How Useful Is the Pastoral Memo to You? Do You Want It – How and How Often?

Northern Pastoral Region

September 2009 ISSN 1033-5757 Vol. 30, No. 3

EDITOR: Matthew Fletcher Phone: (08) 9166 4019 PO Box 19, Kununurra WA 6743 Email: [email protected]

CONTENTS

Know your pasture plants ...... 2

Hello Northern Rangelanders ...... 4

Fitzroy Crossing bull sale summary ...... 5

Livestock handling course for exporters ...... 6

NLIS exemption for home-bred live export cattle – Get it right or lose it! ...... 8

New industry placement student in Kununurra...... 8

Livestock Compliance Unit at work ...... 9

Livestock Compliance Unit inspector –Maree Glasby, Broome ...... 9

A new method of pastoral lease reporting ...... 10

Landholder guidelines for the purchase of 1080 and strychnine – 28 July 2009 ...... 11

Fire management – making a crust without costing the earth ...... 13

How do you capture carbon in the Rangelands? ...... 14

Prevention is better than a cure ...... 17

Cattle Market Update – 28 August 2009 ...... 18

How useful is the Pastoral Memo to you? Do you want it – how and how often? ...... 19

Visit http://www.agric.wa.gov.au PASTORAL MEMO – NORTHERN PASTORAL REGION SEPTEMBER 2009

KNOW YOUR PASTURE PLANTS

Self-assessment reporting is coming in soon, so now is a great time to brush up on pasture plants knowledge and identification skills. Thanks to Rebecca in Karratha for getting the jump on it with the buffel grass feature back in March; this issue’s featured grass is native millet.

Native millet Native millet is an important, though minor, native pasture grass in the Kimberley. Significant attributes include that it is moderately productive, it can help to indicate changes in pasture condition, it is a good coloniser of degraded black soils and it may be a preferred forage species on lighter soils. The spread out, spindly seed- heads that break off and tumble about with the wind will be familiar to most, but the plant that these come from is not so widely recognised. Scientific name: Panicum decompositum Other names: Stargrass Other plants it may be confused with: Other large or perennial panics (e.g. pepper grass, hairy panic, boat panic), or other grasses that can form big tussocks (e.g. hoop Mitchell grass). Description: Native millet is a coarse, tussock-forming native grass that can form quite large clumps. It usually stands between 50 cm to 1 m high. The stems are thick and hollow. The broad, flat leaf blades have sharp edges and taper off to a pointed end. The leaves stick straight up at first, but may twist and curl as they hay off. The seed-head is very spread out with very small paired spikelets at the end of most branchlets. The seed-head is pyramid-shaped and about as wide as it is long (up to 40 cm) at its widest point; the entire structure falls off the plant when it is mature and it rolls along with the wind. Occurrence: Native millet will grow on a variety of soils, and is mostly found at low densities on heavy soils and floodplains as a fairly minor component of the pasture. It is common at low density throughout the Kimberley and northern Australia and is found at least as far south as the Goldfields in WA. It is found in all mainland states and its distribution includes environmental conditions ranging from wet to arid. Desirability: Native millet produces abundant foliage and is usually a perennial in the Kimberley, but it is not as long-lived or drought resistant as ribbon grass, bundle-bundle or Mitchell grass. Individual plants may survive several years under optimal conditions, but a fairly short lifespan (e.g. 2–3 years) is more usual. Native millet is a relatively desirable grass in ribbon grass pastures,

2 http://www.agric.wa.gov.au PASTORAL MEMO – NORTHERN PASTORAL REGION SEPTEMBER 2009 though less so than ribbon grass, bundle-bundle or plume sorghum. It is considered to be of intermediate value in Mitchell grass pastures relative to the highly productive and long-lived grasses that could potentially grow in these pastures. It is a good coloniser of degraded black soil country. Native millet dominating a previously degraded Mitchell grass pasture can indicate that condition is improving, but the trend may be vulnerable to reversal and the pasture is still well below its productive potential at this stage of recovery. Forage value: Acceptability to cattle and nutritional value are quite variable, though it is readily grazed when green and may be a preferred species on lighter soils. It is generally of lower forage value than other desirable perennial grasses on the heavier soils. Grazed plants can provide good feed well into the dry season, when cattle will return to previously grazed plants for the relatively nutritious new shoots. Detailed nutritional information for animal production is not currently available for native millet in the Kimberley. The nutritional information available from the Victoria River District, NT (Vallance et al. 1993) shows that the percentage values for digestibility, phosphorus and crude protein are generally lower for native millet than for ribbon grass, bundle- bundle and Mitchell grass.

