LANDCARE IN FOCUS 2017 ANNUAL SPECIAL PUBLICATION

FARMING INNOVATION AND BEST PRACTICE LAND MANAGEMENT 2 Fairfax Media Special Publication Innovation the key to productivity

BY LUKE HARTSUYKER information at the fi eld, managers can make the As a result of RD and E ASSISTANT TO THE DEPUTY paddock or block level to most of the opportunities by the Cotton Research and PRIME MINISTER help optimise and minimise presented by the digital age Development Corporation, inputs such as water, and new technologies. Australia’s cotton industry fertilisers and pesticides. Th at is why, in has adopted innovative THIS is an exciting time for Th is can help ensure that partnership with industry, water use effi ciency inputs are used effi ciently, we invest heavily in rural improvements including in- farming. and allows for targeted Innovative use of new research and development, fi eld moisture monitoring, management of issues such to support the kind of fi eld and irrigation system technologies, including as nitrogen pollution and digital technology and innovation that keeps our design, scheduling soil fertility. soils, water and vegetation technology, soil health robotics, has the potential Precision agriculture can to transform our farm healthy, productive and improvements and other further support sustainable sustainable. irrigation techniques. businesses and land land management by management practices. For example, Horticulture Over the past 10 years, providing information that Innovation Australia has these innovations have We all know that allows farmers to match land innovation is a key driver helped develop an in-fi eld allowed the industry use and land capability. robot dubbed the Ladybird, to increase water use for productivity and Th is means farmers can profi tability in agriculture, which provides intelligence effi ciency by 40 percent and maximise profi tability in on pests, crop nutrition transform to grow more but what many people the productive parts of their and forecasts—meaning than three times the world might not realise is that farms, while conserving growers can minimise and average yield per hectare. innovation in the agriculture biodiversity and the natural better target their inputs for Of course, the sector also delivers resource base in less signifi cant environmental productive areas. maximum effi ciency. opportunities presented and sustainability benefi ts. Many Landcarers will Th ey are also partnering by new technologies and In fact, as Landcarers already be familiar with the with the University of Sydney ‘big data’ are impossible to know, long-term CSIRO’s exciting work in this as part of the Horticulture realise on the land without productivity and space, including through Innovation Centre for the digital infrastructure profi tability are inextricably a $1.5 million grant under Robotics and Intelligent needed to unlock their full linked with sustainable land the National Landcare Systems (HICRIS)— potential. management practices, and Programme to develop an Australia’s fi rst horticultural Th e government is how we manage our soils, interactive system that will robotics learning and investing $29.5 billion water and vegetation. give farmers near real-time development hub. towards delivering For example, precision information about their farms. In the dairy industry, Australia’s fi rst national agriculture has the potential Th is will help farmers Dairy Australia’s Fert$mart broadband network to all to deliver signifi cant benefi ts examine options for diff erent initiative is helping farmers Australians, including those not only for agricultural crop varieties and soil inputs harness information about on the land, and we are also Luke Hartsuyker MP. productivity and profi tability, needed to make the most of soil condition and nutrient improving mobile phone but also supports sustainable the soil moisture available loads to use fertilisers more and wireless broadband We will continue to benefi ts of innovative new farming practices. for their coming season. effi ciently and judiciously, coverage and competition work with you to ensure ideas and technologies, and Precision farm Th is government is reducing nutrient runoff in regional Australia that Australia’s farmers realise the opportunities management tools and committed to ensuring from their farms while through the Mobile Black and others who care for presented by this exciting systems can provide that our farmers and land maximising pasture growth. Spot Programme. our land can unlock the digital age. Important role in sustainable land management BY LANDCARE AUSTRALIA CEO, Landcare Australia coming together and leaders, forward-thinkers, TESSA JAKSZEWICZ supports this rapid adoption exchanging knowledge Indigenous groups, of farming innovation so that all can benefi t and others. OUR 2017 annual special through our promotional from these new ideas that You’ll learn about new publication has arrived, and I and educational activities, address farming challenges technology being adapted such as the biennial National and land management. into land management hope you’ll fi nd this technical Landcare Conference and Many Australian farmers practices, innovation in supplement a useful and Awards, and publications recognise the importance weed control, soil health interesting addition to such as this one. of integrating biodiversity and much more. our quarterly Landcare in Australian farmers are and sound environmental I would also like to Focus publication. continuing to adapt to a management into their thank the Australian Th is year’s theme is changing and challenging production areas, and government Department ‘Farming Innovation environment, taking into Landcare groups are leading of Agriculture and Water and Best Practice Land consideration seasonal the way in many areas. Resources for their Management’. variability and consumer In this special edition continued fi nancial support Landcare plays an and market-led demands. you’ll hear from Landcare of Landcare in Focus. important role in both Landcarers have an groups, researchers from If you have any facilitating innovation, important role in helping organisations including feedback on this or any as well as encouraging to share information on CSIRO, the Australian edition, please email Landcare Australia CEO, Tessa Jakszewicz. adoption across farms. successful innovations, government, industry [email protected]. Fairfax Media Special Publication 3

Scanning beyond the horizon Innovative Landcarer THINKING about the forces Climate change may likely to shape the future also heighten the risk of helps us make decisions for pests and diseases entering our industries to prosper as Australia which will aff ect the world around us changes. how we manage biosecurity. helps others adopt Recent analysis by the Th e structure of Australian Bureau for Australian agriculture Agricultural and Resource is predicted to continue Economics and Sciences changing in the direction of (ABARES) found that fi ve key fewer and larger farms. sustainable farms factors will shape the future Nonetheless, small and of Australia’s farming sector: medium-sized farms will markets, technology, society’s remain common in many expectations, climate change regions, just as they are now. BY CHRISTOPHER GILLIES because native pastures grow and structural adjustment. So, what do these during summer months and Markets for agricultural trends mean for Australian products will change as farmers and governments? SINCE winning the 2014 go dormant over winter. Th is creates a system demand increases, particularly “For farmers, the key Bob Hawke Landcare for livestock to graze over in the developed world, and as will be to keep improving Australia Award, Colin Seis the summer, and as the new competitors emerge. productivity, since this has continued his work in months cool and grass goes More trade will mean the is the main way they will regenerating and sustaining dormant, the winter crop risk of biosecurity incursions remain competitive in global farming systems. grows and is harvested will grow, and we will need markets,” deputy secretary of Invited by Landcare before summer returns. to adapt accordingly. the Department of Agriculture groups across the country, Colin has also travelled Domestically, production and Water Resources, he has held workshops to overseas to provide will be aff ected by increased Lyn O’Connell said. teach farmers and land workshops. competition for land, water, “Th is will mean manager the techniques he To date, more than labour and capital. adopting new technologies, has adopted to successfully 1.2 million hectares of New technologies will changing practices and learning new skills. repair and sustain the land. farmland are adopting his Colin’s work is the transform the nature of “It’s been a great techniques around the world. farming. “Governments can assist development of a the sector by facilitating opportunity to show farmers He said more farmers cropping system that Improved genetics, how they can implement are adopting a sustainable takes advantage of natural machinery and chemicals will incremental productivity principles that work with approach, because they pasture growth. be critical, and the importance improvement, most the environment, and not could see the damage of tools for collecting and importantly by investing in against it,” Colin said. done by using techniques “Doing this repairs the analysing data will grow. research and development A key part of Colin’s that didn’t fi t with the soil, that in turns cycles Changing social views and ensuring that regulation work is the development Australian environment nutrients, and are taken up around issues such as creates as few restrictions of a cropping system that and the cost of chemicals by crops and pastures.” 2014 Bob Hawke Landcare animal welfare, use of and costs as possible, and takes advantage of native and inputs was becoming Colin is working on Australia Award winner chemicals and genetic by maintaining a strong pastures growth period too expensive. pasture cropping further by Colin Seis is continuing modifi cation will continue to biosecurity system. with winter crops. Colin believes farmers using multiple species. his work in farm drive changes in production “Our department will Th e system involves looking at ways to repair Th is ‘multi species sustainability. practices and technology. continue to track trends in sowing of a single crop their soils and adopt a pasture cropping’ uses Climate change will the agriculture sector and will species, like wheat, into sustainable approach plants that grow good Later this year Colin alter the environment make its predictions available perennial grassland or should start from grassroots quality forage, have a range will be releasing his book faced by Australian farmers to the agricultural industry pastures. and let nature take the lead. of diff erent root systems ‘Regeneration’ that covers and this will lead to through articles, such as this Colin said his pasture “Plants - plant lots of and will add organic matter his land management changes in how and where story, seminars and panel cropping system works perennial plants,” Colin said. to the soil. techniques. agriculture happens. discussions,” she said. Smart biosecurity investment makes good economic sense THE famous adage the Australian Government and Water Resources, Australia has been free over two decades, which “Development of better ‘prevention is better than recently. Barnaby Joyce, said. from bovine brucellosis – is essential to negotiations diagnostics represents a cure’ is a cornerstone mantra Late last year, the “Australia has an caused by Bovine Brucella for our livestock exports,” strategic investment in the Australian Government internationally recognised abortus – since 1989. Mr Joyce said. system that underpins our when it comes to biosecurity. invested $500,000 in pro- capability to deal quickly and As a result, the The $100,000 will agricultural productivity,” Not only is this active Foot and Mouth eff ectively with emergency Australian livestock go to the CSIRO’s Mr Joyce said. approach far more cost Disease (FMD) training in animal disease outbreaks. industry has benefi ted Australian Animal “It is vital that we eff ective for the agricultural Nepal – a country where “Training industry from the eradication Health Laboratory to continue to improve our industry and broader FMD is endemic – and a members in Nepal is of B. abortus through develop diagnostic ability to understand, community, it enhances further $100,000 for better vitally important to equip increased production tests that can better detect and respond to this country’s reputation as brucellosis testing. participants with the skills yields as well as the differentiate between pests and diseases – a clean, green exporter of “A large outbreak of and experience to recognise opening of export Brucella abortus and such as Bovine Brucella agricultural produce. FMD is estimated to and report FMD symptoms market opportunities Brucella suis – the latter abortus – that could Th is tried-and-true cost Australia more than and ensure we can act as into countries such being present in some hurt our farmers, rural approach was enhanced by $50 billion over 10 years,” quickly as possible should as Indonesia. feral pig populations communities, agricultural two important biosecurity Deputy Prime Minister and the need ever arise in this “Australia has been free in Queensland and productivity and the initiatives announced by Minister for Agriculture country,” he said. from Brucella abortus for northern NSW. national economy.” 4 Fairfax Media Special Publication Seaweed solves gas output

