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CHAIR'S MESSAGE

2020 continues to throw challenges our way but the team at Northern Tablelands Local Land Services has adapted our services to ensure crucial data and information has remained accessible for customers during COVID-19. Podcasts, webinars, video conferences and Facebook Messenger have become the new normal and are proving to be effective platforms for engaging in conversation with our customers. It certainly is a different world that we are navigating at the moment!

I am pleased to say our Northern Tablelands Local Land Services office doors have re-opened and we welcome any over-the-counter enquiries - with social distancing, of course.

There is always a mountain of work being planned and delivered by the team and has recently included:
  • Meticulous preparation for the spring aerial baiting program targeting wild dogs and foxes
  • Practical workshops to navigate the NLIS database
  • New episodes in the Productive Producer podcast series
  • Judging the annual Schools Property Planning Competition entries
  • Developing partnerships with landholders to protect and enhance threatened species habitat on-farm
  • Testing herds and flocks to prove our regional and national disease free status and ensure market access for livestock producers
  • Healthy rivers spotlight adventure walks to keep the kids entertained during the school holidays
  • Tree planting and flora and fauna monitoring at Little Llangothlin Nature Reserve
  • Fencing and weed spraying on Travelling Stock Reserves
  • Working with landholders to help them rebuild fences following bushfires
  • The list is endless ......
Northern Tablelands Local Land Services will also embark on a review and refinement of our Local Strategic Plan in the coming months. The Local Strategic Plan identifies priorities for our LLS region and explains how we will achieve them. We will look to our Northern Tablelands communities for input, ideas and feedback and would love you to be involved - stay tuned. 
 
I have said this before and I think I will make it a standing item in my Chair's message in our Muster newsletter because I really mean 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."

The team is available to provide advice, answer your questions or offer a listening ear so please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us on the contact details provided throughout this newsletter or checkout our Facebook page for up-to-date information and activities. We are here to help!
 
Grahame Marriott
Chair, Northern Tablelands Local Land Services Board
 
What's happening in the paddock? 
 
SEASONAL LIVESTOCK HEALTH ISSUES TO LOOK OUT FOR 

Your livestock are extremely valuable at the moment – you may have fed them through drought or recently restocked. Either way, keeping them in good health is key to maximising production and practicing sound animal welfare.

An improvement in seasonal conditions (although it has dried off a bit recently) has seen the return of some of our traditional spring livestock health issues including Barber’s Pole worm and Pulpy Kidney.

Barber’s Pole worms are blood-suckers and don’t cause diarrhoea or weight loss as first signs. Rainfall and warm weather ensure worm eggs on pasture rapidly develop into larvae and re-infect sheep. They cause weak sheep with pale gums and sudden death if you are not monitoring your flock.

Regular worm egg counts to determine worm burden will help to avoid a crash. Ensure drenches used are effective and seek advice about taking an integrated approach to worm management on your property.
Read more ......


POSITIVE ID ON FALL ARMYWORM IN NORTHERN NSW

Farmers across the Northern Tablelands region should be on the lookout for fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) after a number of positive identifications across northern NSW.  

A single fall armyworm moth was first found between Moree and Boggabilla, with moths now found east of Narrabri, and to the west of Wee Waa.   

The moths were trapped during routine surveillance of the of the early warning trapping network, which was established by Local Land Services and the NSW Department of Primary Industries in Autumn 2020. 

The latest detections of the fall armyworm moths prompted one of the trap collaborators to inspect an adjacent corn crop, where they almost immediately found symptoms of damage and located small fall armyworm larvae. 

Fall armyworm larvae are known to feed on more than 350 plant species, particularly maize,  cotton,  rice,  sorghum,  sugarcane  and  wheat,  as  well  as  vegetable  and  fruit crops. 

While these are the first detections in NSW, populations of fall armyworm have already been established in northern Western Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland since first being identified in Australia in early 2020.  

