number 120, november 2007 - nsw department of primary industries

ISSN 0314 - 5352

Number�20 www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/newsletters/wdn

Sheepmeasurement–going thatextramileatEtiwanda As told to Sally Ware by Andrew and Megan Mosely, Etiwanda, Cobar

Background

Andrew’s grandfather arrived as soldier settler at Manuka in1949. The Etiwanda dorper stud was established in 1999. The white dorper operation evolved from a traditional merino sheep operation that ran up to 10,000 merino sheep. It was Andrew and Megan’s early foray into boer goats and the establishment of a boer goat stud in 1990 that their connections with South Africa began and when they were introduced to the white dorper. The big move into white dorpers really began in earnest after the devastating 2002 drought. The Moselys

were the first white dorper stud in the Western Division and continue to be one of the first dorper studs in the eastern states to use performance measurement for ram selection.

Firstly, let’s just talk a little about your white dorper stud

Our Etiwanda boer goat stud was the stepping stone to us learning about white dorpers. We were travelling through South Africa on a goat trip and all we saw were dorpers and white dorpers. We became very impressed with the breed. We knew about increasing genetics quickly through embryo transfer as we had done that with our goats. We decided to wind back the goat stud into a commercial meat enterprise. We still run 200 boer goats and 1000 boer infused

White dorper rams grazing on Etiwanda. The Moselys select and rear their rams under rangeland conditions and therefore consider them to be unpampered, hardy and ready to work – in other words ‘Rangeland Ready’.

Nov07/Feb08

Produced for landholders in the Western Division of NSW

Inthisissue...

Sheep measurement – going that extra mile at Etiwanda

Sheep Genetics

Non-flowing artesian bores

ShearEzy shearing system

Western Lands update

Arid Lands Conference

A photo tells a thousand words!

Ausfarm launches second sheep lease project

Multi Purpose Merinos

ATO Ruling for payments

Malleefowl

Landholders at Tona Station

Paroo Wetlands listed

Range management skills

WLAC COMMUNIQUE

Pest control Willandra Lakes

Mungo conference a success

WCMA incentive agreements

Bokhara Plains inspection

Western Catchment forum

Lachlan River carp cleanup

The Tindarey TGP trial

Improved drought assistance measures

Continued on page 3

Editorial by Sally Ware Rangelands Officer NSW DPI, Hay

A good idea is always worth sharing and a good idea came out of a DPI StockPlan workshop held in Hay. The Jones family from West Wyalong place a piece of copper pipe in the bottom of their cattle troughs to stop algae growing. See the photo of Dallas Jones beside a portable plastic cattle trough that they fill with fresh water and the amount of copper pipe used. They reckon it really does work and after checking with a few experts, there should be no animal health problems. NSW DPI would be interested to know if other landholders have tried this idea, under various conditions – if you have, send in your details (see back page for my contact numbers). This could be the year, with such

Does placing copper objects in water troughs really prevent algae forming? If you have tried it and found that it works would you please let me know.

extreme water shortages, that just throwing some second hand copper pipe in a trough could be a very valuable way of keeping troughs free of algae.

This issue is packed with interesting stories and valuable information. I hope you enjoy it and may the rains come soon.

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

Deleteorchangeofaddressdetails (pleasetickonebox)

Delete Change of address Name: ..............................................................................................................................

Address:...........................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................Phone: .........................

Please fax to Sally Ware at the Hay office of NSW DPI on (02) 6993 2177 or post to PO Box 393, Hay NSW 2711 or email typed details through to [email protected]

Western Division Newsletter © State of New South Wales through NSW Department of Primary Industries 2007 This 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.

WesternDivisionNewsletter 2

Sheepmeasurement–goingthatextramileat Etiwandacontinuedfrompage�

bush goats. We bought 30 South African white dorper embryos in 1999 and placed them into our merino ewes. We were so impressed with the lambs that we received from that program that we purchased another 300 embryos in 2001 and started a small stud with the150 lambs that we received. We continue with an ongoing embryo transfer program to build up our fullblood ewe base. Also in 2003 we were able to purchase stud ewes and embryos from the Saxon Downs white dorper stud dispersal in WA. In February 2006 we held our first on-property stud sale and we received the second highest sale average for an on-property sheep stud sale. We sold 40 rams and 20 ewes. This year we sold 90 rams and 50 ewes and averaged $1450 for the lot. We also sell stud rams at the Dubbo National Ram Sale.

So why use measurement?

Well, when Andrew completed his degree in Wool and Pastoral Sciences at the University of NSW, he commenced work for BREEDPLAN, the beef equivalent of LAMBPLAN, which is the database used by Sheep Genetics Australia (which is now known as Sheep Genetics). Andrew worked for 3.5 years in Armidale and obtained a good grounding in the use of performance recording and its role in animal breeding. We dabbled with performance recording with our goats but it was not popular within the goat industry. We know measurement is important and we are working hard to incorporate it into our stud breeding program. It is equally important to have an objective measurement of the genetic performance of our sheep to ensure we are providing people with animals that will take their commercial sheep forward. Our breeding policy is to produce an animal with a medium frame, that is well muscled, structurally sound, highly fertile, high shedding and which has an excellent constitution with moderate to high balanced performance.

When did you start to measure your sheep?

We have been collecting performance information since the stud was started. In 2006 we changed over to the software ‘Stockbook’ which is sold by Practical Systems in Armidale. This software allows us to submit our performance data directly to Sheep Genetics in Armidale. Sheep Genetics sent us back the breeding values for our rams and for the first time we were able to sell our rams at our 2006 on-property sale with Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBV’s).

Etiwanda WhiteDorperRamSale

On-Property Sale

WednesdayMarch52008

Contact: Andrew and Megan Mosely ph: (02) 6837 3797 or

visit www.etiwanda.com.au

Using performance measurement has enabled the Moselys to provide an Australian Sheep Breeding Value for each white dorper ram that they sell. These values can help buyers select Etiwanda rams that best suit their breeding focus.

November2007/February2008 �

What do you measure and how do you do it?

We record sire and dam, single or twin birth, sex of lamb, ease of lambing, weaning weight, post weaning weight, eye muscle and fat depth.

Lambing of our 300 stud ewes plus the 600 crossbred recipient ewes that are carrying embryos start lambing in mid July. Lambing is carried out in small lambing paddocks (10–40 ha). We drive through morning and afternoon and immediately tag all new born lambs and manually record the lamb’s tag number and the ewe’s tag number. For the recipients, we know the origin of the embryos that the ewe is carrying. We also know the sire of each lamb as we undertake single sire joinings. We record if the lamb is a twin or single, male or female and the number of ewes that are assisted at birth. We do not weigh lambs to obtain birth weight as it is just not practical with such a large number of sheep. Dorper lambs are generally born small and it is the ease of lambing that is important to maintain.

We mark and vaccinate the lambs at 8 weeks. Then at 12 weeks we give them their booster vaccination, weigh and record their weaning weight and wean them.

At 7 months, both ewe and ram lambs are returned to the yards. We record their post weaning weight and their eye muscle and fat depth. Registered LAMBPLAN scanners from Advance Livestock Services in Hamilton ,Victoria, undertake the scanning for the eye muscle and fat depth. The cost is $4/head including travelling. At this time we also intend to start measuring scrotal circumference in the rams.

Most rams are sold before they are 12 months old. Those rams kept for our stud, have their yearling weight recorded at 12 months.

WHITEDORPER BREEDINGAND SELECTIONWORKSHOP

Buying Rams with Measurement – how to get value for money and breed the best lambs

Thursday, February 21 Hillston Community Centre

9.30 am registration; 10.00 am start – 4.00 pm finish Cost: approx. $15 per person

Presenters: Allan Casey, Geoff Duddy and Sally Ware, NSW DPI; Megan and Andrew Mosely, Etiwanda

Etiwanda stock will be used in the workshop

For further details and bookings call Sally Ware, NSW DPI, Hay ph: (02) 6993 1608; [email protected] or Megan and Andrew Mosely ah ph: (02) 6837 3797; [email protected] or see www.etiwanda.com.au

Is collecting all this data arduous for two people?

No, it is not too arduous. We have a system in place that works. Once all the data is collected, it is submitted by email in January. Sheep Genetics charges a $300 fee plus a per head cost to process the data. We get the processed data back 2–3 weeks after it is sent to Armidale.

In the future we would like to start using electronic ear tags, a reading wand and a palm pilot. These techniques would save us time and improve our recording accuracy.

What type of white dorper are you aiming to breed?

We are aiming for a ram with progeny that has high post weaning weights as we want lambs off the place by 7 months. We are also keeping an eye on fat levels and aiming for a high eye muscle area. Rams are culled using this information as well as assessing the rams visually. The use of the ewe maternal data is still evolving. We do also use the South African breed classification when we can (this depends on a registered South African classer being in Australia). We are putting pressure on performance on our sheep but we select under rangeland conditions. We started using a logo called ‘Rangeland Ready’ in March which means our sheep are unpampered, range-reared, hardy and ready to work. Megan thought of the logo when she was driving behind a mob of sheep. The logo is working as we have had calls from prospective buyers specifically because of the image it creates.

Are you happy to talk to others about your experience?

