FarmTalk magazine - July 2023

August Edition:

July 28, 2023

September Edition:

August 25, 2023

October Edition:

September 22, 2023

November Edition:

October 20, 2023

December Edition:

November 17, 2023

February Edition:

January 26, 2024

March Edition:

February 22, 2024

April Edition:

March 22, 2024

May Edition:

April 26, 2024

June Edition:

May 24, 2024

July Edition:

June 21, 2024

Donkeys prove capable guardians

Central Tablelands landholders Butch and Fiona Pilley worked closely with Local Land Services to introduce two donkeys as guardian animals into their Hill End grazing operation.

No dog attacks have been recorded at the property during the life of the project, senior biosecurity officer Paul Gibb said.

“We started working with Butch and Fiona on the donkey project about three years ago,” Mr Gibb said.

“Since we’ve started, there have been no attacks from wild dogs on sheep with the donkeys in the mob. Knowing the history of this area, it’s been a great outcome.”

Fleur Connick JOURNALIST

Trained donkeys have demonstrated their value in protecting sheep from wild dog attacks in an innovative trial.

“Donkeys are wellmatched against a wild dog and can be quite aggressive.”

PAUL GIBB

The Pilleys and other landholders in the area have suffered significant livestock losses due to wild dog attacks. Each attack carries large economic, welfare and emotional costs.

“You could come down to a paddock in the morning and find 20 to 30 sheep killed in one night,” Mr Pilley said.

“They can also kill a lot of lambs. One year we lost about 250 lambs, with a follow-on impact on ewes lambing in the following years.

“So the cost could easily add up to $30,000, plus the stress of having to come down every morning and find your sheep dead or maimed.

“The impact the donkeys have had has been quite remarkable.”

Donkeys are well suited as guardian animals and have a long history of protecting livestock in parts of the world. However, they must be bonded carefully with livestock to ensure a successful result.

“Donkeys are well-matched against a wild dog and can be quite aggressive,” Mr Gibb said.

“They can strike at a dog with their feet and grab it with their mouths, so they’re very good defensive animals.”

The trial is one of the ways Local Land Services works with landholders to support effective pest management and reduce their impact on livestock and the environment.

To find out more visit www.lls.nsw.gov.au or call your Local Land Service office on 1300 795 299.

Farmer Butch Pilley with Local Land Services senior biosecurity officer Paul Gibb at Hill End, NSW. Until trained donkeys were introduced to Pilleys’ sheep farm, wild dogs were killing dozens of sheep every night. Photograph: Rod Campbell.

Hay Merino Sheep Show

Theram won the Bill Lamb Trophy for supreme champion, after taking home the Bob and Anne Rollinson Perpetual Trophy for the grand champion ram.

Another South Australian stud, Collinsville, was named the winner of the Andrew Lockhart Memorial for the most successful exhibitor of the show.

The Charles Mills trophy for grand champion ewe was awarded to Tamaleuca Merino & Poll Merino Stud, from Victoria.

The well attended sheep show was held at the Hay Showgrounds, attracting breeders from a number of interstate communities.

June 15 has already been earmarked for the 72nd annual show in 2024, with the major classes offering a combined prize pool of more than $12,000.

More details are available at haysheepshow.com.au

Full results from the 2023 show are as follows:

Flock results:

Class 1 – Formosa, 1; Burrabogie, 2; EJ Northy, 3.

Class 2 – Burrabogie, 1; EJ Northy, 2; Yeadon, 3.

Class 3 – EJ Northy, 1; Burrabogie, 2; Yeadon, 3.

Class 4 –Piney Ridge, 1 and 2.

Class 6 – Piney Rodge, 1; EJ Northy, 2; Burrabogie, 3.

Class 7 – Formosa, 1; EJ Northy, 2.

Class 8 – Formosa, 1; EJ Northy, 2.

Class 9 - Piney Ridge, 1 and 2.

