Kambarang - Birak

Wheatbelt NRM quarterly newsletter Issue 26, Summer 2016

Tarin Rock BioBlitz

Intensive soil testing to depth following liming

Get to know your Gastrolobium

This publication is produced by Wheatbelt NRM through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme. Contents Dashboard watch Pumphrey’s Bridge Storybook launched ...... 1 Capturing the Wheatbelt ...... 2 Remnant Bushland BioBlitzing the Wheatbelt ...... 4 Spotlight on the Western Mouse ...... 6 Making sense of the agriculture tools/apps available ...... 8 Karla Hooper: Creating a sustainable Wheatbelt ...... 11 Get to know your Gastrolobium ...... 12 Digging deeper: Why it’s important to test subsoil to 30cm ...... 16 Mudjar, Western Australian Christmas Tree .... 18

Land clearing, primarily for agriculture, has arguably had the greatest impact on species viability in the Wheatbelt region. More than 70% of the native vegetation in the Wheatbelt NRM region has been 269 Fitzgerald Street cleared since European settlement, with an average PO Box 311 of over 2700 hectares approved for clearing per year Northam Western Australia since 2010. WA 6401 Data Source: Department of Environmental Regulation Phone: (08) 9670 3100 The extent and composition of our native vegetation Fax: (08) 9670 3140 can also be variously effected by fire, secondary salinity Email: [email protected] Web: www.wheatbeltnrm.org.au and climate change. As we collate data will we be increasingly able to comment on whether the area of perennial vegetation cover is increasing or decreasing @wheatbeltnrm across the region. The data underlying the Remnant Bushland Threshold facebook.com/wheatbeltnrminc of Potential Concern was derived from the 2007 Department of Agriculture and Food, WA Native Copyright © 2016 Wheatbelt NRM Vegetation Extent spatial dataset. With the exception of the Great Western Woodlands which are virtually ABN 61 661 518 664 uncleared, every sub-region of the Wheatbelt NRM region falls well below the threshold of 30% land cover. Written and designed by This threshold has been identified in the literature Wheatbelt NRM. on biodiversity conservation featured on the NRM Dashboard http://www.nrmstrategy.com.au/climate- This publication is produced by change-portal. Our challenge is to manage the region Wheatbelt NRM through funding from the Australian Government’s to improve species viability by increasing perennial National Landcare Programme. landcover to exceed this threshold. About 13% of our remaining native vegetation is protected in crown reserves and under freehold covenants and non-binding agreements while revegetation efforts on freehold land continues. In these ways we can protect, enhance, enlarge and connect our remaining bushland. View the NRM Dashboard online: www.wheatbeltstrategy.com.au “This area has so much cultural and historical significance to local families and also played Pumphrey’s Bridge a part in the Dreamtime story of the Wargul.” Storybook launched

More than 150 people Wheatbelt NRM’s Michelle building fences using the gathered at Pumphrey’s Winmar helped to organise local Mangart trees.” Bridge to celebrate the the event, which included The Koompkinning book launch of a book and plaque an unveiling of a plaque, followed the recent recognising the significance cultural dancing fused with publication of stories from of the site to the local hip hop, live music, an Boogin Rock, near Brookton. community. evening meal and plenty of story-telling. Both books have been Wheatbelt NRM worked funded through the with local Noongar families The celebrations included Australian Government’s in preserving and re-telling a ‘Welcome to Country’ by National Landcare their stories through the local Noongar Elders Mervyn Programme. publication ‘Koompkinning: Abraham and Gary Bennell. The Pumphrey’s Bridge The Koompkinning “The celebration was such Storybook’. storybook can be a success we were hoping downloaded at: http://bit. The book is a collation it would become an annual ly/2gX3GTW of local stories and event,” Michelle Winmar photographs, containing said. Or call the office on 9670 information on locally 3100 to have a copy posted “This area has so much significant sites, flora and to you, while stocks last. cultural and historical fauna, family groups, and significance to local families the mysterious falling and also played a part in phenominum stones. the Dreamtime story of the The site along the Hotham Wargul.” River, just west of Pingelly, “The highlight was the was home to Aboriginal unveiling of the plaque families because of its rich by Nick Abraham, which diversity in wildlife and flora. showed the families who A specially commissioned camped along the river, memorial plaque for the fishing for djilgies and site was also unveiled hunting for rabbit and recognising the Noongar kangaroo.” families who lived and “These families worked worked in Pumphrey’s closely with the nearby Bridge and who still have farmers to clear the land, ties with the area. 1 Karla Hooper at Yorkrakine Rock

Capturing the Overall Winner ‘Seeding at sunset’ Wheatbelt Julie Anderton, Wongan Hills