References Vallance, HJ, Cobiac, MD, Andison, RT & Stockwell, TGH 1993, Important pasture species of the Victoria River District, Northern Territory Government, Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries. Petheram, RJ & Kok, B 2003, Plants of the Kimberley Region of Western Australia, revised edition, University of Western Australia Press, Perth.

Want to get to know more plants? Let us know what plants you would like to know more about in your pasture. Kath Ryan Email: [email protected] Phone: 9166 4009

Please check the address label on your publication. If it is incorrect or if you would like to be included on our mailing list, let us know!

Disclaimer This material has been written for Western Australian conditions. Its availability does not imply suitability to other areas, and any interpretation or use is the responsibility of the user. Mention of product or trade names does not imply recommendation, and any omissions are unintentional. Recommendations were current at the time of preparation of the original publication.

Front page photo courtesy of Michael Jeffery, Derby

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HELLO NORTHERN RANGELANDERS

Thanks to all authors for contributing articles to the Pastoral Memo during one of the busy periods of the year—it is greatly appreciated. Office hallways are very quiet at the moment with staff out 1080 baiting, monitoring stock movements, mustering and hurrying to complete field work before the wet season starts. In the September edition of the Pastoral Memo there is some interesting reading about native millet (is this plant present on your lease?), the carbon capture project which covers the Pilbara and Kimberley and a summary including top prices paid at the Fitzroy Crossing bull sale. There is always room for improvement—even a biased Memo editor accepts there can be some improvements to the local rag. Discussion about reducing Memo publications to twice yearly (currently quarterly), combining the southern and northern Memos and emailing copies to stations rather than posting out hard copies, has been bandied around the offices once again. To help answer these questions we have included a short ‘tick the box’ questionnaire at the back of the Memo for all readers to fill out. Other feedback on Memo content and its usefulness to your business will also be appreciated. Following on from the successful Broome livestock handling course for exporters, Charlotte McIntyre from the Department of Agriculture and Food is looking for interested participants to attend possible courses in Port Hedland and Wyndham. Please call on 9892 8511 for more details. Happy reading Matthew Fletcher

Some of the quality bulls offered at the Fitzroy Crossing bull sale

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FITZROY CROSSING BULL SALE SUMMARY

The Third Annual PGA Kimberley Division/Farmworks Bos indicus Bull and Heifer sale, held at the Fitzroy Crossing Rodeo Grounds on Friday 21 August, could best be described as outstanding, both in the quality of the bulls and heifers offered for sale and the prices received by the 19 vendors (three of whom were participating at this fixture for the first time). With a large attendance of pastoralists and very spirited bidding, added to a 95% sale result, bulls in particular found new homes throughout the Gascoyne, Pilbara, Kimberley and Northern Territory with the registered and commercial heifers being snapped up by local pastoralists wishing to improve their breeding herds.

Sale details: Registrations – 21 (from Busselton Æ Northern Territory)

Buyers – 16

Bulls by breed: Droughtmasters 25 sold – av. $3490 Top price $6250 Sellers – Barlyne Purchasers – Fossil Downs Station Charbray 5 sold – av. $2650 Top price $3500 Sellers – Rodlyn Purchasers – Jubilee Downs Red Brahman 47 sold – av. $2782 Top price 2 x $4000 Sellers – TMG Brahman NT Purchasers – Hill Springs Station, Carnarvon Grey Brahman 45 sold – av. $2994 Top price $5000 Sellers – Castle Livestock NT Purchasers – Jubilee Downs 122 bulls sold – average price $3000 Registered Red Brahman heifers sold to – Top $1500 Registered Grey Red Brahman heifers sold to – Top $1250 Registered Droughtmasters heifers sold to – Top $1000 Commercial heifers sold to – Top $450 Prior to the sale (Thursday night) 100 people, most of whom are involved in the Northern Cattle Industry, attended a ‘Cattleman’s Dinner’ at the Fitzroy River Lodge to hear speakers from MLA and Wellard Livestock update them on what is happening in the live export industry and for them to listen to issues and concerns pastoralists have on where the industry is going. For more information please contact: Edgar Richardson (PGA) on 0409 945 430.

