regional director’s report · landcare program funded project to survey and map this weed of...

Barkly House 1st Floor 99 Paterson St PO Box 159, Tennant Creek NT 0861 Fax: 08 8962 4480 ISSN: 1325-9539

CONTENTS Barkly Flora Guide Launched Regional Director’s Report Welcome New Staff Parkinsonia Project Update FrontGate Website Events Calendar Beef Up Forum Greenhouse Gases

JUNE 2008

The first of its kind for the Barkly region, the Field Guide to Plants of the Barkly Region Northern Territory, has been launched. Featuring 375 plant species found across the Barkly Tablelands it alsoincludes photos, notes and informationabout another 125 related species. On launching the field guide Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the Hon. Tony Burke MP Minister remarked that this

DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHER

was his first publication launch since becoming a first publication launch since becoming a Minister. Speaking at the NT Cattlemen’s Association conference in Darwin, he talked about the importance of this guide for the pastoral industry and visitors to the region. Longreach also gave glowing praise, focussing on the practical uses of the guide.

Contd on page 3

New book features 500 Barkly Region Plants

IES AND MINES BARKLY BEEF 1

Regional Director’s Report Now with the

new book, ‘A Field Guide to Plants of the Barkly

D

“Clayton’s Wet” behind us, it’s stock

management Following a very disappointing wet season, all stations

are flat out mustering and trucking. The road transport industry is finding it extremely difficult to recruit drivers to keep up with the demand for stock movements predominately into Queensland. Concerns have been raised regarding the condition of some travelling stock with our Senior Veterinary Officer, Brian Radunz, who in conjunction with the NTCA has contacted the N.T Stock Agents, Transport Operators and Station Owners / Managers informing that ‘Agnotes’ are available to assist in the pre-transport, during transport and on arrival of cattle to their new destination. Livestock welfare outcomes are the responsibility of all parts of the chain, with every section having an obligation to manage cattle in the best way possible during these trying times. If assistance is required from this Department, contact can be made either to Ted Martin (RSI -8962 4490) or Tom Haines (SI -8962 4458) at Barkly House (8962 4484). The Pastoral Production team and DPIFM welcomes our newest member Kristie Cogill. Kristie has been recruited to the position vacated by Ruth Allan whom I believe is enjoying her move across the border. Kristie will be well known to some of our clients, especially those at Brunette Downs and the AACo connections. Kristie brings to the PP team livestock skills from her family property in central Queensland and time spent in the bullock and stud camps at Brunette Downs station. Sarah Streeter was appointed ‘Regional Manager’ of the PP Team just prior to her taking leave, during which she is travelling to the USA, in particular the World Brahman Congress. So if you haven’t placed your order for a present to be brought back, you’re too late. Harmony represented our office at the NTCA –AGM in Darwin, and attended the launch of the

Region’. Harmony is working hard on her project the, ‘Barkly Best Practice Manual’ and some major data analysis from previous trials in the Barkly, despite being in huge demand for her singing talents. I believe the next big ‘gig’ will be in Darwin, followed by a trip to Victoria later in the year. Copies of the comprehensive Barkly plant guide produced by Barkly Landcare Association can be purchased from Landcare staff Drew or Naomi here at Barkly House. This publication makes a great informative present to family and friends travelling through our district. Miss Helen will be joined in early June by Skye Ries who fills a temporary vacancy for administrative staff and will assist Miss Helen, who has been keeping down two positions since the departure of Kate Rush to the Tennant Creek High School. I believe Helen’s colt (the name is still a secret) has been turned out in preparation for the ABC-Brunette Races so we will have to watch the betting in June. Another project originating from the Tennant Creek office, called ‘Drought Preparedness’, has completed its first two properties. This project, in conjunction with DNRETA - Alice Springs, uses satellite mapping, ground inspections & soil tests to establish the water aquifers, their recharges areas, displacements, quality and volume. It takes the guess work out of finding and establishing suitable aquifers to open up country or spread the stocking rates out. Following the completion of the third property to utilise this project in its early stages, DPIFM will be in a position to display the results of this joint partnership. I take this opportunity to thank all those participants involved in our DPIFM "Stakeholders Meeting", whom by now would have received John Carroll's response to queries raised. This will enable the department to have a clearer knowledge of industry expectations and how to better provide services to stakeholders in our region. Looking forward to seeing many of you at the social four day ABC - Brunette Races. Paul Black Regional Director

EPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES AND MINES BARKLY BEEF 2

Barkly Flora Guide launched (continued from front)

The authors Jenny Purdie, Chris Materne and Andy Bubb all lived in Tennant Creek and worked in the Pastoral Production team. Being acutely aware of the need for such a publication they were successful in applying for funding through the National Landcare Programme in conjunction with the Barkly Landcare and Conservation Association. This publication was made possible with the support of AACo, NAPCO, Georgina Pastoral, and the Northern Territory Government. Chair of the BLCA, Henry Burke said “This book will help to enrich the experience of all who work in and visit the Barkly region through providing them with a greater understanding of the plants that exist in this unique environment.”

Jenny says they wanted to collate an easy and simple guide to plants in the Barkly, and after three years they have done just that. "There are about 375 plants featured with photos, descriptions, notes, the meanings of the scientific names, distribution maps, and then there are about another 125 closely related species mentioned , so there are about 500 species altogether." She says the field guide was written for pastoralists because it's important for them to know what plants their cattle are eating. "There's information on nutrition, weeds & poisonous plants, but there's also a lot of plants that I'm sure tourists and people travelling through the region will be interested to know the names of."

The book is available from the Barkly Landcare and Conservation Association for a cost of $35 + postage and packaging if required. See the new website www.barklylandcare.org.au Or for further information contact: Jenny Purdie on 8953 8717 or Drew Gracie (BLCA) 8962 4479 Cover photo: Jenny Purdie, Chris Materne, Hon. Tony Burke MP and Andy Bubb at the launch

Welcome New Staff Kristie Cogill has commenced as our newest Technical Officer in the Tennant Creek Pastoral Production team, she will be assisting with the increased work load of data collection for the Live Weight Gain Project and immersing herself in other day to day duties of the research team. Kristie may be well known to Barkly pastoralists as she spent the the majority of 2006 & 2007 in the stock camp at Brunette Downs Station and this year has been working at Kiana and Kalala Stations.

DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES AND MINES BARKLY BEEF 3

Prior to moving to the Barkly region, Kristie came from

Marlborough, Queensland, where she gained her practical experience working for her family's commercial cattle operation and for Tartrus Brahmans, in stud cattle operations.

Kristie is eager to learn more about the northern Australian pastoral industry and looks forward to working with the DPIFM team and getting to know more people and places on the Barkly.

Mapping Parkinsonia in the Upper Georgina River Catchment As a part of the effort to tackle parkinsonia on the Eastern Barkly, the Barkly Landcare and Conservation Association (BLCA) recently joined with landholders under a National Landcare Program funded project to survey and map this weed of national significance in over 2,500 kilometres of water courses in the Georgina River Catchment.

Most of us have heard the saying “you can’t manage what you can’t measure” and can appreciate the value of a good quality dataset when working with our natural resources. Unfortunately when it came to parkinsonia in the Georgina River Catchment, land managers were unable to take advantage of these benefits, with parkinsonia density and distribution mapping for their area being patchy at best with outdated information in some areas while others had no information at all.

Knowing the density and distribution of a weed in a catchment (especially with a species such as parkinsonia where the primary seed dispersal mechanism relies on the movement of water) can make a considerable difference in the success or otherwise of a management program. Having a good understanding of these factors can assist land managers to better plan a strategic control program applying a catchment-based approach (working from the head waters down), significantly improve their likelihood of achieving their management objectives and increase the long-term return on their investment.

With this in mind, the BLCA and landholders working together under the NLP funded Strategic Management of Parkinsonia aculeata in the Georgina River Catchment – NT project have recently completed a full survey of all major watercourses in the upper Georgina River Catchment (NT). During March and April of this year the group took to the air in both two and four seater helicopters

from North Australian Helicopters to cover an area of over 1,590km2, with the results to be applied in an upcoming treatment program and the future strategic management of the species.

