Assistance available for landholders affected by the Cherry Gardens fire

Staff from the Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board together with the Friends of Scott Creek (FoSC) Conservation Park, National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia and local landholders recently visited sites impacted by the Cherry Gardens fire. FoSC members feel that while the fire has been devastating, it is also an opportunity to get on top of weeds and let native species re-establish.

When fire-impacted landholders feel ready, Landscape Officers from the Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board can help with advice on property management. This advice includes pest animal and plant management, biodiversity conservation, land and water management (including erosion control and soil management) and sustainable agriculture (such as pasture, containment feeding and stocking management).

The board can help landholders work across the landscape and connect people up with land management grants as they become available. Please contact Landscape Officer Mark Fagan or phone the board’s Mount Barker office on 8391 7500.

Additional information specific to those affected by the Cherry Gardens Bushfire can also be found on the Cherry Gardens bushfire community information page hosted by the Adelaide Hills Council

The how, what and why of shelterbelts

Do you know what a shelterbelt is and why it might be of value to your property?

Shelterbelts are a great tool to protect livestock from extreme weather such as heatwaves and windstorms, and can increase milk production in dairy cattle by keeping animals more comfortable. Shelterbelts also provide habitat for beneficial animals such as honeyeaters, which devour 30 kg of insects each year. These native vegetation refuges also attract ‘good bugs’ – native parasitic wasps, ladybird larvae and lacewings – which prey on insect pests. They can also extend the pasture growing season by reducing water loss by shading and protecting pasture from drying winds, as well as protecting soil from erosion and salinity.

There are some great resources available to help you learn more about shelterbelts.

Dairy Australia have put together a factsheet and a webinar series explaining the benefits of shelterbelts and how to design them.

Greening Australia’s Ann Brown also has a great YouTube video on how to plant a successful shelterbelt.

There is also a great webinar specifically for horse owners, which includes some great tips for keeping your horse safe while improving local biodiversity and shelter on your property, produced by HorseSA and the Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board.

If you have any more questions, please get in touch with us.

Do you have a small farm and keep livestock? What do you think about farmer groups and networks?

Researchers from Charles Sturt University, the Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation and Animal Health Australia are undertaking a study that aims to gain a better understanding of current smallholder farming networks in Australia. Smallholder farms may be productive and commercial on a small-scale and/or may be farms with livestock kept as a hobby to enjoy the farm lifestyle. 

They would like your input so that they can identify what you believe are valuable topics and activities to inform the design of additional smallholder farming networks. They are also interested in gauging the general interest in smallholders joining and/or managing a network in their area or region.

To achieve this, they are asking you to take part in this online survey which should take approximately 20 minutes to complete.

Find out more and begin the survey.

Meat and Livestock Australia’s new stocking rate calculator

Calculating stocking rates can be difficult, but the new, user friendly calculator from MLA makes it simple. The stocking rate calculator is designed to determine the number of cattle or sheep you should put into a paddock based on its carrying capacity, and it will help you work out how many days a paddock can be grazed by different classes, and different numbers of stock.

Calculate now

Beef Sustainability Survey now open

Beef producers can participate in the Australian Beef Sustainability Framework’s annual survey, which helps to promote and protect the industry as well as track performance. The survey will only take around seven minutes to complete.

Take the survey.

Survey closes 6 March.

On the ground podcast returns in 2021

In the first On the ground episode of 2021, Meat and Livestock Australia’s Andrew Cox discusses what he sees as the key trade drivers this year, and Tim Ryan talks through 2020 trade figures.

Listen now.

Events

Livestock enterprise planning sessions
March 2 – Strathalbyn
Livestock producers wanting to improve their business acumen and planning can now sign up to the Red Meat and Wool Program’s Livestock Enterprise Planning sessions.
The sessions provide an opportunity for producers to develop an actionable set of priorities to drive productivity gains and technology adoption.

Sedges on edges
March 3 – Strathalbyn
Farm dams are important sources of water and a typical sight in our dry Australian landscape. However, open, bare-edged dams can also attract bird species such as corellas and sulphur-crested cockatoos that can cause damage in large numbers.
Establishing low-growing native sedges can discourage the over-abundant breeding of these species and provide environmental and safety benefits.
Join us at the Strathalbyn Natural Resource Centre on Wednesday 3rd March to learn more.
RSVP essential due to COVID restrictions. Contact Jacqui Wilson 0400 036 843 / jacqui.wilson@gwlap.org.au.

This project is supported by the Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board’s Grassroots Grants Program, and is funded by the landscape levy.

MeatUp Forum
March 5 - Gawler
MeatUp Forums give you the latest in red meat R&D. They are held throughout southern Australia and are developed by Regional Producer Working Groups in collaboration with MeatUp Coordinators and Meat and Livestock Australia staff. Forums are designed by producers for producers. This means the program is purposely designed to be relevant to red meat producers in the region that the MeatUp Forum is being held.

Livestock Technology Expo
March 9 - Karoonda
Livestock Technology Expos are an opportunity to experience readily-available AgTech, talk directly to technology suppliers, and hear from industry experts.Learn how livestock technology innovations can assist your business efficiency and farm productivity. 

Regenerative Agriculture - Murraylands and Riverland farm walk
March 16 and 17
The Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board, Grazing Naturally and the McFarlane family invite you to a free Grazing Naturally field day with Dick Richardson at the McFarlane family farm in Tailem Bend.

Dick is an internationally recognised leader in the practice of natural grazing methods to improve soil depth and health, water retention, animal production and increase biodiversity.
Richard McFarlane is a local regenerative farmer who is passionate about a healthy future in farming and is proud to share his family’s journey.

More details coming soon - keep an eye on the Murraylands and Riverland Facebook page!

2021 DairySA Central Conference
March 18 – Victor Harbour
Dairy farmers and service providers from across South Australia are invited to the 2021 DairySA Central Conference to be held this year at Victor Harbor. Delegates will hear from a range of speakers across the spectrum of the dairy industry, from an investment banker and technology expert through to milk processors and proponents of regenerative agriculture – with farmer success stories thrown into the mix.
Up to 150 dairy farmers and service providers from across SA’s Fleurieu, Barossa Mid-North, River & Lakes, and from the Limestone Coast, are expected to attend the popular one day conference, to be held at McCracken Country Club, Victor Harbor.

Top Producers 2 Day Event
March 18 and 19 - Karoonda
Normally $695 per couple, but farmers are offered the opportunity to attend at a heavily discounted rate of $250 per couple or $125 for a single person

RCS Grazing Clinic
April 20 - April 22 – Kangaroo Island
The Resource Consulting Services (RCS) Grazing Clinic is a practical hands-on workshop that develops your skills as a grass manager.

This power-packed three-day clinic will give you the confidence and practical know-how to go home and begin implementing. The RCS Grazing Clinic covers the principles and practices of grazing management including how to design and manage a grazing cell, and how to use grazing charts as planning and decision-making tools.

The course has a complete focus on implementation, and deals with the “real-life stuff” that actually counts when it comes to getting the most out of your land, livestock and business.

During the RCS Grazing Clinic the facilitator will cover

• How to assess rest period and calculate graze period
• How to match stocking rate to carrying capacity
• How to use grazing charts to plan and make confident decisions
• The 6 principles of Regenerative Grazing Management
• Property design, water design and fence planning
• Questions and answers

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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