Grower & GreeniE-News - SEAVROC

Shires of Quairading, Cunderdin, Tammin, Beverley, Brookton & York

I hope everyone had a great festive season, New Years and holiday break!

There are a huge amount of events coming up so if you are interested in fodder shrubs, soil health or agricultural technology have a look at the events section below!

The weather has seemed a little tropical lately with the high humidity, heat and rain… not all bad, we will have some nice sub soil moisture to start the 2013 season and all those fodder shrubs, trees and perennial systems will be loving the rainfall!

Emma Wilson

ARE YOU INTERESTED – AN OPPORTUNITY WITH FODDER SHRUBS

Through the State NRM grant obtained by the Shires of Quairading, Cunderdin and Tammin we are able to offer landholders the opportunity to obtain subsidised fencing for fodder shrubs that will be planted in the 2013 season. In addition, there is the opportunity to also obtain subsidised saltbush and fodder shrub seedlings as part of the project.

To be eligible for the project we are running a series of workshops in Cunderdin and Quairading on the 20 th and 21 st March 2013 . You are only obligated to attend one workshop which will be cover an array of topics including value adding to fodder shrub systems through lamb marketing, carbon opportunities with fodder shrubs, economics in a changing climate for perennial systems and farm planning for implementing a fodder shrub system.

If you are interested in attending or would like more information please contact Emma Wilson or Cheryl Shenton on 08 9656 1605 or [email protected] .

Flyer will be available shortly with more information, keep an eye out!!

WEEDS & RABBITS – We need your help!!

The Shire of Cunderdin, in conjunction with the Shires of Quairading and Tammin has obtained funding through State NRM to assist with the roadside control of Weeds of National Significance and Priority Weeds, and to control Rabbit populations and weeds within our Nature Reserves.

We would like Community assistance to obtain the following information:

1. What road verges or Reserves within the Shire of Cunderdin, Tammin & Quairading contain the following weeds? · Bridal Creeper · African Boxthorn · Afghan Thistle · Patterson’s Curse · Cape Tulip · African Lovegrass · Saffron Thistle

2. What Reserves within these Shires contain large rabbit populations?

If you would like further information on these weeds please visit the Department of Agriculture & Food website www.agric.wa.gov.au or Weeds of National Significance website www.weeds.org.au/WoNS/

If you have any information on where these Weeds and Rabbits are located please contact Cheryl Shenton or Emma Wilson, Environment Officers for the Shires of Cunderdin, Tammin & Quairading on 9645 1605 or email [email protected]

Fleabane… Another summer weed to recognise! Another summer weed making its mark around WA is fleabane. A new Farmnote ‘Fleabane in WA’s wheatbelt’ describes the characteristics of fleabane, its’ persistence, herbicide resistance status and control. http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/objtwr/imported_assets/content/pw/weed/fn_fleabane.pdf

It is very difficult to kill in summer, when it becomes large and hairy, with a decent tap- root and is under moisture stress. It is recommended try and control it directly after harvest and not wait until mid-summer.

In , there are three species of fleabane present, flaxleaf fleabane (Conyza bonariensis), tall fleabane (C. sumatrensis) and Canadian fleabane (C. canadensis).

• Flaxleaf fleabane is the most common, prevalent along the south coast but is found to be spreading across much of the wheatbelt . It is a weed of both pasture and cropped paddocks but appears to be worse in areas that have recently been cropped.

• Both tall fleabane and Canadian fleabane are more prevalent in the wetter areas. There has been some indication of the species hybridising in the field although this is as yet unconfirmed.

Photo. Two species of fleabane (flaxleaf fleabane (L) and tall fleabane (R) at Woogenellup, South Coast Western Australia.- Photo by S. Peltzer

Article courtesy of Sally Peltzer, DAFWA, Albany Save the Date! Fox Shoot in February!

The annual Red Card for Rabbits and Foxes Community Fox Shoot will be held on the weekend of February 15-17 2013 . As per previous years, $5 per fox or feral cat shot on the weekend will be donated to the Royal Flying Doctor Service, generously sponsored by Stockbrands. Stay tuned for more info, but in the meantime check out the official website www.redcard.net.au to see previous year’s stats, maps and lots more.

