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Archives for March 2017

Grazing Field Day

Jaime · Mar 24, 2017 · Leave a Comment

Grazing Field Day

Spray nozzle demonstration at the Grazing Field Day 2017

45 graziers ventured to the Trimble’s cattle property on the O’Connell River for a day of hands on learning, at the 2017 Grazing Field Day in March. The 114 hectare property is a showcase for what can be achieved through effective management practices.

Weed control, especially of sicklepod, itch grass and Giant Rat’s Tail grass, has been a major focus of their management and continues to be so. Extensive seeding of paddocks to V8 stylo, seca stylo, Mekong, Rhodes grass, signal grass and Humidicola has been undertaken, resulting in further weed control through competition.

The clear messages of the day was that effective weed control required a whole-of-property management approach and that monitoring and improving soil health can lead to productivity gains in grazing land.

Participants appreciated the practical take home lessons on how to test soil pH, and a demonstration that evaluated the effects that operating pressure, nozzle choice and weather conditions have on droplet size and spray drift.

The ability to see pasture and legume species growing in the paddock allowed landholders to assess the performance and make decisions on whether the species could be useful additions to their own grazing operations.

Our thanks to Darryl and Hannah Trimble for hosting the day and presenters:

Allan Blair, Dept of Agriculture and Fisheries

Bill Thompson, Land Resource Assessment and Management

Gerry Dogao, Sales Agronomist with PGG Wrightson Seeds

 

This event was supported by Reef Catchments, through funding by the Queensland Government under the Queensland Regional Resource Management Investment Program: Sustainable Agriculture.

Whitsundays Witnessing Avian Invasion

Jaime · Mar 22, 2017 · Leave a Comment

IndianMyna_LipKeeFlickrCreativeCommons
Photo Credit: IndianMyna_LipKeeFlickr CreativeCommons

 

Reports of an unwelcome avian invader have increased across the Whitsundays over the past six months. Sightings of Indian Mynas (Acridotheres tristis) have been reported in Cannonvale, Bredalbane, Blacks Beach, and at other sites around Mackay and the Pioneer Valley. Large flocks of more than 20 birds have also been reported flying over Proserpine.

In 2000, the Invasive Species Specialist Group and International Union of Conservation in Nature (IUCN) named Indian Mynas as one of the world’s worst invasive species (Lowe et al. 2000). The species has established in many cities around Australia, including just North of the Whitsundays in Townsville. Indian Myna populations have the capacity to increase rapidly, laying between two and seven eggs per clutch. One breeding pair can explode to a population of 13,000 birds within 5 years.

Sometimes confused with native species, including the mostly grey Noisy Myna, the Indian Myna can be distinguished by it’s distinct chocolate brown body, black head and neck, yellow eye patches, yellow feet and legs. A distinct white patch is also exposed on each wing when the bird is in flight. Indian Mynas are not fussy eaters and will opportunistically forage for food, competing with native species for fruit, flower nectar, insects and seeds.

There are concerns about the impact these birds may have on native species in the Mackay Whitsunday region. While research shows that competition between Indian mynas and native birds in urban areas remains contested (Lowe et al. 2011 and Grarock et al. 2012), a study by Grarock (et al. 2012) observed that Indian mynas do have a significant negative impact on native species nesting in hollows and cavities. Grarock’s research also demonstrated that the invaders threaten bird species smaller is size than the myna.

The arrival of Indian mynas to the region is also bad news for some mammal species. Aggressive nesting Indian Mynas have been known to evict nesting possums and gliders from tree hollows.

Dale Mengel, a resident of Proserpine, who reported a sighting of more than 20 birds flying over Proserpine in February, has again witnessed more than 30 birds in Proserpine in March. Mr Mengel shared concerns that this indicated the birds are beginning to colonise the area and hoped that something could be done to prevent their impact on native species.

Daryl Barnes, President of Bird Life Mackay describes Indian Mynas as ‘aggressive, pompous, domineering, adaptable, unafraid, smart and noisy’. Bird Life Mackay have joined the Mackay Regional Pest Management Group in seeking to collate reports of sightings across the Mackay and Whitsunday Region.

Clean up Australia day – Conway and Wilsons beach

diana · Mar 21, 2017 · Leave a Comment

Thanks to Barry Nolan (QPWS), Bren Fuller (WRC), and Cath Campbell (WCL) for their involvement in the event.  The presentations provided an insight into why cats are an issue in Australia and how the community can assist by managing their cats appropriately.

The clean up collected a huge amount of waste including over 50 thongs, over 60 various types of plastic bottles, and over 1100 hard plastic fragments.  This demonstrates that it is often common items which end up polluting our coastlines and the plastic is breaking up, not down, and accumulating in huge amounts.   Thanks to all the fantastic volunteers who came along and put in a huge effort to clean up the beach areas.

