WINTER 2014 Issue 60

GROUNDFROM THE

A land management publication for the South East

IN THIS EDITIONThe Frog Census is back!Natural Resources South East is reintroducing the census into the South East as an ongoing Citizen Science Project.

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Winter Weed ControlWinter is the key time to be controlling several priority weeds. Are you meeting your legal obligations as a landholder?

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Water MattersWater licences are expected to start being re-issued from September 2014 onwards.

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Dairy Innovation DayDairySA’s 2014 Innovation Day, to be held Wednesday 18 June at Mt Gambier’s Barn Palais.

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The Naracoorte Caves Planting Festival - volunteers wanted!15,000 seedlings. Two sites. One day. Habitat Forever.Natural Resources South East invites you to Sand Cave, the newest addition to the Naracoorte Caves National Park for the first ever planting festival in the South East of South Australia!

Individuals, community groups, corporate volunteers, scouts, students, farmers and family and friend groups from near and far are encouraged to join us to plant 15,000 seedlings of 25 local indigenous species to link and create habitat for the endangered South Eastern Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo, and other plants and wildlife across the Naracoorte Range.

Participants do not require previous planting experience. The only pre-requisite is enthusiasm and a willingness to learn and have fun! This will be a fun day out for the whole family, and a great opportunity for locals and visitors to explore a different side to the South East, whilst actively contributing to restoring an important piece of our natural landscape.

Local landholders and the community are encouraged to come along for an hour, a morning or the day- it’s up to you and made easier by a regular shuttle service between Struan House and the planting site.

Lunch, snacks, hot drinks and lunchtime entertainment is provided, including a chance to learn more about what makes the site and its surrounds so special. Plus there’s giveaways and the opportunity to learn new skills and talk to some local experts about putting trees back on your own property. Local musicians Foxhow will also perform live at lunchtime.

Some camping and dormitory accommodation is available nearby - please contact us to book your place.

Meet and Park at Struan House, Riddoch Highway anytime between 9am and 4pm on Saturday.

Contact: Alison (08) 8735 1213 or Becky 0429 685 401

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST TODAY. Group bookings welcome.

Go to: www.plantingfestival.eventbrite.com.au

When: Saturday 28 June Time: 9am - 4pm (come and go as you please throughout the day!)

FROM THE GROUND UP

Introducing!

Hi all. After a short break I’m back with the Natural Resources South East team in the new role

of Natural Resources Management Officer. Half of my time will be working with Authorised

Officers, other staff and groups in coordinating weed extension activities, particularly the Weed

Warriors school program and Weedbuster events. I’m now the point of contact for the Weed

Spotters volunteer program and look forward to meeting existing volunteers and encouraging

new ones to get involved. The rest of my role focuses on assisting with incentive programs such

as Bucks for Bush and supporting staff, landholders and the community in managing their native

vegetation projects. I will continue to host the fortnightly ABC SE community environmental radio

segment ‘In Our Nature’ every second Thursday, 9:30am with Stan Thomson, so let me know if

you have an upcoming event or project to promote. Please feel free to call me on T: 8735 1249

M: 0429 685 401 E: rebecka.mccann@sa.gov.au

Natural Resources Management OfficerBecky McCann

The FROG CENSUS is returning to the South EastRemember the Frog Census? In spring every year people were asked to go out into the natural environment and record frog calls on cassette tapes, take note of the location, then send the information into the Environment Protection Authority. It was a lot of fun and interest for individuals, families, schools and community groups. It was also a great way to learn more about different species of frogs and the environments where they may be found.

It’s soon to be happening again but in a different way! Natural Resources South East are reintroducing the Census into the South East as an ongoing Citizen Science Project. We have teamed up with the Atlas of Living Australia (ALA) to develop a web site incorporate in the SENRM website. You will soon be able to view images and hear the calls of the 12 frog species that occur in the South East when the page becomes active in July. You will then be able to record the location where you heard frog calls and even upload the image you took along with the frog call. This information will then be stored in the ALA central database.

Frog information may be uploaded at any time of the year when a frog is recorded but as with the previous census there will be a ‘snapshot’ for a one week period in September that will the main focus to provide a better understanding of the abundance and distribution of frogs in the Sout East.

So get ready to become a Citizen Scientist and learn more about what species of frogs are living in your area. More news on when the launch of the South East Frog Census is happening will be coming out in June.

Above: A screenshot of the new look frog website Below: The Southern Bell Frog

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GROUNDFROM THE

Australia’s most threatened bird may be on the coast near youThe Orange-bellied Parrot (OBP) is just bigger than a Budgerigar, it breeds on the South West coast of Tasmania over summer and then migrates across the Bass Strait to the southern coast of mainland Australia for winter. That is a long flight for a little bird. Amazing!