Brilliant wildflowers, vibrant “The competition is targeted Anderton from Wongan Hills farm machinery, wise old at young people and it gives won best overall picture with gumtrees, stunning fields of them an opportunity to show her photo of a tractor seeding canola, and faces from the off what’s just outside their at sunset. Wheatbelt’s unique social back door,” said Wheatbelt A single salmon gum standing tapestry featured in this NRM’s Chris David. in a crop of barley shot by year’s Youth Environment “Each year the competition 35-year-old Kristo Orma from Photography Competition. grows and grows, with young Hyden won the Paddock Trees Budding photographers people capturing some great category. aged 35 years and under images to share.” An aerial shot of Lake living in the Wheatbelt were “This year we also recognised Baandee entered by 29-year- invited to showcase the the next generation of old Jonathon Dyer from beauty of the region in four Wheatbelt photographers Kellerberrin won the Sense of categories – Paddock Trees, with four highly commended Place section. Flora and Fauna, Faces of the entries awarded to people Wheatbelt, and a Sense of A photo of three Tawny aged between 11 and 16 Place. Frogmouth birds resting in years.” the shade won 23-year-old This year’s competition The five winners of the Sally Read from York first attracted an over 200 entries competition were announced place in the Flora and Fauna from 45 entrants, ranging at the Dowerin Field Days section. in age from four years to with the Honourable Mia 35 years. The quality of An image of working kelpie Davies MLA presenting the entries also vastly increased, dog Meg won 16-year- prizes and certificates. making the judges’ job very old Kaylea Richards from rewarding. Twenty-two year old Julie Merredin the Faces of the 2 Wheatbelt section. not even photos do them justice. They are some kind of To view the entries you can magic!” log onto www.wheatbeltrnm. org.au/photocomp-2016 Julie hopes that one day her children will be able The competition was to experience living in the supported by Wheatbelt Wheatbelt just as she has, NRM with funding from the Paddock Tree Category Winner to appreciate its magic. And Australian Government’s ‘Sound of silence’ that it is still as beautiful and National Landcare healthy in the future. Kristo Orma, Hyden Programme. “It’s only when we start Following her passion thinking about the future, for photography the consequences of treating Julie Anderton moved the environment badly – to Wongan Hills in the what we’ll be leaving our Wheatbelt twelve years kids in and that sort of thing ago from South Africa. She – that we start taking an describes the small country interest in the state of our town she calls home as environment.” beautiful, comforting and “I have found that the way Fauna Category Winner safe. to get people to care about ‘Tawny Frogmouth family’ It is the place she discovered anything is to show that you Sally Read, York her passion for photography care about it first, and then which tends to focus on lead by example. Gather with candid, unscripted shots of those who think like you or people in natural Wheatbelt understand your philosophy settings. and build a network. If each person in an ever growing But the twenty-two year old’s network is able to inspire the winning landscape image of a people living and working tractor seeding a paddock at around them, eventually sunset was a huge step out of more and more people will Sense of Place her comfort zone. start to share your passion.” Category Winner “I enjoyed the challenge that And her advice for budding ‘Lake Baandee a came with submitting an photographers looking to great place to be’ image into a category that take part in next year’s is definitely not where my Jonathon Dyer, Kellerberrin competition? strongest skills are.” “Do it! Do it even though you “Mum has tried to get me to doubt that your work is good go out and do photographs enough, do it to add to the of seeding and harvesting story that comes together for years now and I always when all the photos are resisted because I was displayed at the end, and do never great at landscape it to play a role in supporting photography.” and caring for the Wheatbelt “Finally this year, my dad environment.” lined up a date and time with one of his customers Faces of the and once I got out there I just couldn’t stop shooting. Wheatbelt Winner There is absolutely nothing ‘Meg’ that beats the sunsets that Kaylea Richards, you witness in the Wheatbelt, Merredin BioBlitzing the Wheatbelt

Jan’s Banded Snake (Simoselaps bertholdi)

What is a BioBlitz? A BioBlitz is a 24 hour citizen science event that aims to discover and record as many different living things as possible within a set location over a limited time period. They are also a fun and informative way of engaging the local community and landholders while raising their awareness of the links between agricultural systems and the natural environment.

A typical BioBlitz: The 2016 Tarin Rock BioBlitz conducting fieldwork with • draws participants to the was the eleventh BioBlitz local community members region and showcases the held in the Wheatbelt and participants to discover local environment and was jointly organised more about this area’s high • raises awareness of local by Wheatbelt NRM and conservation value bushland groups and environmental Dumbleyung Landcare Zone, and biodiversity. with key support from local issues Over 60 people attended the Department of Parks and • increases local community event despite heavy winds Wildlife staff. interest in the environment, and rain being forecast. science and agriculture The collaborative biological Thankfully the inclement survey was held in early weather was short lived • increases the skills and October 2016 near Lake Grace and attendees were able to knowledge of participants in the southern part of the enjoy relatively dry but cool for future projects Avon River Basin. Site surveys conditions for most of the • encourages networking were conducted on Tarin Rock weekend. and collaboration between Nature Reserve, North Tarin science and agriculture Rock Nature Reserve, and Highlights Reserve Number 38379, in an The BioBlitz’s most exciting • fosters a strong network of area totalling 4000 hectares of discovery was large collections individuals and groups for remnant vegetation. of chewed quandong nuts future projects. (Santalum acuminatum) at Professional and amateur specific feeding sites under biologists, ecologists and dense bushes, indicating the naturalists worked together presence of the conservation as ‘citizen scientists’, dependent Western Mouse

