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2021 annual achievements
READ OUR CENTRAL TABLELANDS ACHIEVEMENTS
 Despite some challenging circumstances throughout 2021, our teams were able to adapt and work with landholders to deliver some remarkable outcomes across the region, which included:
- Protecting 1,035,300ha of land against pest animals through coordinated control programs
- Protecting 161ha of native vegetation through rehabilitation and enhancement
- Connecting with 1,350 participants through 87 community training, awareness raising and capacity building events
- Conducting 6,262 one-on-one landholder advice consultations, and 614 on-farm animal disease investigations
These outcomes and more can now be found in our newly released Central Tablelands Local Land Services 2021 Annual Achievements Report.
If you would like to read the full report, you can find it by visiting our website.
None of this work is possible without your support and we would like to acknowledge and thank all our customers and partners who have helped us deliver these positive outcomes.
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Successful pest animal control
COORDINATED PROGRAMS ACROSS THE TABLELANDS
 As a general rule, it’s recommended that for effective pest animal control, landholders should conduct at least one primary control method and this can be supported by supplementary techniques to work towards satisfying their General Biosecurity Duty.
However, ‘effective’ control is imperative!
For example, some on-ground activities like trapping, fencing, or shooting can be considered primary control methods, they may not be effective in controlling pest animal populations if executed poorly, carried out on a scale that is too small for the size of the property, or as sporadic activity.
Part of the work we do in the pest animal space is to coordinate landscape-size aerial programs as part of comprehensive pest animal management across the Central Tablelands. We focus on best practice and strict adherence to legal requirements of pest control.
We recently undertook pest animal control programs in strategic areas within our region to support the on-ground work being undertaken by landholders and pest animal groups.
A program conducted in the Hampton, Lowther, Kanimbla, and Megalong valleys. and was supported jointly by Central Tablelands LLS and the NSW Bushfire Recovery fund. Unfortunately, wet weather impacted the number of viable days to conduct the program, however, a follow up program is proposed in late May for some of the properties where control works could not be conducted. Close to 100 landholders consented to be part of the program. Efforts resulted in the removal of 292 feral pigs, 49 red deer, 6 fallow deer, 11 foxes, 1 feral cat and 3 wild dogs from the landscape.
Trunkey Creek and Caloola areas also saw a control program involving over 70 consenting landholders. This program was supported through pest levy project funding. Over the course of this four-day program, 579 feral pigs, 52 fallow deer, 30 foxes and 1 feral cat were removed.
We’d like to thank all landholders involved in the delivery of these successful control programs.
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Let's talk sticky nightshade and other weeds
MEET WITH YOUR LOCAL CONTROL AUTHORITY
 Join us for an opportunity to meet weed officers from Upper Macquarie County Council and Mid-Western Regional Council to talk about emerging weeds like sticky nightshade.
Come along to these informal sessions to learn more about sticky nightshade, how we are working to stop its spread and what you can do to help.
Or maybe you have another weed you would like help with identification or just need to discuss control options for weeds on your property? All weed questions are welcome on the day.
Any weeds brought along to the workshops for identification should be in a sealed plastic bag or container to limit their spread.
- Carcoar - Upper Macquarie County Council – Monday 23 May
- Hargraves - Mid-Western Regional Council – Tuesday 31 May
For further information contact Central Tablelands Regional Weed Coordinator – Marita Sydes, 0439 334 282 or marita.sydes@lls.nsw.gov.au
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African lovegrass biocontrol
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS
African lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula) is a hardy, drought-tolerant grass that grows in clumps. It is poor quality feed for livestock and can quickly colonise overgrazed and disturbed sites. For many landholders, African lovegrass has been difficult to control.
Biological control (also called ‘biocontrol’) options are being looked at as part of research into managing the invasive grass. Biocontrol of weeds uses natural agents (insects and plant disease-causing microorganisms) to reduce the negative impact these plants cause to primary production, the environment and/or the community.
NSW DPI are calling for landholders to take part in a survey which explores stakeholder views on research surrounding the potential biocontrol of African lovegrass.
Your responses to this survey will help researchers to better understand attitudes and perceptions regarding research into the potential biocontrol of African lovegrass.
