MOVING INTO SPRING 
There have been some welcome rains over the past few weeks in some parts of the Central Tablelands. Unfortunately these rains have been patchy and some locations received more than others. For some areas this is the first worthwhile rain for some time.
Overall, most of the Central Tablelands area is still in a rainfall deficit, and available pasture and current pasture growth are well below average. Recent site specific modelling and prediction work conducted by Doug Alcock from Graz Prophet Consulting, and Central Tablelands LLS staff, has been undertaken to define the impact of the rainfall outlook for grazing farms and livestock production.
Seasonal outlook reporting was completed at four locations in our region and looked at four different soil types and four different livestock operations. Although the locations and operations may not quite match your own livestock system, the results have shown that we would need very much above average rainfall to maintain what would be normal livestock numbers.
The full report is a useful resource to help you look at potential adjustments for your own operation and location, enabling you to make your own conclusions and plans for the season ahead.
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Planning ahead - Assessing your pastures and planning ahead the next few months
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Stop in for a cuppa with Central Tablelands Local Land Services staff at site C19 - 23. Staff will be available to provide information and advice on your biosecurity responsibility, livestock and agriculture, native vegetation, weeds, pest animals and natural resource management.
Learn about how we can connect you with training and information to help you protect and grow your agricultural enterprises.
As part of the Rebooting Central West Beef feature exhibit, we will be delivering two industry presentations on Friday 25 October at the Trevor Elliot Pavilion:
- 9.30 - 10.00am - Biosecurity and its increasing influence on the cattle industry
- Alistair Gordon-Smith, Senior Biosecurity Officer
- 10.00 - 10.30am - Feeding in difficult times, how to maintain your cattle
- Brett Littler, Senior Land Services Officer
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FUNDING AVAILABLE 
Confinement feeding is a drought feeding practice that aims to promote animal health and welfare while preserving ground cover and condition across your property. Central Tablelands LLS will be providing financial assistance to landholders wishing to undertake this practice with applications for confinement feeding incentives opening soon.
Funding will be available to contribute towards the construction of confinement feeding areas with eligible landholders able to apply for a maximum funding amount of $5,000. Through this funding project, we are aiming to assist landholders prevent degradation of natural resources by ensuring that adequate ground cover is maintained during periods of drought and adverse seasonal conditions.
Further details will be released on our website on Monday 7 October 2019.
The following can be funded:
- Water troughs, pipe and fittings, fencing materials, nonportable feeders, shade cloth shelters and trees (Other infrastructure may be approved upon application and negotiation with LLS staff).
The following will not be funded:
- Bores, dams, pumps, labour storage infrastructure (ie, hay sheds, silage pits, silos), tanks, portable feeders and earth works.
As a part of the incentive program, we will be running a series of confinement feeding workshops throughout October. Attendance at one of these workshops is an eligibility requirement for funding. We also encourage anyone who is interested in finding out more about confinement feeding to attend.
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CHANGES TO THE ACT 
On 23 August 2019, the Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall announced that the ‘game species’ classification will be removed (i.e. no special hunting license required) for wild deer under the Game and Feral Animal Control Act 2002.
Removing game status has given landholders more flexibility to manage deer bringing its classification into line with other feral animals such as wild dogs, foxes, rabbits and pigs. Under these new changes, anyone with a firearm licence will be able to manage deer on private land, so long as they have land manager’s permission.
These changes came into effect on Friday 6 September 2019. This change is designed to support land managers struggling with drought and increasing wild deer herds. It removes one area of confusion and allows private land managers to meet their general biosecurity duty under the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015.
For more information about managing feral deer click here or download a copy of the Deer Identification Guide.
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PROPOSED LISTING IN WEED MANAGEMENT PLAN 
Sticky Nightshade (Solanum sisymbriifolium) is an emerging threat to landholders in the Central Tablelands Local Land Services region. It is an invasive weed that competes with crop and pasture plants. Stock will avoid grazing areas of high density infestations. Sticky Nightshade is also able to invade more inaccessible sites such as rocky hillsides making control difficult.
Sticky Nightshade is a short lived perennial with abundant fruit that is spread by birds and foxes that have consumed the fruit. The plant can also regenerate by growth from underground rhizomes. It appears to also be spread by vehicles and imported fodder.
The Central Tablelands Regional Weeds Committee has been working with landholders and the NSW DPI to review the weed risk rating of Sticky Nightshade in the Central Tablelands region and as a direct result have determined that Sticky Nightshade should now be considered for listing as a priority regional weed species in the Central Tablelands Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan (CTRSWMP).
Prior to listing, the Central Tablelands Regional Weeds Committee is seeking public feedback into the proposed recommendation. All feedback will be reviewed by the Weeds Committee and any resulting changes to the proposed listing will be made prior to submission to the Central Tablelands LLS Board for endorsement and inclusion in the CTRSWMP.
Click here for more information about the process and how you can provide your comment.
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WE NEED YOUR HELP 
Small Purple-pea (Swainsona recta) was once widespread but is now endangered and threatened with extinction. There are now only 28 known sites in NSW, ACT and Victoria.