4 (Pseudomys occidentalis). It area, as well as rabbits and Some things we found! was fabulous to see evidence house mice. of the species still surviving Mammals here as it hadn’t been seen Report Brushtail Possum on this reserve since 1992. The information and data (Trichosurus vulpecula) gathered during this BioBlitz Other highlights included a Echidna will provide an invaluable Wedge-tailed Eagle (Aquila (Trachyglossus aculeatus) snapshot of the region’s audax) nesting with its Red-tailed Phascogale environment which will help chick, camera trap footage (Phascogale calura) with future monitoring and of a threatened Red-tailed management work in the Grey Kangaroo Phascogale (Phascogale remnant bushland. (Macropus fuliginosus) calura), visually striking Jan’s Western Mouse Branded Snakes (Simoselaps Results from the Tarin Rock (Pseudomys occidentalis) bertholdi), and the intriguing BioBlitz are being collated discovery of two rarely seen into a report which could Turtle Frogs (Myobatrachus also help local groups access Reptiles gouldii) that were found dead funding for preserving native Granite Worm Lizard and were being consumed by wildlife and flora in the area. (Aprasia pulchella) ants. The Tarin Rock BioBlitz was Marbled-faced Delma Other results funded by the Australian (Delma australis) Government’s National The botany groups had a field Frazers Delma (Delma fraseri) Landcare Programme and day at the BioBlitz, identifying Jan’s Banded Snake made possible through the 200 species of plants, fungi (Simoselaps bertholdi) hard work of many wonderful and lichen. This is a fantastic volunteers. Huge thanks to Southern Blindsnake effort in just 24 hours everyone who helped out and (Anilios australis) and reflects the region’s also to those who attended! extremely high biodiversity where over 900 species of Further reading Birds Wedge-tailed Eagle plants have been identified by View results from the 2015 (Aquila audax) previous surveys. BioBlitz in Toodyay: Considering the damp Southern Scrub-robin http://www.wheatbeltnrm. (Drymodes brunneopygia) and windy conditions, the org.au/knowledge/bioblitz- Western Yellow Robin herpetology (reptile) survey report and foraging teams were very (Eopsaltria australis productive, identifying nine View further information on griseogularis) species of reptile and two running a BioBlitz: Owlet Night-jar frog species. The ornithology http://www.ala.org.au/wp- (Aegotheles cristatus) (bird) groups also did well content/uploads/2011/10/ identifying 35 species, while BIOBLITZ_Guidelines_WEB- Insects the entomologists (insect final-201507.pdf spotters) excelled with over Large Bush Cricket (Pachysaga) 100 insect species found. To find out about plans Weevil (Catasarcus) for the 2017 BioBlitz, Evidence of nine mammals Jewel Beetle (Buprestidae) please contact: was recorded during the Stag Beetle (Passalidae) survey via motion sensing Leigh Whisson cameras and scats. The Wheatbelt NRM cameras were placed on the Regional Landcare Facilitator Plants Echidna Wattle (Acacia depressa) reserves prior to the survey ph: (08) 9670 3136 and revealed the exciting Drummond’s Conostylis [email protected] presence of threatened Red- (Conostylis drummondii) tailed Phascogales. Sadly, it Mallet Poison also showed numerous feral (Gastrolobium densifolium) foxes and cats in the same Blue Boronia (Boronia tenius) 5 © Lochman Transparencies

Spotlight on the Western Mouse

Pseudomys occidentalis Identification Family: Muridae The Western Mouse has been described as a ‘roman-nosed’ rodent which is an Conservation status: Priority 4: Rare, Near accurate description of this species’ Threatened and other species in need of rounded snout. Its fur is dark grey and monitoring yellowish-buff, overlaid with black guard hairs. The underside is pale, greyish-white and the paws are white. The tail is long Western Mouse facts and distinctively marked; it is pale grey with a dark brown line down either side Size: (head and body length) 90 – 110 mm of the upper surface. The soles of the hindfeet are only slightly granulated and Size: (tail) 120 – 140 mm the pads under the toes are small near the Weight: 33 – 53 g tips of the toes and larger further back. Habitat: Semi-arid and arid WA, in sandy Habitat and distribution clay and loam with dense shrubs including The Western Mouse was historically found quandong and sedges. Reduced population in a band across south-western Western restricted to isolated Wheatbelt reserves Australia to the southern Nullarbor plain and the south coast near Ravensthorpe. and sites on the South Coast. The species is now restricted to the Diet: Seeds, plant stems, fruits, flowers Ravensthorpe Range, Fitzgerald River and some invertebrates. National Park and several small reserves in the Avon region. Reproduction: Breeding begins in winter, It occurs in long unburnt vegetation on young are born from mid-late spring and sandy loam or sandy clay loam, often with weaned in early summer. Young can breed patches of gravel. The vegetation can in their first year. © Lochman Transparencies

