Rangelands Memo April 2012

April 2012 ISSN 1033-5757 Vol. 2, No. 1

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

CONTENTS

Welcome from the editor ...... 2 Rainfall maps ...... 3 Population genetics of wild dogs in Western Australia ...... 4 Pain management in castrated beef cattle ...... 6 Turning off ‘fat’ cattle ...... 8 Use the right ear...... 10 Devolved grants available to Kimberley producers ...... 10 Rangeland Condition Monitoring workshops ...... 11 Range Condition Monitoring – plants of the southern shrublands ...... 12 Examples of different rangeland condition states in an acacia sandplain pasture community ...... 15 Fencing facts and figures ...... 17 Jumping cholla cactus ‘solarisation’ as a control option ...... 19 Rangeland pastures after bushfire ...... 20 Kimberley early dry season aerial burning program ...... 22 Larrawa station producer demonstration site – paddock walk ...... 23 Kimberley and Nullarbor rangeland surveys launched ...... 25 Update: Grazing Land Management package – Pilbara ...... 26 1080 Impregnated Oats for wild dogs ...... 27 Cattle Market Update – 30 March 2012 ...... 28

Visit http://www.agric.wa.gov.au RANGELANDS MEMO APRIL 2012

WELCOME FROM THE EDITOR

Thanks to all staff who contributed to the April 2012 Rangelands Memo. The period 1 October 2011 to 31 March 2012 provided average to very much above average rainfall across the WA Rangelands, as evidenced by the rainfall decile map on page 3. The majority of the Southern Rangelands had above to very much above average rainfall for this period. Cyclone Lua and its remnants dumped significant amounts of rainfall in mid-March in the East Pilbara, upper Fortescue, Ashburton, Gascoyne, Murchison catchments and Goldfields. For most cattle producers in the Southern Rangelands seasonal conditions over the last 15 months have been very good, with good forage availability. According to the rainfall outlook for 1 April to 30 June across the WA Rangelands there is little to suggest any significant variance from the norm this year. The feature article Population genetics of wild dogs in Western Australia provides an unprecedented view into the private lives of WA’s wild dogs. Danielle Stephens from the University of Western Australia has conducted a comprehensive study of wild dog genetics, as part of a PhD thesis. The thesis is the culmination of five years of collecting wild dog tissue samples (2286 collected), examination, data analysis, discussion and drawing conclusions. The article contains a striking map (see page 4) showing four distinct population clusters of wild dogs across WA, based on their genetic make-up. The map also illustrates how wild dogs tend to move within their population cluster boundaries rather than across them. However, within each population cluster wild dogs tended not to move large distances. As an example, dogs within the three western populations are significantly more related to other animals within 150–250 kilometres. Beyond this distance individuals are considered to be genetically ‘isolated-by-distance’. Key findings from this study will be valuable for identifying further targeted areas of research into wild dog control and for Regional Biosecurity Groups across the state working to control wild dogs. The roll-out of Range Condition Monitoring workshops in the Northern Rangelands begins on 17 April with workshops to be held at Burks Park and Red Hill stations—12 workshops are planned in total. If you have not yet sent an RSVP or are unsure of what workshop to attend, please contact the Pastoral Land Unit on (08) 6552 4574. A list of proposed workshops is on page 11. There will be a paddock walk on Larrawa station on Friday 20 April to look at works completed as part of a producer demonstration site that has been running since 2009. Good falls of rain in mid-March were recorded in the regeneration area and as a result the majority of ponds have filled and are ponding water to a depth of 10 cm. A significant amount of data has been collected over the previous three years on diesel consumption by 12G and 16G machines, cost of pond and spreader bank construction per metre, cost per hectare to rehabilitate and changes in annual and perennial vegetation post-construction of earthworks. This information will be presented at the paddock walk. Matthew Fletcher

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 photos: Ronaldson Bros & Tippett (diesel engine), 1939 – Murray Shiner, Kununurra. These diesel engines were used to drive bucket elevators at grain receival sites throughout the WA wheat belt, up until the early 1970s. Massey Ferguson tractor, Belelle Station, Murchison – Kristie Parker, Broome. 1950s Austin Loadstar truck, Dalwallinu – Photographer, Bron Cooke, www.musteringthekimberley.com

2 http://www.agric.wa.gov.au RANGELANDS MEMO APRIL 2012

Western Australian Rainfall Deciles – 1 October 2011 to 31 March 2012 Distribution based on Gridded Data Product of the National Climate Centre

Rain Outlook: 50% change of exceeding 1 April to 30 June 2012 Product of the National Climate Centre

http://www.agric.wa.gov.au 3 RANGELANDS MEMO APRIL 2012

POPULATION GENETICS OF WILD DOGS IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Danielle Stephens, Research Associate, Helix Molecular Solutions and Malcolm Kennedy, Research Officer, DAFWA

Wild dogs can have a significant impact on livestock enterprises. To help improve wild dog control across the state, Danielle Stephens from the University of Western Australia has conducted a comprehensive study of wild dog genetics. Danielle’s PhD thesis provides an unprecedented view into the private lives of WA’s wild dogs.

Why use genetics for wild dogs? Genetic analysis can show how members of a population are related. This can inform us about their reproductive behaviour and movements. Genetic techniques have contributed to the management of other invasive species, such as pigs, starlings and camels. For wild dogs, genetic information can help determine the scale at which control measures can be most effective. It can also tell us about patterns of dog movements and likely sources of recruitment following control operations.

Genetic analysis of wild dogs in Western Australia One part of Danielle’s study looked at the genetic relationships of wild dogs in WA. DNA samples were collected from 2286 wild dogs across WA between 2007 and 2009, with the help of landholders, doggers, researchers and staff from the Department of Agriculture and Food and the Department of Environment and Conservation. The fantastic response from land managers who provided so many wild dog tissue samples from across the state, enabled Danielle to examine the genetics of these dogs on an unprecedented scale. The results show that there are four distinct wild dog populations in WA (Figure 1). Three populations are located in the South West, Midwest and North West. A fourth, larger population occurs in eastern Western Australia. The map in Figure 1 is striking, but it is important to understand that the separate populations do not represent groups or individual animals moving freely about in each area. Rather, the populations represent patterns of relatedness over many generations. Figure 1 Individual wild dogs (represented by Wild dogs within a population (e.g. the red dots circles) are assigned to one of four population clusters based on their genetic make-up. Each indicating the North West population in Figure 1) population is represented by a unique colour. are most closely related to other animals in the Individuals that have ancestry from more than same area and have limited affiliation with animals one population are coloured according to their main population of origin (Stephens 2011).