The known sites in the Central Tablelands are near Mudgee, Rylstone and Mandurama with the plant flowering between late September and early November. It’s mostly found in grassy woodlands with White Box, Yellow Box and Blakely’s Red Gum.
We need your help to find more populations!
If you think you have spotted it, or would like more information on how you can help, contact Tim Nalder or Evelyn Nicholson.
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SOIL BORNE DISEASES IN VEGGIE CROPS
A practical guide to identification and control is free to download here. This guide will help answer questions you may have about protecting your vegetable crops.
CONSERVING SOIL WATER IN ROW CROPS
Soil moisture is the real winner in hot dry summer at the Soil Wealth demonstration site in Cowra. Take a look at the results here.
MLA FIT TO LOAD GUIDELINES
As the red meat industry continues to deal with ongoing dry conditions, livestock producers remain committed to best practice animal welfare. Ensuring animals are fit for transport and presentation at public sale yards is paramount. Download the recently revised Fit to Load Guidelines from MLA to learn about updated information about loading densities, managing effluent and the chain of responsibility of all involved.
PAIN RELIEF AT LAMB MARKING
Marking of spring lambs is under way for some and not too far off for others. Tail docking, castration, and mulesing are all procedures which have demonstrable health or management benefits in the long term. Click here for more information about how you can manage the welfare of your animals during this time. Please contact our District Vets for further advice.
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Events near you!
Get involved...
1080/PINDONE TRAINING - BATHURST
Free course covering topics such as baiting techniques, toxicity, storage, transport, legislation and WH&S, with an optional Canid Pest Ejector component.
Tuesday 8 October 2019
CONFINEMENT FEEDING AND DROUGHT LOT WORKSHOPS - VARIOUS
A series of workshops hosted in conjunction with Central West LLS focusing on confinement feeding.
Wednesday 9 October 2019 - Wellington
Thursday 10 October 2019 - Canowindra
Friday 11 October 2019 - Dunedoo
Monday 14 October 2019 - O'Connell
Tuesday 15 October 2019 - Peel
BREAKFAST WITH THE BIRDS - COWRA
Free workshop for anyone interested in birds, from beginners to advanced, to learn how to identify birds native to the Cowra area.
Tuesday 15 October 2019
LIVESTOCK HANDLING AND ASSESSMENT FIELD DAY - COWRA
This field day will cover topics such as livestock assessment skills, handling livestock safely in the yards and risk assessments. Suitable for all levels of experience.
Friday 18 October 2019
PASTURE FUNDAMENTALS WORKSHOP - BATHURST
Pilot workshop on native and introduced pasture species.
Monday 21 October 2019
PASTURE WALK - MANDURAMA
Featuring DPI perennial wheat and legume trials and Grassland Society of NSW Italian ryegrass and perennial ryegrass demonstration plots.
Tuesday 22 October 2019
NSW LANDCARE AND LOCAL LAND SERVICES CONFERENCE - BROKEN HILL
‘Healthy Landcare – Healthy Landscapes’ - highlighting some of the great work and achievements by the Landcare community and landholders throughout NSW, while also offering informative speakers, workshops and field trips.
Tuesday 22 - Thursday 24 October 2019
AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL FIELD DAYS - ORANGE
The oldest annual agricultural exhibition in the country offering a unique insight into the future of agriculture with the commitment to advancing Australian agriculture.
Thursday 24 to Saturday 26 October 2019
SOIL AND PASTURE WORKSHOP - BATHURST
Understanding soil health, soil fertility, soil testing and impacts on pastures production and sustainability.
Monday 28 October 2019
INTRODUCING STICKY NIGHTSHADE; WEED IDENTIFICATION SESSION - CANOWINDRA
Learn how to identify Sticky Nightshade, hear what impacts this weed may have on your property and best best control options.
Wednesday 30 October 2019
SUPPORTING WILDLIFE THROUGH SUMMER - ORANGE
Take a walk and search for birds prior to breakfast. Following the early start, a forum will take place where you will learn how to support wildlife through the upcoming summer. Attend both, or just the one event.
Monday 4 November 2019 - Breakfast with the birds
Monday 4 November 2019 - Information forum
1080/PINDONE TRAINING - BATHURST
Free course covering topics such as baiting techniques, toxicity, storage, transport, legislation and WH&S, with an optional Canid Pest Ejector component.
Tuesday 12 November 2019
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YOUR PHOTOS
Share your photos with us, tag us on social media #CentralTablelandsLLS
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As a tribute to our dear friend and colleague Richard Carter, we dedicate our October photo to him in honour of his love of photography. We are profoundly saddened by Richard's passing, he was a passionate and well respected member of our team. Our thoughts are with Richard's family during this difficult time.
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Golden canola carpeting the fields at Canowindra
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| If you're interested in staying up to date with news from the Central Tablelands Local Land Services and seeing events as soon as they're scheduled, connect with us on social media - links below! |
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