Class 10 – Burrabogie, 1; Yeadon, 2. Supreme champion pen of flock ewes and most successful exhibitor – Piney Ridge.

Unhoused results:

Class 11 –Woodpark Poll, 1 and 2.

Class 11 –Woodpark Poll, 1, 2 and 3.

Class 13 - Woodpark Poll, 1, 2 and 3.

Class 14 –Yanco Ag College, 1, 2 and 3. Champion unhoused ewe and most successful exhibitor - Woodpark Poll.

Open stud results:

Class 15 champion hogget ram –Collinsville, 1; Belbourie, 2.

Class 16 champion ewe – Belbourie, 1; Terrick West, 2.

Class 17 – Willandra, 1; Terrick West, 2; Wongara Poll, 3.

Class 18 – Collinsville, 1; Poll Boonoke, 2; Willandra, 3.

Class 19 – Poll Boonoke, 1; Willandra, 2; Collinsville, 3.

Class 20 – Collinsville, 1; Collandra North, 2; Longdale Park, 3.

Class 21 – Wanganella, 1; Poll Boonoke, 2.

Class 22 – Collinsville, 1; Belbourie, 2; Poll Boonoke, 3.

Class 23 – Collandra North, 1; Terrick West, 2; Poll Boonoke, 3.

Class 24 – Poll Boonoke, 1.

Class 25 – Willandra, 1; Terrick West, 2; Willandra, 3.

Class 26 – Willandra, 1; Terrick West, 2; Lach River, 3.

Class 27 – Terrick West, 1; Willandra, 2; Belbourie Poll, 3.

Champion medium wool March ram 1. Poll Boonoke 2. Collinsville.

Champion strong wool March ram 1. Collandra North 2. Collinsville.

Champion March shorn ram – Poll Boonoke.

Champion medium wool March ewe – 1. Willandra Poll 2. Willandra.

Champion strong wool March ewe – 1. rrick West 2. Willandra.

Housed stud results:

Class 29 – Collinsville, 1; Tamaleuca, 2; Mulloorie, 3.

Class 30 – Mulloorie, 1; Collinsville, 2; Glendonald, 3.

Class 31 – East Bungaree, 1; Oak Bank, 2 and 3.

Class 32 –Mullourie, 1 and 2; Towonga, 3.

Class 33 –Mullourie, 1; Terrick West, 2; Towonga, 3.

Class 34 – Collinsville, 1; Mullourie, 2; East Bungaree, 3.

Class 35 – Tameluca, 1; Kerrilyn, 2; Oakbank, 3.

Class 36 – Kerrilyn, 1; Collinville, 2; Mulloorie, 3.

Class 37 (pen of three stud rams) – Mullourie, 1; Collinsville, 2; Sandalwood, 3.

Class 38 (Neilson Mills Trophy) – Mullourie, 1; Tamaleuca, 2; Collinsville, 3.

Champion strong wool ram – Mulloorie, 1; Collinsville, 2.

Champion strong wool ewe – East Bungaree, 1; Mulloorie, 2.

Champion medium wool ram –Mulloorie, 1; Collinsville, 2.

Champion medium wool ewe –Tameleuca, 1; Kerrilyn, 2.

Junior judging:

Open junior - Oliver Cameron (Boonoke), 1; Mackenzie Dawson (Hay), 2; Emila Brown (Hay), 3. Under-15sGrace Routley, 1; Angus Barton, 2; Jake Wilmshurst, 3.

Blade shearing – Tim Dalla, 1; Angus Munro, 2; Tom Lilburne, encouragement.

A ram presented by South Australian Merino stud Mulloorie claimed two of the most coveted prizes at the 71st Hay Merino Sheep Show in June.

Collinsville manager Tim Dalla (centre) took out the Ian Munro Memorial Blade Shearing Trophy, which was presented by Ian’s son Angus (left) and judge Bruce Rollinson.