4 http://www.agric.wa.gov.au RANGELANDS MEMO APRIL 2012 in surrounding areas. This limited overlap between populations means there is only restricted movement of dogs between populations and that they are much more likely to move within population boundaries than across them. Interestingly there are no landform barriers, like rivers or mountain ranges, causing the separation of populations. Difference in wild dog behaviour, such as prey or habitat, may contribute to the separation. The genetic analysis indicates that within each population, wild dogs generally do not move large distances. Within the three western populations, dogs are significantly more related to other animals within 150–250 kilometres. Beyond this distance individuals are considered to be genetically ‘isolated-by-distance’. This means that over multiple generations the dogs will generally stay within 250 km of their family territory. Within the large inland population ‘isolation-by-distance’ occurs over 450 km. This is higher than in the western populations and may reflect greater movement due to scarcer resources—although lack of samples from the inland region means we can only draw limited conclusions about this population. Species that are able to disperse widely and regularly do so (e.g. camels) do not show the kind of separate populations and ‘isolation-by-distance’ we see here with wild dogs. The discrete populations and the ‘isolation-by-distance’ are due to the movement patterns of wild dogs. If wild dogs routinely moved long distances, there would be no ‘isolation-by-distance’ and no separation into individual populations. This means that despite the fact wild dogs have the physical ability to disperse, the genetic analysis indicates that long-distance dispersal is not a common feature of wild dog behaviour in WA—providing useful background for management strategies.

What does this mean for wild dog control? Two key findings from this study—population boundaries and the relatively short ‘isolation-by- distance’ measures—support regional approaches to wild dog control and current baiting strategies respectively. The distinct boundaries separating populations means that wild dogs are more likely to move within populations than between them. As a result, coordinated regional control targeted at the population scale is likely to bring about most effective wild dog control. By targeting control at the population scale, the potential for rapid reinvasion is reduced because reinvading animals need to move across, rather than within, population boundaries. As the populations do not line up evenly with Recognised Biosecurity Group (RBG) boundaries, there is a need to consider the best way to coordinate between RBGs to address wild dogs at the population scale. The general lack of long distance dispersal by wild dogs—as indicated by the ‘isolation-by- distance’ measures—supports the current baiting strategy of protection of stocked paddocks combined with intensive control in buffer zones where required. Danielle Stephens, Research Associate, Helix Molecular Solutions Malcolm Kennedy, Research Officer, Department of Agriculture and Food Email: [email protected]

http://www.agric.wa.gov.au 5 RANGELANDS MEMO APRIL 2012

PAIN MANAGEMENT IN CASTRATED BEEF CATTLE

[Extract: Final report – Pain management in castrated beef cattle, Meat and Livestock Australia publication]

With increasing scrutiny of livestock management practices, particularly those that are invasive and likely to cause pain, the beef cattle industry needs objective data to defend or modify practices. The tension-bander, used for castrating bulls, is promoted as offering superior health, welfare and production outcomes compared to other castration methods, particularly for older bulls. There are anecdotal reports in the northern Australian industry that tension-banding is finding increasing favour in some regions. Further, although castration by rings is specifically mentioned in the current cattle welfare code of practice, with the recommendation that they should be used only on calves under 2 weeks of age, tension-banding is not mentioned. Any decisions made about the use of tension-banding should be on the basis of sound, scientific evidence that is relevant to the Australian beef cattle industry. Few scientific examinations of the tension-bander have been conducted; none have been conducted under northern Australian conditions, few have focused on welfare outcomes by applying multiple measures (e.g. behaviour, physiology, health and productivity) and only one has used Bos indicus cattle. This project was, therefore, conducted to fill these gaps. It examined the welfare outcomes, assessed from measures of behaviour, certain blood and plasma parameters, wound healing and liveweight changes, of weaner (approximately 225 kg) and mature Bos indicus bulls (approximately 420 kg) castrated by the tension-bander (Callicrate™) with and without the administration of an analgesic (a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), namely, ketoprofen), and those castrated surgically with and without analgesia. The weaner experiment was conducted during the dry season (July–October 2010) and the mature bull experiment in the wet season (November 2010–January 2011). The mature bulls were accustomed to handling and restraint having been previously used in a study involving breeding soundness examinations and electro-ejaculation. The weaners had minimal experience of handling and restraint. For each cohort, 32 animals were used in a 2 x 2 factorial designed experiment with the treatment combinations being: tension-band castration with ketoprofen administered intramuscularly immediately prior to castration (Band+NSAID); tension-band castration with saline administered intramuscularly immediately prior to castration (Band+saline); surgical castration with ketoprofen administered intramuscularly immediately prior to castration (Surgical+NSAID); and surgical castration with saline administered intramuscularly immediately prior to castration (Surgical+saline). Blood samples for measurements of packed cell volume, plasma total protein, cortisol, creatine kinase and haptoglobin (all of which are indicators of pain and stress) were taken immediately before castration and at 30 min. (weaners) or 40 min. (mature) and 2, 7, 24, 48 and 72 hrs, and 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks post-castration. Behavioural recordings were made on the day of castration and days 1, 2 and 3 and weeks 1 to 4 post-castration. Scrotal circumferences were measured and wounds checked, photographed and scored for healing at 1 to 6 weeks and 2 months post-castration and liveweights recorded at weeks 1 to 6, and 2 and 3 months post- castration. Banding caused less pain and discomfort than surgical castration during the procedures, as evidenced by a significant difference in the amount the bulls moved in the crush. Changes in behaviour in the period to 1.5 hrs post-castration, however, indicated that the banded bulls of both cohorts experienced greater pain and stress than the surgically castrated bulls. Ketoprofen alleviated the pain, although it took time to take effect, with significant reductions in ‘abnormal’ behaviours (e.g. kicking, tail flicking, standing head down, walking backwards) and increases in ‘normal’ behaviours (e.g. feeding, ruminating, self-grooming) seen in the 1.5 to 3 hr period post-

6 http://www.agric.wa.gov.au RANGELANDS MEMO APRIL 2012 castration. There were rarely behavioural differences between the treatments after the day of castration. Changes in plasma concentrations of total protein and packed cell volume indicated that the surgically castrated cattle lost more blood than the banded cattle, as would be expected. Creatine kinase concentrations rose for all treatments during the day of castration which was also as expected, due to the repeated handling, restraint and blood-sampling. The bulls given ketoprofen, however, had higher concentrations than those given saline. It is possible that this was a consequence of the effective analgesia which resulted in the ketoprofen-treated cattle being more active. Plasma cortisol concentrations were significantly reduced post-castration in the surgically castrated but not the banded mature bulls given ketoprofen, but there was no difference between any treatments in the weaners, all of which had high concentrations. Familiarity with handling and restraint was a difference between the cohorts, with the mature bulls being more accustomed than the weaners. Thus, it is likely that, in the weaners, the cortisol response to pain was masked by the cortisol response to handling and restraint. In contrast, the cortisol response in the mature bulls was reflecting pain. It would appear that the pain from tension-banding, unlike that from surgical castration, was not alleviated by the analgesic. The mature, banded bulls showed significantly elevated cortisol concentrations at 2 to 4 weeks post-castration compared to the surgically castrated cattle. Haptoglobin concentrations were also significantly elevated in the banded cattle (both cohorts) during this period. Thus, the mature bulls were likely to have been experiencing chronic, inflammatory pain which was not apparent in the weaner cattle, perhaps due to their wound sizes being smaller. Wounds were significantly slower to heal in the banded than surgically castrated animals, although all were healed by 2 months post- castration. Treatments generally did not affect liveweight changes, although the ketoprofen-treated mature bulls had lower average liveweights over 3 months compared to those given saline. These results clearly demonstrate that tension-banding castration, using the Callicrate Bander™, did not provide superior welfare, health and productivity outcomes compared to surgical castration, in either weaner or mature bulls, as has been claimed by the manufacturer and retailers. Although tension-banding caused negligible pain and discomfort during application, it induced high levels of pain immediately post-castration, a potentially painful inflammatory response for at least 1 month post-castration, slow wound healing and no liveweight gain benefits compared to surgical castration. These findings are probably not unique to the Callicrate™ device, but are likely to apply to all tension-banding technologies. Thus, our overall conclusion is that tension-banding is an inferior option to surgery for the castration of cattle that are representative of the ages and genotype in the northern Australian beef cattle industry. Administration of an analgesic provided some alleviation of pain, but for optimal effectiveness it would need to be given 20 to 30 min. prior to castration, if administered intramuscularly. This requirement is likely to be difficult to accommodate with current cattle handling procedures, as it would necessitate either double-handling of the animals or a lengthy holding period in the race. Further, ketoprofen was associated with increased blood loss in the surgical castrates, which may be an additional risk for cattle with low haematocrit levels. Ketoprofen administration also had some unexpected consequences; average liveweights of the mature cattle were lower in the ketoprofen- treated than saline-treated animals. This is paradoxical given that ketoprofen alleviated pain and has a short period of effect (12–24 hrs). Additionally, lateral lying was seen significantly more in the banded cattle given ketoprofen than other treatments and, at this time, we are unable to explain this finding. A copy of the full report is available at: http://www.mla.com.au/Research-and-development/Final-report-details?projectid=15155 http://www.agric.wa.gov.au 7 RANGELANDS MEMO APRIL 2012

