Macclesfield Landcare Group The Landcarer – April 2012 Page 1

Macclesfield Landcare Group ABN 79 206 718 870

The Landcarer Volume 14, Issue 2 April 2012

Group Events in 2012

Planting Day – August 2012

We are still firming up a few details for our Planting Day in August. The date will be advised in the June edition of the Landcarer and the likely property will be on the edge of the Cockatoo Swamp in Yellingbo, a very picturesque location.

Soil Health and Pasture Day- 15 September 2012

The date for this activity is now set for Saturday 15 September. The one day training event will be conducted on a member’s property in Macclesfield and will be a must attend for all those serious about their soil and pasture. See Chris Alenson’s article in this issue on how to take a soil sample and note his recommendation on a soil laboratory. You will need to book to attend this activity. The first twenty Group members to register in June will be re-imbursed half the cost of a single soil test. Details on how to RSVP will be covered in the June edition of ‘The Landcarer’.

Steve Mitchell

Understanding soils through

soil analysis Introduction:-

Soil analysis is one of the many tools that soil scientists and land mangers use to provide information that may assist them with on-farm management. The analysis deals with the chemistry of the soil. In a pie chart illustrating the volumetric composition of an average silty

loam soil the chemistry or mineral component makes up 46%, the air and water volume about 25% and the organic/biological component 5%. This will vary according to the soil type. It is this mineral component that we are sampling to understand what plant nutrients may or may not be in sufficient quantities to provide the production we require.

There may be a number of reasons why soils on a property are being sampled and analysed. There may be crop health problems or areas of crops where growth or production appears to be limited. Perhaps there are animal health problems, poor fertility or growth rates are not what is expected. Many farmers also use soil analysis as a monitoring tool to ensure that fertility and plant nutrients are at an appropriate level for the farm’s intended use.

Some land owners may wish to sample their soils to check whether chemical residues are still evident in previously managed soils.

It is important to emphasise that in sustainable land management soil analysis is only one of many tools that are used to provide important information on the quality of the soil on that farm. The following diagram indicates the range of observations which are regarded as good indicators of soil health and quality. It is only

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after a range of these observations have been made including the soil analysis that decisions for soil management can be made. On their own a soil analysis may be misleading in indicating problems with plant nutrition.

The Jig Saw Puzzle of Soil Based Observations

Taking your soil sample:-

Soils are generally sampled with an auger but a clean spade and trowel is perfectly acceptable. You will need a clean bucket and a sample bag/s for the soil sample.

The number of samples taken is important to ensure some statistical reliability in the results over the area. The more samples taken, the more reliable the results. The following number of samples for various paddock sizes may guide you in your sampling.

One hectare perhaps 8-10 samples

Five hectares 15-20 samples

Twenty acres 20-30 samples

It is important when taking samples that the same soil type is sampled or the same past fertiliser management area is sampled. Different soils types require a separate soil analysis. Avoid animal camp sites or water troughs where manure can accumulate and affect results.

If we are dealing with pasture then samples are collected from the surface down to root depth (150mm). Each sample site will provide a small handful of soil that gets placed into a bucket. Samples are taken either as a transect across a paddock or a random sample to ensure some statistical reliability. When all samples have been collected, they are mixed and broken up thoroughly in our bucket and placed on a clean surface (plastic sheet) and mounded up like a volcano. This is then split in half and the process repeated until a handful of soil remains. A sample of 250 grams maximum is required which is then carefully placed in a sample bag with the paddock area and location noted and written on the bag. Documentation provided by the analytical laboratory is filled in and it is sent off for analysis.

It is important for comparative purposes that soils are sampled at the same seasonal time. Soil temperatures, soil moisture and the soil biology can affect the analytical results.

Interpreting a soil analysis will be dealt with in at the Soil Health and Pasture Day in September.

The Soil Analysis:-

Sample bags and literature are available from Chris Alenson 59683040 who can assist you in taking soil samples or answering other issues dealing with the soil analysis.

Macclesfield Landcare Group The Landcarer – April 2012 Page 3

The cost per sample for a full analysis including total phosphorus and total nitrogen is $154.00 The laboratory that Chris uses is SWEP laboratories 45-47 Bridge Road, Keysborough 3173

Chris Alenson

Weed Report

Capeweed Control in Autumn Small Farm Pastures:- Autumn is good time to commence controlling Capeweed and other flatweeds in small farm pastures. Description: Autumn Capeweed ranging in size from small seedlings up to medium sized rosettes can now be found in local paddocks.