An impressive ram owned by the South Australian Merino stud Mulloorie took home the Bill Lamb Trophy for supreme champion ram or ewe. Pictured with the champion ram are stud principal Paul Meyer and son Darcey, and judges Andrew Culvert and Spike Orr.

Graduates celebrated

The 2023 cohort of Hay Inc graduates were honoured at the recent Hay Merino Sheep Show.

In front of the large crowd, the graduates were congratulated on their achievements and presented with their completion certificates.

Scholarship announcements were also made.

2022 graduate Harry Agar from Coroonboon Station was named the NSW Stud Breeders scholarship winner. This scholarship is offered to support those who demonstrate a passion for rural communities and commitment for any career that will ensure the future success of rural and regional NSW.

Logan Wright was announced as the winner of the Matthew Vick Scholarship.

Exclusive to Hay Inc, this scholarship is provided by the family of Matthew, who died tragically in 2007 while working at West Burrabogie.

Historic honour for Ian

The scholarship recognises a Hay Inc graduate who has shown drive and commitment during the program. Through the partnerships fostered by Hay Inc, Logan will get the opportunity to work on a Merino stud, travel with a wool classer for several weeks and spend time being mentored by renowned Riverina Wool principal Mark Bazely.

Established in 2016, the Hay Inc training program consists of a range of short courses which involve practical training, delivered on rural properties throughout the Hay district.

The training and assessment is delivered by qualified trainers and subject matter experts who have extensive practical experience in primary production.

Expressions of interest for the 2024 program are now open. Contact info@hayinc.com.au for information.

Hay district Merino breeder

Ian Lugsdin was awarded an ambassadorship at the recent Hay Merino Sheep Show.

He is the 17th person to receive the honour in the show’s seven-decade history.

“I am extremely shocked but grateful,” Mr Lugsdin said after learning of the award.

Each year the show committee names an ambassador – someone who has had an influence on the Merino industry in Hay and beyond. The presentation and gift of an exclusive woollen tie was made to Mr Lugsdin by Chris Bowman.

Mr Lugsdin has been the convener of the Hay Merino Sheep Show for 22 years, and is part of a family legacy in the district that spans 140 years. He started showing sheep at regional shows as a 21 year-old and knows the value of community involvement.

“We have to give a little bit back,” he said.

“We have to put our hands up for these jobs, because there’s less of us around.

“At the end of the day, if we don’t take on these volunteer roles, then who?”

Show committee member Gabby Hurst said Mr Lugsdin’s involvement in the show “must have been for his whole life”.

“He has been a big influence on the show, helping to keep it going and keep it modern.”

Mr Lugsdin’s award is one for the record books. His father, the late Max Lugsdin, was awarded the very first ambassadorship in 2008. It makes the pair the first father-son duo to receive an ambassador tie.

He is also part of the first husband and wife duo to be honoured, with his wife Stacey receiving her ambassador tie in 2021.

The list of Hay Merino Sheep Show ambassadors is as follows: Max Lugsdin (2008), Barry Milliken (2009), Maurice Gibson (2010), Clive Davenport (2011), David Davies (2012), Roly Desailly (2013), Sandy Circuitt (2014), Noel Corliss (2015), Bob Rollinson

(2016), Mark Bazeley (2017), Bede Schiller (2018), Ian Milliken and Stacey Lugsdin (2021), Ian Lugsdin and Bert Matthews (2023).

Hay Inc’s 2023 graduates (back, from left) Emilia Browne, Charles Dinning, Kalum Pearson and Tom Gordon; (front) Kiera Telford, Dejannah Harvey, Matilda Joslyn, Jess Armstrong, Zoe Malcolm and Logan Wright. Absent: Tom Spence, Max Cooper, Sam Richardson, and Doclan Jackson.

Logan Wright, pictured with Member for Murray Helen Dalton, was named winner of the Mathew Vick Scholarship.