TURNING OFF ‘FAT’ CATTLE

The Northern Rangelands has not traditionally been recognised as a system producing ‘fat’ cattle, i.e. cattle suitable for slaughter. After a good growing season last year and what looks to be another this year, together with the changing market conditions caused by the restricted Indonesian market, things are changing! We can all expect to see more ‘fat’ cattle coming out of the system. This will be as a direct consequence of more cattle going out of specification for the Indonesian market. Similarly, more aged/cull breeders available for slaughter as changes in breeding programs are implemented with less emphasis on the Bos indicus phenotype, to cattle more suited for slaughter to meet new and changing markets. With these changes in mind, producers must be aware of how they approach and handle these fat cattle, to get them to market in the best condition possible with minimal weight loss and maintain proper handling from a welfare perspective. Rangeland cattle as we know them are essentially accustomed to a relatively ‘sedate lifestyle’, with little influence by humans compared to the more intensive production systems elsewhere. Times of muster can and will result in increased stress levels, especially under the hot conditions experienced in the Northern Rangelands. Older and good condition cattle require a more cautious approach when being mustered and handled as they are at a higher risk of adverse effects. Typically the fat, heavier animal is more prone to stress, being less capable of regulating its body temperature and thus more susceptible to becoming overheated. Diseases such as bovine ephemeral fever (BEF or three day sickness) are recognised as causing sporadic losses in the better conditioned/overweight animals. These animals are less able to thermo-regulate, resulting in an inability to control their core body temperature, i.e. prolonged periods of fever damaging their internal organs, especially their kidneys. Similarly, bulls can also suffer temporary bouts of infertility as high body temperature results in sperm death. (BEF is known to occur in WA. Losses have been suspected and presence often demonstrated though we have little or no knowledge if it is a significant cause of loss. Vaccination against BEF is available though the cost-to-benefit ratios must be considered.) Putting animals in good condition under stress, for any reason, can result in similar overheating issues. Management of ‘fat’ cattle can be further complicated when nutritional and energy requirements are not being met for whatever reason. This can result in ‘fatty liver syndrome’. (Pregnancy toxaemia is similarly characterised by a fatty liver where energy requirements are not being met during late pregnancy.) ‘Fatty liver’, more correctly known as ketosis, is where an animal is forced to mobilise its own fat reserves to provide enough energy for its own use. This is an energy-demanding process in itself. It is carried out within the liver and results in a by-product called ketones, also used as an energy source but toxic to the body if allowed to build up. As the animal becomes ketotic it becomes acidotic, thus reducing its appetite and further exacerbating the problem. Other biochemical changes include low magnesium and calcium levels leading to weakness and lying down. These animals can be characterised by their inappetance (not wanting to eat), empty rumens, lack of faeces and tucked-up, slab-sided appearance. Bovine respiratory disease (shipping fever) is characterised by the bacterium Mannheimia haemolytica and is a significant cause of deaths, especially after transportation. This bacterium is a normal inhabitant of the respiratory tract in cattle and, under conditions of stress and close confinement, is another disease entity producers must become more aware of in the older, good- conditioned cattle. This disease is evident on post-mortem by very noticeable changes to the lungs, ranging from the acute case where the whole organ becomes very severely inflamed, reddish in

8 http://www.agric.wa.gov.au RANGELANDS MEMO APRIL 2012 colour, very heavy—being full of exudate (fluid)—and looking like a lump of meat (see photo – right), to a more localised consolidation and discolouration of lower parts of the lung, often ‘stuck’ to the inner chest wall, diaphragm or Inflamed lung heart, as in the longer-standing and chronic case. Visually, respiratory difficulty can be difficult to pick in affected cattle, and animals are often just seen to lie down and die within a very short period of time. Shipping fever can cause deaths within 24 hours of muster and in the hyper-acute case, can cause animals to go down and die even before reaching the yards. One of the most common factors in all of these conditions, whether they occur individually or together, is elevated levels of stress. The most common time of high stress levels is naturally at muster and yarding, often with insufficient nutrition, high cattle density and close confinement, especially during hot weather conditions. Prolonged yarding prior to shipment can also compound the problem and generally should not exceed 10 days. It is vital to minimise this stress at mustering. • Don’t push fat cattle, i.e. don’t force them to exceed their activity tolerance levels and become overexerted. • Allow sufficient time for animals to settle and recover after muster before processing, preferably before yarding and overnight as a minimum. • Provide access to adequate quality hay and water, at least at maintenance levels (see below). • Provide sufficient room to allow all animals to move around and have access to hay. • If necessary, remove ‘shy feeders’ for preferential feeding. A rough estimate of the nutritional requirements of a 400–500 kg animal is 9–10 kg of hay per day MINIMUM for maintenance. Some animals will eat more than this so it is important to provide not only sufficient quantity of feed but adequate room to allow access for even the shyest feeder. Adding electrolytes to the drinking water is thought to be beneficial in preparing cattle for transportation but take care to use according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Monitor all fat cattle for signs of stress, inappetance (not eating, i.e. looking slab-sided and tucked up) and respiratory difficulties, especially at the time of loading as these signs can become more evident when cattle are being moved around the yard. Any animals showing these signs are not fit to load, and must not be included for transport. If you suspect or experience any of the above problems, please contact the author at [email protected] or your nearest Department of Agriculture and Food office for help and advice.

http://www.agric.wa.gov.au 9 RANGELANDS MEMO APRIL 2012

USE THE RIGHT EAR

Cattle NLIS electronic tags must be fitted to the animal’s RIGHT ear. The right side is also known as the off-side, driver’s side, or money-side. Tags fitted to the wrong ear create problems. They are difficult to scan with panel scanner setups, which are always placed on the right, and correct, side of a crush. The RIGHT ear to fit an NLIS cattle tag is their RIGHT ear.