include a variety of species over a long period of time by introduced cats and foxes, but usually includes patches as shown by piles of chewed particularly if the reserve of very dense shrubs and and decomposing nuts is burnt. Degradation of often quandong and sedges. which cover the ground in vegetation by rabbits and areas near mature quandong other grazing animals is also The first specimen of this trees. a concern. species was collected in Tambellup in 1930. The Reproduction Management actions Western Australian Museum Pregnant females are found Management priorities also collected this species in early to mid-spring. The include the control of feral during surveys in scattered young are born from mid predators, grazing animals Wheatbelt reserves in the to late spring and weaned and weeds in conservation 1970s. in early summer. The young reserves. The prevention of The Western Mouse is a are fully grown by May or wildfire is also important, social animal and spends June. Juveniles can breed particularly in dense long- its days in a group, down a by July or August, when less unburnt vegetation and burrow 20 to 40 centimetres than a year old. Population stands of quandong trees. deep. The burrow has a sizes can fluctuate from Replanting of quandong is single vertical entrance year to year depending on also carried out in some which connects to a large conditions. areas. semi-circular loop two to three metres in diameter. A Threats nesting chamber is situated The Western Mouse opposite the entrance. has particular habitat requirements so clearing Diet of these habitats has been Seeds, plant stems, detrimental to this species. : Mammals of the fruits, flowers and some Changes in fire regimes may SOURCE Avon Region, M. Bamford, R. invertebrates, including also have been a factor, as Inglis, K. Watson, Wheatbelt beetles and moths form the large wildfires remove the NRM, WWF, Department diet of the Western Mouse. dense shrub layer over a of Environment and It is an agile animal and wide area so the animals Conservation, 2009 climbs low shrubs when lose their feeding areas and foraging for fibrous plant cover from predators. http://bit.ly/2gBn7C4 material, such as flowers of Western mice are usually https://www.dpaw.wa.gov. Hibbertia and Acacia and found in long-unburnt au/images/documents/ seeds of Banksia and Hakea. vegetation (30 to 50 plants-animals/animals/ It chews holes in quandong years since fire). Remnant animal_profiles/western- nuts to eat the protein-rich populations in small reserves mouse_2012.pdf and oil-rich kernels. Feeding are vulnerable to predation areas appear to be used

7 ‘The times are a changing’ - Making sense of the agriculture tools/apps available

In the words of our newest Literary Nobel Prize winner, Bob Dylan ‘the times are a changing’. Long gone are the days of having to rely solely on your own knowledge, experiences and gut feel when it came to farming decisions. Although these should never be ignored, there are now a huge number of agricultural web tools and apps available to assist growers in farm management decision making. These tools range from integrated whole farm management systems to simpler weed and disease identification apps. Listed here are a number of agricultural tools and apps (not all of them by any stretch of the imagination), grouped by type to help with comparison. While sitting on a header over harvest it may be a good time to explore the capabilities of some of these tools/apps to determine how they might fit in with your current operations and add value to your farming business.

8 Potential Yield and /or Nitrogen Decisions NAME SUPPLIER & LINK FEATURES COST Yield Prophet Birchip Cropping Group • Paddock specific potential yield using APSIM. Full rate $230/ (BCG) • Matches nitrogen applications with predicted paddock/year crop demands. http://bit.ly/2giIWlt • Inputs required – requires paddock specific soil test data and crop details, optional growing season rainfall and paddock management data entry. Uses BOM climate data. iPaddock iPaddock • Uses historical farm rainfall and whole farm On- off fee Yield App average annual wheat yields to determine $169.99 http://bit.ly/2gjPHqC potential yields. • No in-paddock testing required. • Inputs required – farm rainfall records, previous wheat yields and uses BOM climate data for current readings. Wheat Yield DAFWA • Based on a modified French and Shultz equation, Free Constraints estimating water limited yield potential and Calc http://bit.ly/2frhKQN stored water at time of sowing. • Inputs required – soil type, selection of nearest DAFWA weather station. N Broadacre Planfarm • Nitrogen calculator – calculates N available to $24.99 crop and N required to meet yield/protein targets. http://apple.co/2gDkEXt • Includes a simple yield calculator but can be teamed up with other tools such as Yield Prophet. • Accounts for variations in fertiliser and grain prices. • Inputs required – basic soil test data, crop type, fertiliser type and applications, rotational history.