On the mainland they are seen almost exclusively in coastal areas, rarely more than 1-2km from the coast in saltmarsh, samphire and low coastal scrublands as well as grassy areas. They feed on the ground or on low-growing shrubs and eat seeds, fruits, flowers and berries of sedges, grasses and herbs.

They are critically endangered and at the end of the 2013/14 breeding season, there were approximately 70 birds in the wild. There is however, a strong captive breeding population, with over 200 birds in captivity at seven locations. The OBP Recovery Team was formed in 1981 and it helps with overseeing the captive breeding program, coordinating the release of captive birds to the wild population, research

and management of threatening processes and population counts.

OBP’s are closely related to Blue-winged Parrots and Elegant Parrots and they are often observed feeding in mixed flocks. There are strong similarities in appearance, habitat use, calls and general behaviour between all three species so distinguishing between them is a significant challenge!

So far this winter OBPs have already been seen in Victoria. In previous years in the South East birds have been recorded at Picks Swamp and the southern end of the Coorong. Bob Green is the Regional Coordinator and leads the counts over winter to monitor OBP movements and

activity on our coast. Surveys are scheduled for the 26/27th of July and the 13/14th of September. If you would like to be involved in the counts and be in with a chance to glimpse one of Australia’s rarest birds, please contact Bob on 0407 649 909 or shriketit@bigpond.com

Any OBP sighting (or suspected sighting) is important and valuable information. If you think you have seen an OBP or if you observe Blue-winged or Elegant Parrots, please report these sightings to Bob (contacts above).

Above: An Orange-bellied Parrot. Photo credit Chris Tzaros.

YOUR PLACE MATTERS: Capturing community livelihoods and lifestyles in the South EastThe South East Natural Resources Management Board wants to understand what you value about the landscape you live in and the lifestyle and livelihood it provides for you. We are soon launching an online survey and would love your input!

What is the aim of the survey?

The “Your Place Matters: Capturing Community Livelihoods and Lifestyles in the South East” survey will capture a broad range of residents’ and industry groups’ values. We want to know which places in the South East NRM region are important to you, why you value them and what changes could affect your connection with these places.

How will the results be used?

NRM activities, such as animal and pest plant control and water management, are guided by the SE NRM Board’s NRM Plan. The results of the survey will be used to help the Board inform the next version of the South East NRM Plan. The Board is taking a greater focus on linking natural resource management to the enhancement of livelihoods and lifestyles. It’s about better targeting NRM activities into the future, guided by the community’s values and their attachment to the land.

When will the online survey start and finish?

The online survey will start in the first week of June 2014 and conclude by the 27th June 2014. Visit www.senrm.sa.gov.au for the official release date.

Where can I access the online survey?

The online survey can be found at the South East NRM Board’s website at: http://www.senrm.sa.gov.au/

FROM THE GROUND UP

Going NativeFarming with native grass pastures

Native grasslands, what are they?

Australia’s native grasslands are incredibly rich and diverse environments. There are over 1000 species of native grass across Australia. They are well adapted to our harsh and varying conditions, tolerate low fertility and are drought resistant. Native grasslands also typically contain a range of sedges, rushes and herbs and are important for biodiversity and ecosystem health.

What are native pastures?

Native pastures are typically dominated by a variety of cool season and warm season native grasses. They are mostly perennial, self-sustaining and can be highly palatable to stock. Native pastures can be managed to form the basis of low input farming systems. Native pastures were once the backbone of early pastoral industries and across Australia, native grass pastures still make up the majority of productive grazing land.

Native pastures promote healthy soils by forming symbiotic relationships with mycorrhizal fungi. Living inside the roots, these fungi increase the nutrient and water uptake by the plant and, with other soil biota, lead to increased levels of organic carbon, nutrient cycling and water permeability. Native grass pastures are deep-rooted and can also play an important role in binding soils, preventing erosion and reducing salinity.

What are the benefits of native pastures?

The advent of modern fertilisers such as superphosphate, and the widespread sowing of introduced pasture species that rely on it, have resulted in landscape-scale changes in pasture composition, grazing practices and soil condition. Rising input costs, soil degradation, overgrazing and changing climate have called into question the long-term sustainability of current farming practices in some areas and prompted renewed interest in native grass pastures.

Native pastures can be established to stabilise degraded soils, improve soil health, increase soil carbon levels and nutrient cycling, and provide habitat for native fauna. Native pastures can be highly palatable to stock.

Carefully managed, they can provide long-term, low input, sustainable and profitable grazing opportunities.

