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CHAIR'S MESSAGE

Over the last few months the Northern Tablelands region has been in Covid-limbo - in and out of lockdown, positive and negative sewage tests, difficulty accessing Covid vaccines, border restrictions separating families etc. One thing this uncertainty has highlighted is the resilience of the communities in our region, and the Northern Tablelands Local Land Services team is no exception. 

Like last year, we have adapted our services so our customers still have access to the advice, information and support they expect and deserve. Field days have been modified to become webinars, Covid-safe practices are followed when the team is out and about in the paddock, we have implemented drive through bait collection, and mobile phone and online contact has increased.

We are certainly enjoying the season too. With high soil moisture levels, a wetter-than-average outlook, record-breaking livestock prices and bumper crops, this spring is shaping up to be fantastic. This spring also comes with a few words of caution though. Take a look through this newsletter to find out more about the health risks to livestock resulting from lush green feed, the importance of being vigilant in monitoring mouse numbers and the need to keep an eye out for Australian plague locusts.

Thankfully, the new Inverell bait shed will enable the Northern Tablelands Local Land Services team to respond quickly to these threats. The purpose-built, state-of-the-art bait shed makes it even easier for landholders to get involved in collective control programs to manage feral pigs, wild dogs, foxes and rabbits in the area.

I say this in every newsletter and I mean it more each time I write it - we are always working to improve our services and solutions for our customers so please let us know if you have any suggestions for ways we can work better and smarter with you. We’d love to hear from you so we can continue to be here when it matters.

Grahame Marriott
Chair, Northern Tablelands Local Land Services Board
 
What's happening in the paddock? 

THREE SPRING LIVESTOCK KILLERS

This spring comes with a few words of caution as Northern Tablelands Local Land Services District Vets warn livestock producers to watch out for bloat, pulpy kidney and barbers pole worm in livestock.

Bloat
Bloat is the build-up of excess gas in the rumen (first stomach) leading to discomfort, and eventually death. Bloat is a risk, particularly after good rainfall, when animals are grazing young, lush pasture, especially if the pasture has a high legume content (clover, medics or lucerne).

Pulpy kidney

Pulpy kidney is a disease that effects sheep, cattle and goats. It occurs when high energy (high carbohydrate) feed is consumed. The presence of this high carbohydrate feed in the gut allows the overgrowth of clostridial organisms. These bacteria release a toxin called epsilon toxin which poisons the animal.

Pulpy kidney usually manifests in young, fast growing animals that are unweaned or recently weaned, particularly lambs. A sudden diet change, such as moving livestock to lush pastures or heavy grain feeding, causes rapid multiplication of the bacteria and associated deadly toxin.

Barber's pole worm

Rain and warm weather provide ideal conditions for barber’s pole worm. Producers need to look out for weak sheep with pale eyelids and gums. Sheep do not scour with barber’s pole worm as they do with some other worm burdens, so often, the first sign is sheep dying.

It takes about 21 days for the lifecycle of the worm, so about 3-6 weeks after rain events is when we expect to see clinical signs in sheep. Barber’s pole worm infestations can be detected by worm faecal egg counts and post-mortem of affected sheep.

Read more ......

For more information about livestock health, contact your Local Land Services District Vet or Livestock Officer on 1300 795 299. You can also visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au for more information on each of these extensive topics.


Steer on a legume-based pasture showing signs of bloat


PEST ANIMAL CONTROL FROM THE AIR
The amazing season we are experiencing in the Northern Tablelands is certainly a positive for growing crops and livestock. It is also a terrific season for growing pest animals.

Over the past few months we have concentrated efforts on aerial feral pig and deer control in the Graham's Valley and Swanbrook areas and we have a program underway right now west of Inverell and north to the QLD border. Our aerial control programs also include pest animal eradication on Travelling Stock Reserves. The aerial control programs have already removed 1562 feral pigs and 787 wild deer from the landscape this year.

The decision about where to carry out our aerial pest animal control programs is made based on reports of pest animal damage and sightings, either directly from landholders or via the FeralScan app. 

These specifically targeted, meticulously mapped and highly effective aerial control programs are delivered in partnership with landholders, neighbouring Local Land Services regions, NSW DPI and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. 

