Number 132 Stay connected with - Western...

May – June 2010 1

May– June 2010

Produced for landholders in the Western Division of NSW

Number 132 www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/newsletters/wdn

ISSN 0314 - 5352

In this issue ...

Finding out what’s on and how to get involved is about to get a whole lot easier thanks to Sheep Connect NSW.

As a sheep producer, it can be difficult to stay informed about sheep industry events that are relevant to your farm business. The Australian sheep industry boasts a wide-range of service providers and producer groups who offer a variety of sheep-related activities to producers. But, finding out about these activities can be difficult and deciding which ones are most relevant can be time-consuming – it’s easy to miss out. There is no shortage of information available to producers – the issue is making sure the right people know about the right events.

AWI and Industry & Investment NSW have recently joined forces to develop Sheep Connect NSW, an industry-wide information network for sheep producers and service providers. The Sheep Connect NSW network aims to ensure that sheep producers are fully informed about events that suit their needs and have a say in the type of learning opportunities that are offered in their area.

Sheep Connect NSW consists of an online knowledge network, which presents a comprehensive listing of sheep-related activities. The listing can be filtered according to individual preferences and a list of events that match a member’s preferences can be faxed or emailed every

Stay connected with your industry

Continued on page 3

Stay connected with your industry

Getting connected at Conargo

Legal Road Network Project

Food for thought in our own backyard – Rangeland Conference

Wanted – 10 landholders for the Rangeland Conference

Depression – self care and staying healthy

Mossgiel claim the date 19 May 2010

Report of the grazing management tour to Wentworth

From drought to floods but the grazing bus trip still went ahead

Add a little ‘green’ to your winter holidays

Call of the Bush Stone-curlew

WCMA will sponsor two landholders for Argentina congress

Funding available for mesquite control

Sheep movements NLIS database – July 1

Women wanted in Wentworth

Attending information days such as the Sheep Connect Industry Day held at Conargo in March is all part of the staff training offered by the Hay property ‘Uardry’. Pictured at Conargo is Uardry staff members (l to r) Dougal Rankin, Callum McLean, Lachie Barclay, Tom Upton and James Wilson. Stud Manager at Uardry, Ben Lane said the new Sheep Connect website will be a useful tool as he will be able to access information to determine what events are being held in the local area and could be used in the property training program. Photo: AWI

2 Western Division Newsletter

In passing...By Sally Ware Rangelands Officer, Hay P: (02) 6993 1608


It was all positive messages for producers at the AWI sponsored Sheep Connect Industry Day held at Conargo in March. This was the first Sheep Connect industry update to be held with a second day to be held in the north of the State later in the year.

Chris Russell, a judge on ABC television ‘New Inventors’ program was a key speaker on the day. Chris is the technical director of Cobbett Technologies, a company who is working on an alternative to mulesing. Chris spoke about his product ‘Skintraction’ a needleless, intradermal injection of a formulation which when applied around the breech and on the tail denatures protein in the skin resulting in the skin contracting and stretching around these areas. Costing approximately $1/lamb and able to be applied in cradles and at about the same pace as a conventional mules operation, it is a painless operation and there are no open wounds attracting flies. ‘Skintraction’ also passes through the lamb’s system within 12 hours and has no effect on the meat quality of the lamb. Whilst the product is still in the trial phase and problems such as lamb

variability and burr and dag cover reducing product penetration have to be overcome, Chris is hoping that ‘Skintraction’ will be fully registered for commercial use in early 2011.

With the Australian sheep population the lowest it has been for 89 years, Kara Tighe, a Sheep and Lamb Analyst with MLA, showed consumer demand for lamb and mutton will continue to rise and prices will remain strong. In the climate section of the presentations, Dr Andrew Moore, Stream Leader for CSIRO Sustainable Agriculture Flagship, stated that any producer who has survived the last ten years of agriculture in southern Australia will probably cope with the ongoing climate changes such as higher temperatures and evaporation and more prevalent, variable summer rainfall patterns. Regarding enterprise mixes, Phil Graham, Technical Specialist Grazing Systems with I & I NSW concluded in his presentation that over a period of time, there is not one enterprise that is a ‘silver bullet’ for producers and that the quality of the individual enterprise carried out on farm is the most important factor. Campbell Ross, Livestock Buyer, T & R Pastoral concluded that selling of store lambs continues to be the best option for the pastoral areas due to the current high prices for store lambs, the ready market for such lambs and the lower costs of production compared to the increased costs of finishing lambs.

All landholders attending the day registered to be part of Sheep Connect NSW which is a web site that will be a ‘one-stop-shop’ that will list and promote upcoming events relevant to the sheep industry. Landholders wishing to register for Sheep Connect or list an event can register their details in the forms contained in this Newsletter.

The Western Division Newsletter is produced by Industry & Investment NSW with funding assistance from the Department of Environment and Climate Change, the Department of Lands and the following Catchment Management Authorities:

Getting connected at Conargo

Ian Evans, AWI and Chris Russell at the Sheep Connect Industry Day at Conargo. Chris Russell is the Technical Director of Cobbett Technologies, a company that is developing a product called ‘Skintraction’, which will be available for commercial use in early 2010 as an alternative to mulesing. Chris is also a judge on the ABC television ‘New Inventors’ program. Photo: AWI

May – June 2010 3

Stay connected with your industry continued from page 1

two weeks. For service providers, Sheep Connect NSW offers the opportunity to list events such as workshops, seminars, field days and other events with a focus on information.