The composition, grazing value and conservation value of each pasture type will vary according to soil type, climate, landuse etc, as will their management; depending on the goals of the manager. Set-stock grazing will degrade perennial native pastures and favour winter annuals, particularly weeds. Crash grazing followed by long rest periods will change a pasture towards the more desirable perennial-dominated grasses, maintaining cover all year round and promoting improved soil health.

Developing native pasture farming systems

The Coorong Tatiara LAP is currently developing native pasture projects at two sites in the region. The first site is a mixed grazing, sheep and cattle property near Mt Boothby Conservation Park, on a light sandy soil. The second site is a sheep grazing property near Moorlands, on calcareous sand. These two projects will demonstrate the viability of sowing native grass seed into degraded soils, measure the performance of the sown native pasture for cover and biomass production, and monitor changes in soil health.

Soil tests conducted on the first site revealed a slightly acidic soil with low levels of nutrients and trace elements. The soil biota was highly bacteria-dominated, and very low in mycorrhizal fungi, protozoans, nematodes and other important micro-organisms.

At this site, native grasses will be sown into the existing pasture species (veldt grass, rye grass, lucerne), which will be retained. A mix of summer-active and winter-active grass species will be sown, and the soil inoculated with fungi and micro-organisms. Over time, it is hoped that as the native grasses develop, the soil biology will also develop, restoring nutrient cycling, increasing carbon levels and moisture retention, and allowing long-term sustainable pasture growth and grazing opportunities with minimal inputs.

If you are interested in learning more about native pasture farming and how it could be made to work on your property, please contact the Coorong Tatiara LAP on 8572 3611.

Below: Native pasture paddock dominated by Common Wallaby Grass Austrodanthonia caespitosa, a cool season perennial that grows across a wide range of soil types

Below: Windmill Grass Chloris truncata seeding after summer rain. A short-term perennial that readily colonises bare areas, favouring sandy soils. It has moderate drought tolerance and is valuable in establishing and maintaining native pastures.

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Conservation of Yarra Pygmy PerchWild remnant populations of Yarra Pygmy Perch in the South East to be enhanced by the reintroduction of captive reared fish.

Yarra Pygmy Perch (a nationally threatened freshwater fish species) has suffered serious population declines in the South East over the last ten years as a result of the widespread loss of permanent aquatic habitat. Lauren Veale has recently joined other aquatic ecologists at Nature Glenelg Trust to work with them on a project (funded by an NRM Community Grant) aimed at improving the prospects for wild populations of Yarra Pygmy Perch through the reintroduction of captive reared individuals.

During the millennium drought (2007-2010), captive programs were established at two local high schools in Kingston and Millicent. In order to transition the program to more natural environments, students at Millicent High School (led by Kathy Bell) released fish into a nearby landowner’s dam which underwent revegetation with key aquatic plants in order to provide suitable habitat for Yarra pygmy perch. This program has been an outstanding success with a survey in April 2014 recording approximately 1200 fish. This catch represents only a small proportion of the total number of fish in the dam and suggests that there is indeed a very significant population now not

only residing but actually breeding in the dam.

Aside from actually reintroducing Yarra pygmy perch back into the wild, the establishment of ‘back-up’ populations in dams like this really holds the key to the continued management of this species. If you are a landowner who is interested in helping with these conservation efforts, or you are interested in exploring the use of native fish to control mosquitos, Lauren would be most happy to arrange a site visit to assess whether your pond or dam could provide suitable habitat for Yarra pygmy perch. You can contact her at lauren.veale@natureglenelg.org.au or by phone on 0439 034 390.

Leasing and share farming – from both sides of the fenceSimon Vogt, Rural Directions Pty Ltd

Leasing and share farming of agricultural land is currently in growth mode in South Australia and this trend is being driven by several factors.

The high average age of Australian farmers – many of whom have no successors interested in farming – is prompting a structural shift in agriculture. A recent statistic suggests that more than 50% of Australian farmers may exit the industry in some form over the next 10 years. This shift will drive an increase in the number of properties becoming available for lease or sale.

Agricultural land ownership is a proven sound investment with strong rates of capital appreciation being recorded across most areas of South Australia in recent years. By maintaining ownership of agricultural land as an investment rather than selling the family farm, owners can earn a modest but consistent operational return through a fixed lease.

Many farmers can grow the scale of their businesses by taking on leasing or share farming. Increased enterprise scale can bring greater efficiencies through increased use of machinery and human capital, and existing overheads can be spread over a larger production base. Leasing or share farming land is a cheaper alternative to ownership; some farmers can lease land for say 3% of market value; purchasing the same land may incur an outlay of 7% or 8% to cover the associated interest cost. However, the farming tenant is not able to participate in the capital gains for the owner.