FEEDING livestock on reducing methane for 58pc of the agriculture Total feed intake was algae-based foods might emissions in beef cattle. contribution. not significantly affected help Australia reduce its For species of algae “In Australia, and in some cases methane emissions. that showed strong contribution of methane actually increased. Th e development of potential, the project from ruminant livestock is “Th e red algae appears to Asparagopsis taxiformis algae based functional undertook a more detailed approaching 10pc of total change the concentration is grown at a small foods for reducing enteric analysis to identify the greenhouse emissions,” of short-chain fatty acids in scale at the Centre for methane emissions precise quantities and research scientist and the rumen, which provides Macroalgal Resources and project, funded through the combinations required to project leader, Dr Nigel an alternative sink for Biotechnology JCU. Filling the Research Gap achieve specifi c levels of Tomkins said. hydrogen – a key element programme and conducted methane reduction, while “Th ese levels have in methane production,” by CSIRO in collaboration maintaining the effi ciency invoked a universal eff ort Dr Tomkins said. of feed utilisation. to reduce emissions from “There is potential CSIRO Staff and JCU PhD with Meat and Livestock student Lorenna Machado Australia, showed that Methane in the ruminant agriculture for red algae to have a atmosphere is a potent and one of the identifi ed major role in reducing prepare an experiment feeding livestock red in vitro. macro-algae has the greenhouse gas with processes to manage methane emissions potential to maintain a global warming enteric methanogenesis is across all Australian or increase productivity potential 25 times that through feed modifi cation.” livestock industries. aquaculture operations, while reducing methane of carbon dioxide. Experiments in cattle “However, at present, which would have the emissions. Agriculture and waste and sheep have shown production costs are high added benefi t of reducing pollution. Th e project, which management combined that feeding dried and and availability is limited. A batch culture approach ran from 2012 to 2015, account for 62 per cent ground preparations of the “Work is under way to “If production costs of in the laboratory is evaluated the potential of of global anthropogenic species red macro-algae develop commercially red algae can be reduced, fi rst used to assess up to 20 diff erent kinds methane emissions, (Asparagopsis taxiformis) viable production this practice would be the potential of algae of algae for their nutritive and ruminant enteric reduced emissions by up systems, potentially in profi table for many to inhibit methane value and for their eff ect fermentation is responsible to 60pc. conjunction with marine producers.” production in vitro. Native species delivering sustainable farming BY CHRISTOPHER GILLIES the river, the Watsons to outcomes he did not only the sections that will planted green belts expect, and taught him have the most impact are PLANTING green belts around paddocks, linking something new. sprayed. up areas of remnant He also said it When combining all and using a targeted vegetation. proved sustainable land these practices, Andrew approach to spraying Th is linking of the management could has virtually cut out the crops allowed cotton and greenbelts meant deliver outcomes that use of insecticide sprays on grain grower Andrew the benefi cials could were desirable. the farm. Watson to substantially easily move across the It encouraged him to When spraying is cut down on pesticides property, especially look at farm practices required, it is sometimes important for small that worked in with the targeted only to the fi eld’s on his property in birds that like to be near greenbelts. perimeter as some pests do Boggabri, NSW. shelter to avoid large Th e Watson family have not tend to move into the Andrew did it with predatory birds. also adopted alternative middle. the help of native birds, Creating the right strategies to managing Th e outcome for bats, and beneficials Harvester returns from a sweep through the cotton, the webs environment is vital pests, such as using property has not only been (insects that perform show the spiders are thriving amongst the cotton plants. for creating the habitat overhead irrigation to better for the environment, valued services like needed for the benefi cials wash off the honeydew left but also for the profi tability pollination and pest To overcome these bats and benefi cial insects to build up a strong by aphids. of the operation. control) who have made problems, Andrew’s returned to the property. population. Th e honeydew cuts Alongside using a home in the property’s mother and the family got Th e family started In addition, planting down the quality of the Bollguard (genetically green belts, and in turn involved with Landcare measuring the impact the diverse winter and cotton, but he’s found with modifi ed) cotton, he are feasting on insect Australia to undertake the benefi cials had on insect summer crops meant the 10ml of rain or irrigation has only had to spray pests in the crops. work needed. pests. benefi cials could move water, the honeydew is fi ve out of 40 fi elds once Th e motivation toward Th is included Some bat species alone to one crop as the other washed off without the since 2006. this shift began 25 years fencing off the riverbank, eat their weight in insects came off . need for chemical sprays. Andrew said by ago when the family pulling out willow trees, every night. Proof the benefi cial Andrew said as part replanting native trees and noticed the erosion creating groins to slow Th e appetite of the bats, insects move into crops of their shift to sustainable encouraging benefi cial around the riverbanks the fl ow of the river, and other benefi cials, can be seen during cotton practices they have tried to birds, bats and insects, caused by livestock and and replanting native encouraged Andrew to harvest, when Andrew’s use the softest pesticides he has been able to non-native willow trees, trees and plants along research further to see harvester is covered in (on benefi cials) for the have a positive impact and a need to create the banks. how he could roll this out spider webs. times when spraying on his property and the buff er zones around the With the newly across the property. Andrew said he is needed. community, thanks to the river to prevent spray drift revegetated sections Adding to the found that a lot of his He has also taken a signifi cant reduction in impacting water quality. established, the birds, revegetated sections of research and trialling led targeted approach so pesticide used. Fairfax Media Special Publication 5 Managing the fi re recovery process

BY THE BAROSSA IMPROVED pastures, made up of a range Murray Darling Basin, burned areas compared GRAZING GROUP of species including native helped producers monitor with the unburned areas. perennials, legumes, and their pasture recovery while Th e second year proved AN extensive monitoring other plants, which play a helping to match it to their more diffi cult when it was crucial role within the local livestock requirements. critical to manage grazing program, native plant livestock grazing system. Monitoring sites were to allow the pastures to identifi cation, and soil Producers rely on these selected so that burned fully recover. testing has helped producers low input pastures to pasture performance could Th is was particularly across Eden Valley, Hutton provide feed through the be compared side-by-side important in the paddocks Vale, and areas near the winter and spring, utilise with unburned pasture. that were partially burned Barossa Valley in South summer rainfall, increase In addition, a site which because the feed quality Australia recover and ground cover, and enhance had been burned twice was of the burned native grass Daniel Schuppan and Nicola Barnes, from Natural local biodiversity. monitored to compare the was much higher than the sustainably manage native Resources SAMDB, monitoring pastures following the A community recovering eff ects on recovery. unburned, due to fresh grass pastures that are from a major bushfi re For one year after the growth compared to the 2014 Eden Valley bushfi res. critical within their livestock requires immediate and fi re, all producers rested the old unburned plants that Th ree years after the half that of the area only grazing systems. ongoing support. pastures, which resulted in have a mix of dead leaf and fi re, the native grass burned once. In 2014, areas of the After the immediate a 90 per cent recovery of the fresh leaf. composition of the pasture Th ese results indicate that eastern Mount Lofty Ranges, response, which generally native grass varieties, many When the monitoring is comparable to the the recovery process after near the Barossa Valley, included destocking their of which regenerated directly sites were grazed, the fi re takes much longer than burned in two separate fi res. pastures, producers needed from the burned plants. livestock selectively grazed unburned monitoring sites, demonstrating the anticipated two years, Th e Eden Valley fire to focus their attention However, the burned on the higher quality and that careful grazing occurred in January on ensuring their native areas still had signifi cantly regrowth compared the resilience of these native varieties. management involving and burned over 24,000 pastures returned to more bare ground than to unburned dry strategic grazing to allow hectares between Eden productive potential. the unburned, with the native grasses. However, the overall pasture production in the seed set and promote growth Valley and Truro. Th e Barossa Improved burned area peaking at Th ey had to be moved is critical for the restoration Th e following December, Grazing Group (BIGG), 23pc bare ground in March out of the paddock once the burned areas are still one third less kilograms of dry and continued production of the Hutton Vale fi re burned in a project sponsored by 2015, compared to 15 in the burned area of the paddock native pastures. 1,400ha east of Angaston. Natural Resources Adelaide, unburned area. reached 1000kg/DM/ matter per hectare. Th e majority of the Mount Lofty Ranges and Th e production was also ha, the benchmark set to In addition, the area Visit areas burned were native Natural Resources SA three times lower in the promote recovery. burned twice is producing www.biggroup.org.au. Mallee variable fertiliser rates under scrutiny BY THE BIRCHIP CROPPING precision agriculture nutrient response across the change, and what might GROUP (PA) technologies such as paddock. improve the system, were drones to both farmers and NDVI (normalised generally in line with what agricultural researchers. diff erence vegetative index) the farmer had observed APPLYING farm fertilisers BCG researcher Cameron imagery collected over the over time,” he said. to match crop variability Taylor said although VRA had season (which measures “Th e technologies that can have signifi cant been around for a while, and ‘greenness’) and yield maps we worked with showed real environmental and had proven benefi ts in the revealed variation that potential to help growers right locations, it was yet to generally corresponded economic benefi ts, but implement VRA eff ectively, achieve widespread adoption. to changes in landscape only when the approach but we also experienced “Many growers are and soil type, but showed is right for the season and fi rst-hand the practical interested in VRA, but are that the farmer’s current the paddock. limitations such as drone held back by uncertainty VRA practice may need to battery life that become Th ese were some of the around how to eff ectively be refi ned to capture and take-home messages from more relevant in a large-scale Drones are one of the new tools that are being used to set up their zones and manage it eff ectively. broadacre environment. the fi rst year of Birchip examine variable rate cropping systems in the Mallee. rates,” Cameron said. The study also Cropping Group (BCG) fi eld “Ultimately, technology “Similarly, modern reinforced the importance doesn’t replace a good farmer, trials examining variable fertiliser rates, rather than Th e trial then compared technologies such as drones of understanding the rate application (VRA) of but can give them new tools the traditional ‘blanket’ the performance of the crop could have great potential underlying causes of for better management.” fertilisers on a commercial application approach. when grown with a fi xed or for broadacre agriculture, paddock variability paddock scale in Victoria. Th e research will The study, funded by variable rates of fertiliser, or but exactly what they can when setting up effective continue to investigate the VRA refers to the a Williamson Foundation with no fertiliser, taking into do, how well it works and management zones performance of VRA over application of diff erent Scholarship and the consideration the cost of how much it costs, is not and rates. the long term, and show rates and/or types of Telematics Trust, used each practice. widely understood.” Cameron said it was alternative techniques fertilisers according to a replicated test strips to A paddock-scale By comparing important to remember that can be used to defi ne pre-set paddock map that assess the performance of approach was used to keep neighbouring test strips 2016 was an exceptional management zones and rates. outlines diff erent zones an existing VRA system. the research practically with zero and fi xed rates of season (decile nine rainfall), Th e 2016 BCG Research within the paddock. Th is involved diff erent relevant to growers. fertiliser, researchers were and general conclusions Results compendium has a Th e objective is to fertiliser treatments being Th e methodology also able to assess how well the could not be made based on full report of the trial fi ndings. optimise economic and applied in strips (about one allowed researchers to existing zones and rates were just one year of results. management outcomes by kilometre long) within a explore and demonstrate capturing and refl ecting “Our fi ndings, in terms Contact Sebastian Ie on more effi ciently targeting wheat paddock. the value of modern the underlying variability in of where things needed to (03) 5492 2787. 6 Fairfax Media Special Publication Traditional Aboriginal burning in modern day land management