The survey is open until midnight Monday 9 May 2022. Click for more information and to take the survey.
For further information on African lovegrass visit NSW WeedWise.
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Are you a producer on the Central Tablelands? Have you signed up to Ag Advice? Our monthly advisory offers production-based information, advice and updates direct from our District Vets and Agricultural Team. Click the image to sign up.
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Backyard chicken welfare
KEEPING YOUR CHICKENS HAPPY AND HEALTHY
 Backyard chickens are a great way to produce food, recycle food scraps and introduce kids to farming.
Keeping your chickens happy and healthy means you can feel safe and happy eating their eggs. Knowing what size coop, what kind of diet, and what diseases to be on the lookout for, are all important aspects of keeping backyard chickens.
If you are planning to buy a few hens or already have chickens and want a refresher, click to read advice from our District Vets.
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Slender rats tail grasses
A PREVALENT NATIVE GRASS THIS SEASON
 One of the most frequent enquiries, and a popular question at Pasture Officer Clare Edwards' recent pasture walks, has been about the slender rats tail grasses.
There are two very similar native species which go by this name (Sporobolus creber and S. elongatus), which are also known as Parramatta grass.
These species of grasses are more common and prevalent in years with good summer rainfall. They usually flower from spring through to summer.
More likely to be found in native based pastures, they can colonise degraded sown pastures quickly – especially in lighter textured and lower fertility soils. They are often found in pastures with the native red grass (Bothriochloa macra).
Click to read more about slender rats tail grasses.
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Do you know your soil's pH?
COULD BE TIME TO LIME
 With strong livestock and winter crop prices continuing, the incentive to ensure your pastures and crops are performing to their potential has never been greater. Therefore, every farmer should know their pH and aluminium % of each paddock.
Aluminium toxicity could be severely limiting high value crops and pastures in your mixed farming operation. Unfortunately, a 0-10cm soil core and subsequent test results are only telling half the story. If you have a history of minimum/zero till and/or surface application of lime, you may also have a pH stratification issue that will limit root growth of aluminium sensitive crops and pastures. Soil conditions that limit root growth can negatively impact the water and nutrient use efficiency of a crop or pasture.
NSW DPI and the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program have two demonstration sites on the Central Tablelands. The Toogong site is very typical of many mixed farms in the area with only a moderate soil pH issue with potentially little scope for improvements in productivity and profit because of a lime application. However, the Lyndhurst site is exceptionally low pH with high aluminium percentage and therefore has huge scope for improving productivity and profit. Both sites had varied rates of lime treatments that were surface applied and incorporated.
Helen Burns and Jason Condon from NSW DPI are delivering a local research update for farmers at Toogong 9:30am 17 May (book here), followed by a more in-depth research update for agronomists and consultants at Mandurama at 12pm on Tuesday 17 May (contact Phil Cranney if interested in attending).
If you would like to know more about soil health, please contact our pasture officers Phil Cranney or Clare Edwards, or attend one of the soil health workshops as listed in the events section below.
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It’s Mycology in May!
We often hear about flora and fauna without considering the integral role fungi play in most if not every ecosystem. Easy to overlook given their largely hidden and unseen role, fungi truly are the Forgotten Kingdom.
From the ability to increase nitrogen, carbon, oxygen and phosphorus in the soil through decomposition of organic matter, to their essential role in many household and industrial processes, fungi play a part in most of our lives.
This month we’re celebrating fungi with Mycology in May – a series of events that will have you looking differently. From discovery workshops to surveys to a discussion panel with leading experts…there’s a range of events happening across our region this month.
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The much-misunderstood paddock rock
FRIEND NOT FOE
You may have bounced over a rock in your ute, or stubbed your toe on a paddock rock hidden in the grass but have you ever thought of the benefits of paddock rocks for your farm's biodiversity?
The much-misunderstood paddock rock can create a biodiversity hotspot in grazing land and may lead to the survival of species such as the vulnerable pink-tailed worm lizard, grassland earless dragon, little whip snake and the broad-headed snake.
