Land, Water & Wool Biodiversity and wool production— Northern Tablelands Project Fact Sheet answers to The 10 Big Issues 9 A technical guide

Introduction 30 Total Introduced Native 25 Early in the Land Water & Wool (LWW) Northern Tablelands Project (NSW), 20 local woolgrowers developed a list of ten critical issues they wanted 15 answered, about wool production and 10

biodiversity. These ten issues are No. of species pivotal to profitable, biodiverse wool 5 production in southern New England. 0 After 4 years of research, this Fact Above—Sown pastures such as this fescue, Sown Naturalised Native phalaris, white clover and plantain sward Sheet provides answers to the ten issues pasture pasture pasture ran the highest stocking rates on Monitor posed by woolgrowers. farms in 2004. Photo—Jodie Reseigh. Figure 1. Average number of herbaceous 1. Importance of native species (total), introduced and native pastures to wool production species in sown, naturalised and native pastures on basalt soils. Native pastures Native pastures are clearly lower input are defined as never-cultivated and lower cost than sown pastures. We herbaceous vegetation with ≥ 50% cover of surmised that native pastures would native species. The number of native sustain greater plant diversity than species in sown pastures was significantly (ANOVA, P < 0.05) less than in naturalised sown pastures, as well as playing an and native pasture. The differences in important role in wool production. total and introduced species between To investigate these relationships, we pasture types were not significant. Sample sizes: sown (n = 7), naturalised (8) and sampled 107 pastures on 22 Monitor native (11) pasture. farms in 2004, at the same time as Monitor woolgrowers recorded their up woolgrower records of sheep and Above—Naturalised (sown-reverted) production. (For more details, see Fact cattle carrying capacities for each pastures dominated by native species, Sheet 4.) paddock. Monitor farmers attributed such as this mix of redgrass, Parramatta grass and cocksfoot, produced the most wool production documented in their Do native pastures sustain a wool on Monitor farms in 2004. greater diversity of plants than wool returns to different flocks on each farm, and we attributed wool sown pastures? production to paddocks based on time Answer: no—on basalt soils, the spent by each flock per paddock. difference in total number of herbaceous species in sown and native Sown pastures ran most stock (sheep pastures was not statistically significant and cattle combined) in 2004 (Table 1). (Fig. 1), despite the trend of more Stocking rates on native and naturalised herbaceous plant species in native pastures were lower, but not pastures. significantly so. However, there were more native Conversely, the highest wool production species in native than sown pastures (19 kg wool/ha) came from naturalised (Fig. 1). Naturalised pastures (sown (sown-reverted) rather than sown Above—Monitor woolgrowers ran a higher pastures that had reverted to native pastures. Monitor farms ran a lower proportion of cattle and young sheep on dominance) had similar numbers of proportion of sheep and a higher sown pastures in 2004. Photo—Jodie native and introduced species as never- proportion of cattle on sown pastures Reseigh. cultivated native pastures. than other pasture types (Table 1). A greater proportion of young sheep were The differences in numbers of run on sown pastures than other pasture introduced species in sown, naturalised types, also contributing to the lower and native pastures were not wool yield. significant. Open native (never-cultivated) pastures How do native and sown pastures returned 14 kg wool/ha, while sown compare, productivity-wise? pastures and wooded native pastures This question arose from the wide (scattered trees and dense timber) ran about 4 sheep DSE/ha and produced divergences in Monitor farms, from those which were all native to those 8-10 kg wool/ha (Table 1). that were almost all sown or naturalised While native pasture species sustained a Above—A native pasture in scattered (sown-reverted) pasture. large amount of wool production, the native timber. Photo—Jodie Reseigh. most productive wool-producing We answered this question by tallying pastures were sown pastures that had include the year-long green phalaris and some of the native lovegrasses decline reverted to native dominance. So white clover. Naturalised pastures are in abundance, and microlaena and poa although native species were important, also characterised by productive, tussock dominate. pasture sowing or renovation and the volunteer native grasses, notably the sown species that persisted in summer-growing native lovegrasses 2. Importance