Parkes Phoenix

Our Bees Mean The World To Us

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World Bee Day celebrated on 20th May raised awareness about the essential role these hardworking insects play as pollinators.

Australia is home to over 1,500 species of native bees, and alongside European honey bees, they play an important role in pollinating commercial crops such as mango, blueberry, eggplant, tomato, almonds and macadamia, as well as native plants.

Currently a number of bee pests and diseases are a potential risk to the honey bee industry, environment and to Australia’s native bee populations. In recognition of the crucial role that bees play in supporting food production, the government granted $1.5 million to AgriFutures last year for research to ensure bee health and promote the crucial role bees play in supporting food production.

The Australian Chief Environmental Biosecurity Officer is working with Plant Health Australia to investigate the biosecurity risks to native bees and to improve responsiveness to these risks.

The recent summer of bushfires and drought have had a significant impact on floral reserves and on pollinators. As part of the recovery, beekeepers are currently eligible for grants of up to $75,000 to pay for clean-up and business reinstatement activities.

We Need Our Farmers Now More Than Ever

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The hard work being done by farmers and food processors across NSW to continue to put food on supermarket shelves for Australians during this unprecedented crisis has been praised.

Nationals Upper House MP, Sam Farraway said farmers had continued to provide Australians with three meals a day while still battling the drought.

“At a time of great uncertainty one guarantee is that our farmers will continue to put three meals on our plates every day. We need our farmers now more than ever,” he said.

While recent summer rainfall has topped up dams and rain tanks and left green pick in paddocks, more widespread rain is needed before the conversation can turn to recovery.

“We can’t complain about any amount of rain, every drop in the paddock counts, but we still have a long way to go before we bounce back from this drought,” he said.

“While conversations across the world have rightly turned to beating this virus, we know that more needs to be done to make it through this drought so we can keep feeding Australia and the world.”

“We have seen an incredible uptake of grants under the Drought Transport Subsidy program and funding continues to roll out through the Farm Innovation Fund.”

“Every farmer has had their LLS rates, fixed water charges and vehicle registration costs waived by the NSW Government because we know every dollar saved today will make a difference tomorrow.”

“To all of our farmers and their families I want to say thank you and assure you that we will continue to go above and beyond the $1.9 billion in emergency drought support.”

$1 million For Drought Projects In Parkes Shire

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There was some good news for the Parkes Shire last week when $1 million worth of drought projects were approved for the Parkes Shire under round two of the Drought Communities Programme.

Parkes Mayor Councillor Ken Keith welcomed the injection of funds saying: “These grants are spent around our community, which is now suffering the effects of the drought and COVID-19, and the projects will assist with our community’s resilience in these tough times,” he said.

The projects are: Employment of a Drought Response Officer; refurbishment of the new Parkes library to complete a new build project to provide suitable fittings and furniture and support a new university centre for the region; revitalise Bogan Gate township with air conditioning for the main hall and painting the arts and crafts centre; complete Cookamidgera Hall upgrades; construct new amenities at Pola Park in Tullamore to provide fit for purpose toilet/ shower facilities; provide a modular removal stage structure for the multi-purpose centre in Cooke Park to support events; upgrade changerooms at Berryman Oval in Trundle; improvements to Memorial Park in Peak Hill; install fit for purpose bollards in Cooke Park in Parkes; and the devel- opment of an Adverse Event Plan for the Shire.

RDA Central West Drought Focus

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Sheep finding food on travelling stock route east of Grenfell.

Regional Development Australia (RDA) Central West is calling on all levels of government, business and the community to remain focused on the ongoing impacts of the drought across the Central West.

RDA Central West Chair, Christine Weston said at last month’s board meeting the recent rains in some regions had been most welcome, but the recovery from the drought was a long and ongoing process.

“As a farmer I have directly been impacted by this debilitating drought on a daily basis. It hammers output, productivity and confidence.”

The RDA board moved a motion to ensure supporting the communities impacted by drought and supporting the provision of key services was the priority focus of the organisation for 2020.

“There continues to be sad drought-affected consequences, such as the closure of the Trundle grocery store and farmers across the region still spending thousands a day on stock feed. The economic and social impact on our communities has been immense,” said Christine.

She reminded residents to shop local and support their community when they can, and encourage family and friends to stay, shop and visit in the Central West.

“Backing local communities and businesses drives jobs, boosts confidence, and by visiting our region it is a simple way to show your support, and say we are here and we want to help.”

Polaris To Cease Quad Bike Sales

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Polaris will not be selling their quad bike range (ride on ATV’s) from October this year due to changes in Government Standards for Quad Bikes.