Harry Agar was the winner of the NSW Stud Breeders’ scholarship.

Friday, September 8

*Timing subject to change. Individual arrangements can be made through each stud.

Manure solutions for the future

Asthe previous owners of Deni Fertilisers, their focus now is on a sub division called Eco Manure Solutions (EMS).

Sustainable manure management is described as effective collection, storage, treatment, and application of manure nutrients in crop production to use the potential energy associated with manures and to minimise off-site transport of potential contaminants and environmental pollution.

“We hope to develop the complete business process with effective collection, storage, treatment and application of manure nutrients,” Mr Gardiner said.

“Manure management will balance the production, economic and environmental sides of manure generation, handling, processing and end use.”

As a valuable resource it increases soil improvement and water retention in the soil.

Animals are raised under different systems of production and this influences the manure management systems and strategies adopted.

Manure management is important because it significantly reduces the risks associated with manure handling and utilisation.

An efficient manure management system will limit or prevent manure or its constituents from gaining undesirable access to the larger environment.

Sound manure management contributes to health and environmental, economic and social benefits.

The objectives of manure treatment include reduction of manure volume, improvement of its applicability and/or increase in fertiliser value.

Sustainable management of manure requires a multipronged approach.

These approaches include nutritional strategies, policy and legal framework as well as physical, biological and chemical manure treatment.

The animal waste management system works as a planned system with relevant components installed and managed to control and use by-products of animal production in a way that sustains and enhances the quality of air, water, soil, plant and animal resources.

Animal manure can be categorised based on their consistency or moisture content into liquid manure (up to five per cent solids), slurry and semi-solid manure (between five per cent and 25 per cent solids) and solid manure (more than 25 per cent solids).

The benefits of the nutrients are in the form of compost, fertiliser, biomass conversion (animal feed, soil amendments, fertiliser, etc.) and cost savings on fertiliser and income generation from sales of manure.

The organic matter benefits are soil amendments/ structuring which improves soil structure and water holding capacity, impacting on crop yield.

For further information contact Lance Gardiner on 0437 570 364 or email lancegardiner55@outlook.com

The manure spreading and selling division of Lance and Di Gardiner’s Deniliquin business has been in place for a while, but they are focused on improvements to expand their business.

“Manure management will balance the production, economic and environmental sides of manure generation, handling, processing and end use.”

LANCE GARDINER

Honey bee genetic program

Australia will continue to be home to a national honey bee genetic improvement program until at least April 2024, with Plan Bee announcing it has been extended for another year.

Theextension means that the program, delivered as part of the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Rural R&D for Profit Program will continue its mission of establishing a national honey bee genetic database to improve the productivity and profitability of Australia’s agriculture sector.

The program, which began in 2020, has made significant progress in furthering the adoption of modern genetic selection practices in Australia. It has been stunted by several disasters including the 2019-2020 bushfires, flooding in eastern Australia and most recently the NSW varroa mite incursion – which led to the destruction of the program’s colonies in Tocal.

The extension allows the program to launch a series of planned initiatives that could have immeasurable long-term impact to the quality of Australia’s honey bee stocks. That’s according to Plan Bee Program Lead, Paul Blackshaw.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to continue the vital work of Plan Bee,” said Mr Blackshaw.

“We’re currently preparing to launch version two of the Plan Bee breeding manual, a vital resource which is already helping beekeepers and breeders to unlock the potential of modern science to improve the quality of our honey bees.”

“This resource helps breeders select from desired traits, including pest and disease resistance, future-proofing the industry from threats like varroa.”

The project team continues to seek input from the beekeeping industry and encourages all beekeepers to participate in the program.

“We are always looking to work closely with breeders across the country to build our national genetic database. With each contributing bee breeder, our data set improves, allowing us to make better choices when selecting for traits.”

The benefits of a successful national genetic improvement program transcend the honey bee industry. In fact, around 65 per cent of agricultural production in Australia depends on pollination from honey bees according to the 2010 report Pollination Aware, The Real Value of Pollination in Australia.