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LIVESTOCK HANDLING COURSE FOR EXPORTERS

The Department of Agriculture and Food and industry body LiveCorp have teamed up to deliver a practical livestock handling course for all those involved in the live export chain. LiveCorp Technical Services Manager Peter Stinson said that the course was designed to teach techniques that use animals’ natural behaviour to move and manage them. ‘Correct animal handling not only reduces stress to the animal and their handler, but also improves productivity and welfare outcomes’, Mr Stinson said. ‘LiveCorp is committed to ensuring that all participants in the livestock export process have the opportunity to learn these techniques and so has allocated $40 000 over the next two years to provide subsidised training for stevedores, feedlot operators, truck drivers and owners.’ Course participants are eligible for a recognised competency, ‘Handling animals using basic techniques’, which can form part of a Certificate II in Agriculture.

Course participants in Broome in the classroom………………………….and working cattle in the yards.

More than 100 participants have attended the six courses to date, held at Baldivis, Perth and Broome, using nearby livestock yards for the practical elements of the course. The Department of Agriculture and Food coordinates course dates and enrolments, and intends to organise at least three more courses at major live export localities in WA soon, including Port Hedland and Geraldton. Department Technical Officer (Animal Welfare) and course coordinator Charlotte McIntyre said that this year’s workshops had included stevedores, saleyard operators, feedlot staff and livestock transporters. ‘Workshop participants said they were pleased to have learned new skills that were easy to implement and would help them move stock faster, while at the same time reducing stress on the animals’, Ms McIntyre said. For details on the course and enrolment inquiries, contact: Charlotte McIntyre Phone: 9892 8511 Email: [email protected]

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Easy movement of livestock using techniques that minimise stress to animals and handlers.

x Reduce truck loading and unloading times.

x Reduce livestock processing times.

x Improve animal productivity and welfare.

x Regular dates at Baldivis or Geraldton.

x Maximum 15 participants per course.

x A two-day course combining practical training at stockyards, and some classroom sessions.

Telephone Charlotte McIntyre (08) 9892 8444 for bookings.

Training delivered by Boyd Holden

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NLIS EXEMPTION FOR HOME-BRED LIVE EXPORT CATTLE – GET IT RIGHT OR LOSE IT!

NLIS regulations in WA allow for the use of transaction eartags for lines of home-bred cattle consigned from their PIC of property of birth directly to depots for live export. This exemption is on the condition they are not mixed with other cattle with NLIS electronic tags and have a separate NVD/waybill. The PIC on the transaction eartags in a consignment must match the PIC on the NVD/waybill. Cattle belonging to different PICs must not be mixed. Pastoralists must keep lines of live export cattle fitted with transaction eartags separate from those with NLIS electronic devices and write a separate NVD/waybill for each line, or the exemption may be removed. The exemption from the use of NLIS electronic devices is conditional on export depots being able to manage transaction eartagged cattle as separate lines. Audits of export depots have detected mixed consignments of transaction eartagged and electronically identified stock. Mixed lines cause trouble for depots and operators. If you are going to use transaction eartags, rather than NLIS electronic devices, consign them as a separate line with a separate NVD/waybill. If pastoralists cannot maintain the integrity of the identification system they risk prosecution and the exemption will be lost and all cattle will require NLIS electronic ID. For more information contact: Maree Glasby on 9194 1425 or 0404 819 626 Jack Nixon on 9780 6222 or 0427 089 860

NEW INDUSTRY PLACEMENT STUDENT IN KUNUNURRA

I’d like to introduce myself and let you know what I’m up to here in the Kimberleys. I come from a grazing background and home is the family property near Goondiwindi in southern Queensland. I am currently working through a four-year Agricultural Science degree, majoring in animal production at UQ, St Lucia. I was very fortunate to be taken on by the department’s Kununurra office for a 16-week industry placement, as part of my third-year studies. To date, I have spent two weeks in the field collecting samples with Mark Alchin’s carbon capture project and hope to tag along with the other rangelands staff throughout the placement to see and learn as much as I can. I’ve been lucky to get involved with Peter Smith in Karratha who is helping me to organise phosphorus analysis of Pilbara dung samples. Hopefully, my resulting analysis and report will complement the findings of his faecal NIRS project to build a knowledge base of dietary nutrient status of cattle in the region. I was told to be careful up here, that there is something in the water which charms people to stay for longer than they planned. I can certainly see why, and believe that if I don’t fit enough in this time around, that I’ll be back at some stage to fill in the gaps! Sally Begg

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LIVESTOCK COMPLIANCE UNIT AT WORK