Millions available for Great Barrier Reef ideas

diana · Mar 21, 2017 · Leave a Comment

Expressions of interest are now open for innovators to share their ideas on water treatment system technology and agricultural management.

The Office of Great Barrier Reef is offering $2.25 million for trialling water treatment systems, such as wetlands, bioreactors and algae treatment to reduce nutrients and pesticides in agricultural run-off. A further $950,000 will be available to support the development and trialling of innovative farm practices, new tools and technologies, and novel ecosystem repair.

The expressions of interest are open to all individuals and groups and will require proponents to offer matched funding (in-kind or cash) equivalent.

Expressions of interest opened on Monday 27 February and will run until Friday 7 April 2017.

Tilapia found in Bowen

diana · Mar 21, 2017 · Leave a Comment

Native fish in Mullers Lagoon are vulnerable to the noxious Tilapia species. The pest was identified in the Bowen waterway by our Catchment Solutions water sampling team in December.

Tilapia displace and prey on local species and have been observed to spread disease in waterways where they have been previously found.

The Whitsunday Regional Council has plans to remove the pests, ensuring the eggs are destroyed and cannot repopulate.

It is a timely reminder on why it’s so important to monitor and address pest fish in our waterways. Increasing awareness of the threat Tilapia pose to our native species and ecosystems is on the council’s agenda however you can help too. Share this photo on social media with your fishing fan friends to do your bit.

Canefarmers Reef Trust 3

diana · Mar 21, 2017 · Leave a Comment

Over 30 farmers in the region have taken up the offer of $6,000 in agronomic support and advice in the Reef Trust 3 programme.

One-on-one consultations help farmers develop management plans for nutrients and herbicides, specific to their property.

Current participant responses have been positive so far, saying another set of eyes over the input figures can help to work out if you are spending more than you need to get effective results.

The additional $1,500 worth of upgrades to application equipment or activities are a bonus to support implementing the suggested upgrades in the plan.

For more information visit www.reefcatchments .com.au/land/care/

Have your say!

diana · Mar 21, 2017 · Leave a Comment

You are invited to have your say on draft environmental values and water quality objectives for the Mackay-Whitsunday region estuarine and surrounding coastal/marine waters under the Environmental Protection (Water) Policy (EPP Water).

The Queensland Government has released draft consultation materials (reports, mapping) for Mackay-Whitsunday region estuarine and surrounding coastal/marine waters waters. These, and an online survey/submission form, are available from the Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (EHP) website and via the Get Involved website.

The updated draft water quality objectives are derived from local water quality information where available.

All feedback will be considered in the finalisation process. Final materials may, pending Government approval, be included in schedule 1 of the EPP Water.

For more information on environmental values, water quality objectives, and the draft consultation materials view the Ministerial Release.

The closing date for submissions has been extended to 31 October 2017.

Mackay Sustainable Grazing Forum

diana · Mar 14, 2017 · Leave a Comment

The 2017 Grazing Forum attracted over 80 landholders and 30 industry representatives. Many of the speakers were actual graziers, who discussed land management techniques to improve soil health, soil moisture holding capacity, pasture ground cover and ultimately water quality. The event enhanced grazier’s knowledge of how to be more sustainable, both in business and from an environmental perspective.

Attendee feedback was positive, stating their interest in keeping up to date with latest innovative practices, particularly drainage management and erosion control measures at the next event.  One local grazier noted, “A lot we are already doing, but the speakers information attracted a lot more positive credibility to these practices”.

Regional Landcare Facilitator, Juliane Kasiske was extremely pleased with the strong interest from our local farmers in our region that are willing to learn and implement changes to their practice.

Networking amongst industry peers is always a benefit for taking the time off farm to attend events such as this, particularly for farmers who can be isolated geographically and often work alone.

Trade displays allowed participants to get acquainted with supporting organisations. Thanks to CQ Agforce, Greater Whitsunday Food Network, Pioneer Catchment Landcare, Sarina Landcare, FarmHQ and Mt Ossa Rural. Also thanks to Nufarm for the demonstration of spray drift reduction using an adjustable nozzle spray unit and the Mackay Regional Pest Management Group for the useful addition of their pest and weed information trailer.

If you were unable to attend, many of the presentations were recorded which you can view on our Reef Catchments Youtube channel.

  • Land Resource Assessment and Management (LRAM), Bill Thompson
  • Nuffield Scholar, Grazier and Soils for Life CEO Natalie Williams then Colin Creighton, Principal Research Scientist, Coastal and Estuarine Ecology
  • Agforce Senior Policy Advisor Greg Leach
  • Terrain, Wet Tropics Regional Landcare Facilitator Fiona George
  • Mt Pleasant (Collinsville) Grazier Garlone Moulin then Meat Livestock Australia George Basha
  • Reef Trust 4 Funding , Reef Catchments Chris Dench
  • Pest & weed Q&A

Event proudly hosted by Reef Catchments with funding from the Queensland Government, the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme and sponsored by MLA.

 

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