BY CHRISTOPHER GILLIES to repair the damage done that was prone to intense by European farming. bushfi res. FOR MORE than One example gaining Australian National 50,000 years, Australia’s traction is the use of University professor Bill Indigenous community traditional Aboriginal fi re Gammage, an expert of cared for country by management. traditional Aboriginal Indigenous communities burning, told Landcare using land management used fi re across Australia, in Focus the use of fi re that worked with the and in some areas this could be adopted across environment. created expansive grassland the country and used for a Using traditional on good soils that in turn variety of land management burning, fi shing traps, encouraged kangaroos problems. and sowing and storing to come and were later “Fire can be used for plants, they were able to hunted for food. one of three outcomes,” Bill create a system that was Historians and said. sustainable and supplied researchers believe “Th e first, to encourage them with the food they selecting what areas to native grasses to regenerate needed. burn, when, and how often, and produce new feed, the When Europeans was part of Indigenous second to reduce scrub arrived, they brought knowledge of the land. and fuel to prevent intense Indigenous land management included using fi re to regenerate flora. farming practices suited Th e result was a bushfi res, and thirdly to “Aboriginal people where grasses dry out Land Management, to an environment very mosaic of trees and promote biodiversity.” would apply it to very small and a fi re would be the Aboriginal Land diff erent to Australia, that grasslands that meant It is already in extensive areas if necessary, like back uncontrollable. Management Councils, and in the long-term caused the highly combustible use across the country, but burning along creek front Bill said fi re was used Landcare groups. erosion and salinity. Eucalyptus forests were particularly in the north or pushing back bush in at a time following the wet Th ese groups encourage While many historical not likely to create where native grasses grow grassland.” season while the grasses farmers and Indigenous European accounts intense bushfi res. more vigorously in summer He also said land and soil was still damp. people to work together to of Indigenous land With the arrival of and need to be controlled, managers need to Across Australia there management have faded, Europeans, much of this and where Indigenous understand how plants are a number of groups adopt land management today there is a shift to practice has given way as communities actively relate to fi re and that this that work with farmers and practices closer to those recognise that Indigenous fi re became feared rather manage the land. was local knowledge. Indigenous people and used by Australia’s fi rst people had sophisticated than harnessed as a tool to “On public land, Th e type and timing of encourage them to work inhabitants. sustainable agricultural manage the scrub. national parks and public fi re was dependent on the together to share knowledge While the use of fi re systems. Th e result was the reserves and larger pastoral season and location. and manage the land. is not the only tool, it Th ere is growing grass plains gave way to land it could be applied Th is was important, Some of these is one the Indigenous adoption of these practices thick scrub and bushland very eff ectively,” Bill said. particularly in the north groups include Local community can share. More Kakadu plums a win for everyone BY TERRITORY NATURAL profitable, but also with the Th amarrurr harvested 5.4 tonnes of RESOURCE MANAGEMENT came with risks. Rangers and local fi rm Kakadu plums in 2016. Some were concerned EcOz Environmental While the majority IN THE Northern that heavy handed Consultants to help fi nd a of pickers followed Territory’s top end, harvesting could damage way to grow the industry best practice protocols, harvesting Kakadu plums healthy trees, while others sustainably. where damage did occur, questioned how they could Community members Traditional Owners (Terminalia ferdinandiana) move from harvesting for were involved in asserted their rights to close has always been popular. local consumption to bigger researching the eff ects of some areas. Long prized by scale activities. poor harvesting techniques. Wadeye community Indigenous people for their With over 100 Wadeye A video about the members have praised nutritional and healing community members and Kakadu plum story and how the program which properties, people who Thamarrurr Rangers Maureen Simon and Angus Melpi their families involved in to avoid issues that can arise now earns money for can’t pick their own bush with re-sprouted Kakadu Plum tree. the annual harvesting of from poor harvest practices purposeful work and lets food are also developing a plums, the stakes were high. was produced, while a them share knowledge has the aroma of stewed from south-west taste for it. With funding from the monitoring system was put among family members apples and pears, and is Darwin, Wadeye Th eir demand for the Australian Government’s in place to stop pickers from who go picking together. fruit, which is packed with increasingly sought after by community members National Landcare damaging trees. vitamin C, antioxidants, Australian businesses. quickly realised Programme, Territory With the new system in ■ Visit lutein, folate, zinc, In the Thamarrurr becoming a commercial Natural Resource place, 157 pickers completed www.territorynrm.org.au/ magnesium, and calcium region, nine hours’ supplier could be Management partnered the induction course and projects. Fairfax Media Special Publication 7

Dairy farmers smarter about soil health and fertiliser KATE KIRK suspected Her fi rst step was to Independent evaluation was effective and where more grass on paddocks that too much fertiliser was join a Fert$mart program found more than 80 percent it was a waste of time were not working as well.” being used on the Loch that was being run in her of interviewed farmers said and money. Effi cient nutrient use dairy farm she runs with local district. Fert$mart changed their Eff ective effl uent use is becoming increasingly Fert$mart was attitude towards nutrient is a key component of the her husband, Jason, but important to dairy farmers developed by Dairy management. Fert$mart program, with as margins are squeezed proving it was diffi cult until Australia to provide Th is was typically done the Kirk’s seeing solid from every direction. she completed a Dairy dairy farmers with by making them more results from this. Pasture production Australia Fert$mart course. appropriate knowledge conscious of nutrient loads Kate said increasing depends on sound use of Th e farm’s paddocks had and support to make good and only applying fertiliser the use of their effl uent nutrients. always received plenty of decisions about fertiliser where it’s needed. on paddocks had reduced If best results are to be fertiliser to capitalise on application, and reduce All participants reported fertiliser applications, which achieved from fertiliser, it the high rainfall and strong nutrient runoff from their intention to monitor could then be utilised on is important to understand growth rates of the area. farms while maximising nutrients into the future. areas of the farm that were soil conditions and identify But, Kate wondered pasture growth. The basic doctrine not performing so well. the constraints that could about the eff ectiveness of Fert$mart off ers easy- Loch dairy farmer, Kate Kirk. of Fert$mart is that, by “It was a good way to be limiting production. the fertiliser regime and to-follow planning steps to getting soil and fertiliser move the nutrients to It is a win-win when was determined to put guide farmers and advisors Ongoing monitoring and management ‘right’, where they need to be farmers can improve their some science behind the in their decision-making. review are key components farmers should be able to rather than just putting business outcomes while farm system. Th e Fert$mart planning of the cycle. produce more feed at no on the same thing reducing the environmental “I knew we used a lot, but cycle begins with a More than 500 Australian extra cost. everywhere,” Kate said. eff ects of fertiliser applications. I didn’t think it was my place situation analysis, followed dairy farmers – approximately Having done the “We also used lime to say anything when I really by a management plan, 10 percent of the industry Fert$mart course, Kate instead of the fertiliser to Visit www.fertsmart. didn’t know what I was and then implementation – have participated in was able to identify where neutralise some of the pH dairyingfortomorrow. talking about,” Kate said. of the plan. Fert$mart programs. the farm’s fertiliser regime levels which has given us a lot com.au. Buff el grass management in the Alinytjara Wilurara Region