of grazing naturalised pastures were also integral (several species), redgrass, Parramatta management to high wool production. grass and hairy panic. Strategic approaches to grazing Local woolgrowers at a field day in June During the research, some Case Study management can increase the desirable 2006 expressed surprise at the stocking and Testimonial woolgrowers said that species in a pasture. Monitor rate and wool yield figures from sown the mix of sown and native species in woolgrowers had different approaches pastures. It should be remembered that naturalised pastures was good for wool to grazing management, which could be 2004 was a drought year. Conditions had production because of the range of broadly grouped into continuous started to deteriorate by the time species for every season. grazing, long rotations or short pasture sampling was completed in May rotations. The short rotations were 2004. Monitor woolgrowers were The year-long green poa tussock, and couch and crabgrass, which also characterised by high intensity, short- managing their sown pastures gently in duration grazing and long-rest periods, a difficult year, and preferentially volunteer in naturalised pastures, are not as productive, but form an and included planned and cell grazing. running cattle and young sheep. important safety net. They provide Does grazing management affect persistent groundcover in case of What are the most important the number of pasture species? forage plants in southern New overgrazing or drought. Answer: no—generally, there was no England pastures? In native (never-cultivated) pastures, difference in the number of pasture Table 2 shows the range of sown and the sown species are absent and poa species between continuous grazing, native species in naturalised pastures tussock and redgrass-Parramatta grass long rotations or short rotations. For that underpin productivity. Persistent pastures dominate in the open (Table instance, there were no significant or sown species in naturalised pastures 2). In native timber, hairy panic and consistent differences between continuous grazing, long rotations or Table 1. Average livestock production figures for 64 paddocks on 18 Monitor farms from short rotations in either native or January to December 2004. Pasture attributes were confirmed by sampling vegetation in each paddock. Values in each row with a different superscript differ significantly (ANOVA, introduced species richness in open LSD, P < 0.05). pastures on basalt soils (Fig. 2).

Natural- Dense Remnant Does grazing management affect Sown Native Scattered ised Timber Timber Pasture* Pasture Trees** the abundance of desirable Pasture *** *** No. of sites 4 11 23 10 10 6 pasture species for production? Wool yield (kg/ha) 9.5 b,c 18.6 a 13.8 a,b 8.1 b,c 9.5 b,c 1.4 c Pasture cover was separated into four Livestock carrying 8.1 a,b,c 7.8 a 7.1 a,b 4.8 b,c 4.5 c 0.4 d production categories: (1) desirable capacity (DSE/ha) species, (2) species of intermediate Sheep stocking rate 4.4 a,b,c 6.8 a 6.1 a,b 3.9 a,b,c 3.9 b,c 0.4 d value, (3) undesirable species and (4) (DSE/ha) woody plants. When these categories Cattle stocking rate 3.6 a 1.0 b,c 1.5 b 0.9 b,c 0.8 b,c 0.0 c were analysed, no effect attributable to (DSE/ha) grazing management was detected in Wool production per 2.4 a 2.8 a 2.6 a 2.0 a 2.6 a 0.6 b head (kg/DSE) open pastures on basalt soils (Fig. 3), nor in uncultivated native pastures on * Two paddocks were excluded as they were recently sown and only lightly stocked in 2004. **Scattered trees had a projected foliage cover of trees < 10%. all three soil types. ***Dense timber had a projected foliage cover of trees ≥ 10% and was commercially grazed; Does scale influence the effect of remnant timber occurred in paddocks managed for conservation but was occasionally grazed. grazing management? Table 2. The average cover (%) of dominant plants in different pasture types on Monitor In pasture mosaics, different species farms in March-May 2004. Plant species are ranked in terms of their contribution to sown dominate different patches whereas in pastures; shading indicates species that contributed >1.5% cover, on average. An asterisk a uniform pasture, the same indicates introduced species. composition occurs throughout. Natural- Sown Native Scattered Dense Measurements in a single size of plot ised Pasture Pasture Trees Timber may miss pasture mosaics at larger or Pasture No. of sites 7 14 29 14 15 finer scales. Pasture mosaics are Meadow fescue (Festuca desirable for growers who want 16.0 1.9 0.0 0.1 1.1 pratensis)* individual paddocks to contain a wide Phalaris (Phalaris aquatica)* 15.3 4.9 0.5 0.2 0.0 variety of productive pasture species. Cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata)* 7.1 1.0 0.2 0.9 0.1 We examined the effects of grazing Plantain (Plantago lanceolata)* 6.3 3.1 0.5 1.7 0.3 Couch (Cynodon dactylon) 4.3 5.2 4.4 8.6 3.9 management on species richness of White clover (Trifolium repens)* 3.6 2.4 1.2 0.5 0.6 pastures at two scales: 30 m² and Native lovegrass (Eragrostis 0.9 m². No effect of grazing 3.1 6.5 3.7 2.3 0.2 trachycarpa) management on number of native, Crab grass (Eleusine tristachya)* 2.4 5.5 3.7 1.2 0.0 introduced or total species of pasture Wallaby grass (Austrodanthonia 1.3 1.6 2.4 3.9 2.7 plant was detected at either scale. racemosa var. racemosa) Redgrass (Bothriochloa macra) 1.0 13.9 16.3 4.4 1.7 Caveat—Given the gradual adoption of Hairy panic (Panicum effusum) 0.7 4.0 4.6 1.0 0.1 rotational grazing over the past 15 Paddock lovegrass (Eragrostis years, the effects are likely to be subtle 0.7 3.5 5.4 0.9 0.2 leptostachya) on properties that have only recently Parramatta grass (Sporobolus 0.4 4.5 7.4 3.0 0.4 changed. More research is warranted on creber) properties with long histories of Poa tussock (Poa sieberiana) 0.3 7.0 13.9 9.0 5.6 rotational grazing, where dramatic Microlaena (Microlaena stipoides) 0.1 0.5 2.9 21.1 24.7 effects are expected. 3. Importance of litter and (a) (b) groundcover 20 20 18 18 Litter and groundcover are important 16 16 for recycling of organic matter and 14 14 12 12 nutrients in the topsoil, and protecting 10 10 the soil surface from erosion. We 8 8 surmised that increased levels of litter 6 6 4 4 Sown and groundcover would increase No. of species native Native

2 No.species of introduced 2 Naturalised Naturalised infiltration, soil moisture, and the 0 0 Sown Native diversity and biomass of soil biota. Short Short Long Long rotation Contin. rotation Contin. rotation rotation To examine this question, the pasture grazing grazing verges of 35 dams and streams were sampled on 17 Monitor farms between November 2005 and January 2006 (see Figure 2. Average number of (a) native species and (b) introduced species in open pastures Fact Sheet 5 for details). Some areas on basalt soils. Native species richness differed significantly between pasture types (Fig. were fenced and some were not, 1) but, within each pasture type, grazing management had no effect on either native or producing a variable range of pasture introduced species richness (ANOVA). biomass (5-fold difference), pasture cover (69-97%) and litter cover (1-20%). Do litter and groundcover affect infiltration and soil biodiversity? (a) (b) Answer: yes—infiltration increased 90 90 80 significantly with increasing litter cover 80 70 70 (Fig. 4). The abundance of macro- 60 60 invertebrates also increased 50 50 significantly with increasing pasture 40 40 cover. Ants, earthworms, spiders and 30 30 Plant cover (%)cover Plant 20 (%) cover Plant 20 scarab larvae—the soil engineers—all Sown Sown 10 10 increased with increasing pasture cover Naturalised Naturalised 0 0 (Table 3). Conversely, invertebrate Native Native Short Short numbers decreased with increasing Long Long rotation Contin. rotation Contin. rotation rotation amounts of bare ground (Pearson’s grazing grazing correlation, r = -0.33, P = 0.05, n = 35). So, across a wide range of farms and soil types, more litter means more rain Figure 3. The average cover of (a) desirable and (b) undesirable herbaceous plants in open getting into the soil and better water pasture types on basalt soils. The reduction in cover of desirable species from sown to use efficiency. More pasture cover and native pastures was statistically significant (ANOVA, LSD, P = 0.05), but the effect of grazing management was not. less bare ground means more soil biota. Note that when managing for conservation as opposed to production, bare ground is important for the 9 germination of some native species. 8 4. Impact of topdressing 7 6 with fertiliser and seed 5 Native pastures are often topdressed 4 with fertiliser and seed in southern New (mm/hr) 3 England. We surmised that topdressing 2 y = 0.0975x + 4.2404 improves carrying capacity while 2 1 R = 0.1505

