RMN 85/3 – August 1985
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RANGE MANAGEMENT NEWSLETTER An official publication of The Australian Rangeland Society ISSN 0812-4930 Copyright and Photocopying © The Australian Rangeland Society For non-personal use, no part of this issue of Range Management Newsletter may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior permission of the Australian Rangeland Society and, where possible, of the author (or the organization they work or have worked for). Permission of the Australian Rangeland Society for photocopying of articles for non personal use may be obtained from the Secretary who can be contacted at [email protected] Requests will be considered only if applicants can demonstrate they have obtained the permission of the author (or the organization they work or have worked for) , or have made a reasonable attempt to do so. For personal use, temporary copies necessary to browse this material on screen may be made and a single copy of an article, or the entire issue, may be downloaded or printed for research or personal use, but no changes are to be made to any of the material. This copyright notice is always to be included in any material downloaded. Notice to authors This material has been placed on the Australian Rangeland Society web site without the permission of individual authors. If you believe your copyright has been breached please notify us immediately and the material will be removed from the site. Citation The material in Rangeland Management Newsletter has not been subject to peer review and may not be acceptable to some editors. If cited it should be in the form: Bastin, G. and Allan, G. (2012). After the smoke has cleared: 2011 fire in Central Australia. In: Range Management Newsletter (Ed. N Duckett). 12/2:3-6. (Australian Rangeland Society: Australia). Disclaimer The Australian Rangeland Society and the Editor of Range Management Newsletter cannot be held responsible for errors in information contained in this issue, or any consequences atising from the use of this infonnation. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the Australian Rangeland Society or the Editor. Publication of advertisements does not constitute any endorsement of the products by the Australian Rangeland Society or the Editor. ISSN 0812·4930 Range management Newsletter 85/3Aagast, 1985 Editor: Don Burnside, Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 417, Kalgoorlie, W.A. 6430 (090) 211666 Auu.u.. ~elaad Soclet)' CouncU 1985 The Secret8l'Y's address is: President: Ken Hodgkinson C/ - SoU Conservation Service of N .S. W. Vlee·Preslclent: DenzUMIDs P.O. Box 459, immediate Put Broken HID, N.S.W ., 2880 President: Ray Perry Phone (080)880254 Secretary: David Eldridge 1'reMarer: Tony Grice SabecrlptJon Secretary: D8l'Y1 Green Regl8tered by: AutnJJa Po.t-Pabllcadon No. WBG 1499 Contents EdItorial .................................................................. Page 1 CouncD Business - Who's Who on CouncU •........ , .......................................• Page 3 - 1986 Biennial Conference ................................................ Page 5 - Subscriptions .......................................................... Page 5 - Australian Rangeland Society TravelUng FeUowship ......................... Page 5 - New Members ......................................................... Page 5 From Around the Traps - South Australian Branch News ........................................... Page 6 Management of Shrub Infested Rangelands - An integrated Approach to Shrub Contol. .................................. Page 7 The Use of Goats in Range Management ....................................... Page 9 Field Day - Goats for Shrub Control - Goat Production in the Cobar District ...................................... Page 12 - Control of Hop Bush at "Kaleno" Station .................................. Page 15 Features - The Kimberley Pastoral Industry ......................................... Page 16 - Dog Fence Goes Electric ................................................ Page 20 - The Electronic MOl Run ................................................. Page 21 Books ..................................................................... Page 22 Notices .................................................................... Page 22 Australian Rangeland Society Members - July 1985 ............................. Page 23 EDITORIAL However, I must take Dr. Schapper up on the way jn which he appears to ignore the real need for developing a land ethic, because in his view, the economic realities Don Bumside don't allow us to take such luxury seriously. Thus while I stand by my suggested 15 concepts which we should I have just been reading the latest issue of the teach in our schools (p. 15, R.M.N. May 1985), the need Australian Rangeland Journal which contains Michael now is not to abandon our education programme, but to Young's article about Pastoral Land Tenure options in modify the financial incentives available to landholders Australia. The confusing array oflease/ tenure in such a way as to make it possible for them to act as conditions for the use of our rangelands never ceases to temporary trustees and stewards of the community's resources. It is for that reason that I have written to Ian amaze me and reminds me ofthe wav in which we have McLaughlan, President of the N .F.F. to suggest that been left with different railway gaug~s in the various concern for our rural land by the community at large, is states! Certainly both situations are equally irrational. It does surprise me, that in the mid 1980's, the state not what he has called "Petty Emotionalism", but is in legislators have not yet achieved some sort of national fact a ver\, good reason why producer organisations consensus (that word again!) concerning the best should be much more proactive in encouraging sound overall form of land tenure for Australia's rangelands. land management. Both Schapper and It seems that each state is pursuing its own system, McLaughlan are correct in pointing out the financial often dictated to by historical constraints that are no constraints in making this a priority for present land longer really important. I can't believe that the physical holders. That is why if the N.F.F. which represents all and economic framework of rangeland use is so farmers and graziers, is to make a special effort to different between states. After all, many of our improve the image of rural producers, it should rangeland environments are no respectors of ~tate demonstrate first its intention of acting as responsible boundaries! Surely there is some avenue where the land managers. To do this back at the ranch, they will various state tenure systems can be brought closer need political support for incentive schemes. together and placed on a more national foundation, or is So let's remember, we do not have an either/ or this just wishful thinking on my part. choice, we are faced with both economic and ecological Mike Young makes some worthy suggestions for the realities and it behoves us as a society to demonstrate proper functioning of a "Continuous Leasehold" our understanding of both these issues. system that would operate in the best interests of the lessee and the wider community. I feel sure that these ideas would find general acceptance in the bush - but From: Tony O'Brien it is not only in the bush that existing ideas about Senior Agricultural Consultant (International) tenure need revitalising. There is also a need to Kempsey, N.S.W. 2440 introduce these ideas (and the rational for them) to people who influence the direction and performance of I am "resting" between overseas assignments and the pastoral industry from outside - such as catching up on my mail, particularly at this moment my financiers, stock agents, accountants and so on. I would Range Management Newsletter. I would make the suggest that the Australian Rangeland Society could following comments in support of George Gardiner and take on the role of informing the group of people about Gus Gintzberger. the needs and constraints of the industry, in this issue Through thirty years associated with range and in others. management, I have been ofthe opinion that in pastoral areas our job should be to maximise the production of forage/herbage (whatever you want to call it!) for livestock production. If that means re-inforced or LETTERS TO THE EDITOR replacement pastures to better utilise the climatic conditions for digestible organic matter production, rather than high proportions of unusable organic From: Brian Roberts matter, especially waste lignin, then so be it. Darling Downs Institute of Advanced Education Preservation of pristine conditions or achievement of Toowoomba, 4350 fireclimax or non-fireclimax are all totally irrelevant to livestock production. Preservation of pristine or Thank you for your excellent issue of May, 1985. fireclimax or non-fireclimax conditions are for flora I am particularly interested in responding to your fauna reserves and national parks. Administrators and invitation to comment on Dr. Henry Schapper's article production scientists should be concerned with on Administration of Range Regeneration. production, not with turning the arid zone into one Dr. Schapper makes a number of very important national park. points about the advantages of district grazier Soil management and forage management to ~ommittees giving the lead in rangeland improvement, maintain dynamic equilibrium, with sufficient species rather than the initiative being left