Eventually, cabbage-like growth with broad leaves and prostrate growing habits will rapidly reduce available pasture.

It will take over summer bare patches, disturbed soil, and overgrazed and trampled areas. Cattle may graze Capeweed for a while but horses generally won’t. Individual plants eventually grow to 500mm in height before producing black-centred, yellow flowers. Life Cycle: Wind and animals disperse the seed in summer and it quickly takes hold on bare earth. The seed then germinates after good late summer-autumn rain to become the familiar stemless prostrate in winter. Flowers appear in spring and the cycle continues. Manage that Pasture: Learn a little about pasture management. If you can’t maintain or establish competitive pasture you won’t succeed

in controlling Capeweed and other broad-leaved weeds, no matter how much herbicide you apply. Rotating horse paddocks with cattle is very helpful, without cattle you’ll have to work harder to maintain good pasture. Where infestations are large or widespread spray application of herbicides is the best option to establish control. Re-seeding problem areas with a pasture mix will probably be required after spraying. Safety: We strongly recommend readers undertake a Farm Chemical User Course prior to using chemical herbicides and applicators. Herbicide labels and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are readily available on Internet sites. You can read these prior to purchase. The herbicide we mention in this segment, Agritone 750, is a Schedule 6 Poison having a moderate to high toxicity level. Spray Techniques: Spot spraying should be adequate in most circumstances on small rural properties. Boom spraying is best for larger Capeweed or flatweed infestations extending across paddocks. Spraying early on small plants achieves good results with lesser quantities of herbicide. Several of our members are using Agritone 750 (a new version of MCPA 500) for autumn spot or boom spraying on seedlings and rosettes. When to Spray with Agritone 750? Spraying is most effective when Capeweed is young and actively growing. In a ‘normal’ rainfall year this will occur in the period April to June. Some locals spray later, however, a thick carpet of mature Capeweed requires a lot more herbicide than seedlings or small rosettes. Herbicide Rates: Herbicide labels provide specific rates for the weed type and the situation in which it is found. All types of spray applicators should be covered, including the humble backpack or knapsack. Lesser rates may achieve the desired result if you boom spray with Agritone 750 and employ the spray and graze technique. This involves using cattle, or preferably sheep, to graze over plants weakened by an autumn/winter herbicide application. If you do not have stock, and some time up your sleeve, you can replicate the grazing effect by slashing or mowing infestations to further weaken the weeds. Read the instructions carefully for boom spraying rates and the waiting period before

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introducing stock, this may be as little as seven days. (Grazon extra, mentioned in previous articles is effective on larger plants and infestations found in spring and summer. It requires a longer withholding period and a Chemical User’s Certificate for safe use...Editor.) Eqipment:- A backpack spray unit is a necessity on small farms and is relatively cheap to buy. Also, small boom sprays for quad bikes are also getting cheaper. Purchasing more elaborate spray equipment may be hard to justify for small property weed management. Consider sharing equipment with neighbours or using a contractor. There are number contractors in the Yarra Valley who specialise in delivering pest and weed control services to small property owners. Capeweed Control in Summer: We’ll cover Capeweed again later in the year with hints on how to deal with the adult flowering plants. There are number contractors in the Yarra Valley who specialise in delivering pest and weed control services to small property owners.

Pasture Weeds A healthy above ground eco-system relies upon a diverse range of

species, which could include pasture weeds. It is important to

remember that pasture weeds will only become a problem when

they create their own monoculture, i.e., nothing else can grow within

that soil. Therefore, serious, out of control weed issues are

generally a reminder that soil health has been neglected. Even the

most experienced farmers and growers should be regularly testing

their soil, even if it is to simply confirm their practices. Although

particular weed species do indicate serious deficiencies or issues

in the soil, it is important to know why these imbalances are

occurring and the cause may not be straight forward. This is where

soil testing to maintain soil health is important. Weeds, which pose

little threat in small quantities to stock, may play an important role in

species diversity. Trouble occurs when conditions favour fewer less

favourable species.