BY NATURAL RESOURCES of the Department of Th is necessitates Such fi res also present a ALINYTJARA WILURARA. Environment, Water constant monitoring and risk of damage to valuable and Natural Resources’ management of outbreaks infrastructure and property, INITIALLY introduced into (DEWNR) Alinytjara occurring along the railway as well as threaten the Wilurara (“north-west” tracks and verges. wellbeing of people living in central and northern Australia in Pitjantjatjara) Natural Natural Resources remote communities across for pasture improvement Resources Management Alinytjara Wilurara, in the region. and dust control, buff el grass (AW NRM) Board. supporting the AW NRM Whereas traditional (Cenchrus ciliaris) continues Spanning more than Board, delivers hands-on Aboriginal patch-burning to spread across the northern 250,000 square kilometres, training for community encouraged regrowth of deserts of South Australia, the AW NRM Region members to support them native grass species, the transforming the landscape covers over a quarter in eff ectively monitoring heat produced by burning and impacting heavily on of SA including a large and destroying buff el buff el grass destroys native biodiversity. proportion of the Great grass while maintaining plants both above and For Aboriginal people Victoria Desert (GVD). best practices in land below ground. who have lived in these Despite bordering the management. Aboriginal women have regions for countless Anangu Pitjantjatjara Th ese management also pointed out that they generations, this invasion is Yankunytjatjara Lands, strategies are particularly are reluctant to engage deeply concerning. where buff el grass is relevant at a local level where in traditional gathering Controlling the spread of buffel grass is paramount in South Australia. Although buff el grass thought to be irrevocably it causes signifi cant loss practices because of the is widely considered established, outbreaks of native fl ora and fauna, thick buff el grass decreasing the lead on working towards seed and the formation of the species of choice by within the GVD have been and negatively impacts visibility of snakes. a ‘Buff el Free GVD’. monocultures across the pastoralists because of its limited to a few isolated on Indigenous cultural With the GVD being In Western Australia, GVD, around Aboriginal wide adaptation ability and locations. practices, including hunting one of the last deserts in Spinifex Land communities and along tolerance of drought, fi re Trains travelling east and collecting bush tucker. Australia that maintains its Management, supported various transport routes. and overgrazing, it is also to west along the Trans- Being signifi cantly more pre-colonial biodiversity, by the Rangelands NRM Th e battle to keep SA’s an aggressive coloniser Australian Railway line fl ammable than native the importance of managing Alliance, are playing a southerly agricultural and was declared a weed inadvertently carry and grasses, it produces high- the land and keeping crucial collaborative role. areas free of buff el grass by the South Australian distribute buff el grass intensity fi res which damage it free of buff el grass is Th e AW NRM Board begins with keeping government in 2015. seed from infested areas ecosystems never previously immeasurable. directs management desert regions healthy by Curtailing its spread has to relatively untouched exposed to such extreme In SA, Natural Resources strategies to prevent the using best practice land become a key objective landscapes in the AW region. temperatures. Alinytjara Wilurara is taking spread of buff el grass management techniques. 8 Fairfax Media Special Publication Bringing life back to legendary waterhole

WHEN Neale Griggs took “Introduced species had farmland and the Great Barrier which allowed our over the property next to taken over and there was very Reef World Heritage Area. contractor to do in seven the West Haughton River little fi sh activity or bird life.” “Neale had done an days what would normally wetlands in Queensland Working in partnership amazing job clearing the take a team months to do.” with landholders like China apple infestation Because the weeds were 18 months ago, little did Neale, Greening Australia on his property and re- largely fl oating, the use of Two sites in Crooked Waterhole before intervention he know he would soon be is restoring 200 hectares of establishing grass cover. the excavator also caused (left) showing dense stands of Olive hymenachne playing a role in helping priority coastal wetlands “But, he lacked the minimal environmental and other weed species covering the water, and after to protect the Great across two sites, the West equipment, expertise and disturbance, including intervention (right) with open water. Barrier Reef. Haughton River wetlands resources to restore the signifi cantly reducing the Jelenko said they would “We’re now waiting Th e iconic ‘Crooked and Palm Creek. wetland. amount of herbicide needed. see life return to the sea in for the rains to fl ush out Waterhole’ on Neale’s Coastal wetlands play a “We teamed up with “It was incredible the next 12 months. the channels and return vital role in water quality, Neale to help him return seeing the site after the property, once legendary “We have already seen the land to its full natural fi ltering fi ne sediment and the waterhole to its amphibious machine had for catches of barramundi, birds move back into the beauty.” had become densely nutrients from fl ood waters natural state in a way that fi nished,” Jelenko said. estuary,” he said. Th e site will continue choked with weeds. before they are washed out complemented his farm “It was like keyhole surgery “With the wet season to be monitored to When Greening to the Reef. management. – not a branch was missing! track improvements in Australia approached him “We have selected sites “In three weeks we were “Th ey have done a fl ood fl ows we expect native fi sh and crustaceans to join fi sheries, water quality and about helping to restore that are inter-connected and able to clear almost three mighty job at cleaning and vegetation. the wetland as part of Reef adjacent to the national park kilometres of channels. restoring the creek back to them and in the long term, maybe even crocodiles Th e project is Aid, a major program to and Ramsar listed wetlands,” “Due to the extremely its natural state.” supported by the Ian improve water quality on said Greening Australia dense vegetation over the Neale said: “I believe “Building relationships with landholders is critical Potter Foundation, the Great Barrier Reef, he director of conservation channels we couldn’t use that Greening Australia has Virgin Australia, and the jumped at the opportunity. Jelenko Dragisic. a helicopter to spray the made a huge contribution to the success of Reef Aid as is the commitment Australian government’s “When we purchased “Most sit on private land weeds, it was too thick to use to the environment in our Reef Trust. the property it was not and have signifi cant fi sheries a boat, and too dangerous little part of the country. landholders like Neale hard to see that the and biodiversity values. for people to spray by hand. “With their help, we make to steward the land Visit creek had a problem,” “Th ey also form an “Instead, we used an intend to keep the creek in and ensure that our eff orts www.greeningaustralia. Neale said. important buff er between the amphibious excavator pristine condition.” are not reversed. org.au. Weed control increases carrying capacity BY MARK KLEINSCHMIDT, by a 20 per cent canopy the course of treating Of no less signifi cance DESERT CHANNELS GROUP of prickly acacia, while prickly acacia, as long in this list of achievements virtually all pasture growth as we preserve the is the mindset change. NEW generation is prevented by a canopy mature natives - and Historically, people cover of 50 per cent. a federal permit to spoke of the need to prickly acacia control is It should not be use tebuthiuron in ‘control’ prickly acacia, leading to remarkable unexpected that removing ephemeral watercourses.” which was likened to having improvement in ground the prickly acacia delivered These two regulatory a test cricket match-plan of cover, land health and this result. tools can only be not allowing the opposition carrying capacity in the What is surprising is the activated by a DCQ five- to score too many runs, Mitchell grass country of way it has been done. year weed plan, which rather than aiming to bowl “We use time-series must be monitored Queensland’s west. them all out. Graziers inspecting a treatment site discuss the program. satellite mapping to by DCQ. Language dictates Twenty years of identify the prickly acacia Having redrawn what business as usual has mindset. Channels Queensland shown a fi ve-fold increase hot spots in the landscape, eff ective prickly acacia Control is not a word seen Queensland’s prickly (DCQ), whose ground- in grass biomass. then we match treatment control looks like in acacia infestations triple to DCQ uses any more. breaking new techniques “Before we treated this techniques to infestation western Qld, DCQ is still Now, the talk is of 23 million hectares. and technologies perfected site, it was fairly dense densities, treating the engaging landholders Without a dramatic eradication. over the past three prickly acacia with very really dense stuff with in control agreements, It may only be one breakthrough, 95 per years has seen a 15-fold little ground cover around a helicopter drone,” while their fi eld team paddock at a time, one cent of the Mitchell Grass increase in grass biomass 100 kilograms per hectare Leanne said. continues to knock out property at a time, one creek Downs will be impacted at one monitoring site biomass,” Leanne said. “Two additional keys ultra-dense infestations at a time, one catchment by 2030. near Aramac. “A year later it was to our efficiencies are an in riparian areas, at a time, but they are Th at dramatic CEO Leanne Kohler 500, and it’s now 1500 Area Management Plan enabling the landholders eradicating prickly acacia. breakthrough has said while this was kilograms per hectare.” under the Vegetation to clear their paddocks come from Longreach- boosted by drought- Figures from Mackey Management Act in the knowledge that Contact Desert based natural resource breaking rain, even during (1996) show pasture where we can kill the major seed sources Channels Group on management group, Desert the drought, the site had production is halved immature natives in are gone. (07) 4658 0600. Fairfax Media Special Publication 9 Creating ‘volcanic’ soil in WA