Yes, we are happy to talk about it. We can be contacted after hours on (02) 6837 3797 or people can visit the Website www.etiwanda.com.au or email us at [email protected]

� WesternDivisionNewsletter

SheepGenetics–thewayforward by Matthew Dwyer, Project Officer, LAMBPLAN

Sheep Genetics is the national genetic evaluation system for the Australian sheep industry and offers sheep producers a tool to select animals for their production enterprise. Sheep Genetics provides genetic information in the form of Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs) via LAMBPLAN for the prime lamb industry and MERINOSELECT for the wool industry.

ASBVs are available for several traits including growth, carcase, reproduction, wool and worm egg counts. ASBVs allow producers to compare animals based on their genetic merit across different environments and select the animal that best suits their production or breeding focus. The advantage of using ASBVs is that they are not raw measurements, but a breeding value, and account for the environmental factors an animal has encountered, which contribute to its appearance. Thus you are able to objectively select an animal based on its ability to pass on genes for a particular trait irrespective of its management.

For more information on how LAMBPLAN can be incorporated into your production system or to discuss understanding ASBVs please contact the Sheep Genetics office on (02) 6773 2948 or send an email to [email protected]

The benefits of ASBVs were recently demonstrated in a combined Sheep CRC and NSW DPI trial at Gulargambone, NSW. This trial involved 2000 crossbred ewes divided into four sire joining groups: high LAMBPLAN ASBVs for post weaning weight (PWT), average merit ASBVs for PWT, low PWT ASBVs and a control group with no LAMBPLAN data.

The target market for the trial was a 20–24 kg carcase weight with a fat score of 2, 3 or 4. Of the high PWT sired lambs, 47% were over 43 kg by 16 weeks, compared with only 12% in the low PWT sire group. Growth rates varied from 340 g/day in the high PWT sired lambs to 290 g/day in the low PWT sired lambs.

The high PWT sire group lambs were 5.5 kg (2.5 kg carcase weight) heavier at 16 weeks, using a 46% dressing percentage. Sold at a winter market price of $4.50/kg, this group averaged an $11.26/head premium.

UnincorporatedAreaDraftHeritageStudy Notification of Public Exhibition and Consultation Process

The Department of Lands is calling for comments on the Unincorporated Area Draft Heritage Study prepared by River Junction Research. This study provides a history of the Unincorporated Area and nominates places and items that are evidence of the history of the area. Comments are also sought in relation to items or information that may not have been identified in the study.

The study will be on Public Exhibition from 22 October 2007 and can be viewed at the Lands Office, 32 Sulphide Street Broken Hill during office hours.

The study has also been sent to the Western Lands Advisory Council, Silverton and Tibooburra Village Committees and the Pastoralist’s Association of the West Darling for comments by its representatives and members.

Any comments on the study can be sent to Sharon Hawke, Department of Lands, PO Box 1840, Dubbo NSW 2830 by 14 December 2007.

November2007/February2008 5

Are your non-flowing artesian bores still operating?by Peter Ponder The Great Artesian Basin is one of the Emaroo Station, Bourke 2840 largest underground reserves of water in the Ph: (02) 68747715

world. It covers approximately 1.7 millionEmail: [email protected] square kilometers or one fifth of Australia. The opening up of the Great Artesian Basin brought life and a reliable water supply to the majority of the Western Division and a major part of the arid regions of South Australia, Queensland and the southeast

corner of the Northern Territory. Most of the bores were put down between 1887 to the 1960s. It is estimated that there are now some 7000 artesian bores. About one third of all artesian bores which originally flowed when drilled now do not flow due to declining water pressure and the water needs to be pumped to the surface (Sub-artesian or Non-flowing Artesian Bores).

Non-flowing Artesian bores are the mainstay in the Western Division. Some of them have very a limited water supply but are an essential source of predominately fresh water which in most areas is suitable for human and stock consumption. They also support a diverse array of wildlife. In many cases these bores water between 10 and 25 thousand hectares and are the only source of water.

Some of these bores have collapsed or gone salty and are no longer operational. These bores need to be relined and pressure cemented or plugged and redrilled to stop salty water from aquifers close to the surface from polluting the fresh water of the Great Artesian Basin. After 6 years of drought and increasing debt levels landholders do not have the resources to finance what would be an investment in their future prosperity.

I am an independent landholder member of the Western Lands Advisory Council and I am seeking Government funding for reconditioning Non-flowing bores of the Great Artesian Basin. The proposed funding would be for relining existing registered bores or drilling a new hole if the bore is deemed unrepairable.

I would like to hear from all landholders that have unusable bores in the WesternDivision or about the condition of bores that are still being used.

For further information please contact me at the address details given above.

6 Western Division Newsletter

ShearEzysheepshearing systemShearEzy is a practical alternative to on-the-board shearing and is ideal for both woolgrowers and contractors. Being a fully mobile system, ShearEzy does not need a dedicated shearing shed that may only be used a few weeks of the year.

ShearEzy is designed to make shearing easier and safer, whilst the integrated wool delivery systems will reduce the need for shed labour and enhance clip preparation standards.

Features

ShearEzy is air operated and consists of a shearing platform with an integrated parallel sheep loader. Sheep walk into the loader via an inclined non-backup ramp and are confined until ready to be shorn.

The loader clamps the sheep and then tilts towards the platform. The sheep is then released from the loader and the rear legs are restrained as the sheep lies on the shearing platform.

ShearEzy machines can be simply linked together creating a multiple stand system.

Operation

The rotation of the leg restraints and the movements of the shearing platform allow the shearer to mechanically manipulate the sheep to each desired position through the shearing process. Optimal flat surfaces and ideal entry points are provided to the shearer, which enable a series of efficient blows to be used to shear the sheep.

Fleeces fall onto the electrically driven wool conveyor belt directly under the sheep and is transferred to the rear of ShearEzy for easy pickup by the wool handler.

Setting up

ShearEzy can be set up in the open, or in any shearing, multi purpose or machinery shed with nearby access to sheep and wool handling facilities. Weighing

Western Division woolgrower Jim Harris from Hatfield tries the ShearEzy system at the AWI display held in October at Shear Outback,Hay.

approximately 250 kg for the base unit, the ShearEzy can be transported on a box trailer or a tray top ute. An 8–10 cfm. air compressor and 240 volt electricity is required to power ShearEzy.

Benefits

• Reduced physical effort and strain from shearing.

• Shearing can be more productive than on the board, especially when shearing rams or difficult shearing sheep or for novice and average shearers.

• Simple blow patterns and effective animal restraints make shearing easy to learn.

• Better separation of crutchings, stains and oddments leading to improved clip preparation standards.

• Reduced need for shed labour.

• Crutching may be carried out as part of the shearing operation rather than as a separate task.

• Rams and large sheep may be easily and safely handled without sedation.

• Other animal husbandry tasks may be carried out as part of the shearing process.

• No need for a dedicated shearing shed that may only be used a few weeks of the year.

For more information contact Peak Hill Industries PO Box 82 Peak Hill NSW 2869 p (02) 6869 1492 m 0428 638 922 e billbyrne@peakhillindustries. com.au

ShearEzy has been developed as part of Australian Wool Innovation’s Wool Harvesting Program.


WesternLands CommissionerUpdate By Geoff Woods, Western Lands Commissioner/Regional Manager, Western Region, Department of Lands

Legal Road Network

The project is progressing steadily having one plan registered and three others in production covering around 600 kilometres of road north of Broken Hill. The withdrawal of lands for road depicted in the first plan was gazetted on 28 September 2007.

The project team has continued its rounds of meetings with affected landholders, the latest being at Fowlers Gap on 13 September 2007. Attendance was down on what we expected, but those that did attend were provided with an overview of the project and some specific details regarding the effects the project may have on their properties.

Fire Management Works

In the coming weeks several Crown Land parcels managed by the Department of Lands within the Dareton, Buronga, Euston and Balranald townships will either have firebreaks graded or blocks slashed. These preventative works will ensure that over the summer months these areas do not become a fire hazard.

Tibooburra Aerodrome

During September the Department organised for a number of lights and batteries at the Tibooburra Aerodrome to be either replaced or upgraded at a cost of $6,200. A full inspection and other maintenance works was also carried out on the remaining lights, batteries and windsock ensuring the Aerodrome continues to meet CASA guidelines.

Heritage Strategy

The Western Region has engaged a Heritage Advisor to prepare a Heritage Strategy for the Unincorporated Area. The aims and objectives of the Strategy will be to establish planning guidelines for new developments for all land tenure

types, identify significant heritage items and provide standards for restoration and maintenance work. The Heritage Strategy will be developed in consultation with both the Tibooburra and Silverton Village Committees and the Department of Planning.

Western Lands Act Review

On 1 December 2002, the Western Lands Amendment Act 2002, commenced (in part), and contained the most significant raft of amendments to the Western Lands Act 1901 (WLA) to occur in many years. One of the amendments saw the introduction of s.3B ‘Review of Act’ into the WLA, which requires the Minister to review the Act to determine whether the policy objectives remain valid and whether the terms of the Act remain appropriate for securing those objectives. This review is to be undertaken as soon as practicable after a period of five years from the date of assent to the Western Lands Amendment Act 2002.