To report  pest animal sightings and damage and to get involved in our pest animal control programs, contact your local Biosecurity Officer on 1300 795 299. You can also report sightings via FeralScan.


Feral pigs

COOL COUNTRY KOALAS - REPORT SIGHTINGS
Landholders, Granite Borders Landcare, Gwymac Landcare and Northern Tablelands Local Land Services will work together on the Cool Country Koalas project, supported by the Australian Government's Bushfire recovery package for wildlife and their habitat, to increase koala habitat and discover more on koalas across the region.

Using sniffer dogs, drone technology and thermal imaging, the Cool Country Koalas project will add to the revealing information already gathered about where local koalas live, what habitat they prefer and what threats they face.
 
Native vegetation plantings will occur on selected Travelling Stock Reserves and private land in targeted areas known for their koala populations. A weed control program on the selected Travelling Stock Reserves will keep invasive weed species from outcompeting koala-friendly vegetation.
 
Arboreal koala drinkers will also be installed to reduce the need for koalas to travel distances across the landscape for water, minimising their exposure to threats like wild dogs and traffic.
 
The Cool Country Koala Project team is also appealing to the community to help record koala sightings. Be part of the Cool Country Koalas Project by reporting all koala sightings at http://www.ala.org.au/get-involved/ or by contacting Northern Tablelands Local Land Services on 02 6770 2000, Gwymac Landcare in Inverell on 02 6721 1241 or Granite Borders Landcare in Tenterfield on 02 6736 3500.




TLC FOR TSRs
Several Travelling Stock Reserves (TSRs) on the Northern Tablelands have undergone a make-over with fence repairs, water infrastructure upgrades, and weed spraying. Maintaining TSRs is essential to ensure they are available and in good condition into the future. A wide range of TSR users, including livestock producers, recreational users, the Aboriginal community and apiarists, stand to benefit from the improvements. 



L-R: Preparation for installing a poly tank on Graman Well TSR, fencing on Cox's West TSR near Ashford, solar infrastructure installed at Wallangra Bore TSR.

 
What's on the go? 

NEW INVERELL BAIT SHED NOW OPEN

With pest animals taking bigger bites out of the bottom line of producers every year, the opening of the new Local Land Services bait shed in Inverell will go a long way towards helping to control feral pigs, wild dogs, foxes and rabbits in the area.
 
The state-of-the-art facility, located at the Inverell Research Station on the Gwydir Highway, includes a bait preparation area, cool room for bait storage, veterinary lab, Travelling Stock Reserve chemical storage and workshop, and storage for pest control resources such as traps and cameras.
 
There is a designated bait collection point for easy access for customers. They will be able to continue to arrange bait collection through their Biosecurity Officers as they have done in the past. 
 
With a bigger facility, greater capacity and better efficiency, the Northern Tablelands Local Land Services team will be well equipped to help customers combat pest animals in the Inverell area.

Read more .......

For more information about the Local Land Services Inverell bait shed, contact Senior Biosecurity Officer, Elli Keyte on 0447 654 883.


L-R: Elli Keyte - Northern Tablelands Local Land Services Senior Biosecurity Officer, Grahame Marriott - Chair of Northern Tablelands Local Land Services board, The Hon. Adam Marshall - NSW Minister for Agriculture, Karen Heap - Northern Tablelands Local Land Services Biosecurity Officer at the new bait shed in Inverell. 

MONITOR FOR MICE

According to the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), observing and monitoring any changes in mouse populations is essential before any effective and targeted mouse control plan can be rolled out. 

We recommend producers read the GRDC’s ‘Tips & Tactics – Better Mouse Management’, which provides detailed baiting recommendations as well as specific advice for mice management prior to harvest. 

If you are baiting and are looking to purchase zinc phosphide products; we have produced a factsheet on the range of APVMA approved products and details of their manufacturers.   

Click here to view this factsheet. 

If you would like more resources on mouse control, visit https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/resources/mouse-control   

If you would like more information on the NSW Government’s mice control support program, visit www.nsw.gov.au/mice.