An extract from Healthy Soils, Stock and Pasture-Westernport Catchment Landcare Network.

Steve Mitchell

Environmental Volunteers Celebration

About 70 environmental volunteers attended the annual celebration by Yarra Ranges Council at the end of March. Where were you all?

Glen Holland from Healesville Sanctuary gave a great presentation on the exciting new displays and attractions planned for 2012. They are looking for innovative ways to reduce their $2M per annum revenue shortfall - ways that will attract families and encourage them to return for another great experience.

Paul Baird, volunteer from the highly successful Bass Coast Landcare Network, amazed the audience with the size of their operation – 200,000 plants in the ground each year, 17 paid staff, and long-term corporate sponsors. Wow!

Jordan Crook, Young Environmentalist 2012, inspired us with the sheer number of groups that he’s actively involved with. These include the Sea Shepherd, Save the Kimberley, New Zealand orchids and Black Rhino protection. Jordan is also passionate about saving sharks from the gruesome practice of cutting off their fins (for shark fin soup) while they are still alive, and then throwing them back into the ocean to drown. If you’re interested in an initiative to make our area a “Fin Free Ranges”, come to the launch at the viewing of SHARKWATER (see inset below).

Thank you to Sarah Fowler and other Council staff members who helped to organise this event. Thanks also to the five councillors who attended.

Irene Pearey

Free movie screening of

SHARKWATER

Friday 13th April 6-8pm

Belgrave Library, Reynolds Lane (M75 F10)

Macclesfield Landcare Group The Landcarer – April 2012 Page 5

Biodiversity Report Over recent months I’ve encountered a number of sick or injured wild animals. Most were seriously injured after collisions with motor vehicles, and others were Common Wombats suffering with an infestation of mange mite. Wombats and Mange:-

It’s a sad sight indeed to see a Wombat suffering from mange, as shown in the inset photograph. If left untreated the adult wombat will die a slow and lingering death. Young animals tend to succumb more quickly. Mange mites probably entered Australia early during European settlement with likely hosts being humans and domestic animals. The Red Fox, another host, further assists the spread of the mite to wombats through using their burrows as shelters. So far, wombats haven’t shown an inclination to develop a natural immunity.

Thankfully, some local wildlife carers led by Jenny Mattingley have developed a simple, effective mange treatment which is now under extended trial. Essentially, this is through the wombat self-administering a dosage of drench via brushing against a gate or flap at the burrow entrance. Details are outlined on the website www.mangemanagement.org.au. As a rule a wombat out in daylight and approachable to humans is probably suffering from mange. They may also take refuge under houses or in sheds and need more water than a healthy wombat.

How can you help? Spare some time to self-educate by looking briefly at the website and

noting the common symptoms’ of mange. Phone the Mange Managers on 59 428 518 to report sickly looking wombats and be prepared to describe the symptoms. Photos, GPS readings or Melways references may be of assistance also. If the sick wombat is living close by or on your property you may be able to assist in treating the wombat. This is a relatively simple process but requires some time commitment.

We shouldn’t take the more common Australia mammals, like the Common Wombats, Black Wallabies or Brush-tailed Possums, for granted. One the three species of Wombats, the Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat, is endangered. The population of the Tasmanian Devil, very common in Tasmania a decade ago, has crashed and may never recover. The Eastern Quoll, once known as a native cat, survived in some Melbourne suburbs until the mid 1960s. Almost overnight, this population disappeared, possibly the result of an epidemic. Overall, Australia doesn’t have a very good record when it comes to mammal extinctions.

Colliding with Wildlife:-

The major roads into St Helens on the east of Tasmania have recommended speed limit signage of ‘65 kph Dusk to Dawn’. Locals value the diversity of local wildlife for tourism and quality life reasons. We’re very lucky in Macclesfield land surrounding localities to live in close contact with a diversity of native animals as well.