Pests, Disease & Weeds NAME SUPPLIER & LINK FEATURES COST MyPest Guide DAFWA • Reporter – photos can be uploaded and Free -Reporter App https://www.agric. locations of pests found recorded with direct -Crops App wa.gov.au/biosecurity/ communication with DAFWA possible. -Diseases App mypestguide-suite • Crops and disease – identification tool, search by crop type, damage, size, area of plant affected, etc. • Inputs required – photos and pest location – Reporter Prosaro Scale Bayer CropScience • Predicts onset of seasonal acrospore emanating Free http://www.theprosaro- from canola residue based on the DAFWA Blackleg scale.com.au/prosaro/ Sporacle Model. aboutscale/ • Option for sclerotinia prediction. • Inputs required – postcode and rotation (for sclerotinia). Pestfax DAFWA, GRDC • Newsletter – weekly pest updates as reported by Free -Newsletter https://www.agric. farmers, agronomists and industry. -Reporter App wa.gov.au/crop-diseas- • Pestfax Reporter – allows for simple reporting of -Map es/about-pestfax-news- pests and diseases. letter • Pestfax Map – shows occurrences of pests and diseases reported. • Inputs required – initial contact details, date, crop type, variety, pest/disease type, severity and location. My Weed- DAFWA • Identification Guide – ID of weeds. Free Watcher App https://www.agric. • Inputs required – flower colour, leaf shape and wa.gov.au/weeds/weed- plant type. watcher-homepage • Survey/reporting – maps current weed distributions, allows for entry of weed survey data. • Inputs Required – images, location, weed density, weed counts, and control activities. 9 Climate NAME SUPPLIER & LINK FEATURES COST Australian http://bit.ly/2fabvWd • Allows for interrogation of climate records (last 60 Free CliMate years). • Shows probability of extreme events. • Shows how the season is tracking compared to average. • Estimates how wet soil is after a fallow period • Inputs required – region and soil type (for soil water). DAFWA DAFWA • Provides weather data for all DAFWA weather Free Weather https://www.agric. stations. Stations App wa.gov.au/weather- • Charts available compare year by year or year by or web based stations average. tool • Inputs required – DAFWA weather station selection. DAFWA DAFWA • Shows growing season rainfall to date against Free Rainfall to https://www.agric. rainfall deciles (data from 1975-2014). Date wa.gov.au/climate- • Shows historical finishes to a season (as projected weather/rainfall-date- deciles) from the current date onwards. tool • Inputs required – DAFWA weather station selection and dates (growing season). Meteye Bureau of Meteorology • BOM online mapping tool that allows you to Free http://www.bom.gov. visualise weather data for Australia. au/australia/meteye/ • Maps latest weather as well as official forecasts that are not just automatically generated but also adjusted by BOM meteorologists for better forecasts. • Inputs required – town, postcode or GPS coordinate. Extreme DAFWA • Maps extreme temperatures using the extensive Free Weather DAFWA weather station network. Events Tool http://bit.ly/2fIcatW • Threshold temperatures can be manually set and the length of time at these temperatures available for specific days or a range of days. • Inputs required – date, period of time, temperature.

Farm Management/All Rounders NAME SUPPLIER & LINK FEATURES COST Agworld Agworld • Allows for management of farm activities using Free – basic http://www.agworld. interactive maps where paddocks can be tapped. $879/yr/user – com.au/farmers/ on to create and view activities, records and standard features notes. $1099/yr/user - • Farm planning that covers financials with a Premium detailed breakdown of inputs. • In the field data collection that syncs automatically when next online. • Product information – labels and MSDS’s.

Back Paddock Back Paddock Company • Ability to quickly prepare whole farm cropping $395 – Year Manager http://www. and pasture plans. Licence - backpaddock.com.au/ • Summarise inputs into ‘shopping lists’. Standard products/back-paddock- • Determine gross margin by crop and paddock $795 – Year manager/ over a range of prices and yields. Licence - • Detailed reports and budgets including seasonal Premium cash flow projections. • Operations plans for managers and workers. • Easy to revise plans.

10 Karla Hooper: Creating a sustainable Wheatbelt

Karla Hooper is a Health Both the markets allow creating self-sustaining and Environmental consumers to interact communities. directly with growers and Scientist who had an “I love the idea of growing farmers – reinforcing a sense epiphany while working all my own food but I’m of place and valuing local on an oil-drilling platform not particularly good at it, produce and community. off the coast of Australia. whereas there are other “Projects like these people out there who really “I had a professional career incorporate farmers, the are. I want to bring together in the Oil and Gas industry, wider community and a whole range of people had my own house and on tourists which helps people where they can focus on the surface life was pretty to reconnect to food, the what their passion or gift is.” sweet. But I couldn’t stop environment and each thinking ‘is this it?’” “We’re in the food hub and other.” there is room for expansion. It prompted her to return In 2016, Karla received And to do that in a to her sustainability roots the Wheatbelt NRM Youth connective, sustainable way and follow her passion for Board Scholarship, which – that really is the future for community development. encourages people under the Wheatbelt.” After several years travelling the age of 40 to join the Karla’s other plans include Australia, Karla returned board of directors. trekking in the Wheatbelt to Western Australia and As part of the $10,000 with her gypsy wagon, two currently lives in Toodyay. scholarship she received clydesdale horses and camel. “The Wheatbelt is full of training and mentorship to “I want to go out in the opportunity. It is rich in help improve her leadership Wheatbelt for one to two natural resources, it is so skills. weeks and walk peacefully diverse, and the ancestral “It has been a really and quietly on the land – to history is just incredible.” exceptional experience reconnect – using the horses Karla worked with to be part of the Board. and camels to transport the the Toodyay Shire as I’m extremely impressed gear. I want to gift that kind Environmental Officer with the Board and each of experience to people – to develop the town’s individual who is on there. something like that is hugely sustainability plan. She was The Board and staff should empowering.” also instrumental in creating all be extremely proud of Keep an eye out for Karla the Toodyay Farmers’ what they are out there Hooper – she is certainly one Market, and since leaving representing.” to watch. the shire has started a Karla’s next big project is similar market in Northam.