DEVOLVED GRANTS AVAILABLE TO KIMBERLEY PRODUCERS

Opportunity for pastoralists to develop new land management options • Devolved grants of up to $15 000 are available for Kimberley pastoralists who want to learn about or trial sustainable practices or land management options new to them. • Successful projects will produce measureable or costed results to determine whether options trialled are effective or cost efficient. • Successful applicants will share their experience with others through regular updates, phone or web conferences. Applications close 25 May 2012. For more information please contact Mel McDonald, Northern Rangelands Landcare Facilitator, 9192 5212, [email protected].

10 http://www.agric.wa.gov.au RANGELANDS MEMO APRIL 2012

RANGELAND CONDITION MONITORING WORKSHOPS

Brian Lloyd, Department of Regional Development and Lands, Broome

From this year, all pastoral leaseholders in the state will be required to submit to the Pastoral Lands Board, as part of their Annual Return, specific rangeland information collected from fixed monitoring sites over their leases. This site monitoring is part of the new Rangeland Condition Monitoring (RCM) system which has replaced the previous system of Rangeland Condition Assessments, conducted by the Department of Agriculture and Food. The PLB wrote to all leaseholders in early 2011 about the number of monitoring sites required on each pastoral lease and all these RCM sites must be installed and the initial assessment of them done by 31 December 2012. This information, along with the information previously submitted on the yellow Annual Return forms, is to be submitted over the internet before 31 March 2013 using the new Annual Range Condition and Data Input Application (ARCADIA) system. Fine tuning of this system is being undertaken and it will be ready for online use in the coming months.

Workshops to get hands-on practice During 2011, the Pastoral Lands Board held workshops throughout the southern rangelands to get pastoralists familiar with this new RCM system. They were well attended and the days had three main components: • discussing the new system • giving pastoralists hands-on practice at choosing, setting-up and monitoring their monitoring sites, and • showing pastoralists what the new online ARCADIA annual return website will look like and how to input the information collected. During April and May, these workshops will be held throughout the Pilbara and Kimberley. It is very important that pastoral lessees and those who will be setting up the sites and monitoring them make time in their program to come along to these workshops, so they can learn about this system and get hands-on practice in setting-up and monitoring sites.

Let us know now By now, all northern pastoral lessees should have received a letter about the RCM workshop being held closest to them. It is important to let us know how many are coming along or if you cannot make it to a particular workshop. If you haven’t done so, please let us know as soon as possible by calling (08) 6552 4574. Don’t miss this opportunity!

Kimberley Workshops Pilbara Workshops 1. Burks Park 17 April 2012 1. Red Hill 17 April 2012 2. Larrawa 19 April 2012 2. Indee 19 April 2012 3. Roebuck Plains 23 April 2012 3. Warrawagine 23 April 2012 4. Home Valley 1 May 2012 4. Ethel Creek 1 May 2012 5. Mt Elizabeth 3 May 2012 5. Rocklea 3 May 2012 6. Napier Downs 7 May 2012 7. Quanbun Downs 10 May 2012 http://www.agric.wa.gov.au 11 RANGELANDS MEMO APRIL 2012

RANGE CONDITION MONITORING – PLANTS OF THE SOUTHERN SHRUBLANDS

Jim Addison, Kalgoorlie

How are producers progressing with installing the required number of Range Condition Monitoring sites on their lease?

All sites need to be installed and monitored by Monday 31 December 2012. Site data is to be entered into the Pastoral Lands Board ARCADIA database by Sunday 31 March 2013. Around this coming September is an opportune time to install and collect data from sites in the southern rangelands as shrubs are usually flowering and more easily identifiable. However, plenty of preparatory site selection planning can be carried out in the interim. Do not hesitate to contact your local DAFWA office with questions regarding plant species identification, site selection and recording field data. To help with plant species selection deliberations, the following list has been generated to include species commonly found on WARMS and PMS sites in the southern rangelands – also recognising their indicator value.

Scientific name Common name Indicator value* Acacia acuminata Jam Intermediate Acacia aneura Mulga Intermediate Acacia burkittii Burkitt's wattle Intermediate Acacia craspedocarpa Hop mulga Intermediate Acacia cuspidifolia Wait-a-while Intermediate Acacia eremaea Snakewood Intermediate Acacia grasbyi Miniritchie Intermediate Acacia kempeana Witchetty bush Intermediate Acacia linophylla Bowgada Intermediate Acacia papyrocarpa Western myall Intermediate Acacia pruinocarpa Yalardy, gidgee Intermediate Acacia ramulosa Wanyu Intermediate Acacia sclerosperma Limestone wattle Intermediate Acacia subtessarogona Spreading gidgee Intermediate Acacia tetragonophylla Curara Intermediate Acacia victoriae Bardi bush Undesirable Acacia xiphophylla Snakewood Intermediate Alectryon oleifolius Mingah Desirable Atriplex amnicola River saltbush Desirable Atriplex bunburyana Silver saltbush Desirable Atriplex nummularia Old man saltbush Variable Atriplex stipitata Kidney saltbush Undesirable Atriplex vesicaria Bladder saltbush Desirable Chenopodium gaudichaudianum Scrambling saltbush Desirable Cratystylis conocephala False blue bush Intermediate Cratystylis subspinescens Sage Desirable Dianella revoluta Native lily Intermediate Dodonaea species Hopbush Undesirable

12 http://www.agric.wa.gov.au RANGELANDS MEMO APRIL 2012

Scientific name Common name Indicator value* Enchylaena tomentosa Ruby saltbush Desirable Eremophila aff. compacta Felty fushia bush Desirable Eremophila clarkei Turpentine bush Intermediate Eremophila compacta Compact poverty bush Desirable Eremophila crenulata Waxy-leaf poverty bush Undesirable Eremophila cuneifolia Royal poverty bush Undesirable Eremophila forrestii Wilcox bush Intermediate Eremophila fraseri Turpentine bush Undesirable Eremophila freelingii Rock fuchsia bush Undesirable Eremophila georgei Fine-toothed poverty bush Intermediate Eremophila gilesii Charleville turkey bush Undesirable Eremophila glabra Tar bush Intermediate Eremophila granitica Thin-leaved poverty bush Intermediate Eremophila lachnocalyx Woolly poverty bush Intermediate Eremophila latrobei Warty-leaf eremophila Desirable Eremophila longifolia Long-leaved poverty bush Desirable Eremophila maculata Fuchsia bush Intermediate Eremophila maitlandii Tall poverty bush Intermediate Eremophila malacoides Frontage poverty bush Desirable Eremophila margarethae Sandbank poverty bush Undesirable Eremophila miniata Kopi poverty bush Intermediate Eremophila oldfieldii Pixie bush Desirable Eremophila platycalyx Granite poverty bush Intermediate Eremophila pterocarpa Silver poverty bush Intermediate Eremophila punicea Poverty bush Undesirable Eremophila scoparia Broom bush Intermediate Eremophila spathulata Spoon leaf eremophila Undesirable Eremophila spectabilis Showy eremophila Intermediate Exocarpos aphyllus Naked-lady Intermediate Frankenia pauciflora Frankenia Desirable Grevillea deflexa Red grevillea Desirable Grevillea striata Beefwood Intermediate Gunniopsis quadrifida Sweet samphire Desirable Hakea preissii Needle bush Undesirable Indigofera monophylla Indigo Intermediate Lawrencia squamata Grey fan leaf Intermediate Lycium australe Water bush Intermediate Maireana aphylla Spiny bluebush Desirable Maireana atkinsiana Bronze bluebush Desirable Maireana convexa Mulga bluebush Desirable Maireana georgei Golden/Georges bluebush Desirable Maireana glomerifolia Ball-leaf bluebush Desirable Maireana lanosa Woolly bluebush Desirable Maireana melanocoma Pussy bluebush Desirable Maireana pentatropis Erect bluebush Intermediate Maireana planifolia Flat-leaf bluebush Desirable Maireana platycarpa Shy bluebush Desirable Maireana polypterygia Gascoyne bluebush Desirable Maireana pyramidata Sago bush Intermediate/Desirable Maireana sedifolia Pearl bluebush Intermediate Maireana suaedifolia Lax bluebush Desirable