retaining grazing-tolerant native Logarithmof infiltration species. 0 0 5 10 15 20 25 Does topdressing improve carrying Above—Plenty of litter and good levels of Litter cover (%) pasture biomass are important for high capacity? infiltration, biologically active soils and Answer: yes—Monitor farms ran twice as Figure 4. Relationship between infiltration high rainfall use efficiency. many livestock in topdressed native and litter cover in dam and stream verges paddocks as in unfertilised, on Monitor farms (n = 35, P < 0.05). commercially grazed, native paddocks (Fig. 5a). Topdressed native paddocks also cut just over twice as much wool per hectare (Fig. 5b), although the Table 3. Correlations between pasture cover (%) and invertebrate numbers in the topsoil in dam and stream verges on Monitor farms (n = 35). Pearson correlation coefficients (r) differences were not statistically significant at P < 0.1 unless otherwise indicated. significant due to large variation. Total Scarab Earth- Inverteb- Ants Spiders Larvae worms rates Pearson’s correlation 0.63*** 0.45** 0.32 0.35 0.40* coefficient (r) * P < 0.05; ** P < 0.01; *** P < 0.001. Does fertilised native pasture (a) (b) 8 support fewer species than 14 7 a 12 unfertilised native pasture? 6 10 Answer: yes—on granite and trap soils, 5 8 there were more native pasture species 4 b abc 6 in unfertilised than fertilised pastures 3

(Fig. 6a), although the difference was 2 4 Stocking (DSE/ha) rate

c Wool production (kg/ha) only significant on granite soils. 1 Fertilised 2 Fertilised

0 0 The converse was true for introduced Unfertilised Unfertilised species. Unfertilised native pastures on Trap Trap Granite trap and granite soils had fewer Granite introduced species than fertilised pastures (Fig. 6b); on granite soils, the Figure 5. (a) Stocking rate and (b) wool production in relation to fertiliser and soil type in grazed, uncultivated native pastures on Monitor farms in 2004. Stocking rate was difference was only marginal. significantly affected by fertiliser (nested within soil type) (log-transformed data, ANOVA, Increased soil fertility and the increase F = 4.69, df = 2, 28, P < 0.05), but wool yield was not. Bars with different letters differ in grazing pressure that accompanies significantly (LSD, P < 0.05). fertiliser amendment favour a greater (a) (b) proportion of introduced than native 30 8 herbaceous species on trap and granite 7 a 25 a a ab soils. 6 20 5. Importance of establishing 5 15 bc 4 c ab woody cover in open country 3 10 c Planting trees and shrubs in open No. of nativespecies 2 5 No. ofintroduced species country is expensive and costs can Unfertilised 1 Fertilised 0 0 exceed $5,000 per hectare, so it’s not Fertilised Unfertilised something to be taken on lightly. Trap Trap Granite Granite Nevertheless, half of 347 woolgrowers in southern New England who responded Figure 6. Average number of (a) native and (b) introduced pasture species in relation to to a 2003 survey (Fact Sheet 7) thought soil type and fertiliser in never-cultivated paddocks on Monitor farms in 2004. Fertiliser they had too little tree cover on their (nested within soil type) significantly affected native (ANOVA, F = 4.89, df = 2, 49, P = 0.05) and introduced (ANOVA, F = 5.64, df = 2, 49, P < 0.01) species richness. Bars with farms. This group of growers was different letters differ significantly (LSD, P < 0.05). planting 1250 trees each year. Extrapolating, woolgrowers were windbreaks, eating a wider variety of planting a total of 500 000 trees per insects than the one species that annum on southern New England farms, commonly occurs over pasture. at an annual cost of about $2.5 million. Despite the high costs of tree planting, 6 & 7. Do introduced reforesting open paddocks and planting plantings provide the same shelter for livestock is demonstrably biodiversity benefits as profitable if it results in an increased lambing percentage of 10% and reduced native plantings? mortality of sheep off-shears of 50% Questions 6 and 7 concerned the (Fact Sheet 8). difference between native and Does planting windbreaks across introduced tree and shrub plantings for biodiversity. We tackled this by studying open country provide habitat for Above—Extensive plantings of introduced the birds in detail on one Case Study more fauna? trees provide shade and shelter for farm, ‘The Hill-East Oaks’ at Kentucky, livestock, a potential source of income Answer: yes—the bird results (Fact belonging to Jon and Vicki Taylor. from timber and are important for habitat Sheet 1) show greater numbers and and connectivity for birds and other Jon and Vicki have planted a wide range varieties of insectivorous birds in wildlife in woolscapes. of native and introduced trees and planted windbreaks than in or over open shrubs on ‘The Hill’—some 400 000 pasture, meaning greater insect pest trees—and to a lesser extent, ‘East control in farmland than would Oaks’. A little native timber (scattered otherwise be the case. trees and dense timber) remains on The Land, Water & Wool bird surveys ‘The Hill’ and good stands occur at were conducted in spring during the ‘East Oaks’. Since the two blocks are breeding season. Subsequent surveys in only separated by 4 km, these autumn on Harnham Landcare Group properties provided a natural laboratory farms showed even greater use of to