The anniversary of the date of assent of the Western Lands Amendment Act 2002 was 10 July 2007. The Department of Lands Western Region has started the review process by calling for comments and submissions from the Western Lands Advisory Council. Upon receipt of all submissions an issues paper will be prepared. Progress reports will follow in further editions of the Western Division Newsletter.

Conversion of ‘Rural’ Western Lands Leases

In the Western Division the only ‘rural’ Western Lands Leases that may be eligible for conversion to freehold are those leases that are held for the purpose of ‘agriculture’. These leases must be considered to be high value agricultural land and must have been developed and

WesternDivisionNewsletter 8

utilised for that purpose over about 75% of the area of the lease. Western Lands Leases with a purpose of ‘grazing’ or ‘pastoral purposes’ cannot be converted to freehold.

Conversion of Residential Western Lands Leases

Processing is continuing on applications to convert residential Western Lands Leases to freehold with 1415 applications finalised so far. Applications for conversion of residential leases may be lodged with the local office of the Department of Lands or can be forwarded to the Regional Office (PO Box 1840 Dubbo 2830). The concessions introduced by the State Government in 2005 still apply and consist of: the waiver of the inspection and valuation fees, the waiver of the 8% pa interest on the outstanding balance, the acceptance of the current rent as the annual instalment amount, and for eligible pensioners – the waiver of the $210 application fee and the fixing of the amount of the purchase instalments at the same amount as the rebated rent.

For further information in regard to the conversion of Western Lands Leases you should contact Jody Burgess of the Dubbo office on (02) 6883 3028.

Wild Dog Destruction Board

At the end of August the Wild Dog Destruction Board members conducted their annual tour to inspect the Dog Fence, starting at Hungerford, travelling to Cameron’s Corner and then south to the junction with the South Australian Dog Fence at Mulyungarie. The Director General, Department of Lands, Mr Warwick Watkins and the General Manager, Crown Lands Division, Mr Graham Harding, also participated in the tour, which gave them an appreciation of the work performed by the Board and staff. The tour highlighted the need for constant inspection and maintenance of the fence, to repair damage caused by cattle and the build up of sand along the base.

This photograph is of the fence on top of a sand hill. The right hand side has been graded away to a depth of two metres, showing that the fence has been topped up over many years. The Board has a program of capping sand hills with clay to enable the sand to be safely graded away and to avoid having to constantly add netting to the top of the fence to maintain the height above ground level.

FarmBiz Since July 1 2007, FarmBis is funded and delivered by the Australian Government in NSW, ACT and Victoria, with the other States joining the model from July 1 2008.

FarmBis makes it easier to attend approved training. Two thirds of the course cost is covered and assistance can be provided to cover 65% of the costs of travel, accommodation and childcare.

For further details call toll free: 1800 195 543;

or try www.farmbis.com.au

November2007/February2008 �

AridLandsAdministrators Conference–BrokenHill

Delegates at the Arid Lands Administrators Conference

by Elizabeth Burke, Project Officer, Department of Lands Western Region

During September the Department of Lands, Western Region hosted the biennial Arid Lands Administrators Conference in Broken Hill. This unique forum allowed for the exchange of ideas across State borders with people who are also responsible for administering publicly owned Crown lands. Delegates attended from Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Northern Territory and NSW and shared strategies and ideas for improving arid land administration and land management. The theme of this year’s conference was ‘sustainable communities in the rangelands’. This theme was considered appropriate given the challenges

facing land management agencies across Australia. The distinctive landscape of the Broken Hill region provided a magnificent backdrop to the conference and allowed the Western Region to be promoted to interstate delegates.

During the three day conference delegates covered issues such as carbon sequestration, Regional Crown Reserve management, alternative land uses, rental schemes, native title, lease and licence conditions, procedures for reporting and monitoring land condition and the Enterprise Based Conservation program. A field trip in a 4WD bus took delegates to several properties including Sturts Meadows, the historic town of Silverton and the Sculpture Symposium. The trip gave delegates the chance to view many different Lands projects and discuss management issues directly with landholders.

Feedback from all the delegates was extremely positive and they all considered this to be one of the best conferences yet! The conference presentations were quite diverse and allowed Western Region staff to showcase to the other States many of the innovative Lands programs being implemented.

WesternDivisionNewsletter Advertising Rates per Issue

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All prices are GST inclusive; 10 % discount for full year advertising; published Feb, April, June, Aug, Oct

Contact: Sally Ware, NSW DPI, HayPh: (02) 6993 1608 Email: [email protected]

�0 WesternDivisionNewsletter

Aphototellsathousand words!

by Sally Ware, NSW DPI, Hay

This photo was supplied by Geoff Woods, Western Lands Commissioner, who was a guest speaker at the last Murray Darling Organics Inc gathering, which was held at Mt Westwood Station in August. Mt Westwood is situated 140 km from Broken Hill.

The host Brendan Cullen from Mt Westwood Station introduced damaras to his property seven years ago. He maintains 50% of his flock as merinos and recently has also introduced dorpers and Van Rooys. He is successfully combining wool and shedding meat sheep on the one property. He is A grade and USDA organically certified.

At the Murray Darling Organics Inc gathering, Brendan killed four lambs and hung them side by side under the tank stand for the purpose of a demonstration to the group.

The statistics for the lambs are as follows:

Left to right:

Merino: 53 kg live, 11 months of age; 25 kg dressed, 43% yield

Damara x Merino F3: 53 kg live, 12 months; 25kg dressed, 43% yield

Dorper x Damara F3: 56 kg live, 11months; 26 kg dressed, 46.5% yield

Dorper: 56 kg live, 10 months; 29 kg dressed, 51% yield

Note: all lambs except the purebred dorper were run on Mt Westwood. The dorper came from Mt Gibbs Station.

Brendan’s comments are that a dorper cross can certainly start to add value to the damara carcase and that a straight dorper carcase can be heavier and yield better at an earlier age than the merino and damara crosses.

Geoff Woods commented that the damara carcase shows the uneven distribution of fat over the carcase, which is typical of the breed and which is not desirable for the Australian market whilst the dorper cross carcases are a more superior carcase and better suited for the domestic market.

November2007/February2008 ��

Ausfarmlaunchessecondsheeplease projectby Andrew McFarland, Projects Manager Ausfarm Management/Multi Purpose Merinos P (03) 5744 3782, M 0417 350047, E andrewm@ ausfarmmanagement.com.au

Sheep management company Ausfarm Management is looking for merino ewes to lease for its second sheep lease project which starts on July 1 2008. Ausfarm Management successfully launched its first project in July 2007.

Ausfarm Management Projects Manager Andrew McFarland explains they are looking for merinos with a bit of frame, can cut a reasonable amount of wool, rear a good size lamb and plenty of them. We are looking for breeders with approximately 2000 ewes and more.

The sheep leasing proposal provides sheep and wool producers with the opportunity to lease all or part of their flock. This concept removes many of the risks associated with farming (such as volatile wool prices and poor seasons) and allows the producer to concentrate on maximizing the production of wool and lambs from their enterprise.

In return for leasing their flock, the producer receives lease fees for their land and ewes along with a management fee for the management and maintenance of the operation. The fee is $60 per pregnant ewe. Built into the plan are incentives to reward the producer for over performance against production benchmarks. In return for paying the producer lease and management fees, the lessee of the flock (the investor) will be entitled to all wool

sufficient ewe lambs (approx 60%) will be required each year to maintain the self replacing flock. The farmer will retain the weaner wool off those 60% that return to the flock.

The project will pay for all costs (including genetics) except the shearing and crutching.

An upfront payment of $30 per pregnant ewe will be payed to the contributor before the project begins as starter capital to help producers buy more ewes post drought.

Ausfarm Management will manage the day-to-day operations of the sheep project. Ausfarm has expertise in sheep breeding, farm management and marketing and will work side by side with the farmer to achieve the best results possible.

The genetics used are Multi Purpose Merinos (MPM) and are selected for their ability to improve flock productivity for both meat and wool. Ausfarm are strong supporters of Sheep Genetics (SG) and will implement the wide ranging advantages of SG into the leased flocks. ASBVs (Australian Sheep Breeding Values) through SG, is a tool now available to merino breeders and will be the key tool in lifting productivity in the merino industry.

A major part of this project will focus on lifting the genetic merit of the flock and a legacy left to the producer will be a high performance and valuable breeding flock built up over the life of the project. The project will run for a period of seven years.

Some of the advantages are

• Reliable cash flow

• Reduced risk

• Farm management advice and support

• Improvement in flock genetics and productivity

• Free genetics

• Substantial upfront payment

• Opportunity to grow their business

For further information see the contact details on this page.


MultiPurposeMerinos–woolgrowers walkingintothefuture

As told to Sally Ware by Bob McFarland, Oxley Station, Oxley

Background

The McFarland family has been at their Oxley property since the 1890s. The family has always had merinos and they became a Multi Purpose Merino (MPM) seed stock producer in 2003. They are one of nine producers in Australia – 36,000 ewes are joined to the MPM program this year. There are also affiliated stud groups in South Africa and Argentina.

What factors made you think about a change to MPMs?

We were concerned that the conventional merinos were not doing well in our environment. Our lambing percentages were not satisfactory and despite the fact they were cutting large amounts of wool, they were not thriving and were becoming very hard to manage. We were also finding it hard to source shearers wanting to shear heavily developed sheep. Also, like everyone, we have a limited labour force. We needed sheep that can survive and merinos which have attributes the industry cannot afford to lose.