http://www.agric.wa.gov.au 13 RANGELANDS MEMO APRIL 2012

Scientific name Common name Indicator value* Maireana thesioides Lax bluebush Desirable Maireana tomentosa Felty leafed bluebush Desirable Maireana trichoptera Downy bluebush Desirable Maireana triptera 3-winged bluebush Undesirable/Intermediate Maireana villosa Bluebush Desirable Mirbelia spinosa Pea bush Intermediate Olearia muelleri Goldfields daisy Intermediate Pimelea microcephala Mallee rice flower Intermediate Psydrax latifolia Native currant Intermediate Psydrax suaveolens Native currant Desirable Ptilotus beardii Low mulla mulla Desirable Ptilotus divaricatus Climbing mulla mulla Desirable Ptilotus obovatus Cotton bush Intermediate/Desirable Ptilotus polakii Gascoyne mulla mulla Intermediate Ptilotus schwartzii Horse mulla mulla Desirable Rhagodia drummondii Low rhagodia Desirable Rhagodia eremaea Tall saltbush Desirable Broad leaf – Desirable, Scaevola spinescens Currant bush Narrow leaf – Intermediate Scaevola tomentosa Ragged leafed scaevola Desirable Senna aff.phyllodinea Intermediate Senna artemisioides subsp. helmsii Crinkle-leaf cassia Undesirable Senna artemisioides subsp. oligophylla Blood bush Undesirable Senna artemisioides subsp. x artemisioides Undesirable Senna artemisioides subsp. x coriacea Desert cassia Undesirable Senna artemisioides subsp. x sturtii Straight leaf cassia Undesirable Senna glutinosa subsp. chatelainiana Green cassia Desirable Senna glutinosa subsp. pruinosa Silver cassia Intermediate Senna hamersleyensis Creeping cassia Desirable Sida calyxhymenia Tall sida Desirable Solanum lasiophyllum Flannel bush Undesirable/Intermediate Solanum orbiculatum Tomato bush Undesirable Spartothamnella teucriiflora Mulga broom bush Desirable Stylobasium spathulatum Pebble bush Intermediate

* Desirable plants are productive and palatable to domestic livestock. They drive pastoral production. Undesirable plants are unpalatable and of limited value to livestock. Intermediate plants are a large group of plants that may or may not be palatable but do not increase to any great extent when other palatable species are removed.

Indicator values may vary slightly according to specific site circumstances.

14 http://www.agric.wa.gov.au RANGELANDS MEMO APRIL 2012

EXAMPLES OF DIFFERENT RANGELAND CONDITION STATES IN AN ACACIA SANDPLAIN PASTURE COMMUNITY

John Stretch, Carnarvon

Acacia sandplain pasture communities are extensive in the Carnarvon and Murchison districts. The upper-storey vegetation is commonly dominated by a single acacia species: for example, wanyu (Acacia linophylla), spreading gidgee (Acacia subtesserogona), yalardy (Acacia pruinocarpa) or sand dune gidgee (Acacia anastema). The soils are deep, sandy, usually red but sometimes yellow and for the most part non-saline. Rainfall infiltration is usually rapid and the degree of run-off is slight except at times of unusually intense rainfall. Three photographs of under-canopy pasture are presented here to illustrate the contrast between: • good condition under-canopy pasture • an acutely degraded under-canopy condition that can be attributed to excessive utilisation, and • a recovering under-canopy pasture state where some reduction in the intensity of grazing is evident and is associated with the presence of desirable perennial grasses. The good condition acacia sandplain pasture community in the first photo is evidenced by well-grown tall saltbush (Rhagodia eremaea), cotton bush (Ptilotus obovatus) and climbing perennial mulla mulla (Ptilotus divaricatus) in the under-canopy population. The relatively small proportion of the soil surface that is without perennial plant cover is another positive sign. The open surfaces support a population of productive (diverse and non-weedy) plants such as annual grasses, forbs, weaker perennial grasses such as sandplain wanderrie grasses (Monochatha paradoxa) in favourable seasons, wildflowers (Compositae spp.) and ephemeral Good condition acacia sandplain pasture community salt bushes (Chenopod spp.) In the second photo, the desirable pasture species expected in the under-canopy of this acacia sandplain pasture type are almost entirely absent. The soil surface has become substantially eroded. Plant litter can accumulate only where exposed roots and fallen branches provide some protection, so the capacity of the soil to support recovery of useful pasture species is diminished and likely to decline further. Easing the grazing pressure on this pasture may reverse the declining trend.

Poor condition acacia sandplain pasture

http://www.agric.wa.gov.au 15 RANGELANDS MEMO APRIL 2012

This third photo shows a curly windmill grass (Enteropogon acicularis) dominated recovery. Currant bush (Scaevola spinescens) is the most palatable perennial present and it is evident that in this circumstance, the currant bush is subject to intense grazing. The tall saltbush has not been grazed as heavily. Curly windmill grass is a common pioneer under-canopy plant. It is tolerant to the moderately increased level of surface soil sodicity typical in these situations where the condition of the soil surface has declined to fair (or poor) condition and grazing pressure has eased to allow the recruitment of new plants. The density of living under-canopy plants shown here will capture the tree litter fall, benefiting the soil nutrient retention and infiltration capability and allowing wind-borne dust and sand entrapment to occur.

Tall saltbush

Currant bush

Curly windmill grass

Fair condition acacia sandplain pasture community

Further reading Burnside, D, Holm, A, Payne, A, & Wilson, G 1995, Reading the rangeland: a guide to the arid shrublands of Western Australia, Department of Agriculture, Western Australia.

16 http://www.agric.wa.gov.au RANGELANDS MEMO APRIL 2012

FENCING FACTS AND FIGURES

Jim Addison, Kalgoorlie

End-assembly design Horizontal-stay ‘box’ assemblies can withstand 25% more load than diagonal-stay assemblies of similar dimensions.

Horizontal stay end assembly Diagonal stay end assembly

Diagonal strut Horizontal strut

Post Post Base plate

Direction of strain

Post depth In-ground post depth has a significant influence on its load-bearing capacity. The load-bearing capacity is proportional to the ‘square’ of the in-ground post depth. For example, a post 1.0 metre in the ground will withstand more than 50% more load than one of 0.8 metres. This does not apply where post holes are drilled in rock material.

