Farming in a Changing Climate

Greg Reid delivering training to landowners

This program and associated workshops have been specifically designed to help landowners prepare their properties for the impacts of climate change. Over three days of training the participants are shown how to map those parts of their property most vulnerable to dry conditions and which strategies can be put in place to reduce the effects.

The course includes instruction on how to collect critical information on physical and biological properties of soils and how to interpret the results along side laboratory chemical tests. Carbon sequestration is discussed as well as various methods to build soil organic carbon. Through the program the participants build a paddock by paddock plan to address limitations such as fertility, rainfall infiltration, soil moisture storage, root depth and evaporation.

The workshops are generously subsidised by the Natural Heritage Trust through the Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority.

Dates for 2008

For more information contact

Greg Reid
Project Officer
Wollongbar Primary Industries Institute
Bruxner Highway, Wollongbar 2477
Tel: 02 66 26 1213
fax: 02 66 26 1202
email: greg.reid@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Land Use Planning

Profitable and sustainable primary industries rely in part on a land use planning system that meets the needs of industries and provides for sustainable development opportunities. NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) has both advisory and statutory responsibilities for land use planning matters. Regional and local land use planning advice is coordinated at NSW DPI Wollongbar to ensure that legislation, policy and guidelines relevant to land use planning and development are taken into account in land use planning and development decisions. This advice includes comments on strategic land use planning activities, local environmental plans, rezoning proposals and developments including intensive agriculture and major infrastructure in rural areas.

NSW DPI Wollongbar is also involved in regional projects such as the regional farmland mapping project which is coordinated by the Department of Planning, and the regional land use conflict and interface project which is joint project between the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Southern Cross University. NSW DPI Wollongbar works with local government, other state agencies, industry and consultants in achieving a land use planning framework that supports profitable and sustainable primary industries.

For further information contact Rik Whitehead

Cattle Tick Program

The Cattle Tick program has three project areas. These are Surveillance and Response, Queensland Border Operations, and Dip Management.

The Surveillance unit monitors cattle at Murwillumbah, Lismore, Casino, and Grafton saleyards for cattle ticks and carries out audits of compliance at livestock events such as agricultural shows, camp drafts and rodeos. Response unit staff trace infested stock, quarantine infested and at risk properties, and supervise cattle tick eradication programs. On the rare occasions that tick fever is detected in New South Wales, advice is provided on tick fever control until the ticks which transmit the illness are eradicated.

The Queensland Border unit regulates the movement of livestock from the cattle tick infected area of Queensland to New South Wales to prevent the introduction of cattle ticks and tick fever. This group also carries out inspections of harvest equipment at Goondiwindi, Talwood, Mungindi and Hebel to prevent the introduction of Parthenium Weed into New South Wales.

The Dip Management unit decommissions dips that are no longer required by the Cattle Tick Program or stockowners. This unit also manages the issues related to the legacies of past chemical usage by the Program. The cattle dip site locator provides the list of cattle dip sites in the Northern Rivers region.

Find out more about tick fever in this Primefact

Soil Advisory Services

Soil is one of the fundamentals at the centre of both our natural environment and agricultural systems. Understanding soil health and what affects it is essential to ensure sustainable agricultural systems.

The soil advisory officer at Wollongbar Centre for Environmental Excellence can provide a range of information and advice regarding soils. Advice on soil health and general soils matters can be made directly to the Soil Advisory Officer. 

The soil advisory office presents regular soil field days and workshops, often in conjunction with other community/ producer groups, and can tailor these to suit the needs of the group.

Soil Erosion Solutions

Presently, NSW DPI is running the Soil Erosion Solutions (SES) project with National Heritage Trust funding via the Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority. SES is a project focused on providing financial and technical assistance to remediate and prevent soil erosion in the Northern Rivers.

Funds of up to $10, 000 are available on a dollar for dollar basis where your contributions can be provided as the cash equivalent for provision of labour, materials or use of machinery. Site visits and technical support are available to finalise the scope and design of successful projects.

The project has produced a range of information leaflets and a booklet on completed projects at http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/resources/soils/erosion

If you are interested then contact the Soil Advisory Officer or SES project officer for an 'expression of interest' form.

Other projects and publications

The soil advisory officer is involved in various soil health projects locally some of which are supported by SoilCare. A range of soil health publications and other soils information, including a set of soil biology leaflets, can be found on the soil health page of NSW DPI’s website http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/resources/soils

For more information contact

Floodplain Grazing Project

What is the project about?

The Floodplain Grazing Project is an extension program developed for graziers using coastal swamp and floodplain areas. It is run by the NSW DPI with support from the national Landcare program and the Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority.

On the north coast, half of all floodplain swamps are grazed. These areas are important agriculturally but also provide habitat for birds and fish. The way floodplains are managed can influence downstream water quality after flooding. Blackwater and acid events are common on floodplains that are extensively drained.

How does the project assist graziers?

Flood mitigation authorities and landowners are opening floodgates, managing drains and re-wetting swamps to improve water quality and fish habitat. But what impact will these management options have on productivity? Will farmers have to change their current farm management or infrastructure?

The Floodplain Grazing Project helps graziers integrate environmental management with their agricultural production. It supports and complements current remediation programs by providing agricultural extension advice often required by farmers. The project will assist graziers in:

• identifying potential changes they might like to make
• working through the implications of these changes to productivity and farm management
• identifying sources of funding and local extension officers available to assist landowners.

How to get involved?

The Floodplain Grazing Project offers a series of workshops and field days on:

• landscape interpretation
• acid sulfate soils
• soil health
• pasture selection
• grazing regimes
• fish habitat on farms
• weeds and biodiversity
• climate forecasting

For further information and details of upcoming courses, contact Wollongbar.

Information sheet

The Floodplain Grazing Project is also producing a range of publications

• Floodplain Grazing Project - Water Couch   196.3 kb
• Floodplain Grazing Project - Establishing a Wet Pasture System   186.7 kb