The network has been developed following feedback from producers wanting a ‘drafting gate’ for relevant information and events. Sheep Connect NSW will make it much easier and faster for sheep producers to assess the relevance of what is being offered.

The first premise behind Sheep Connect NSW is that there is no shortage of informative events for sheep producers – the issue is making sure the right people know about the right events. The second premise is that sheep producers need to be able to influence the type of information and events being presented to them.

Central West NSW sheep producer Ben Watts, says that information overload is a very real issue for many farm managers

and finding courses that are timely and relevant to their business is often difficult.

‘When you are operating a farm business, keeping up-to-date with relevant training and information is crucial. Sheep Connect NSW will make it easier to locate this information’.

‘Sheep Connect NSW will help farm managers to finetune their strategic decision making by assessing which events best suit their farm business’ Mr Watts said.

Ben Lane, Stud Manager at Uardry, Hay said that the Sheep Connect website and information days will be a useful tool for his operation.

‘Our jackaroos are enrolled in Certificate II, III and IV in Agricultural Skills and attending industry information days is crucial for completing this training. Having a central data base containing all the upcoming events in the area will mean I can plan our work activities around such events’ Mr Lane said.

‘Uardry will also list its on-property ram sales, expo day and field days on Sheep Connect.’

To join the Sheep Connect NSW network fill out the forms in this newsletter, or register online at the Sheep Connect website www.sheepconnectnsw.com.au. For more information, contact Jac Staines or Brett Wilson on (02) 6391 3954 or email [email protected]

The Legal Roads Network Project has opened and dedicated over 4000 km of road and created over 500 km of restricted easements to landlocked properties in the Western Division.

We are now working in the Central Darling Shire and are currently compiling plans for the Cobb Highway (Wilcannia to Ivanhoe), Norma Downs, Tongo, Menindee Road (West), Tilpa, Baden Park, Cultowa, Tasman & the Menindee to Ivanhoe roads.

Landholders that have their primary access to these roads should have received paperwork outlining the actions required to ensure the provision of legal access. Landholders that have not returned their paperwork should do so as soon as possible to ensure their requirements are addressed.

Landholders generally are responding well by returning their paperwork in a

By Rex Miller & Maurice CenzatoLegal Roads Network Project Team, Western BranchLand & Property Management Authority, DubboPh: (02) 6883 5420 or (02) 6883 [email protected]@lpma.nsw.gov.au

Legal Road Network Projecttimely fashion. We understand that at times paperwork may not be a priority but please keep in mind that for the project to progress to program it is imperative that responses to our requests for the completion of application forms for the creation of easements and alteration of access conditions are returned promptly.

It is important to remember that property transfer policy now requires that legal access should be in place before any consent to transfer will be granted.

If applications are not returned in a timely manner then the opportunity to create an easement to a landlocked property will be missed. It will not be possible for the project to revisit these areas and any creation of legal access in the future would be at the landholder’s expense.

The project team looks forward to your continued support so that an effective legal access system can be achieved in the Western Division.


Food for thought

This year the Australian Rangeland Society Conference is being held in Bourke in September. The conference focuses on land management knowledge for the 80% of Australia classified as rangeland, which includes the pastoral land of the Western Division. No tree-planting or coastal talk here, as the topics are mainly looking at managing the vast areas of outback Australia for grazing, conservation or associated land-uses.

In our own backyard

The conference happens every two years at venues alternating across the five States that have areas of rangelands. New South Wales therefore only hosts the conference only once every ten years, but this year it is in our own backyard. The Bourke event will be the best opportunity for Western Division residents to attend the conference for some time as the next events will be in WA or the NT.

What does it offer?

The conference offers a mix of science and general interest for the Western Division community though field tours, oral presentations and poster sessions. This is supported by an active social and partners program.

Field tours on Day One will visit areas demonstrating specific aspects of land management with discussions led by landholders and recognised experts. This year, tours will visit:

Bokhara Plains and Wirricanna Stations to view innovative grazing management.

Dijoe Station to discuss invasive scrub, water spreading and total grazing pressure management.

Food for thought in our own backyard

Toorale Station to see high value wetlands and historic sites and discuss the transition to National Park.

Brewarrina Aboriginal fish traps and cultural heritage museum, followed by a discussion of the demonstration reach river restoration projects.

Bourke irrigation properties to discuss water management issues and an enterprise-based conservation project where conservation provides a diversified property income stream.

The overall theme at Bourke is ‘Rain on the Rangelands’ to capture community concern on water management and several of the keynote speakers will address these issues. However, delegates can expect conference sessions to have a broad scope and they usually include the latest research on grazing management, land rehabilitation and biodiversity conservation across the range of environments of inland Australia. This year the organisers have specifically allocated Day Two to landholder presentations and expect to attract a range of case studies showcasing innovative property management and discussing on-ground issues. Day Three will investigate the issues of water resource management on rangelands. On Day Four, speakers will present on the challenges of balancing production and conservation, the dynamics of rangeland ecosystems and concepts of ecological and social resilience.

Further details of the program are available from the Australian Rangeland Society website www.austrangesoc.com.au/site/.

How do I register?

Registration will be on-line and available from 1 May 2010 through www.austrangesoc.com.au/site/

Australian Rangeland Society 16th Biennial Conference Bourke, 26–30 September 2010By Russell GrantOperations ManagerWestern Catchment Management Authority, Cobar P: (02) 6836 1575

Back O'Bourke Tourist Information Centre will be the venue for a number of events during the conference.

May – June 2010 5

The Lower Murray Darling CMA is seeking to sponsor 10 NSW LMD catchment landholders’ attendance at the Australian Rangelands Society Conference this September.