Strut design The length of the horizontal strut is important as the longer the strut the greater the load that may be safely carried. For example, a horizontal stay end assembly with a 3.3 metre strut length will withstand 50% more load than one with a 2.4 metre strut.

End-assemblies at fence corners Double box assemblies, in alignment with the converging fence-lines, are commonly constructed where a fence changes direction (Figure 1). Failures sometimes occur with these structures as there is increased load acting on the upright post at the apex of the corner. At the same time effective horizontal strut length is reduced. Effective strut length is important and becomes critical when less than 2.7 metres.

http://www.agric.wa.gov.au 17 RANGELANDS MEMO APRIL 2012

Plan view

Strut (3.25 metres) Fence

Effective strut length is 2.30 metres Effective strut length is 3.25 metres

Figure 1 Figure 2

The construction of a box assembly, which bisects the corner, often overcomes these problems (Figure 2). However, it must be remembered that the more acute the angle in the corner the greater is the strain on a bisecting box assembly.

In-line wire characteristics High tensile heavy galvanise (HTHG) plain wire 2.5 mm in diameter has the same strength as 4.0 mm diameter soft wire. It has much greater elasticity, is 40% the weight per unit length and significantly cheaper. Well-designed and constructed pastoral fences exploit the elasticity of HTHG wire. It is wire elasticity which gives a fence the capacity to absorb impact loads and then return to the original design criteria. Fences with long strains (because of their greater elasticity) are able to withstand greater impact loads than those with short strains. Recommended wire tension for HTHG wire is approximately one-third of the minimum breaking force and is usually stated on the product. Yield point is the point beyond which wire exceeds its elastic limit. Beyond this point wire will not return to its original length. Yield point is approximately 75% of the minimum breaking force. Recommended wire tension may be achieved with the use of a wire strainer tension meter.

Joining in-line wire All knots reduce the breaking point of wire but some knots are better than others. The strength of 2.5 mm diameter high tensile wire is reduced by 62% when a double-loop knot is employed. However, the strength is only reduced by 32% with a figure-eight knot and 36% with an orange knot.

Figure eight knot Orange knot Double-loop knot

18 http://www.agric.wa.gov.au RANGELANDS MEMO APRIL 2012

JUMPING CHOLLA CACTUS ‘SOLARISATION’ AS A CONTROL OPTION

John Stretch, Carnarvon

Jumping cholla (Cylindropuntia fulgida) is an aggressive nuisance weed that is increasingly evident in Western Australia’s goldfield regions and in the Gascoyne coastal districts. In the Gascoyne coastal districts, substantial infestations have been recorded on Quobba and Warroora stations, and adjacent to the town of Carnarvon.

Existing recognised control options:

Treatment Issues Benefits Deep burial Digging out plants ● Digging a sizeable hole as plants need to be buried Non-chemical under at least 40 cm of burden and compacted ● Subsidence may occur, potentially allowing regrowth ● Follow-up required at around six months ● Labour intensive Garlon® Operators require training and supervision ● Cost of chemical ● Follow-up Plants remain in situ required Incineration Digging out plants ● May require an accelerant (diesel/kerosene) ● Other Follow-up not fuel required (dry wood) ● Smoke and fumes ● Local authority ‘permission to required use fire required’ ● Labour intensive Waste-bin Only suitable for small quantities where a municipal waste disposal service Labour saving exists ● Incremental ● Relies on third parties to ensure correct disposal

The Carnarvon Land Conservation District Committee has investigated another ‘chemical free’ control option, for those instances where land managers may be faced with modest infestations and where a deep burial option may be impractical. We are referring to the option as ‘solarisation’ because in our district the technique both ‘cooks’ the cactus material and replicates the impact of a deep burial treatment. The Carnarvon branch of Rio Tinto Salt donated the offcut of heavy duty black polythene sheet for the trial and the weight (thickness) of the material is thought to be sufficient to last for two to three years of trial. At the outset of the trial on 5 March 2011, LCDC members Les George and Dave Bauer pulled up sufficient plants to match the capacity of the offcut. LCDC members were surprised at how deeply rooted the plants were, in the deep red sand soil. ‘So deep that we snapped one length of old tow rope and then instead used a length of heavy Packing sand around offcut to ensure no/minimal airflow. chain for pulling.’ Photo taken March 2011.

http://www.agric.wa.gov.au 19 RANGELANDS MEMO APRIL 2012

Eleven months later, the plastic was removed and the buried plant material was excavated. Only extremely dry jumping cholla remnants remained at this time. Members of the LCDC plan to repeat the trial, potentially with a look-see after an elapse of just four months. The first effort has been well rewarded. Thanks to Les, Dave and Rio Tinto.

Eleven months later and only extremely dry jumping cholla remnants remain. Photo taken February 2012

RANGELAND PASTURES AFTER BUSHFIRE

John Stretch, DAFWA, Carnarvon

Lightning strike and human agency are the primary triggers for bushfire in the WA rangelands. The frequency of fire is variable across different plant communities. For the central and southern WA rangelands, fire is most frequent in spinifex hummock grasslands, where a fire every 10 years is common; whereas in non-spinifex sandplain and in acacia woodland, a frequency of once in 20 to once in 50 years is more usual. Fire and grazing independently influence the species diversity of plant communities and reduce groundcover density: • Tree canopy plant species composition is strongly related to fire history, but is typically not much influenced by grazing effect alone; except when the soil erosion impact becomes high. • In the presence of sustained overgrazing, short-lived and unpalatable grasses and unpalatable forbs, such as flannel jute (Corchorus sidoides), replace perennial grasses and other vegetation. • Regeneration from seed of plants will be selectively impaired in situations where both the fire and the grazing impact is high, e.g. gummy/soft spinifex (Triodia pungens) Large fires are rarely intense throughout and commonly skip pockets of ground within the whole- fire perimeter. A good example of this from the recent fires in Carnarvon: where fire burnt at night, it only burnt the ground layer, however, fires during the daytime burnt both the ground layer and tree canopy due to increased daytime temperatures.

Post-fire recovery The extent of pasture recovery after a specific fire event is dependent on fire intensity, seasonal conditions in the aftermath and upon the grazing impact post-fire. Low and moderate intensity fire alone may not directly kill valued pasture plants but can serve to prematurely break states of plant dormancy—often at a time when the residual level of soil moisture is insufficient to secure the

20 http://www.agric.wa.gov.au RANGELANDS MEMO APRIL 2012 population’s survival. When this happens, the new plants will germinate, then shrivel and die if conditions remain dry. As an example, buck wanderrie grass (Eriachne helmsii) dormancy has been broken with recent fires and storms in the southern rangelands. This has been attributed to fire removing last season growth, increasing the amount of sunlight radiating onto the plant crown/butt, stimulating tiller growth. Post-fire regrowth is attractive to herbivores, notwithstanding the fact that some plant species can contain potentially toxic levels of nitrate in their young foliage. Shooting buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) butts have been known to contain toxic levels of mineral nitrogen when plants have access to sources high in nitrogen (e.g. manure). Poisoning of animals occurs when plants have not converted mineral nitrogen into plant protein. Toxic alkaloids may also be present in other species, for instance Tephrosia spp. Some level of influx of kangaroos and feral grazing animals onto the new growth is to be expected and will inevitably be hard to manage. Management caution is essential at these times. Where practicable, a temporary closure of stock water points to all grazing animals is likely to be management’s best pasture restoration option, particularly when fences have also been damaged by fires. The positive outcome from fire is frequently seen in hindsight to have outweighed the negative, provided management is guided by conservation imperatives. The positive outcome is most prominent where fire intensity has reduced the density of tree-canopy species and thereby allowed the abundance of the productive sub-storey vegetation to improve.