11 Get to know your Gastrolobium

WARNING - Gastrolobiums are posionous to humans and pets. They are suitable only in areas of vegetation that are effectively fenced from stock and where children and domestic animals do not have unsupervised access to the site.

Gastrolobium parviflorum

Most farmers in south- causing the problems as Australia as a rabbit control west Western Australia Gastrolobiums, but did not agent. know why. In 1964, the toxic know about the group of In 1963, 1080 was identified component of Gastrolobium plants commonly called in an Acacia species from plants was finally identified poison bushes. Whether Queensland, followed by its as 1080, a tasteless, that be through personal discovery in Gastrolobium odourless and colourless species in 1964. experience of stock losses toxin. or stories from others Are Gastrolobium Historic use and (including older family plants keeping native discovery of 1080 members). These poison animal species alive? bushes are scientifically According to historic records The discovery of the toxic known as Gastrolobium it appears that 1080 was first component of Gastrolobium identified in plants decades species and contain a plants opened new doors after it was first synthesised toxic chemical known as to animal conservation in in 1896. Little information is 1080 (monofluoroacetic Western Australia. Western available on how scientists acid or sodium Australian native animals came to create 1080 fluoroacetate). have evolved at the same originally. There are 109 species time as the Gastrolobium Some of the early uses of of Gastrolobium found plants. This means that they 1080 include as a moth- throughout Australia, 45 of have much higher levels repelling agent in the 1920s which are native to the Avon of resistance to 1080 than and as a rodenticide in the Wheatbelt. Since the 1830s, other animals. This has 1940s. many of the European allowed the creation of bait settlers had difficulty raising The first discovery of 1080 that contains enough 1080 stock in Western Australia in plants occurred in 1944, to kill an introduced species, on land populated by these in several plant species from while most native species species. James Drummond, Africa. would need to eat a very the Western Australian high number of these baits In the 1950s, the synthesised to die. Government Botanist of the chemical was introduced in time, identified the plants

12 In 1981, Kitchener theorised examination of survey data that the Red-tailed Phascogale from the Western Australian probably survives in nature Wheatbelt in the 1970s also reserves in the Western Australian showed that while the size of Wheatbelt and Dryandra State vegetation reserves was the most Forest because poison plants in important determining factor for these reserves buffer vegetation areas of high species diversity, from the effects of domestic stock the presence of Gastrolobium and feral animals.” This idea was plants can increase the number further explored by Short et al of species present at a site by as (2005). They hypothesised that much as 25%. the presence of either dense cover Survival and/or plants of native of the genus “In short, reserves mammal Gastrolobium populations in moderately that have conserved away from moist native mammals have coastal bushland abundant Gastrolobium margins of Gastrolobium areas south-west parviflorum—Box may have species, while those WA is strongly protected Poison, Marlock Poison reserves that have linked to native species Gastrolobium parviflorum is sites with from cat not tend to have few an evergreen shrub spreading abundant predation. To from 1.5m wide to 2m high. Gastrolobium plants.” poison peas investigate It has orange red flowers from of species this theory late winter to mid-spring. with relatively high 1080 toxicity. they compared mammal It is one the of the most toxic The presence of Gastrolobium collections from the early 1900s to Gastrolobium species, with in understorey vegetation (often the abundance and distribution of 15-2500mg of 1080 found in as thickets) has been identified Gastrolobium species and found each kilogram of dried plant as contributing to the survival of a correlation between them. material. It is widespread several species of mammals in The density and distribution of across the Wheatbelt south-west Western Australia. Gastrolobium species supported region and is likely to have their hypothesis. Further In short, reserves that have considerably enhanced the conserved native mammals have resistance of local native species to 1080 poison.

Figure 1 Gastrolobium distribution in WA. Image used with the permission of the Western Australian Herbarium, Department of Parks and Wildlife (https:// florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/ help/copyright). Accessed on 1 November 2016. abundant Gastrolobium species, while those Some recommendations made by Short et reserves that have not tend to have few al to help protect native species in remnant Gastrolobium plants. vegetation in the south-west of WA include: It is likely that this effect has occurred not only because cats and foxes that eat native Using understorey plantings of species are lethally poisoned by 1080, but Gastrolobium species around key also because some have sub-lethal doses of fauna habitat. 1080, get sick and then learn to avoid eating the species that made them sick. When this Using more Gastrolobium species happens they will also teach their young to for habitat reconstruction. avoid preying on certain species. Providing Gastrolobium seed as The following suggestions are feed supplements to free-ranging suitable only in areas of remnant native species, so the native vegetation that are effectively animals are toxic if eaten by fenced from stock and where introduced species. children and domestic animals do Although Gastrolobium plants are not not have unsupervised access to known to spread like weeds it is also the site. important to be aware of where any poison bushes are on your property or