Bob McFarland with his Multi Purpose Merino rams. As a rangelands seed stock producer for the MPM group, the McFarland family is aiming to breed a large framed, wrinkle-free, easy care sheep with fast growing high quality wool.

How did you start to make the change?

My brother-in-law, Mr Rod McCully, had 1500 rambouillet merinos on our place on agistment in 1992. The rambouillets

are a much large, plainer bodied type of sheep. Once the drought started we began to see how well they were doing compared to our conventional merinos. Dr Jim Watts was classing on a neighbouring property and he came over and advised us to start infusing rambouillet rams into our flock. This increased the frame, fertility and constitution of our flock. We were able to purchase the whole rambouillet flock in 2001. Dr Jim Watts next introduced us to the Glendamar bloodline and we started selectively joining to increase the frame of our sheep and to improve the quality of our wool. That was the start of our relationship with the Duxson family and Glendemar and we have since worked with them to form the brand name ‘Multi Purpose Merino’.

What happened next?

We were invited by Duxsons at Glendemar to become a seed stock producer for the MPM group in 2003. This means we work closely with nine other producers across the nation to produce a particular type of merino. Glendemar supply us with their superior semen to


ATOClassRulingforpaymentsreceivedunder LMDCMARangelandsIncentiveStrategy The LMD CMA is pleased to confirm that the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has completed their determination on how income tax will be treated on payments received under the Lower Murray Darling CMA Rangelands Incentive Strategy – Conservation Reserves and Sustainable Grazing Schemes. The Class Ruling is CR 2007/87. It can be found at the ATO website www.ato.gov.au by clicking on: - Rulings, Policies and Law;

LMD CMA- Public Rulings 32 Enterprise Way

- Class PO Box 363 Buronga NSW 2739- ATO Rulings (drop down menu) Ph (03) 5021 9460

Type Fax (03) 5021 1308 www.lmd.cma.nsw.gov.au Rulings

Class 2007 – then scroll to the bottom for CR 2007/87A copy of this 15 page document will be supplied to landholders who have Agreements with the LMD CMA, as agreed at the Anabranch Community Forum on 25 May 2007.Copies can be obtained from LMD CMA by phoning (03) 5021 9460.If you have any queries regarding the content of this Class Ruling, it is recommended that you contact your accountant or the ATO for advice.

‘Multi Purpose Merinos – woolgrowers walking into the future’ continued from previous page

AI our superior ewes. The ram lambs are kept as sires and for sale and we sell surplus ewe lambs to the MPM commercial breeders.

It is only four years later – how are things going?

We are very excited about the direction we are taking. We have no trouble getting shearers, in fact they enjoy shearing my sheep as they are plain bodied. Despite the ongoing drought, we shear the sheep when they are carrying 10 months wool and we still achieve A grade lengths. Our micron has decreased from 23 to 19.5 micron in four years and our wool weights have increased due to more efficient wool production by the sheep. We have not mulesed for four years and all MPM seed stock producers have signed a memorandum of understanding within the group to immediately discontinue mulesing. Our group has developed a non-mulesed wool brand called ‘Lameree’. This brand is used to market the wool within the MPM system. It is already creating a large amount of interest in the wool processing pipeline. Our lambing percentages are averaging around 90% including the maidens during the drought. We recently sold our wether lambs to ‘Drovers Choice Saltbush Lamb’, a saltbush meat supplier at Coonamble, for $55 in the paddock and they dressed at 27.5 kg average. This meat was sold mostly through the farmer’s markets and gourmet butchers. Our MPM group has also registered a brand called ‘Myola Skins’, which is basically wrinkle free skins from unmulesed sheep. Our group is currently developing specialised markets for the skins. We will start to use measurement to assist us with our ram selection and when we

do this we will use the MERINOSELECT Sheep Breeding Values developed by Sheep Genetics. This is a long-term goal.

What are some of the main advantages of MPMs? We now run big, robust, easy care sheep that we are shearing every 10 months and that are producing high value meat carcases, all under drought conditions. Our long-term aim is to shear every six months.

Any disadvantages? We are still in a growth phase, so that does mean that some of our lower grade weaners are still carrying more development that we would like. We have only been going four years and the drought has prevented us culling as hard as we would like plus we have had to keep our stocking rates below our normal carrying capacity.

Are you happy to talk to others about your experience? Yes, I have a mobile that works as I am 2 km from the Oxley tower! My mobile number is 0427 931 743. Also, the MPM has a website: www.multipurposemerinos. com.au

�� WesternDivisionNewsletter

Malleefowlrecoveryandmonitoring onWamberraStation by Patty Byrnes, Wamberra Station, Wentworth NSW

Malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata) are unique, ground dwelling birds that live in dry, arid scrub in Australia. Nationally, the Malleefowl is regarded as vulnerable by current criteria as a threatened species and is considered endangered or threatened in NSW, SA, WA, and Victoria. The Malleefowl belongs to a family of birds known as megapodes (a bird that uses heat from nature to develop and hatch its eggs). Megapodes only exist in Australia where there are three varieties of birds that fall into this category.

Malleefowl were named by John Gould, an English birdman who was in Australia from 1838–1840.

My interest in Malleefowl was kindled when my husband and I set aside 11,000 hectares of the property for private conservation reserves in the year 2000.

During the process of selecting the best area’s for permanent reservation, we came across a number of Malleefowl mounds. Whilst many had not been used for a long time, some were very active with evidence of the birds having been at work building and maintaining the nest that same day.

Since then I have spent many hours monitoring and observing this magnificent bird and gained a wealth of knowledge on their work-plans, communication, diet, preferred habitat, predators and their resilience in our, sometimes harsh, environment.

From my observations, the major threats that Malleefowl face in south western NSW are from foxes, goats, excessive kangaroos, currawongs and other predatory birds.

Regular fox baiting and control of feral goats has definitely made an impact on Malleefowl breeding. I have witnessed a pair abandoning a working nest after a fox attempted to dig into the mound.

Goats will play on the mounds also and both goats and kangaroos compete for the same food source as Malleefowl. Acacia is a classic example where kangaroos dig under the acacia bushes to find the seeds. Currawongs are a real threat to the emerging, defenseless chicks and hop around the base of nearby trees or wait in the branches above the mound for the exhausted, dusty little chicks to break through the surface of the sand and litter.

During the hatching season I have witnessed three chicks emerge from the mound. The adult birds play no part in rearing their young. On each occasion, the male bird did his daily chores of checking the nest then wandered off into the mallee scrub where he could not be seen, well before the chick emerged. On these days the female did not visit the nest as she usually does.

Building and maintaining the Malleefowl nest, or mound, is a real chore that spans most of the year. An old pair that I observe regularly, only have three weeks off for the year. They work the nest well into autumn until it is too cold to control the temperature inside the nest. In late autumn– early winter they set about cleaning all the old debris, litter and sand out ready to start filling with new leaf litter and twigs. In dry seasons the birds will abandon the nest and wait for a better year.

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

November2007/February2008 �5

The male moves over a tonne of soil and litter to check and regulate the temperature in the egg chamber or for the female to lay. The smaller, female bird helps but not to the same extent as the male. I have seen the male screech at her, in what appears to be a call to tell her to get back to work, when she has attempted to leave the nest site. Normally though, they appear to be very good mates and you can hear them softly clucking and murmuring to each other well before you normally see them. The male has a loud call that he appears to use to call his female or as a warning call.

The birds prefer mallee scrub to build their mounds but I have found nests in sandalwood, acacia and near the edge

of open grassland. A friend in South Australia, who has been monitoring Malleefowl for over 60 years, has found old nests on open spear grass plains as well. The largest, working nest that I have found is 8 metres across, and when filled and covered with soil, stands over 1.5 metres tall.

During the last 5 years I have found, documented, and photographed over many nests of varying ages. I still have a lot of country to explore and enjoy finding new nests, plants and places that I haven’t seen before. Each trip is an adventure and it is really encouraging to know that we are making a real difference to assist this rare bird to increase in population.

LandholdersinvadeTonaStation by Susan Walla, Education Facilitator

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

The second in a series of five workshops was held at Tona Station in cool conditions on Thursday 21 June 2007. Ten landholders participated in the workshop on soils, geomorphology and regional hydrology as part of biodiversity training being offered to landholders by the LMD CMA and the South West NSW Land Management Group.

Topics for the workshop included a one hour presentation on formation of the mallee and regional hydrology. Field exercises included measuring groundwater depth, salinity levels, recognition of land systems and landscape function analysis monitoring. A BBQ lunch was enjoyed on the Anabranch.

Landholders involved in the training have enrolled with the Sunraysia Institute of TAFE; training is aligned with national accreditation, Certificate Two in Conservation and Land Management.

Training is offered to the landholders as part of their incentive package for the Rangelands Incentive Scheme, conservation and grazing reserves. Each workshop is held on the property of one of the participants to give the landholders a

Landholders Tracey Neyland and Patty Byrnes testing groundwater salinity.

chance to share their projects and passions, while showcasing different issues and vegetation communities in the catchment.

Gary Doyle, a participant in the training stated, ‘He wished geomorphology had been explained to him that way at school, he might have understood it!’