Some road of safety issues focusing on both safety of humans and wildlife are as follows. Don’t underestimate how active many wild animals, including the introduced ones and pests, are at night. Their movement is virtually unrestricted across the landscape. Expensive fencing around farms, water catchments and parks may not stop a determined Grey Kangaroo, Fallow Deer or Sambar Deer. Once a fence is breached other smaller mammals will follow. Nocturnal animals can also be very unpredictable when illuminated by car headlights and when using artificial lights like street lighting to assist them forage. If you have to drive at night locally, like many of us do, tailor your road speed to the

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conditions and add the ‘wildlife factor’. There is always the possibility of meeting a 200kg deer or 70kg kangaroo on a local road, including the major roadways like Wellington Rd and Healesville- Kooweerup Rd.

As a guideline for the winding rural roads like Macclesfield Rd a maximum ‘Dusk to Dawn’ speed of 60 kph may be an appropriate maximum speed.

Night active birds like Owls and Frogmouths, and even Kookaburras, tend to forage in the vicinity of bright street or intersection lights, and pay the same price as mammals. Some of these birds are categorized as ‘threatened species’ at a national and state level. The major roundabouts on Avon Rd in Avonsleigh attract many night active birds. So slow down well before and enjoy the brief sight of an owl or frogmouth flying very close beside you.

Steve Mitchell

Rabbit Control Program extended

We may not be winning the war across the whole landscape, but two groups of landholders are having an impact on the rabbit numbers. The season for the pindone poisoning program in parts of Silvan South and Macclesfield has been extended to destroy the maximum number of rabbits.

A simple bait station designed to keep kangaroos and

birds away from the poisoned oats.

Already monitoring is showing that “where there were dozens of rabbits in a torch beam at night,

now you’re lucky to see any”. Property owners have said that “the bright green flush of new autumn pasture is being seen in parts of paddocks where it hasn’t been for years”. Rabbit holes that have been dug in already are showing no signs of activity.

We would encourage other landholders to participate in the program. Now is the optimum time and it doesn’t take a great deal of effort.

Remember we will supply the bait and demonstrate how to present it to the rabbits. We can help with any follow up action too. All you need to do is talk to your neighbours, organize a cluster of properties to maximize your effectiveness and then contact Alan Haywood or Marianne Sawyer to get started. Contact numbers at end of newsletter.

It would be great to get another two groups started this autumn!

Alan Haywood

Rabbit & Fox control method Our thanks to Adam Shalekoff from Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority (PPWCMA) for following up on our request for a Training Course on 1080 Baiting. Four of our members attended on a chilly morning at Yellingbo Hall, along with about a dozen other people.

The rules for using 1080 poisoned baits are (rightly) very restrictive – for example, neighbours must be formally notified and unused baits collected and disposed within a short time-frame. As the baits must be laid at least 150 metres from any dwelling, we don’t imagine many of our members on smaller properties will be using them. But they can be very effective as part of an integrated control program on larger sites.

The Training Course was subsidised by the PPWCMA’s “Habitat Protection and Conservation Project”, with funding from the Australian Government’s ‘Caring for our Country’ program.

Irene Pearey

Macclesfield Landcare Group The Landcarer – April 2012 Page 7

Charity donates $300K I’ve written before about the amazing donations that the Judith Eardley Save Wildlife Association (JESW) has given towards environmental projects in this area - including buying properties for addition to Yellingbo Nature Conservation Reserve. The following is an extract from a Media Release on 22-March: The Judith Eardley Save Wildlife Association Shop

has donated $300,000 to protect the critically

endangered Helmeted Honeyeater and Leadbeater’s

Possum in the Yarra Valley.

The shop, which has been located on the

Maroondah Highway in Healesville since 2000, was

set up by Peter Hannaford at the bequest of his late

wife, Judith Eardley. Judith loved animals all her life

and after spending many years helping people as a

psychotherapist, Judith had hoped to spend her

retirement helping animals.

Peter Hannaford, Judith’s husband and Manager of

the Judith Eardley Save Wildlife Foundation says:

“For threatened species such as the Helmeted

Honeyeater and Leadbeater’s Possum to survive we

need to protect, improve and increase the amount of

habitat. The Yarra Valley has some significant

remnants of native habitat from pre-European

settlement but these are now degraded and

fragmented.”

The Judith Eardley Wildlife Association has donated

the money raised to the Yarra4Life program run by

the Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment

Management Authority.

The donation will fund landowner grants to create a

‘bio-link’ between the Yellingbo Nature

Conservation Reserve and Kurth Kiln Regional Park.

