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Where do all your old tree guards go?
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It’s planting time! Tree guards are important to provide UV protection against the harsh summer, conserve moisture, guard from wind and drifting sand, create a barrier against rabbits and fight weeds when used in conjunction with weed mats.
Tree guards can accumulate in large numbers at the end of a planting project. It’s important to make sure they are collected when they are no longer required by the plant, as over time they will start spreading microplastics into the environment, hinder plant growth, and blow around or into watercourses.
When corflute guards get old and tired and can’t be used any more, they can be recycled rather than being sent to landfill.
Materials such as corflute (pp polypropylene) can be turned in to products such as milk crates, truck guards, and bumper bars. Plastic tree sleeves (LDPE) can also be recycled into plastic film.
Old corflute guards and sleeves can be taken to Arborgreen Landscape Products, 18 Follett Close, Mount Barker, who take them to YCA Recycling, Wingfield, for recycling.
Tree guards made from cornstarch are a biodegradable option for protecting fast growing young trees, however be mindful that they do fall apart faster and are often only biodegradable under industrial compost conditions (i.e.: higher temperature compost conditions). A new biodegradable tree guard will be available from Arborgreen in August which is 100% home compostable. Learn more here.
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Left to Right: Brian Hughes (Rural Solutions); Adam Krahnert (Coopers Farm Supplies); Rebecca Tonkin (Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board); Alice Morley (Fleurieu Peninsula Agriculture [FP AG]); and Andrew Harding (Rural Solutions) recently met to discuss soil health at Mount Compass. |
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Healthy Soils, Healthy Landscapes team on the road to soil health
This week has seen our Healthy Soils, Healthy Landscapes team hit the road and conduct a series of workshops with Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board staff and key Agronomic advisors in the Hills and Fleurieu region.
The workshops have focused on the impacts of soil acidity, how we can mitigate its spread, and valuable planning tools for lime applications.
Soil and land management consultants Brian Hughes and Andrew Harding, both of Rural Solutions SA, led the discussion for each session, updating participants on:
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How acidity affects soil health and nutrient availability, and recent research into soil acidity
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Liming to maintain good soil pH levels and avoiding yield losses
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Lime modelling and economics for different lime products and rates
Attending the Mount Compass workshop, both Adam Krahnert, an agronomist for Coopers Farm Supplies, and Alice Morley, an agronomist for FP AG, shared information to take back to their respective teams as well as to local farming clients to better manage land for soil health and productivity. “Brian certainly knows his stuff,” Adam said, “this is such an important topic for our region.”
Alice, who’s based in Yankalilla and Victor Harbor, has seen some of the most acid-affected soils on the Fleurieu, and with her long history in farming, animal health, and agronomy, sees firsthand the impacts of poor soil health on the land and animals if the cause is not addressed.
This Healthy Soils Healthy Landscapes initiative was supported by the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.
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Farming forum shares insights on climate adaptation
Ready to learn more about on-farm solutions to respond and adapt to climate change?
Our Climate Smart Farming forum in May at Encounter Bay explored ways for farmers to tackle climate change. Check out this short video to get a snapshot of what was covered at the forum.
Want to learn more? Here are some of the books and podcasts that inspire Fleurieu Peninsula farmer Alistair Just in his daily work on his property.
Jenny Stanton, Kangaroo Island Farmer and owner of the Remote Oat, also has some recommendations:
Keep an eye on our Facebook page for future events!
The Climate Smart Farming Forum was supported by the Hills and Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island landscape boards through the landscape levies, and through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.
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Viticulture Rebuild and Recovery Grants now open
The Viticulture Rebuild and Recovery Grants areopen to vineyard owners directly impacted by the 2019–20 bushfires in the Adelaide Hills and on Kangaroo Island. You can apply for two types of activities under this program – rejuvenation and replanting.
Claim up to:
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$7,500 per hectare for eligible rejuvenation activities.
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$15,000 per hectare for eligible replanting activities.
Learn more about the grants.
Applications close 23 July.
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Keep on top of grants available now with the Hills and Coast Grant Finder
Regional Development Australia Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island along with participating councils across the region, are excited to provide the Hills & Coast Grant Finder to individuals, businesses, community groups, sports clubs and other not-for-profits.
The Grant Finder helps to easily find and successfully apply for grants to turn ideas into reality, without wasting time and effort. It is a free service and means you will never miss a grant opportunity again. Register to receive email alerts for new grants, save your favourites and access tips to help you apply for grants.
Check it out now.
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Future Drought Fund’s Networks to Build Drought Resilience: applications for funding now open
The Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund provides a sustainable source of funding to help remote, rural and regional communities, and farmers, become more prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of drought. The Fund is part of the Government’s Drought Response, Resilience and Preparedness Plan.