BY WENDY WILKINS, SOUTH biochar are twice the size of into a pure laterite with no WEST CATCHMENTS COUNCIL the control row, and much clay at 600mm. healthier looking. Each of the diff erent INNOVATIVE thinker “I’ve seen avocados volumes of biochar were growing on a volcano and placed under groups of and farmer Doug Pow I’d like to replicate, as best four trees, which resulted in read about the benefi ts of I can, those andosol soils, 12 trees on each of the soil biochar and decided to because avocadoes have types down the hill. trial it on his own cattle and a very high requirement Two of each block of avocado property. for oxygen in the soil,” four trees is mulched with Th e costs of Doug said. biochar-enhanced mulch incorporating it into his “It’s a very tall order in under trees in both the paddocks were prohibitive, a soil which is of a very control and the trial rows. involving machinery he high bulk density, like You can’t see any eff ect does not like. our clays.” from that in either row. So, he came up with a Th e trial is comparing But, that can’t be said unique solution. three amounts of biochar - for biochar when it’s In 2011, he began 20, 10 and fi ve per cent by incorporated into the soil. Doug Pow on his Middlesex, WA, farm with wood chips used for mulch. feeding biochar to his cattle soil volume incorporated “It’s quite astounding so dung beetles could bury in the soil to a depth of 600 the way it has enhanced “Getting a tree up “Chances are 20pc is not “Every tree I plant from it on his farm in Middlesex, millimetres. the evenness of growth quickly is a real head start too much and fi ve percent now on, I would plant in near Manjimup in the Th e adjoining control and the consistency of and if you can cut a year is not too little. biochar – that’s lesson number south-west of Western row is planted to avocados tree size, trunk size, root off your wait for the trees “Th e fi rst test will be in one, in fl ashing lights.” Australia. the standard way. volume, and its ability to fruit, then that is an fruit volume, fruit quality Th e project is supported by the South West Th is success led Doug Th ere are varying soil to absorb nutrients,” economic return. and fruit size. “Th e biggest test will Catchments Council through to commence a four-year types within the rows. Doug said. “It’s interesting that be if it aff ects biennial funding from the Australian trial in 2014 with biochar At the top of the hill “Th e avocado growers we have tested fi ve to 20 in a new avocado orchard is a red chromosol soil, that see the trial are very bearing. Government’s National per cent biochar, which to increase drainage and otherwise known as karri impressed that it grows “It’s ability to help the Landcare Programme. aeration, and facilitate root loam, on a clay subsoil and such a big tree so quickly, is a 400pc increase in tree survive attack by To see the full trial growth in his soils. as you go further down because little weak trees biochar proportion in the Phytophthora cinnamomi update, including how the Eighteen months after the hill it graduates into a are susceptible to all sorts soil, but the trees look (dieback) will also be very trial was established, go to planting, the trees with brown chromosol, and then of things. exactly the same. interesting. http://bit.ly/2jy3nkf. Finding pasture options for retired irrigation land A FIVE-YEAR research aims to help with Th e EVORIL project is production, persistence and “It shouldn’t be a spur “Th e project is unique project into the use of the structural challenges being carried out by the regeneration over a range of of the moment decision to in the range of material retired irrigation land in faced by the community Western Murray Land soil types and seasons. sow,” Damian said. that is being evaluated the south-west Riverina in region due to declining Improvement Group Promising species “Look at weed control and important for both availability of irrigation (WMLIG) and the Central at least the season before region of NSW is producing identifi ed in the small plot the region and NSW in water. Murray BestWool BestLamb trials have been introduced you intend to establish new fi ndings with implications general,” he said. It is investigating the Group, and supported by into larger grazing block pastures.” “We need to identify the for low-rainfall zones economic feasibility Murray Local Land Services demonstrations to compare Damian said the project best options with the least throughout Australia. and productivity of and the National Landcare also examined return on livestock production cost or risk to establish and Th e project, titled various pasture species Programme. investment from sowing performance against expand into other areas Economically Viable in previously irrigated Th e declining amount of standard district practice. costs. Options for Retired land that has reverted to irrigation water available “Don’t skimp on sowing to broaden the landscape WMLIG’s Rick Ellis mosaic with grasses and Irrigation Land (EVORIL), dryland. for agriculture due to the said there was still much rates,” he said. “Our variable rate sowing shrubs, including saltbush.” water reform process has to learn and demonstrate meant that large areas of trials indicated that investing Farmers have made about species’ attributes land previously irrigated $70 per hectare instead of practical changes to more and adaptability to local have reverted to dryland. $20/ha on seed returned a than 785ha of land and Unfortunately, where conditions. net benefi t of $179/ha. intend to make changes to a land levelling and soil “We need a resilient “Th e higher sowing rate further 2540ha. pasture mix that improves disturbance had been high, also out-competed weeds Others are still waiting the feed quality, extends the predominant heavy more eff ectively resulting for further long-term the season and maintains sodic soils are dominated in additional labour and assessment on the ground cover,” Rick said. by non-productive species chemical savings.” resilience and economic such as barley grass and “Th e project has wider Th e project is gaining applications across the low feasibility of diff erent roly poly. recognition. pasture options. Commencing in 2013, rainfall zones nationally.” Dr Peter Orchard, the project has now tested WMLIG’s Damian pasture researcher with Visit 44 new and existing pasture Jones said preparation was the Graham Centre for www.westernmurraylig.org Site co-operators Tim and Tam Mulholand at their property species in replicated small imperative for successful Agricultural Innovation is or contact Rick Ellis on ‘Operina’, Noorong. plot trials to evaluate pasture establishment. one expert taking notice. 0428 372 357. 10 Fairfax Media Special Publication

Weed hunting tips for fi reweed, African lovegrass Get up early to fi nd than later is best to prevent Resources director of plants, fi reweed does not other fl owers to open,” torch shone knee-to-waist fi reweed and stay up late weeds establishing. sustainable agriculture close its petals at night Ian said. height to scan across to fi nd African lovegrass However, fi nishing Ian Towers. (petal movements are not “Just look for yellow the pasture. the job thoroughly is also “Fireweed’s yellow nyctinastic). fl owers and hone in to “The dark seed heads EARLY detection and important because just one fl ower is often hard to Th is means oweringfl investigate – it may be of African lovegrass removal of problem weeds remnant weed can result in distinguish at distance in fi reweed can be spotted fi reweed. appear stark at night can save landholders a lot rapid reinfestation. a sea of yellow fl owering when other yellow fl owers “You might be surprised and don’t blend in with of money and time. “Detection of problem plants common to pastures are closed. how eff ective this the background as they As the saying goes, species like fi reweed whilst African lovegrass, “Th e trick is to search method is.” appear to during the day,” prevention is better than cure. and African lovegrass before it forms a tussock, is for fi reweed in the early African lovegrass can Ian said. Anyone who has in low numbers is often often not obvious.” morning light before the be more readily detected “Good luck with the managed weeds would diffi cult,” said Department Unlike many other fi rst rays of sunshine touch at night by using vehicle new approaches to weed agree that action sooner of Agriculture and Water yellow-fl owered pasture the paddocks and cause headlights or a bright hunting.” Why do you want to mess up rivers and slow down the water?