The 16th Biennial Australian Rangelands Conference will be held in Bourke from 26 to 30 September 2010 and the study tour will leave Buronga (stopping at Broken Hill, Wilcannia and Cobar) on Sunday 26 September and return on Friday 1 October.

The conference theme ‘Rain on the Rangelands’ captures the concern for water, either as rain or river flow, which dominates the thoughts of most people living in rangeland areas. Keynote speakers will target the management of water in rangeland landscapes at various levels, from the whole basin scale down to the individual property.

The LMD CMA will pay all registration costs and transport, which represents a great saving for people who want to attend the conference from the LMD catchment but find the costs prohibitive. Landholders will need to pay for their own accommodation and any additional meals. Accommodation has been block booked.

Interested landholders who would like to attend the conference and are willing to communicate the information they gain to their local community, are asked to complete an Expression of Interest detailing in 300 words or less how

Wanted – 10 landholders for the Rangeland Conference – LMDCMA sponsorship offer

attending the field tour and conference relates to the management of their property and could influence future management decisions.

Expressions of Interest should be lodged by midday on Friday 13 August 2010.

Information on this study tour is on the website at www.lmd.cma.nsw.gov.au

If you require more detailed information or have a query about this study tour, please contact the tour coordinator, Susan Walla, at the LMD CMA on (03) 5021 9459.

BUNNERUNGIE WHITE DORPERS Phil & Chris Larwood Bunnerungie Station Wentworth NSW 2648 Phone/Fax: (03) 5027 0220 Email: [email protected]

Purebredflockramsforsale


Depression – self care and staying healthy

By Shaye Goullet, Intern Psychologist, Murrumbidgee

General Practice Network Ph: (02) 6953 6454

In previous issues of the newsletter we looked at symptoms of depression, causes of depression, unhelpful thinking styles, identifying automatic thoughts and challenging automatic thoughts/beliefs. Finally, we will look at other factors and self care strategies that contribute to the lessening of depressive symptoms and maintenance of optimal mental health and brain chemistry.

The three important neurotransmitters affecting a person’s mood are serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine. Anti-depressant medications aim to rebalance neurotransmitters in the brain. In addition to this, or as an alternative in the first instance, the following self help strategies have been shown to help rebalance brain chemistry.

Social activities and supports

Often people suffering depression will withdraw from social activities and support networks. Socialising is a positive, fun and rewarding experience which helps lift our mood and provide an opportunity to discuss current stressors or concerns. It allows us to gain perspective of any problems and can share the burden of a problem, as often others are dealing with similar stressors.

Pleasant activities

Similarly, depression often leads to people losing interest in and enjoyment from activities. As such, they will often cease these activities. Part of the process

of recovery is to get back into activities you previously enjoyed. Whilst you may have no interest in this, in doing so you can gradually improve mood and increase energy levels. Make a list of fun or pleasant activities and schedule them into your weekly plan. Start with small goals and then build up as your mood and energy improves.

Sleep and relaxation

Our bodies need to rejuvenate. Aim for 8 hours sleep per night. This allows our mind and body to rest, and lets our body chemistry, including serotonin, restore to optimal levels. In addition to a good night’s sleep we need regular relaxation. What constitutes relaxation will vary from person to person, however the end goal is the same, we want to bring our levels of arousal down. This involves slowing our breathing, reducing muscles tension, slowing our heart rates and slowing our thinking.

Diet

The old saying you get out what you put in applies with depression. If we want our bodies to be functioning at optimal capacity then we must ensure we eat a healthy balanced diet. This includes eating a range of foods from the 5 food groups in the recommended servings, which are:

Fats, Oils and Sweets Sparingly

Dairy (preferably low fat) 2–3 serves

Meat, Poultry, Fish, Dry Beans and Nuts 2–3 servings

Vegetables 3–5 servings

Fruit 2–4 servings

Bread, Cereal, Rice & Pasta 6–11 servings

Exercise

Getting regular exercise has a number of benefits. It keeps our bodies healthy and

As part of the Department of Health & Aging Mental Health Drought Support Project, the Murrumbidgee General Practice Network (MGPN) has developed a three-series information guide to depression. This is the third in the series.

May – June 2010 7

functioning at optimal levels, reduces muscle tension, can be an excellent stress reducing strategy, can be combined as a social activity and promotes healthy brain-chemistry leading to improved mood and energy levels. Aim to get some form of exercise every day, even if it’s just a 15 minute walk.

Challenge your thinking

As we are now aware thinking is directly related to how we feel. Challenging negative thinking patterns on a regular basis will promote positive feelings and lead to an overall improved mood. Use the thought diary and challenging techniques as often as needed to uphold a balanced approach to thinking.

Putting the above strategies into place throughout your life will allow for excellent mental health and wellbeing, and ward off potential mental illness. It can also be put into place in response to suffering depressive symptoms in order to work towards recovery. If however you feel you require assistance from a health professional, please contact your local GP who can advise of local services.

The Murrumbidgee General Practice Network (MGPN) provides a psychology service to the area. Psychological services are provided in the following locations: Berrigan, Coleambally, Finley, Griffith, Hay, Hillston, Jerilderie, Leeton and Narrandera.

