produced for landholders in the western division of nsw ... · include scouring, weight loss, and...

November/December 2004 1

Nov/Dec 04

Produced for landholders in

the Western Division of NSW

Number 103 www.agric.nsw.gov.au/reader/wdn

ISSN 0314 - 5352

In this issue ...

Carp are one of Australia’s worstintroduced pests, but researchers at thePest Animal Control Cooperative ResearchCentre (PAC CRC) are usingbiotechnology in an attempt to control thespread of carp in the Murray-DarlingBasin.

The intention of the ‘Daughterless Carp’project is to use ‘gene silencing’technology to stop the production ofaromatase – the protein that stimulatesembryos to become female. Embryos incarp always start out as males, so theDaughterless Carp technology aims tomodify a carp gene to produce exclusivelymale offspring, which will lowerpopulation levels over a few generations,when and if it is released into the wild.

While there exists a general concern in thecommunity about Genetic Modificationtechnology, in this case, no foreign genesfrom other species are introduced, as the

Daughterless carpby Lauren StarrCommunications / Media Officer,Pest Animal Control Cooperative Research Centre,Canberra

Continued on page 6

daughterless gene is modified from carpgenes only. Therefore the gene is speciesspecific, and means only carp will beaffected – humans and pets are not at risk.

The common carp was first introduced toAustralia in the 1860’s, but only spreadsignificantly when carp escaped a fishfarm at Boolarra in Victoria duringflooding in the late 1960’s into the MurrayDarling Basin. Other isolated populationsof carp existed around Sydney before theyinfiltrated the Murray Darling Basin. Insome areas of the Basin, carp nowcomprise up to 90 per cent of the fishbiomass.

Carp are a pest because they compete withnative fish species for food, and because oftheir feeding habit, which involves siftingthrough bottom sediment when feeding.This has the effect of reducing sunlightpenetration, which then causes a loss ofplant life and some native fish habitats.Carp possess many of the attributes thattypify a successful invasive species – theyare very hardy, and are able to survive awide range of water temperatures from aslow as 4 degrees up to 35 degrees Celsius.They can tolerate low dissolved oxygenlevels, and can gulp air from the surface ofthe water when dissolved oxygen levels aredepleted. Carp are also highly fertile – anadult female carp weighing six kilogramscan produce 1.6 million eggs, whichequates to about 13 per cent of its bodyweight. Carp are also relatively unaffectedby high concentrations of pollutants andsediment in the water.

Daughterless carp

Live sheep export: can webetter prepare our sheep?

Exciting new outbackexperience – Mungo Loop

Local firm startsconstruction of Paroo-Darling visitor centre

Could the kangaroos onyour property fight cancer,heart disease and obesity?

Western Lands information

New advisory committeesappointed

Where can we find moreprime lambs in Australia?

Woody weed control: startplanning early

Trialing trees as a form ofdiversification

Northern floodplainsvegetation mappingcompleted

Observations of a grazier,over many years

Pests brochure

Traps yards a soundinvestment

Western Division YoungFarmers Forum

Restoration of soil carbonshould be a top globalpriority

2 Western Division Newsletter2 Western Division Newsletter

The Western Division Newsletter is jointly produced by NSWDepartment of Primary Industries and the Department ofInfrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources with fundingassistance from the Department of Environment and Conservation(NSW) and WEST 2000 Plus.

Editorial

Welcome to the November/December edition of theWestern Division Newsletter.

A number of the articles in this editiondiscuss activities or ideas that may assistwith maintaining or developing marketsand with the development of newindustries in the Western Division. Topicsdiscussed include two new tourisminitiatives – the Mungo Loop and theParoo-Darling Visitors Centre, researchinto the health benefits of eating kangaroomeat, growing trees for diversification,producing more prime lambs and livesheep export.

Other articles highlight the continuedfocus on natural resource management andpest control (animal and plant) in theWestern Division. These articles includeinformation on trap yards, vegetationmapping, soil carbon, pest controlprograms used by NSW National Parks andWildlife Service, controlling carp, woodyweeds and prickle bushes.

Previous editors have encouragedcontribution from producers. Rex Andrewshas taken up the challenge and documentedobservations he has made on his propertyover a number of years. If there issomething interesting happening on yourproperty, we would like to read about it inthe next newsletter.

by Trudie AtkinsonLivestock Officer(Sheep and Wool),NSW Department of PrimaryIndustries, Broken Hill

I would recommend reading the articles onthe daughterless carp and kangaroo meatprojects. I approached the authors to writethe articles, as I thought WDN readerswould find both these projects interesting.

Thank you to everyone who hascontributed to this edition. Ourcontributors have posed some interestingquestions, these include; Could thekangaroos on your property fight cancer,heart disease and obesity?, How manymore ewes could a property run if it neverhad any weaners to look after?, Live sheepexport: can we better prepare our sheep?,How do we produce more prime lambs inAustralia?. I will leave you to considerthese questions, and hope you enjoy thisedition of the Western Division Newsletter.

Oversight: the photograph of the bat (Mormopterus sp.)published in Issue 102 of the WDN on page 15 was taken byDavid Gee, DIPNR.


Bans placed on liveexport of pastoralsheepFollowing the Cormo Express incident in2003, live sheep exports were reviewed.Additional criteria were set for live exportof sheep through southern Australian portsfrom 1 May to 31 October each year.

The following sheep were banned fromlive export between 1 May and 31 Octoberby Australian Quarantine InspectionService (AQIS):

• Sheep from all Australian pastoralzones.

• Sheep which are more than 800 km toregistered live export premises.

Sheep from pastoral areas can be acceptedat live export premises if they are sent to aproperty in the high rainfall and wheatsheep zone, and held there for a minimumof 30 days, if they can be identified to theirproperty of origin.

Sheep from pastoral areas prepared insheds at registered live export premises for5 days are also eligible. Most WesternAustralian sheep are prepared in feedlotsin sheds. Most NSW, South Australian andVictorian sheep are prepared in feedlots inpaddocks. Western Australian sheds aredesigned to allow dung to fall throughflooring, greatly reducing the amount ofSalmonella-contaminated faecal materialthat sheep come in contact with. Inpaddock feedlots, sheep are constantlyexposed to any bacteria excreted in dung.

Preventingmortalities duringlive sheep exportFrom comprehensive studies in WesternAustralia, two major causes of deaths wereidentified, and need to be managed:

• sheep not eating (inappetence)

• salmonellosis

Sheep not eating has been recognised formany years. Why don’t some sheep eat infeedlots?:

• they simply don’t recognise that thegrain and pellets in troughs are ‘food’.They may have never been fed grain orhay, or learnt to feed or water fromtroughs.

