As this is our last edition of AgConnect for 2017, we would like to wish you all a safe and happy festive season. We look forward to bringing you more Sustainable Agriculture news in 2018!

Preserving landscapes and optimising productivity

Michael Cobiac and his partner Catherine have managed the family property “Chelestan” at Reedy Creek since 2010.  They operate a self-replacing Angus beef cattle herd and a Merino sheep flock. Their focus has been to develop a flexible management system that responds to seasonal and market challenges. They are focussed on making the 600 hectare property as productive as it can be, whilst also maintaining and improving its natural values for future generations.

Michael says “My main aim in farming is to have a productive and profitable livestock grazing business, provide a healthy environment for my children to grow up in, and to preserve the magnificent landscape I live and work in.”

For the full case study detailing the Cobiac’s management philosophies and their farming journey, please look here.

Draft Subregional NRM Plans are out for comment until Friday 22 December.

If you’re part of a primary production industry group such as the Wolseley Agricultural Bureau or the Green Triangle Regional Plantation Committee, you might recall attending a workshop with our team to identify your industry’s dependency on the region’s natural resources as well as other inputs, drivers and threats to your enterprise. 

Ten industries were modelled in this way, to help understand how these industries operate and what actions they can take to adapt to a changing climate.

The results of this work were used to help inform the development of the draft Subregional NRM Plans and are summarised on our website.

You can view the draft Subregional Plans here, and provide feedback by 22 December via email, in writing to PO Box 1046, Mt Gambier, or you can call a member of the NRM Planning Team to give your comments verbally on 8735 1177.

The .pdf files are compressed as much as possible but if they’re too big to download, or you’d prefer to read and make notes on a hard copy, please call 8735 1177 to ask for one.

Coastal Connections is back for its ninth year of summer fun, with a packed program of events across the region.

The free program runs from 2 January to 14 January 2018, with activities at Kingston, Robe, Beachport, Southend, Carpenter Rocks and Port MacDonnell. We have a range of activities for everyone from adventurous adults to curious kids: guided birdwatching tours with local experts, sea critter craft sessions, bush tucker experiences, snorkelling at Piccaninnie Ponds and so much more.

A full program is available for download on the Natural Resources South East website naturalresources.sa.gov.au/southeast or you can pick up a copy at your local Visitor Information Centre.

Booking is essential for most events, see naturalresourcesse.eventbrite.com or call 0467 797 201 to secure your place.

Coastal Connections is a collaborative program between Natural Resources South East and Limestone Coast Local Government Association, funded by the Australian Government through the Limestone Coastwatchers Project

Pathways to Productivity Returns to the upper South East, Keith Institute.
Mark 15 February 2018 in your calendar because Pathways to Productivity is back!

At the Expo Find out ….
How various factors, influence your decision making
Listen to the latest technology updates to assist your farm business
Learn about marketing your business (and yourself!)
We have some exciting speakers lined up so stay tuned for the announcement!

Entry is free. All landholders, Agribusiness, local business and those with an interest or connection to agriculture are encouraged to attend.

For more information contact Regional Landcare Facilitator Caroline Menzel 0409 675 573 caroline.menzel@sa.gov.au

Join in on the ‘Living Smart’ course to meet other people, learn new skills and make lasting changes in your life. Living Smart is interactive and practical, with inspirational guest speakers. You will delve into how to live simply, with topics on waste, energy, transport, water, gardening for biodiversity, gardening for food, healthy you, healthy home and community.

When: Tuesday evenings, 13 February 2018 – 27 March 2018
Time: 6:30pm – 9pm
Duration: 7 weeks plus a field trip
Venue: Civic Centre, Mount Gambier
Cost: $80 full price or $40 concession
Register: livingsmartmtgambier.eventbrite.com.au
Enquiries: Alison Boomsma via email or phone 8735 1177

For more information please click on the link.

Supported by the NRM levy in partnership with the City of Mount Gambier and the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges NRM Board.

