agroforestry options in the border rivers-gwydir...
TRANSCRIPT
Agroforestry options in the
Border Rivers-GwydirCatchment
Table of Contents
The purpose of this booklet 2
The Border Rivers-Gwydir catchment 2
What is Agroforestry? 3
Agroforestry in the catchment 3
Why should I consider Agroforestry? 4
What should I plant? 5
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Suggested species for Agroforestry in the Border Rivers-Gwydir catchment
How should I plant it?
Where can I get my plant stock?
7 steps to successful establishment
Costs and returns
Carbon credits
Legislation
Further information and support
The CMA can help you
Notes
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The BRG catchment spans over a large area, approximately 50,000 square kilometres and is boarded by Tenterfield in the north, Uralla in the south and Mungindi in the west.
Climatic and topographic variations are considerable across the catchment. Annual rainfall averages in the catchment range across the region from 450mm to 900mm (i.e. Tenterfield 800mm and Mungindi 450mm).
The Border Rivers-Gwydir catchment
The purpose of this booklet This booklet was designed and written to provide some of the basic concepts of agroforestry. It is an introductory resource that summarises the key points from the full report “Agroforestry options in the Border Rivers-Gwydir catchment”. This report is available from the Border Rivers-Gwydir Catchment Management Authority (BRG CMA).
Soils in the catchment are diverse. This diversity is caused by the range of geology, climatic zones and long histories of uplift, erosion and deposition.
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What is Agroforestry? Agroforestry, also known as farm forestry, is the integration of trees into an agriculture system to produce forest products and/or to benefit farm productivity. Agroforestry is not intended on turning farmers into foresters, it is about fitting forestry into the farming culture.
Agroforestry is about multipurpose land use, it is not always intended that a direct income be obtained from the timber the trees ultimately produce, values of trees on the land are multiple and vary widely.
Neville Bryant, “Grandview”
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In the past many landholders in this region have either had bad experiences with or have shied away from agroforestry for many good reasons such as:
there is a lack of demonstrated financial data; there is a lack of understanding about trees; forestry is a long term investment; there is an uncertain outcome; and the environmental factors within the catchment make such an enterprise questionable.
Some landholders have tried agroforestry and are doing it well. Others have had mixed success. This could well be attributed to the lack of knowledge in the area on agroforestry systems.
This booklet provides information to increase landholders’ knowledge about agroforestry in the BRG catchment. It also provides sources of information for those interested in exploring agroforestry further.
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Agroforestry in the catchment
Benefits from trees on farms are many and varied. These values may include:
�. Direct values from products such as timber and oil sales.
Why should I consider Agroforestry?
Milled timber, “East Oaks”
2. Indirect values in a multitude of forms coming from:
• stock feed during drought events; • improved stock productivity and survival as a result of the
addition of shade; • increased crop yields as a result of the employment of
windbreaks; • salinity and erosion mitigation; and • assistance in natural pest control.
3. Environmental values that are associated with the maintenance of the biodiversity value of the land.
Other values include the enhanced aesthetic value of the land and improved microclimate around farm residence and work areas.
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What should I plant?
When considering suitable species for a particular agroforestry system it is important to consider the following points. Species should:
• be adapted to climatic and environmental conditions (species-site matching);
• be able to provide the desired outcome, including multiple benefits;
• possess an adequate growth rate for the purpose; • give a product that is commercially recognised (if it is
biomass based); and • have a proven track record.
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Species lists have been previously published that guide landholders in selecting suitable species. The information contained within this document should be used as a guide only. It is extremely important to consider each enterprise as unique in not only the local environmental conditions but the specific objectives of the forest enterprise.
The best species guide available to landholders is observation of the existing trees on their land. Native forest occurring on your land or in your local area can tell you a lot about the productive capacity of your site.
The following table provides a summary of species which are suggested options for agroforestry in the BRG catchment.