Smaller scale landholders who might not live on their properties nor have the time to commit to daily operations, find leasing a property to a farming tenant an attractive alternative. By leasing, these landholders can enjoy land ownership without the day to day commitment to operations.

Establishing equitable pricing is central to successful leasing. Overpriced leases can result in thin margins and potentially financial distress for farming tenants. From a landowner perspective, accepting high or unrealistic pricing could force shorter term tenancies, unsustainable management practices on the land, and increased default risk. In the long run, the highest price is not always the best price. To be successful and sustainable across the long term, the return must be suitable for both landowner and farming tenant or share farmer.

The key principle is that price should be only one of many selection criteria when a landowner seeks to lease their property. They should look for the best ‘total package’ when attracting a tenant or share farmer and consider a number of points very carefully.

For points of consideration and to read the full article visit www.agconnectse.org.au

FROM THE GROUND UP

Winter Weed Control 2014Effective weed control is one of the easiest ways to improve profitability and sustainability for your property. Winter is the key time to be controlling several priority weeds and now is the time to start organising your own weed control.

The Natural Resources Management Act 2004 sets out the following responsibilities for landholders:

1) Landholders are required to effectively control all declared pests present on their property in accordance with the SE NRM Board’s regional pest policies

2) Declared pests cannot be introduced, moved or sold in the region. Landholders must take care with produce, stock and machinery to prevent the spread of declared pests.

3) The SE NRM Board will ensure that declared pests are controlled on roadsides and may recover the control costs from the adjoining landholder.

Why am I responsible for the cost of weeds that aren’t on my land?

Under the NRM Act, the SE NRM Board is responsible for ensuring declared pests on roadsides are effectively controlled. The NRM Act also allows NRM Boards to recover the costs of this work from the adjoining landowner.

The SE NRM Board implements a region wide program to prevent the spread of declared plants along roadsides in order protect clean areas of our region from infestation. The control of roadside weeds is not funded by the NRM levy and the costs for any weed control on roadsides is recovered from the adjoining landholder.

What options do I have to control declared plants on roadsides?

1. You can arrange and implement your own weed control

If you choose to undertake your own roadside weed control you must meet the following requirements:

• You must obtain local government approval before undertaking works on roadsides.

• You must notify your local Authorised Officer by 31 July that you will be doing your own roadside weed control (see contacts on this page).

• Dye must be used in the controlled area to show where treatment has occurred

• All weeds in the area must be controlled by 31 August.

• Any works not completed to standard, or completed but not notified may result in the Authorized Officer carrying out the works and invoicing the adjoining landholder.

2. You can request Natural Resources South East to arrange your roadside weed control

• If you do not wish to undertake or arrange your own roadside weed control, Natural Resources South East can ensure your roadside weeds are controlled according to the required standards.

• Roadside weed control will be conducted by our accredited and experienced spraying services or a local contractor and then you as the adjoining landowner will be invoiced for the cost of the works.

• Our coordinated roadside weed control program and your timely notification will ensure costs for roadside weed control are kept to a minimum.

What happens if I don’t do anything?

Landholders are respectfully advised that if they have not completed their roadside weed control to a satisfactory standard by 31 August, Natural Resources South East may arrange for the work to be done and will invoice the adjoining landowner.

I’m concerned about chemicals, are there alternatives?

Organic industries or landholders concerned with the use of chemicals are advised to contact their local Authorised Officer to discuss alternative control methods on adjacent roadsides to ensure the equivalent standard of weed control is achieved.

Pest Management Staff in the Lower South East Region

Ross Anderson

District Manager Lower South East

T: 8735 1174

M: 0429 698 170

Anton Kurray

Team Leader Lower South East

T: 8735 1242

M: 0428 252 612

David Robertson

Authorised Officer

Lucindale

T: 8762 0199

M: 0419 807 946

John McShane

Authorised Officer Naracoorte

T: 8762 0199

M: 0427 957 856

Alan Robins

Authorised Officer

Penola

T: 8737 3308

M: 0409 420 823

Saxon Ellis

Authorised Officer

Millicent

T: 8733 2066

M: 0428 854 611

Andrew Shepherd

Authorised Officer

Mt Gambier South

T: 8721 0451

M: 0408 802 971

Deb Lang

Authorised Officer

Mt Gambier North

T: 8721 0421

M: 0400 188 094

Dean Burgoyne

Authorised Officer

Robe

T: 8768 2003

M: 0408 854 602

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Pest Management Staff in the Upper South East RegionWhat is best practice weed control?

• Ensure accurate identification of the weeds

• Apply an integrated control program

• Select the least toxic chemical for job

• Ensure that you follow label instructions

• Use a selective chemical

• Spray when weeds are small and definitely before flowering

• Always follow up after the initial treatment and seek advice on new weeds

Where can I get advice on weed and pest animal management for my property?