answer the question. planted windbreaks by birds outside the Bird censuses were carried out at ‘The breeding season. Birds in planted Hill’ and ‘East Oaks’ in December 2002. windbreaks included some of the ten The results in Table 4 underscore the declining woodland birds that are importance of timber to avian diversity, headed for extinction further west in as found on Monitor farms (Fact Sheet the cropping belt due to habitat loss. 1). Very few species or individual birds Above—Native timber provides shade and Planted windbreaks also affected the were recorded in open pasture, in shelter for livestock as well as excellent species of bat in otherwise open comparison to areas of planted or wildlife habitat. country (Fact Sheet 2). Forest and native timber. woodland microbats ventured out along Do plantings of introduced trees Table 4. Species richness and abundance of birds in native and introduced tree plantings on birds at ‘The Hill-East Oaks,’ Kentucky, in December 2002. Birds were censused in 1.2 ha and shrubs provide biodiversity plots for 20 minutes; s.e.m. = standard error of the mean. benefits? Num- Number of Species Number of ber of Individuals Answer: yes—planted areas of exotic Habitat and mixed exotic and native trees Tran- Aver- s.e.m. Range Aver- Range (windbreaks, agroforestry paddocks, sects age age and pine blocks) yielded 5-6 times more Open pasture 7 0.9 0.5 0-3 1.4 0-5 species and 7-8 times more birds, on Agroforestry* 2 4.5 1.5 3-6 11.0 4-18 average, than open pasture (Table 4). Planted Pinus radiata blocks 2 5.0 2.0 3-7 10.5 6-15 Planted shelterbelt of 2 5.0 2.0 3-7 9.5 8-11 Areas of scattered native trees over introduced species Riparian mixed plantings pasture and in the riparian zone mixed 4 7.0 2.2 3-13 14.8 9-25 with planted exotic and native trees (with scattered native trees)** Scattered native trees over scored an average of 8 times more 5 7.0 1.7 3-13 19.6 6-33 species and 11-14 times more individual pasture Planted native blocks birds than pasture. 2 8.0 1.0 7-9 22.0 21-23 (with scattered native trees) The pines, poplars, oaks, cypress, and Grazed timber 5 9.0 1.1 5-12 21.8 10-36 other species at ‘The Hill-East Oaks’ provide important habitat for some *Whole paddock contour plantings of Pinus radiata and native species. birds, including declining and ** Plantings of introduced and native species, and scattered remnant eucalypts vulnerable species. Plantings of pasture (Table 4). More species and introduced species are often dense, indisputable. individuals were recorded in areas with dense foliage down to ground dominated by native trees and shrubs or Native timber is also important for level, unlike the grazed grassy containing large old native eucalypts flora. Dense timber hasn’t been woodlands and scattered trees over cultivated, and will generally have than introduced plantings. pasture typical of grazing land locally. received less fertiliser and grazing than However, any trees substantially cleared and thinned pastures. Thus, Foliage density is important in providing increase avian diversity—both the grazing-sensitive plants are more likely habitat for species with specialised variety and number of birds—several to in timber than elsewhere on wool habitat and feeding requirements, such as the superb fairy-wren and white- many-fold compared to open pasture. properties. browed scrub-wren. The density of 8. Importance of retaining 9. Conservative grazing introduced plantings also provides refuge from aggressive farmland species native timber management of the riparian and predators such as noisy miners, pied We surmised that native timber would zone currawongs, magpies and grey be important for both wool production butcherbirds. We surmised that conservative grazing and biodiversity. The Monitor farm data management in the riparian zone would Young lines of eucalypts and small showed that wooded native pastures be important for both wool production native trees mixed with taller pines in returned, on average, 8-10 kg wool/ha and biodiversity. whole paddock plantings are important and ran 4-5 DSE/ha (mostly sheep) in providing shrubby native habitat for (Table 1). This was about half the Several Testimonial and Case Study the white-eared honeyeater and white- contribution of naturalised pastures to woolgrowers manage parts or all of throated warbler. wool production. their riparian zones conservatively for improved water quality, pasture Extensive plantings of introduced Does native timber provide production and shelter. See all three species also increase the level of cover, important habitat for fauna and Case Studies and various Testimonials shelter and connectivity for woodland flora? prepared by the Project. In