• some are upset by the stresses involvedin mustering, yarding, handling, truckingand feedlotting, and can go off their feed(as do some people when stressed).

• sheep sick from an infection can go offtheir feed.

Live sheep export: can webetter prepare our sheep?by Greg Curran, Veterinary Officer, NSW Department of PrimaryIndustries, Broken HillMelissa Gosson and Kimberley Booker, Veterinary Interns,University of SydneyRoss Andrews, Pastoralists Association of West Darling

Continued overleaf

4 Western Division Newsletter

Salmonellosis is the disease caused bysalmonella. Salmonella are a family ofbacteria that live in the gut, and are spreadin dung. Symptoms of Salmonellosisinclude scouring, weight loss, andinappetence. The scour spreads hugenumbers of Salmonella bacteria. Animalsbecome susceptible to Salmonellosis ifthey are not eating, not fed, or if stressed.Because Salmonella are passed in dung,and spread in contaminated feed or water,the disease is seen more where sheep areclose together and crowded, as in feedlots.

What could be done to further reduce thesmall number of pastoral sheep dyingduring live sheep export?

• teach sheep about handfeeding:

– if ewes with lambs at foot arehandfed for short periods, the lambsknow to eat grain or other feed fromtroughs all their lives

– give sheep destined for live exportgrain or pellets from troughs orfeeder drums for a short periodweeks or months before departure

• reduce the time sheep are off feed:

– time mustering, handling, andtrucking so that sheep are not offfeed for more than 24 hours,including time spent in trucks

– if trucks are delayed, feed sheep inyards or in holding paddocks

– you may be required to withdrawwater to prevent soiling and wettingin trucks, but keep the feed up asneeded

• prevent sheep drinking or eatingmaterial contaminated with dung, toavoid Salmonella infection:

– keep feed off the ground

– place feed and water in containersthat won’t easily collect dung

– clean feed and water troughsregularly to remove dung

(Imagine how healthy you’d be if eating ordrinking material contaminated withhuman faeces! Basic hygiene appliesequally to sheep.)

• reduce stress on sheep to a minimumduring mustering, handling andtrucking.

Regaining thismarketThe bans have been applied in an attemptto prevent mortalities during live export.

The Pastoralists Association of the WestDarling and some Rural Lands ProtectionBoards are working to regain access to thismarket. They have pointed out that, inWestern Australia1, mortalities were lowerin sheep coming from their pastoral areas,and higher in sheep from their high rainfallareas.

These grazier organisations have proposedthat, as all Australian sheep entering thelive sheep export process will have eartagsidentifying property of origin, simplyremoving and recording eartags of deadsheep each day will allow flocks or areaswith nil or lower mortality rates to beidentified. Additionally, they have askedthat the effectiveness of the ban on pastoralsheep be fully assessed.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheriesand Forestry has 6 working groupscurrently reviewing all aspects of the liveexport trade, with decisions due late in2004. Pastoralists Association of WestDarling currently has a submission beforethese working groups, detailing the effectsthis ban will have on pastoral zones, andoutlining ways to address mortalities.1 Higgs, ARB et al. ‘Mortality of sheep exported

by sea: evidence of similarity by farm group and

of regional differences’ Aust. Vet J. 1999;

77: 729–733

‘Live sheep export: can webetter prepare our sheep?from page 3


A new and exciting outback touringexperience has now been launched. TheMungo Loop tour, set amongst the semi-arid environment of New South WalesWestern Division, takes its traveller on aself-guided 380 kilometre round trip tourthrough a piece of Australia’s most uniqueoutback country.

The Mungo Loop Outback Touring Guide,an initiative of the Homebush LandcareGroup, was officially launched onThursday 30 September at the HomebushRecreation Ground. This exciting eventattracted over 60 people to an informativeand fun afternoon. In his opening address,Greg Ayson, chair person of the HomebushLandcare Group explained that the MungoLoop tour brochure ‘idea’ was originallyestablished in order to de-mystify themany misconceptions that visitors hadconcerning the tree-less landscape and toultimately educate tourists travellingthrough Balranald to Mungo NationalPark. This idea then began to grow andevolve through the hard work anddedication of a local sub-committeecomprising Kate Weaver, MarianneO’Halloran, Sue Williams and LorraineAyson. The sub-committee with the helpof Hank Van Apeldoorn (DevelopmentOfficer, Balranald Shire), built theinitiative into a tourism venture which willultimately benefit and encourage thetourism industry within the BalranaldShire and beyond.

Western Lands Commissioner, GeoffWise, highlighted the afternoon byofficially launching and opening the newtour brochure. Mr Wise congratulated theHomebush Landcare Group andemphasised his support of the MungoLoop brochure. He also extended his

Exciting new outbackexperience – Mungo Loopby Renae Collier, Community Support Officer,Murrumbidgee Catchment Management Authority, Hay

gratitude to the group for their tireless efforts in not onlyestablishing a new and important link for tourists to Western NSW,but for their continual stewardship and management of the naturalresources throughout the Western Division, particularly theirsuccessful rabbit control program. Mr Wise commented on the everincreasing tourism industry and believes that the Balranald/Eustonarea and the Western Division at large will benefit greatly due tothe Mungo Loop Outback Touring Guide.

The touring guide brochures are now being dispersed around thecountryside with 20,000 brochures fresh off the printers. Theattractive colour brochure skillfully guides each tourist on anexpansive and exciting adventure starting from Balranald andtravelling through vast outback stations and saltbush plains, intothe significant Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area and on toview the highest clay lunette in the world. Many secrets andhistorical facts are unveiled as the tourist traverses through to theWalls of China in Mungo National Park and back through malleecountry on the return to Balranald/Euston. The Mungo Looptouring guide is a great tool for anyone interested in seeing andlearning about the landscape and heritage of Western NSW andespecially for those looking to experience real outback Australia.

The Homebush Landcare Group wish to extend their sincere thanksto WEST 2000 Plus, Euston Bowling and Recreation Club andBalranald Shire Council for their financial support and assistancethroughout the establishment of this successful initiative.

For more information please contact the Balranald VisitorsInformation Centre or call 1800 444 043. Mungo Loop touringguide brochures will be available at tourist information centres,caravan parks and motels.

Front row: Sue Williams, Marianne O’Halloran, Kate Weaver, Steve O’HalloranBack Row: Geoff Wise, Hank Van Apeldoorn, Greg Ayson, Lorraine Ayson and Ron Hoare


Female carp mature at about two to fouryears of age and are capable of multiplespawning all year round if watertemperatures remain above 16 degreesCelsius, as is the case in some rivers inQueensland. Further south in NSW andVictoria, spawning time is generally fromOctober to February when watertemperatures are warmer.