The role of the Authorised Officer is to ensure the requirements of the NRM Act are met by all landholders. Authorised Officers are responsible

for inspecting and monitoring declared pest infestations and encouraging landholders to undertake effective control by providing a range of support services to the community.

Authorised Officers can assist landholders with:

• Weed identification

• Property inspections

• Pest management planning

• Best practice pest control advice

• Contract spraying services

• Pest animal baiting products and services

For further information and advice refer to the contacts for your Authorised Officer on this page.

Winter Weed Priorities:

Variegated Thistle Horehound

Cape TulipSalvation Jane

False Caper Yellow Burr

Three Corner Jack

Justine Drew

Senior Landscape Planner

South East

T: 8762 9705

M: 0426 618 854

Bill Hender

District Manager

Upper South East

T: 8755 1621

M: 0407 082 379

Troy Muster

Team Leader

Upper South East

T: 8755 1630

M: 0448 404 165

Neville Staude

Authorised Officer

Bordertown

T: 8752 2964

M: 0417 859 080

Tony Richman

Authorised Officer

Keith

T: 8755 1083

M: 0418 893 165

Jon Forrest

Authorised Officer

Tintinara

T: 8755 1083

M: 0427 808 204

Roger Davidson

Authorised Officer

Kingston

T: 8767 2077

M: 0428 856 478

Sid Frankling

Authorised Officer

Meningie

T: 8575 1063

M: 0427 808 206

FROM THE GROUND UP

Expansion of nrmWEATHER networkNatural Resources South East is pleased to announce plans for the expansion of the nrmWEATHER regional automatic weather station network.

New stations have recently been installed in the Hundreds of Rivoli Bay and Tatiara in order to enhance the capture of localised weather information across the South East. Data generated via these stations sensors will begin to appear on the nrmWEATHER website in the near future. Additionally, a new station installed at Coomandook in the Hundred of Roby will also have its data available for viewing on nrmWEATHER.

With climate change being a topic of significant public discussion, the long term capture and recording of quality meteorological information will be vital in highlighting changes to climatic patterns over time. An important aspect of the

weather station network is that the numerous sensors attached to each station record measurements every 15 minutes. The network continually stores information from these stations in a form that can be conveniently downloaded via the nrmWEATHER website.

To view the nrmWEATHER website, visit the South East Natural Resources Management Board website www.senrm.sa.gov.au/ and click on the blue ‘nrmWEATHER’ icon on the homepage. To download archived information, go to the weather station of interest by clicking on the station name in the left hand menu. Once that station’s summary page appears, click on the ‘Download’ link above the Summary table.

Type in the timespan (start and end dates) and timestep (15 minutes or daily information) for the required data, and click on the ‘Download’ button. Options are provided to either open (to view) or save the data file (in “.csv” format). Exporting the “.csv” file into Excel will allow you to generate tables and graphs of the requested information.

For more information, contact Rob Palamountain at Natural Resources South East on 87351177, 0437 246 001 or robert.palamountain@sa.gov.au

Pathways to Productivity improves landholder sustainabilityProductivity and Sustainability were the focus of the recent Pathways to Productivity Expo organised by Natural Resources South East.

Held in the Bordertown Civic Centre on April 8, the expo was attended by approximately 80 landholders who came to hear a variety of speakers

Natural Resources South East Regional Landcare Facilitator, Tarnya Dalla said the day was split into three concurrent sessions with sessions coming under the themes of sustainable agriculture, pasture updates and family farming.

“Every session was well attended with some landholders having to make a tough decision of which session to go. But the feedback we have received indicates that landholders and farm managers found the day to be very insightful and beneficial for their enterprises.”

Highlights of the day included keynote speaker Michele Lally from ‘Savannah Farm’ sharing her experiences with implementing

alternative sustainable systems in high value lamb production, plus sessions on herbicide resistance, the importance of phosphorus on pastures, irrigation efficiencies and the use of technology in farming. Natural Resources South East provided free soil and water testing which was well received by attendees.

A review of the day and planning for the next one is now being conducted by Natural Resources South East but according to the feedback reports, the day was well received.

One landholder wrote “We are currently undertaking succession planning, the session provided some great insights on how to take this forward. The succession planning checklist, key steps and questionnaire will be a fantastic reference point for all parties involved”.

A landholder from Millicent wrote “I enjoyed the generic nature of the event with all topics

equally informative and relevant to sustainable agriculture in the region. The Agriculture on film session was a highlight, it really opened up the possibilities and reality of what happens on farm day and night”.

