|
Regional Weed Wrap: Parthenium, Tropical soda apple and Parkinsonia
Local control authorities across the region are continuing to undertake high level surveillance in areas surrounding known incursions of Parthenium weed including high-risk sites and pathways, particularly along roadways, stock feed out areas and riparian zones.
Other priority target weeds currently for the North West regional weed committee include tropical soda apple and Parkinsonia.
This month, we're introducing our North West Regional Weed Committee 'Meet the Team' series. This edition, we'll meet Clare Felton-Taylor, Senior Weeds Co-ordinator with the Narrabri Shire Council.
|
|
|
Soil nitrogen and waterlogged paddocks
With the wet conditions refilling soil profiles this winter many growers will be looking to plant summer crops in the next few months. Where paddocks have been waterlogged, it is possible that Nitrogen (N) has been lost to the atmosphere and growers may find that starting N is less than expected. Local Land Services has produced a short factsheet to assist growers in understanding and managing this issue.
|
|
|
|
|
Growers urged to monitor and report mice activity on farm
Have you noticed any crop damage from mice?
Mice have been a consistent issue in our area over the past 12 months, with that in mind and another great cropping season we don't want to see your crops enjoyed by mice rather money in the bank, so we have put together an online form where you can report mice activity on farm.
We collate results weekly and send out as a summary to growers so you can get a handle on activity for their own management decisions.
|
|
|
|
Photo credit: D. Preston, EES
Funding available in Gwydir wetlands, brigalow and regent honeyeater habitat
Can you hear the frogs calling with the new spring weather? Do you live up stream or near the Gwydir wetlands, have brigalow woodland in and around your property, or are in areas known for regent honeyeaters, then the LLS Natural Resource Management team want to talk to you!
|
|
|
|
Contactless baiting now available
We know feral pests don’t listen to stay-at-home orders, so to make sure you can still carry out your baiting programs, we are now offering contactless bait collection.
|
|
|
Missed our recent webinar on flystrike? Recording now available
Following a wet and magnificent winter, and a proven emerging issue of growing blowfly resistance to chemical preventatives across NSW, the 2021 Spring and Summer are shaping up to be a challenging flystrike season.
Here is your opportunity to learn about how to plan and manage prevention of flystrike in your flock by listening to a leading flystrike expert in NSW, Narelle Sales.
|
|
|
|
Tropical Pasture Technical Update for Advisors
If you missed our recent Tropical Pasture Technical Update, you can now re-watch videos from the event focusing on pasture persistence and legumes.
|
|
|
|
Goathead burr in the west of the region
Reports from landholders in the west of our region indicate that goathead burr has become more prominent in recent years, particularly post drought, and has in certain areas become the most prevalent plant species present in the native pastures.
We've pulled together a fact sheet about goathead burr to provide landholders with more information around the plant, as well as management and control options.
|
|
|
Spring into Spring pest control programs
Spring control programs for wild dogs and foxes are ramping up across the region. Livestock prices are staggering, so protecting them from predation will benefit your production. Chat to a Biosecurity Officer to participate in programs happening in your area.
|
|
|
North West Aboriginal Engagement Strategy
North West Local Land Services has released its Aboriginal Engagement Strategy.
Our vision is to enrich, enhance and foster respectful relationships that create opportunities for First Nations peoples and other Australians to work and walk together toward reconciled, resilient communities in productive, healthy landscapes.
This Strategy will help North West Local Land Services do a better job of delivering our core business by developing a better understanding of Aboriginal communities and integrating this knowledge into our work through creating partnerships based on co-design and collaboration.
|
|
|
The latest industry contacts and support available
We've pulled together a handy resource for North West landholders. The resource, available on our website, outlines the latest financial loans and subsidies, mice rebates, farm business training and key contact details for support services, Landcare groups and North West Local Land Services staff.
|
|
|
Feral focus
What is your feral focus for the next two months?
What pest animal species should you be looking out for and what should you be doing now to protect your enterprise?
We suggest thinking about feral pig and deer control. Here's why.
|
|
|
|
|
Animal health update
Lame sheep - Footrot: Wet conditions can lead to a few health concerns in livestock, including a high risk of footrot and foot abcess. Footrot is a highly contagious disease affecting all classes of sheep, causing a significant impact on production.
