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Varroa mite emergency response
NSW DPI is carrying out an emergency response to the recent detection of varroa mite. An eradication plan is in place, which is supported by a number of varroa mite emergency zones covering areas within a 50 km radius of infested premises.
Up-to-date information can be found on the NSW DPI website: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/varroa
Don't forget, a total standstill of hive and beekeeping equipment movement within NSW across all zones is in place.
If you find varroa mite in a hive you are responsible for, notify NSW DPI by:
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Annual Land and Stock Returns
ONLINE PORTAL OPEN NOW
 Don't forget to lodge your Local Land Services Annual Land and Stock Returns before the end of August.
The returns are a statutory requirement and would have landed in your letterbox in the last week.
By filling in the Annual Land and Stock Return, you help to build a picture of agricultural land use and livestock numbers across NSW. With biosecurity threats like Foot and Mouth disease on Australia’s doorstep, we need to work together to safeguard NSW and keep our markets open for producers. This combined effort assists in monitoring flocks and herds for emergency animal diseases. It also ensures we have the right information when emergencies strike to support you with emergency fodder, yards or shelter.
Our dedicated Annual Land and Stock Return portal opened yesterday for you to securely lodge your return online. The online form asks the same questions as the paper form and only takes a couple of minutes.
Where there are barriers to online lodgement, you can still mail to the PO Box listed on the return form or phone for further assistance on 1300 795 299.
Many landholders don’t have any livestock and utilise their property for horticulture and cropping or enjoy their property for its biodiversity and lifestyle value. We still need you to complete your ALSR to ensure you do not occur additional livestock charges on your rates and to make certain our records are up to date in case of emergencies.
Please note that Annual Land and Stock Return numbers do not affect your Local Land Services rates as these are calculated on the Notional Carrying Capacity of each property. However, you must complete your ALSR by 31 August, to avoid additional charges being applied to your rates next year.
Lodge your Annual Land and Stock Return now
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TSR tenders closing soon
LONG TERM GRAZING PERMITS
Livestock producers can now tender for long-term grazing access to select Travelling Stock Reserves (TSRs) across the Central Tablelands.
Stock Permits – Long Term Grazing, previously known as Management Agreement Permits, will be allocated via a robust tender process to give producers grazing access to a TSR for periods longer than 12 months.
Successful tenderers will also agree to undertake positive land management practices on the TSR, such as protecting biodiversity and controlling pests and weeds.
This is part of our commitment to ensuring the state’s TSRs are looked after as it should be, because everybody benefits from a viable, well-maintained and connected TSR network.
While some carefully assessed TSRs will be available for Stock Permits – Long Term Grazing, all TSRs remain available by application for short-term access permits such as walking stock, as well as recreational activities.
For more information or to make a tender submission for a Stock Permit – Long Term Grazing, follow the links at www.lls.nsw.gov.au/tsr. Submissions will close next week at 11:59pm on Wednesday, 6 July 2022.
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Come visit us at Mudgee Small Farm Field Days next week
We’ve certainly missed the Mudgee Small Farm Field Days these last two years and can’t wait for next week! Come visit us at site L22 and learn all about the support and advice we can provide to help you look after your piece of the landscape puzzle.
From understanding your biosecurity responsibilities when it comes to managing pests and weed, animal welfare advice, caring for natural resources on your property, or improving the productivity and profitability of your farm business – our staff will be on hand to have a chat and answer your questions.
Our vets and livestock officers will also be hosting practical livestock sessions on both days right next door at L23 -
- 10.00am - Beef health, handling and management 101
- 11.00am - Managing your horses' nutritional needs
- 12.30pm - Sheep health/management 101
- 2.00pm - Managing your horses' nutritional needs
- 2.30pm - Beef health, handling and management 101
We look forward to seeing you there – Friday 8 and Saturday 9 July
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Managing riparian areas on your property
FUNDING AVAILABLE SOON
 Have you often heard the term “riparian” and wondered what it meant? In general terms it means any land adjacent to creeks or rivers. This usually covers the steam bed, banks and a buffer area.
These areas are often the most productive areas on our properties due to the deep soils and available moisture for plant growth. They can also have the highest environmental value as well making them a very important part of the landscape.
