August Edition

August Edition

● ● ● ● 1 Landcare In Focus 1st August 2013 ~ www.landcareonline.com.au Joining the social media revolution OOKING over the fence and groups on a range of topics includ- “We’ve had good co-operation extension methods. those dealing with issues that are finding out what farmers are ing cell grazing, the role of native from farmers right across the State,” This may be particularly true for current.” Lup to down the road or even bees in sustainable agriculture, he said. younger farmers who are already Due to the enthusiasm of grower on the other side of the state is stubble management and integrat- “We try to take a conversational engaging with social media. groups involved, there are over 80 much simpler thanks to a social ed pest management. style, we come up with a series of “Most farmers tend to look at the videos on the Ag Excellence media project funded by the The videos allow farmers and questions and we try to put the videos and take on the key mes- Alliance website—far more than Australian government’s Caring for grower groups to take a virtual look interviewee at ease. sages,” Mr Stanley said. expected. our Country initiative. over the neighbour’s fence and get “We’ve got some really good sto- “They provide a taste of what can “We’re actually getting groups Ag Excellence Alliance is using ideas on land management from all ries using this method, people have be achieved to inspire the watcher coming to us now wanting to be social media to break down geo- around the state. taken to it and have been happy to to see further information on the involved in the project, so it has graphical barriers to agricultural Project manager Mark Stanley be involved.” topics presented. been a complete turnaround.,” Mr extension and knowledge sharing said despite encountering wariness Mr Stanley believes social media “These messages seem to be most Stanley said. between grower groups across at first from some people about has great potential to provide out- effective when presented by farm- “At the start of the project we were South Australia. being filmed, the project has been reach services—potential that ers, or the combination of farmers really pushing to get people The Alliance has produced short hugely successful in the farming will likely be in orders of magni- and technical experts. involved.” videos with farmers and grower community. tude greater than more traditional “The most popular videos are ■ continued on p2 Celebrating Landcare – and LIFE – across the country LANDCARE groups across the coun- Month, Landcare Week, and spring- try are getting ready to celebrate time by hosting a planting day on Landcare Week 2013, the annual cel- September 4 at Broadmeadows Valley ebration of all things Landcare. Park. Held from September 2 to 8, Land- Local businesses and community care Week is an invitation to every- members are invited to go along, one, wherever they live and whatever with all equipment, tools and even a they do, to get involved in the free lunch provided. Landcare community and help The hugely successful Bushcare’s protect and restore our country’s Major Day Out (BMDO) is again precious natural resources. taking place during Landcare Week at Landcare Australia chief executive city and country locations right Tessa Jakszewicz (pictured) believes across Australia. Landcare Week is a great opportunity A national day supported by for everyone wanting to make a posi- Willoughby Council and Landcare tive difference in their local environ- Australia, it is designed to encourage ment to get involved and join the people to take part in the restoration thousands of dedicated Australians and maintenance of our remaining already working towards a sustainable bushland. future. This year taking place on Septem- “Landcare Week puts a spotlight on ber 8, BMDO offers a wide range of the remarkable activities of the activities at many different locations, Landcare community that occur ranging from the Launch of the year-round and play a crucial role in Aldgate Valley Nature Walk in South conserving and rehabilitating our Australia to sampling what Bushcare unique and precious ecosystems,” Ms is all about in the classic Sydney set- Jakszewicz said. ting of Tunks Park in Northbridge. “The variety of Landcare Week To help groups and networks pro- activities and events taking place mote Landcare Week events and across the country leaves those activities within their local commu- wanting to get involved spoilt for nities, Landcare Australia has devel- choice.” oped a kit of promotional resources active in social media. Groups can simply fill in the online sees people across Australia celebrat- Friends of Westgate Park in Port using the branding from the popular Landcare ambassador Jack Thomp- form and submit their event details, ing the importance and relevance of Melbourne are holding a planting L.I.F.E – Landcare is for Everyone son has also thrown his