these species generally. Such plantings link Answer: yes—native timber provides products, local woolgrowers explain sparse remnant tree cover for those habitat for declining woodland birds, why they manage sections of creeks and species that require it, providing bats and arboreal marsupials such as streams differently from the rest of wooded corridors throughout the brushtail and ringtail possums, koalas their properties, or in a manner that is landscape. and sugar gliders on New England wool conservative and protective of soil, Given that most of the 18% of timber properties (Fact Sheets 1-3 & 6). water and vegetation. cover on ‘The Hill’ is planted, and only Good numbers of species and individual Are riparian habitats important for a small percentage (2%) is remnant woodland birds were found in native fauna? native timber, Jon and Vicki’s timber on Monitor farms, including reforestation activities have provided a Answer: yes—we found riparian zones much wider diversity of habitats and riparian timber. the bulk of the landscape connectivity Ten declining woodland bird species for birds than would otherwise be the were recorded on Monitor farms and case. Half of the bird species at ‘The these mainly occurred in native timber Hill’ are of special interest due to their (Fact Sheets 1 & 6). These species are declining or vulnerable status or their headed for extinction in the cropping specialised habitat requirements (Fact belt on the inland plains of NSW, due to Sheet 6). excessive habitat clearance. Brushtail possums were found in over 80% of Do native timber and native timbered areas, and koalas and sugar plantings provide greater gliders in 20% (Fact Sheet 3). Bats were biodiversity benefits? also in highest numbers and highest diversity in timber, especially riparian Answer: yes—grazed native timber and Above—Conservative grazing management planted native tree blocks returned 9- timber on wool properties (Fact Sheet in the vicinity of streams leads to good 10 times more species and 16 times 3). From a fauna viewpoint, the water quality for livestock and important more individual birds, on average, than biodiversity value of timber is aquatic habitat for wildlife. Table 6. Water quality measurements in However, in earlier work on Harnham paired fenced and unfenced dams on Landcare Group farms in autumn 2003, Harnham Landcare Group farms in autumn 2003. Data are average values for four soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) was pairs of dams. An asterisk indicates the higher in unfenced than paired fenced values differed significantly (Paired t-test, dams (Table 6). This was presumably df = 3, P < 0.05; SRP values were log- from the dung and urine of livestock in transformed for analysis). unfenced dams. Un- Variable Fenced Are fenced dams good for fenced biodiversity? pH 8.3 7.5* Soluble reactive Answer: yes—fencing was significantly 0.025 0.103* related to the amount of aquatic Land, Water & Wool (LWW) is the most comprehensive phosphorus (mg/L) natural resource management research and Nitrate-nitrite oxides vegetation in dams. More emergent and development program ever undertaken for the 0.174 0.004 (mg/L) submergent aquatic vegetation Australian wool industry. LWW is a partnership between Australian Wool Innovation Limited and Land & Water Turbidity (NTU) 41.2 52.7 occurred, and there was less open Australia, and has seven core sub-programs. The Native Vegetation and Biodiversity sub-program is working with Electrical conductiv- water in fenced dams. 268 146* woolgrowers, and demonstrating that biodiversity has a ity (µS/cm) range of values, can add wealth to the farm business The number of waterbird species was and can be managed as part of a productive and also higher on fenced than unfenced profitable commercial wool enterprise. have special natural values, as well as dams. However, fenced dams were The Land, Water & Wool Northern Tablelands Project is being important for livestock water and larger than unfenced dams on the same led by Associate Professor Nick Reid, University of New production and catchment health. properties. So the larger number of England, in collaboration with Southern New England Riparian woodland was one of the Landcare Ltd, and the Centre for Agricultural and waterbird species was probably also due Regional Economics. habitats targeted in fauna surveys on to the effect of dam size. There were Disclaimer—The information contained in this Monitor and Case Study farms. Of all the larger numbers of waterbirds on larger publication is intended for general use, to assist public habitats sampled, riparian woodland knowledge and discussion and to help improve the dams, as well as more species. sustainable management