While it is tempting to move them, if left where they are, they can provide an important ecosystem function by retaining soil moisture and reduce soil erosion by stabilising slopes. Rocky outcrops, bush-rock and paddock rocks can provide many species with protection from predators and refuge from extreme weather conditions ensuring survival of these species in grazing properties.
Recent studies have found that more than 180 vertebrate species rely on rocky outcrops for their survival. Paddock and bush rocks can act as bridges across harsh landscapes ensuring that these species can migrate across landscapes and move from threats that may harm the viability of populations.
So, if you must move paddock rocks to provide safe passage for farm machinery, think about where you may place to them to have the greatest benefit for your biodiversity and the long-term resilience of your property. It may be that a few well-placed rocks across a scald may not only retain sediment but also provide habitat for some of our vulnerable iconic species.
More information can be found via Sustainable Farms including information on the benefits of rocky outcrops.
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Cool burn a hot idea for threatened species
USING TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE TO IMPROVE HABITAT
 Cultural burning is an ancient indigenous practice used to heal the land, returning the country back to health. Cultural burning can also be used today by land managers and farmers to assist them to manage their land and help protect the environment and property from wildfire.
In partnership with Watershed Landcare and Mudgee Local Aboriginal Land Council, we will be undertaking a cultural burn at the Crudine Travelling Stock Reserve (TSR) with the intention of reducing biomass and competition from dense groundcover and thatch.
Crudine TSR is known habitat for the threatened Small Purple-pea, and reducing competition may aid in the germination of additional Small Purple-pea plants.
The burn will also assist in preparing the site for planting of the species. We teamed up with the Australian National Botanic Gardens (ANBG) in Canberra and collected seeds in the last two seasons from populations in our region. Some of the seed has been stored in the National Seedbank, and some has been propagated. There are currently 200 Small Purple-pea plants at ANBG getting ready for planting events in spring and autumn. Keep an eye out in Tablelands Telegraph and our Facebook page for how you can be involved in the planting.
In conjunction with the burn at Crudine, we’re running a workshop that is open to those wanting to learn more about the benefits of using traditional knowledge. To reserve your spot at the workshop being held on 23 May click on the link in the events section below.
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Bee alert – sugar shake season
Autumn is Sugar Shake Season, encouraging awareness and surveillance for exotic bee mites in Australia. During autumn, all beekeepers are encouraged to perform a sugar shake test and submit their results to NSW DPI.
Read how to detect an exotic bee pest incursion here or watch this short video to learn how to determine if a honey bee colony is affected with mites and perform your own sugar shake test.
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FARM INNOVATION FUNDING
The Farm Innovation Fund is a long term, low interest rate loan scheme for NSW farmers for permanent on-farm infrastructure. The Farm Innovation Fund helps farmers to: improve Farm productivity, manage adverse seasonal conditions, ensure long term sustainability. Apply online now.
ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS CULTURAL GRANTS PROGRAM - CLOSES 13 MAY
Grants of up to $20,000 to support Aboriginal community organisations across NSW to celebrate Aboriginal culture and hold key cultural events and activities. The Aboriginal Affairs NSW Cultural Grants Program has the following objectives:
- support Aboriginal communities strengthen, protect, and maintain traditional and contemporary expressions of Aboriginal culture
- support key contemporary Aboriginal cultural events and activities
- contribute to Aboriginal community wellbeing and healing
- facilitate sharing of Aboriginal cultural knowledge and skills between generations.
KIDS TO FARMS
Funding of up to $1,500 is available to NSW primary schools, to cover some of the costs associated with visiting a local farm. The aim is to remove some of the financial barriers that may be preventing primary schools in NSW from taking part in excursion opportunities where students can develop their understanding of food and fibre production systems. Nominate your school today.
KOALA CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION COMMUNITY GRANTS
This grant opportunity provides grants from $50,000 to up to $200,000 for small-scale community projects and local activities that support the recovery and protection of the Koala. Opens 4 May closes 15 July 2022.
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MYCOLOGY IN MAY - VARIOUS
Throughout May there will be fungi surveys in Cowra, Rylstone, Lithgow, Mt Canobolas and Goobang National Park. We’ll be hosting workshops and “Café Champignon” a discussion panel with: Walter Jehne (soil microbiologist), Alison Pouliot (ecologist and author), Sapphire McMullan-Fisher (ecologist) and Richard Cornish (Food author and chef).