BY DR SIWAN LOVETT, biodiversity and recreation, Rivers need to be messy AUSTRALIAN RIVER yet often the policies and and have ‘room to move’, RESTORATION CENTRE beliefs about what ‘good so that they can perform land management practices a range of functions, are’ has led to cleared providing habitat and food THIS is a question often paddocks, less wood and for a wide range of animals, asked by landholders when ‘litter’, straightened streams, as well as having a range of they are thinking about and water fl owing as fl ows and movement. becoming part of the Rivers quickly as possible. Disturbance and of Carbon program. Th e presenters explained movement is really important Rivers of Carbon focuses how these activities reduce for rivers, creeks and streams, on boosting biodiversity, the complex habitat native as the beds of rivers need to sequestering carbon, and wildlife needs to thrive, ‘turn over’ so that the water empowering communities decreases water quality and is oxygenated, and pools and to act with confi dence in bank stability, and impacts riffl es are formed. response to climate change. the ability to spend time Some fi sh only spawn in Th e program works along our rivers fi shing and submerged trees and logs, so with landholders and connecting with nature. we need these structures in Landcare groups across Perhaps the most our rivers for this to happen. th Southern Tablelands of compelling argument, What the workshop also NSW, and have projects in however, is that recent showed was how much the Goulburn, Breadalbane, research has shown that in landholders, working with Upper Murrumbidgee and the eff orts to ‘neaten’ rivers, programs like Rivers of Yass regions. it has drastically reduced Carbon, can do on their So, why do we want to their ability to capture place to boost biodiversity mess up rivers up and slow carbon, as geoscience and improve productivity. them down? professor Ellen Wohl from Margie Fitzpatrick, a To answer this Colorado State University Goulburn landowner, gave question, a broad range of explained at the Australian an inspiring talk about the perspectives is needed. Stream Management range of methods she has Th e community was Conference in 2016. used to ‘mess’ things up A ‘messy and complex’ river, restored by planting a mix of grasses, shrubs and trees invited to hear what experts “Natural river systems and slow the water moving and letting nature do the rest. Photo: Haydn Burgess. had to say. are complex, ‘messy’ and across her paddocks. A workshop was retain water, nutrients and “Some have been ‘hard for doing what she does, Th e ‘Mess it up and slow state governments and organised, with a traditional carbon,” Ellen said. engineering’ like fl umes which underpins the it down’ workshop is now local Landcare groups. reason for the Rivers of online for anyone to access owner, wildlife ecologist, “Modifi ed river systems are and rock chutes, but Visit Carbon initiative. river geomorphologist, simple, ‘neat’ and designed to these have been mixed on the Rivers of Carbon www.riversofcarbon.org.au; social scientist, and keep water moving. up with ‘soft engineering’ “My focus is growing website titled ‘A great gig email enquiries@ arrc. com. au landowner present to “Th ese systems are using vegetation, logs, healthy fertile soils for in Goulburn’. or contact (02) 6247 7997. address this question. carbon poor. rocks and hay bales, to fi ll healthy grasslands, diverse Rivers of Carbon is What became “It is estimated that eroding channels, enabling species, content animals a partnership between immediately apparent modified river systems moisture to be retained and and happy people,” the Australian River is that ‘messy’ is better store less than two plants to grow,” Margie said. Margie said. Restoration Centre and for wildlife, river health, percent of the carbon they Margie concluded her “At the end of the day, it’s Greening Australia, carbon sequestration, used to.” talk by sharing her reasons good to breathe in the magic.” supported by federal and Fairfax Media Special Publication 11 Native veg insectaries Innovation to improve subsoil IMPROVING the “Th e two promising creating a big buzz condition of the subsoil developments have been has the potential to reap the idea of growing as much a $67 million benefi t material as possible on the paddock that is to be treated.” REGIONAL Landcare property (25.5 hectares) for farmers in southern Using a combination of facilitator for the Port into the production area Victoria. (containing Rubus sp and fast growing cereals and Phillip and Westernport Th at is one of the legumes, more than 10 Catchment Management blueberries). fi ndings from a recently Smaller plantings tonnes per hectare of dry Authority (PPWCMA), completed project were scattered across the matter could be grown on Karen Th omas, has been conducted by Southern the paddock. production area in pre- Farming Systems and the investigating ways that existing empty garden beds Any problem weeds also University of Melbourne become valuable material farmers could improve and surrounding the ‘you- where they constructed, their farm biodiversity pick’ gazebo. to bury underground. designed, and tested a “Th e second challenge in combination with The owners of the machine that could harvest property gained local was to create a machine adopting sustainable land and deposit organic that could harvest this management principles. planning permits to material underground. construct a restaurant on- material and bury it Th e national Th e project was underground, all in one horticulture NRM site, so the incorporation supported by the Australian of bush foods and citrus action,” Simon said. strategy, released in government’s National In partnership with not only provides nectar Landcare Programme. 2006, contained a small Karen Thomas talks about the purpose of the trial and a team from the school during flowering phases, what native vegetation was planted across the farm. Despite being in a high case study on Integrated of engineering at the but can be freshly rainfall area, many crops Pest Management (IPM) University of Melbourne, harvested to supply Hover fl ies are highly on their farm, the and pastures run out of and research which a prototype machine was the restaurant, once benefi cial and after feeding services these insects water in spring because the demonstrated the use designed that mowed the operational. on nectar, the females seek provide, the timing of ability of the soil to store of native vegetation as green forage, picked it up, Mary Retallack from out aphids in which to lay winter rainfall is limited habitat for benefi cial their abundance or and deposited the material Retallack Viticulture their eggs. by the subsoil layer at 20 insects. critical life stages for behind tynes that had has been conducting With re-vegetation centimetre to 40cm depth. Karen found that a lot bio-control alongside ripped 40cm to 60cm into of work had already been PhD research into a part of good farm softer pesticide options, Improving the subsoil practice, incorporating the ground. done in South Australian native vegetation which will mean growers can increases the soil water native plants that provide storage, leading to better Large blades and a vineyards, and a number offers the greatest vastly improve their roller then covered the of resources were already nectar and shelter for excellent habitat for growth late in the season. benefi cial insects into IPM strategies and Th e practice of green material with the available. beneficial insects. disturbed soil. Th e PPWCMA hosted projects will vastly environmental assurance. improving the soil is Other than a single A copy of the A number of farmer vineyard in the Pyrenese, three workshops with improve conservation commonly referred to as presentations from demonstrations were there did not seem to be Mary last year, where her biological control as a subsoil manuring and has crucial mechanism for the native vegetation been investigated for more established in late 2014, but much known about the preliminary results were unfortunately 2015 did not practice in Victoria. discussed. good integrated pest insectarium than a decade. management. Th ese small scale result in any improvements in So a few months later, Mary has identifi ed workshops can be found at yield due to the failed spring. Karen spoke with some of three ‘hero’ native plants Developing and www.ppwcma.vic.gov.au/ experiments proved the introducing methods, concept works, but taking Luckily 2016 was a better the researchers and found that provide excellent news/publications. year and although harvest alternative habitat for such as native vegetation it to a farm scale has been a local ‘you-pick’ berry Contact Karen is still underway, there were benefi cial insects. insectariums which challenging, according to farm in the Dandenong Th omas on 0427 480 170 major visual diff erences in Ranges willing to set up To monitor insect allow growers to better Geelong consultant Simon or email karen.thomas@ Falkiner. late season crop growth. a trial site. diversity and abundance understand the diversity “Th e materials and Th e subsoil machine Th e owners of the berry across the property, of beneficial insects ppwcma.vic.gov.au. machinery used so far (with operator) is available farm began preparing areas sticky traps and pitfall are uneconomic on a for hire from Southern for planting by using a traps were installed, with Encouraging innovation to commercial scale, so we Farming Systems. light herbicide spray, and monitoring conducted had to fi nd alternatives,” Contact Simon Falkiner a team planted the areas monthly from October Simon said. on 0407 319 967. with native tubestock in to January. curb pests and weeds Within 10 weeks of August 2016. AUSTRALIAN government and Weeds Grants will Indigenous plants planting, several native fi nance a range of new that complied with the plants were already grants to the value of $10 control technologies, documented Ecological fl owering and the million are funding new such as pest animal facial Vegetation Class were used, new insectary had an technology to combat alongside some non-local abundance of hover fl ies. established pests and weeds. recognition systems, using Indigenous plants, to be A staggering 232 hover Th ese unwanted species drones in detection and used as bush foods. fl ies were counted in cost farmers about $4 control, lethal trapping A main insectary was the 10 week fl owering billion a year in livestock and using new viruses and planted along a fence line insectary. losses, disease transmission poisons. between two paddocks. Interestingly, these control and weed Visit http://www. Th is will become a multi- numbers were not found management. agriculture.gov.au/pests- strata shelterbelt creating a anywhere else across the Th e Control Tools diseases-weeds/pest- corridor from the existing property – only in the newly and Technologies for animals-and-weeds/wp- native vegetation on the planted vegetation. Established Pest Animals comp-grants-programme The Southern Farming Systems subsoil machine and tractor. 12 Fairfax Media Special Publication Polymer trials for erosion control

BY SUSIE CHAPMAN innovative approach to hold on their farms using the valuable soil in place. the polymer. DUE to its high rainfall Trials are under way on At current market prices, intensities and steep macadamia and pineapple Stonewall costs $3000 per farms to reduce soil erosion hectare if applied at 10 per topography, the by spray application of an cent concentration, which Polymer application at the Spedding macadamia orchard at Glass House Mountains with Pumicestone catchment in inert polymer product, demands a signifi cant Troy Spedding on the tractor and Marcus Koolen from Perfect Earth on the spray line. south-east Queensland that Vital Bon-Matt Stonewall, benefi t to off set. supports a variety of thriving produced by Brisbane- On the pineapple On the macadamia Th e 2016-17 summer surface root exposure by farm, Troy Spedding is season has as yet brought the harvesters. horticultural industries, has based and Australian owned farm, the Pikes have been trialling Stonewall on his no signifi cant run-off rain Th ere seems little doubt a high risk of soil erosion. company Vital Chemical. impressed with the results in 2016, using cone nozzles steep sandy loam soils to test the eff ectiveness the polymer can assist We are witnessing this Th e Queensland Department of on a boom spray to apply that were severely eroded of the polymer following agriculture to stem the fl ow risk increasing with extreme Environment and Heritage 10pc concentration of in consecutive years of application. of sediment to the streams. rainfall intensity being Protection approves Stonewall applied to the intense rain events. Th e polymer is broken Th e trick now is to recorded out of season, as the use of this polymer whole bed following initial With support from Perfect down by sunlight and tailor its use in a way that happened in May 2015, on development and settling rain. Earth, Troy has added microbes, so lasts longer complements other erosion where 300 millimetres was mining sites for surface To further minimise the another dimension to his in the darker macadamia control measures to achieve received in three hours at stabilisation, yet this is the amount of product required trial by applying Stonewall orchard than on a bright desired environmental Glass House Mountains. fi rst time it has been used for eff ective soil stabilisation, at 10pc concentration with pineapple farm. outcomes whilst Despite the best eff orts in agriculture. they are now refi ning their and without a compost layer The soil protection maintaining farm viability. of farmers with their With support through approach by applying the underneath. on the pineapple farm is Email Susie Chapman application of erosion control the National Landcare polymer only to the steeper It is hoped the polymer mostly required for the at Healthy Land and measures such as eff ective Programme, Healthy Land sides of the beds. will hold the compost first few months after Water on susie.c@ drainage plans, use of living and Water is working with Th e trials are being in place on the steeper planting until the pines hlw.org.au or visit