Native forest, near Graman
Suggested species for Agroforestry
Scientific Name Common Name Soils Uses
Eucalyptus macrorhyncha
Red Stringybark Shallow and poor
Sawn timber, fencing, rutin, honey
Eucalyptus radiata Narrow-leaved Peppermint
Sandy loam, moist soils
Sawn timber, oil
Callitris glaucophylla White Cypress Pine Prefers sandy soils
High quality saw products, panelling and flooring
Eucalyptus blakelyi Blakely’s Red Gum Heavy to well drained soils
Shade, firewood
Corymbia citriodora Lemon Scented Gum Sandy loam Sawn timber
Eucalyptus camaldulensis
River Red Gum Heavy soils Shade, shelter, firewood, sawn timber
Eucalyptus melliodora Yellow Box Heavy to well drained soils
Farm wood, firewood, good honey trees
Casuarina cunninghamiana
River Oak Alluvial soils and sandy loams
Windbreak, timber
Eucalyptus sideroxylon
Mugga Ironbark Shallow and poor, well drained
Sawn timber
Pinus radiata Monterey Pine or Radiata Pine
Well drained soils
Sawn timber, windbreak
Eucalyptus bicostata Southern Blue Gum Clay loams Sawn timber
Eucalyptus melanophloia
Silver Leaved Ironbark
Soils ranging from heavy to light
Sawn timber, fencing, honey
Brachychiton populneus
Kurrajong Heavy to well drained soils
Shade, fodder
Atriplex nummularia Old Man Saltbush Heavy soils Shade, fodder
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Suggested species for Agroforestry
in the Border Rivers-Gwydir catchment
Grows Comments South and East of Warialda on lighter soils
Is tolerant of both poor soils, drought and frost, this may however induce slow growth
Northern Tablelands This species produces high grade oil, has been grown and harvested north of Uralla for this very purpose
Throughout catchment Slow growth, has a tendency to lock up in thickets in local native forests
Throughout catchment Spreading crown, typically possesses poor form
Northwest Slopes and Plains Frost sensitive when young, trialled successfully near Wee Waa
Northwest Slopes and Plains Generally exhibits poor form, beautiful timber used extensively for decorative products and furniture, also structural beams and bridges
Northwest Slopes and Plains Trialled successfully at Wallangra, dense timber great for firewood and on farm use
Northern Tablelands, Northwest Slopes and Plains
High frost and salt tolerance, moderate drought tolerance, grows well along water courses
Northwest Slopes and Plains Grows well with River Red Gum, is capable of growth outside of flood zones
Northern Tablelands High frost tolerance, low drought tolerance
Higher rainfall regions, toward the top end of the catchment
Trialled successfully at Wallangra
Upper North west plains and tablelands
Trialled successfully at Wallangra
Throughout catchment Slow growing, high value fodder
Lower catchment, west of Warialda and Yetman
Deep rooting fodder shrub, good for salinity control however does need soil dry periods
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When designing the tree plantings it is important to keep in mind the specific objectives of the plantings.
Generally there are three main design layouts:
blocks; belts; and wide spaced plantings.
The latter two are the most appropriate within this catchment and are indicative of successful agroforestry systems. Belts have the advantage of doubling as windbreaks while wide spaced plantings are common amongst horticulture/grazing operations.
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How should I plant it?
Belt planting, “East Oaks”
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extra cost, if required.
Bilary Nursery Yarrie Lake Road Wee Waa NSW 2388
Tel: 02 6795 6�46
Field’s Native Nursery 23 Rowan Avenue Uralla NSW 2358
Tel: 02 6778 3���
www.fieldsnativenursery.com
Kentucky Tree Nursery “Dandioo” Kentucky NSW 2354
Tel: 02 6778 7342
Forests NSW Gwydir Hwy Inverell NSW 2360
Tel: 02 672� 0�03
Priests Greenhouse Nursery PO Box 488 Inverell NSW 2360
Tel: 02 672� 076�
Black Mountain Nursery “Forres” Black Mountain NSW 2365
Tel: 02 6775 0��7
Mole Station Nursery “Mole Station” Tenterfield NSW 2372
Tel: 02 6737 5429
Forests NSW Nursery
Where can I get my plant stock?
Stock can either be propagated by the operator or ordered through suppliers. For large operations it is often more cost effective to buy from professional tree growers.
The following is a list of local nurseries that will be able to supply you with the seedlings of your choice. It is important to contact your nursery of choice as soon as a decision is made, they need plenty of notice. Some nurseries will offer to grow seed from local provenances or seed of your choice.
Aim to have your seedlings ordered before starting bed preparation or fallow period. Expect to pay between 70c to $�.70 per seedling, most nurseries can supply tree guards and stakes at
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The following steps occur over a period of around �2 months. For a suggested timeline see the full report.
Step 1: Fence. Stock exclusion is an important step in ensuring a good survival rate.
Step 2: Deep rip. With a bulldozer or tractor and a ripping implement break the subsurface to aid in root development and rainfall infiltration. This step is not always required, but helps where
7 steps to successful establishment
Rip and mounding implement (Photo: Shane Andrews, 2004)
necessary.
Step 3: Knockdown weeds. Weed control is absolutely critical for the successful establishment of seedlings.
Step 4: Fallow. Fallowing is merely a rest period for the soil, it allows soil to regain a good moisture content which will be used by the seedlings upon planting.
Step 5: Cultivate. Loosens the soil to encourage strong root growth and rainfall infiltration. It can also be used to accumulate highly nutritious topsoil into the planting beds (mounding).
Step 6: Apply residual herbicide. Provides a long term barrier against weed growth ensuring maximum tree productivity.
Step 7: Plant and water. There are many methods used to plant trees, some highly automated while some remain quite basic. Completely bury the root plug and water with at least � litre per seedling.