“Whether it be pollination productivity, resistance to disease, or ability to stay active for longer, genetic selection helps bee breeders, beekeepers and growers to become more productive and sustainable.”

“Each year we are faced with new challenges, whether that be disasters, incursions or the simple premise of feeding more people with fewer resources. Better bees can help us face these challenges head on, and thanks to modern genetic practices we’re on the right path.”

This work is a first for the Australian honey bee industry and the project extension will enable the industry to develop estimated breeding values for honey bees and further extend best practice standardised selection methods for breeders.

Plan Bee researcher Nadine Chapman examines a colony of bees.

Avoid arthritis in lambs

Ever had issues with arthritis in your lambs?

Thereare a number of different bacteria which can cause arthritis in lambs including Erysipelothrix, Chlamydophila and Mycoplasma. These bacteria are found widely throughout the environment, being found regularly on the skin, in faeces and on soil. Bacteria can enter the bloodstream through a wound or the navel then progress to the joints causing lameness, potentially leading to decreased growth rates and joint damage.

There are two main risk periods for arthritis in lambs, soon after birth and following marking/mulesing.

Lambs already suffering from arthritis when coming in for lamb marking were probably infected soon after birth. A wet umbilical cord dragging around the ground is a highway for bacteria to jump on board and enter the lamb. This is particularly an issue in densely stocked lambing pads with a large amount of faecal contamination. Ideally lambing is done in a paddock that has sufficient space, low faecal contamination and good grass coverage.

If your main risk of arthritis is at lamb marking, then hygiene is the key. Using temporary yards on clean ground is a good way to limit contamination. It is also important to clean instruments and change the disinfectant solution frequently. Organic matter will inactivate most disinfectants. Cleaning the blood,

faeces and dirt off first and then disinfecting, either by having a two-bucket system or using a spray bottle for disinfecting after washing, will increase the cleanliness of your instruments. Dust, flies or wet conditions are all likely to increase the risk of arthritis. Plan to mark in good conditions, with the lambs being released from the yard as quickly as possible. Pain management at marking/mulesing can help reduce behaviours like sitting and scooting along the ground which increase the risk of contaminating wounds. Manage the risk of flies causing irritation or strike on the wounds.

Other risks include dipping and grass seeds. Avoid dipping lambs that have open shearing wounds or grass seed damage. Dipping fluid should be clean and changed if it becomes heavily contaminated with mud or faeces. It is also possible to add an antiseptic into your dip.

Preventative vaccine is available against the Erysipelothrix bacteria. This is often used in situations where producers have ongoing issues with lamb arthritis in successive years and have had the causative agent identified as Eryosipelas. Vaccination is given to the ewes prior to lambing, two doses will be needed if they have not been vaccinated with this vaccine in the past. Treatment is possible with antibiotics, but underlying damage to the joints can be an ongoing issue.

Like most things prevention is better than cure. So, think about how you can reduce the risk of lamb arthritis at lambing and lamb marking this year.

More information can be found on the bacterial arthritis in lambs primefact, available on the DPI website or by contacting your local vet.

Linda Searle (pictured) is district veterinarian with Murray Local Land Services.

Ray White Rural Your Farm Sale Specialists

WANTED FARM TO PURCHASE

• Client: Large scale Australian beef producing operation (institutional)

• Parameters: 3-8000 acres ‘turn key’ irrigated mixed farming operation able to produce 5-6000t per/year of hay/fodder + grazing

• Other Notes: Ray White Deniliquin has been asked to find a farm around the Deniliquin region for the expansion of this clients business into the Riverina. The focus of this farm will be to produce hay and fodder for their farms located in other regions as well as on-farm use in containment and controlled feeding areas for their weaner and grow-out operations.