COMMON NAME GASTROLOBIUM FLUOROACETATE SPECIES CONCENTRATIONS (MG/KG) Bullock Poison Gastrolobium trilobum Not detected Mallet Poison G. densifolium Not detected Crinkle-leaf Poison G. villosum 10-50 Hook-point Poison G. hamulosum 100 Gilbernine Poison G. rotundifolium 150 Thick-leaf Poison G. crassifolium 150 Spike Poison G. glaucum 200 Berry Poison G. parvifolium 300 Prickly-leaf Poison G. spinosum 0-400 Roe’s Poison G. spectabile 400 Sandplain Poison G. microcarpum 0-600 Rock Poison G. callistachys 100-1000 Champion Bay Poison G. oxylobioides 0-1050 Granite Poison G. graniticum 1240 Cluster Poison G. bennettsianum 1300 Wodjil Poison G. floribundum 1350 York Road Poison G. calycinum 400-1400 Box Poison G. parviflorum 2500 Heart-leaf Poison G. bilobum 730-2650

Table 1: Adapted from Twigg and Socha (1996). Levels of 1080 in Wheatbelt Gastrolobium species.

14 in neighbouring bushland, and regularly monitor for any Gastrolobium plants that may sprout in your paddock.

How toxic are Gastrolobium plants? The answer varies, dependant on several factors, including the Gastrolobium species and time of year. Most Gastrolobium species contain traces of 1080 year round in their mature wood and leaves. However, new shoots, flowers, seedlings and seeds are the major reservoirs of the toxin, and are generally only present at certain times of the year. Many species of Gastrolobium contain very low concentrations Gastrolobium of 1080, with some species relying microcarpum more on spines and thick leaves to – Sandplain Poison put off herbivores rather than the Gastrolobium microcarpum chemical defence of 1080. A direct grows as a shrub to 2.5m high correlation has been identified and has stunning gold and between the presence of physical red flowers from August to deterrents and the concentration October. It is found in Dryandra of 1080 – the more spiny the plant Reserve, and is believed to be is, the lower the concentration of the reason numbats still survive 1080. in this reserve, along with other Gastrolobium species. Numbats are found in a few References other locations in the south- http://www.australiangeographic. west of WA and nowhere else in com.au/blogs/wild- Australia – despite once being journey/2016/10/the-plants-that- found all the way through to saved-the-numbat inland NSW. It is thanks to this Gastrolobium https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov. and a few other au/browse/profile/3909 (scientific closely related species that wild information on Gastrolobium Numbats have not become microcarpum) extinct http://www.plantthis.com.au/ . plant-information.asp?gardener= 24934&tabview=features&plantS pot=0 (information on the use of Gastrolobium microcarpum as a garden plant) http://publications.rzsnsw.org. (Right) Gastrolobium au/doi/pdf/10.7882/AZ.2011.034 parviflorum (Historical accounts of toxicity to introduced carnivores consuming bronzewing pigeons (Phaps chalcoptera and P. elegans) and other vertebrate fauna in south- 15 west Western Australia) Digging deeper: Why it’s important to test subsoil to 30cm

With this in mind, in The knowledge of their soil Land managers: Rob Sawyer, Gary Sawyer and families 2014 Rob Sawyer, Gary health was identified and Sawyer and families the Sawyers started the Property size: 22,000 hectare (with encouragement process in identifying the cropping programme from their consultant Ty actual pH levels within the Henning) commenced a soil at 0-10cm, 10-20cm and Location: Dalwallinu Shire Wheatbelt NRM funded 20-30cm. 293mm project to explore subsoil Annual Rainfall: Since 2014, the pH on paddocks that had : Cropping Sawyers have started a Enterprise previously been limed. comprehensive subsoil Soil types/vegetation: Varied At the time, it was suspected testing program and now that subsoil acidity might be have tested most of their limiting productivity in some 22,000 ha property, with the The move to subsoil areas of the farm and that aim of this large personal testing surface applications of lime investment paying off by Like many growers in the may not be ‘hitting the spot’. assisting them to make more Wheatbelt, the Sawyers Soil samples were collected informed management had done regular topsoil and analysed from depths decisions that improve farm testing (0-10cm) across their 10-20cm and 20-30cm and productivity, profitability and property over the last 30 subsoil pH as low as 3.9 overall soil health. were identified. years, but they had never Liming decisions on sampled deeper. These initial results sparked the back of subsoil When you consider the the Sawyers and their test results roots of most crops have the management team into For the last 20 years, the ability to reach depths in action. They realised that Sawyers have spread lime the soil of a metre or more, for larger scale acidity on an almost annual basis at topsoil is a relatively minor management practices rates of around one tonne contributor to the volume of to be implemented, to to the hectare. Rob Sawyer soil that can be potentially improve farm productivity explained that they have accessed by plant roots. and profitability, a an annual liming budget, Understanding constraints more comprehensive however, where possible aim at depth is necessary before understanding of the farms to increase the annual area amelioration options can be subsoils would be required. covered (depending on the investigated. previous season).