For further information on biodiversity training contact Claire Wilkinson at the LMD CMA on (03) 5021 9460.

�� WesternDivisionNewsletter

Internationally significant Paroo River WetlandsjoinsRamsarlist by Katie Ritchie, Public Affairs Officer, Department of Environment and Climate Change, Forbes

Recently, the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Malcolm Turnbull announced the addition of the Paroo River Wetlands to the list of internationally important wetlands recognised under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.

National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Area Manager Bourke, Nerida Green said the internationally significant Paroo River Wetlands is the last remaining free-flowing river system in the northern Murray-Darling Basin.

‘The Paroo River Wetlands is a crucial wetland system for waterbirds in eastern Australia; it supports threatened species including the painted snipe and freckled duck.

‘The system also supports a number of threatened plant and animal species as well as significant native fish communities.

‘It is critical that we protect and nurture our wetlands. This Ramsar listing will protect the Paroo River Wetlands as a matter of national environmental significance under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

‘The Paroo River Wetlands is Australia’s 65th and NSW 12th Ramsar Site.

‘A major element of the development of the Ramsar proposal was the contribution and support from the Baakandji and Budjiti people, the Aboriginal owners of the Paroo country.

‘The Paroo Ramsar Committee, made up of 5 Baakindji and 5 Budjiti community members, assisted DECC in acknowledging the importance of the Aboriginal landscape and the cultural significance of the wetlands in the proposal.

‘The traditional owners will continue to have an important role in the management of this area,’ said Nerida.

‘NPWS Area Manager Broken Hill, An artesian mound spring at Peery LakeMark Fletcher explained the Paroo River

Site includes two distinct areas; the Nocoleche Nature Reserve (approximately 180 km west of Bourke) and the Peery and Mandalay portions of Paroo-Darling National Park (35 km north east of White Cliffs).

‘These areas include large overflow lakes, tree-lined creeks and waterholes, lignum and canegrass swamps and artesian mound springs.

‘The artesian mound springs at Peery Lake represent the largest active complex in New South Wales (NSW) and one of the rarest landforms in Australia.

‘Ramsar listing requires that any new activity that might affect the ecological character of the site must be referred to the Minister of Environment and Water Resources for consideration.

‘The new Water Act 2007 also gives effect to Australia’s Ramsar Convention obligations, and Ramsar sites in the Murray-Darling Basin will be high priorities for the use of environmental water managed under the Act,’ he said.

November2007/February2008 �7

Boostyourknowledgeand skillsinrangelandmanagement by Dee Wilkes-Bowes, NSW Champion, Rangelands Australia, Yass

Now is the time to start thinking about applying to do a Rangeland Management program in 2008. Rangelands Australia (RA) is an Australia-wide initiative, committed to building the capacity for a strong future for rangeland areas. You can access relevant and practical learning opportunities which will recognise existing experience and build skills to manage into the future. The programs are designed for people who use and manage rangelands, and those who support them such as advisors, facilitators and consultants.

Landholders in the Western Division, and the agency staff who support them, could well benefit from these courses which are relatively new. The programs offered by Rangelands Australia are quite unique in that they have designed specifically to suit people living and working in grazing industries, beyond the farming and cropping country. They also recognise existing skills and knowledge so do not necessarily need applicants to have completed tertiary education despite offering post graduate qualifications.

People already undertaking the programs have given very good feedback, finding the material to be highly relevant and practical.

Applications for Semester One of 2008 close on 31 January 2008, but persons considering applying are very welcome to call Rangelands Australia to discuss an application. If you just want to have an informal chat about the course you may want to call a Rangeland Champion in the first instance (see contact details).

Rangelands Australia has also created a number of Rangeland Champion positions to support people who are studying remotely, particularly those people studying rangeland programs. The assistance provided by Champions is a significant

boost to the type of support usually offered to distance students and is designed to help people stay the distance, especially early on in their studies. Importantly, these Champions can assist anyone undertaking tertiary education in the rangelands, even if not directly related to land management.

The Champions in NSW are Chrissy Brown, on Reola station near Broken Hill, Rachael Williams near Balranald and Dee Wilkes-Bowes, based on a farm near Yass. We can give moral support, provide a sounding board or a source of reference or even provide advice about studying. So if you are thinking about further education in the rangelands, give us a call.

RA is supported by industries and communities in Australia’s rangelands and is based at the University of Queensland’s Gatton Campus in the School of Natural and Rural Systems Management. The University of Queensland and Meat and Livestock Australia are the founding partners of the Rangelands Australia venture.

Contact details:

Chrissy Brown Tel (02) 6874 7723

Dee Wilkes-Bowes Tel (02) 6227 4181

Rachael Williams Tel: (03) 5020 1653

Rangelands Australia website: http://www. rangelands-australia.com.au/index.html

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LearningintheWesternDivision by Christine Ferguson, Myrnong Station, Wanaaring example, one My husband and I bought Myrnong Station near assignment was to Wanaaring at the beginning of 2001. Coming from develop a grazing ‘greener pastures’ the learning curve has been both management plan steep and challenging. We have benefited financially for our property, and personally from attending various training over something we the past six years. probably wouldn’t

have done otherwise.This is my second year of study with Rangelands We both analysed Australia. I take it pretty steady, just one subject per our current grazingsemester which equates to about 10 hours per week. management andI’ve been really impressed with how accessible the

developed a strategic plan that removed the ‘flyingcourse coordinators are. They understand that there by the seat of our pants’ element out of our decision is plenty more going on in our lives other than study making.and are quick to grant extensions for assignments and

to provide support over the phone and email. It is difficult to fit study into an already hectic life, but I’m motivated to keep going while ever thereI’m motivated to study by a desire to know what is another relevant subject available. Not in anmakes our landscape work so we can make it work effort to achieve formal qualifications, but rather for us to its full potential. The course work gives to have a thorough understanding of the land thatme exposure to information that I wouldn’t have we are managing and through that understanding, afound otherwise and so rounds out my understanding sustainably profitable business.of rangeland management. The assignments are

challenging but relevant to our business. For


WesternLandsAdvisoryCouncil COMMUNIQUE2�rdAugust2007

Jenny McLellan AMChair, Western Lands Advisory Council P: (02) 6833 7576 M: 0419 279 610

The tenth meeting of the Western Lands Advisory Council was held at Cobar on 24th and 25th July 2007.

The Chair, Jenny McLellan and members of the Western Lands Advisory Council were very pleased to welcome the Minister for Lands, Hon Tony Kelly, MLC; the Director General of the Department of Lands, Mr Warwick Watkins; Mr Graham Harding, General Manager, Crown Lands Division, Department of Lands; Mr Adrian Harte, Director Land Management, Department of Lands, Newcastle; Mr Stephen Fenn, Senior Policy Advisor to Minister Kelly; Mr Mark Matchett, Policy Advisor to the Director General and Mr Alex McGregor, Media Officer to Minister Kelly to the meeting.

The members of the Advisory Council were pleased to hear that the Minister for Lands, the Director General of the Department of Lands and key Departmental personnel were responsive and want to work with the Advisory Council for the benefit of the Western Division community. It was stated that the Department of Lands is not a reactive organisation – it is an organisation that is prepared to listen to all and any initiatives and is prepared to do whatever is possible to build positive relationships with the people of the Western Division. Staff within the Department of Lands are encouraged to look at the proposals and try to ‘do’ rather than say that the Act says it cannot be done.

The main topics discussed with Minister Kelly, MLC, Mr Warwick Watkins and key Department of Lands personnel were:

The Boundary Fencing matter – this is becoming a major issue with neighbours bickering and some of the disputes becoming very serious. Neighbours are disagreeing as to what type of fence is required, in particular when exotic sheep breeds are involved with adjoining merino

sheep breeds. It was reiterated that there are no objections to exotic sheep breeds in the Western Division – there is just a need to clearly define fencing requirements so that all parties are aware of their obligations.

There is legal advice pending from the Department of Lands Legal Branch on the matter. There is a need to clearly define the Minister’s and the Western Lands Commissioner’s powers to enforce boundary fence matters. Minister Kelly and Mr Warwick Watkins, Director General, agreed that the boundary fencing issue should be dealt with as a separate issue to the Review of the Western Lands Act Amendments 2002, and to urgently deal with the matter. The Director General felt that it is a Land Management issue and should be dealt with under the Western Lands Act by amendments to that Act and not under the Dividing Fences Act 1991.

The Review of the Western Lands Act Amendments 2002 commenced on the 12th July 2007 and is to be tabled in both Houses of Parliament by the 12th July 2008. The Review is only on the 2002 Amendments to the Western Lands Act and is not on the scale of the Kerin Review. It is an internal review only with recommendations from the Western Lands Advisory Council and their various member bodies. It was stated that the report should be along the lines of what has not worked, what should be there that isn’t and any other ‘tweaking’ that may need to be done.

The Advisory Council was advised that the number of staff and resources for the Legal Road Network Project cannot be increased. If the Advisory Council becomes aware of any particular road areas that may need to be given a higher priority in any of the plans, they must advise the General Manager, Crown Lands Division, Mr

20 WesternDivisionNewsletter

Majorpestcontrolproject completedatWillandraLakesA year-long project to control feral animal and pest plant species within the 240,000 hectare Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area has recently been completed.