 

CRIME STOPPERS WEED CAMPAIGN

A new state-wide campaign is urging residents to be on the lookout for the prohibited sale or trade of prickly pear cacti. 

Barbed bristles and sharp spines on the plants detach easily from the plant and can cause serious injury to people. They can injure, cause infection in, blind and even kill native animals, pets, working dogs and livestock.  

Once in the environment, prickly pears can form impenetrable walls of vegetation and cost millions of dollars to control.  

NSW Crime Stoppers, local councils, Local Land Services and the NSW Department of Primary Industries have joined forces to call for anyone who sees these plants for sale to report it. 

You can also report sale of prickly pear to NSW Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/home/. 


Prickly pear

BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR LOCUSTS

With bumper crops on the horizon for much of the state, we are urging landholders to be on the lookout for locust activity and report any sightings of Australian plague locusts immediately. 

Locust eggs lay dormant in cold conditions, so as daytime temperatures begin to heat up through spring, hatchings are likely to start increasing over the coming weeks. 

While it is not expected to be a full-blown locust season, outbreaks can still affect very large areas of crops and pastures if not controlled.  

Early detection is the best approach for minimising damage, so here’s a few helpful tips: 

  • Locust egg beds can be identified by a series of small holes in the earth, but they can be difficult to find. 

  • Adult plague locusts usually like to lay eggs in harder loamy red soils, especially on compact roads next to crops, tree lines and farm buildings, especially those built on higher ground such as ridges.  

  • Control of plague locusts is most effective during the third instar nymph growth stage. It is at this stage where they ‘band’ together in dense concentrations making them an ideal spray target. 

Our biosecurity staff are trained in locust identification, biology and control options, so if you think you’ve found signs of locust activity, don’t hesitate to reach out to us by calling 1300 795 299.  

For more helpful information and advice on controlling locusts, visit: 

Opportunities, research & resources

FALL ARMYWORM - WEBINAR COMING UP

Last season, fall armyworm was found in all key summer cropping regions across the state, but early detection is key to managing its impacts.  

Just last month there was a new detection at Croppa Creek in the North West region, so this is a timely reminder to inspect your crops, particularly if you’re growing maize, sorghum or cotton.   

Early signs of fall armyworm damage include windowing of leaves where larvae have hatched and small shot holes as leaves expand, caused by larvae feeding in the developing leaf whorl. 

Small larvae are difficult to identify and growers are encouraged to keep suspect larvae on host crop leaves until they can be more easily identified by clear photographs of the head and tail sections. 

If you think you’ve found the signs of fall armyworm, email images with your name, location, crop type and phone number to fallarmyworm@dpi.nsw.gov.au.  

Local Land Services is hosting a webinar at 12pm on October 8, discussing how to identify fall armyworm and the latest modelling for the spread of the pest. Register for the webinar here.

For more information on how to identify and control fall armyworm, visit https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/plant/insect-pests-and-plant-diseases/fall-armyworm




THE PRODUCTIVE PRODUCER PODCAST SERIES

Tune in to the latest episode about bloat in livestock. Wetter than average conditions predicted this spring may increase the potential for bloat in livestock. Listen in to the conversation as North West Local Land Services District Vet, Ted Irwin, gives us some practical tips to mitigate the risk of bloat. 

The Productive Producer podcast series is designed specifically for producers across the Northern Tablelands. All topics featured in the podcasts have a strong focus on production.  Regardless of the theme, they all have a practical application on farm.

The Productive Producer podcast series offers concepts and opinions on different aspects of production, some that producers will be familiar with, others that producers are looking into and would like to learn more about.

For more information about any of the podcasts in this series, please contact Northern Tablelands Local Land Services Livestock Officer, Max Newsome, on 0427 007 190 or max.newsome@lls.nsw.gov.au.


AUSSIE BACKYARD BIRD COUNT
The Aussie Backyard Bird Count is an activity for all-ages that involves observing and counting the birds that live near you – whether that’s in your garden, the local park, a beach or even your town centre. By telling us about the birds you’ve seen within a 20 minute period, you will help BirdLife Australia develop an understanding of local birds, whilst getting to know the wildlife on your doorstep!