They are a favourite place for people and animals to hang out for many reasons. Water is the obvious reason, but they also can be the greenest and coolest spot in the landscape during summer with livestock often camping along waterways and spending most of their time there.
Often fencing along waterways is needed to allow different grazing management to the rest of the property. This is to protect the banks from erosion, and can allow for the regeneration of trees and shrubs that can further protect the riverbanks.
There are other management benefits as well including easier and faster mustering of livestock. As the waterway can be the only source of water for livestock alternative watering points like troughs are often needed to help with management.
The good news is early in the 2022/2023 financial year we will be offering incentive funding to assist landholders with the cost of fencing, alternative watering points and planting native trees and shrubs along their waterway areas.
The high environmental value of riparian areas is why it is important to invest in helping landholders to protect these parts of the landscape. The funding will not cover all the costs but will enable more landholders the ability to manage riparian areas differently. With the ever-increasing costs of fencing materials and labour this may be a good opportunity to think about protecting these areas to improve production.
Keep an eye out for Incentive Funding for Riparian Areas in future editions of Tablelands Telegraph and our Facebook page.
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National Tree Day in Cowra
ANNUAL TREE GIVEAWAY
 Since 1996, over 26 million trees have been planted by over 5 million people through National Tree Day events, and we're proud to be teaming up with Cowra Council again to host a National Tree Day event to help that number continue to grow!
Taking place on 29 July at Bellevue Hill within the Peace Precinct, you'll hear the importance of planting native trees and the best places to plant them, as well as receiving free seedlings to take home to plant on your patch.
Experts from Sustainable Farms, BirdLife, Cowra Council, Environment and Waterways Alliance, Oz Plants and our very own Natural Resource Management team will be on hand to talk you through the benefits of various species.
The Cowra Rotary Club will be hosting a BBQ, so bring your appetite!
For more information and to pop your name on the list, click here.
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Citizen Science is when members of the public collect and analyse data relating to the natural environment. Amateur naturalists, school students and community groups volunteer to contribute valuable skills, knowledge, and ideas to scientific projects.
From reporting pest animals to recording sightings of Small Purple-pea, we run a number of projects that have an element of Citizen Science. But your involvement doesn't stop there. There are many apps available to support identification, location and reporting observations that contribute to improving the landscapes around us.
Our Citizen Science packs contain tools and information about various projects and activities in our region that you can get involved in. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about the natural environment and being part of observing what’s happening in your area!
To pick up your own Citizen Science Resource Pack at your nearest Local Land Services Office in September, register your details via the button below.
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Chilean needle grass info day
FIND OUT HOW TO MANAGE THIS INVASIVE PERENNIAL
 Together with Cowra Council, we are hosting a Chilean needle grass information day at Woodstock. This invasive perennial grass has been present in the community for a long time, but recent favourable weather conditions are leading to extremely rapid establishment events.
Chilean needle grass is currently listed in the Central Tablelands Strategic Weed Management Plan 2017-22 as a Regional Priority Weed - Containment, and is also a Weed of National Significance.
Cowra Council hopes to work with local landholders and other key stakeholders to try to prevent increasing establishment in the area and utilise best practice management on Council owned areas, as well as using local knowledge to help identify infestations to enable targeted management in spring.
Local contractors, landholders experienced with Chilean needle grass, Local Land Services staff and bordering Council Biosecurity Officers will be available to talk to so we can come up with some efficient strategies to combat this weed together.
At the event we’ll also be sharing information about sticky nightshade which has moved rapidly from the core infestation area and is increasingly being identified in Woodstock properties. Further information on the management of other priority weeds like blackberry, St John’s Wort, Coolatai grass and silverleaf nightshade will also be available.
See the events section below for details.
Image - H Rose
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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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Five less common grasses found in our region
ARE YOU SEEING THESE GRASSES IN YOUR PATCH?
 Our Pasture Officer Clare Edwards often writes about the more common native and introduced pasture species on the Central Tablelands. However, this month, Clare has covered five of the less common grass species you may come across.
Some are prevalent in certain areas, while one or two are considered ‘weedy’. One is very useful on wet salty areas and others are infrequent but can be important for native biodiversity.