The Daughterless Carp project is at anearly stage, after being commissioned in2002 by the Murray-Darling BasinCommission (MDBC). The Commission isfunding the Daughterless Carp research,which started in early 2003.

The Daughterless Carp program is part ofthe MDBC’s Native Fish Strategy, whichaims to increase native fish stocks byaddressing pest species such as carp, aswell as other issues such as environmentalflows and habitat restoration.

Results from the Daughterless researchwill not be evident for quite a few yearsyet. It will take five years to reach thestage of producing large numbers of smallcarp (fingerlings) carrying theDaughterless gene modification. It couldpotentially be eight years before thefingerlings are released, then another 30years before a significant reduction in carpnumbers is evident.

While the Daughterless Carp project is anexciting area of research and offers hope asa long-term control tool for carp, it is notintended as a ‘silver bullet’ solution to theproblem. It will be important to developand continue to implement short-termcontrols as well as taking an integratedapproach involving targeted fishing andrehabilitating the environment. This is apriority for both the Murray Darling BasinCommission and the Pest Animal ControlCooperative Research Centre.

‘Daughterless carp’continued from page 1

Broken Hill building contractors DeFranceschi and Sons has commencedconstruction of a new visitor centre andoffice at White Cliffs, which will form thegateway to the magnificent new Paroo-Darling National Park.

National Parks and Wildlife Service ActingBroken Hill Area Manager Paul Seagersaid construction work had started and wasprogressing well.

‘The new visitor centre has quite an eyecatching design and is the major new pieceof infrastructure to be built in White Cliffsfor some time.

‘We were delighted to be able to award thetender for the construction of the buildingto local firm De Franceschi and Sons.

‘The visitor centre has been designed on“clean and green” principles, and willfeature grid-connected solar powergeneration, rainwater recycling andenergy-efficient air conditioning.

‘The building design is drawn from themany corrugated iron buildings in the area,and features a full length south-facingskylight to maximise natural light.

‘The visitor centre will feature interpretivedisplays, landscaping using local nativeplant species, and car, caravan and busparking.

‘It is anticipated that construction will becompleted early in the new year.

‘The visitor centre is the latest in a seriesof developments in the 230,000 hectareParoo-Darling National Park since it wasgazetted 2 years ago.

‘A camp ground has been established onthe banks of the Darling River at Wilga, aworkshop has recently been completed inWilcannia, and planning for the day usearea, board walk, walking trail and lookoutat Peery Lake is progressing well.

‘When fully established, Paroo-DarlingNational Park will be one of the mostsignificant parks in western NSW,’ MrSeager said.

Local firm starts construction of Paroo-Darlingvisitor centreby Jacki RobertsSenior Public Affairs Officer,Department of Environmentand Conservation


Kangaroo meat could be an excellent sourceof anticarcinogens. In addition to its low fatcontent, this anticarcinogenic propertymight mean Australia has the some of thehealthiest meat in the world.

My PhD research, at the University ofWestern Australia and CSIRO LivestockIndustries, shows that the fats in kangaroomeat include high levels of conjugatedlinoleic acids (CLA). These polyunsaturatedfats have been linked, predominantly inanimal studies, to health benefits forhumans including anticarcinogenic activityand reductions in obesity and heart disease.

Until now, meat and milk from ruminantanimals, such as sheep and cattle, have beenconsidered to have the highest known levelsof naturally occurring CLA. These highlevels are the result of the activity ofruminal micro-organisms and the activity ofan enzyme, D9-desaturase, in body tissuesof ruminants. The micro-organisms in therumen (stomach) convert dietaryunsaturated fats to saturated fats duringwhich various fats, including CLA, areformed. The CLA can flow out of the rumenand be absorbed in the small intestine orfurther saturated in the rumen. The fats thatare saturated further also flow out of therumen and are absorbed by the animal. Theenzyme D9-desaturase, found in the tissues,can convert some of the further saturatedfats into CLA. Non-ruminant species withsimple stomachs (monogastric animals suchas pigs, chickens and humans) do not haveas much CLA as ruminants because they donot have a rumen and micro-organismsfound in ruminants that can extensivelysaturate fatty acids. Instead, they have fatsin their tissues that largely reflect whatthey eat.

Kangaroos are not true ruminants but theydo have a similar digestive system. Likeruminants, kangaroos have a microbialpopulation in their foreguts that fermentforage before it is digested further down the

Could the kangaroos on your property fightcancer, heart disease and obesity?by Clare Engelke, School of Animal Biology,University of Western Australia Ph (08) 6488 2528

gut. I thought it was possible that some ofthe micro-organisms in the kangarooforegut population might be similar tomicro-organisms in the rumen and saturatefatty acids to form CLA, so I measured theCLA in kangaroo tissues and comparedthem to CLA concentration in lambs fromthe same area of Western Australia. What Idiscovered was very exciting and not quitewhat I expected. I found that kangarootissues had up to five times more CLA thanthe lambs and more than any reported levelsfrom sheep, cattle or any other species.When I compared three kangaroo species,the red, eastern grey and the western greyfrom various locations across Australia, Ifound that the species did not differ in theirCLA concentrations but the diet they atewas important. Kangaroos from drier areashad less CLA than those from areas withmore rainfall. This reflects the variationobserved in sheep and cattle, where animalsgrazing on green pasture have higher levelsof CLA than those being fed grain or drydiets. However, all of the kangaroos hadhigher levels of CLA than sheep and cattleregardless of diet.

Why are kangaroos so efficient atproducing CLA? There are at least threestrong possibilities. First, the micro-organisms in the kangaroo foregut are likelyto be different from those in the ruminantforegut and may not saturate fats asextensively. Second, kangaroos may havemore D9-desaturase (enzyme) activity intheir tissues forming more CLA. Third, itcould simply be that digesta passes morequickly through the kangaroo, allowing themicro-organisms in the foregut less time tosaturate the fats from the diet.

Currently, we know that kangaroos havehigh levels of CLA in their tissues but onlyfurther research will tell us whether theycan really help to fight cancer, heart diseaseand obesity. Meanwhile, we have found alarge, new source of natural CLA and myimmediate aim is to find out how and why itgets there.


Information SheetsThe Department has updated andreproduced several Fact Sheets about theWestern Division and LeaseAdministration, as follows:

• The Western Division of NSW

• Western Lands Leases Tenure andConditions

• Alteration of Purpose or Conditions ofa Western Lands Lease

• Western Lands Leases over camps onthe Lightning Ridge opal fields

• Subdivision of a Western Lands Lease

• Frequently asked questions aboutNative Title

The sheets are available from DIPNRoffices in the Western Division and on theDIPNR website at www.dipnr.nsw.gov.au.

Additional Information Sheets are beingprogressively developed.