If you wish to access psychological services at one of these locations, please speak to your GP. The free psychological service is available to people; over the age of 14 years; have a diagnosable mental health condition; have a GP Mental HealthTreatment Plan and a GP referral. Initially, you can receive up to 6 psychology sessions. This would consist of an assessment session and typically 5 treatment sessions. Further treatment (up to 12 sessions) may be provided following a clinical review by the GP and the Psychologist. This is a free service. For more information visit the website: www.murrumbidgee.net.au

Mossgiel claim the date 19 May 2010Plant ID Workshop & Mossgiel Information DayDon’t miss the opportunity to improve your plant identification skills with local plant expert Peter Millthorpe, co-author of the renowned Plants of Western NSW reference book. The Plant ID Workshop will be conducted in the paddock on various properties between Booligal and Mossgiel.

An information afternoon will follow the workshop where veterinarians Greg Curran, Dermot McNerney and Gabe Morrice will discuss recent cattle deaths in the area.

For further information or to reserve your place please contact Michelle Jefferies at the Hillston office of the Lachlan CMA on (02) 6967 2897 or Sally Ware of I&I NSW on (02) 6993 1608.


Leaving the Lachlan River and Hillston at 6 am with our group of 25 landholders from places as varied as Cowra to Oxley, we set off on our grazing management tour. Over the three days we travelled to the O’Halloran’s property at Penarie, and Annabel Walsh’s property Moorna near Wentworth. From Moorna our destination was the Ingrams at Aston Station near Pooncarie with a stop at Gus and Kelly Whyte’s property, Wyndham, on the way.

The purpose of the tour was to showcase some of the more motivated and innovative people within their industry. The areas we travelled to were specifically chosen as they were similar in climate but are perhaps more arid than those of our tour participants.

Our first stop was at Tim and Maryanne O’Halloran’s property, Tylden, where we were joined by our facilitator for the tour, Gus Whyte. The O’Halloran family run a mixed farming operation at Penarie, less than a 10 minute drive from the Homebush Hotel.

Tim and Maryanne decided to take charge of their business after attending the Grazing for Profit course. They had experienced some tough years and had decided to make some changes to how they ran their business. As a result of this they worked with a facilitator to devise a farm plan and

succession plan that included all three of their children. During Tim’s presentation he made the comment that ‘if you’re not making a profit in the drought years then you really need to assess what you’re doing with your business’.

After having assessed their business the O’Halloran family have been successful in achieving their goals of profit making and running a successful family business. They have done this by moving towards a more rotational grazing system, holding regular structured meetings, developing a greater level of discipline towards making business decisions and surrounding themselves with good, knowledgeable people.

After lunch at the infamous Homebush Hotel we headed to Moorna Station. Annabel Walsh is an extremely motivated and passionate individual. On our arrival we found the beautiful, historic Moorna Homestead empty, as Annabel was busy finishing up the last of the shearing that afternoon. To give a perspective of an average week for Annabel she had hosted three American scientists for a couple of days, completed shearing and then cleaned and catered in anticipation of our arrival.

The unique land features and location of Moorna have made salinity a major issue. Annabel is managing the salinity by rotational grazing; this system provides an opportunity for long recovery periods that are considered necessary to promote ecosystem health in this landscape. On average a rotation involves 10 months of rest followed by 2 months of grazing. Annabel has been managing in this fashion since the mid 1990s. In an effort to further improve this grazing system, Annabelle has put in over 60 km of PVC pipe in the last 12 months to spread watering points to encourage more even grazing throughout the property.

Report of the grazing management tour to Wentworth

Bogged in the sand at Moorna Station

By Jasmine Wells Catchment Officer, Hillston Ph: (02) 6967 2880

May – June 2010 9

Annabelle believes that it is essential to ‘keep your ecosystem complex and your business simple’, and in a further attempt to achieve this over the next year Annabelle is planning to remove the fencing from Moorna as it is in need of replacing anyway and trial rotating her stock using watering points as the guide for stock to graze. Given the vast area of Moorna Station (30,000 ha) it will be interesting to see the results of this type of animal behavioural training.

The first thing you notice on your arrival at Wyndham Station is the abundance of annual and perennial grasses. The Whyte family have owned Wyndham for 6 years. There were two paddocks at the time of purchase and there are now 24 paddocks averaging 500 ha each, with over 25 km of PVC pipe laid across them.

Gus and Kelly Whyte plan to triple their grazing capacity in the next 30 years. They believe this to be achievable because of the long rest and short grazing system they have in place. It became evident to the onlooker that this is achievable due to their determination and ability to stick to their plan. They consider all ground cover to be good regardless of what type or whether it is conventionally considered a weed. They routinely assess ground cover and keep stringent records of how their grazing management is impacting on the total ground cover and the type of ground cover. Gus said several times over the trip that if you are going to attempt to do anything you should ‘go with intent’, the Whytes obviously do this and as a result are going to see their long-term goal become a reality.

After Wyndham, we stopped at the Ginkgo Sand Mine where Micheal Priest took time out to show us the regeneration work he has been doing there. This is a really impressive place to visit, seeing the complete removal of vegetation and then the transformation into productive land again. Hearing how the mine and local graziers have been able to forge a mutually beneficial relationship was interesting, given some of the negative stories often

heard in the media about the relationship between mining companies and farmers.

Our last day of our trip was spent at Robyn and Kevin Ingram’s property, Aston Station near Pooncarie. The Ingram’s business has recently expanded due to their son Brian returning home to the family property. We spent some time here learning how to distinguish between what looks like a good paddock and what it actually produces. It would seem that what looks better from the bus window is not necessarily the better paddock for stock. We were lucky that the Ingrams had recently purchased a property, providing an opportunity for us to really compare the difference that their grazing management has had on improving their ground cover. Stock behavioural management plays a significant role on Aston Station. The Ingrams run a two wire fencing system, originally set up to be made electric, however they have never found this necessary (to energise) due to training their stock to stay within the fences and rotating them before the stock have started looking for additional feed.