The pest control project had three main components:

• development of a pest control plan in conjunction with World Heritage Area landholders

• implementation of a pest control program to control feral animal and pest plant species over a majority of the World Heritage Area (excluding Mungo National Park)

• employment and training of members of the Three Traditional Tribal Groups (Aboriginal communities associated with the World Heritage Area)

The pest control project was conducted as a partnership between the National Parks and Wildlife Service (part of the Department of Environment and Climate Change), the Lower Murray Darling Catchment Management Authority, the Three Traditional Tribal Groups, World Heritage Area landholders and the Sunraysia Institute of TAFE.

The project was funded through the Lower Murray Darling Catchment Management

Authority and administered by the National by Paul Seager, Far West Regional Operations Co-Parks and Wildlife Service. Ordinator, NPWS, Broken Hill

The Sunraysia Institute of TAFE successfully tendered for the project, and prepared the pest control plan, employed and trained field staff and implemented the pest control program. On-ground pest control works were completed under the supervision of Mick Fenna by three indigenous field officers: Peter Lawson, Rodney Lawson and Shaun Lawson. All field officers achieved a Certificate ll in Conservation and Land Management, as well as accredited training in first aid, chemical handling, chainsaw operation and general Occupational Health and Safety training.

The World Heritage Area landholders played a key role, assisting to identify pest control priorities and supporting the control program with accommodation, provision of plant and equipment and attending project management meetings

Due to the success of the program and savings achieved, the project was extended by six weeks to a total of 13 ½ months.

The project complemented pest control works carried out within the adjacent Mungo National Park (90,000 hectares) by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.

While the project has been very successful, it is expected that future maintenance works will be required to ensure that long-term control of pest species is achieved.

‘Western Lands Advisory Council COMMUNIQUE 23rd August 2007’ from previous page

Graham Harding, as soon as they become aware of the situation. The Western Division Group of the Shires Association of NSW are to be reminded that the Legal Road Network Project is being undertaken by the Department of Lands and that as the Project enters their Shire, the Department will be contacting the General Manager and the Shire Engineer of that respective Shire to discuss the future of the roads in that Shire. The future care and management of the roads, together with what funding is needed will have to be considered.

The Advisory Council has written to the Minister for Lands, Hon Tony Kelly, MLC, requesting that the Wild Dog Destruction Board Rates for 2008 be paid by the State Government as a drought relief measure initiative.

The members of the Western Lands Advisory Council had their present Term of Office expire at the end of July 2007. The Minister for Lands, Hon Tony Kelly, MLC, is now finalising the members of the new Advisory Council and the Minister indicated he would like minimal change if possible.

The next meeting of the Western Lands Advisory Council is to be held on 29th and 30th October 2007 in Cobar.

November2007/February2008 2�

Mungoyouthconferencean outstandingsuccess by Helen Healy Festival Director Ph: (03) 5021 5100 / 0417 556821 / [email protected]

The Mungo Festival is sponsored by the Australian Government to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Australia’s world heritage. For further information, visit www.deh.gov.au/heritage

The festival acknowledges it many sponsors who are all listed at www.mungofestival.com.au

The Mungo Youth Conference attendees returned home wind blown and weary but empowered and enlightened after three days immersed in the Willandra World Heritage region.

Festival Director, Helen Healy, reported ‘It was amazing! The kids taught each other what they had learned about the cultural and scientific significance of the area and came away inspired and uplifted by the experience’

The Mungo Youth Conference held at Top Hut Station in September hosted 150 people including the traditional owners, pastoralists, archaeologists and national parks personnel. These people worked with each other and immersed themselves in the culture of the region.

The young people attending the conference had been studying the cultural and scientific significance of the region for over 12 months prior to the event. A highlight was the ‘kids teaching kids’ activity where the kids demonstrated what they had learned about Mungo man and woman, climate change, culture and dance, mega fauna and initiation.

This was complemented by visits to Joulni Station where the elders showed people the site where Mungo man and woman were discovered. The elders talked about their vision for the future of the site which is owned by the three traditional tribal groups of the region – Barkindjti, Mutthi Mutthi and Ngiyampaa people.

Young people travelled from the Mildura region including the Victorian College of Koorie Education and were joined by students from Wagga Wagga, Narrandera, Griffith, Hay, Balranald and Ivanhoe at the camp.

According to Festival Director Helen Healy ‘We built a tent city up there and although there was 21st century technology for the

presentations, we remained faithful to the sense of place and space to give the students an insight into the significance and spirituality of the region.’

‘On the first evening, the kids walked into the night with all the lights turned off to give them a real sense of the place, the space, the stars and they just listened to the sounds of the night’

Overall, the conference provided students with skills in public speaking, environmental education and more importantly developed students to be optimistic, capable and aiming for a cultural change in the way we use and understand our natural environment.

A key aspect of the conference was a sharing time with indigenous role models, such as Angela Bates from SBS, Barrister Rudolph Kirby and Hip Hop artist Little G, who told their own stories and encouraged the young people to dream.

Rudolph Kirby spoke of growing up in Dareton. Despite setbacks and distractions he had remained true to his dream to work in the legal system and achieve important goals in the Koori indigenous justice system.

Little G recalled her time growing up in Mildura and her health problems that led to a kidney transplant as a teenager. She then entertained the group with her poetry and hip hop which had the young people screaming for more.

Angela Bates filmed segments of the conference for the SBS website and encouraged the young people to find a role model – someone who would inspire and guide them towards their dream.

On the final night the kids entertained each other showcasing some extremely talented dancers, singers and speech makers and according to the Chair of the Conference, Robert Biggs ‘Our future is in good hands


as some of these kids showed remarkable leadership skills and produced some magic results’

According to Kevin Ashelford of the Lions Club of Mildura who catered for the event, ‘We were so impressed with these kids. They were the most grateful, gracious and well mannered students we’ve ever catered for’.

The Mungo Youth Conference and the entire Mungo Festival has been an outstanding success and has gathered unanimous support for its continuation in the years to come.

According to Mungo Festival Chair, Ross O Shea of the NSW Premier’s Department ‘Our original objective for this Festival was to increase awareness of the World Heritage area and we have certainly done that with significant increases in visits to the area and with the creation of good outcomes for the region with long-term opportunities for indigenous people’.

The Mungo Youth Conference will be held again in 2008 and will continue to develop children who are motivated, have high self esteem, respect for others and a realisation they can have an impact!

Some of the enthusiastic young people who attended the conference. They had been studying the cultural and scientific significance of the region for over a year prior to their visit.

Conditionsofincentiveprogramagreements by Daryl Green, General Manager, Western CMA

In the past financial year, the Western Catchment Management Authority (CMA) has worked with local people to invest $7.6 million through its incentive program to undertake on-ground works to improve natural resources in their local area.

The Western CMA would like to reiterate that land managers undertaking works enter into a contract with the Western CMA and effectively the NSW Government. The contracts issued clearly state the agreed works and the timeframe within which they must be completed.

Should a variation to the original contract be required for some reason, the Western CMA Board will consider a written variation request. The Western CMA is sympathetic to genuine reason for delays in

completing contracts. However, deliberate contract breaches will be taken seriously.

In order to receive final payments for works, all projects are inspected and approved by the Western CMA. In final inspections, Western CMA staff inspects each detail of works including specifications such as fence post spacings and water point placement.

Projects which do not meet the agreed specifications are considered to be in breach of contract. This means the land managers will not receive final payment and may not be considered for future funding until the work meets the contract specifications.

Western CMA staff can be contacted on 1800 032 101 to discuss the incentive program.


BokharaPlainsopenfor inspection

Sixty-five people attended a field day hosted by Graham and Cathy Finlayson on their property, Bokhara Plains near Brewarrina, in September.

Graham was awarded the prestigious 2005 Young Farmer of the Year title in recognition of his efforts in diversification into tourism and regenerative land management practices on Bokhara Plains.

Two years later, the Finlaysons were keen to share their experiences with other landholders.

The field day was conducted as part of the Western Catchment Management Authority’s Next Steps Project. Buses were provided for interested landholders from Lightning Ridge, Walgett, Enngonia and Bourke, with people attending from as far as Broken Hill and Tottenham.

Graham outlined his property management philosophy and grazing management strategies and discussed his move from breeding stock to organic grass grower agisting cattle.

Graham says emphasis on continually learning, monitoring, adapting and

James Leigo, Western CMA; Graham Finlayson of Bokhara Plains and Mike Parish, Resource Consulting Services

by James Leigo, Catchment Officer, Western CMA

changing when required is paramount to their business focus and maintaining a long term direction and goal.

He believes having the right direction clearly in mind, being enthusiastic and prepared to learn from inevitable mistakes have allowed a positive attitude to strengthen throughout this long dry period.

The Finlaysons have linked complementary enterprises such as tourism, organics and regenerative agriculture and are working with innovative natural systems instead of fighting against ‘mother nature’. In a tough semi-arid environment this has been a key to achieving their goals.

Livestock are managed in an innovative grazing system that balances the health of the animals with the need to rest pastures and promote native perennials.

Graham’s goal is to increase the property’s groundcover as well as improve the biodiversity in the pastures through use of time controlled cell grazing which leaves plenty of pasture in the paddock after each graze.