Manberry station, WARMS site No.3 (pre-fire). Manberry station, WARMS site No.3 (post-fire). Photo taken November 2011 Photo taken January 2012

Further reading Ferguson, N & McGowen, I 2010, ‘Pasture recovery after bushfires’, Primefacts article, NSW Government. Fire management in the Kimberley and other rangeland regions of Western Australia, Environmental Protection Authority Perth, Western Australia, Bulletin 1243, December 2006. Kutt, A & Woinarski, J 2006, ‘Vegetation and the vertebrate fauna assemblage pattern in response to grazing and fire in a tropical savanna woodland in north-eastern Australia’, Journal of Tropical Ecology. The publications below are available at: www.agric.wa.gov.au Fire management guidelines for Kimberley pastoral rangelands Fire management guidelines for southern shrubland and Pilbara Stretch, J 1996, Fire management in spinifex in the West Pilbara, Department of Agriculture and Food, WA. http://www.agric.wa.gov.au 21 RANGELANDS MEMO APRIL 2012

KIMBERLEY EARLY DRY SEASON AERIAL BURNING PROGRAM

The Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) has made the early dry season aerial burning program service available annually to pastoral lessees across the Kimberley for over a decade. The fixed-wing service was replaced with a rotary wing service in 2008. This has allowed for more accurate placement of incendiaries across properties participating in the program. The aerial burning program is a service within the annual FESA budget for the Kimberley region and supplemented by grant application funding when required. The largest number of participants in this program in one season was 42 leases in 2006 and the budgeted fund was enough to cover this cost. Notifications asking for expressions of interest in the service have been sent to all lessees in the Kimberley. At the time of writing 26 participating leases have registered for the 2012 program. FESA expect to be implementing the aerial burning program from late March to June in 2012 depending on weather conditions and curing rates. FESA will again be utilising rotary aircraft for the 2012 program. FESA will incur all ferry costs (to and from the property) and will subsidise the implementation costs over the property. To date this has been a very generous subsidy and is directly dependent on the uptake of the program. Pastoralists may be responsible for a small percentage of the time spent over the property, though this has not been the case in recent years. There is a requirement that a representative of the lessee must be present in the aircraft during the aerial burning flight runs on their lease or leases. The process for accessing this service is to: • work out how to fit your early dry season burning in to your schedule, then • return a predicted flight line path for your property as well as a signed intent form* to Jade Leask of FESA. [*Note: This is an indication of intent only, not a contractual commitment. Withdrawal from the program due to unforseen circumstances will have less impact on the program than late indications of interest.] FESA will attempt to ‘cluster’ aerial burning flight runs together if possible to save resources. The current 2012 plan is to use only one aircraft due to a moderate uptake of the program in past seasons. Therefore, the earlier you can contact Jade to discuss availability, the more likely it is that your requirements can be accommodated within the FESA schedule. For lessees and managers who have other priorities early in the season and are too busy to contact Jade until later when ready to burn, remember that the lead time required to arrange to get the helicopter to your lease is a week. This is due to the constraints on pilot operating hours and legislative requirements and the lead time may take longer at the peak of demand. Last minute decisions to participate in the program will be subject to planned commitments and aircraft availability. Fire management plans for each lease are not an essential pre-requisite for accessing the aerial burning service. FESA encourages interested pastoral lessees, who haven’t done so already, to develop these plans with the assistance of one of their environmental officers. The fire management plan development service is a free service that provides a map-based product for individual pastoral stations. The production of these plans does not constrain pastoralists in any

22 http://www.agric.wa.gov.au RANGELANDS MEMO APRIL 2012 way and they can prove to be a useful record that the lessee is proactive in fire management. The funding for this service is separate from the aerial burning budget and assistance to lessees and managers for this activity is available all year round. Aerial burning programs for wildfire hazard reduction in other pastoral areas can be organised if there is sufficient interest indicated. Please contact Jade Leask at FESA for more information regarding these services on 9323 9856, by email [email protected], or fax on 9323 9495.

Fire in a curly spinifex plain pasture, May 2010, North Kimberley. Photo: Andrew Craig

LARRAWA STATION PRODUCER DEMONSTRATION SITE – PADDOCK WALK

A paddock walk is planned on the morning of Friday 20 April at Larrawa station to inspect on- ground works completed as part of a producer demonstration site funded by Meat and Livestock Australia and Rangelands NRM. The purpose of the demonstration was to investigate the practicality of regenerating severely degraded pastoral land on Larrawa station. The demonstration started in November 2009 and a number of different regeneration methods have been trialled, such as closed and open ponds, water spreading banks, crocodile plough and agro-plough. Ray Thompson from the Central West Catchment Management Authority, Nyngan, NSW will be at Larrawa to share his experience, demonstrate how to construct an open water pond and take questions. Ray has reclaimed 28 000 ha using the waterponding technique in the semi-arid rangelands of New South Wales since 1981 and was on-site in November 2011 when the last round of works was completed on Larrawa. A significant amount of data has been collected over the previous three years on diesel consumption by 12G and 16G machines, cost of pond and spreader bank construction per metre, cost per hectare to rehabilitate and changes in annual and perennial vegetation post-construction of earthworks. This information will be presented at the paddock walk. http://www.agric.wa.gov.au 23 RANGELANDS MEMO APRIL 2012

People attending the paddock walk are encouraged to stay at Larrawa station the night before for a social gathering. A meal and refreshments have been organised. To help with catering please RSVP Kevin Brockhurst on 9191 7025 or email Matthew Fletcher [email protected]. For directions to Larrawa station or Kilowa yards also contact Kevin or Matthew.

Ponds built in November 2011; water ponding to a depth of 10 cm. Photo taken March 2012

Location Activity Time Larrawa station Breakfast 0545 Kilowa yards Meet at Kilowa yards and discuss: 0700  project background  travel to regeneration site Collis Creek paddock Discuss and demonstrate: 0715  how the demonstration area was surveyed  regeneration techniques  design criteria of a well-constructed water pond  how to go about building a water pond (practical demo)  seeding/monitoring progress and downstream benefits  key findings/outcomes  travel back to Kilowa yards Kilowa yards Smoko/completion of field walk 1100