Below: Michael Richards presenting on the use of motion sensor cameras for snail monitoring.

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Welcome to “Water Matters”, a regular feature to keep you updated on what is happening in the world of water licensing.

Our main focus at the moment is the volumetric conversion of approximately 3,000 Lower Limestone Coast water licences. Applications for additional allocation supplements closed on the 26 May 2014 and we are currently in the process of assessing these applications. Water licences are expected to commence being re-issued from September onwards,

and we anticipate that all converted licences will be re-issued by June 2015.

2014/15 will be a transitional year for Lower Limestone Coast licence holders, with the hectare limitations continuing to apply for the remainder of the year. Allocation levies will also be raised based on the hectareIE basis, as in previous years.

Just a reminder to everyone that as we move to a volumetric allocation system you need to ensure that you have an accurate working water meter. Now is a good time to ensure your meter is in good working order.

Also a reminder that it is almost Annual

Water Use Reporting time. We will be using online forms again, so if you haven’t supplied an email address or your email address has changed, please contact the Mount Gambier office on (08) 8735 1177 or brenton.hodge@sa.gov.au. If you do not have access to an email address please contact the office on the number above.

Lodging an Annual Water Use Return is a condition of your licence and failure to lodge a return is a breach of a licence condition. Failure to lodge a return also means that you may not be entitled to seasonal carryovers.

Pulse masters are game winnersMasters athletic games are for the more elderly, whether a current or past player, and include those who come out of retirement for a touch of nostalgia. There are however no age restrictions for the pulse master games, but experience certainly helps.

Every contestant in the Masters is a winner, but only a few achieve a medal, especially a gold one. In some events there are few contestants, so participants in that niche category reap the benefits of a high priced medal as their reward; just like in pulse production.

In the Masters games, sometimes the brain is too quick and the body too slow to react in response to demands. Just like in pulse production, we therefore need plan ahead and allow reaction time. Most Masters events are in non-contact sports, yet the bodies can still cop a bruising. It happens under extreme weather events in pulses too. Conditioning, good management and preparation helps minimise the impact though.

Pulse markets are often a simple long jump away, or if a bit further, then a hop, step and jump is required. Others present a few low hurdles that can be taken in a stride with experience to produce the quality required.

In the throwing events, it is the far throw that wins, but it must land in the target zone; just like when throwing money at pulse plant protection products. Don’t fall foul and waste energy and resources.

Master tennis players compete in singles, doubles and mixed doubles. Like with pulse fungicide use, we need go with either a single

product or a mixture, and need to rotate our groups to avoid resistance.

In baseball a swing and a miss means you strike out. It is all about timing and reading the pitch, just like fungicide applications. Bad weather at harvest is the curve ball that does damage as we do not expect it, and have difficulty in managing it.

In bowls, a correct diagnosis of the entry point is required, followed by pin-point accuracy in execution; otherwise some-one will knock you out. Placement is everything, just like with pulse plant protection applications. To win in croquet you need bounce off others and go through a lot of hoops. Again it sounds like what we need to do with ideas and management for successful pulse production.

Producing pulses is like competing in the heptathlon. Success in one event alone does not achieve success in total. What is required is consistency across all events and participating well in every critical step to achieve the ultimate goal.

Our pulse crops are in master hands. Remember the past but look to the future using those experiences to help. Some issues you might need to address with your pulses this year are:

• Be prepared for a later break, even sowing dry or into drier soils.

• Management needs of early sown crops are increased as those crops grow rapidly with greater disease and pest risks.

• A wet spring creates the greatest disease risk and influences timing of protective fungicide applications.

• Even after a dry year, sowing next to last year’s pulse can lead to a greater disease risk.

• Lack of summer rains and weeds meant less of a “green bridge”, but does not totally eliminate aphid and virus risk with early sowing.

• Consider the new pulse varieties

In summary, do your training and preparation well in advance of competing. Have a management and crop protection strategy to suit this year’s pulse master game, whether it be on a wetter or drier arena. Start protection and control measures early so that you can minimise injuries and and pull up without too any aches and pains at games end.

Wayne Hawthorne, Pulse Australia E: wayne@pulseaus.com.au T: 0429 647455

WATER MATTERS

FROM THE GROUND UP

In South Australia, the species is known from a single museum specimen collected on Kangaroo Island in 1967 (that was initially incorrectly identified as a Swamp Rat (Rattus lutreolus) until correctly identified in 2000) and from three reserves in the South East, where the species was first discovered in 2001, followed by two additional new sites in 2004.