mulch, grass cover, mulch macadamia farmer Troy designed and monitored slopes and the surface grow enough to stabilise www. hlw.org.au for and compost and silt traps, Spedding and pineapple using drone technology to roots will be able to the soil. project information; the rich volcanic soils are still farmers Murray and Sam measure micro-elevation incorporate the organic However, this is not the or email Carlos Mira at being lost to the waterways at Pike, and Keith Morgan, at through the University of amendment to build case in the macadamia Vital Industries carlos. an alarming rate. Glass House Mountains, Th e Sunshine Coast with structure and fertility orchard where the soil mira@vitalindustries. Maintaining farm to establish the most cost the aim of strategically that will further maintain stabilisation is required com.au for product productivity, viability, and eff ective way of achieving targeting the application to the topsoil layer while throughout the harvesting information or visit www. healthy waterways calls for an maximum erosion control high erosion risk areas. enhancing productivity. period to protect against vitalindustries.com.au. Increased productivity on marginal saline lands BY DAVID BROADHURST AND By incorporating native ‘Capitalising on perennial Improving the established and then grazed Th e profi le of methane GONSALO MATA and non-native perennial forages suited to the nutritional management by merino lambs for 35 days. after peak emission for the shrubs into their marginal Western Australian south of livestock can reduce Oat stubble was used as shrub groups showed a FOR the past two years, lands, the Walshes have coast to reduce methane methane emission intensity the control for comparison. linear decline. South Coast NRM has co- demonstrated a reduction emissions intensity’, was through the timely Th e lambs were placed For the oat stubble ordinated a project where in the intensity of methane funded by the Australian provision of nutrients to into an infl atable polytunnel group, the results showed scientists from CSIRO and produced from merino Department of Agriculture improve effi ciency of feed for three hours after their little change after peak farmers Ian and Mike Walsh lambs, getting them to and Water Resources as conversion and growth. morning graze to measure emissions, typical of diets market quicker compared part of the Carbon Farming Th e project was the methane produced. have identifi ed how to with a slower digestion to district practices. Futures Action on the established on the Walsh’s Results showed the rate that limit daily reduce their farm’s carbon Th is trial, utilising Ground program. farm in Cranbrook in the group grazing shrubs feed intake. footprint and improve farm emission monitoring “Th is is the fi rst time we Great Southern Region of gained weight over the Consequently, the productivity. technology in the project have looked at this as a way WA during autumn 2013 on full 35 days of grazing sheep grazing on shrubs to reduce on-farm methane a six-hectare site. while the group grazing got to marketable weight emissions while increasing “We decided to work on stubble only gained quicker than sheep grazing productivity,” said South our poor land so we could weight for the first oat stubble, and emitted Coast NRM land program increase our production by fortnight and then less methane. leader David Broadhurst. using perennials,” Ian said. gradually lost weight for Incorporating “Th is has increased our the last three weeks. Visit http:// perennial forage species sheep-carrying capacity On average the shrub climateactionfarming. can increase the area of while maintaining our group was 2.5 kilograms com.au or contact productive land, improve cropping area.” heavier after 35 days. (08) 9845 8537. nutrient cycling, reduce A variety of perennial Peak emission intensity • David Broadhurst is from Sheep leave the poly tunnel after having their methane seasonal feed gaps shrub species including old was almost 39 per cent lower South Coast NRM Inc. emissions measured for three hours after their and increase the soil’s man saltbush and other for sheep grazing shrubs and Gonzalo Mata is morning graze. carbon content. commonly used species were compared with stubble. from CSIRO. Fairfax Media Special Publication 13

Dung beetles get A quiet revolution busy on water quality A GROUP of cattle owners from the Atherton shifts Bengworden Tableland, Queensland, have introduced select BY WEST GIPPSLAND species of dung beetles CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT with the aim of improving AUTHORITY pasture condition and water quality. Nineteen properties AGRICULTURE is one have been strategically of the biggest industries chosen as ‘seed- around the Gippsland properties’ for the dung Grazier and president of the Lakes, Victoria, and plays beetle introduction Malanda Beef Plan Group, a large part in the health of Bruce Carcary. Photo: these signifi cant waterways. and environmental Terrain NRM Tableland. Jenny Robertson of evaluation project, supported by Terrain Gracemere Merinos, a wool effectiveness in processing operation at Bengworden, NRM through funding from the Australian the dung. said decisions made on- Th e new and improved farm can have a direct government. Th e Tableland currently dung beetle population will impact on the lakes. also combat an unpopular In recent years, the has 500 cattle businesses, managing 90,000 head of stock pest, the buff alo fl y, Robertson’s and other by destroying the fl y’s cow farmers in the district cattle, with each animal producing up to 20 dung breeding ground. have adopted grazing Th is would be another practices that have had kilograms of manure a day. If left on the surface, welcome outcome for great benefi ts for their producers. properties, profi t margins, cowpats can lose up to 80 per cent of their nitrogen. President of the Malanda and the Gippsland Lakes. Beef Plan Group, Bruce An active dung beetle Th e 1980s and 1990s Carcary, said that cattle population has the were tough on the region, owners need to use potential to cycle nutrients with a run of droughts and more selective worming and organic matter back the wool price crash. Jenny Robertson on her property in Bengworden, Victoria. formulations for beetles to into the soil within 24 Buying feed, reduced thrive across the region. to 48 hours, instead stock numbers, and poor but there had been no implementing time Jenny explained that the “In order for us to reap commodity prices led local support. controlled rotational grass needs to be recovered of it being lost to the the benefi ts from beetles, to widespread fi nancial Th ey implemented some grazing principles, and to a stage where it has dry atmosphere, surface water we need to make an attitude diffi culties. of the principles, but had three workshops were leaf matter on it. or groundwater. shift and use more selective Th e land was suff ering lots of challenges getting it held locally and on-farm Th e goal is to get This can reduce the worming formulations for from loss of ground cover to work. for each farmer as they perennial grasses back into need to use as much our stock so that the dung- and topsoil, so when it did But, eventually a group started trialling what they the system. fertiliser for pasture beetle larvae are not wiped rain, there was nothing left of local farmers all reeling had learned. Th ey have a deeper root maintenance, and out,” Bruce said. to capture the moisture, from the eff ects of the “With rotational system that decreases as nutrients are prevented “Th is is essential taking more soil and prolonged drought, got grazing, you mob up – run the grass is grazed off and from being washed into for the beetles to survive and dumping the sediment in together and decided your stock in larger mobs grows again with the grass. waterways by heavy rain. expand across the region.” the lakes. they needed to be more - in smaller paddocks Back in 2008, Jenny said, “Though there are some Rob said: “It can “We were basically in resilient for the next and rotate them around when the property had no beetle species already take up to three survival mode,” Jenny said. inevitable dry period. according to the recovery ground cover, a big rain here, they are not active years before it can be “By the end of 2008, An opportunity came period of the grass they event saw all the water in all seasons or across determined if species have everything was looking up when state government need to go into next,” that fell fl ow down the hill all properties, soil types, successfully established.” pretty terrible and we were funding for the Gippsland Jenny said. into the lakes, taking the rainfall zones and the “This is due to the very all emotionally, physically Lakes became available “Running the sheep Robertson’s topsoil with it. like,” said Rob Pagano, a varied seasonal activity and fi nancially exhausted. to participate in a training at a high stock density “Th at didn’t give us a main project driver. and lifecycles of the “We were thinking: ‘Is program ‘Retaining topsoil (100 per hectare) for a good basis for recovery,” “What the project has different species as there a future here?’.” and associated nutrients short duration greatly Jenny said. done is introduce a greater well as variations in Th at is when a chance in the catchments of reduces the stock “It took so much longer diversity of species to weather conditions.” family gathering around the the Gippsland Lakes camp effect. for things to bounce back see if they can survive, For the Malanda television set watching a through improved grazing “Th is is where sheep in because we were starting thrive and expand across Beef Plan Group, it program on time controlled practices that reduce soil a set stocked system camp from nothing. the region under those is now a matter of rotational grazing led to erosion at its source’. at the top of the hill every “With what we are doing varying conditions.” patient monitoring the Robertson’s three Together, the farmers night and leave all the now, if there was a similar Six species of beetles and encouraging the daughters saying ‘Dad, why formed the Bengworden fertility there. event, we could bounce have been released across use of beetle-friendly don’t you do that?’. Grazing Group, a subset of “Rotational grazing back much quicker. the properties. worming formulations. The couple had done Bengworden Landcare, and let the stock leave their “We are trying to The producers have Grazing for Profit training successfully applied. droppings all over the keep the risk out of our been monitoring species Contact Terrain NRM about 10 years previously The program included paddock therefore farming system and survival rates and on (07) 4043 8000; email with a number of other a bus trip to NSW to meet spreading the fertility develop resilience for their spread across the [email protected]; or farmers from the area, with farmers successfully more evenly.” the tough times.” property as well as their visit www.terrain.org.au. 14 Fairfax Media Special Publication Inaugural AgCatalyst event challenges data mining teams