A set of Fact Sheets on aspects of waterlicensing has also been produced on theDIPNR website. One of these is entitled‘Farm Dams in the Western Division’.

It outlines the circumstances under whichwater licences are / are not required forfarm dams. Different rules apply in the restof the state.

by Peter Walker, Manager,Resource Access andCompliance, DIPNR

Western Lands informationSub-LeasingLeaseholders are reminded that althoughapproval to sub-lease a Western LandsLease is no longer required, there is anobligation to notify the Department of thearrangement (the person(s), the purpose ofthe sub-lease and the term), within 28 daysof granting. The sub-lease must be for apurpose consistent with the lease purpose.

The Department will continue to hold theleaseholder responsible for compliancewith lease conditions and payment of rent.

Prickle BushesFollowing on from the article aboutmesquite in the last Newsletter, a NSWPrickle Bush Working Group has been setup to coordinate efforts to control andprevent further entry of prickle bushes intoNSW. For us, the main prickle bushes aremesquite, of which there are severalestablished infestations, and parkinsonia,of which there are a couple of outbreaks,the major one along part of the NarranRiver.

I will be representing our Department onthe Working Group, which is chaired byDepartment of Primary Industries and hasShire Council, Weeds Council andlandholder members.

The National Parks and Wildlife Servicehas appointed new advisory committeesfor each of its four regions in WesternNSW – Northern Plains, Far West, UpperDarling and Western Rivers.

Advisory committees play a vital role inproviding advice and input to NPWS onpark management and planning, andproviding a conduit through which thecommunity can raise issues.

NPWS Western Director Terry Korn saidthe new advisory committees containedpeople from diverse backgrounds.

by Jacki RobertsSenior Public Affairs Officer,Department of Environmentand Conservation

New advisory committees appointed‘In some cases the advisory committeeshave Aboriginal representation for the firsttime which is really pleasing.

‘Many people have been reappointed foradditional terms while there are also lots ofnew faces.

‘I would like to thank everyone whonominated to be on an advisory committeeand wish the committees a productiveterm.

‘I look forward to their input’, Mr Kornsaid.


Clearly the Australian prime lamb industrycould do with some more product. Ourmarketers and markets have remainedstrong while we have doubled the price tothem, a credit to all involved.

But we really can’t sustain the headyprices of this winter and keep shelf space,so what do we as an industry do?

Well over a rack and a bottle of SA’s bestgrape juice we have put in someplanning time.

The traditional prime lamb areas could bytweaking their production – bettergenetics, pre-mating feeding and predatorcontrol – increase lamb numbers by 10%,that would be great.

The grain belt, well, will the ‘dieseljockeys’ climb down from theircomfortable cabs? Do they have anyfences, yards or troughs left?

The pastoral areas of Australia – why not?

Most pastoral areas, SA in particular, havevery healthy sheep, big framed merinoewes and a range of mating times, all a bighelp to lamb production. But what ourpastoral regions don’t have is idealfinishing country.

So why not just breed ‘em!

Why not turn off 1st cross lambs asweaners and never attempt to finish them?Many of our beef breeders never finishtheir calves.

Well, the good news is many pastoralistsare breeding 1st cross lambs and are prettyhappy with their returns. The challenge forthem to be an important participantlong-term in the prime lamb business is

Where can we find more primelambs in Australia?by Gerald MartinMLA Weaner Lamb Project [email protected] (08) 8556 2900

that they need to focus on what they do best – breeding – keeping itsimple, high growth EBV rams, ewes pumped with a little proteinjust prior to mating and all lambs trucked off to finishers atweaning, then focus on the ewes again.

OK, so when is weaning? – well early – from 10 to 12 weeks old.

To be clear, we are defining weaning as 10 weeks from the end of a6 week lambing. The interesting question we need an answer to is,how many more ewes could a property run if it never had anyweaners to look after? Many pastoralists think it could be as highas 30% more ewes, could that be right?

There are a number of aspects to weaner production that need to beexplored – use of teasers, lupin feeding ewes and weaner value.There are plenty of producers willing and able to be finishers,whether on grass, lucerne, irrigation, stubbles or grain fed, but theycannot find quality weaners, planned weaners.

Meat and Livestock Australia are keen to help groups ofpastoralists become involved in prime lamb weaner production andwe plan to set up trials in the Lower Flinders region of SA and onthe Darling in NSW. The trials will be designed to test ‘best bet’weaner production management and publish the outcomes. Wehave a few pastoralists who are already into the production ofweaners and both they and their feeder clients seem well pleased.

If you are interested in either breeding or finishing please give mea yell.

Craig Bell with his Bono Station ewes. Bono is just south of Menindee. Craig has sent a semi loadof 10-week old lambs to Darryl Croser (Acacia Park, west of Penola) for finishing.


Once the current drought breaks,landholders should be on the lookout forwoody weed seedlings. Most woody weedseedlings need above average rainfall togerminate and survive their first summerbut once established they become verydifficult to control. Planning is an essentialpart of any effective woody weed strategy.Before starting a woody weed controlprogram landholders should complete thefollowing steps:

1: Map the location of the woody weedsand identify their average height,density and species present

It is important to identify the location of allthe woody weeds on the property becausethis will significantly improve the planningprocess. For example, a good map in mostcases will clearly demonstrate why it ismore important to treat the relatively largeopen areas or small areas of seedlingscompared to treating a small area of densemature woody weeds. If landholders needassistance with mapping they shouldcontact their local Department of PrimaryIndustries or Catchment ManagementAuthority office.

It is important to identify the woodyweed’s location so that in the futurelandholders can determine if they arecontinuing to spread. Knowing the speciesis also essential because different speciesrespond differently to each type oftreatment. For example, to controlturpentine and prevent re-sprouting, theblade on a blade plough must be a set at aminimum of 35 cm below ground levelwhereas to control hop bush, the bladeneed only be set at 5–10 cm below theground.

2: Determine how much money and timeis available to spend on woody weedcontrol

Woody weed control: startplanning early

It is essential that landholders includewoody weed control in their annualbudgets. Otherwise this essential task willprobably not be undertaken and theproblem will become even harder andmore expensive to control in the future.

Most landholders don’t have much sparetime, so it is important that time be madeavailable or outside labour employed toassist. In areas affected by woody weeds, itis important that woody weed controlbecomes as routine as shearing and/orlamb marking.

3: List the priority areas

Landholders need to evaluate the cost andeffectiveness of each potential treatmentand determine the area they wish to treatwith their limited time and financialresources. Treating open areas generallygives the best value for money. However,in areas where there are very few woodyweeds it maybe necessary to treat thedense areas as well as the open areas toprevent further seed production. In highvalue areas such as holding yards andlaneways it may be necessary to treatdense areas. The following table indicatesthe typical costs involved in various woodyweed control techniques on non-arableland.

