North West Local Land Services June 2022 Update

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Friday, 3 June 2022

Using the 'OWL' for weed management

Lower cost spot sprayers may not be far away.

Lumpy skin disease

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a highly infectious viral disease that affects all breeds of cattle. It does not affect other types of livestock or humans. While Australia remains free of the disease, producers across NSW are urged to remain vigilant and regularly monitor their cattle and buffalo for signs of LSD.

North West feral pig baiting campaign

Over the past six months North West Local Land Services invasive species team has been leading a feral pig baiting campaign.

Walgett pest animal wrap

Here's what's been happening in pest animal management in Walgett.

Is it a fox or a dog?

Here is the key indicator to help distinguish between a fox and dog track.

Foot and mouth disease

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease that affects pigs, cattle, sheep, goats, deer, camelids and buffalo.

FMD is NOT present in Australia but has recently been detected in Indonesia.

While the risk to Australia remains low in the absence of close contact between animals or the importation of infected products, it is important producers are regularly monitoring their animals for any unusual signs.

Is this animal fit to load?

It’s obvious that healthy livestock are more profitable. We know that consumers demand high-quality products, free of chemicals and residues. But, increasingly they also want assurance that the animals are raised and treated humanely.

One of the ways we achieve this is by having standards of animal welfare for the transport of livestock.

Industry has produced some easy-to-use tools to help everyone transporting livestock meet these obligations.

The birds and the bees

We're working with BirdLife Australia to monitor and support Australia’s most threatened bird species. These birds often share important nectar resources with honeybees, which presents a unique opportunity for monitoring and conservation.

NLP funding available in the north west to manage for climate adaption and new markets
Funding is available for Landcare or producer groups in the North West.

Waratah Project Update

There has been a lot of activity kicking off behind the scenes of the Waratah Project with Local Land Services actively managing parcels of high biodiversity land acquired by NSW Government from China Shenhua Energy Company Limited Earlier this year.

Annual Land and Stock Returns

Your Annual Land and Stock Return (ALSR) will soon arrive in your letterbox.

We need you to complete it by 31 August 2022.

Seasonal pest animal control programs are well underway

North West Local Land Services has undertaken a number of coordinated cross tenure aerial control programs throughout Autumn 2022.

TSRs no go for firewood collection

Local Land Services would like to remind people in the North West that it is illegal to take or remove firewood from Travelling Stock Reserves.

Talking Koalas

Local Land Services recently co-hosted the NSW Inland Koala Conservation Workshop in Gunnedah as part of the Kamilaroi Guda Koalas Project.

Upcoming Events & Training

EOI for Top Fodder - Successful Silage Making course

North West Local Land Services is currently seeking expressions of interest from interested producers for the popular Top Fodder - Successful Silage Making course.

This three day workshop will be delivered by Mr Neil Griffiths, former NSW DPI Pasture Production Technical Specialist and Top Fodder Silage Coordinator.

When: Tuesday 14 - Thursday 16 June 2022

Cost: $100 per farming enterprise (limit of two attendees and includes one prepaid feed test kit and one manual. Extra manuals are available for $40 each).

Morning tea and lunch provided daily. The workshop is capped at 15 attendees.

This three day course is designed to cover everything you need to know about silage and silage making from the practical to the scientific. Some of the topics covered during theory and practical on farm field trip sessions include:

The economics and use of silage in the farming system
The principles and science of silage making
crop/pasture selection
Factors that affect silage quality and quantity
Making high quality silage - harvesting, writing, chop length etc
Using additives and inoculants
Storage options for silage
Utilisation and feeding of silage

For further information or to lodge your expression of interest please contact Sally Balmain sally.balmain@lls.nsw.gov.au, 0428 280 809 or George Truman george.truman@lls.nsw.gov.au, 0427 505 040.

Vertebrate Pesticide Training | Moree

When: 10am - 4pm, 10 August, 2022
Where: Local Land Services, 203 Balo Street, Moree

We are offering FREE Vertebrate Pesticide Training for landholders. Completion of this course will give participants a five year accreditation to use vertebrate pesticides (1080, Pindone, RHDV & PAPP) on their property.

The course covers a range of topics from the legislative requirements of using vertebrate pesticides through to modes of action and practical usage.

Participants may elect to also complete the Canid Pest Ejector (CPE) course, which will follow the VPT course.

Please RSVP to book your spot, by calling 1300 795 299.