BY CSIRO Lawson Grains General “Th e team developed web “By taking that next Manager Russell Cavill apps that used yield data and step and making that FARMS across Australia said the sheer volume and ran a data mining process to data available, you can disparate nature of the data look across an entire are generating troves of develop yield models using resulted in the company diff erent rainfall and fertiliser region and see how others information every second. seeking a non-traditional scenarios.” have performed with Th ere are harvesters avenue to fi nd answers. Second place was diff erent methods, which collecting information “We are collecting awarded to a team of could enable farmers on yield, fuel usage and an immense amount of PhD students from the to make more informed elevations; sprayers are data across our business University of Sydney. management decisions.” logging spray rates, soil and this data has the It has only been in the Despite the hype around and moisture probes, and potential to strengthen our big data in agriculture, not fertiliser application; and past decade that equipment decision around nutrition, with data-capturing many people are actually real-time and weather machinery logistics, staff working in the domain due station data. capabilities has begun to be productivity and much widely available. to the current diffi culty in As part of CSIRO’s obtaining data from separate more,” Russell said. However, farmers are inaugural AgCatalyst in Winning team leader proprietary farming systems struggling to see the benefi ts Sydney in December 2016, a and CSIRO scientist Ross that do not communicate Ross Searle, CSIRO, presents the winning team’s data number of teams competed Searle said most farmers of this captured information, with each other. solutions. in the AgData Challenge, do not have the capacity, and that is where big data “Going to individual looking to understand how the time, or the software to could hold the key. farmers and collecting and technology providers “It has prompted us “You can learn a lot big data can be used to analyse the raw data that information can be to benefi t from this data.” to commence looking from your data, but you can benefi t farmers. their equipment generates. diffi cult,” Ross said. From Lawson Grains’ at data management National cropping “Bringing the disparate also learn a lot from other “However, working perspective, Russell said the company, Lawson Grains, data sources together into people’s data in the same with data from a large AgData Challenge was an systems that will allow us provided access to a an open source format region,” Ross said. organisation like Lawson opportunity to consolidate to quickly analyse our data variety of data collected that we could easily “Th ink of every crop Grains made it possible to its data gathering systems. and use it in more future during their regular access and analyse was you plant as a separate explore these issues easily. “Th e Ag Data Challenge decisions.” experiment, where you farming practices, and a challenge for our team “It was a positive step was extremely benefi cial Continued developments set the teams the task of data scientists, so you capture your own data towards understanding to our business as it gave of interpreting the data imagine it would be a such as your crop variety, how we can bring this us a real insight into what in data accessibility will and collating it in an problematic task for most soil type, rainfall, fertiliser information together and we could do with the data,” bring the benefi ts of big understandable way. farmers,” Ross said. usage and yields. help farmers, consultants Russell said. data closer to farmers. National biodiversity data at your fi ngertips BY HANNAH SCOTT AND Australia’s national and under future climate data and get information PETER BRENTON, ATLAS OF biodiversity database, the scenarios?’. about the species found. LIVING AUSTRALIA Atlas of Living Australia Th e potential questions You can even import (ALA) has a range of online are endless, but some useful your own data temporarily tools and services that case studies have been put and use ALA’s powerful SUSTAINABLE land support environmental together at Spatial Portal tools to visualise and and natural resource management and Case Studies (www.ala. analyse it, together with all management relies allow biodiversity and org.au/faq/spatial-portal/ of the other ALA data. on many things, but environmental information spatial-portal-case-studies/). With over 67 million at the core of it, timely to be analysed in new ways. Th e ALA’s ‘explore your digital occurrence records accurate data at the right A common question area’ feature allows you to at your fi ngertips to- resolution is essential for asked by Landcarers is enter a location and very date, the ALA has troves benchmarking as well as ‘What should I be planting quickly fi nd and access of information about monitoring status and on my property to minimise records of species found in Australia’s living things change. The ALA features a wide range of powerful, open changing climate impacts that area. including species and their Such data helps to source mapping and analysis tools, which allow users and maximise the long-term Alternatively, you might environments. improve productivity and to explore and analyse information in new ways. success of my plantings?’. already know the species It can be used in yield, better manage and Photo: Jess Rozas. Th e ALA is being used you want to plant, but want multiple ways for the enhance biodiversity and to help answer questions to see if it is appropriate to experienced conservation natural assets, and adapt and publicly accessible informed by large volumes like this, along with plant in your location. planner, researcher or to changing climates and ‘big data’ capabilities, of information. questions such as ‘I want Th e ALA allows you to ecologist; farmers, teachers, land use pressures. it is now easier to With open access to grow a particular crop, search for species via maps gardening enthusiasts, and Th anks to rapidly make environmental to millions of digital where are the best places as well as by query and the general public. evolving technology management decisions records at your fi ngertips, to do this, both today fi ltering, access occurrence Visit www.ala.org.au Fairfax Media Special Publication 15 Web and mobile apps put the power in your hands

THE power to accurately SoilWaterApp SoilMapp Yield Prophet predict agricultural One example of how users SoilMapp (www.csiro.au/ Developed by CSIRO and conditions and analyse can make informed crop soilmapp and iOS) provides the Birchip Cropping situations to make management decisions direct access to national soil Group (BCG), the Yield informed decisions via an integrated suite data and information from Prophet platform uses the is rapidly moving of functionalities is the the Australian Soil Resource Agricultural Production directly into the hands of SoilWaterApp (www. Information System (ASRIS Systems Simulator Apps help farmers make good decisions. end users. soilwaterapp.net.au and www.asris.csiro.au) as well (APSIM) to calculate yield Mobile and wireless iOS), created by University as the APSoil database. probabilities across a MouseAlert (around fi ve mice per technologies now allow of Southern Queensland in Developed by CSIRO range of data, including: Web technologies such hectare is the average), those decisions to happen a collaboration with CSIRO. in conjunction with the in-season rainfall, soil test as MouseAlert (www. damage caused and any right in the paddock. Users input information Australian Collaborative results, crop management mousealert.org.au and iOS) control activities. Web and mobile apps on their location, soil Land Evaluation Program strategies, and localised also have the potential to It is also quick to use, developed by CSIRO type and current crop and the Grains Research and historic climate data. save crops from an entirely taking less than fi ve and collaborators are management. Development Corporation, BCG’s Tim McClelland diff erent threat to their allowing farmers to ride the Th e app fi nds the nearest the app provides information said one of the app’s core yields – mouse plagues. minutes to complete, precision agriculture wave weather station, and on a daily on the total amount of water strengths is its integration Th e easy-to-use enough time for themselves, as well as play basis will predict the soil’s that more than 1,200 soils with other apps, including MouseAlert app only machinery operators to their own part in providing moisture levels throughout across Australia can store and Crop Manager and requires basic information lodge a report before they scientifi c data. the cropping season. release to diff erent crops. SoilMate. on observed numbers fi nish a row. System upgrade boosting best Real time mapping of plant pests ALL around Australia, information collected Nearly 300,000 records practice in the cotton industry farmers, government from both general and have been captured. offi cers, agronomists and targeted surveillance So far it is primarily state BY COTTON AUSTRALIA other consultants make activities in agricultural and government offi cers entering checks of crops looking for environmental settings. and accessing data. THE AUSTRALIAN plant pests and weeds. Data can be entered Th e system is not yet cotton industry is now While it’s helpful for using mobile devices, accessible to the public, reaping the rewards of farmers to know about handy for fi eld checks, and but the plan is to broaden all information is held in a accessibility down the track. an 18-month program any pest problems on secure cloud environment. Reports are generated to improve its best their property, without management practice Added together, the data in real time, with access national coordination the forms maps of pests and to the data available to all program, ‘myBMP’, full benefi t of this vast enabling growers to weeds, or their absence, contributors. surveillance activity has not and can track the spread of In-built alerts advise maintain best practice for been harnessed. land management. pests over time. users when the numbers of With funding provided For example, PHA Upgrades to the myBMP Cotton growers can maintain best practice land a target pest increase above by a National Landcare used the system to track a threshold or when a pest program, supported by management with myBMP. Photo: Janelle MacPherson. Programme innovation the spread of the new moves into a new area. funding from the Australian and resources, and cover spatial mapping reports grant, Plant Health Australia pest Russian wheat aphid Th e search function allows government’s National the following practices: to monitor best practice (PHA) has developed from South Australia users to look back in time to Landcare Programme • Natural assets; uptake, and a sustainability an innovative tool, across south-eastern grain see how pest numbers and (NLP) and the Cotton • soil health; dashboard reinforcing the AUSPestCheck, to collect, growing regions in 2016. spread have changed. Research Development • water management; industry’s approach to track, analyse and display On the other hand, having Plant Health Australia is Corporation, maintained • energy and input effi ciency; plant pest surveillance data. records that pests are not the not-for-profi t coordinator best practice standards management. • integrated pest “Th e NLP funding has Th e system provides present is also important of the plant biosecurity while streamlining management (IPM); users with a real-time because such evidence can be system in Australia. content, requiring also supported alignment of • pesticide management; myBMP with programs that picture of pest numbers crucial for accessing markets Email [email protected]. growers to complete less • petrochemical storage and spread, and can handle for our produce overseas. au or phone (02) 6215 7700. promote and encourage checklist items. and handling; responsible and sustainable Th e myBMP team • biosecurity; worked with consultants • fi bre quality; and cotton production in and technical specialists • HR and WHS. Australia and around the Get the facts on tax incentives to review and update each In addition, the myBMP world, including the Better of the 10 modules within website infrastructure was Cotton Initiative (BCI) and THE Australian Tax Offi ce ‘Establishing shelterbelts ATO and the Basalt to myBMP. upgraded to provide an Cotton LEADS,” myBMP has produced a fact sheet on land used in primary Bay Landcare Network in Each module has improved user experience, manager, Rick Kowitz said. about tax incentives for production business: Can December 2016. specifi c industry standards compatibility with mobile Email [email protected]. professionals, volunteers, I claim a tax deduction? Th e pdf is available as supported by checklists, devices which include a au or contact Rick Kowitz landholders, and anyone What you need to know’. a free download at www. additional information specialised auditing tool, on 0427 050 832. connected with primary It was developed in basalttobay.org.au/ production entitled a partnership between publications. Landcare in Focus is proudly supported by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, and published by Landcare Australia in partnership with Fairfax Agricultural Media.