The positive attitude that all of these owners have to adversity was inspiring for all bus participants, as these people have been trying to implement various management strategies such as rotational grazing.

The O'Hallorans of Tylden Station


You wouldn’t believe it! The Lachlan Catchment Management Authority (CMA) had planned to have a grazing management bus trip for some time and had organised to go to Bokhara Plains near Brewarrina to look at the excellent work they are doing there.

But this is where the plan came unstuck. Just before we were about to leave the Queensland rains came and with it came floods. The Darling River was bursting its banks and it was thought to be one of the biggest floods for some time.

We waited patiently to see how this would affect access to Bokhara, but the good news came – the floods were slower than expected so we would make it there okay. The night before we were due to arrive at Bokhara, the rains came. In some places they had 35 mm overnight, so Bokhara was off the itinerary. Fortunately we had other back-up plans in place so the trip went ahead with some very interesting outcomes.

The first stop was Nyngan. Saltbush is a great alternative for grazing animals, and we were taken through Jim McLaughlin’s property near Nyngan. Here he is using saltbush on his property to rest it at critical times so there will always be feed for his

Fromdroughttofloodsbutthegrazing bus trip still went ahead

stock. It allows him to carry more livestock and keep grass cover on more of his country. Saltbush has also let him reduce his handfeeding considerably. Jim said ‘I am seeing that the grasses are growing for longer periods during the year in the saltbush paddocks’.

The next stop was a really interesting property where they are doing clay pan regeneration. Frank MacKillop and Central West CMA staff member, Ray Thompson, took us through how they have revegetated the clay pans on the property using water ponding. Water ponding is the process of rehabilitating the scalded areas with native grasses by grading circular ‘ponds’ and providing a 50–60 cm high bank to retain about 10 cm of water. Native grasses can then be seeded or can naturally regenerate in the ponds. The benefits of the process are evident with excellent grass growth and feed potential for stock across the whole property.

The last stop was at Etiwanda where the Mosleys have had extraordinary success with their robust and well thought out business plan. The work that has gone into making their property sustainable is inspiring. Many on the bus said they would liked to have spent much more time there looking at how the Mosleys have looked ahead and planned their long- term and short-term goals for their sheep enterprise. The Moselys said ‘we want an animal that can survive strictly on what the property produces with little, or no inputs. In order to produce animals that fit our environment, we require our stock to run on native grass year-round with very little feed supplement. We let the environment sort out the ‘good ones’.

Three days of learning new things, looking at innovative grazing techniques and enjoying new friends made the trip one to remember.

This machine is used by Frank MacKillop to prepare the ponds on his property. The tyne marks the area to be graded and uses laser levelling technology for the correct gradient. The grader then goes in and forms the bank.

By Kerry Wratten Lachlan CMA, Condobolin Ph: (02) 6895 2033

Lower Lachlan Stock & Domestic & Basic Right Water Users Inc.

PRELIMINARY NOTICE

INFORMATION DAY & MEETING

Monday 31 May 2010 from 11 amEUABALONG COMMUNITY CENTRE

Lower Lachlan Stock & Domestic and Basic Right Water Users was formed with the aim of getting representation for the communities and landholders who have been directly affected by a Temporary Water Order restricting flows in the Lachlan River below Condobolin.

We are endeavouring to engage with the government at both a state and federal level on all issues relating to the provision of S&D and Basic [Riparian] Right water.

If you are a landholder who relies on water taken under a Stock & Domestic Licence or through a Basic Right on the Lower Lachlan River, its Lakes, Creeks or Piped Water schemes put this date on your calendar.

We will also be holding our second meeting after the Information Day.

For more information or to RSVP contact Patti Bartholomew Ph: (02) 6898 1375

E: [email protected]

May – June 2010 15

Add a little ‘green’ to your winter holidays

National parks in outback NSW are bursting with colour as native grasses and plants are revived with lush green foliage and beautiful, bountiful flowers after recent rains.

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Ranger Julieanne Nicholl said the masses of bright green are amazing.

‘This is a perfect time to visit a western NSW national park to witness the changes to our diverse outback landscape; I encourage every family to head out and explore,’ Julieanne said.

‘Over the last few months Paroo Darling and Kinchega national parks have been displaying a beautiful array of local native Wilcannia and Darling Lilies.

‘The Mulga is also in flower and the Bluebush is looking healthier than ever.

‘After floodwater inflows from Queensland, the Paroo River is filling Perry Lake at the Paroo Darling National Park and Menindee Lake has started to flow into Cawndilla Lake at Kinchega National Park.

‘We are observing a greater presence of wildlife with kangaroos, frogs, lizards, and ducks making the best of the new growth. If you are camped near the river keep your ear open for the cackle of the Peron’s Tree Frog on dusk.

‘Almost every puddle that you come across on the floodplains in Kinchega National Park is full of tadpoles and Cawndilla Creek is alive with fingerlings from breeding fish.’

For more information on national parks in Western NSW visit www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au or call the Broken Hill NPWS office between 8.30 am and 4.30 pm from Monday to Friday on ph: (08) 8080 3200 or the White Cliffs Visitor Centre on ph: (08) 8083 7900.

Please check the road and weather conditions before going on any trip, and always let someone know where you are going and when you will be back.

Darling Lilies at Kinchega National Park


The Lower Murray Darling CMA on behalf of the NSW Environmental Trust and the Nature Conservation Working Group will be holding a FREE half day workshop on Friday 21 May 2010 at the Wentworth Memorial rooms, 66 Darling St, Wentworth between 9 am till 12.30 pm.