Helen Dalton MP

With seven NSW MDBA water resource plans withdrawn from the Northern Basin it looks seemingly impossible to recover the 450GL of water “on time and in full” without Federal buybacks.

Without those seven approved water resource plans how can the Government regulate the take of water from rivers by agriculture given that it is measured under state ruled water sharing plans?

We all know the Government cannot deliver this volume in the Southern system without adverse environmental outcomes and the devastation of rural communities leading to social and economic collapse.

I’m determined to hold the Government to account as it continues to pursue this flawed plan that will decimate Southern Basin irrigation communities.

It is incumbent on the NSW Government to reject the purchase and refuse the transfer of purchased water to the Commonwealth so consumptive water can stay in communities.

I have raised the concerns we share about the management and use of our rivers and lakes since re-election in Parliament and I think we all agree the Government should convene a moratorium on water to look for sensible and sustainable solutions to the delicate relationship between environment and people’s livelihoods.

Helen Dalton MP for Murray

Authorised by Helen Dalton MP, Funded using Parliamentary Entitlements.

Childhood dreams come true

“I grew up on a farm, so I was always driving things, and I loved it,” she laughed.

“Nobody in my family was ever involved in aviation, so I always assumed when I was to become a pilot, I would become a captain at Qantas.

“I never envisioned the path that it would lead me to, but I am very happy it did.”

Tegan was recently awarded the Professional Pilot Award 2023, at the Aerial Application Association of Australia annual Convention. This prestigious award is in recognition of a pilot who has shown pride in being an application pilot and shown a commitment to professionalism and safety.

“I felt shocked, and humbled when I won the award,”Tegan said.

“It is great to be recognised, however I am more of one to prefer flying under the radar.

“I was surprised people knew what I was up to.”

This is her first industry award, and the only award for her industry, apart from Life Achievement awards.

Tegan fell into her industry quite serendipitously. Training as a pilot in Leongatha, in South Gippsland, this happened to be one of only two places in the country that also offered Agricultural Pilot training.

She was offered a job with the agricultural sector there as ground crew mixing chemicals. This paid for a lot of her training. After a time she was offered a position as an application pilot, the company telling her they thought she would be a good fit. And it all took off from there.

Apart from a small break during the drought to fly charter flights in the Northern Territory, she has been in the industry ever since. Tegan commenced work with AgFlite in Hay in 2016.

“They say that the role is 80 per cent farming, and 20 per cent flying,” she said.

“The plane is just the vehicle; the application comes first.

“Sometimes the job can be hard, but it is always fun.” She loves her work, because no two days are the same. There is no autopilot in the aircrafts, and one seat, so she is always flying solo.

Holding herself to a high personal standard, the ambition to perform the optimum service for clients is always in the forefront of her mind.

Battling against the clock and weather, are some of the other obstacles faced but she thrives and achieves results.

“You could feel like there is a pretty bare week at the start of the week, and by the time you get to the end it can be one of the busiest weeks in a long time,” she said.

“One of the best aspects of my job are the new innovations that keep arising and the ideas.

“New things are being tried all the time these days.

“Companies can ask us to beta test new GPS systems, as was done recently in conjunction with farmers that are appropriate for the project specifications.

“Other times we can be trialling new chemical products.”

She hopes to finish her career remaining in the industry.

“I just love what I do, our clients are wonderful and the company is phenomenal.

“I would never have thought life would take me in such a good direction in little Hay, I am immensely enjoying what I do.”

Tegan has even recently sewn canola from the aircraft, something that has rarely, if ever been done before.

“I couldn’t do my job which I love without the wonderful farmers and clients that we have throughout the district.”

Congratulations Tegan. Not only is the award a well-deserved recognition of your hard and innovative works. You are an inspiration especially for women everywhere.

“One of the best aspects of my job are the new innovations that keep arising and the ideas.”

TEGAN ALLOTT

Tegan Allott, local Hay AgFlite pilot (pictured), dreamed of flying from the time that she was quite young.