4: Determine if any permit/consents arerequired to perform the on ground work

Native vegetation management legislationis continually changing and it is essentialthat landholders who wish to perform anywoody weed control consult with all therelevant government agencies.Landholders interested in performingwoody weed control should contact theirDepartment of Infrastructure, Planning andNatural Resources (DIPNR) office andspeak with the appropriate officer.

by Angus AtkinsonWEST 2000 PlusPh 1800 068 072


5: Set up monitoring points to evaluatethe effectiveness of the on ground works

Monitoring should be an essential part ofall woody weed control projects.Monitoring does not have to involve acomplicated system, photographs are asimple but effective way of recordingchanges in vegetation and the project’seffectiveness. Without photographs it isdifficult to remember what an area reallylooked liked before and after treatment.Photographs also reinforce the importance

of doing the work. Landholders interested in setting up photopoints should contact WEST 2000 Plus for more details.

Woody weeds are one of the greatest threats to many parts of theWestern Division and will significantly affect landholders viabilityin those areas. Early planning and strategic management willminimise the risk of an area becoming more and more encroachedupon. Landholders with areas of woody weed encroachment onnon-arable land can either watch the problem grow or try toprevent the area becoming significantly less productive and theproblem much harder to manage.

For more information about WEST 2000 Plus woody weed controlprojects contact WEST 2000 Plus on 1800 068 072.

Cost of various woody weed control techniques

Technique % killed $/ha $/1000 ha(personal obs.)

Blade ploughing 35 cm to control turpentine 99 $100 $100,000

Blade ploughing 10 cm to control hop bush 99 $60 $60,000

One way chaining: Targeting turpentine (significant re-sprouting will occur) 10 $30 $30,000

One way chaining: Targeting hop bush (will cause a significant germination of seeds) 80 $30 $30,000

Chemicals (treating 10 X 3 metres plants/ha X 3 ml/m X 3c/ml = $2.70/ha) 95 $2.70 $2,700

Chemicals (treating 100 X 3 metres plants/ha X 3 ml/m X 3c/ml = $27/ha) 95 $27 $27,000

Chemicals (applied using an aeroplane) Illegal Unknown $18 $18,000

Goats (only applicable to edible woody weeds such as hop bush) 80 $20 $20,000

Burning (most effective on plants under 25 cm in height) Variable $2.50 $2,500

All of the above techniques require follow-up and good grazing management if the project is to be successful in the longer term.

Mr. Tony Falkenhagen, ‘Gundabooka’, Bourke performed the burn in March 2001 with fantastic results. Thefollowing photos clearly show how effective the burn was. If Tony hadn’t burnt these areas, all the dead bushes inthe photos would now be flowering and about to set seed. While the burn didn’t kill all of the woody weeds, it hasmade a significant difference. Tony can now clean up the re-growth and any new seedlings that appear withvarious control techniques including grubbing and/or herbicides such as Velpar.

Excellent results from a management burnby Angus Atkinson, WEST 2000 Plus, Ph 1800 068 072


The first session of the Master TreeGrowers (MTG) Program held at FowlersGap has been a resounding success.

Rowan Reid from the School of ResourceManagement at Melbourne University hasbeen working closely with Louise Turnerfrom Greening Australia over the past fewmonths to set up and tailor a MTGworkshop to suit the needs of local FarWest landholders. The Program isgenerally run as a partnership between theUniversity, local agencies and landholders,with the assistance of forestry and farmforestry industries and regional extensionofficers, policy writers and researchers.Most of the funding to run this particularProgram has been funded byWEST 2000 Plus.

The aims of the Master Tree GrowersProgram for the Far West are:

• To help landholders to recognise andcritically evaluate commercial treegrowing opportunities;

• To encourage all participants to play amore active role in farm forestrydevelopment by providing knowledgethat instils confidence;

• To support regional farm forestry,agroforestry and Landcare programs byproviding a program that can be tailoredto regional requirements; and

• To encourage strong communicationlinks between participants, extensionofficers, researchers and industry.

The program at Fowlers Gap was wellattended mainly by landholders who aremembers of the Barrier Area RangecareGroup, as well as Greening Australia andMelinda Fletcher, the local CMACommunity Support Officer fromBroken Hill.

Day one looked at the type of thingsparticipants wanted to learn from the

Trialing trees as a form ofdiversification

program and Rowan Reid facilitated asession on trees – their growth,reproduction and regeneration as well astree establishment and management. Afterlunch Dr David Croft from Fowlers GapStation facilitated a session on thelandscape ecology of arid lands –vegetation responses to soils and rainfalland the function of vegetation in capturingwater and nutrients. A mini field trip to the‘Emu pen’, which hasn’t been grazed in 30years, highlighted some of the things Davespoke of and put some others inperspective. Mid afternoon brought asession by Jason Sheehan and Geoff Hornfrom DIPNR who looked at utilisingsatellite imagery for studying vegetationtypes and vegetation changes over time, aswell as a general discussion on theimportance of Property VegetationPlanning as a tool for future planning.

Day two dawned bright and warm and theearly risers had to amuse themselves untilan appropriate time for starting at the‘office’. Neville Bonney who is arangelands specialist and enthusiast fromSouth Australia joined the group midmorning and over some delicious muffins,discussed how native vegetation haschanged over time in the rangelands andsome commercial options from existingvegetation including fuels, timber and

For more information contact:Louise TurnerProject ManagerGreening AustraliaC/- Fowlers Gap StationBroken Hill NSW 2880Ph: 08 8091 3538Fax: 08 8091 3572Email:[email protected]

Participants discuss the ecology of arid lands and itsimplications for agroforestry.


native foods. Throughout the rest of themorning the group looked at seed collectionand propagation, growing to harvest, postplanting maintenance, time and costsinvolved in such a project and mostimportantly – the potential returns.

During the afternoon Neville, Rowan andLouise looked at ways in which vegetationcan support farming, reduce costs andimprove lifestyle – planting for fodder, dustsuppression and aesthetics.

Day three brought Barry Alston who is theAgribusiness Manager for the Departmentof State & Regional Development based inDubbo. Barry discussed a timber industryfor the arid zone and the pilot trial he hasfunding for over the next two years. Barryalso discussed licensing arrangements andthe types of ‘arid’ timbers the region ishoping to replace in international trade aswell as processing and selling arid timbersdomestically.

Thursday afternoon brought about somediscussion as to what the participantswanted to achieve on their own properties(if anything) and how they would like to goabout it. This session resulted in anoutcome of five farm forestry trials in the

Far West that piggy back the trials LouiseTurner is already undertaking inconjunction with the Far West RegionalDevelopment Board. Subsequently, a draftLandcare funding application was writtento set these sites up for timberinvestigation.

