Member Groups; The Lismore Land Protection Group, Weering-Eurack Landcare Group, Leslie Manor Landcare Group, Cundare Duverney Landcare Group, Weerite Landcare Group & Mount Elephant Community Management
Shelterbelts - Lost land or a Gross Gain
Put Poly Underground
Looking Locally for the Yarra Pygmy Perch
Want to be a Water Watcher
Innovation in the Otways Bus trip
Coming up
Lismore Land Protection Group monthly meeting
7:30pm Thursday 9th February 28 High St, Lismore
Mount Elephant Community Management meeting
7:30 pm Monday 13th February, Mount Elephant Centre
Mount Elephant open day
Open every Sunday from 1pm to 4pm
Shelterbelts – Lost land or a gross gain?
Since purchasing their farm at Weering in 2001, Caroline and Karl McEwan have undertaken an extensive tree planting program with the aim of providing shade and shelter for their Angus herd. Being a vet, Caroline fully understands the benefits of their efforts. “Just like you or I, stock don’t like to be subjected to extreme heat. It affects their growth rates, milk production, and if joining their conception rates too. It can also lead to slipping or aborting of calves. Have a look at what stock do when they have access to shade, they prefer to get out of the sun. Wouldn’t you?”
Their plantings have truly transformed the place, and being a small property doesn’t deter them. “When we first came here, there were only three small mature plantations on 100 acres. Our aim was to create plantations on at least two fence lines in each of our 12 paddock so stock can get out of extreme weather on every part of the farm” said Caroline. “Some view the tree planting as sacrificing good pasture or a loss of productive land. However we find overall it improves the productivity of the farm. Shelter means the stock are warmer in winter and it has reduced the amount of fodder stock need just to stay warm. Provision of shade reduces heat stress on the stock in summer. Very young calves or recently dropped calves can be particularly susceptible to heat stress and suffer dehydration, which may require veterinary intervention. Stock with shade drink less water trying to cool themselves, and as we are on town water supply this reduces the water bill considerably”.
“We slowly chip away, planting about 400 trees, or 400 metres a year. This number means we can manage our soil preparation for the trees, and keep a close eye on weeds for the first two years” said Caroline. “We plant a diverse mix of Manna Gums, Swamp Gums, Redgums, Blackwoods, Sheoaks, and quite a few shrubs. In particular spots, such a low lying wet areas, we have to be selective of which species we plant.” They have found that a diverse mix of trees creates a better shelterbelt, it attracts a wider variety of birdlife and the place also looks a lot nicer. If one species doesn’t perform well there are plenty of others to fill the space.
“Most years we have a really good survival rate, and this has definitely improved as we have got better. Our 8 and 10 year old kids are expert tree planters!” Caroline suggests that “we have planted enough trees in the last decade that if we sell the farm we will have to advertise it as 100 acres partially cleared. But we still run just as many cattle as when we first came here”.
In the greater scheme of things Caroline and Karl are also helping to mitigate climate change, with their recent plantings funded by the Australian Government’s 20 Million Trees Program to sequester carbon. “The long term trend of hotter summers that we are experiencing will continue. It’s better to start preparing for it now than react later on, as trees take time to grow” said Caroline.
If you are interested in participating in revegetation plantings in 2017 please contact Rod at the LLPG.
Put Poly Underground!
Would you drink boiling water on a hot day? No. Well why expect stock to do it, as poly pipe lying on the ground can heat water to near boiling. If this water is used to supply a trough for stock, then it could have potentially cause them serious harm.
On a hot day stock without access to shade can only cool themselves by drinking water. But if the water is hotter than the animals core body temperature of around 37oC, and water in a black poly pipe lying on the ground in the sun certainly will be, then it will have the opposite effect. Drinking it will actually raise their body temperature, exacerbate the effects of heat stress, and possibly scald them in the mouth. They may even refuse to drink, possibly resulting in dehydration and damage to their internal organs.
If you doubt how hot water can get in poly pipe lying in the sun, go and check in the middle of the afternoon on a hot day. You might be surprised.
If putting the poly pipe underground is too difficult, an option could be to pipe it to a holding tank, then have another pipe from the tank to the trough. The tank should be large enough such that it holds a few days water, which would allow inflowing water to cool down over night. Also make sure the (hot) water goes into the top of the tank, as the cooler water will sink to the bottom and be used first.