It is anticipated that migratory flights of the pest will occur across NSW annually and fall armyworm may establish in some of the warmer parts.  

Early detection is vital to minimising the spread and impacts across NSW. If you suspect fall armyworm you must report it immediately to NSW DPI.  

For more information about fall armyworm, how to identify it and how to report suspected cases, visit https://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/faw and www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/plant/insect-pests-and-plant-diseases/fall-armyworm 



MIMOSA CONTROL IN TSR PADDOCKS

The Travelling Stock Reserve team now has 250 Management Agreement Permits (previously known as Long Term Grazing Permits) in place and are writing fewer monthly grazing permits because stock numbers are lower across our region and, generally, on-farm paddock feed is still plentiful. These lesser demands on the teams' permit management time mean that they have been working hard in other areas of Travelling Stock Reserve management.

The invasive native Mimosa has been sprayed on the Yetman Station, Holdfast and surrounding reserves, fences have been installed at Yetman, holding paddocks east of Guyra renewed and earthworks conducted on TSRs south of Armidale, and signage has been installed on TSRs across the region to educate users about authorised activities. The team has even been supporting programs to conserve the Regent Honeyeater and Bell's Turtle breeding.

If you are interested in a grazing or apiary permit on a TSR in the Northern Tablelands LLS region, please contact 02 6732 8800.

 
Before and after spraying Mimosa on Yetman Station Travelling Stock Reserve


CLEAN UP YOUR FARM TO AVOID LOSSES FROM RESIDUES

Something as simple as a battery left under a tree could result in your livestock being detained from sale on farm and potentially, if sold to a processor, could threaten Australia’s valuable domestic and overseas meat markets.
 
A recent increase in reports of lead poisoning in cattle around the Northern Tablelands region has highlighted the economic impact of such incidents. The direct losses of stock through illness and deaths can be further compounded by the costs associated with laboratory testing and reduced management flexibility when livestock are detained on-farm.
 
Cattle are naturally curious animals and are attracted to the taste of salt. Lead acid batteries often have lead salt residues on or around them. Animals will lick the batteries and often fight over them, pushing the batteries around. With time the plastic battery cases can become brittle and will easily break. Once broken open the cattle will chew and swallow the lead pieces.
 
This may be lethal to the stock with producers often reporting that the bigger, stronger or more dominant animals are those that are found dead. A sub-lethal dose of lead can result in elevated blood and tissue levels that will make stock chemically affected and unfit for slaughter until these levels decline.
 
Small pieces of lead can lodge in the animal’s stomach and be continually absorbed so it can take years for their lead levels to decline. Stock remain in detention during that time. An NLIS warning status will be applied to the property identification code the stock are located on, requiring checking every time stock are sold.
 
These potential impacts can be avoided by simple, cost effective management practices: 
  1. Look around and clean up your farm
  2. Always securely store and dispose of farm chemicals, rubbish and batteries at a registered disposal or recycle site or council tip
  3. Pick up the old battery when you replace one and ensure stock are kept away from any batteries being used as power sources for fencing
Use your farm biosecurity plan to identify any areas of risk. This is particularly important when purchasing new properties with an unknown history. Keep stock away from farm chemical storages, workshops, sheds, old house sites, farm rubbish dumps and chemical wash down areas.
 
Consumers have a reasonable expectation that our livestock products are safe for consumption. All producers have a shared responsibility to make sure they produce a livestock product fit to enter the food chain.
 
For more information on residues and managing the risk of residues on your farm, contact your Northern Tablelands Local Land Services District Veterinarian on 02 6732 8800.





PROTECTING THE ENDANGERED BELL'S TURTLE

Our Turtles Forever project is working with landholders to protect populations of the endangered Bell’s Turtle.

The key threat to Bell's Turtles is foxes because they dig up turtle nests on stream banks during summer. Up to 95% of nests are raided by foxes before the baby turtles hatch from their eggs.