The new Livestock Compliance Unit (LCU) within the Department of Agriculture and Food has been operational since 1 June. The LCU consists of seven department staff spread throughout the state: Donna Pead (Perth) Alex Stewart (Williams) Trevor Fitzpatrick (Waroona) Nicole Cottingham (Perth) John Barden (Cranbrook) Bevan Wooldridge (Moora) Maree Glasby (Broome) The LCU is managed by Lance Sgro, who is based in the Quarantine WA building at the International Airport. LCU staff are responsible for all surveillance for non-compliance with stock identification and movement legislation and National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) regulations. They will carry out all auditing and compliance activities in saleyards, export depots and abattoirs. Where livestock crime is suspected, LCU members will make preliminary inquiries and collect evidence before referring the issue to the police for further action where appropriate. They will also provide industry knowledge and technical expertise to police to assist in investigations. The LCU will also keep a database of suspected livestock breaches, investigations, prosecutions and outcomes. WA Police will continue to conduct crime investigations for offences such as stealing and fraud.

LIVESTOCK COMPLIANCE UNIT INSPECTOR – MAREE GLASBY, BROOME

Maree Glasby, a Livestock Compliance Unit (LCU) inspector, has been with the Department of Agriculture and Food in Broome for three years. Prior to this she attended Emerald Agricultural College in Queensland, followed by three years working on properties in the Northern Territory and Kimberley. Maree’s role is to protect beef industry biosecurity by increasing compliance with stock identification and movement and National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) legislation. Cattle movements are monitored at export depots near Broome, Wyndham and Port Hedland to ensure that all stock are identified and moved in compliance with the relevant legislation. As part of her role, Maree also collects and records evidence if she suspects a livestock offence has taken place and refers breaches to WA Police for further investigation. She works closely with regional detectives, providing livestock identification and traceability expertise to assist with livestock crime investigations. Maree also contributes to the LCU database of suspected livestock breaches, investigations, prosecutions and outcomes. Contact: 9194 1425 or 0404 819 626 http://www.agric.wa.gov.au 9 PASTORAL MEMO – NORTHERN PASTORAL REGION SEPTEMBER 2009

A NEW METHOD OF PASTORAL LEASE REPORTING

David Warburton, Development Officer, Department of Agriculture and Food WA, Northam

Pastoral lease inspection review All pastoral lessees should by now have received advice from the Pastoral Lands Board (PLB) outlining a change in the way the statutory obligations of operating a pastoral lease are reported to the PLB. These changes are the outcome of a year-long review of the current method of pastoral lease inspections as conducted by DAFWA pastoral lease inspectors. The review was initiated by the PLB and was performed by DAFWA in consultation with the pastoral industry and the PLB.

What are the changes? The PLB-endorsed ‘Lessee Self Assessment and Reporting’ method of pastoral lease reporting incorporates several important changes from the existing method. Foremost amongst these changes are: 1. Lessee installation of monitoring sites—all pastoral lessees will be required to install a comprehensive network of monitoring sites across their lease as a basis for data collection. 2. Objective measurement of range trend by lessees—the assessment of the trend in range condition will be based on objective data (count of plant numbers in shrubland areas and assessment of grass frequency in the grasslands) recorded from the monitoring sites on the lease. 3. Pastoral lessee self-assessment and reporting—pastoral lessees will be required to make a decision as to the trend in range condition at these monitoring sites as a result of their management and to report this, along with the data from each site, to the PLB through a standardised process. 4. Electronic submission—pastoral self reports will be submitted on-line. This will afford considerable savings in time and effort for pastoral lessees. 5. Report auditing—all pastoral lessee self reports will be audited. Initially this will take place remotely from the lease however, if and when concerns arise, a lease audit involving a property visit will be performed. Additionally, any lease may be subject to a random visit for the purpose of auditing. These auditing requirements are necessary to both ensure the accuracy of self-reporting and to enable the PLB to validate the information being provided.

What are the benefits to pastoralists? It is important to note that the concerns expressed by the pastoral industry about the existing reporting process were a primary motivator for the need to review the system. The ‘Self Assessment and Reporting’ method incorporates many suggestions made by the pastoral industry. The benefits of the new method include: • Lessees are responsible for demonstrating they are maintaining or improving range condition on their lease.

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• Assessment is based on objective data. Objective data is that which has been measured or counted. This removes any perception of subjectivity or operator bias in assessing range condition trend. • Reflection on the impact of management. It is considered fundamental that pastoral lessees formally reflect on the impact of their livestock and their management on the rangeland, particularly in terms of its likely future productivity for grazing. Moreover the collection of evidence of appropriate stewardship of the rangeland resource is, in itself, ‘insurance’ in view of increasing levels of public scrutiny of the use of the rangelands.