Barkly Landcare parkinsonia project officer Naomi Wilson heads out for a day in the skies


As the primary intention for this data is to apply it to treatment programs, the group needed to capture specific location information on each grouping of multiple plants as well as individual isolated plants. To achieve this they used a handheld PDA with GPS and ESRI ArcPad software and applied the standard Natural Resources Environment and the Arts (NRETA) weed spatial data layer. As the helicopter hovered over each individual plant or grouping of plants, a GPS reading was taken and an estimate of density and diameter was recorded using an automated data capture form developed by the group. In all, 2,247 points and 52.8 km of line data were captured during 48 hours of flight time. Once back in the office this data was processed and maps produced to identify the exact and relative location of parkinsonia infestations across the catchment. These maps, along with the GPS data will assist landholders in returning to and treating these infestations later this year and into the future.

Land managers in the project area will continue to build on this significant data asset, recording changes in density and distribution as well as the treatment activities they carry out at each site for years to come. This information will be provided to NRETA and will build on our collective knowledge of parkinsonia in the Territory, as well as provide valuable insight into successfully managing this species and reducing its impact on primary production values.

For more information on parkinsonia mapping in the Georgina River Catchment or the Strategic Management of Parkinsonia aculeata in the Georgina River Catchment – NT project, please contact the project manager Naomi Wilson on (08) 8962 4494 or at [email protected]. You can also find out more about this and other BLCA projects online at the new website: www.barklylandcare.org.au.


mailto:[email protected]

http://www.barklylandcare.org.au/

CALENDAR OF EVENTS June 12-15 Brunette ABC Races June 20-22 Mount Isa Show July 4-5 Alice Springs Show Alice Springs Ute Muster July 11 Tennant Creek Show Barkly Beef Dinner July 12 Tennant Creek Annual Droughtmaster Bull Sale

DEP

July 18-19 Katherine Show July 19 Katherine Campdraft July 20 Katherine Rodeo August 6 Kidman Springs Beef Up Forum August 8-10 Mount Isa Rodeo August 29-31 Spell Bore Campdraft

Cattle Pregnancy Diagnosis Course The NT Rural College conducts Short Courses in Cattle Pregnancy Testing and Workplace Assessment for Experienced Operators The short course in cattle pregnancy diagnosis is run over a 2 and a half day period and subject to numbers a course can be arranged to be held on a property in the Barkly Region. If you would like to attend such a course please contact Wilma at the Katherine Rural Campus on (08) 8973 8311 Other skills workshops available through the Rural College include ChemCert certification, basic welding, quad/motorbike operation, 4WD techniques, basic vehicle maintenance, tractor operation, stock waters maintenance, and more. Contact Brian Heim, NTRC Course Coordinator, on (08) 8973 8311 for additional information on courses the College can offer.

ARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES AND MINES BARKLY BEEF 7

Opening the FrontGate to information FrontGate Website Information and Resources for Primary Industry businesses

Ever wondered what training courses are available in grazing management, where to get information on succession planning, or how to get hold of a map of your property? The FrontGate website was launched recently at the 2008 Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association Annual Conference and is designed to give NT primary producers access to a range of information and services that will assist them in their business.

A browse through this website may help you to find just what you are looking for. It may also open your eyes to a lot more information that is out there. The tools and resources available are categorised under three main headings in the business; People, Natural Resource Management and Profitability. You can search by key word or browse the tools listed by subject area to identify those relevant to your needs.

The FrontGate website is designed and managed by the Department of Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines and was funded by the Australian Government. Can’t find what you are looking for or have some comments on the FrontGate website? Please contact Simone White on 8973 9764.

http://www.nt.gov.au/dpifm/Primary_Industry/FrontGate/


WAYBILLS – Have you sent your PINK copies in to your local Stock Inspector?

Note: Pink copies must be sent to DPIFM Stock Inspector within 28 days

Applies to all Livestock Owners – Cattle / Buffalo / Sheep / Goats / Camels / Pigs

Tennant Creek

DPIFM Stock Inspector Primary Industry PO Box 159 TENNANT CREEK NT 0861

Katherine

DPIFM Stock Inspector Primary Industry PO Box 1346 KATHERINE NT 0851

Alice Springs

DPIFM Stock Inspector Primary Industry PO Box 8760 ALICE SPRINGS NT 0871

Australian Rangeland Society Conference

A Climate of Change in the Rangelands The 15th Conference of the Australian Rangeland Society will be held in Charters Towers, Queensland from 28 September – 2 October 2008. The conference theme “A Climate of Change in the Rangelands”

will focus on the changing environmental, social, cultural and economics facing Australia’s rangelands in the future and linking this dynamic to the broader community’s real values concerning the rangelands.