We are looking for landholders on the Northern Tablelands who have headwater streams of the Murray-Darling basin on their properties that would like to work with us to manage foxes and protect turtle nests.

 
This excellent photo was supplied by Marcus Watson of Back Track of one of their trainees (Blake) welding up a turtle nest protection cage. The other photo shows a cage protecting a Bell’s Turtle nest on the bank of the Macdonald River. As well as keeping out foxes, these steel cages are designed to be cattle-proof to make sure curious livestock don’t inadvertently trample turtle eggs buried within their nests.


SEEDLINGS GROW THREATENED GRASSY WOODLANDS

A small team of researchers, land managers and practitioners at the University of New England and Northern Tablelands Local Land Services are embarking on an environmental project to protect and restore two locally endangered woodlands here in the heart of the New England.

This project is funded by the NSW State Government ‘Saving our Species’ program (SoS), and focuses on two historically widespread woodland plant communities:

  1. Ribbon Gum-Mountain Gum-Snow Gum, and
  2. New England Peppermint.

Several of the dominant tree species that make up these woodlands are favoured by Koalas as a food source and are critical in supporting a range of other native wildlife in our region. Arboreal mammals such as Sugar Gliders and Possums, small woodland bird species like Treecreepers and Whistlers, tree-hollow dwelling species and of course Echidnas, reptiles and insects that live and forage amongst fallen timber and bark, are all dependent on woodlands such as these.

Read more .....

What's on the go? 

GOOD NEWS - WE ARE BACK WORKING FROM LOCAL OFFICES 

Most of our teams have returned to the office, however, not everyone may be in the office at the same time with some staff splitting their time between the office and home. If the people you are looking for on any particular day are not in the office, we can connect you with them in other ways.  

If you prefer not to visit the office just yet, that’s okay! Our online services are still available, allowing you to connect with us from anywhere. The services include: 

  • Chat with us on Facebook Messenger  

  • FaceTime calls with our technical staff  

You will notice things around the office will look a little different to what they did back in March, with new COVID Safe signage on the floors and walls and sanitising stations available. We ask that you please follow these COVID Safe guidelines by using sanitiser upon arrival and departure, practising social distancing and where you are unable to do so, please wear a mask, pay by card where possible to reduce cash handling and sign in and out using the visitor’s book.   

While it’s been a big learning curve the past eight months working from home and finding innovative ways to stay connected, we are looking forward to seeing you back in the office. Thank you for your patience and understanding through these unprecedented times.  


NLIS DATABASE WORKSHOP AT WOOLBROOK - 28 OCTOBER 2020

Northern Tablelands Local Land Services is holding a practical, hands-on workshop for sheep and cattle producers. Find out how to use the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) database.

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

WHEN: 28 October 2020, 9.30 - 11.30am
WHERE: Woolbrook Stampede Grounds

Don't forget to bring a mobile device or laptop with internet access.

Please RSVP by Monday 26 October to Max Newsome on 0427 007 190.




LADIES IN LIVESTOCK TOUCH & TRIAL FIELD DAYS

Join Northern Tablelands Local Land Services for a hands-on, practical session exploring ag tech options. Find out more about:

  • Crushside integration and troubleshooting
  • Automatic dosing
  • Walk over weigh systems
  • Fat scoring with ultrasound
  • Farm planning
Inverell Ladies in Livestock Field Day
4 November, 10am - 2pm
‘Aurora’, 104 Frost Lane, Oakwood Via Inverell
To book your place, go to https://www.stickytickets.com.au/utdyw 

Walcha Ladies in Livestock Field Day
5 November, 10am - 2pm
1261 Thunderbolts Way, Walcha
To book your place, go to http://www.stickytickets.com.ay/x3ajb

Tenterfield Ladies in Livestock Field Day
10 November, 10am - 2pm
‘Cooredulla’, 11949 Bruxner Highway, Tenterfield
To book your place, go to https://www.stickytickets.com.au/6AZF0

Guyra Ladies in Livestock Field Day
11 November, 10am - 2pm
‘Eastern Plains’ 9212 Guyra Road, Guyra
To book your place, go to https://www.stickytickets.com.au/GRT5R 

For more information about any of the above Ladies in Livestock Field Days, please call 02 6720 8300 or send us an email.