The Networks to Build Drought Resilience Program is one of the Fund’s foundation programs. It is designed to build community capacity by strengthening social and community networking, support, engagement and wellbeing.
The aim is to build an enduring resilience to the impacts of climate change, and drought, and to enhance the public good in agriculture-dependent communities.
Please visit the Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal for further information on how to apply.
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Assess your pastures with Pasture Paramedic
Pasture Paramedic is a decision-making tool that allows rapid assessment of pasture condition in the high rainfall zones of southern Australia.
The tool is used in the paddock to measure the quality and quantity of available pastures and identify requirements for pasture renovation or rejuvenation.
The supporting technical manual provides useful images and notes to identify and assess common pastures, clovers and weeds.
Download the manual and watch this short video. For training, and to obtain your own Pasture Paramedic tool, please contact Jess Brogden at Southern Farming Systems.
Pasture Paramedic is a partnership between Meat & Livestock Australia and Southern Farming Systems.
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Farm Table – an integrated agricultural knowledge platform
Farm Table is Australia's one-stop farming hub online to connect producers, farmers and fishers to agricultural resources, information, opportunities, and, to each other.
In doing so, this agricultural platform's suite of services saves you time, improves information flows across the industry and contributes to a connected, collaborative, and innovative Australian agriculture sector.
Time pressures and remoteness make it difficult to engage in ongoing learning. When turning online, producers are left feeling overwhelmed, frustrated and inefficient, unable to find the answers or opportunities they are looking for in a timely manner.
Farm Table is a national, cross-sector, integrated agricultural knowledge platform to overcome these problems.
This Australian agricultural and farming platform has the following key sections – AgLibrary, AgCalendar, AgFunding, AgTech, AgNews and the Farmer Exchange - all developed to connect you to what you need quickly and easily.
Joining the Farm Table through a free membership enables you to get the most out of the platform and join the Farmer Exchange Community. Learn more here.
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Events
Healthy soils webinar series – Limestone Coast Landscape Board
Past webinars
May 13. Soils of the Limestone Coast, presented by Dr Melissa Fraser & Claire Dennerley - View recording
June 8. What makes a soil fertile, presented by Dr Melissa Fraser - View recording
June 23. Soil carbon and biology presented by Amanda Schapel @ 7:00pm - recording coming soon
Future webinars
July 28. Improving productivity on Sandy Soils, presented by Dr Melissa Fraser @ 7:00pm
August 18. Improving productivity on Clay Soils, presented by Dr Melissa Fraser @ 7:00pm
MeatUp forum
June 25 – Port Augusta
Red meat producers can hear the latest regionally-relevant insights from research, development and adoption (RD&A) programs funded by MLA at MeatUp forums. MeatUp forums enable goatmeat, beef and sheepmeat producers to access practical, whole-of-business information and tools they can use on-farm to improve productivity and profitability. MeatUp forums are free for red meat levy payers and $50 (excluding GST) for non-red meat levy payers Registration is essential for catering and COVID-19 management purposes.
Seasonal Climate Update for South Australia
June 25 - Webinar
Seasonal risk agronomist Dale Grey will focus on the current seasonal climate outlook for South Australia. The outlook will be based on model projections for rainfall utilising current oceanic, atmospheric and soil moisture conditions. The webinar will be recorded, so if you miss the live presentation you can watch it later at a time that suits you.
Event number: 670 636 144#
Aboriginal knowledge and values of Fleurieu Swamps
July 6 - Strathalbyn Natural Resource Centre
You are invited to hear from Mark Koolmatrie about the Aboriginal Knowledge and Values of Fleurieu Swamps. Mark is a Ngarrindjeri person and owner of Tribal Expertise Facility. He has recently undertaken a study looking at the Aboriginal values of Fleurieu Swamps including the plants, medicines, and how Aboriginal people lived. The project was funded through a Grassroots Grant from the Hills and Fleurieu Landscapes Board, and Mark will talk about what he learned.
RSVP to Jacqui Wilson 0400036843 / jacqui.wilson@gwlap.org.au
Livestock Advisor Update for Southern Australia
July 29 – Adelaide Hills Convention Centre
You'll have the opportunity to network with a wide range of livestock consultants and other industry stakeholders, watch a variety of presentations in person or online, and peruse 15 innovative technical displays. An optional pre networking dinner of fun and activities is also available. You'll walk away with practical, ready to apply knowledge of current tools and technology.
The event will be beneficial to anyone who has an interest in livestock research, development, tools, extension, technology and support and making industry connections.
2021 National Landcare Conference
August 4-6 - International Convention Centre, Sydney
Major themes include sustainable agriculture, environment and climate change, community partnerships in action and landcare impact.
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If you have a story or event to promote, please email the Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator for the Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board, Sophie Bass, at sophie.bass@sa.gov.au.
The Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator Program is funded by the Australian Government's National Landcare Program.
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