Attendees had the opportunity to examine pasture growth and composition in grazing cells and to see the results of using time controlled grazing, animal impact and strategic rest on pasture and soil conditions.

There was a great deal of interest in the cost of implementing the grazing system and the resulting benefits, despite prolonged drought conditions.

Graham has adopted a holistic management philosophy and uses concentrated animal numbers to break up claypan surfaces with their hooves, and to increase fertility through dung and urine.

Fencing holds larger mobs of stock in a certain area to create beneficial

2� WesternDivisionNewsletter

herd impact and allows the country the necessary long rest periods to promote the native perennial grasses back into the system. Graze periods of only a few days allow pastures to rest for up to six months twice a year, every year.

‘For us to be able to improve our grazing management and control we have increased the number of paddocks from 8 to 35 with plans for more subdivision this summer,’ Mr Finlayson said.

‘This allows us to combine the effects of using larger mobs for beneficial ‘herd effect’ where it is required, and the ability to rest the paddocks for 48 to 50 weeks every year.

‘The amount of time the livestock are out of the paddock is more crucial then the number of head that you have present when grazing to promote the beneficial and palatable pasture species,’ Mr Finlayson said.

Graham and Cathy added farmstay accommodation to their enterprise in 2001 to provide diversity and reliable income, particularly during periods of being totally de-stocked. They discovered early on that there was also a market available for tradesmen and business people as well as tourists who were willing to travel out of town for their needs when working locally.

In line with their desire for continued learning Graham, Cathy and their daughter Harriet are currently planning a trip to the World Holistic Management Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico in November as part of an educational holiday after all agistment cattle are removed for the summer.

Graham has also been awarded one of sixteen Nuffield Scholarships, Australia’s leading farming scholarship program, to further his studies on grazing management in several overseas countries for four months during 2008.

He will learn from experienced and successful operators in other semi-arid environments around the world, and intends to bring back plenty of beneficial information to share with other Western Division landholders.

We congratulate Graham on his achievement and look forward to learning more from him in the future.

WesternCatchmentforumgreatsuccess More than 100 people from the Western Catchment and beyond attended the Western Catchment Landcare Forum in Cobar on Saturday, September 1.

The Buckwaroon and Mount Boppy Landcare Groups and the Kergunyah Rangecare Group hosted the forum, whose theme was ‘Soil Sustainability in the Western Catchment’.

Guest speakers included Don Burke, Chairperson of the Australian Environment Foundation, who officially opened the forum. Executive Director of the Australian Farm Institute, Mick Keogh outlined carbon sequestration, carbon trading and future developments in this area. Also featured were Colin Seis of Stipa Native Grasses Association who discussed pasture cropping and soil health, Ray Thomson of the Central West Catchment Management Authority who discussed rangeland rehabilitation and Dr Peter Mitchell a soil scientist who spoke about changes in the underlying premise of soil science in Australia.

As well as Catchment residents from Broken Hill, Brewarrina, Bourke, Wilcannia, Lightning Ridge, Nymagee, Canbelego, Louth and Cobar, there were also a number from outside the catchment.

People also attended from Ivanhoe, Girilambone, Nyngan, Muswellbrook, by Suzie Bunting, Community

Support Officer, Western CMA. Wagga Wagga, Orange and Darwin.

Despite the prolonged drought we are experiencing, the atmosphere was very

Dougall Roberts, NSW Farmers Regional Service Manager, Bourke; Don Burke, Australian Environment Foundation and Lachlan Sullivan, The Meadows, Cobar


Michael Mitchell, Mt Drysdale, Cobar; Dr Peter Mitchell, speaker from Groundtruth Consulting, Gladesville NSW; Louella Steele, Mundadoo, Girilambone

positive and people were very interested in the speakers and the field trips.

Most participants agreed that to remain sustainable in agriculture, they must change with the times, try new ideas and think outside the circle.

AroundtheTraps

Dan Muenster, President of the Booligal Sheep Races with Booligal children and a racing wether.

Right: Rural financial counsellors Ella Credlin from Hay and Georgiana Consett from Lake Cargelligo at the Kilfera Field Day

The need to consider the long-term implications of their management decisions to ensure they remain viable in the future was also a common theme.

Participants were particularly interested in learning new ways to establish and maintain groundcover and the effect of micro-organisms on soil health.Main concerns were the Native Vegetation Act and gaining an understanding of carbon trading.

In the afternoon participants chose one of three field trips including a tour of the Peak Gold Mine and Cobar township, conservation farming at Osterley Downs owned by Robert and Donna Chambers or a tour of Mt Drysdale Conservation Area owned by Shirley and Michael Mitchell, which showcases unusual native vegetation and Aboriginal heritage and European settler sites.

People enjoyed the opportunity to mix with others in their industry and the field trips were very popular.

Delegates enjoyed dinner and the presentation of the Country Energy Western Catchment Environmental Care Award to the Buckwaroon Catchment Landcare Group for their efforts as a community group over the past 13 years.

After dinner entertainment was provided by Bourke local and Western CMA staffer, Andrew Hull, and his bush poetry.

Andrew Hull has released a new book of poems about life in western NSW. Entitled WEST, it contains poetry from Walgett to the corner country.

The poems are about people, places and events in the west and contain something of relevance to everyone.

Available from retail outlets across the western region or it can be ordered online at www.hullyjoe.com

2� WesternDivisionNewsletter

LachlanRivercarpcleanup by Michelle Jefferies, Catchment Officer, Lachlan CMA, Hillston

The lower Lachlan catchment provides a unique opportunity for implementation of a carp control program in the Murray-Darling Basin. The density of carp in the Lachlan catchment is the highest of any catchment in New South Wales. The carp population in the lower Lachlan is supported by two known and two potential carp recruitment ‘hotspots’: the Great Cumbung Swamp, Lake Brewster, Lake Cargelligo and Lake Cowal. The Lachlan is largely isolated from the remainder of the Murray-Darling Basin and only ever connects with the Murrumbidgee River during periods of exceptionally high flow (1 in 20 year floods). As a result, the carp population within the lower Lachlan catchment is not exposed to continual immigration from carp populations in other catchments.

We are currently half way through the initial two years of the River Revival -Lachlan River Carp Cleanup project, aimed at reducing the overall numbers of carp in the lower Lachlan through identifying and eliminating access to recruitment hotspots. This stage is focusing on benchmarking the status of the carp population and the aquatic ecosystem in the lower catchment. Benchmarks are being established for the size of the carp population; carp recruitment levels in each hotspot; water quality parameters; riverbank stability; aquatic vegetation cover; macro-invertebrate and native fish community composition; and social attitudes towards carp. The benchmarking phase is also being used to trial carp removal options in preparation for the implementation phase.

A number of carp will be caught, tagged and released by NSW DPI to enable mark-recapture estimates of population size. The effectiveness of subsequent carp removal activities can then be gauged on the proportion of the population removed. Yellow dart tags can be found on the left

side of the fish, below the dorsal fin . (See image) So far about 1000 carp have been tagged and a number of recaptures have been reported by recreational anglers.

If you catch a tagged carp don’t forget to record the tag number, capture location and fish length and report it on the freecall line 1800 134 093 or via the web at http://www. dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/forms/fw-fish-tagging to receive a River Revival Reward in the mail.

October saw the trial of Carp Separation Cages by SARDI, the Lachlan CMA and State Water within the inlet and outlet channels at Lake Brewster, as well as on the inlet channel to Lake Cargelligo and on the Lachlan River upstream of the Great Cumbung Swamp. Other options for control are also being investigated for the Great Cumbung Swamp but are obviously problematic given that the swamp has been essentially dry since around April 2006.

For further information on this project or other Lachlan CMA activities in the Western Division, contact Michelle Jefferies or Angela Higgins, Catchment Officers at the Hillston Office ph: (02) 6967 2897

A tagged carp from the Lachlan River – note the two dart tags along the dorsal fin.

Have a look at our NEW WEBSITE for the latest information relating to the Lachlan Catchment and Training opportunities… www.lachlan.cma.nsw.gov.au or Freecall 1800 885 747

The Lachlan River carp Cleanup project is a collaboration between the following partners: • Lachlan Catchment

Management Authority (LCMA)

• Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre (IACRC)

• NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI)

• South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI)

• Victorian Department of Sustainability and the Environment (VDSE) • Kingfisher Research Pty Ltd • K. & C. Fisheries Global Pty Ltd

• State Water • The Lachlan Catchment

Community (e.g. shire councils, indigenous groups, recreational fishing clubs, Landcare or Rivercare groups, Fishcare volunteers)


TheTindareytotalgrazing pressuretrial by Keith, Robin and Glen Francisco, Tindarey, Cobar Trudie Atkinson, NSW DPI Livestock Officer, Broken Hill

Keith Francisco with the ‘crocodile’ used to clear scrub in the trial

Keith, Robin and Glen Francisco have been involved with the Western Total Grazing Pressure (TGP) project since 2000. Their property Tindarey (situated 52 km north of Cobar) is 16,000 ha of predominantly hard red country with a mix of mulga and poplar box woodlands.

The objective of the trial is to determine whether a management strategy involving a combination of crocodile seeding, burning and rotational goat grazing will improve native perennial pastures. The trial site is typical of shrub encroached areas of the Cobar pediplain. Large areas of Tindarey are dominated by woody species such as Turpentine and Narrow-leaf hopbush.