Due to COVID-19, please bring your own food, drinks and chair. Hand sanitiser will be available and social distancing will be adhered to. If you are feeling unwell, please stay at home.


Learning how to fat score at a Ladies in Livestock Workshop


NORTHERN PASTURES GROUP PASTURE WALK
PRODUCERS DEMONSTRATION SITE - RESTORING PASTURES NORTHERN TABLELANDS


MLA’s Producer Demonstration Site (PDS) program supports producers to adapt, validate and demonstrate the business value of integrating new management practices/skills into their local farming systems.

WHAT: Pasture Walk
WHEN: Thursday 29 October 2020, 9.30am - 12pm
WHERE: ‘Cairnie’, 577 Emu Plains Road, Walcha NSW

Overview of the Producer Demonstration Site
Are you planning to restore or renovate pastures on your farm?

The composition, performance and sustainability of many northern tablelands pastures has changed since the recent drought. This pasture walk will help local producers assess the best options for pasture restoration and renovation in their region.

What’s on the agenda?
  • A rapid assessment technique for pasture composition and future productivity
  • Interpretation of soil test results
  • Pasture improvement plans – species selection, preparation, sowing, grazing management.
Bookings are essential as places are limited. RSVP by Tuesday 27 October.

For more information, contact:
GLENRAC INC on 02 6732 3443 

If you, or anyone you know, have been in contact with someone who has been asked to self-isolate or if you are feeling flu-like symptoms, please do not attend the Event. The Event will run in accordance with State and Federal Government restrictions and advice. Hand sanitiser will be provided and social distancing will be required. Participants will be required to provide phone contact details to the Event organiser.

This field day is funded by Meat & Livestock Australia with the support of Northern Tablelands Pasture Group, Northern Tablelands Local Land Services and GLENRAC.


A COUPLE OF NEW FACES IN THE NORTHERN TABLELANDS LLS TEAM

Jess Ten Brink

I am a Senior Land Services Officer in the Land Management Team.

I grew up on a hobby farm just out of Quirindi raising crossbred sheep. I moved to Inverell after working in the Land Management team (Western LLS) in Bourke for 3 years, so I’m slowly adjusting to hills and the cooler weather.
 
Prior to this, I worked for the Agricultural Business Research Institute (ABRI) in Armidale as a Registrar for breed societies (primarily Dorper Sheep Society of Australia and Brangus Cattle Association), worked on a chook farm in Wellington, NSW and was a governess in Walgett.
 
I completed a Bachelor of Natural Science (Nature Conservation) at UWS (Richmond) in 2012 and swore I was finished with Uni.  A year later I decided to get an “ag” degree, and finally got a second piece of paper with a Graduate Diploma in Rural Science from UNE in 2016.
 
Although I’m new to the area, I have worked in the Land Management team of Local Land Services for over 3 years, so I am ready to answer any questions or assist any landholder or manager in managing native vegetation on their property.  I often see my role as an interpreter – translating government legislation and look forward to working with you.



Christine Richards

I am the Supporting our Neighbours Regional Fencing Coordinator for the Northern Tablelands, based in Tenterfield.
 
I have a background in agricultural research and working with landholders. I started my career in sugarcane rotation cropping research in Tully, Qld. After a move to Narrabri, NSW, I worked with CSIRO, Cotton Australia and DPI over 16 years.

I have a family and have been in Tenterfield for 6 years, the last three at the local High School as a Science teacher. This  LLS position allows me to combine my love of country communities, helping farmers become better managers and finding strategic solutions to programs working with staff in productive teams.

I have worked across regions and remotely and with the Supporting our Neighbours LLS team my goal is to provide funding and guidance to finalise new fencing to these properties recently damaged by fires.