Recent surveys undertaken by Nature Glenelg Trust in conjunction with DEWNR, aimed to confirm the presence and status of Heath Mice in former capture locations in the lower South East. The three reserves that were surveyed resulted in 12 different Heath Mice being captured a total of 31 times in two reserves, as well as some other interesting results. For instance, the survey led to the first record of the Swamp Antechinus (Antechinus minimus) in Dry Creek Native Forest Reserve (8 captures), and the discovery of the Dusky Antechinus (Antechinus swainsonii) in Lower Glenelg River Conservation Park (2 captures) – the first time this species has been found in South Australia.

The results of the survey build upon the previous work undertaken (in the early 2000s) and will help determine the objectives for the next phase of work to improve our understanding of the conservation requirements of the Heath Mouse in the South East region. As one of South Australia’s rarest mammals, these little critters can certainly use our help!

Remember too, if you come across something dead in the bush that looks interesting or unusual, it could be important. Bag it up (securely, to contain any smell) and pop it in the freezer before contacting the SA Museum to arrange transport. For help with identification, you are also welcome to email photos to us here at NGT (info@natureglenelg.org.au) and we’ll do what we can to help!

Confirming the Presence of Heath Mouse Populations in the South East of SAThe Heath Mouse (Pseudomys shortridgei) is a nationally threatened species of native rodent recorded from within extremely limited areas of heathland and heathy woodland habitats of southern Australia: Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.

Above: A Heath Mouse captured at a recent survey.

Natural Resources Management past and futureOver the coming few weeks, McGregor Tan, a market research company, will be phoning 800 people from the South East to conduct a survey about natural resource management on behalf of the South East NRM Board. The survey, which was previously conducted in 2009, will gather community comments about the effectiveness of NRM activities and help develop priorities for future NRM plans and actions. Whilst participating in the survey is optional, your input is valued and the information captured will be used to guide future NRM Plans and priorities in the South East.

Below: A Swamp antechinus caught in a recent survey.

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GROUNDFROM THE

Native vegetation management funding for rural landholdersSouth Eastern BushBids seeks to enhance regional biodiversity values

through long-term conservation agreements with private landholders.

Landholders within the South Eastern BushBids boundary, with areas

of native vegetation on their property, are invited to apply for funding for

vegetation management.

Landholders will set their own price as part of a competitive tender for the

conservation management services they are prepared to undertake.

Successful tenders will be those that offer the best value for money and

suitable biodiversity outcomes.

The South Eastern BushBids is focussing in the area from Murray Bridge

to the SA/Vic border, south to Naracoorte.

An information brochure, including a map of the South Eastern BushBids

boundary, can be viewed online at: www.samdbnrm.sa.gov.au

To fi nd out more attend one of the information sessions.

Town Location Date Time

Frances Frances Hotel/Motel Wednesday, 6 March 2013 2pm

Mundulla Mundulla Sport and Rec Centre Wednesday, 6 March 2013 6pm

Tintinara Tintinara Health and Rec Centre Thursday, 7 March 2013 2pm

Tailem Bend Community Centre Thursday, 7 March 2013 6pm (behind Shell Service Station)

Expressions of Interest can be made

from 9.00am 4 March 2013 by calling

1300 847 450.3535499

From GLOBAL to Local: DairySA Innovation Day 18 JuneDairySA’s 2014 Innovation Day, to be held Wednesday 18 June at Mt Gambier’s Barn Palais, will include some of the dairy industry’s leading researchers and leaders as they describe what they see the future of the dairy industry holds and how this relates back on farm.

Program highlights include Murray Goulburn Managing Director Gary Helou and Steve Spencer, director of specialist food and agribusiness consulting firm Freshagenda. These sought-after speakers will discuss The Global Dairy Story, covering topics such as the role and structure of the Australian dairy industry into the future and how today’s dairy farms will need to adapt their businesses to capitalise on change and be strong into the future.

Gary Helou was appointed Managing Director of Murray Goulburn in October 2011 and brings experience from a broad range of roles encompassing the international and domestic food and agricultural industries, including 11 years as Chief Executive Officer of SunRice.

Steve Spencer has worked for 20 years with clients in planning, analysis and restructuring in a number of agrifood sectors and supply chains; the study of grocery and food service segments of the consumer market; and the challenges for food value chains in innovation and competition. He is one of Australia’s leading dairy consultants and analysts with involvement right across the dairy value chain.

Bringing it to the local level, speakers will make sure there is relevance to what all this means at the farm-gate and how dairy farmers can contribute to a strong, vibrant and profitable industry into the future. The concurrent afternoon sessions will provide updates on research and extension, providing delegates with a range of topics to choose from.

The Innovation Day will also explore the ‘food bowl to Asia’ hype: Is that really what we are aiming for? What is the relevance to the Australian dairy industry? In addition, the event will feature the NZ Robotic Dairy Arm, as well as showcasing innovative technologies for the dairy shed.