1. Red natal grass (Melinis repens)
2. Whisky grass (Andropogon virginicus)
3. Puccinella (Puccinellia ciliate)
4. Mat grass (Hemarthria uncinate)
5. Wiry panic or right-angled grass (Entolasia stricta) - pictured
Click to read about each of these grasses.
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Worms and welfare
A CONTINUING ISSUE ACROSS THE REGION
Worms worms worms - this has been the story of sheep over summer and autumn. Dealing with barber’s pole infestations took up most of our District Vet’s working time over summer and caused welfare issues in flocks both large and small.
With the onset of colder weather, a lot of people assume that they can take a break from worm management.
Wrong!
There are two broad categories of worm management:
1) dealing with a current problem where sheep are sick or dying, and
2) preventing the sheep from getting to that point
Click to read more about treatment and prevention.
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Sheep feet through winter
HOW TO MINIMISE HEALTH RISKS
With the wet weather expected to continue, it’s important for the health of your sheep that you minimise lameness in your flock.
Firstly, you need to understand the common causes of lameness and then what you can do to prevent these diseases.
Wet pastures, mud puddles and heavily pregnant ewes can be a bad combination. Lameness in sheep can be caused by a multitude of issues but the most common ones we see through winter is foot abscess, and Ovine Interdigital Dermatitis, or “scald”.
Click to read more.
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NATIONAL LANDCARE CONFERENCE
The theme of the 2022 National Landcare Conference is “The Power of Landcare - Shaping Our Future”. The six concurrent streams will be; Landcare Farming and Emerging Environmental Markets, Environment and Climate Change, Community Partnerships in Action, Landcare Impact, Urban Landcare and First Nations Peoples. The conference will be held at Darling Harbour on 23 to 25 August 2022.
HISTORICAL SOIL DATA CAPTURE PAYMENTS
The Historical Soil Data Capture Payments Program pays farmers and land managers to share their historical soil test data with the Australian Government. A key measure under the National Soil Package, the program pays eligible farmers and land managers up to $10,000 in exchange for sharing their historical soil information. The Historical Soil Data Capture Payments Program is part of the National Soil Strategy which aims to build knowledge for land managers to benchmark their soil against regional or type averages. The Program is open from April 2022 to 30 June 2023.
FENCING FARM DAMS HALVES METHANE EMISSIONS
A joint research project has shown that greenhouse gas emissions from farm dams can be reduced through simple management actions. Comparing unfenced farms with fenced farm dams, fenced dams produced fifty-six per cent less methane than unfenced. This is a huge difference and shows how simple management actions can improve the dam water quality, decrease methane emissions and contribute to more productive and sustainable farming. Read more at Sustainable Farms.
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MUDGEE SMALL FARM FIELD DAYS - MUDGEE
Come visit us at the Field Days and learn all about the support and advice we can provide to help you look after your piece of the landscape puzzle. From understanding your biosecurity responsibilities when it comes to managing pests and weed, animal welfare advice, caring for natural resources on your property, or improving the productivity and profitability of your farm business – our staff will be on hand to have a chat and answer your questions. Our vets and livestock officers will also be hosting practical livestock sessions!
Friday 8 - Saturday 9 July 2022
ACID SOILS AT DEPTH - VARIOUS
Learn more about your options to improve pH to depth in your soil.
Monday 18 July 2022 - Euchareena
Friday 22 July 2022 - Blayney
Tuesday 19 July 2022 - Manildra
Wednesday 20 July 2022 - Eugowra
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 28 July 2022
NATIONAL TREE DAY - COWRA
Come along to hear the why and where of planting native trees on your patch.
Friday 29 July 2022
CHILEAN NEEDLE GRASS INFO DAY – WOODSTOCK
Chilean Needle Grass is currently listed in the Central Tablelands Strategic Weed Management Plan 2017-22 as a Regional Priority Weed - Containment, and is also a Weed of National Significance. This invasive perennial grass has been present in the community for a long time, but recent favourable weather conditions are leading to extremely rapid establishment events. Information about other weeds like sticky nightshade will also be covered on the day.
Tuesday 9 August 2022
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