I hope that in the Northern Tablelands, I can help landholders to feel supported to apply for additional finances and complete the works essential to their business through restoring boundary fences as soon as they can. My goal is to work with the landholders in this amazing part of the world and efficiently negotiate with them positive outcomes for regional NSW.




SPRING WILD DOG AND FOX AERIAL AND GROUND BAITING

Northern Tablelands Local Land Services, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and Forestry Corporation of NSW have just completed the 1080 poison aerial and ground baiting program for wild dog and fox control. 

This baiting program was carried out in conjunction with the following Wild Dog Control Associations:
Ashford, Atholwood, Bald Nob / Skeleton Creek, Baldersleigh, Bundarra, Copeton, Enmore / Blue Knobby, Cataract River, Chandler River, Cooney Creek, Deepwater / 10 Mile, Donnybrook / Leeches Gully, Dundee / Glen Elgin, Elsmore, Emmaville, Jeogla, Kooreelah, Liston, Mann River, McLeods Creek / Lower Rocky River, Mingoola / Mole River, Moona / Winterbourne, Mt MacKenzie, Niangala / Nowendoc, Nullamanna / Wellingrove, Pyes Creek, Red Range / Pinkett, Rocky Creek, Rummeries Hill, Sandy Flat, South Valley, Steinbrook, Tenterden, Torrington  / Stannum, Upper Severn River, Wards Mistake, Wongwibinda, Yarrowitch / Tia, Yarrowyck and Yetman

Baiting was undertaken on the following National Park & Wildlife Service managed lands:
Arakoola NR, Avondale SCA, Back Creek NR, Back River NR, Bagul Waajaarr NR, Bald Rock NP, Barool NP, Basket Swamp NP, Bluff River NR, Bolivia Hill NR, Boonoo Boonoo NP, Booroolong NR, Burral Yurrul NR & NP, Butterleaf NP, Capoompeta NP, Captains Creek NR, Cataract NP & SCA, Cathedral Rocks NP, Cottan-Bimbang NP, Crooked Creek NP, Curracabundi NP, Donnybrook NR, Dthinna Dthinnawan NP & NR, Guy Fawkes River NP & NR, Indwarra NP, Kings Plains NP, Koorelah NP, Kwiambal NP, Mann River NR,  Maryland NP, Mount Yarrowyck NR, Mummel Gulf NP, Ngulin NR, Nowendoc NP, Nullamanna  NP, Oxley Wild Rivers NP, Serpentine NR, Severn River NR, Single NP, Stony Batter Creek NR, Taringa NR, The Basin NR, Tomalla NR, Tooloom NP, Torrington SCA, Tuggolo Creek NR, Warra NP, Washpool NP and Watsons Creek NP, NR & SCA
 
Baiting occurred in the following State Forests:
Bald Knob, Beaury, Billilimbra, Boonoo, Brother, Butterleaf, Donaldson, Donnybrook, Doyles River, Enfield, Ewingar, Forest Land, Girard, Giro, Hanging Rock, Koreelah, Malara, Moogem, Mount Mitchell, Nowendoc, Nundle, Oakwood, Paddys Land, Riamukka, Spirabo, Styx River, Terrible Billy, Torrington, Tuggolo, Warra and Woodenbong State Forests.
 
Baiting occurred on the following Travelling Stock Reserves: 
TSR 14257, TSR 67816 and TSR 810.
 
IMPORTANT: 1080 baits pose a high risk to domestic pets and working dogs. Residents and people visiting these areas need to remain vigilant and ensure domestic pets and working dogs are restrained. Baits may remain active in the landscape for a period of time after baiting has occurred. In the event of accidental poisoning, seek immediate veterinary assistance.