support which will be approved and online Landcare, not only to their own local day on September 3 to help achieve campaign. behind the annual awareness raising within a few days. communities but to our national their vision of transforming the Park A suite of branded artwork for fly- week by recording a radio ad, which “With countless community events backyard.” into a bushland habitat for local ers and posters is available for down- groups can send to their local radio and activities taking place, as well as ■ Groups interested in indigenous plants and animals where load, and groups can also access web stations. Landcare Awards events, conferences downloading Landcare Week visitors can enjoy a beautiful natural tiles, an email signature, and a tem- Anyone planning an activity or and forums, there truly is a Landcare resources or adding an event to the landscape. plate media release. event for Landcare Week can also Week event to suit everyone,”said Ms Landcare events calendar should Still in Melbourne, Hume City There is even a special Landcare promote it by adding it to the nation- Jakszewicz (pictured). visit www.landcareonline.com.au or Council is celebrating Biodiversity Week twibbon available for those al Landcare events calendar. “I hope the first week in September www.landcarelife.com.au 2 ● ● ● ● Landcare In Focus 1st August 2013 ~ www.landcareonline.com.au The benefits of showing your grass ARMERS in Western Australia species and management options can are seeing firsthand the benefits vary according to soil type and the Fof planting perennials to rainfall zone. improve soil condition thanks to a Ms Gorter said first time failures are project funded by the Australian often a significant barrier to adop- Government’s Caring for our tion which has seen some landhold- Country initiative. ers give up after unsuccessful Through the Show Us Your Grass attempts at trialling perennials. project, Evergreen Farming has been “The Show Us Your Grass project showing landholders in the agricultur- aimed to increase the knowledge and al regions of Western Australia how skills of farmers in using perennials, perennial pastures can be used to and maximise their chances of suc- decrease soil acidification, decrease cess,” Ms Gorter said. wind and water erosion, increase soil “The project has been very success- carbon content and provide year- ful and has exceeded our expectations. round green feed for stock. “Farmers were receptive to the As part of the project, technical pas- opportunity to have a renowned ture specialists conducted 80 farm technical pasture specialist visit their visits across the Wheatbelt, Northern property and provide advice unique to their situation. They found the ...if farmers were experience exceedingly valuable. investing time and Ms Gorter said that establishing money in establishing new perennial pastures can be costly for farmers, and that farmers began perennial pastures, we to ask for advice on how to make the were able to give them most of perennials. the best possible chance of “We responded to their requests by success and a positive offering on-farm advice and sharing the experiences of successful peren- benefit from their nial growers with others attempting a investment and for their similar pathway. ‘ “This way, if farmers were investing farm environment time and money in establishing – Erin Gorter, perennial pastures, we were able to Evergreen Farming give them the best possible chance of success and a positive benefit from Agricultural, South West and South their investment and for their farm Coast regions of Western Australia environment. and provided advice on the type of “Some of the properties visited as perennials to plant and how and part of the project were already grow- Farmers in the northern part of WA’s agricultural region learning about utilising the out of season rainfall in sandy soils to where they should be grown to ing perennials but wanted to try a improve soil condition. new variety or work in different soil manage stock. Evergreen Farming executive officer types, while others were interested in cessful establishment. both worlds. was completed in June 2013. If you Erin Gorter said that, as a result of implementing the technique but “Our natural environment is one of “Such a system allows farmers to are interested in finding out more the farm visits, a mix of sub-tropical were not sure where to begin.” mixed systems and species and con- adjust to variable climatic conditions, about the project and its results and temperate perennials were plant- A visit from an experienced techni- ditions,” Ms Gorter said. protect and build their natural visit evergreen.asn.au, find them on ed on 5000 ha of the Western cal pasture specialist helped set the Ms Gorter said that by having resource base and often extend their Facebook or contact Evergreen Australian agricultural region.

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