We are still here when it matters
There are new Covid restrictions in place across NSW but our offices are still open. We will be wearing masks as directed in the NSW public health order and our customers need to wear a mask too. We will be adhering to all necessary Covid rules to keep everyone safe but we are still here when it matters.
Need to contact us?
Need to contact us:
Call into one of our Offices across the region:
15 Vivian Street, Inverell NSW 2360
1 Greenaway Street, Glen Innes NSW 2370
Glen Innes Research Station, 444 Strathbogie Road, Glen Innes
126-130 Taylor Street, Armidale NSW 2350
142 High Street, Tenterfield NSW 2372
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MANAGING SCANNED EWES - NEW LAND FACTS AVAILABLE
Northern Tablelands Local Land Services has produced two new publications as part of our popular Land Fact series.
In these, Brent McLeod, Senior Land Services Officer with Northern Tablelands Local Land Services and Geoff Duddy, Principal Consultant with Sheep Solutions provide detailed advice and information about the benefits and various options for managing scanned ewes to improve overall flock production and on-farm efficiencies.
Both "Managing scanned ewes - the basics", and "Managing scanned ewes - the benefits" are available for download from the Northern Tablelands Local Land Services website or by clicking on the following links.
Managing scanned ewes - the basics (LF-AF-S-3.2)
Managing scanned ewes - the benefits (LF-AF-S-3.1)
LADIES IN LIVESTOCK
Our last round of Ladies in Livestock workshops held from May 10th-13th provided information on a range of topics with very positive feedback received. Presentations on the starting points for land management provided a good point of discussion, as did the talk about weeds and weed management and what the current situation is regarding weeds in each district. The presentation on the use of drones in different aspects of agriculture, as well as a drone demonstration, certainly proved popular and served as a talking point about the use of ag technology into the future.
We are currently planning for our next round of Ladies in Livestock events. If you have any suggestions for future topics at the days, or wish to be included on the Ladies in Livestock email list, please contact Tahnee Manton on 0438 600 473.
There will be some great information presented at these upcoming Ladies in Livestock events. Hope to see you there!
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DECISIONS THAT DELIVER DROUGHT RESILIENCE
The Northern Tablelands Local Land Services team are getting ready to launch an innovative program to help landholders increase their economic, environmental and social resilience to drought.
The team will partner with local landholders, industry and research groups, including Ebor Beef and the University of New England to establish soil and moisture networks and farm demonstration sites.
Moisture probes and weather stations will be installed on more than 20 properties and landholders will be able to use real-time data obtained from these sites to better understand their soil moisture profile, maintain optimal ground cover, adjust stocking rates, facilitate pasture recovery and reduce erosion within a variable climate.
In addition, farm dam demonstrations will showcase best management practices that address water quality and quantity, boost livestock health and provide benefits to wildlife including frogs, migratory birds as well as the invertebrates necessary to maintain natural capital and provide ecosystems services. There are some opportunities within the project to fund on-ground works to assist landholders to improve on-farm water quality.
Extension activities delivered to landholders will include information packages and field days with local landholders to champion the projects and provide peer-to-peer learning.
We are currently taking Expressions of Interest from landholders who would like to participate in the project. If you would like more information on how you can become part of the soil moisture network or if you are interested in hosting a farm dam demonstration site, please contact Nereda Christian on 0428 607 027 or Karl Andersson on 0437 867 523. Alternatively you can register your interest in the project here.
This project is funded through the Australian Government’s Natural Resource Management Drought Resilience Program (Landscapes).
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GRASSES IN THE NORTHERN TABLELANDS
A new video helping landholders identify grasses in the Northern Tablelands has been produced by Granite Borders Landcare. In the video, Northern Tablelands Local Land Services Agronomist, Georgie Oakes, gives practical tips for identifying grasses in the paddock. She also highlights a really useful and practical book titled "Grasses of the Northern Tablelands Field Guide". We have limited copies available to producers attending field days and events and at Northern Tablelands Local Land Services offices throughout the region.
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LATEST EPISODE OF PRODUCTIVE PRODUCER PODCASTS
We have added more episodes to the Productive Producer podcast series, designed specifically for Northern Tablelands producers. The Productive Producer podcast is hosted by Northern Tablelands LLS Livestock Officer Max Newsome and is packed full of practical, production related topics for you to apply on your farm.
The mice plague continues across southern Queensland, New South Wales, and northern Victoria, having devastating impacts for producers. On the latest episode, Max Newsome is joined once again by District Vet Lisa Martin to discuss mice contaminated hay and the options available to producers.
This episode is jointly funded through Northern Tablelands Local Land Services and the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.
Play episode 18 - Mice contamination in hay
Listen in to the latest episode or visit our website to catch up on previous episodes.
For further information contact Max Newsome, Northern Tablelands Local Land Services Livestock Officer on 0427 007 190.