The final day heralded a session by PeterWalker who is Manager for ResourceAccess & Compliance from DIPNR. Peterlooked at the relevant land, water andvegetation legislation in relation to farmforestry in the rangelands. In particularPeter looked at a landholders basic rights towater and licencing dams or ground tanksand bores to irrigate a farm forestry plot;application fees for licencing; land tenurerequirements; and clearing approvals. Wealso discussed the Plantations andReafforestation Act of 1999.

All round, the MTG course was a greatforum for new ideas and creating a soundfarm forestry network in the Far West. Abig thanks goes out to all the participantsand guest speakers as well as our fantasticcook – Jacinta Cullen. The final session ofthe MTG Program will take place from25–27 October 2004.

Reliable and detailed vegetationinformation is now available for use on aregional scale following the completion ofthe Northern Floodplains VegetationMapping Project.

This 3.6 million hectare projectcommissioned by the Northern FloodplainsRegional Planning Committee (NFRP),The Department of Infrastructure, Planningand Natural Resources (DIPNR) and theFederal Government is now complete.

The Northern Floodplains is located in farnorthern NSW. The mapped region

Northern floodplainsvegetation mapping completed

Continued on page 18

by Kat Miller, Project Coordinator, DIPNR Walgett

incorporates the floodplains of the Culgoa,Barwon, Bogan and Narran river systems.The region is bordered by the MitchellHighway from Bourke to Barringun in theWest, the Barwon - Darling River and theBrewarrina Shire in the South, Mungindiand the Barwon River in the East and theQueensland border in the North.

The vegetation mapping provides acomprehensive picture of the vegetationcommunities of the Northern Floodplainsin Western New South Wales(approximately 4.4% of NSW).


Our property ‘Toora’ is situated 50 kmnorth of Wentworth, just west of the SilverCity Highway. The property is a mixture ofopen plains and timbered areas, comprisedof mainly open Belah / Rosewood countrywith areas of Black Bluebush, some openMallee and Black Box flood plains.

Pasture changes observed in the last 50years

After the 40’s drought up until the 1960’sthere was an invasion of Saffron andStemless thistles. These looked as if theywere going to ‘take over’, however theirnumbers then subsided to a low incidencethat still applies today. Wild Turnip wasvery prevalent 20 or more years ago, it isstill present but it is not generallytroublesome.

Wild Sage, which can invade large areas,appears to ‘peak’ and then largely subside.My observation is it leaves the affectedcountry in better condition, but you oftenhave to wait 15 or 20 years.

I consider Red Brome Grass and SilverGrass (Rat’s Tail Fescue) to be two of ourmost insidious and damaging weeds.

Red Brome can cause eye, wool and skindamage as well as early tooth losses insheep. In cattle, mouth and throatabscesses can occur.

Silver Grass contaminates wool.

Neither of these grasses produceworthwhile forage and crowd out usefulspecies, often over large areas.

Blue Crowfoot used to be one of our ‘standby’ annual species. However in the 1980’sI noticed the seedlings being eaten by alarge yellow and khaki striped caterpillar,since then it has generally been a minorcomponent of the pasture.

Wards Weed

‘Plants of Western N.S.W.’ states that this plantis ‘not known to be utilised’ by livestock.

Observations of a grazier, overmany yearsby Rex Andrews‘Toora’, Wentworth

I was really terrified (until very recently)by the rapid spread of this species on ourproperty. It still worries me, but somewhatdifferently due to my followingobservations:

I have found stock eat it quite avidly anddo well on it, at least up until the advancedflowering stage. In 2003/04 the paddockwhich has the greatest density of Wardsweed was by far our most productivepaddock. From July 2003 to July 2004 itproduced 220 SDH (Sheep Days perHectare) of forage, this in a below averageyear. Approximately a third of this rate wasfrom January to May 2004 (with breaks),this was a dry period, after good rain inDecember. I believe during this time thesheep were nibbling the Wards weed plantand licking the seed off the ground. On‘Toora’, our average stocking rate is120–130 SDH, thus 220 SDH is anincredible result.

I set up two exclosures in July 2003 andtook record photos at intervals; theseclearly illustrate how well it is utilised.Incidentally I moved the exclosures, a littleover a week ago (20/9/04) and there is aclear difference between inside and outalready.

The down side to Wards weed is that it issuch a ‘take over’ species. To get the bestvalue out of it, it must be grazed heavilyfrom germination (while it is young andattractive to stock), this allows othergerminating species to better compete.

I know of one case of heavy stock losseson Wards weed, when a post mortem wascarried out, the stomachs of the dead sheepwere full of seed from the mature plants.

It is too early to ascertain how this specieswill affect the country over the longerterm, only time will tell.


Other Observations

There is a huge difference in thepalatability between the same species ondifferent soil types, the clearest exampleon ‘Toora’ is Black Bluebush. Oncalcerous and clay soils it is readily andprofitably utilised in dry periods, whereason sandy loam soils it grows prolificallybut is largely ignored. This, I believe, isbecause of the differing soil minerals /

The NSW National Parks and WildlifeService (NPWS) has released a booklethighlighting the importance of its pestanimal control programs in the fight toprotect some of the state’s mostendangered species.

The release coincides with ThreatenedSpecies Day, which marks the death of thelast Tasmanian Tiger in captivity in Hobarton September 7, 1936.

Head of the NPWS, Tony Fleming said pest animals and weedswere one of the biggest threats to biodiversity and threatenedspecies in Australia.

The booklet highlights fox control programs and other case studieshighlighting the control of feral pigs, wild dogs, feral goats,rabbits, feral cats, feral deer, horses and cane toads.

‘Given the size of the pest problem, priorities for pest control mustbe targeted to those areas where the impacts of pests are greatest,’Mr Fleming said.

‘While the primary objective of the NPWS pest animal control is toprotect threatened species, many programs also aim to minimisethe damage of pest animals on park neighbours,’ he said

‘In New South Wales, threat abatement plans are the key toprioritizing pest control programs for conserving biodiversity.

‘Our first such plan, the Fox Threat Abatement Plan, wasdeveloped four years ago and identifies 75 priority sites for foxcontrol and provides recovery actions for 34 threatened species (11mammals, 15 birds and 8 reptiles).

‘It is based on carrying out joint fox control programs with allagencies and landholders across all land tenures at these sites andaims is to protect species such as the rufous bettong, brush-tailedrock wallaby, yellow-footed rock wallaby, black-striped wallaby,southern brown bandicoot, broad-toothed rat, Albert’s lyrebird,plains-wanderer, malleefowl, Bellinger River turtle and shorenesting birds such as the little tern and pied oystercatcher.’