For further information please contact Northern Tablelands Local Land Services on 02 6732 8800 (Glen Innes), 02 6770 2000 (Armidale), 02 6739 1400 (Tenterfield), 02 6720 8300 (Inverell), NPWS New England Area Office 02 6777 4700 (Walcha), NPWS Northern Tablelands 02 6739 0700 (Glen Innes) or Forestry Corporation of NSW on 02 6585 3744 (Wauchope) or 02 6652 0111 (Coffs Harbour).
SUPPORTING OUR NEIGHBOURS - PUBLIC LAND BOUNDARY FENCING PROGRAM

Bushfire affected landholders are reminded that support is still available to replace fences that share a boundary with public land. The Supporting our Neighbours program is very straight-forward and LLS has a team of dedicated fencing coordinators to walk you through the entire process. All you need to do is fill out one form online

In the Northern Tablelands region, the Supporting our Neighbours program has funded 146 projects to replace fences damaged by last year's bushfires.

All fencing must be completed by 31 December 2020 so don't delay your application for support.

For more information about the Supporting our Neighbours Public Land Boundary Fencing Program, please call Christine Richards on 1300 778 080.


THE PRODUCTIVE PRODUCER PODCAST SERIES

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.

Tune in to the latest episode about the wether trial which has enabled Northern Tableland sheep breeders to benchmark the performance of their flocks against other producers in the district since it began in 1979.

For more information about any of the podcasts in this series, please contact Northern Tablelands LLS Livestock Officer, Max Newsome, on 0427 007 190.

 


RECORDING PEST ANIMALS WITH FERALSCAN - FREE ONLINE AND COVID-SAFE TRAINING

Pest animals are a significant problem across the Northern Tablelands region. 

FeralScan is a free community resource that can be used by farmers, landholder-groups, volunteers, community groups, local government, and biosecurity organisations to monitor, map and manage established pest species, such as wild dogs, foxes, rabbits, feral deer, or myna birds etc. The resource can also be used to record sightings of new pest incursions. 

People can record sightings, evidence, impacts, control activities or photos of 13 established pest species in their local area. Information recorded into FeralScan helps local groups and biosecurity organisations to implement well-planned local management programs.   

The FeralScan resource consists of a website, database, community map of pest animal information, and a mobile App (Apple and Android) for smart-phone users. It now hosts over 250,000 records and photos submitted by people across Australia. It also supports over 400 private landholder and biosecurity groups, who are using the software for planning and coordinating pest control. 

People currently use FeralScan for mapping problem hotspot areas, recording pests in remote areas, and planning where to undertake future control programs. 

Throughout the Northern Tablelands LLS region, farmers and landholder groups are currently recording sightings and problems caused by wild dogs and feral pigs in FeralScan, to help inform their local community group and Biosecurity Officers about current pest animal activity to guide local coordinated control programs.

 
FeralScan can be used to record and report wild dog problems (image by John Smith) 

FeralScan Coordinators, Peter West and Emma Sawyers (based at NSW DPI) are available to help people or groups to use FeralScan. Free small group training sessions are currently being offered face-to-face and online. If you and your group are interested in learning more, please contact feralscan@feralscan.org.au, or phone Emma on 0455 633 112 or Peter on 0407 622 191.


WATER QUALITY RESOURCES FOR PRODUCTION AND ENVIRONMENT

During the drought of the last couple of years, the Northern Tablelands LLS team received a large number of enquiries about water quality - the impacts of livestock on water quality, the impacts of water quality on livestock, how to interpret water tests, how to manage livestock around riparian zones and more. We didn't have all the answers to these enquiries and did our best at the time to find answers and more information for our customers.

As a result, we have developed four water quality films so that we have these resources on-hand to provide to customers in the future. We engaged experts in the field to share their knowledge and experience in the following: The films are extremely comprehensive. They are detailed and practical and are designed to offer livestock producers genuine options and strategies for improving water quality for livestock production and the environment. Make yourself a cuppa and settle in for some insightful viewing.
 
If you're interested in staying up to date and seeing events as soon as they're scheduled, connect with us on social media - links below! 
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Our mailing address is:
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