Landowner grants help with the cost of internal

fencing, revegetation, weed and pest animal control

on private properties. These natural bush areas

form ‘bio-links’ providing food, nesting, breeding

and roosting sites for endangered species.

David Buntine, CEO of the PPWCMA says:

“Without the support of charities such as JESW, we

would not be able to help landowners make

improvements to their land to protect these vital

species.”

So, we urge you to visit the JESW shop in the main street of Healesville (near the Post Office),

purchase the 2nd hand good available, and donate quality 2nd hand goods and cash.

The revenue and donations that JESW receive are all donated to wildlife. The current priority in our area is for a habitat corridor to link Yellingbo Reserve to the Kurth Kiln Regional Park.

Irene Pearey

More funding opportunities

In early March the Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority wrote to over 360 landowners in a broad swathe between Yellingbo Reserve and Kurth Kiln Regional Park. The letter described the support funding that the Yarra4Life program can provide to help landholders protect, improve or enhance the wildlife habitat on their properties.

The funding opportunities are not only for tree planting, but may also cover fencing of native vegetation, weed control & pest animal control. The funding for this initiative is from the Judith Eardley Save Wildlife Association’s $300,000 donation to Yarra4Life.

This is a fabulous opportunity. Even though the date for return of the expressions of interest has passed, Adam Shalekoff (the program manager) would like to hear from you if you are interested in learning more.

Even if you aren’t in the immediate target area, but have bushland that you want to protect or enhance, please talk to Adam.

Ph: 8781-7962 Mobile: 0409-231-756 Email: adam.shalekoff@ppwcma.vic.gov.au

Irene Pearey

What’s on at Peppermint Ridge?

2012 has seen the launch of the Peppermint Ridge Bushfood Cooking School with classes

available from March to May.

See the attached flyer for dates and contact details

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Re Peppermint Ridge Farm: Also, if you want to buy bush food plants for the garden or school they have a great range including:-

Strawberry Gum, Anise Myrtle, Lemon Myrtle, Mt Pepper, Mints and Ginger.

Property Planning Workshop Two property planning sessions are being offered on 28th April and 12th May at Yarra Junction.

A similar workshop was conducted at Macclesfield two years ago and was considered by those who attended to be extremely valuable. New property owners in particular will find this program is just what they want to assist their knowledge and education on managing a property in this region.

Macclesfield Landcare Group will assist members to attend with a $20 subsidy. Contact Irene Pearey for details.

Contact details Your suggestions, ideas, feedback & articles are very welcome. Talk to any Committee member or send items for publication to the Editor on

paper or e-mail (see below). Small ads welcome. Email: macclesfieldlandcare@live.com.au Postal:PO Box 180 Emerald 3782 Alan Haywood 5968-3785 (Editor) alhaywood@activ8.net.au Steve Mitchell 5968-6546 (a/h) (President) Irene Pearey 5968-8460 Judith Dinsdale 9752-0304 (a/h) Marianne Sawyer 5964-8465 (a/h) Chris Alenson 5968-3040 (a/h)

********

Plants for Members We still have some funds available for our “plant bank” to assist those who have plans to carry out revegetation on their properties.

We can get you started on protection of stream frontage, shelter belts or islands (those ‘stepping stones’ mentioned in earlier editions) in your paddocks or perhaps improvement of degraded areas where it would be better to plant rather than try to produce pasture.

It is a good time to plan for planting in the autumn. Take advantage of this offer. Contact a Committee member to find out more. Now’s the time to get started!

Plants will be sourced from the nursery at the Yellingbo Reserve which grows indigenous species.

Buy your plants at the HeHo Nursery The indigenous plant nursery operated by the Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater is our

preferred supplier for local plants.

Open Tues & Thurs mornings from 9:30am. Also 1st Sat morning each month (excl summer)

1217 Macclesfield Road, Yellingbo or leave a message on 5964 8341

Manager: Michelle Faram

Disclaimer: While every attempt is made to ensure the accuracy of the content of this newsletter, the Macclesfield Landcare Group does not accept responsibility for any product service or statement herein.

� Our thanks to DPI (Woori Yallock) for their financial support for copying this newsletter and the Shire of Yarra Ranges for providing postage.

� Production of this newsletter supported by Melbourne Water River Health Incentives 2010/11.