The Bush Stone-curlew, Burhinus grallarius, is a nocturnal, ground-dwelling bird that is listed as endangered in the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995. This bird has steadily been disappearing from the landscape and when landholders are asked ‘Have you seen or heard the curlews lately?’ they generally reply, ‘Well, now that you mention it, no. We used to have them years ago, but haven’t seen or heard them for some time now.’

There are several factors that have been involved in the declining population of the Bush Stone-curlew, but the lack of recruitment of any young chicks, their vulnerability to predation, particularly by foxes, and the demise of their preferred habitat are recognized as the major issues.

‘Curlewing The Landscape’ is a half day workshop presented by Neville and Jan Lubke, members of the Nature Conservation Working Group located within the Murray Catchment area of New South Wales. The Nature Conservation Working Group, assisted by funding from the NSW Environmental Trust, have been involved in the conservation of the Bush Stone-curlew for several years, promoting and supporting on-ground habitat preservation and restoration work, as well as funding predator proof fencing and fox control programs within the Murray Catchment. It has also undertaken an extensive publicity and education program to raise the general public’s awareness and understanding about the plight of this endangered bird.

Call of the Bush Stone-curlewFind out more about this endangered bird

More recently, working under a Scientific License from DECC, Nature Conservation Working Group has been involved in supporting the management of a captive breeding, translocation and release program for this endangered bird.

The workshop will be supported by speakers involved in the Bush Stone-curlew breeding program, a photographic display and information brochures will also be available to participants.

For those who don’t want to just view a photograph of the Bush Stone-curlew, they can see an exhibit of taxidermy of this bird including its eggs.

For catering purposes, interested community members are asked to contact Sheridan or Susan at LMD CMA on (03) 5021 9460 to register.

LMD CMA 32 Enterprise Way PO Box 363 Buronga NSW 2739 Ph (03) 5021 9460 Fax (03) 5021 1308 www.lmd.cma.nsw.gov.au

May – June 2010 17

The Western Catchment Management Authority (CMA) will sponsor two land managers who live in the western catchment to attend the 9th International Rangeland Congress in Argentina in 2011.

The Congress will be held from 2–8 April 2011 in Rosario, Santa Fe Province, Argentina.

The Western CMA will cover costs for airfares, conference registration, accommodation and associated field trips. Final costs for the Congress are yet to be published, however total costs are expected to be around $6000 per person to fly to Argentina and attend the Congress and one of the pre-Congress tours.

The Congress presents technological advances and research results in rangeland management. It brings together leading scientists, technicians, practitioners and land managers from around the world.

The Congress’ theme is ‘Diverse rangelands for a sustainable society’ and will cover the status of physical resources, biodiversity, management of rangelands and cultural themes. For more information about the Congress visit www.irc2011.com.ar

The Argentinean gaucho or ‘cowboy’ is an iconic national symbol. The land supports over 58 million bovine animals, with 70% of its cattle raised on rangelands. The rangelands also support sheep, goats, horses, mules, donkeys, llamas and cavias. There is a wide diversity of soil and climatic conditions and a range of vegetation and types of rangelands.

The Congress offers eight pre-Congress tours including tours of Mesopotamia, North Patagonia, South Patagonia, high altitude forests and deserts and semi-arid rangelands and shrublands. The opportunity to learn in the field continues during the Congress with participants able to choose one of three tours of the different regions of the Santa Fe Province.

Western CMA will sponsor two landholders for Argentina congress

The Western CMA is firmly committed to assisting land managers’ education in natural resource management. The International Rangeland Congress is very well organised and extremely informative and I would encourage anyone who is interested to complete the Expression of Interest. I attended the 2008 Congress in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia and found the experience and exchange of information very rewarding and inspiring. The opportunity to exchange ideas with people with similar interests from around the world is something not to be missed.

Tony Thompson, a landholder in the Bourke area also attended the 2008 Congress.

‘Being able to visit the rangelands in another country whilst in the company of rangeland managers, researchers and advisors from across the world is a unique experience and a rare opportunity,’ Mr Thompson said.

‘This conference with its global interaction addressing rangeland management makes you appreciate that the issues we face in the day to day management in the Western Division are not dissimilar to those faced by producers all over the world.

‘Witnessing first hand the management solutions and techniques being implemented in other parts of the world will broaden your prospective and challenge your thinking,’ Mr Thompson said.

People who attend the conference would be expected to provide a written report to the Western CMA that is suitable for publication in the Western Division Newsletter and to share their experiences and the information they gained with the wider Western Catchment community.

Interested people should complete an Expression of Interest available at the Western CMA website www.western.cma.nsw.gov.au and submit it before 30 June 2010.

By Daryl Green, General Manager, Western CMA


Funding available for mesquite control

‘Spray it as soon as possible!’ is the advice of Western Catchment landholder, Graham Collins, about control of mesquite.

Mr Collins has been actively controlling mesquite on Viewmont Station, north of Menindee, for the past twelve years. He has killed thousands of plants on his property. Large infestations are now a thing of the past with his efforts now concentrated on treating re-growth and small, isolated plants.

‘Mesquite is no good to anyone,’ Mr Collins said.

‘It germinates quickly and becomes like a hedge and it can spread very widely. We’ve found it eight kilometres away from the river where it started.

‘The stock won’t graze in it where it’s thick and the thorns drag on the wool. Every acre that isn’t productive means you’re losing money.

‘The sooner you get it off the place, the better off you’ll be. It’s as simple as that. There’s no “going to do it”. It has got to be done,’ Mr Collins said.