Is it fit to load? It is an offence to load or transport an animal in a way that may or is likely to cause it unnecessary harm. MLA has produced the ‘fit to load’ guide to help landholders understand their requirements when transporting livestock.
Property to Property livestock movements: When livestock is moved between properties, that movement needs to be recorded with the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS).
Do not feed swill to your pigs: Swill may contain serious exotic diseases that could devastate our livestock industries and stop our meat products being exported.
|
|
|
|
Constructing swales in the landscape
Listen to Tim Watts from the Natural Resource Management team talk about how to convert contour banks into swales to slow water down on your property, increase groundcover, and ecosystem services.
|
|
|
Upcoming Events & Training
|
|
|
|
Creating confident committees - lockdown lunch workshops
Hosted by Northern Slopes Landcare and the NSW Landcare Program and featuring presenter Bec Fing from House Paddock Training and
Consulting, the workshop will cover the following topics:
Workshop 1: 31 August 2021 - Building organisational capacity
Workshop 2: 2-7 September 2021 - Running effective meetings
Workshop 3: 3-14 September 2021 - Human resources/employee management
Workshops will run from 1pm – 2pm each day.
Workshops open to all Landcare volunteers, committee members and employees.
|
|
|
|
Getting down and dirty in the Upper Horton - let's look at your soil
When: Wednesday, 22 September 2021
Soil is the most important asset you have on your farm. Knowing what soil you have – its characteristics and its limitations are important to how you manage your pastures and crops.
This field day will look at two soil pits under a tropical pasture and under cropping. Soil Scientist Rob Banks will talk you through two soil pits and how to look after your soil. We will also talk about pasture management over summer and livestock considerations for the coming season.
For more information, and to RSVP, contact George Truman on 0427 505 040 or george.truman@lls.nsw.gov.au
This event is dependant on the COVID-19 situation at the time.
|
|
Vertebrate Pesticide Training | Gunnedah
When: 8am - 3pm, Wednesday 6 October 2021
Where: Local Land Services Office, 35-37 Abbott Street, Gunnedah
To acquire and use 1080, Pindone, RHDV, or PAPP baits in NSW, you must be accredited (or under the direct supervision of an accredited person) with an AQF3 Chemical Accreditation or Vertebrate Pesticide Induction Training (VPIT) course accreditation.
This training will run for approx. three hours, with successful participants receiving a five year accreditation to use vertebrate pesticide products on their land.
RSVP to reserve your seat! Contact your local Biosecurity Officer or call 1300 795 299.
|
|
|
|
Tropical Pasture Update for Producers
When: Wednesday, 10 November 2021
Where: Tamworth Agricultural Institute (TAI)
This annual update will be held at TAI at the tropical grass pasture trial site.
Topics for this year's event will include results from the lucerne/digit trial, plant population and water use, tropical legumes, nitrogen experiment, persistence, multispecies mix, silage, livestock digital technology and Chilean Needle grass management.
For more information, and to RSVP, contact George Truman on 0427 505 040 or george.truman@lls.nsw.gov.au
|
|
|
Vertebrate Pesticide Training | Narrabri
When: 8am - 3pm, Wednesday 17 November
Where: Local Land Services Office, 101 Barwon Street, Narrabri
To acquire and use 1080, Pindone, RHDV, or PAPP baits in NSW, you must be accredited (or under the direct supervision of an accredited person) with an AQF3 Chemical Accreditation or Vertebrate Pesticide Induction Training (VPIT) course accreditation.
This training will run for approx. three hours, with successful participants receiving a five year accreditation to use vertebrate pesticide products on their land.
RSVP to reserve your seat! Contact your local Biosecurity Officer or call 1300 795 299.
|
|
|
Thanks for reading this edition of the North West Local Land Services e-newsletter. We would appreciate it if you promote this through your networks, and if it has been forwarded to you, be sure to subscribe so you automatically receive it.
If there is anything listed you want further information about, be sure to get in touch with us by calling your local office on 1300 795 299.
|
|
|
|