At the beginning of the trial the two main challenges for restoring native perennial grasses were identified as lack of control over TGP and the suppression of potential forage yield by woody weeds. The Francisco family, from their experience and observations managing Tindarey, devised an integrated management approach to address these two issues.

This approach formed the methodology for implementing the trial and included;

• Gaining control over TGP by securing the perimeter of three 800 ha paddocks with TGP fencing (seven line hinge joint with electric off-sets).

• Progressively crocodiling areas of shrub in each paddock.

• Planting oats in the crocodiled areas to generate sufficient fuel for a follow-up burn.

• Rotational grazing of goats to help clean up shrub regrowth and provide strategic rest for the paddocks.

Tindarey has been severely affected by the drought during the trial. This has significantly hindered the implementation of management strategies. Broad scale mechanical woody weed treatment was delayed due to the dry conditions, with insufficient rainfall/soil moisture to generate sufficient fuel for a follow-up burn.

TGP exclusion fencing has been erected around the three trial paddocks. Experience in the Western TGP project has demonstrated that electric fencing has to be well constructed if it is to be effective in excluding kangaroos. The fencing on Tindarey is considered one of the most effective designs trialled during the project.

The main factors involved in the construction of effective TGP fencing at Tindarey have been:

• Clearing wide fence lines and cleaning up old fencing (this provides a fire break and avoids problems with shorts).

• Land planing the fenceline before construction to flatten the surface.

• Ensuring the fence is well earthed; the fencing at Tindarey uses marine grade steel earth stakes embedded in a mix of bentonite and salt.

The TGP fencing has been working well and is expected to provide effective control. However, to date there has been only limited pressure from non-domestics due to the dry conditions. It is hoped that


the fence will also limit access by pigs and foxes, which would reduce kid predation and improve biodiversity.

Vegetation monitoring has been conducted at Tindarey since 2004. Prior to this there was insufficient pasture growth to monitor due to low rainfall and shrub competition. Two small areas were crocodiled in each of the trial paddocks and ungrazed exclosures erected.

While broadscale treatment has not been possible until recently, these small crocodiled areas have provided an insight into the potential response that could be expected on a broader scale. Perennial grasses have germinated and established, including Wallaby grass, Mulga oats, Mulga Mitchell, Woolly Butt and Curly Windmill grass.

However, there has also been shrub regeneration and galvanised burr has established in the crocodiled areas. This highlights the need, identified at the start of the project, for further management such as burning and rotational grazing/strategic resting to be combined with the mechanical treatment in an overall package.

Recently, mechanical treatment of larger areas of the trial paddocks has been possible, with 120 ha crocodiled in August/September 2007. The timber knocked over during crocodiling is left to reduce run off, capture nutrients and provide protection for establishing grasses. Areas where Turpentine re-establishes will be burnt. Goat grazing will be used to place additional pressure on establishing seedlings of palatable shrubs. Approximately 700 does will be rotationally grazed in the three paddocks

which will be strategically rested to promote the establishment of palatable perennial grasses. Stock movement will be based on pasture (e.g. ground cover and perennial grass utilisation) and animal condition criteria.

Ultimately, the Franciscos would like to see Tindarey restored to relatively open grassland. Goats have been run on Tindarey since 1985 and have been the main enterprise since 1995, when wool production became unviable. Goats are considered an important part of perennial pasture regeneration due to their dietary preferences and suitability for the landscape. The Franciscos would like more options to diversify their enterprises. It is hoped that by reducing shrub cover and improving perennial grass cover, sheep and cattle production may again be viable enterprises. They currently run a small number of Wiltshire sheep and would like to expand this enterprise in the future.

HAY MERINO BREEDERS INC

18th Peppin-Shaw Riverina Ewe Flock

Competition

February Tuesday 12 and Wednesday 13 2008 Book a seat on the bus now to see some of the best ewes in the Hay district – call Polly at Lugsdin Toyota ph: (02) 6993 1661 or enquiries to Secretary Stacey Lugsdin ph: 0428 931 931 or President Peter Thomson ph: (02) 6993 8152

The TGP exclusion fencing comprising 7 line hinge joint with electric offsets is considered one of the most effective designs trialled during the project. Clearing and landplaning fencelines has also increased its effectiveness.


Takingtheriskoutofagistingcattle Financial benefits aside, there are a number of important considerations that landholders in the Western Division need to take into account before entering into an agreement to agist cattle.

When conditions are favourable, large numbers of cattle move into the Western Division to take advantage of the abundance of feed – many without the necessary paperwork.

Senior Regional Animal Health Manager at Broken Hill, Greg Curran, said issues concerning identification and disease status have been a major concern for NSW DPI and Rural Lands Protection Boards since the arrival of cattle following earlier good rains.

‘It is a relatively straight forward arrangement if landholders follow a simple check list,’ Mr Curran said.

1. All cattle, including calves and bulls, must be fitted with an approved NLIS device prior to arrival.

2. The property owner should arrange with the cattle owner to notify the NLIS database, and check that the cattle owner has done so within seven days of the cattle arriving.

3.If the cattle owner does not notify the NLIS database, it is then the property owner’s responsibility to scan the cattle and send electronic identifications to the database

4. If cattle are coming from Bovine Johne’s Disease (BJD) control zones: all of Victoria, areas outside of South Australia’s pastoral country, and parts of south western and coastal NSW, then questions need to be asked about the status of the property, and documented answers received.

Only breeding cattle coming from a Johne’s market assurance program herd, a check tested herd, or a ‘Beef only’ herd, or with other approved BJD tests, are legally allowed to move from a Johne’s control zone into the Western Division.

Accepting cattle from higher risk BJD areas, or from suspect or infected properties can prove costly, as the agistment property may be quarantined, and cattle required to be tested. The property owner could even face litigation from others with cattle on the property, or from neighbours who have been adversely affected.

Owners of agistment properties must also ensure they collect and retain all documentation in regard to the agistment cattle, including National Vendor Declarations/Waybill and/or transported stock statements, and Animal Health Statements which show they are eligible to come into the area.

Paperwork should be retained for seven years.

For more information you can contact your nearest NSW DPI or Rural Lands Protection Board office or refer to a Primefact on the NSW DPI website www.dpi.nsw.gov.au

Ring Tony (03) 5033 0734 Mobile: 0427 331 881

Mou

lamein Grain


Improveddrought assistancemeasures

On 25 September 2007 the Australian Government announced additional drought assistance measures for irrigators, dryland farmers and small businesses severely affected by the drought. These new measures will make it easier for farmers and small businesses to access Exceptional Circumstances (EC) assistance, provide grants directly to irrigators, and help with the social pressures facing farming families and communities across rural and regional Australia.

Whatarethenewassistancemeasures? Easingfarmers’accesstoECassistance • An increase in the off-farm income exemption from $10,000 to $20,000

• An increase to the off-farm assets limit, for access to EC interest rate subsidies, from $473,000 to $750,000

• Access to $5,500 (GST inclusive) Professional Advice and Planning Grants for eligible farm businesses in EC declared areas until 30 June 2009

Broadeningthecurrentsmallbusinesssupportarrangements • Extending EC income support and interest rate subsidies to those small businesses who have a significant

reliance on farmers for income, are located in towns of up to 10,000 people and have suffered a downturn due to the drought. These businesses must be located in EC, prima facie or interim declared areas.

Enhancedexitassistance • An exit grant of up to $150,000 for farmers who have decided to leave the land, with an assets limit of $350,000 to access this grant

• A further $10,000 is available for advice and re-training, and up to $10,000 for relocation expenses is also available to those who take up the exit grant

Supportforirrigators • Grants of up to $20,000 to irrigators in the Murray-Darling Basin to implement water management strategies in response to significantly reduced allocations

• Information workshops to assist irrigators manage their farm businesses with reduced water allocations

Additionalsocialandcommunityassistancemeasures • Funding for additional Rural Financial Counsellors, Centrelink Rural Support Officers, and social workers

• Additional social and emotional counselling services through 25 new Family Support Drought Response teams

• An increase of $1,000 to the Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) Additional Boarding Allowance and an ongoing supplementary allowance of $1,000 for all students who receive an AIC Distance Education Allowance

• Providing funding of up to $10,000 per school in EC declared areas

• Additional funding for the Emergency Relief Program

WherecanIgetfurtherinformation? For more information on Exceptional Circumstances support and other Australian Government drought assistance measures call the Drought Assistance Hotline on 13 23 16 or visit www.daff.gov.aufdroughtassist or call your local Rural Financial Counsellor or NSW DPI Drought Support Worker.


Western Division Newsletter

If u

ndel

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ase

retu

rn to

:NSW Department of Primary Industries

PO Box 865, DUBBO NSW 2830

To the Landholder

TheeditoroftheWDNwelcomescontributions

IssueNo. Deadlineforarticles Sendarticlesto:

121 Mar–Apr 6 February 2008 Sally Ware, NSW DPI

122 May–Jun 1 April 2008 PO Box 393, Hay 2711

123 Jul–Aug 2 June 2008 Fax: (02) 6993 2177

124 Sep–Oct 1 Aug 2008 Phone: (02) 6993 1608

125 Nov–Feb 1 October 2008 Email: [email protected]

number 120, november 2007 - nsw department of primary industries

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