What happens next? During 2010 all pastoral lessees will be invited to attend self-assessment and reporting training workshops in their local area. These workshops will cover all aspects of the process including: • how to install and assess monitoring sites • which are the important indicator plants in your area and how to recognise them • how to submit the data using the internet web page • provision of print and electronic material to assist lessees. It is important to consider that these workshops will be the primary opportunity to learn the new system. If you are unable to attend your local workshop you should consider attending another which may be some distance away; DAFWA staff will not be available for one-on-one assistance to pastoralists in regard to site installation and assessment in the self-reporting process. If you wish to discuss the changes to the lease reporting process, please contact Mr Andrew Prior, Senior Policy Officer, Pastoral Lands Board Business Unit (08 9347 5127). For information on setting up your monitoring system and collecting the data please contact: Sandra Van Vreeswyk – Department of Agriculture and Food WA Phone: 9191 0333 Email: [email protected] or your nearest DAFWA office.

LANDHOLDER GUIDELINES FOR THE PURCHASE OF 1080 AND STRYCHNINE – 28 JULY 2009

To assess your full responsibilities you must consult the relevant Codes of Practice and other relevant legislation. The following provides a brief summary of the minimum requirements for Landholders and S7 Retailers. Under Section 24 of the Poisons Act 1964, 1080 and strychnine in Western Australia is administered by the Department of Health (DoH). The Department of Agriculture and Food WA (DAFWA) is an authorised Department under Section 24 to manufacture and administer the above products for agricultural protection on behalf of DoH. Currently, farmers and pastoralists in Western Australia who want access to 1080 or strychnine for the control of declared animals require authorisation from the Chief Executive Officer of the department to transport and use the products on their properties. To gain this authority, farmers and pastoralists are required to complete an application form and present it to their local DAFWA http://www.agric.wa.gov.au 11 PASTORAL MEMO – NORTHERN PASTORAL REGION SEPTEMBER 2009

Biosecurity officers who will then undertake a Risk Assessment of the proposed use of 1080 or strychnine and ensure that the applicant or their nominated person is appropriately trained in its use. If approved, the authorised person is provided with an approval form that identifies the poison to be used, the quantity of the poison authorised, a set timeframe to use the poison and a voucher authorising supply. Landholders are then required to present the voucher to an S7 retailer to collect their authorised poisons. Department of Health Regulations require S7 retailers to store 1080 and strychnine products in a lockable container, within a secure, lockable cabinet/cage/building (i.e. there must be two lockable barriers between the product and the outside). Landholders are required to transport and store 1080 and strychnine in a secure lockable container.

The process 1. Landholders must apply for use of 1080 and strychnine through your local Department of Agriculture and Food WA (DAFWA). 2. Risk Assessment and Approval is undertaken by DAFWA (the landholder must have had training in the safe use and handling of 1080 and/or strychnine). 3. A 1080 or strychnine Authorisation Voucher is issued to the landholder; may be sent direct to the S7 retailer with prior arrangement, or kept by the DAFWA officer, for the product to be collected by them personally from the retailer. (Some products have restrictions on who can collect them form the S7 retailer—see below.) 4. The Authorisation Voucher states who is authorised to pick up the 1080 or strychnine product. Only the person nominated to receive the 1080 or strychnine product listed on the Authorisation Voucher can pick up the product. S7 retailers must verify the identity of the person picking up the product (e.g. driver’s licence). 5. Landholders can only pick up (on presentation of a valid Authorisation Voucher) 1080 products ready for direct field application or strychnine for use on wild dog trap jaws to be used on properties within the local government areas as listed in Appendix A, Schedules 1 and 2 of the Code of Practice for the Safe Use and Management of Strychnine (in the Agricultural areas strychnine for use on dog trap jaws is restricted to the following shires: Chapman Valley, Dalwallinu, Esperance, Lake Grace, Morawa, Mt Marshall, Mukinbudin, Narembeen, Nungarin, Ravensthorpe, Perenjori, Koorda, Kondinin, Kulin, Northampton, Mullewa, Yilgarn and Westonia. Other locations can be approved by Authorising Officers of DAFWA). 6. Only suitably endorsed licensed pest management technicians or Authorised Officers from DAFWA can pick up 1080 concentrate formulations, i.e. ‘one shot’ impregnated oats, 1080 Concentrate liquid or strychnine for the preparation of emu bait. These are restricted products and cannot be picked up by a landholder. 7. S7 retailers must keep all records of 1080 and strychnine sales and transfers on file for a minimum of two years from the supply date. These are needed to comply with the audits undertaken by the Department of Health. (Refer to Requirements for Record Keeping of the relevant Code of Practice–April 2009) which will be provided by DAFWA. 8. If requested, S7 retailers must supply landholders with the manufacturer’s MSDS for the product/s and/or be directed to the relevant Code of Practice on the DAFWA website. If you have any queries concerning 1080 and strychnine products and procedures, please contact your local office of the Department of Agriculture and Food.