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Returns from agroforestry are multiple and varied across the catchment. Income from sawn timber alone is very marginal even in the higher rainfall areas (east). Shade, shelter and biodiversity benefits remain consistent throughout the catchment and are particularly hard to put a value on.
For forest enterprises where the majority of any benefit will be concentrated in timber, the quality of the stem ultimately governs the final end use hence the price that it will attract. Prices range from around $�00 per cubic metre to $5 per cubic metre depending on the product.
Shade Shelter
Timber Shade Shelter
Costs and returns
Establishment costs are likely to be between $�000 and $�500 per hectare at a stocking density of around 800 stems per hectare. This price includes contract planting, extensive bed preparation and weed control. This estimate may be reduced in some cases or increased in others depending on site characteristics, machinery and labour available by the landholder.
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A new opportunity is now being rapidly developed and is a means for landholders to offset the expense of tree establishment. This is by selling the carbon sequestered by the trees.
A conservative estimate of income from such an enterprise in a “pay as you grow” arrangement would be the accumulation of 5 tonnes of carbon per hectare. Trading at $�0 per tonne for every hectare revegetated an annual income of around $50 per hectare before tax and any relevant fees would be expected.
At present there is a set of criteria that has to be met for a landholder to be able to actively trade carbon. All of the restrictions placed on the accessibility to the market are quite easily overcome by agroforestry enterprises. Further development in this industry is expected in the near future.
Carbon credits
Radiata Pine grown in conjunction with various Eucalypts, “East Oaks”
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Legislation
The major piece of legislation that landholders should be aware of is the Plantations and Reafforestation Act 1999.
After the development of the Plantations and Reafforestation Act a code of practice for plantation management was developed to set some environmental protection standards. It sets standards on general forest operations such as clearing, retained areas of vegetation, road construction and maintenance, slope restrictions,
NEW SOUTH WALES GOVERNMENT
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buffer zones and habitat retention. It aims to minimise forestry induced environmental degradation.
There are four categories of plantation recognised under the current legislation:
1. complying plantations; 2. non-complying plantations; 3. exempt farm forestry plantations; and 4. existing plantations.
There is a basic criteria in determining which of these categories a proposed plantation will fall. Applications for plantation assessment are currently assessed by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), at no cost to the landholder. Under the current legislation future timber harvest can be guaranteed.
While dealing with legislative matters may seem overwhelming to many of us, remember that the personnel at DNR are there to assist you.
This booklet provides a summary of research into options for Agroforestry in the BRG catchment.
You can obtain the full report “Agroforestry options in the Border Rivers–Gwydir catchment” free of charge from the BRG CMA. This report provides a thorough insight into agroforestry, the status of agroforestry in this region, reference to numerous resources and
Further information and support
Agroforestry training at Nullamanna Station
local case studies.
Northern Inland Forestry Investment Group PO Box ��38 Armidale NSW 2350
Tel: 02 677� 3833
www.nio.com.au
Forests NSW PO Box 63 Baradine NSW 2396
Tel: 02 6843 �607
www.forests.nsw.gov.au
(Photo: Laura McKinley 2005)
Department of Natural Resources �55-�57 Marius Street
PO Box 550 Tamworth NSW 2340
Tel: 02 6764 5900
www.dnr.nsw.gov.au
Department of Primary Industries Tamworth Agricultural Institute
4 Marsden Park Road Calala NSW 2340
Tel: 02 6763 ��00
www.dpi.nsw.gov.au
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Inverell NSW 2360 Tel: 02 672� 98�0 www.brg.cma.nsw.gov.au
Moree NSW 2400 Tel: 02 6757 2550
CMA staff assisting with plant identification (Photo: Jenny Easey, 2006)
The CMA can help you
The BRG CMA is able to give technical advice on such things as local geology, soils, rainfall, species/site matching and stand management.
Funding may also be available for some agroforestry plantings, this may not include plantings that are put in place strictly for “personal gain” that is solely for timber production.
Border Rivers-Gwydir Catchment Management Authority
INVERELL (Head Office) MOREE PO Box 4�� PO Box 569
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Notes
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PRODUCED AND PUBLISHED Border Rivers-Gwydir Catchment Management Authority PO Box 4�� Inverell NSW 2360 Tel: 02 672� 98�0 Fax: 02 672� 9898 www.brg.cma.nsw.gov.au Printed by UNE Printery Armidale from plantation timber Copyright © 2007
AUTHOR Aaron Simmon
DESIGN AND LAYOUT Kelly McCulloch
PHOTOGRAPHS Photographs by Aaron Simmon unless otherwise indicated
DISCLAIMER While all reasonable care has been taken in the preparation of this booklet, the CMA encourages individuals to seek further technical advice where necessary.