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BIRDS OF PREY ON YOUR FARMS
Northern Tablelands Local Land Services recently held a Birds of Prey workshop with 20 landholders and raptor enthusiasts. The workshop was an opportunity to take stock of the four years of survey research we have conducted on the Northern Tablelands for our endangered Little Eagle, White Bellied Sea Eagle and Square Tailed Kites. We were also able to compare similar research in the ACT, where comparably, we measure up quite favourably.
A major outcome of the workshop was to address the need for wider sighting reports and a greater capacity across the region to monitor nesting sites. To do this we are asking for the help of landholders in our region to keep an eye out for their birds of prey, especially those resident on farm, and let us know initially by phone or email. We can follow up and positively identify the specific species and search for nests.
The idea is that once we have more nests logged across the Tablelands, those landholders interested in participating would be provided with training on identification, habits and nesting cycles of their birds with a view to reporting what they see and find. This is a good opportunity for landholders to learn about these special animals on their farms.
The project is underpinned by a powerful team in Northern Tablelands Local Land Services and NSW Environment Energy and Science, at UNE including Dr Stephen Debus, Australia’s leading authority on Australian birds of prey.
Please contact Euan Belson, project manager at Northern Tablelands Local Land Services euan.belson@lls.nsw.gov.au 0408 623 839.
Picture of fledgling Square Tailed Kites this year – Photo: 2020 (Johan Boshoff).
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MICE AND THE IMPORTANCE OF VACCINATING YOUR LIVESTOCK
By Tahnee Manton – Livestock Officer, Agricultural Research Station – Glen Innes
The mice that are and have been present in the Northern Tablelands over the last number of months means a large proportion of stored livestock feed has not only been eaten by the mice, but it has also probably received some degree of contamination. Aside from causing damage, mice carry disease that pose a risk to the health of our livestock and caution needs to be taken if the remaining feed is to be utilised.
Read more
MORE INFORMATION ON MICE
If you would like more information on mice including information on mice management, controlling mice in NSW, baiting mice with Zinc Phosphide and a recording of an online mouse management workshop from CSIRO researcher Steve Henry please click here.
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RECOGNISING PASTURE DIEBACK
NSW Department of Primary Industries Pasture Systems Development Officer, Sarah Baker, explains how to recognise Pasture Dieback. This video was produced by Granite Borders Landcare with funding from Northern Tablelands Local Land Services.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
LIVESTOCK SUPPLY CHAIN AND FEEDLOT TOURS
Northern Tablelands Local Land Services will host tours visiting feedlots and processing plants to help farmers understand their markets, how specification affects market destination and how feedback from feedlots and processors can be used to better inform breeding decisions on farm. Limited spaces available. For more information please contact Brent McLeod, T: 02 6730 1931, M: 0413 884 710.
To register your interest in future supply chain tours in the Northern Tablelands region please click here.
PROGRAZE® COURSES
Do you want more profitable and sustainable grazing systems? PROGRAZE® is based on established, proven principles of pasture and livestock production. It is designed to help producers develop skills in pasture and animal assessment, and to use these skills to improve the productivity and sustainability of grazing systems.
PROGRAZE® will help you to:
- visually assess pasture quality and quantity
- understand how pasture quality and quantity impact on animal production
- assess livestock fat and condition scores
- match pastures to livestock requirements
- use grazing management to improve productivity and sustainability of pastures
- use fodder budgets to make the best use of pastures and fodder crops
- use pasture assessment to make supplementary feeding decisions
- use grazing management to help control intestinal parasites.
PROGRAZE® courses will run for approximately 3 hours each day and will be held over 8 days across a 6 month period.
To register your interest for PROGRAZE® please contact: Karl Andersson on M: 0437 867 523. Alternatively you can register your interest for future PROGRAZE® courses here.
SOIL HEALTH WORKSHOPS - ALL THE DIRT ON PRODUCTION
Northern Tablelands Local Land Services are holding soil health courses that focus on managing healthy soils and optimising production. The course will help you understand your soils, assess and manage soil health with respect to production, and how to take soil samples for analysis.
Participants will be offered free laboratory soil tests per family/farm business. Follow up workshops for interpreting soil tests and developing nutrient and soil health strategies will be run over subsequent weeks.
For expressions of interest for upcoming workshops please contact Karl Andersson M: 0437 867 523. Alternatively you can register your interest in future soil health workshops here.
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PRODUCERS FIELD DAY
Wingham Beef Exports in conjunction with Meat and Livestock Australia will be conducting a producer information session.
Walcha Showground Tea Rooms
14 July 2021
8am-11.30am
Topics covered include:
- Animal health and disease control with Local Land Services district vet Dr Andrew Biddle
- Animal nutrition and pasture preparation - Damien Timbs (Productive Pasture Solutions)
- Meat Standards Australia (MSA) workshop on how MSA works and impact of animal breed - Laura Garland
- Wingham Beef new grid layout and premiums available for MSA compliance.
To register your interest please contact Michael Burnett on 02 6591 1034.