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FIRE MANAGEMENT – MAKING A CRUST WITHOUT COSTING THE EARTH

John Silver, Program Manager, Rangelands NRM WA, Carnarvon

There are a number of benefits when your neighbour’s fire management plan becomes an extension of your own. This, combined with prescribed aerial burning (strategic buffers), results in a better preparedness for wildfire; a decrease in individuals’ fighting costs and a marked decrease in the distance wildfire can travel. Organisations like Rangelands NRM WA invest in fire management to: 1. minimise the frequency and extent of mid–late dry season (intense) fires, protecting high conservation habitat 2. increase the number of unburnt vegetation patches throughout a project area 3. have feed available for when it is most needed (maximising pastoral production without the risk of overgrazing, declining soil health, weed colonisation and erosion). EcoFire (Central/North Kimberley) The EcoFire pilot project completed its third early–dry season prescribed burning program in June 2009. The demonstration area encompasses 5 million ha of mixed land tenure (14 stations, UCL and Aboriginal land) and included FESA, DEC, KLC and DAFWA as project partners. From all accounts, the project has been an on-ground success, with pastoral, conservation and Indigenous interests working collaboratively with state government agencies. Congratulations to Sarah, the AWC team at Mornington and all of those involved. The evaluation will not be completed until February 2010, but indicative findings demonstrate conservation and production outcomes are complementary and a coordinated approach to fire management is essential in managing fire on a landscape scale. Rangelands NRM staff remain hopeful subsequent Commonwealth funds can be secured under the Australian Government’s Caring for our Country program.

Dampier Peninsular The success of the EcoFire model is being replicated on the Dampier Peninsular—which is severely affected by wildfire most years. Indigenous Ranger groups will be working with Environs Kimberley to protect coastal monsoon vine thicket patches. The opportunity will also exist for land managers to better utilise FESA’s aerial burning program (pastoral, UCL) and DEC-managed lands to ensure these ‘independent’ projects collectively make up a prescribed burn plan, including the use of strategic buffers, on the Peninsular.

80 Mile Beach This project will be delivered by DAFWA (Derby) and aims to promote pastoral management on the 80 Mile Beach coast from wind erosion by best practice fire and grazing management, including management of weeds and feral animals. Priority on ground works will have the opportunity to apply to Rangelands NRM’s devolved grant scheme in 2010/11.

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Hamersley Range DEC (Karratha) will deliver this pilot project in collaboration with pastoral, government and industry landholders to ensure pastoral and ecological values of the Hamersley Ranges are maintained. The project will begin to establish a summer and winter burning program on DEC-managed lands and introduce strategic buffers on privately managed pastoral stations to protect the natural resources of the eastern Hamersley subregion. For further information please contact: John Silver, Rangelands NRM WA Phone: 9941 9743 Email: [email protected]

HOW DO YOU CAPTURE CARBON IN THE RANGELANDS?

Mark Alchin, Development Officer, Kununurra

Rangelands cover more than three-quarters of Australia’s land mass and have long been the backbone to our economy primarily through mining, pastoralism and tourism. The Rangelands may provide a new platform of wealth generation for Australians by producing carbon offsets. The three primary drivers which will determine the extent to which rangelands can actively capture the legacy load of carbon from the atmosphere are climate, fire and grazing. We have limited capacity to influence the local climatic conditions. However, we have significant scope to manage fire and grazing patterns. Recent achievements by those involved in the Ecofire Project1 demonstrate the potential to reduce the risk of extensive, mid-to-late dry season fires which are known to emit substantial loads of greenhouse gases. Reduced incidence of late–dry season fires can also improve land condition and increase forage reserves (which can lead to higher carrying capacities). Similarly, there is evidence across Australia of how grazing management can be used to improve perennial groundcover and soil condition and thereby sequester and store carbon2. When you consider that approximately 20% (or 16.8 million ha) of the WA Rangelands is currently rated to be in poor condition and savanna fires emit over 11.5 million tonnes of greenhouse gases every year, it highlights the opportunity for improvement3. In this context, the Carbon Capture Project has been exploring the scope for carbon sequestration and storage in the Kimberley– Pilbara region. During the 2009 dry season the Carbon Capture Project launched a major research effort to survey the existing carbon storage levels of the soil and vegetation on three pastoral stations in the