For more information contact

Janine King

07 5547 0774

[email protected]


mailto:[email protected]

Greenhouse gases – what are they, why do they matter and what can we do about them? Robyn Cowley ph 08 8973 9750 What are the greenhouse gases? Greenhouse gases are gases in the air that contribute to the warming of the earth. They occur naturally in the atmosphere and are the reason the earth is so warm. The greenhouse gases work like a blanket on the earth’s surface. Without them the earth would be on average 23oC cooler than it is today – even Darwin would be very cold. The concentration of greenhouse gases have naturally fluctuated in the past, but over the last century, human activities have contributed to increasing levels of some greenhouse gases so that they are now much higher than at any time over the last 400 000 years. For example ice core data tells us that carbon dioxide naturally ranged between 200-300ppm. The current concentration of carbon dioxide is now 380ppm and is predicted to rise to 500-1000ppm by 2100, depending on how the global community manages emissions between now and then. The main greenhouse gases that have increased are carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane. Where do the greenhouse gases come from? Carbon dioxide is mostly from the burning of fossil fuels for transport and energy production. Methane and nitrous oxide are mostly from cattle burping, savanna and agricultural burning and agricultural soils. The NT emitted an estimated 13.5 million tonnes (Mt) of greenhouse gases in 2005, which represents 2.4% of Australia’s emissions for that year. The sectoral composition of NT and Australian emissions are shown in Figures 1-2. Savanna fires are the single major source of greenhouse emissions in the NT. Emissions from the combustion of fuels for stationary energy (e.g. electricity generation) is the second largest source. Agricultural emissions from cattle and agricultural soils combine to contribute 21% of Territory emissions.

Figure 1: NT greenhouse gas emissions by sector 2005

Stationary Energy27%

Transport10%

Agriculture excluding savanna

burning21%

Savanna Burning 35%

LULUCF3%

Waste1%

Other / Rounding3%

LULUCF – Land Use / Land Use Change and


Land Use and land use change 6% Waste 5%%

Industrial p

fug s rocesses /

itive emission11%

Stationary Energy

50%Agriculture a nd savannaburning 16%

igure 2: Australian greenhouse gas emissions by sector 2005

he NT is unique in that agriculture and savanna fires contribute such a large part (more than half

Sector Sub-sector Greenhouse 2005 Em s

(National) (Mt)

% of Total 2005 Em s

% of Total NT


F

Tat 56%), compared to Australia as a whole. The major sources of greenhouse gas emissions from the agriculture and land use sectors, type of greenhouse gas emitted from each source, and the quantity of emissions generated in 2005 are summarised in Table 1.

Gas Emitted ission National Emissions

ission(NT) (Mt)

Emissions

Total 87.9 15.7 7.5 55 Enteric fermentation H4 (methane) (ruminant belching)

C 58.7 10.5 2.3 16.9

Manure ent managem

CH and N O 4 2(nitrous oxide)

3.4 0.6 0 0

Rice cultivation CH4 0.2 0 0 0 Agricultural soils N2O 16.6 3 0.5 4.0Prescribed burning nd N2O 8.7 of savannas

CH4 a 1.5 4.7 34.5

Agriculture

ues 4 2Field burning of

agricultural residCH and N O 0.4 0.1 0 0

Total 33.7 6 0.4 3.3 Afforestation and 5 reforestation

-19.6 -3. -0.1 -0.8 LULUCF

Deforestation 53.3 9.5 0.6 4.1

Table 1: National and NT greenhouse gas emissions in 2005 from the Agriculture and

hat can be done to reduce greenhouse emissions? reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.

dustries that are likely to be included in the NETS are the emissions intensive energy sector and

LULUCF sectors. Source: National Greenhouse Gas Inventory 2005. WThere are several national initiatives to assist Australia toThey include the National Emissions Trading Scheme (NETS) due to start in 2010, and the Emissions Intensity Benchmarking for Agriculture. Insignificantly for the Territory, mining operations and fuels and the distribution level of the supply chain. This will increase the cost of fuel, energy and energy intensive inputs such as fertilisers, chemicals and feedstock. Industry efficiencies may offset this somewhat, but it is likely that the cost of production for resource industries products will increase. Agriculture may not be directly covered in the NETS initially, but the cost of production will increase as a result. Agriculture may be able to create offsets for use in the scheme before it is included directly.