of land, water and vegetation. (projected foliage cover of trees 10- It includes general statements based on scientific 30%) had the largest numbers and the research. Readers are advised and need to be aware most species of birds and bats (Fact Conclusions that this information may be incomplete or unsuitable for use in specific situations. Before taking any action or Sheets 1 & 2). decision based on the information in this publication, Southern New England wool properties readers should seek expert professional, scientific and 10. Is it worth fencing off are biodiverse places, with many technical advice. To the extent permitted by law, the natural values as well as productive Commonwealth of Australia, Land & Water Australia (including its employees and consultants), the authors, farm dams? assets (soil, water, vegetation and and the Land, Water & Wool Program and its partners do beneficial organisms). not assume liability of any kind whatsoever resulting We surmised that fencing off farm dams from any person’s use or reliance upon the content of from livestock or restricting access for The production data collected by this publication. much of the time would increase Monitor woolgrowers in 2004 showed Copyright—of this publication, and all the information it pasture biomass around the dam verge, contains, jointly vests in the Land and Water Resources that pastures dominated by native Research and Development Corporation, with its brand improve dam water quality, increase species and wooded native pastures name being Land & Water Australia, and Australian Wool aquatic vegetation in dams, and Innovation Limited. Both Corporations grant permission produced the bulk of the superfine wool for the general use of any or all of this information increase aquatic animal life. for which the regional industry is provided due acknowledgement is given to its source. This question was examined at 27 dams famous. Sown pastures in 2004 were Acknowledgements—The Project Team is indebted to managed more for meat production and the Steering Committee of woolgrower families and on 17 Monitor farms between November advisers who prioritised the research questions 2005 and January 2006. Ten dams were growing out young stock. addressed in this Fact Sheet. We thank the Monitor woolgrowers who allowed us to work on their farms, the fenced although a couple of these were Economic analysis undertaken by the Case Study and Testimonial woolgrowers for their grazed for a small proportion of the LWW Northern Tablelands Project participation and invaluable information, and Jann year; the rest were unfenced. Wherever Williams, Mike Wagg, Renelle Jeffrey and Jane Thomas underscored the importance of shade for commenting on drafts. possible, paired fenced and unfenced and shelter and revegetation for dams were sampled on each property Author—Nick Reid. livestock survival and improved farm Editing & design—Kàren Zirkler. (Fact Sheet 5). profits (Fact Sheet 8). The native Photographs—Nick Reid unless otherwise stated. Date—December 2006. Does fencing improve water timber and planted woody vegetation which is so important for livestock For more information, contact quality filtering capacity? production is also valuable for native • Southern New England Landcare Answer: yes—fencing led to a significant fauna. These fauna provide ecosystem PO Box 75A, Armidale, NSW 2350. Telephone 02 6772 9123 increase in pasture biomass. Despite services on farm such as natural pest Facsimile 02 6771 2656 occasional grazing in some fenced control by birds and microbats. Email [email protected] dams, unfenced dams had an average • The project demonstrated ways in Associate Professor Nick Reid pasture biomass of 2.4 t dry matter/ha, Ecosystem Management, University of New compared to fenced dams with 3.4 t which conservative grazing management England, Armidale NSW 2351. near water sources (streams and farm Telephone 02 6773 2539 DM/ha. There was more water filtering Facsimile 02 6773 2769 capacity in the form of dense pasture dams) can improve water quality for Email [email protected] livestock and aquatic ecosystem health around fenced dams. • www.landwaterwool.gov.au at the same time. Does fencing dams improve water The many ways in which southern New quality? England woolgrowers are managing their Answer: sometimes! Measurements did farms for both profitable and positive not show better quality in fenced dams environmental outcomes are in early summer in 2005-06 due to a documented in the wide range of brief 3-month wet period (Fact Sheet extension products developed by the 5). Heavy rain and substantial runoff LWW Northern Tablelands Project . equalised water quality temporarily throughout the district.