Humans and animals such as cattle, goats, sheep and kangaroos spread the seed. Most mesquite infestations occur along floodplains and water courses where the seed has travelled during flooding. Mesquite

has the capacity to invade and dominate most ecosystems and severely reduces the productive capacity of that land.

Mesquite is an aggressive weed and one of only five species in the Western Catchment to be identified as a ‘Weed of National Significance’. Landholders with mesquite on their property should contact the Western Catchment Management Authority (CMA) on (08) 8082 5204 to access funding for its control.

Mr Collins says recording the individual locations of mesquite has saved him time and money.

‘Every time I see a mesquite plant on my place, I enter its location into my GPS unit and when the contractor comes to do the spraying, he downloads it into his computer and knows exactly where to go.

‘It means he’s only spending about a third of the time he would have if he also had to go searching for the plants and it means I’m confident that they are all being sprayed.’ Mr Collins said.

Western CMA Community Support Officer, Matt Goulton, says mesquite has four distinct characteristics.

‘Mesquite is a single or multi-stemmed shrub that can grow to 15 metres tall. The most obvious characteristic is its branches which are shaped like a zig-zag with a thorn at the point where the leaf connects to the branch,’ Mr Goulton said.

‘Secondly, there are many small leaflets to each ‘leaf’, which makes it look similar to a fern. The mesquite flowers appear in spring and early summer and resemble lambs’ tails. They are yellow and fluffy. Finally, the mesquite plant produces thousands of seeds in yellow or greenish pods. Each pod contains up to twenty seeds, which are high in protein and therefore attractive to animals. The seeds can remain viable for decades.

By Matthew Goulton, Western Catchment Management Authority

For more information please contact Matthew Goulton (08) 8082 5204 or 0408 241 200, or Melinda Fletcher (08) 8082 5206 or 0428 268 925

Graham Collins of Viewmont Station has killed thousands of mesquite plants on his property.

May – June 2010 19

‘Because it’s a Weed of National Significance landholders are legally obliged to control it. This is an opportunity for landholders to get some assistance to control mesquite on their property.

‘The first step is to contact us so we can map the location of the mesquite. All sightings and locations will be kept confidential. This will enable us to allocate the limited mesquite funds effectively.

‘Smaller plants are controlled by spraying and larger trees are chainsawed and covered with a herbicide paste. Spraying is most effective in the spring when the plants are growing so we need to identify where the plants are located so that we can schedule spraying for later in the year,’ Mr Goulton said.

This funding program is for landholders in the Western Catchment only. Landholders in the Murray Darling Catchment (Broken Hill and below) who would like to discuss mesquite control should contact the Lower Murray Darling CMA on (03) 5021 9460.

Western Division Newsletter© State of New South Wales through Department of Industry and Investment (Industry & Investment NSW) 2010This work is copyright. You may download, display, print and reproduce this material in an unaltered form only (retaining this notice) for your own personal use or for non-commercial use in your organisation. To copy, adapt, publish, distribute, or commercialise any of this publication you will need to to seek permission from the Editor of the Western Division Newsletter.The information contained in this publication is based on knowledge and understanding at the time of writing (April 2010). However, because of advances in knowledge, users are reminded of the need to ensure that information upon which they rely is up to date and to check currency of the information with the appropriate officer of the Department of Industry and Investment or the user‘s independent adviser.

Deadline for articles for the July – August Issue 133 of the Western Division Newsletter is 17 May 2010.Please send articles to Sally Ware, I&I NSW, PO Box 393, Hay 2711, or email to [email protected]

Above: Mesquite leaves look like ferns. Stems zig-zag with a thorn at the point where the leaf joins the stem

Above left: Mesquite flowers resemble lambs’ tails

Left: Pods can contain up to twenty seeds

Contact IAN LUGSDIN at Lugsdin Toyota 6 Nailor St Hay NSW 2711

Ph:02 69931661 Mob: 0428 729305

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Around the traps

3: Lachlan CMA Grazing Management Tour to Brewarrina; Frank McKillop standing in front of his water ponds. The ponds stop the flow of water across the scalded landscape and allows grasses to take hold and prosper.

5: Lachlan CMA Grazing Management Tour to Brewarrina; Children enjoying diving into the flooded Darling River at Bourke.

4: Lachlan CMA Grazing Management Tour to Brewarrina; Jim McLaughlin, Merryanbone North, Nyngan talks about his saltbush plantings and how they reduce the need for supplementary feeding of livestock.

1: AWEX woolclassing BOARDtalk seminars were recently held in regional NSW to update woolclassers on various topics including the new code of practice and the National Wool Declaration. Participating in the Hay seminar at Shear Outback (L to R) Rose Bruton, Kyalite; Greg Sawyer AWEX; Steve O’Halloran, Balranald; Mick Huntly, Mossgiel and Brendan McGrath, Charlton.

2: On 4 February 75 mm of rain fell in 1.5 hours plus heavy rain on neighbouring properties meant the Bidura Creek flowed again and caused flooding through the woolshed and huts. Photo: Greg Ayson. Bidura is 72 km NW of Balranald.

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May – June 2010 21

Sheep movements onto your property to be placed on NLIS database – July 1

By Geoff Casburn, Livestock Officer, Sheep and Wool, Wagga Wagga. Ph: (02) 6938 1630

As of July this year anyone who receives sheep must upload information regarding these sheep onto the sheep and goat NLIS database.

This includes producers, abattoirs, saleyard operators, feedlots and show societies.

For producers this means entering movement information into the database when sheep are moved onto their property, whether they are purchased or on agistment.