1080 BAIT VOUCHERS STILL AVAILABLE IN QUAIRADING! A limited number of 1080 bait vouchers are available for Quairading & Cunderdin landholders through Wheatbelt NRM’s Red Card for Red Fox program. For a voucher please contact Cheryl Shenton or Emma Wilson on (08) 9645 1605. To conduct your baiting program you need to fill in a short application and send it to our Bio-security Officer Terri Jasper, who can be contacted on 0427 998 599 . landholders please contact Emma Wilson on 9645 1605 to see if we can assist in any way with baiting vouchers.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Global Herbicide Resistance Conference – held in Fremantle on 21 st February 2013 . • DAFWA’s Free farm planning workshops , 5 day workshops to develop a strategic business plan for your farm business. Contact Liz Cox on 96902189 or [email protected] for details on a workshop near you! • Planning for Profit Workshop - Planning for Profit is a one day workshop where participants are actively engaged to explore achieving an effective price for produce; knowing costs of owning and running a business and the impact of targeting profitable production through being flexible, planning and responding to seasonal conditions.

All farm business members are encouraged to attend this workshop with the next event being on the 15th of February in Brookton. For more information please contact Natalie Hogg on 1800 198 231 or via email 1800 198 231 [email protected] .

• 2013 Agribusiness Crop Updates: 2 day event to be held in on 25 th & 26 th February 2013. For more information visit www.giwa.org.au/announcements/2013-agribusiness- crop-updates • Tech Toolbox: Please note this event is planned for 2013 !! Not 2012 as stated below.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Healthy Bushland Grants Do you have a special patch of bush, some of our amazing critters or any other natural gems that need help to protect it in the future? Healthy Bushland is working with land holders across the region to conserve important patches of bush on private land.

We are currently looking for projects that will protect and restore patches of significant remnant vegetation. Support is available for fencing, weed management and pest control that will improve habitat condition.

Please contact Wheatbelt NRM on 9670 3124 or [email protected] to discuss the support that is available to you.

Stormwater Re-use project

Through the Royalties for Regions program Wheatbelt NRM are delivering the Stormwater Reuse Project. The project aims to turn stormwater run-off into a valuable asset for local towns.

Local Governments with existing water management plans are invited to apply for funding to implement projects which will capture, store and use stormwater from the town.

The Stormwater Reuse project will support local governments to make better use of the stormwater to improve infrastructure and contribute to community wellbeing. It is expected that 2-3 projects will be funded.

All local governments in the Wheatbelt are eligible to submit proposals. This will be a competitive process and at this stage no sites had been selected.

The project will only fund capital expenses and operational costs and further planning would not be funded. It is expected that co-contributions from the local governments would be favoured. Projects are expected to have already been through the planning process and will be ready to go.

For more information go to: http://www.wheatbeltnrm.org.au/funding/storm-water-reuse2/

Community Energy Efficiency Program – Round 2

Open to Industry associations or non-profit organizations that engage with Small-Medium Enterprises and/or community organizations. Applicants are encouraged to partner with other organizations to develop and/or implement energy efficiency information projects. Ineligible entities include: Local Governments, For-profit corporations, Primary or secondary schools, individuals and informal or unincorporated groups although these entities are able to partner in projects.

Applications for CEEP funding will close at 5pm AEDT, Thursday 7 th February 2013. For more information on funding criteria visit www.climatechange.gov.au/eeig

2013 Coles Junior Landcare School Garden Grant Now Open Since 2008 Coles has been providing School Garden Grants of up to $1,000 to schools and youth groups to help create gardens in their grounds or community, such as bush tucker gardens, water wise gardens or veggie gardens. These programs encourage students to learn about the environment through “outdoor learning” and interaction in developing their own school gardens. For more information on this grant visit http://www.juniorlandcare.com.au/grants-2/coles-grant .

Contact Details

Emma Wilson (Wednesday & Thursday) Shires of Quairading & Tammin Ph: 08 9645 1605 Mob: 0427 450 236 Email: [email protected]

Jen Vincent Shires of Beverley, Brookton & York Ph: 08 9645 1607 Mob: 0447 898 995 Email: [email protected]

Cheryl Shenton (Monday, Tuesday & Friday) Shires of Quairading & Cunderdin Ph: 08 9645 1605 Mob: 0427 450 236 Email: [email protected]

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