Take part in the Aussie Backyard Bird Count. It's the biggest citizen science project in Australia. Join thousands of people from across the country, heading out into their backyards, local parks or favourite open spaces to record what they see.



MOUSE FORUM RECORDING AVAILABLE NOW

Did you miss the NSW Government’s Farming Forum on Mice? Don’t worry, there’s a recording available online so you can watch it at any time.  

At the forum, CSIRO researcher Steve Henry provides a great breakdown of mouse activity by key cropping regions as well as practical tips for managing increased numbers as we head towards harvest.  

You can also hear presentations from other key researchers and stakeholders who discuss the coordinated approach from government, industry and bait suppliers to help manage impacts of mice.  

To watch the Forum, visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/mice. For more information on how to manage mice, visit www.lls.nsw.gov.au/mice and grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/resources/mouse-management. 


NLIS WORKSHOPS
Northern Tablelands Local Land Services is holding practical, hands-on workshops for cattle producers. Stand by what you sell. Learn the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) database and eNVD system.

The beginners and advanced workshops will guide producers through their NLIS requirements. We will show you how to complete movement transactions for stock and use the reporting functions on the NLIS database.

Tuesday 2 November 2021 
Canteen Room, Tenterfield Saleyards


Beginners Workshop 10.00-11.30am

•    Introduction to the NLIS database (for database rookies).
•    Learn how to complete movement transactions for cattle using the reporting functions of the NLIS online database at a slower pace.

Advanced Workshop 11.30am-1pm
•    Advanced NLIS database training.
•    How to complete PIC reconciliations, beast enquiries and other useful tools to keep yourself compliant and to maintain livestock traceability.

For more information and to RSVP, please contact Max Newsome on 0427 007 190.



NEW LANDFACTS - STRATEGIES FOR LIVESTOCK UNFIT TO LOAD
Before transporting livestock from property to saleyards, processors or another property, you need to check they are fit to load.

Injuries and illnesses will likely get worse, not better, with stock placed under the stresses of transport and in new environments. Alternatively, leaving sick or injured stock untreated or unmanaged is also not acceptable. 

Remember – saleyards are not the place to take stock that might be difficult to handle or have any health or welfare concerns. Consider your safety and the safety of those who will be handling the animals after they have left your property. If in doubt, leave it out!

Read the full Land Fact-Strategies for livestock unfit to load-LF-AW-1

GRAZING STRATEGIES FOR MANAGING AFRICAN LOVEGRASS
African lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula), a native grass of South Africa, is now naturalised and widespread throughout the Northern Tablelands and coastal areas of NSW. Under common grazing management systems, it is very unproductive, competes with introduced pasture species and, in large stands, can pose a severe fire risk.

African lovegrass actively grows over the spring/summer period and hays off rapidly with a steep decline in quality and production. Managing stocking density and timing of grazing is critical for livestock producers to maximise both livestock weight gains and forage production from African lovegrass.

Read the full Land Fact-African Lovegrass-LF-AP-N-2.1




RESEARCH PROJECT - PUTTING FARMERS AT THE CENTRE: REALISING GAINS FROM AGRICULTURAL INNOVATION AND GROWTH

NSW Farmers has partnered with the Future Food Systems Cooperative Research Centre and the University of New England with a survey that seeks to understand how we can grow the NSW agriculture sector to $30 billion in output by 2030.

Farmers are key participants in planning towards this goal. 

Click here to participate in the Farming Future survey. It should only take about 20 minutes.

More information on the 30 by 30 goal is available on the NSW Farmers website.


HOW ARE WE GOING?
Please rate us on our service to assist with continuous improvement via https://rateitnow.com/llsnorthern or us the QR code.

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15 Vivian Street | PO Box 411 | INVERELL NSW 2360

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Copyright © 2018 Northern Tablelands Local Land Services, All rights reserved.

The information contained in this publication is based on knowledge and understanding at the time of writing. However, because of advances in knowledge, users are reminded of the need to ensure that the information upon which they rely is up to date and to check the currency of the information with the appropriate officer of Local Land Services or the user’s independent adviser. For updates go to www.lls.nsw.gov.au






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Local Land Services, Northern Tablelands · 15 Vivian Street · Inverell, NSW 2360 · Australia