Mr Fleming said the booklet may provide a useful guide to otherlandholders on the range of strategies employed by NPWS tocombat the feral animal problem.

The community can get a copy of the pest control booklet fromNPWS offices and visitors centres or visit the website for moreinformation on specific pest species at www.nationalparks.com.au.

by Jenny Stokes, Senior Public Affairs Officer,Department of Environment and Conservation

Pests brochure

chemicals in varying soil types and areas, I don’t believe this fact issufficiently recognised (I also believe this factor is why someplants are neglected / eaten in different areas).

We currently have a set stock / rotational grazing trial in progressas part of the Western TGP Project. Due to drought conditionssince starting (a bit under 2 years ago), the main difference noted todate is that in rotationally grazed paddocks the ‘sub shrubs’ aresurviving, in the set-stocked paddock they are nearly all dead.

I hope my ramblings motivate other graziers to put their thoughtsdown on paper, I believe it is essential to ‘swap notes’.


by Angus AtkinsonWEST 2000 PlusPh 1800 068 072

The number of Western Divisionlandholders using self-mustering facilities(traps yards) as part of their routineproperty management is steadilyincreasing.

Only a few years ago there were very fewpermanent multi-species trap yards. Mostof the traps were of lightweightconstruction and required constantmaintenance and were only really used tocapture feral goats.

With assistance from WEST 2000 Plusmany Western Division landholders havenow installed trap yards to capture bothdomestic and non-domestic stock.

Geoff and Kerrie Davies of Marra Station,Wilcannia, report that their WEST 2000Plus Natural Resource Managementproject using a series of self musteringfacilities (trap yards) on their propertieshas worked extremely well. The Daviesmanaged to capture over 300 goats in oneweek!

Geoff and Kerrie have been using theirmulti-species trap gates that can handlecattle as well as sheep and goats andbelieve that the multi-species trap gateswere a very sound investment,significantly improving their stockmanagement and allowing them to bettermanage their pasture.

Instead of chasing the goats with bikes,planes and dogs and hoping to capture asmany as possible, the Davies now set thetraps and let the goats come to them. Thisis an enormous saving of time andresources and has significantly increasedtheir property’s productivity.

An essential part of any good trap yard isits design and construction. Poorlydesigned and/or constructed trap yards willrequire constant maintenance and will onlylast a few years.

Traps yards a soundinvestment

Trap yards are increasingly being builtusing mesh instead of hingejoint/ringlockdue to their ability to better handle thepressure placed upon them. Mesh costsmore but will last longer and require lessmaintenance. A well made trap yard in agood location can pay for itself withintwelve months.

Most traps yards have the ‘in’ and ‘out’gate located in the one corner. A verysuccessful alternative is to place the ‘in’gate in one corner and the ‘out’ gate inanother. The reason for locating them inanother corner is basic, the animals learnthat the only way to get out is through aparticular corner of the yard so when youclose the ‘out’ gate they congregate aroundit waiting to get out. As soon as you openit, they will run straight through butinstead of finding the ‘wide blue yonder’,they find themselves on the back of atruck.

Another part of a good trap design is theinclusion of jump downs. They enable bigbillies to enter the traps without hittingtheir horns on the trap gates and thereforeimproving the traps effectiveness.

The Queensland Department of PrimaryIndustries produced a booklet entitled‘Cost-effective multipurpose self-mustering enclosures for stock’. It containsdetailed information regarding the use ofself mustering enclosures and variousdesign plans for spear gates. Copies areavailable from WEST 2000 Plus

Landholders considering building self-mustering facilities should contact eithertheir local Department of PrimaryIndustries office or Angus Atkinson atWEST 2000 Plus on 1800 068 072.


The second Western Division YoungFarmers Forum, ‘Expanding the WesternHorizon’, brought together over 100delegates from across agriculture andagricultural related industries anddepartments and from right around theWestern Division. The Western DivisionYoung Farmers Forum was funded byWEST 2000 Plus and organised by asteering team of young farmers anddepartment people dedicated to deliveringan opportunity rare to young farmers in theWestern Division. Two days committed tosharing stories, ideas and inspirations, toestablishing and reinvigorating networks,to setting and revisiting goals and to thelearning and skills development necessaryto realise them.

The Western Division Young FarmersForum gave delegates access to a range ofpresenters. Some topics replicated thosecritical issues covered in the 2002 Forumsuch as Succession Planning,Communications and AlternativeIndustries. Other topics addressed thoseidentified as important in the feedbackfrom the 2002 Forum such as LivestockManagement and Financial Planning andRisk Management. Motivational storiesfrom Chris Nunn (former head coach ofthe Australian Para-Olympic AthleticsTeam) and Lorroi Kirkby (Runner-upNSW Rural Woman of the Year, 2004)lifted delegate spirits after what has been adifficult few years for some, and JeffMcMullen (ex 60 Minutes) shed light ontothe increasingly complex globalenvironment we operate within.

The final half of the second day of theForum was once again dedicated to six‘Breakout Groups’ where delegates wereable to discuss at length the issues thataffect them and their possible solution/s.Breakout group topics were around NaturalResource Management, National Parks and

Western DivisionYoung Farmers Forum

Wildlife Services, Succession Planning, Young Farmer Assistance(in first property purchase), Labour, Education and OHS, andYoung People Having a Voice.

One issue identified within the NRM breakout group was a concernthat there was not enough education available to farmers aroundNRM and that this was being compounded by the loss of Landcarenetworks. For delegates solutions included hearing from successfulfarmers, and sharing their own successes. Delegates were keen tohave a positive impact in NRM and be proactive in protecting theenvironment and this was part of the drive leading to thedevelopment of the Rotating Farm Tour (where delegates travelbetween other delegate’s properties sharing information and ideas).Delegates were also interested to engage more actively with theCMA’s and learn more about their operation and processes. Withthis in mind delegates suggested a CMA ‘Roadshow’ to travel theWestern Division and fully inform interested parties of theiroperation.

The Western Division Young Farmers Forum prides itself on beingstrongly solutions focussed, and this combined with the passion ofdelegates for the Western Division results in a lasting impression ofall who attend. ‘During my travels last week through the Riverina, Iran into people who had either attended the forum… or had heardabout it, and the comments were always the same – no-one couldbelieve how positive and upbeat the young people were who aremaking a go of it in the Western Division.’ Alicia Wilson, NSWSchool to Industry Project Officer Rural Skills Australia.

