KCLG Landcare eNews - Sep & Oct 2019
KCLG incorporates Landcare sub-Groups Upper Kiewa, Kergunyah-Gundowring, Kiewa-Bonegilla and independent Groups Baranduda and Yackandandah.
Hello Landcarers,
While some sprinkles of rain are still falling, the prediction is for a drier than average Spring. Looking at the Bureau of Meteorology rainfall forecast for Dederang, there is a 28% chance of at least 300mm for Sep, Oct and Nov and an 88% chance of at least 150mm. There is a 100% chance of at least 50mm. The median rainfall for the Spring months is 299mm, so we are looking at lower than average rainfall for Spring. This means planning ahead for water sustainability for household and livestock and if you haven't done your winter planting of a shelterbelt yet, get them in now while the soil is still wet or start planning for next winter.
If you have something to promote such as an event, planting day or other Landcare related matter, let me know and i'll include it in the next issue.
Megan Hughes
Facilitator - Kiewa Catchment Landcare Groups
Tues, Wed & Thurs
kiewalandcare@gmail.com
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Guest Presenter at AGM 2019
Image above: Vice President, Rowan Wallace thanking Professor Max Finlayson for his presentation.
We had the good pleasure of having Professor Max Finlayson be the guest presenter at the AGM held in Mt Beauty on 5th Aug. He has had a long career in research and academia in the area of Australian and international wetlands. A lot of his work has been in tropical wetlands of northern Australia such as Kakadu and far north Queensland, but his presentation highlighted the role of wetlands across all of the country. Sadly, wetlands are largely in decline along with the fauna populations that inhabit them. We also clarified that a 'wetland' doesn't just mean the ones in national parks with lily pads, but all patches that are water holding and ephemeral on private and public land across our landscape. These wetlands are key to natural drainage, filtering, slowing down and infiltration of water into our soil, creeks and rivers. Even a low lying area that makes a puddle after rain in a cropping paddock contains a diversity of tiny micro creatures! Wetlands are also extremely important for carbon sequestration. So any efforts to grow vegetation around farm dams, along natural drainage areas and on the banks of creeks and rivers is a significant contribution to the hydrological system, the creatures that need them and for carbon sequestration. You might even have a migratory bird from Russia stop for a much needed rest at your wetland!
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Clever Agriculture Smart Food
The Victorian Agribusiness Council Inc., in conjunction with the Ovens Murray AgBiz Alliance will hold the 15th Victorian Agribusiness Dinner and Summit in the prime agricultural Ovens Murray region of Victoria. The Program is filled with engaging speakers.
When: 5th, 6th and 7th of September.
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Birdscaping Baranduda
Open garden day - save the date!
When: Sat 12th October 2019
What: Self guided tour of 4 x gardens in Baranduda that will be open to the public to view different styles of native habitat gardens. The final garden will have a BBQ lunch available and guest speaker AB Bishop author of Habitat - a practical guide to creating a wildlife-friendly Australian garden
More details to come, but put this event in your diary, it's going to be great!
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Kergunyah - Gundowring Landcare's
Dung Beetle Project
Kergunyah - Gundowring Landcare was pleased to receive funding from the 2018/2019 Victorian Landcare Grants to deliver a Dung Beetle Identification & Monitoring project. This involved hosting a workshop on Dung Beetles and to engage landholders in dung beetle monitoring. We are now at the stage of getting shade-cloth tents made to study the habits of three species - Onthophagus vacca, O. gazella & Bubas bubalus.
A very BIG thank-you to our monitors who have sent in their results and observations. Bubas bison, the winter beetle is active in most areas, but is proving to be quite elusive when it comes to trapping. A most unexpected find was Geotrupes spiniger (the blue beetle) at Mitta by monitor Judy Cardwell. Previous trials have shown G. spiniger emerges in December/January and lives for approximately six months, so it is quite unusual to see this species active in late August. One way to determine the age of a beetle is to look at the wear and tear on their front digging legs (particularly relevant for female beetles who do most of the tunneling). This particular beetle was found to have some front leg wear – suggesting it is an older beetle. We continue to look forward to receiving further trapping results & observations.