As a retailer of Polaris, Forbes Small Engines have informed customers they will continue to stock all Polaris quad bike models, however some models have already sold out.

Paul and Maree Westcott have been selling quad bikes for many years, but noticed the market had been steadily moving towards the side by side ORV models. “We still have many customers that use ATV’s/quad bikes and this is why we will continue to stock Po- laris quad bike models for as long as they are available.”

Polaris has committed to continuing to support all ATV/quad bikes with parts, accessories and warranty support for the next decade.

Polaris will continue to manufacture for sale around the world, which means parts support will not be affected. Now is the time to get in touch with the Forbes Small Engines team before stock has run out.

LLS Rates Waived For Farmers For Second Year

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The State Government will once again waive all Local Land Services (LLS) rates for this year to provide relief for farmers going through devastating bushfires and crippling drought.

Around 130,000 rates notices were sent to NSW ratepayers last month, however, as part of the NSW Government’s drought relief package, they are not payable for the period.

This includes the general rates and rates for animal health and pests, the meat industry levy and costs for routine stock moving permit and stock identification.

Rates notices will show the usual components, but amounts shown will not be payable.

You do not need to apply for this exemption as it will be automatically applied to landholders.

The NSW Government will compensate Local Land Services for the lost rates revenue, to enable staff to continue their support during these challenging times.

Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall said during these difficult times, every little bit of support counted and that waiving LLS rates would help reduce the cost and psychological burden on hardworking farmers.

The Minister said waiving LLS rates again was just one aspect of the Government’s $3.9 billion drought assistance package, which also includes cost of living pressure relief and subsidies for the transport of fodder.

“We are committed to providing our primary producers with the best support possible to see them through the worst drought in living memory.”

To find out more about available assistance measures and eligibility criteria, visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/climate-and-emergencies/droughthub or phone the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593.

What I Wish I Knew

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The GRDC Emerging Agros Network is designed to offer newcomers to the grains sector an opportunity to boost their professional skills, as well as connect with some of the industry’s most respected consult- ants, farm advisers and researchers.

There will be a network event on 25th February in Dubbo at the Dubbo RSL Memorial Club from 5:10-6:10pm. The free session is open to everyone.

GRDC Senior Regional Manager – North, Gillian Meppem said the initiative aimed to provide critical ‘soft skill’ development, link recent graduates with relevant research resources and offer insights into how experienced advisers handled challenging situations and seasons.

For more information please email rachelb@seedbedmedia.com.au. The sessions are free but please RSVP for catering purposes via www.seedbedmedia.com.au/agronomists.

Rain And Storms

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Photo: Michelle Nash taken in Nash Street

On Sunday a severe thunderstorm and strong winds came through certain parts of Parkes bringing up to 38mm to some and only dust to others. It was very patchy with about 17mm falling in one part and nothing only 2km away.

Drought Funding For Councils

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Parkes Shire Council is among 128 drought-affected councils who can now apply for up to $1 million each under the Drought Communities Programme.

Minister for Drought David Littleproud said the program was to fund council projects that stimulate their local economy.

“We wanted this ready to go before Christmas and now councils can get their applications in.”

“The program delivers more business for suppliers like local hardware stores and more jobs for their communities.”

“In just over 18 months this program will have delivered $250 million to communities in drought.”

$2.5m Soils Improvement Grant

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A consortium of southern NSW farmers will use a $2.5 million government grant to pioneer a new soil modelling system, which has the potential to dramatically boost on- farm sustainability and productivity.

The Temora-based Farmlink Research Ltd’s soil future-proofing project will receive funding under the second round of the $57.5 million Smart Farming Partnerships program.

“We’re excited by this project’s potential to prevent the spread of sub-soil acidification across other agricultural areas of Australia,” said Member for Riverina, and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack.

Michael said current acid soil management practices were based on outdated models which failed to prevent the wide-spread development of subsurface acidity in many cropping and pasture systems.

“Our government is ready to help agriculture become a $100 billion industry by 2030 and we’ll do that in part through in- vesting in innovations such as these.”

“It also aligns well with National Landcare Program priorities and those of the National Soil Research and Development Strategy.”

The Minister for Agriculture, Senator Bridget McKenzie, said that with acidity and declining organic carbon levels impacting half of agricultural soils in southern and central NSW, this project could be a game changer for farmers in those areas.

For more details visit https://www.agriculture.gov.au/ag-farm-food/natural-resources/landcare/national-landcare-program/australian-government-investment-in-landcare

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