Great winter crops

Mostcanola crops have full ground cover and wheat is tillering. Regular June rainfalls with Finley receiving 70mm so far, have promoted growth. One farmer with Samira fababeans sown at the end of April was pleased with the progress of the crop on well -drained soil. The farmers said the topsoil moisture has linked to the fallow subsoil moisture 60-80cm deep providing optimum plant moisture well into August.

Several farmers had patchy establishment from slugs and cutworms. Last year’s very wet October, November and December and stubbles are likely to have provided ideal moist soil conditions for slugs that resulted in bare crop areas. They were controlled by baits. The regular rains have enabled re-sowing of bare areas suffering slug damage.

Fallow soil mineralisation was moderate as all canola crops are a healthy green and early tillering wheat crops are also a healthy green.

Farmers topdressed their canola crops at 100-180kgurea/ha before the good late May and before the June rains. We are currently in a neutral rainfall weather situation but drier weather with lower rainfall is predicted by BOM by August. Rainfall is needed to activate topdressed urea fertiliser so I’m sure most topdressings will be before August. The rule of thumb for canola is that the last topdressing should be before the start of flowering in late July. Wheat should be topdressed before the 1st node stage. It can also have a 2nd topdressing later, sometimes up to head emergence if it is followed immediately by a good rain or irrigation for extra protein and yield.

It is planned to have farmer discussion group meetings In August to view crop progress, measure soil moisture and assess disease and weed control.

TREE

The good late May and June rains have resulted in very good winter crop establishment. Some Finley Discussion Group farmers said the crop yield potential was high.

~ John Lacy (pictured) is an independent agricultural consultant, based in Finley.

DustWatchmaintaining ground cover and soil condition

Initially established to fill gaps in Bureau of Meteorology networks, DustWatch is a community-based network aimed at increasing capacity to map wind erosion, report on the extent of wind erosion events, develop understanding and raise awareness within communities, further information can be accessed https://www.environment.nsw.gov. au/topics/land-and-soil/soil-degradation/wind-erosion/community-dustwatch (googleCommunity DustWatch).

In addition to community observations, the DustWatch program hosts weather stations at various sites, collects satellite imagery of groundcover and conducts twice yearly roadside surveys monitoring, groundcover levels, evidence of wind erosion, species mix, and nearby land management practices. This allows the project to gauge soil condition and assess risk level of exposure to wind erosion in coming months as well as monitor any significant changes in land management practices through survey areas.

Total Vegetation Cover is measured utilising satellite imagery to estimate cover through measurements of green vegetation, non-green vegetation and bare soil; with this data being freely available from the RaPP Map website https://map.geo-rapp.org.

It is positive to note that after 12 years of surveys and data collection, longer for some data sets, ground cover has been maintained and soil disturbance minimised to a point where soil condition is being maintained except in drought years and wind erosion has been limited. Survey data is collected at times where risk is considered higher, summer and autumn, and for 2022-23, noting that flooding across a large portion of the region had occurred, still found that soil condition had been maintained or improved and all indicators were above set targets.

For further information relating to this work, please contact Rebecca Stacey at Rebecca. stacey@lls.nsw.gov.au.

Esther joins the ag advisory team

Meet Meet Taiwo Esther Fasoyin, land services officer- mixed farming for Murray LLS region. Esther recently completed her Ph. D. (Agriculture, Environmental, and related studies) from Charles Sturt University.

“I have always had a passion for agriculture and food sector areas,” she said.

“Before joining Murray LLS, I have had experience in research, administration, agricultural research projects - lab, field, and controlled room, community relationships, as an assistant account officer, other leadership roles, and previous casual academic staff at CSU.

“I joined LLS in January 2023 to help improve sustainable farming and agricultural extension practices while work on projects.”

‘Community DustWatch’ is a program which has been running for over 20 years across areas of New South Wales.