For further information or a copy of the report when it is completedplease contact Rachael Williams on 0416 201 643 or [email protected]

Young Farmers Forum Committee L–R: Craig Bell, Mandy Tripcony, Pauline Kuhner, Jess Choen,Terry Smith (Chair), Ben Mannix, Rachael Williams


The six-year project used landholder input,fieldwork, aerial photography, satelliteimagery and data analysis to establish thelocation and status of vegetation types.This included the updating of inaccurateinformation and improving community andagency access to maps using geographicinformation systems.

The accurate location of vegetation willprovide invaluable data to assist localcommunities in the planning for the futureuse and preservation of native vegetation.

There was a high level of community andlandholder participation, through theNorthern Floodplains Regional PlanningCommittee, the Walgett and BrewarrinaRegional Vegetation Committees andvarious landholders provided on-groundverification of vegetation to DIPNR staff.

The Northern Floodplains PlanningCommittee comprised landholder,conservation, Aboriginal, CatchmentManagement Board, local government andstate agency representatives. Committeecommunity members include: RoryTreweeke, Neil Warden, Bill Murray,Wayne O’Mally, Ted Fields, EvelynCrawford, Ron Mason, Neville Schrader,Phil Spark, Judy Boyden and Ron Rees.

The mapping provides historical evidenceof what vegetation existed prior to clearingor cropping and the cumulative impact ofclearing on different vegetation types.

The information will help planningauthorities such as the Western CatchmentManagement Authority, the NaturalResources Commission and the localcommunity make decisions aboutvegetation in their areas, how this can beused and developed, and what areas needto be reserved and protected.

The maps will also assist in thedevelopment of long term clearingthresholds for particular vegetation typesto ensure long-term viability.

The data gathered by the NFRP project hasbeen integrated with other mappingproducts to give a complete picture of thevegetation of the Northern Floodplains area.

Using the power of geographic informationsystems coupled with local knowledge andcommunity consultation, the project hasproduced a series of three interpretationmanuals that describe and record theunique characteristics of the region’svegetation.

The three reports entitled ‘VegetationCommunities of the Northern Floodplains -Books 1, 2 & 3’ describe the vegetationcommunities of the Western DivisionWalgett Shire, Brewarrina Shire and theNorth Eastern Section of the Bourke Shire.

The three publications describe in detailthe structure and floristics, condition,status, distribution, cultural heritage plantvalue, habitat value, predicted and knownthreatened species, plants with restricteddistribution, soils and land capabilityvalues and threats to each mappedvegetation community.

Also available is a series of 1:100,000vegetation maps that will assist the localcommunity in native vegetation planningand management.

Chair of the Western CatchmentManagement Authority, Mr Rory Treweekesaid the project was a strategic approach tothe on ground impacts of natural resourceallocation and natural resourcemanagement problems.

‘The accurate assessment andidentification of land capability, vegetationcommunities and biodiversity values onthe Northern Floodplains will haveimmeasurable benefits both to the localcommunity and the CatchmentManagement Authority.’

Limited supply of the maps and reports areavailable in hardcopy and are more readilyavailable on CD-Rom. The maps andreports were primarily produced to assistplanning committees in the management ofvegetation, however the information is alsoavailable to the public from the WalgettDIPNR Office, Ph (02) 6828 1272.

‘Northern floodplainsvegetation mappingcompleted’ from page 13


Restoration of soil carbonshould be a top global priorityby Doug Campbell, formerly Senior Natural Resource Officer(Resource Access), DIPNR Far West Region

Global perspectiveThe headline statement is from a recentviewpoint paper in the internationally pre-eminent journal Science. Since mechanisedagriculture started soil carbon losses ascarbon dioxide (CO

2) to the atmosphere

has been 78 billion tonnes. CO2 is a

greenhouse gas causing human inducedglobal warming. Mankind’s CO

2 increase

also increases plant growth through CO2

absorption but this will reduce pastureprotein and hence livestock productivity aswell as fruit and grain quality.

Science further says that the restoration ofsoil carbon in degraded agricultural soilswill directly influence global food securityand climate change within current humanlifetimes. Soils could sequester or store5–15% of fossil fuel CO

2 emissions each

year for the medium term giving decadesof extra time to address the globalwarming threat to mankind.

Local perspectiveThe hot semi-arid climate of marginalfarming in the Western Division causes lowtotal plant production and hence low plantlitter turnover and so inherently low soilcarbon. Western Division soils developedfor cropping have organic carbon levelstypically between 10% and 30% of theaccepted norm for agricultural soils.

What can we do in the Western Division?Pastoralists can stock at rates within theland’s carrying capacity. The ‘take some;leave some’ grazing rule will give plantlitter to the soil. Other benefits include moreperennial pasture plants, more per headproduction and bigger more stable pastoralreturns even if from fewer livestock.

Western Division farmers have fewer options than their higherrainfall farmers to maintain or boost soil carbon. They can useconservation farming methods suited to individual soil, crop andclimate combinations. Periodic long pasture phases of lucerne onred soils or perennial grasses on the northern floodplains shouldalso maintain surface and subsoil fertility. They can also managecrop stubbles into soil organic matter to maintain or at least reducefertility losses including soil carbon. This in the long run ispreferable to burning stubbles, although admittedly burningstubbles for a summer crop or the next winter crop is verytempting. If there is enough stubble to tempt a burn there isprobably enough to make a positive soil fertility contribution.

Western Lands cultivationconsents and lease conditionsBecause all Western Division soils are inherently low fertility forcropping, cultivation consent and/or lease conditions eitherprohibit stubble burns or require the Western LandsCommissioner’s consent. The premise is to retain stubbles forerosion prevention and fertility retention. Breaking plant diseasecycles was sometimes an excuse for burns but plant pathologistsnow rarely accept that view. Woody weed regrowth in thepioneering stages of red country development might justify a burn.DIPNR officers will be most unlikely to authorise stubble burnsand will take regulatory actions where burns are reported or found.Media reminders will be given in seasons and crop districtsenjoying favourable springs.

Climate changeAnother perspective – CSIRO recently predicted average rainfalldeclines of up to 40% in southern Australia. What will that meanfor the various Western Division districts? We don’t yet know butwe need to incorporate the information into policy developmentand natural resource administration.

However, wise soil carbon and fertility management will be apositive local contribution to a global problem and a local steptowards living with a worsening global problem.

For more information contact Richard Hicks, DIPNR Far WestRegion, Dubbo (02) 6883 3000.


Western Division NewsletterNSW Department of Primary Industries

PO Box 865

DUBBO NSW 2830

To the Landholder

P O S T A G E

PA I D

A U S T R A L I A

The editors of the WDN welcome contributions

Issue Editorial Office Deadline

Jan–Feb DIPNR 30 Nov

PO Box 1840, Dubbo 2830

Fax: (02) 6883 3099

Phone: (02) 6883 3000

Email: [email protected]

Issue Editorial Office Deadline

Mar–Feb TBA

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