Fungicide resistance awareness in the spotlight
Grain growers and advisers are invited to take part in a national Australian Fungicide Resistance Extension Network (AFREN) survey to gauge awareness of fungicide resistance issues and management.
Yabby fishers urged to stick to the rules
With the impending commencement of the yabby season, recreational fishers are being reminded to do the right thing when fishing for the popular species on the state’s inland waterways.
Forestry firefighters converge on Tumbarumba to prepare for season ahead
Forestry Corporation put 40 new firefighting recruits through their paces at its Tumbarumba training camp in preparation for the fire season ahead ... This included topics such as fire behaviour, tactics and strategy, leadership, command, control and communications, and how to operate the range of appliances and equipment used at fires, said Fire Training and Operations Officer, Adrien Thompson.
Forest fire management – hard won lessons almost forgotten
Peter Rutherford, SETA. ... evidence that the three dimensional fuel loads, which have become the norm in much of the NSW forested landscape, are an artefact of over 200 years of fire management neglect and are not representative of the of up to 60,000 years of evolution, shaped by the intelligent use of fire in the Australian landscape.
Environmental defenders inducted into Hall of Fame
Geoff Helisma. Clarence Valley environmental defenders John and Pat Edwards were inducted into the Allen Strom Hall of Fame at the Nature Conservation Council’s NSW Environment Awards ... “Individuals for this award have been actively involved in the conservation movement for many years, have made a constant and invaluable contribution to the environment and have displayed qualities of integrity, reliability and commitment.”
Tasmania prepared for upcoming bushfire season
Preparations for the upcoming bushfire season are well advanced, with more than 150 people taking part in a multi-agency pre-season briefing in Launceston ... This year, a total of 217 fuel reduction burns treating over 32,000 hectares have to date been completed, and a successful “Red Hot Tips” Program has also supported farmers and large landholders to conduct 229 burns covering over 5,300 hectares.
Farmbot deploys over 5,000 remote water monitoring units across Australia
Farmbot, a leading Australian agritech business, has now sold over 5,000 units, deploying to farms in every state and territory ... Farmbot gives farmers real-time insights into their water levels, consumption rates, flow pressure and more to improve overall water management on-farm via sensors which provide insights and alerts through an online dashboard.
‘Bunyip Bird’ takes centre stage at 2022 Australasian Bittern Summit
The iconic Australasian Bittern is the focus of a summit in Leeton on 1-4 February 2022, designed to advance the conservation of this cryptic species ... “The Bittern holds a special place in Indigenous culture and Australian folklore, with its booming call thought to be behind the legend of the bunyip,” said Senior Local Land Services Officer and conference lead Anna Wilson.
SA Labor to appoint River Murray Commissioner and prepare for High Court action
SA Labor: A Malinauskas Labor Government will appoint a Commissioner for the River Murray and prepare for High Court action to defend South Australia's water rights against upstream states’ greed. Labor has released its six-point action plan for the River Murray.
New frog species ‘hopping’ into protection
A new frog species has been discovered in Wollumbin National Park in northern New South Wales, and is one of only two known species that store their tadpoles on their bodies. Researchers from University of Newcastle and the South Australian Museum recently identified the species as distinct from its close relation, another ‘hip-pocket’ or pouched frog Assa darlingtoni, after genetic analysis.
New Queensland strategy to bring wild dogs to heel
Minister for Agricultural, Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner said the Queensland Dog Offensive Group (QDOG) developed the new five-year strategy in consultation with stakeholders. “The Queensland Wild Dog Management Strategy 2021-2026 provides state-wide coordination and direction to wild dog management,” Mr Furner said.
Wild dogs terrorising Gwydir Shire farmers stopped in their tracks
Two elusive wild dogs, which had been terrorising farming operations north of Coolatai for the last 12 months, have now been successfully controlled, Minister for Agriculture and Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall has announced ... “Over the last year, this wicked pair of wild dogs wreaked havoc on local landholders, including one farmer who lost around 200 sheep,” Mr Marshall said."
Meet Lukkanu – the star of the Barkly!
An unbelievable discovery unfolded in the Barkly on Tuesday after one of the most endangered species in Australia - the Bilby - was found near Bootu Creek Mine. Tennant Creek's Barkly Vet Practice was contacted by a woman from the mine who came across a mother Bilby’s body, and held onto it until Central Land Council Rangers came to pick it up. In the mother’s pouch was a baby.
Another day, another Greens stunt: Tas Gov
Predictable calls by radical environmentalists, such as the Bob Brown Foundation (BBF), to shut down Tasmania’s sustainable native forestry overlook the fact that sustainable forestry management plays an important part in the solution to climate change. Tasmania’s forestry sector has been globally recognised as being one of the best managed and most environmentally and sustainable forest estates in the world.
Megafires: Vic Jurskis replies to Prof Bradstock
Dear Editor, Ross Bradstock’s response failed to address “the recommended fire frequency thresholds” aka ‘Bradstock Intervals’, which featured in his NRC media release and my commentary on it. Those ‘recommended’ intervals are severely restricting the mild burning which is essential to maintain healthy and safe landscapes ... Furthermore, three aspects of the Emeritus Professor’s response elucidate my argument that megafires are a purely political crisis ...
Science not slogans needed on methane
NSW Farmers President James Jackson says a “key” climate promise from Glasgow is more about slogans than science. Mr Jackson welcomed Australia’s decision not to sign up for a 30 per cent reduction in methane emissions, which would have had disastrous consequences for agriculture without delivering any positive action on climate change.
Alnus trees aid Rwanda in climate change fight
A new study has found that Alnus trees in agroforestry systems significantly contribute to capturing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Researchers discovered that the fast-growing Alnus tree, common in most Rwandan households, capture substantial amounts of carbon in aboveground biomass—live or dead matter from trees—with amounts varying depending on the age and elevation of the tree.
Stokes sells Flinders Ranges after 114 years
Parts of a tightly held grazing country in the Flinders Ranges have been sold for the first time in 114 years.
The meat in the methane debate
In the lead-up to the G20 meeting in Rome and the COP 26 Summit in Glasgow, and after some necessarily tough negotiations with their Liberal Party Coalition partner, the National Party obtained some concessions it says are designed to prevent the 'heavy lifting' of emissions reductions being placed unduly on rural and regional Australia.
Group blasts bridge decision
Narrandera Landcare has blasted Narrandera Shire Council for axing the lattice railway bridge project which attracted widespread community support. The proposal to convert the State-listed heritage bridge to a pedestrian bridge for cyclists and walkers ... was the subject of a DA ... The Council worked with Narrandera Landcare over six years to develop the project and then, in a surprise about turn, rejected the DA on a 5-2 majority vote.
Gunbower watering
Geoff Wakeman is not against the principles of environmental watering. He does, however, have a huge problem with the way it is being used in the Gunbower Forest/National Park, particularly around Cohuna ... As a geologist, his interest was piqued when he came across some commentary surrounding the Barmah Choke, which prompted him to take a closer look at what was happening out in the Gunbower Forest. It was then he became alarmed.
FutureFeed: Asparagopsis update
As the only IP holder globally for Asparagopsis, Australian innovation start-up, FutureFeed, is the founding authority on the natural seaweed that helps fight climate change and produce more food with fewer resources. Built from strong scientific foundations based on proven results, FutureFeed exists to support the growing use of Asparagopsis as a natural ingredient for livestock to significantly reduce carbon emissions.
