Information and Articles

Scientists from Industry & Investment (I&I) NSW and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) staff are working with local landholders and Livestock Health and Pest Authority (LHPA) rangers to test the most effective rates for 1080 aerial baiting of wild dogs.

They will measure the effectiveness of 1080 at rates of 10 baits per kilometre and 40 baits per kilometre against a control with no 1080 bait in this research project funded through the Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre and NPWS.

The Livestock Health and Pest Authorities State Management Council has developed a new shorter training course which will allow landholders to use 1080 and Pindone baits on their properties.

Funded and approved by the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (DECCW), all LHPAs across the state are now offering a three-hour course to give landholders a clear understanding of 1080 and Pindone use and their legal obligations.

Vaccinating your herd with a 5-in-1 vaccine prevents costly stock losses for around 35 cents a dose.

The Agrifarm AV series aerators are 3pt linkage mounted rolling tine aerators. Ideal for shattering hard setting soil, allowing increased water absorption into the soil and expansion of the root zone for pasture and crops. The AV series aerators can be fitted with the small seeds, C seeder allowing a one pass operation with aeration, seeding and harrowing.

Features

What are good bugs?

Most pest species (bad bugs) have natural enemies (good bugs) that regulate their populations. These good bugs are known as beneficial organisms (also called ‘beneficials’) and include predators and parasitoids. They form the biological component of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy.

How can I use beneficials on my small farm?

The public has been reminded to keep watch for significant weeds which could germinate after recent rainfall.

The call from the Department of Agriculture and Food comes after the discovery of the declared weed Mexican Poppy in Bunbury.

Technical officer Brett Vukelic said six plants had been discovered on a construction site in the city during a routine inspection by the department.

“Mexican Poppy is a P2 declared weed in the South West, which means it must be destroyed,” Mr Vukelic said.

 Weeds pose a serious threat to human and animal health, to primary production and to our natural environment. Weeds reduce farm productivity, displace native species and contribute to on-going land degradation and reduced land values. (Photo shows cattle dead after feeding on the noxious weed, green cestrum (Cestrum parqui).

Where to start?
A small farm will have existing fences in various states of repair (from new to many years old) with some of them no longer being stock proof. A great place to start when looking at fencing is to establish a budget and to work out the maximum amount you are able to spend.

 Clipex™ technology replaces the old hole in the post with an advanced and extremely simple slot and clip system. No more tie-  clips or tie wire and our patent pending design allows you to easily “clip” in all wire types. Panel mesh, barb wires, plain wire,  insulators, and standoffs can all be quickly clipped into the post with no special tools required or fiddly parts to lose.

Monitoring and reporting
The control of pest animals on private land in New South Wales is the responsibility of the owner/occupier under the Rural Lands Protection Act. There are 3 declared species being rabbits, pigs and wild dogs that must be continuously controlled. These pests cost agriculture money in terms of  lost production and infection of exotic diseases whilst also causing irreversible damage to the environment.