being planned at “Dijoe”, north of Cobar, in July to show progress at one of the region’s Pest Exclusion Fencing Demonstration Sites. Waratah fencing is on display at Dijoe, which fronts the Kidman Highway.
Clipex fencing will be on display at "Yarroma", south of Cobar, while Southern Wire is being installed at “Sunnydale”, near Broken Hill. Westonfence is also being installed at various locations. Make sure to follow us on social media via the links at the bottom of this newsletter or look out for this newsletter for field day information.
Carbon farming - discount available for Albury conference
 Carbon farming is a hot topic these days, with millions of dollars of funding helping land managers supplement their incomes in the Western Local Region alone. Local Land Services does not administer or provide direct advice on carbon projects, but if you're interested all the information you need is on the recently updated Clean Energy Regulator (CER) website. The CER administers all carbon farming projects for the federal government and their website has a range of user-friendly tools and resources.
Local Land Services Western Region will host a Rangelands Carbon Conference in October to provide information on what is relevant in our part of the world. In the meantime, there is a National Carbon Farming Conference in Albury from 7 to 10 July. We can secure a group discount if we have enough members from the Western Local Region. Email Fiona Harris or call her on (02) 6870 8627 if you’re interested.
Landcare conference
 Central Tablelands Local Land Services, in partnership with the Department of Primary Industries, will host the 2015 NSW LLS & Landcare Conference in Orange from 1 to 3 September this year. The theme for this year’s conference is ‘From the Ground Up’ representing the Landcare ethos and celebrating the International Year of Soils. To keep up to date join the mailing list or like the conference on Facebook.
Subsidised training
Under the NSW Smart & Skilled program, RuralBiz is offering subsidised training in a range of qualifications in agriculture and related disciplines. Courses include agriculture, agribusiness management, horticulture and organic farming – some at Certificate IV level, some Diploma and some Advanced Diploma. In most cases, subsidies cover almost half of the full tuition fees. All study is fully online and flexible – designed to be completed in your own time and at your own pace. For details visit RuralBiz online.
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Watch it on video
You can view a range of online videos and documentaries to support landholders and the community on our website. Videos range from practical hands-on tutorials to natural resource education and the award winning Through our Eyes, Aboriginal cultural knowledge documentaries.
If you’re not sure what areas of agricultural advice, natural resource management, biosecurity or emergency management Local Land Services is responsible for, these videos give a quick overview. The 2014 Grant Funding Short Videos also have tips on preparing applications that will be relevant for this year’s process.
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Emergency management explained in our of our videos.
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