24 http://www.agric.wa.gov.au RANGELANDS MEMO APRIL 2012

KIMBERLEY AND NULLARBOR RANGELAND SURVEYS LAUNCHED

Two rangeland survey reports released by the Department of Agriculture and Food promise to deliver enormous benefits for the state’s pastoral regions. The reports were officially launched by Hon Wendy Duncan MLC, Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region, at a function in Perth. Department Agricultural Resource Risk Management Executive Director John Ruprecht said the Kimberley and Nullarbor reports would assist pastoralists plan for the sustainable use of rangeland areas. Additionally, the resource descriptions would help guide new agricultural developments, while at the same time protecting the landscapes for future generations. ‘The Inventory and Condition Survey of the Western Australian Part of the Nullarbor Region and the Land Systems of the Kimberley Region Report are considered to be unparalleled throughout Australia,’ Mr Ruprecht said. ‘They provide an incredibly detailed and accurate record of the natural resources found in the Kimberley and Nullarbor rangeland areas, and they also describe the condition of these resources. ‘With this knowledge in hand, industry can develop without the depletion or degradation of the natural resources on which they rely. Additionally, agriculture can develop without impacting on our uniquely Western Australian landscapes.’ The Land Systems of the Kimberley Region Report describes and maps the landscapes, soils and vegetation of the Kimberley region. This report is a consolidation of surveys carried out by different organisations, across different areas of the Kimberley since the 1940s. The Nullarbor Inventory and Condition Survey reports on the existence and condition of soils, landforms, vegetation, habitat, ecosystems, and declared plants and animals. Mr Ruprecht said the Nullarbor survey was the 13th to be conducted and published by the department, with all of Western Australia’s rangelands now surveyed except for the Southern Goldfields region. ‘Both reports are the first survey reports to be published that cover the entire Kimberley and Nullarbor (Western Australian) rangelands regions,’ Mr Ruprecht said. ‘Importantly, these surveys assess the impact of pastoralism and make land management recommendations, including recommended carrying capacities for each pastoral lease.’ Printed copies of these reports are available from the department’s South Perth office at 3 Baron-Hay Court for a cost of $50.

http://www.agric.wa.gov.au 25 RANGELANDS MEMO APRIL 2012

UPDATE: GRAZING LAND MANAGEMENT PACKAGE – PILBARA

Preparation for the extension of Grazing Land Management (GLM) training to the Pilbara region is underway in 2012. The steering committee has representation from five geographically and operationally diverse pastoral businesses spread across the Pilbara. The committee’s task is to ensure that the content of the course remains relevant to local issues and businesses. The draft training package will be appraised by the steering committee during a trial run, once the package has been developed by DAFWA’s Northern Beef Development team. We plan to have the draft package completed well before the end of 2012. Delivery of the draft training package to the steering committee will occur as soon as is practical when the draft is ready. A major challenge in delivering the draft training package is the lack of specific pasture growth measurements for the Pilbara. This challenge will be met using a process to match pasture production information collected from around northern Australia with pastures and land types of the Pilbara. Pasture growth and quality varies considerably from one land type to another. On any one land type, pasture growth varies considerably between seasons and from one year to the next. In order to gain a better understanding of pasture growth and livestock carrying capacity in northern Australian rangelands, Queensland rangelands scientists commenced a program of data collection in the mid-1980s. The aim of the program was to collect the necessary pasture, soil and climate measurements to calibrate and validate a pasture growth model called GRASP (Henry et al. 2004). GRASP calculations, in turn, now underpin the carrying capacity planning tables incorporated in the GLM training packages (Quirk & McIvor 2006). Rangeland scientists have collected pasture growth measurements across all major native pasture types in Queensland and the Northern Territory. Relevant growth measurements will be matched to Pilbara soils and pasture types described in rangelands surveys (Van Vreeswyk et al. 2004) and the Pasture condition guides for the Pilbara (Payne & Mitchell 2002). The matching and modelling work is being undertaken by Mr Ken Day from the Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) under contract to DAFWA. Ken plans to develop pasture growth tables for the Pilbara by June this year. Having analysed most of the pasture growth data from around northern Australia, Ken is well placed to bring this information together to assist in the development of information for the GLM training workshop in the Pilbara. If you are interested in more information about the Pilbara GLM package, please contact: Kath Ryan on 0467 738 906 or at the Kununurra office 9166 4015; or Rebecca Dray at the Karratha office 9143 7000.

References Henry, B, Carter, J, Day, K, McKeon, G & Bruget, D 2004, Management of climate variability in extensive grazing systems, ABARE Outlook conference, Canberra 2004. Quirk, M & McIvor, J 2006, Grazing Land Management Technical Manual, Meat & Livestock Australia Limited. Van Vreeswyk, AME, Payne, AL, Leighton, KA & Hennig, P 2004, An inventory and condition survey of the Pilbara region, Western Australia, Technical Bulletin No. 92, Department of Agriculture, WA. Payne, AL & Mitchell, AA 2002, Pasture condition guides for the Pilbara, Miscellaneous Publication 19/2002, Department of Agriculture, WA.

26 http://www.agric.wa.gov.au RANGELANDS MEMO APRIL 2012

1080 IMPREGNATED OATS FOR WILD DOGS

The Bait Production Unit (BPU) at Forrestfield in Western Australia has ceased production of poison products. Most BPU products are still available to Western Australian (WA) landholders through a statewide network of S7 poison retailers, though stocks will gradually run down. All remaining stock of 1080 Impregnated Oats (Wild Dog Control) has now been sold. 1080 Impregnated Oats (Wild Dog Control) are being placed out to tender for another interested party to manufacture and sell. It is anticipated that 1080 Impregnated Oats (Wild Dog Control) will become available again to WA landholders in 2013. 1080 Impregnated Oats (Wild Dog Control) may not be available until 2013 as it will take time: 1. To select an interested party 2. For the selected party to get authorisation from the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicine Authority (APVMA) to manufacture and sell 1080 Impregnated Oats (Wild Dog Control) 3. For the selected party to start their manufacturing process. In order to control wild dogs while 1080 Impregnated Oats (Wild Dog Control) are not available, the following products may be considered by landholders.

Landholders in pastoral areas can: 1. Use commercial bait products to control wild dogs. Two bait products are registered by the APVMA for use on wild dogs in WA. They are: De-K9 1080 Wild Dog Bait produced by PAKS National Pty Ltd (De-K9); and Doggone Wild Dog Bait produced by Animal Control Technologies Australia Pty Ltd (Doggone) 2. Organise to make dried meat baits, injected with 1080 by: authorised landholders (pastoral injectors); or where available, an authorised Licensed Pest Management Technician.

Landholders in agricultural areas can: 1. Use commercial bait products to control wild dogs. Two bait products are registered by the APVMA for use on wild dogs in WA. They are: De-K9; and Doggone 2. Organise to make dried meat baits, injected with 1080 by: local DAFWA biosecurity officers for a fee-for-service, or an authorised Licensed Pest Management Technician. Contact your local DAFWA office for information.

Contact for further information on BPU Contact for existing BPU products Alternative contact for existing BPU products Gary Martin (Bruce) Tamrika Lanoiselet Phone: 9366 2333 Phone: 9366 2327 or 0428 949 103 Fax: 9453 2127 (BPU Fax) or 9366 2342 Fax: 9453 2127 (BPU Fax) or 9366 2342 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Address: 100 Bougainvillea Avenue, Forrestfield WA 6058 Address: 100 Bougainvillea Avenue, Forrestfield WA 6058

http://www.agric.wa.gov.au 27 RANGELANDS MEMO APRIL 2012

CATTLE MARKET UPDATE – 30 MARCH 2012

Export numbers (Northern Ports in 2011) • 0 head of cattle left Port Hedland Port in 2011 • 88 927 head of cattle left Broome Port in 2011 • 41 219 head of cattle left Wyndham Port in 2011

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