16 Since participating in the ripping done in the 1990s, input decisions based on Wheatbelt NRM funded that may have brought acid potential yield predictions project and having a better subsoil to the surface, they The Sawyers predominately understanding of subsoil pH, are spreading lime before use the Yield Prophet® the Sawyers have spread ripping and have installed sites for the collection of approximately 15,000 inclusion plates to the ripper weather data, however, they tonnes of lime and have tynes. are interested in exploring increased spreading rates to further functionality of this The hope is that the lime 1.5t/ha on average. tool going forwards. will move down with Liming to date has focused the topsoil into the slot Variable Rate Technology (VRT) on the higher production created by the inclusion In 2016, the Sawyers paddocks, whereas some of plates increasing the rate commenced using VRT for the more marginal country of subsoil neutralisation, their fertiliser applications. and land further from the improvements in coast that attracts increased productivity and a quicker Rob Sawyer commented cartage costs, has not return on investment. that like with all changes been limed due to budget in crop management, VRT Other crop management constraints. came with its share of advances ‘teething issues’. Upskilling a Rob Sawyer strongly believes In addition to their focus on large group of staff was one that increasing the soil pH increasing the pH of their challenge. Another was base will improve soil health subsoils, the Sawyers have fertiliser rates which could and therefore increase the set up some other systems have been higher given the productivity of the entire on farm to more efficiently wet year and subsequent property. He believes his manage their crops. good early crop growth. current liming program is perhaps below district Yield Prophet® Subsoil acidity is a major constraint of crop average and has plans to Seven ‘Yield Prophet®’ sites production in the Wheatbelt. increase the amount of lime with automatic weather The first management step is spread, especially in the stations have been set up to understand the extent of more marginal country, as across their property. budget allows. the issue at a farm level and A core sample is taken at subsoil testing is the key. Experimenting with these locations at seeding Since extensive subsoil lime incorporation time to a meter depth to testing across their property, test and account for the The Sawyers first dabbled the Sawyers have been moisture, nitrogen and with deep ripping in the able to implement specific nutrients that are currently 1990s, with mixed results. management practices available. This data is then Now, with the knowledge (liming, deep ripping and used to predict a potential they have gained from the topsoil slotting) to address yield average and then extensive soil testing, the their acidity issues. Rob the data from the harvest Sawyers are again giving Sawyer admits that although is compared. If there are deep ripping a go, albeit it would be nice to have discrepancies further with some changes. To a ‘quick fix’ solution, soil research is conducted. counteract some of the acidity will be an on-going negative effects of the deep Yield Prophet® is a web- issue on farm and annual based tool that can liming is part of the program “There is no right incorporate soil test results for the foreseeable future. (including soil core samples, He also believes that and wrong in different soil moisture analysis and addressing soil acidity issues nitrate content immediately will reduce weed burdens, farming management prior to seeding), paddock assist crops to better survive practices, it’s just specific rainfall, seasonal dry finishes, improve fertiliser applications and nutrient use efficiency and what works for your BOM historical and current ultimately improve soil climate data, to generate health. business.” reports that help with crop 17 Bush potatoes By Judd Stead

Mudjar Western Australian Christmas Tree | Nuytsia floribunda

Mudjar is a tree or shrub as a place where a system is not too badly that can grow to 10 m recently deceased damaged. While they high and has rough person’s spirit resided, will not make a good grey-brown bark. ‘resting on the branches’ addition to the home It grows on white, grey en route to the island of garden, they are a visual or yellow sand, sandy the dead ‘beyond the pleasure in the bush loams, brown sandy western sea’. As such over the Christmas gravel over clay, granite, it is recommended to period. laterite, limestone. never bring this tree It prefers landscapes inside your home. of sandplains, slopes NOONGAR USES and the base of rock • The Noongar people made Cultivation outcrops. use of the species during Despite its spectacular Mudjar is particularly the season of Kambarang, flowers and ornamental beautiful around from October to early desirability for garden Christmas time, when it December. use, it will hunt down has stunning displays of • The flowers of the Mudjar the roots of most plants strikingly bright yellow were soaked in water to within a 50 m radius and to orange flowers. make a sweet drink. unless they can quickly Mudjar is a hemiparasitic • The gum that exudes from develop alternative plant, which means its the wound after obtaining roots, they will die roots attach themselves bark to make shields was within a few years. to the roots of other collected later. It is sweet Mudjar is also difficult to plants to obtain nutrients and eaten raw. permanently remove, as from the host plant. • The suckers on the roots they will rapidly regrow were also eaten. Mudjar was traditionally their trunk if knocked regarded by Noongars over, providing the root

18 www.wheatbeltnrm.org.au