This is a simple process that uses the information listed on the movement documentation accompanying the animals (the National Vender Declaration) and some basic information about the property receiving the animals.

It is slightly different to the Cattle NLIS database in that it requires mob-based information, not individual animal identification. This means that tags do not have to be scanned and makes it much easier to transfer animals as a mob on the database.

The database will help to ensure all movements of sheep and goats are recorded effectively, as each movement is linked with prior movements.

Abattoirs play a key role in the system as the final destination and they are currently testing new photographic technology that will enable the ear tag on every animal being slaughtered to be read and recorded on the database.

After June visit www.nlis.com.au to create an account on the database.

The system will still rely on all sheep being correctly tagged and accompanied by a complete, legible and correct National Vendor Declaration (NVD).

Recent NSW audits have found a small number of animals without NLIS tags, usually old sheep born prior to the introduction of NLIS.

While these are usually honest mistakes it is vital that all animals are tagged with the appropriate NLIS tag – ‘check before you deck’.

Some reminders with NLIS tags:

• Never remove an NLIS tag from an animal.

• Only insert an NLIS tag with property identification code (PIC) of the property where the animal is being tagged.

• If the animal does not contain an NLIS tag and was born elsewhere use a ‘pink’ post breeder tag to signify that it was born elsewhere.

• If the animal was born on the property it is recommended that an NLIS tag with the associated year of birth colour be used.

The audits also found that there were a number of sheep movements with incorrect, incomplete and illegible NVDs or movement documents.

NVDs play a vital role in the system as they provide the majority of information required by the database and they provide a vital paper trail linking each property the animals have been on.

Some reminders when filling in NVDs:

• Only use the booklet belonging to the property from which the animals are moving from.

From 1 July 2010, all landholders receiving sheep onto their property will need to upload flock and property information onto the sheep NLIS database. This includes small mobs such as ram purchases.


• Never use a booklet belonging to another parcel of land.

• If livestock are returning or being moved elsewhere from agistment, use the booklet belonging to the agistment property not the livestock owners.

• In the ‘description table’ record all the PIC’s present on sheep in the consignment.

• If you wish you may list the number of animals from each PIC, however this is not mandatory.

• Write clearly.

• The receiver and supplier of animals must keep a copy of the NVD for seven years. For agents and abattoirs the requirement is two years.

All sections of industry are working very hard and doing their bit to ensure our mob based system is successful.

The system relies on us all. For further information contact your local Livestock Officer or myself on (02) 6938 1630.

What a weekend has been planned for the 18th NSW Rural Women’s Gathering being held in Wentworth on the 29th, 30th and 31st of October 2010. The Wentworth Rural Women’s Gathering committee is inviting all women to visit the ‘town on two rivers’ to experience the hospitality of the locals, and enjoy the program of events planned for the weekend.

The weekend program begins Friday afternoon with registrations, afternoon tea, and an opportunity to tempt your appetites with ‘Tastes of Sunraysia’. This is followed by an evening meal and entertainment at the Wentworth Services Club, where you can relax and catch up with old friends or make some new ones!

With a range of workshops, there will be every opportunity to learn some new skills. Perhaps you would like to try your hand at painting or get started on your family history, participate in a forum, cook up a storm in the kitchen with a Thai menu, learn how to decorate a cake or experiment with ‘Breath of the Wok’ and their spices. Alternatively, relax and enjoy a tour of The Australian Inland Botanic Gardens or for those a little more energetic, join the Salsa workshop. Whatever your likes, there are plenty of workshops to choose from.

Not to forget the men, there is plenty to keep them occupied, with a range of local

tours including vintage machinery or an organic farm, some golf, fishing, rowing or bowls or even a trip to the ‘Men’s Shops’ just in case they need to stock up some more things for the shed. Childcare is also available for those attending with little people.

Some great entertainment is also on the program. Bronwyn Robert from ‘Let’s Laugh’, who is one of Australia’s most popular and leading experts on the benefits of laughter, will be attending the weekend as a guest speaker and will participate in some workshops as well. She guarantees to help put you on the right track to a happier, healthier work and home life. Along with Susan Chase, SA Telstra Business Woman of the Year, we should all be motivated, happy and healthy.

The Gala Dinner will be held in the Wentworth Services Sporting Club auditorium, with pre dinner drinks on the bank of the Darling River. This will be a Theatre Dinner with the local company Ratbagz providing an entertaining evening with their production ‘Greece is the word’. What do you get when you mix up Greece with Grease? – a ridiculous send up of the classic 50’s high school musical, and a whole lot of fun!

Women wanted in WentworthBy Chris Larwood Publicity Officer 18th Rural Women’s Gathering Ph/Fax(03) 5027 0220

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Women wanted in WentworthAfter a night of fun, we follow up with ‘The Big Breakfast’ on Sunday morning, and an ecumenical service to be held in St. John’s Anglican Church, the first church built on the banks of the Darling River. All too soon, the weekend will come to an end. You could stay longer, and experience the Wentworth Races on the following Tuesday or visit Mildura just across the border.

Wentworth has enough accommodation for everyone. You could even get a group of friends together and hire a houseboat and

moor at the venue! Houseboats come in a variety of sizes, luxury and hire rates.

We invite ALL women to ‘Wander West (North, South or East as the case may be) to attend the 18th NSW Rural Women’s Gathering at Wentworth and have a great time! Look out for registration details mid year and also in the next WDN.

For further information on accommodation, directions or general enquiries please contact us for details, or visit our website www.bendigobank.com.au/wentworth .

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