Looking locally for the Yarra Pygmy Perch
The Yarra Pygmy Perch (YPP) Nannoperca obscura is a small bodied native fish species of south-eastern Australia, typically occurring in slow-flowing water with an abundance of aquatic vegetation. Their diet consists primarily of insects, insect larvae, and crustaceans.
The YPP’s distribution is patchy and highly fragmented. It inhabits southern flowing waterways from Lake Alexandrina in South Australia across to West Gippsland, and has only been identified at 42 locations. Locally, it was most recently found in Gnarkeet Chain of Ponds in 2014 and Woady Yaloak Creek in 2008.
YPP are classified as threatened under Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1998. Nationally, it is listed as vulnerable under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
The YPP is under threat and its’ population is highly fragmented across much of its’ historical range due to habitat loss, the impacts of invasive aquatic species, reduced streamflows, and water regulation. The fragmented distribution of its’ remaining habitats and the variability of these habitats between seasons and years, makes the species extremely vulnerable to local extinctions. Reduced flooding and loss of habitat linkages also greatly reduce the ability the YPP to recolonise habitats.
YPP are identified as a key environmental value in the Corangamite Lakes Landcare Area. The Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CCMA) intends to undertake surveys of local waterways, and in particular the Gnarkeet Chain of Ponds and Woady Yaloak Creek, for the YPP during early 2017 as only minimal surveys have been undertaken in the region in recent years.
While the survey is targeted on the YPP, the survey will also investigate the current status of River Blackfish (Gadospsis marmoratus) in these same catchments.
The survey will be undertaken by using electrofishing to temporarily stun the fish, and gathering them with nets. Deeper holes, with more permanent water which provide refuges in dry periods, will be the main locations checked in the survey.
Up-to-date information on the distribution of these species will enable further development and implementation of the CCMA Drought Refuge Management Plan (2010) for native fish species. It will also identify key refuge sites to target riparian and habitat restoration works as part of the CCMA’s ongoing Waterways Frontage Protection and Protecting the Western District Lakes programs.
The survey will be carried out during late February. If you are interested in the Pygmy Perch and seeing how the survey is done please contact Rod at LLPG for further information, as dates and specific locations are yet to be finalised.
New Calicivirus Due For Release in March
The new strain of rabbit calicivirus (RHDV-K5) is planned for release in March. It will be released at three locations within the Corangamite Lakes area, Pura Pura, Derrinallum and Beeac. Sites at Rokewood and Stoneyford, have also been selected, giving the general area good coverage.
Summer Rains Bring Summer Weeds
With the recent rains, there also comes the scourge of summer weeds. Over the past few years we have seen a range of weeds either appearing or becoming more prevalent locally, such as Caltrope (or Bindi), Afghan Melons, Paddy Melons, Bathurst Burr, Heliotrope, and Datura (or Crowned Thorn Apple) to name a few.
Controlling weeds is like controlling a fire, firstly contain them and prevent their spread by getting isolated infestations and outliers, then work to eradicate the main infestation. Most importantly act early, before they get out of hand, and don’t let them set seed.
Community Waterwatch Callout
Lismore Land Protection Group is starting a community Waterwatch group as part of the ‘national community water monitoring program which focusses on environmental education and awareness.’ Participating community members are trained to use the Waterwatch kit to test for dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, electrical conductivity (salinity), turbidity and reactive phosphorus. Water quality testing is undertaken at regular intervals, usually monthly. Testing takes around 30 min and can be conducted on site at the waterway. If you would like to start a local group to monitor a waterway in your area or anyone interested in participating, please contact Shari on 0409 070089 or at llpgsharim@westnet.com.au
‘Innovation in the Otways’ bus trip, 22–23 March, 2017
Join us on a two day tour of local farms and businesses showcasing innovative and sustainable practices. The tour will visit a truffle and walnut farm, cheese making, a goat dairy, and businesses where berries and cut flowers complement the working farm.
Accommodation will be at the historic ‘Tarndwarncoort’ Homestead, Warncoort. Costs will be partially met by the Sue Hickey grant, with an estimated out-of-pocket cost between $100-$150 per person, which includes meals, accommodation and bus hire. Numbers are limited so register your interest with Shari soon.
This newsletter has been funded under the
Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning
“Communities for Nature Program”.
Lismore Land Protection Group
19 High Street (PO Box 28) Lismore, Victoria 3324 Ph: 03 5596 2384 Landcare Facilitators:
Rod Eldridge: 0458 390146 email: llpgrod@westnet.com.au Shari McConachy 0409 070089 email: llpgsharim@westnet.com.au Find us on the Landcare Gateway here