The ever popular Top Paddock will provide a relaxing and informal atmosphere to end the day where delegates, guests and sponsors can discuss the day’s events with a light graze and drinks.

The program and registration form are available at www.dairysa.com.au

Bucks for Bush: Expressions of Interest Open Now!Natural Resources South East is now calling for Expressions of Interest for “Bucks for Bush“ grants.

Landholders in the mid and lower South East can apply for grants of up to $20,000 to tackle local biodiversity issues through on-ground projects.

Bucks for Bush is open for Expressions of Interest from the 2nd of June until the 4th of July 2014. Successful projects are expected to start in spring 2014 and run for 18 months.

Projects that are suitable for funding include:

• fencing and management of existing native vegetation blocks,

• enhancing existing vegetation through planting understorey species

• linking vegetation through planting windbreaks/corridors

• Protecting (and where appropriate) planting new clumps of paddock trees

A competitive process, the grants will offer participating landholders the opportunity to receive on-one-on vegetation management advice. Project sites will undergo bush condition assessment and monitoring and landholders will be given the opportunity to participate in training to assist them in better understanding their native vegetation, developing a management plan for their project and incorporating vegetation management into their whole farm plan. Landholders will be offered practical training and support in vegetation identification, seed collection and propagation and photopoint monitoring.

To support interested landholders with project planning and understanding the application process, free public workshops on the grants will be held in June.

Full information on the grants and workshops are available on the Natural Resources South East website www.senrm.sa.gov.au or by contacting Cathy Ashby on (08) 8735 1236 or emailing cathy.ashby@sa.gov.au.

FROM THE GROUND UP

From the Ground Up is a publication of Natural Resources South East and supported by the South East Natural Resources Management Board (SENRM Board). It promotes awareness and uptake of natural resources management in the South East region of South Australia.

This edition of “From the Ground Up” has been printed on recycled paper. Please care for the South East and recycle this after reading. Articles in “From the Ground Up” may be reproduced with acknowledgement.

For further enquiries on “From the Ground Up” please contact:

Cathy Ashby, Natural Resources South EastPhone: (08) 8735 1236 Email: cathy.ashby@sa.gov.au

Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure accuracy in this publication, Natural Resources South East and the SE NRM Board take no responsibility for any errors or omissions. Content contained within articles is, and remains, the responsibility of the submitting agency. The editorial committee and associated employing agencies make no representation, either expressed or implied as to the suitability of the information and data contained within this publication for any particular purpose, and accept no liability for any use of this information and data or reliance placed upon it.

Design by: www.hellofriday.com.au

2014 Cocky Count ResultsThis year the annual count for the endangered south-eastern Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo was held on the 3rd May 2014 in less than ideal conditions. Heavy rain and high winds on both the Friday and Saturday made locating birds difficult. Many of the tracks were impassable due to boggy conditions, while the gusty winds proved to be problematic for our counters when trying to listen for Red-tails.

While the weather conditions and inaccessibility of tracks resulted in a poor count by sunset that day, extensive follow up work by several counters resulted in an additional 462 birds included in the final tally. The additional birds have brought the final number of Red-tails recorded to 1026, which is slightly down on last year’s tally of 1118 birds and 442 birds down on our record count in 2012.

Red-tails are highly nomadic, ranging from Natimuk to Nelson in South Western Victoria and from Mount Gambier to Keith in the South East of South Australia, so finding them over an 18,000km2 area can be challenging. It’s more likely that birds were simply missed on the day, rather than the population suffering a significant rapid decline over the last two years.

This year the birds were dispersed widely across the range, with counters finding Red-tails near Dergholm, Nangwarry, Comaum, Clear Lake, Edenhope, Lucindale, Frances, Wandilo, Keith and Naracoorte. The biggest flocks encountered this year were 372 birds near Boilaar Swamp in Roseneath State Forest and 110 birds in the Nangwarry Native Forest Reserve.

Around 120 people took part in the count this year and covered more than 3100kms of stringybark country in search of the cockatoos. Many of our volunteers were locals including farmers who chose to search their own land, while others travelled from as far as Adelaide and Melbourne to help out on the day. A big thank you to all involved.

A map of the results will be provided on the Red-tail website (www.redtail.com.au) and in the next edition of Red-tail News. You can be placed on the mailing list by contacting Bronwyn Perryman at redtail@birdlife.org.au.

Below: A pair of South East Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos. Photo by Bob McPherson.

Congratulations to all our recently

acknowledged volunteers as part

of Volunteers Week!

Be sure to check out the full article and photos from our local events

in the Spring Edition of From The Ground Up.