Various dates in May
SOIL AND PASTURE HEALTH WORKSHOP - LITHGOW
The soil and pasture health workshop series is learning about your soils and their interaction with your pastures. We examine aspect of soil health and go into detail about soil testing and what the numbers mean.
Friday 6 May 2022
ACID SOILS LOCAL RESEARCH UPDATE - TOOGONG
The soil and pasture health workshop series is learning about your soils and their interaction with your pastures. We examine aspect of soil health and go into detail about soil testing and what the numbers mean.
Tuesday 17 May 2022
BUSINESS PLANNING FOR SUCCESS - WEBINAR
Join us for this two-hour interactive online workshop, where our guest speaker, Rebecca Fing, will cover business direction, goals and strategy, planning and balance, execution and accountability with real examples and action planning.
Tuesday 17 May 2022
BOUNCING FORWARD - ORANGE
Join Central Tablelands Local Land Services in a discussion and exploration of available programs and methods to bounce forward in an ever-changing climate. Presentations include world renown soil microbiologist; Walter Jehne, and researchers from Australian National University and the Mulloon Institute on the carbon sponge and natural assets.
Friday 20 May 2022
CULTURAL BURNING WORKSHOP - CRUDINE
We have teamed up with Watershed Landcare have teamed up to deliver a cultural burn and workshop at the Crudine Travelling Stock Reserve.
Monday 23 May 2022
LET'S TALK WEEDS - CARCOAR
Join us for an opportunity to meet weed officers from Upper Macquarie County Council to talk about emerging weeds like sticky nightshade.
Monday 23 May 2022
PROPERTY PLANNING - BATHURST
This course focuses on soil and water management, biodiversity, vegetation, production, farm biosecurity and basic financials. The course is tailored to commercial, profit orientated farm businesses. Numbers are limited, with preference given to properties above 40ha.
Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25 May 2022
SOIL HEALTH WORKSHOP - WOODSTOCK
Over two sessions, learn how you can improve soil health, your farm's biggest asset. You will learn practical methods of field assessment and fundamental sampling techniques. If you have a farm of 10ha or more in the Central Tablelands Local Land Services region you will be eligible for two free soil tests. Day one date below, with day two taking place approx 4-6 weeks after.
Thursday 26 May 2022
LONGEVITY IN LEGUMES, PASTURE NUTRITION AND PERENNIAL WHEAT - MANDURAMA
NSW Grasslands Society, NSW DPI and Central Tablelands Local Land Services combine to deliver the latest pasture research results. Join us as we summarise the Livestock Productivity Partnership (MLA & NSW DPI) local trial results, and discuss what the results mean for local farmers.
Friday 27 May 2022
LET'S TALK WEEDS - HARGRAVES
Join us for an opportunity to meet weed officers from Mid-Western Regional Council to talk about emerging weeds like sticky nightshade.
Tuesday 31 May 2022
PROPERTY PLANNING - LITHGOW
This course focuses on soil and water management, biodiversity, vegetation, production, farm biosecurity and basic financials. The course is tailored to lifestyle and smaller hobby farm operations. Numbers are limited, with given to those farms above 10ha.
Tuesday 7 and Wednesday 8 June 2022
CONFINED FEEDING BUS TOUR - BATHURST
Central Tablelands Local Land Services, Bathurst Merino Association and Sheep Connect NSW bring you the confined feeding facility bus tour not to be missed. Removing livestock from perennial pastures at key times throughout the year has become a climate adaption management tool widely used by commercial wool, lamb and beef producers. Check out what other farmers have out there and how it may be applied to your operation.
Friday 17 June 2022
SOIL HEALTH WORKSHOP - CUMNOCK
Over two sessions, learn how you can improve soil health, your farm's biggest asset. You will learn practical methods of field assessment and fundamental sampling techniques. If you have a farm of 10ha or more in the Central Tablelands Local Land Services region you will be eligible for two free soil tests. Day one date below, with day two taking place approx 4-6 weeks after.
Thursday 23 June 2022
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