Contributed by Rebecca Stacey (pictured), senior local lands officer - mixed farming with Murray Local Land Services.

Comfort Food

WOMEN’S WEEKLY KIDS COOK

Kids it’s time to get cooking!

Cooking is fun. Kids get creative, learn about food and flavours, develop essential skills in the kitchen and best of all, make and enjoy their own yummy food. Starting with simple recipes and progressing to more challenging ones, we’ll teach kids to cook food the whole family can enjoy. 60 yummy and simple recipes, with step by step how to directions.

$34.99

WOMEN’S WEEKLY

EVERYDAY COOKBOOKSNACK MAKER

Is snack time the best time? We certainly think so. And it’s easy to whip up something fresh and tasty in your pie or sausage roll maker to satisfy any craving. Inside this cookbook you’ll find savory and sweet options to suit every mood and it’s not just classic pie and sausage roll fillings. Try mac ‘n’ cheese cups, pizzas, sticky date pudding or fruit crumble in your pie maker. Or make spring rolls, frittatas, finger buns or even baklava in your sausage roll maker. With these recipes, snack time is about to get truly exciting.

$14.99

WOMEN’S WEEKLY EVERYDAY COOKBOOK - ONE POT

On weeknights, we all want a dinner that’s healthy, simple to make and delicious. And nothing ticks all the boxes more than something made in one pot! Or one wok, or a frying pan, or a casserole dish. You get the idea. Every recipe in this book will get you nods of approval from family and friends, and won’t leave you with dishes stacked high in a teetering pile on the sink. There are curries, stir fries, soups, pastas, noodles and so much more (anyone for a burger?)

Get these vegetable- forward recipes into your dinner rotation now.

$14.99

WOMEN’S WEEKLY EVERYDAY COOKBOOKSLOW COOKER

Delicious, Modern and easy slow cooker recipes perfect for mid-week (or weekend) family meals. Desserts included too! Slow cookers make preparing family meals as easy as can be. With minimal time needed to prep ingredients, every delectable recipe in this book will be a mid-week lifesaver.

Get curries, roasts, pastas, soups, stews and more onto the table with ease, and if you’ve yet to discover the beauty of a slow cooked dessert, now is your chance! Choose from puddings, cakes, cobblers, and decadent fruit desserts to finish your meal with something sweet.

$14.99

Book giveaway

Need help to take your business from chaos and overwhelming to scalable and rewarding?

Chris Green’s book Business by Design could help, and FARMtalk has two copies to give away.

Chris is a leading business coach, and in his book provides a practical guide to achieving your business goals by drawing on more than 20 years’ experience in supporting entrepreneurial business owners to grow their businesses and realise their leadership potential.

Filled with tried and tested tools and tips along with real-life case studies, readers learn how to:

• Set an inspirational strategy;

• Adopt a breakthrough attitude;

• Eliminate key-person risk;

• Rethink and grow your team; and

• Create business systems that work.

Written for business owners who feel stuck and want a path toward profit and greater freedom, Business by Design is the definitive road map to create the thriving business and life you’ve always wanted.

If you would like to win a copy, email your name and contact details to farmtalk@denipt.com.au. Use the keyword ‘book giveaway’ as the subject line.

FARMtalk welcomes community contributions from farmers, experts and professionals who make their living and life on the land. If

ways

• Get in touch and give us a tip of a great story idea.

• Contribute an article: If you are an expert in your field then contributing once off, or regularly, is a great way to get started in our FARMtalk magazine. Contact Zoe McMaugh at farmtalk@denipt.com.au or 03 5881 2322.

• Become an author: FARMtalk is open to occasional contributors who are experts in their field or authorities on a subject or area. Once you have contributed an article, and the editorial team have approved you, we can set you up with a regular column to contribute. We would love to hear from you. Contact Zoe McMaugh at farmtalk@denipt.com.au or 03 5881 2322.

you would like to contribute, there are several

to do so.