Transport 14%

It is likely that agriculture will eventually be included in the emissions trading scheme, although

missions Intensity Benchmarking for agriculture is a process that aims to assist agricultural

t and soil management of agricultural land

rgy use on farm

an the agricultural sector be a part of the global warming solution? me basic principles are

or agricultural soils, reductions are possible through minimum tillage, best practice fertiliser use,

here is currently no effective way to reduce emissions from cattle on extensive pastures, apart

arbon offsetting cussion about using soil carbon and tree thickening to get carbon credits on

here is also the problem of the requirement of additionality, which is that the activity must be in

groforestry may be an option for carbon credits for areas that were cleared prior to 1990, in the

ummary he last time you will hear about greenhouse gases. Emissions reduction is a massive

the form of this is currently under review. If so, producers may have to offset or pay for their emissions. Eindustries to voluntarily meet emissions reductions, and help prepare agriculture for an eventual inclusion in a NETS. Benchmarks will provide industry with emissions targets, and identifying practices to achieve emissions reductions. There are five main sources of emissions from agriculture that will be benchmarked. • Nitrous oxide from nutrien• Methane from livestock • Carbon dioxide from ene• Emissions from livestock waste • Vegetation as carbon sinks CReducing emissions on farm is still an active area of research, although soknown. For example, less frequent, cooler fires have fewer emissions of nitrous oxide and methane than more frequent, hotter fires. Reducing fossil fuel based power through the use of solar energy and reducing fuel consumption on farm through remote water monitoring technology (to reduce bore runs) are some examples of how new technology can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on farm. Fstubble retention and planting perennial grasses. Tfrom having fewer cattle, although this is an area of ongoing research. CThere is a lot of disfarm. Unfortunately there is much less information about what the real potential for sequestration (storage of carbon in above and below ground plant material) in north Australian systems is and what management is required to achieve this. This is an area of emerging and ongoing research and in the mean time beware the shonks who will try to sell you their carbon wares. The number of providers of offsets in this market is rapidly increasing, as is the number of abatement products available. Like many new markets, there is limited regulation of this market and wide differences in product quality, with the potential for fraud and less than optimal greenhouse outcomes. Taddition to business as usual activity. The other issue is that if you claim on farm credits for soil carbon or forestry that is lost though fire, storm or drought, you will have to pay for your losses of carbon. It is a risky business. Ahigh rainfall zones where trees grow fastest. To be an eligible offset the vegetation needs to have a potential height of at least 2 metres, with a tree crown cover of at least 20% and be areas of cover greater than 0.2ha with a minimum width of 10m. SThis is not tglobal challenge and the game plan is changing rapidly, with continuing development of international and national agreements and policies, as well as new science to answer the questions of what can we do to reduce and offset greenhouse gas emissions.


DPIFM Tennant Creek Staff List Department of Primary, Industry, Fisheries & Mines (DPIFM) Barkly House – 1st Floor 99 Paterson St PO Box 159, Tennant Creek NT 0861

REGIONAL MANAGEMENT & PRIMARY INDUSTRY Fax: 08 8962 4480

Regional Management

Regional Director Paul Black 08 8962 4485

Executive Officer Helen Kempe 08 8962 4484

Administration Officer Skye Ries 08 8962 4488

Animal Health

Regional Stock Inspector Ted Martin 08 8962 4490

08 89622559 (a/h)

Stock Inspector Thomas Haines 08 8962 4458 M: 0401 113 445

Pastoral Production Beef Research Officer Sarah Streeter 08 8962 4487 Pastoral Production Technical Officer Harmony James 08 8962 4483 Pastoral Technical Officer Kristie Cogill 08 8962 4493

If undelivered please return to:

Dept of Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines

PO Box 159 TENNANT CREEK NT 0861

To:

This publication contains commodity market information prepared for DPIFM staff use in strategic research and extension planning. While DPIFM exercise care in the compilation and preparation of this information, no responsibility is taken for its accuracy or for the completeness of any information that is reproduced from other sources. DPIFM denies any loss or damage to any person whether caused directly or indirectly by the use of any of the information provided.

regional director’s report · landcare program funded project to survey and map this weed of...

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