1 Legge, S, Kingswood, R, Swan, D, Murphy, S & Maher, B 2009, Ecofire—A report on the prescribed burning program March to June 2009, Australian Wildlife Conservancy. 2 Bartle, R & Brennan, G 2006, Cell grazing in a semi-arid environment—Does it pay?, Southern Rangelands Pastoral Memo, September, 2006, WA Department of Agriculture and Food. McCosker, T 2000, ‘Cell grazing—the first 10 years’, Aust. J Trop Grassl. Soc. Aust. 3:207–218. 3 Based on latest data from pastoral lease inspection reports collected on behalf of the Pastoral Lands Board, emissions figure reported in: http://www.garnautreview.org.au

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Kimberley–Pilbara. The stations were Cheela Plains (120 km west of Tom Price), Roebuck Plains (30 km east of Broome) and Mt Barnett (310 km east of Derby). The final round of field surveys was completed in August. Over 700 soil samples were collected, more than 9000 individual trees and shrubs were measured and grass and litter was removed from 1500 quadrats. The soil samples are currently being analysed for carbon and nitrogen levels. In the December edition of the Pastoral Memo I intend to provide preliminary findings of the research.

Soil drilling rig taking samples at Roebuck Plains Station

A common question I am asked is, ‘how do you actually assess the amount of carbon in the Rangelands?’. As a preamble to the findings, I thought it would be beneficial to outline the process and methods involved in the field survey so you will have a better understanding of the final results. Figure 1 provides a summary of the process involved in the carbon accounting method used in the Carbon Capture Project. The data obtained from this process will be statistically analysed and modelled to determine whether grazing or fire can have a measurable impact on the amount of carbon sequestered and stored on a pastoral lease. The major challenge with carbon accounting work in the Rangelands is the issue of scale of the assessment. There is substantial variation across time and space in the Rangelands and this must be taken into consideration. This is one of the primary reasons why many people consider the Rangelands have limited to no long-term potential for sequestration and storage of carbon. Detecting change with a degree of statistical rigour is a challenge because there can be substantial background ‘noise’ that can be difficult to filter out in order to identify the major drivers of change (i.e. is the observed improvement in soil carbon levels due to the improved grazing or fire regime or is it simply due to an extended above-average rainfall cycle?). I remain optimistic that we can achieve this and the financial costs associated with it could be justified by the potential returns.

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Three case study Three stations were selected based on representative pastoral stations management systems and land-systems

Carbon accounting A site is a 25 x 25 m square. site selection 100 sites were selected per station which were stratified based on % groundcover change (between 1989 and 2006) and land- system. (5 land cover change classes x 4 land-systems x 5 replicates of each = 100 sites per station). Site information collected includes fire history, stocking rate, grazing system, distance from water.

The primary carbon pools at every site were measured using the methods outlined below

Above ground component Below ground component

Trees/shrubs Coarse woody Standing Soil carbon Soil bulk (> 0.5 m debris matter and density height) (fallen logs) surface litter

Three 25 m One 25 m Grass/small Five cores One core transects transect which sh ru b materia l taken per site taken per site which measured the was cut and at intervals of: at the same measured the dimensions of surface litter 0-10 cm intervals as dimensions of every piece of was collected 10-20 cm the soil carbon every debris that from within 20-30 cm samples tree/shrub that int ersected it five 30x30 cm intersected it quadrats at each site

Figure 1 Summary of carbon accounting process on three case study pastoral stations

A reminder that under the current legislation pastoral leaseholders do not hold the legal entitlement to trade any carbon offsets that may be created on their leases, as it is a separate entitlement that must be obtained from the Department of Planning and Infrastructure. The Carbon Capture Project will be completed in March 2010 and further work may continue depending on the nature of the results and the support of the industry and key stakeholders. I encourage you to contact me if you have any queries or suggestions. For further information on the Carbon Capture Project contact: Mark Alchin Mobile: 0447 077 899 or Email: [email protected]

16 http://www.agric.wa.gov.au PASTORAL MEMO – NORTHERN PASTORAL REGION SEPTEMBER 2009

PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN A CURE

Tracey Vinnicombe, Kununurra

Various weeds, including Mission grass, rat’s tail grass, grader grass and sicklepod have established themselves in many areas across the northern Rangelands. Weeds often compete successfully with native vegetation, impacting negatively on the grazing potential of infested areas. Increased fire intensity and the possibility of an increased incidence of soil erosion are other weed related problems that can occur. Preventing the establishment and spread of weeds on your lease is of great importance to both the environment and business profitability. A few simple but effective procedures that can help in the battle against weeds are: • ensure staff are informed about the location and management of current weed populations on the lease • impress upon staff the importance of looking out for ‘new weeds’ • inspect machinery coming onto the lease for weeds and have it cleaned down if required • ensure station machinery working in ‘weedy’ areas is cleaned down before moving to another area of the property • when purchasing hay ask questions about weeds in the local area from which it came and the paddock in which it Grader grass is common across the north was baled—after the wet season monitor areas where Kimberley however, due to transportation, it hay was fed for weeds that may have germinated. is starting to appear in the east Kimberley. The local Department of Agriculture and Food biosecurity officer is available to assist with collection of weed samples for identification. This generally involves recording the location of the plant and collecting samples of flowers, seeds, leaf and stem, all of which are required to make a positive ID. Taking a digital photograph of the suspect plant and emailing it to the local biosecurity officer is another method of obtaining an ID. Once a weed threat is identified a plan can then be formulated for the successful containment or eradication of the weed or weeds posing the threat. Feral animal pests such as donkeys, camels and pigs can also impact negatively on the environment and the business profitability of a lease. Pigs can not only be destructive but can also pose a health risk (Leptospirosis) to both cattle and humans. Reporting pig numbers, their location and the time of day seen, to the local biosecurity officer will increase awareness of the pig problem and enable more accurate monitoring of the feral pig population. Biosecurity officers are also able to supply information on best practice for trapping, baiting or shooting of feral animals when such actions are required. Biosecurity officers are available to help station managers understand the biology of pest animals and weeds on their lease and it is hoped that this interaction will result in Feral pigs feeding on fermented grain at a improved eradication/control outcomes. baiting station in the Fitzroy Valley

http://www.agric.wa.gov.au 17 PASTORAL MEMO – NORTHERN PASTORAL REGION SEPTEMBER 2009

CATTLE MARKET UPDATE – 28 AUGUST 2009

Export numbers (Northern Ports 2009)

• 11 684 head left the Broome Port between June and the 28 August 2009 • 1189 head left the Port Hedland Port between June and the 25 August 2009 • 11 997 head left the Wyndham Port between June and the 28 August 2009

18 http://www.agric.wa.gov.au PASTORAL MEMO – NORTHERN PASTORAL REGION SEPTEMBER 2009

HOW USEFUL IS THE PASTORAL MEMO TO YOU? DO YOU WANT IT – HOW AND HOW OFTEN?

The Northern Pastoral Memo production team is seeking your feedback on possible changes to the production and circulation of your Memo. We would be pleased if you could take the time to complete the ‘tick the box’ questions below and return them to Matt Fletcher. The Memo was originally established a number of years ago as a means of communicating information and notices to pastoralists in the Pilbara and Kimberley. The ‘newsletter’ format with generally short, easy to read articles, published quarterly has been largely unchanged during this time. You will agree that communication opportunities have changed a lot during the life of the Memo. Remember when the ‘web’ was a food capture tool for spiders? As part of improving the Memo we are keen to get your views on how useful the Memo is to you and what is the preferred, most convenient, practical method for you, our readers, to receive the Memo. In these days of increasing attention to budget detail we need to ensure that $s spent are providing a value for money service to you our clients. It would really be appreciated if you could take a few minutes to complete the questions below and another couple of minutes to post, fax, or scan and email it back to: Matt Fletcher Memo Editor, DAFWA PO Box 19 KUNUNURRA WA 6743 Phone: (08) 9166 4019 Fax: (08) 9166 4016 Email: [email protected]

Name (optional):......

Location (please) i.e. Pilbara, Kimberley, other: ......

1. Please indicate how useful the Memo is to you: (5 very useful — 1 useless) 1 2 3 4 5

2. How often during the year would you like to receive the Memo? (Traditionally four editions a year—March/April, June/July, September, December Christmas edition) 0 1 2 3 4

3. What is your preferred format for receiving the Memo? (please tick 1 option only)

• Newsletter by post – (current delivery practice)

• DAFWA web page with email notice and link of when the new edition is ‘loaded’

4. Should the northern Memo be amalgamated with the southern Memo, resulting in a larger publication including content from the Southern Rangelands? (Current practice is for editors to only include relevant articles in both publications.) Yes / No

http://www.agric.wa.gov.au 19