Wheat

Landcare Links August 2021


ISSUE 01 / 04.11.2020

Today it feels a little more like Spring, it even smells a little more like Spring. The blossoms are opening and I can hear bees buzzing in the trees outside, and soft sound of lambs baaing in the distance. The water which has been puddling on the top of the paddock is slowly disappearing.

Water is a precious resource on any farm and the ways of storing water will depend on topography, enterprise, time and finances. The use of soil, tank and dam monitoring devices can assist when making decisions about stock needs, pasture and crop growth.  

Our soil is one of our largest storage areas for water on farms with a moist but freely draining soil holding 25-35% by volume. There are a range of ways to monitor soil moisture, but one of the quirkiest is the use of 'tighty whities'. This is a method as described by the ABC news in April 2021 where citizens buried their 100% cotton underpants in the paddock for eight weeks. They were then dug up and the more degraded they were, the better the soil health. UNE professor Oliver Knox highlighted, the best results were when there was enough soil moisture to keep the microbes active for degrading the cotton. I haven't tried it myself, but if you give it a go, we would love to see the resulting photo.

Warm Regards,
Kerstie

Kerstie Lee
Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator
Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority

Acknowledgement

The Goulburn Broken CMA pays our respects to Elders past and present, and acknowledges and recognises the primacy of Traditional Owners’ obligations, rights and responsibilities to use and care for their traditional lands and waters.

Funding Partners
   

News & Events

Farmer wants a field 

On Saturday 21st August from 9am-12pm, Upper Goulburn Landcare Network are hosting a field day in Alexandra discussing regenerative agriculture principles, practical grazing management, property planning and a hands-on cell grazing demonstration with local farmer, Daniel Kelton.

For further information and registration contact Cat on uglandcare@gmail.com  

Road to Net Zero: Engaging in Environmental Markets

On previous webinar Farmers for Climate Action looked at understanding environmental markets, how they work and what farmers can sell - watch recording here.

On Thursday 26th August at 12pm on zoom will explore how farmers can engage in these markets in a way that puts farmers at the forefront of the process.

 

Diving into the world of Choughs and Noisy Minors

Join ANU from 12pm-1pm on August 27th online, as they will be diving into the world of Choughs and Noisy Minors. The luchtime session will focus on these species and boosting birds on farms. Ecologists will lead the discussion and presentation.

Biolinks Alliance 2021 annual symposium Leaky Landscapes

On October 8th and 9th online, Climate proofing our landscapes and biodiversity will be looking at practical approaches to fixing the damaged landscapes of central Victoria, making them more absorbent (less leaky) and so more biologically productive and better able to withstand the impacts of climate change. 

Solar on-farm webinar recording

Geoff Lodge, CEO of GV Community Energy, explores solar on-farm. During the webinar Geoff explained where solar is suitable on-farm, getting the most out of solar, understanding the process of connecting to the grid to export excess electricity generated and the maintenance requirements of solar.

 

Nature-led Community Recovery Grants

Applications are open for the second round of the Victorian Government’s Nature-led Community Recovery Grants.
Grants of up to $5,000 are available for bushfire-affected communities to deliver projects to assist nature’s recovery.
Eligible projects include: Nature-based projects; Projects benefitting wildlife and habitats
Educational or arts programs that connect local environmental recovery with human recovery.
  		 

The Great Australian Platypus Search


  the Great Australian Platypus Search is running from August to October and registrations are officially open! 

One of Australia’s most unique and iconic creatures is now at risk of extinction. Suffering under the impacts of habitat loss, drought, climate change and last summer’s bushfires, there is now mounting evidence showing rapid platypus population decline.

By volunteering as a citizen scientist in The Great Australian Platypus Search, you will help map platypus populations across Victoria and fill a critical gap in our knowledge of this notoriously elusive species.

For further information or to order a hard copy of the newsletter please contact:

Goulburn Broken CMA
168 Welsford Street (PO Box 1752) | Shepparton, Victoria 3630 | Phone: 03 5822 7700
Email: reception@gbcma.vic.gov.au | Website: www.gbcma.vic.gov.au

The Goulburn Broken CMA acknowledges and respects First Nations people and the deep connection they have with their land and waters.


We acknowledge the Yorta Yorta and Taungurung people and their ancestors/forbears as Traditional Owners of the land and waters in the Goulburn Broken Catchment (and beyond). We value our ongoing partnerships with Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation and Taungurung Land and Waters Council for the health of Country and its people.


We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging and acknowledge and recognise the primacy of Traditional Owners obligations, rights and responsibilities to use and care for their traditional lands and waters.

Shepparton
168 Welsford Street, PO Box 1752, Shepparton VIC 3630
T (03) 5822 7700
F (03) 5831 6254

Benalla
89 Sydney Road, PO Box 124, Benalla VIC 3672
T (03) 5822 7700

Yea
Shop 5/10 High Street, Yea VIC 3717
T (03) 5822 7700

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