Photos: Geotrupes spiniger found in late August at Mitta
Belinda Pearce
Kergunyah- Gundowring Landcare Group
0474 081 276
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MITTA VALLEY DUNG BEETLE FIELD DAY
Sunday 8th September 2019
Start 11am
Alec & Judy Cardwell’s -1317 Mitta North Rd, Mitta Mitta
Bernard Doube from Dung Beetle Solutions in South Australia will be releasing the new Spring active dung beetles Onthophagus vacca and doing a paddock walk and field day on the benefits, identification and care of dung beetles.
All welcome to come & learn more about these Farmers’ Best Friends.
FOR MORE INFORMATION and RSVP by Friday 6th September.
Judy Cardwell 040 0014 074
Anita Reynolds 041 9238 452
anitafreynolds@gmail.com
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We note with sadness the passing of long term Landcare member, Wally Mitchell.
Over the last couple of decades Wally has provided an outstanding contribution, housing, maintaining and making available a range of Landcare equipment to members. It is almost impossible to calculate the number of volunteer hours Wally put into fixing and maintaining equipment – we know it would be huge. He was also a champion of weed control. We extend our sincere condolences to Shirley, Rod, Cath & the Mitchell family. Vale Wally.
Photo at left: 2011 Wally Mitchell (on left) was recognised for 20 years active service in Landcare. Photo at right: Wally Mitchell and son Rod.
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Help the Bureau of Meteorology produce relevant information for your agricultural industry and business
Agriculture: Water and the Land are looking for help to shape the future of Bureau services. The survey takes 10 - 15 mins - CLICK HERE
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Biodiversity Response Planning – Project Update
Kiewa Catchment Landcare in partnership with North East CMA has received funding for a Victorian Government Biodiversity Response Planning project , a three-year program (2018 -2021) to reduce threats to woodland birds and mammals. What has been delivered so far is incentive funding for landholders to improve habitat and connectivity, while reducing weed cover.
In the first year we have undertaken a number of revegetation and weed control projects in Kergunyah, Gundowring and Yackandandah, with further Expressions of Interest to undertake works in Glen Creek, Osbornes Flat, Staghorn Flat, Kiewa and Baranduda in 2019/2020. We look forward to working with these landholders to improve habitat across our catchment.
Funding is still available to assist with rabbit and woody weed control on private property. The European rabbit is a serious environmental pest and has proven to have a range of negative impacts on native ecosystems. Rabbits damage native plants and directly compete with native wildlife for food and shelter. Their digging and browsing leads to a loss of vegetation cover, which in turn can result in slope instability and soil erosion. If you (and your neighbours) have an issue with rabbits, we would love to hear from you. Successful rabbit control requires a coordinated community effort using a number of techniques.
The Biodiversity Response Planning Expression of Interest form can be accessed here or you can email Belinda Pearce, Project Officer at biodiversity@kiewacatchlandcare.org.au or contact via 0400 880 872.
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Highlight on: regenerative agriculture
So called 'regenerative agriculture' is not a new thing, although you might have just heard of it. Skimming the surface of what it's about includes a few key land management practices, such as stocking rates being determined by available feed, smaller paddocks to rotate more frequently, increased native vegetation and tree cover to 20% of the land and minimal to zero input of chemicals and fertilizers. A study that compared 16 farms incomes with conventional farm systems has concluded that the regenerative farms had higher than average profit levels.
ABC News - March 2019
https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2019-03-10/regenerative-agriculture-attracts-solid-backing-amid-success/10871130
Soils for Life - https://www.soilsforlife.org.au/home/index.html
Healthy Soils Australia - http://www.healthysoils.com.au/
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Our Native Garden Nursery - Annual Spring Plant Sale!
Saturday 28th September 10.30am - 1pm
http://ournativegarden.com.au/
0418 579 331
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Contact us
Kiewa Catchment Landcare Groups Inc.
Incorporating Baranduda, Kergunyah-Gundowring, Kiewa-Bonegilla, Upper Kiewa & Yackandandah.
Website & Membership: https://kiewacatchmentlandcare.org.au/
Web & Membership Support: Tony Marsh secretary@kiewacatchmentlandcare.org.au
Facilitator: Megan Hughes Phone: 0407 227 814
Email: kiewalandcare@gmail.com
Post: PO Box 50, Wandiligong, VIC 3744
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