With over 2500km of drains across the South East, the associated landholdings require specialised management techniques that include:
• Spot spraying of the drainage channel and embankments with the use of ‘frog friendly’ herbicide to reduce and control vegetation that will reduce the effectiveness during high flow periods;
• Aerial spraying along drainage channels prior to winter;
• Excavating or cleaning the drainage channel;
• Slashing or spraying along the drainage reserve; and
• Issuing occupational licences, normally to nearby landholders to graze sheep and sometimes cattle to reduce the vegetative growth along the drainage reserve.

In an endeavour to improve spraying efficiency, and improve work health and safety conditions of the NRSE Drainage Operations staff, the SEWCDB approved the purchase of an innovative ‘Mantis Sprayer’ in early 2017, and the Drainage Operations team took delivery in early July 2017.

To date the Mantis Sprayer is achieving at least triple the distance in spraying coverage compared to the previous hose and reel operation.   Other benefits include less herbicide use - as spraying can be targeted to the individual pest plants.  The operator can undertake the spraying within an elevated, air-conditioned cabin of the tractor which almost eliminates exposure to sun, spray drift and snakes.

NRSE Drainage Operations operator Jack Haines, recently commented “The spraying activity is far more enjoyable...with the mantis sprayer operated using a double joy stick it’s almost like operating a Nintendo all day!” 

The folding four metre boom allows for a seven metre sprayer extension that provides both vertical and horizontal manoeuvrability.  On top of that, the spray head jet stream can easily extend another four to five metres.  A 1000 litre tank is fitted to the tractor, so tank refills are now required no more than once a day. 

Although still in a trial period, with safety documentation and procedures developed, the Drainage Operations team are encouraged by the improved effectiveness of spraying operations this season.  So keep an eye out for this distinctive piece of machinery operating in the drainage network within a 100km radius from Millicent.

Improving your farm business profitability- it’s all in your taxation accounts!

The Limestone Coast Red Meat cluster, in partnership with Livestock SA, is pleased to bring you our third series of financial management workshops in 2018. The course will once again by delivered by Chris Scheid of ProAdvice, and sessions will take place in both the upper and lower South East. The course will assist producers in understanding which business levers to pull to improve business profitability, to understand what ratios banks use to assess business lending prospects, and to make real changes that will improve business profitability. If you’re a red meat producer or a mixed farmer in the Limestone Coast, you’re a decision maker in your business, and you’re looking to grow or make positive changes, then this course is for you!

Workshop Dates:

Chardonnay Lodge, Coonawarra
Workshop 1: Tuesday 13th February 2018 9am-5pm
Workshop 2: Tuesday 27th February 2018 9am-5pm
Workshop 3: Wednesday 7th or Thursday 8th March 2018 (½ day)

Keith Institute, Keith
Workshop 1: Wednesday 14th February 2018 9am-5pm
Workshop 2: Wednesday 28th February 2018 9am-5pm
Workshop 3: Tuesday 13th or Wednesday 14th March 2018 (½ day)

Optional modules - Naracoorte Town Hall, Naracoorte
Module 1 - 21st March 2018 9am-5pm
Module 2 - 28th March 2018 9am-5pm

Cost: $350 per farm business

Please see the cluster website for more details, or contact cluster coordinator Meg Bell via email or 0433 499 630.

Whether you're planting or harvesting, taking cattle to a sale or dropping the kids at boarding school, if you live in rural and regional Australia you probably spend plenty of time driving. A good way to pass the time is listening to the radio. If you're out of reception or looking for something specific, a podcast is a great way to go. Some suggestions for podcasts on farming, grazing and rural life:

Bushtech - Hosts Sarah Nolet and Simon Mathewson speak to the leading innovators in the agricultural technology space from scientists to inventors.

RaboResearch Food & Agribusiness - The food and agribusiness team at RaboBank have been running this podcast since late 2016.

My Open Kitchen - This podcast focuses on helping farmers and small businesses in rural areas use social media to tell their stories.

Source​ ABC news

Get involved! Communicate your latest Sustainable Ag news and events here.

AgConnect aims to promote the latest sustainable agricultural news and events across the South East and surrounding regions. If you have an upcoming event or agricultural news you would like to share contact:
Natural Resource South East Regional Landcare Facilitators

Damien Bickley damien.bickley@sa.gov.au or 0447 576 523
Caroline Menzel caroline.menzel@sa.gov.au or 0409 675 573