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FUNDING
$100M PRIMARY PRODUCER REBATE FOR MOUSE CONTROL
The NSW Government has announced an additional $100 million to help support landholders dealing with the ongoing impacts of mice.
The funding will allow primary producers experiencing financial hardship due to mice to claim a 50% rebate on purchases of zinc phosphide, up to $10,000.
The Department of Regional NSW and the Rural Assistance Authority (RAA) will develop the rebate framework, including how primary producers will be able to claim the rebate and the eligibility criteria. This rebate is expected to be available from July.
In the meantime, if you are looking to purchase zinc phosphide bait products; we have produced a factsheet on the range of currently APVMA approved products and details of their manufacturers.
Click here to view this factsheet.
For more information on the household and small business cash rebate program being administered by Service NSW, visit www.nsw.gov.au/mice.
NSW DISASTER RECOVERY GRANTS
NSW Rural Assistance Authority have announced disaster recovery grants of up to $75,000 are now available to primary producers in Local Government Areas (LGAs) affected by the NSW storms and floods that have occurred from 10 March 2021 (this includes Glen Innes, Gwydir, Uralla, Inverell, Armidale and Tenterfield LGAs).
Closing date: 31st October 2021
What can I apply for?
Grants are provided to help pay for the costs of clean up, reinstatement activities and emergency measures associated with the immediate recovery of primary production enterprises.
Eligible claims may cover:
- Hiring or leasing equipment or materials to clean premises, property or equipment
- Removing and disposing of debris, damaged goods, materials including injured or dead livestock
- Repairing or replacing fencing and/or other essential property infrastructure
- Purchasing and transporting fodder or feed for livestock
- Replacing livestock
- Replacing lost or damaged plants, salvaging crops, repairing or restoring fields
- Repairing, reconditioning or replacing essential plant or equipment
- Maintaining the health of livestock
- Paying additional wages to an employee to assist with clean up work (above and beyond normal wage expenditure, ie. day-to-day staffing)
- Repairing buildings (except dwellings, unless they are used for staff accommodation).
Primary producers
- Maximum grant amount for clean-up, reinstatement activities & emergency measures per affected property is $75,000.
- Funds up to $15,000 will be provided to eligible, approved applicants without the need to provide invoices at the point of application (such funds can be provided on the basis of quotes or estimates, noting that evidence e.g. tax invoices will be required in relation to the first $15,000 if applicants later seek funding from above $15,000 to $75,000).
- Funds of between $15,000 to $75,000 will require valid tax invoices at the point of application.
Small business
- Grants of up to $50,000 for eligible small business owners and not-for-profit organisations are available through Service NSW.
- For more information contact the Disaster Customer Care Service on 13 77 88 or visit the Service NSW website.
Need help filling in this form?
Primary producers - free confidential assistance is available from your local Rural Financial Counselling Service.
You can also give the RAA permission to work with your own private financial advisor or accountant to assist you, however you will be liable for any professional fees charged. Contact the Rural Assistance Authority team on 1800 678 593.
For more details about what you can apply for or to find out if you are eligible, visit the Rural Assistance Authority website here https://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/disaster-assistance/special-disaster-grants-floods or call their offices on 1800 678 593.
ON-FARM EMERGENCY WATER INFRASTRUCTURE REBATE SCHEME
This scheme helps Australian farmers to better prepare, respond to and recover from drought.
Primary producers and horticulture farmers can apply for rebates to buy and install on-farm water infrastructure to water livestock and permanent plantings.
Eligible farmers can claim up to 25% (of which at least 50% of the rebate will be provided by the relevant state or territory government) of expenses for on-farm water infrastructure up to a maximum total rebate of $25,000. The scheme will close on 30 June 2022 or when the funding is exhausted, whichever occurs first.
If you already have an application with the NSW Government Rural Assistance Authority for the first EWIR scheme (Round 1), you do not need to do anything – they will be in touch with you with the next steps.
If you are interested in the new EWIR program (Round 2) please register your Expression of Interest. and the Rural Assistance Authority will update you by email when guidelines for Round 2 are available and applications are open.
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THE LOCAL LAND SERVICES TEAM IS HERE TO HELP
Brent McLeod - for sheep management - 0413 884 710
Tahnee Manton - for livestock management - 0438 600 473
Max Newsome - for livestock management - 0427 007 190
Georgie Oakes - for agronomy (based in Inverell) - 0429 310 264
Jeff Lowien - for agronomy (based in Glen Innes) - 0427 102 680
Karl Andersson - for agronomy (based in Armidale) - 0437 867 523
Johnelle Stevens - for farm planning - 0409 791 619
Andrew Biddle (Inverell) - District Vet - 0427 825 725
Lisa Martin (Tenterfield) - District Vet - 0428 623 471
Nigel Brown (Glen Innes) - District Vet - 0419 434 087
Camilla Cowley- Team Leader Sustainable Agriculture and Plant Biosecurity
Northern Tablelands Local Land Services
Agriculture Environment People
Here When It Matters
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