Rural Round Up Archives - Page 2 of 23

Showcasing Innovation And Sustainability In Central West Agriculture

August 21, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Through the Adapt 2 project, Central West Local Land Services is gearing up for a season of hands-on learning and collaboration with a series of spring events designed to engage local farmers and showcase practical strategies for sustainable agriculture.

On 3 September, the Parkes Grazing Forum will bring together producers, researchers and industry experts to explore innovative grazing strategies and share insights on improving pasture management and livestock productivity.

In October, a series of field days will provide hands-on learning at dual-purpose cropping trial sites, showcasing how integrated cropping systems can boost both profitability and sustainability. Walks of the National Variety Trials will showcase new varieties, discussing traits and potential fits for farming systems across the Central West.

“Through our Adapt 2 project, we’re building strong peer networks and providing practical skills that help producers adopt low-emission practices, improve efficiency, and participate in carbon and natural capital conservation,” said Pip Doolan, Senior Land Services Officer.

Farmers can register for the Parkes Grazing Forum via nsw.gov.au/lls-events.

To learn more about the spring field days or the Adapt 2 project, contact Central West ag team on 1300 795 299.

Rural Ambassador Information Afternoon

August 7, 2025 By Roxane Manley

The call out is for entrants between 18 and 29 years of age with a passion for rural and regional Australia.

The Rural Ambassador Award is a National Competition that highlights and celebrates young people who have a genuine interest in rural and regional Australia.

The Parkes Rural Ambassador competition has been running since 2022. The three previous winners of the competition were Jess Kinsela in 2024, Joel Maguire in 2023 and Sally Wright in 2022.

The competition aims to build and develop the skills of our future leaders, volunteers and community members through a professional development series.

Ali Hall from The Parkes Show Committee said “Anyone that is interested in what the competition is and is considering doing something to develop their professional skills and get involved in the Parkes community or the local show. Bring a friend and enjoy a chat, over a beer and pizza, with some of the committee members and other potential entrants.”

Participation in the Parkes Show Rural Ambassador competition offers more than just a chance to win a title. It provides an opportunity to connect with like minded individuals who share a passion for agriculture and community involvement.

“The information afternoon will be an informal gathering. There will be information and entry forms available and the opportunity for those considering the opportunity to ask questions or get a better feel for the event. Organised as a light hearted, drop in and bump out as works for each person from 6pm until 8pm,” said Ali.

Event organisers are hugely thankful for the sponsors of the competition, Sunrise Energy, Worklocker, Tanswell Transport, The Corner Office Co, Parkes Decor Shoppe, Double J Angus and Somewhere…in Parkes.

The Rural Ambassador Information Afternoon is being held Friday 8th August from 6pm at ‘Somewhere In Parkes’ 310-314 Clarinda St. You can call the Show Office on 0467 622 580 or just pop into the Show office at 61 Welcome St.

Complacency Is One Of Agriculture’s Most Dangerous Habits

July 24, 2025 By Roxane Manley

We’ve all heard it. We’ve all said it. “It’s fine, I’ve done it a hundred times before.” As National Farm Safety Week continues, Farmsafe Australia is turning its attention to one of the most stubborn, and underestimated, risks in agriculture: complacency.

Farmsafe Chair Felicity Richards says complacency often doesn’t look like a risk at all because it wears the mask of routine, experience, and efficiency.

“Complacency isn’t about being careless,” says Richards. “It’s about being too comfortable. Too familiar. Too confident that things will go as they always have. And that’s when the cracks start to show.”

This year’s Safer Farms Report shows the confronting truth: despite new tech, better gear and more awareness, serious injuries and near misses are not going down.

In 2024, 72 people lost their lives on Australian farms which is more than double the year before, and the highest fatality figure in over two decades.

Many of those incidents involved common, everyday jobs; moving vehicles and equipment, operating tractors, handling stock. “These aren’t extreme, one-in-a-million scenarios,” says Richards. “They’re ordinary jobs. The kind we do all the time. And that’s exactly what makes them dangerous.”

Local Land Services’ Annual Farm Census Underway

July 3, 2025 By Roxane Manley

NSW landholders are being asked to report their livestock numbers and land use information as part of Local Land Services’ annual farm census.

The Annual Land and Stock Return collects information that helps shape the delivery of essential animal health and biosecurity services and prepare for emergencies such as bushfires and biosecurity outbreaks.

Landholders must lodge their return by 31 August 2025 via the online portal or by completing the paper form received via mail.

LLS’ Executive Director Delivery, Rob Kelly, said the Annual Land and Stock Return helped paint a picture of agricultural land use and livestock across NSW. “If you need advice or support, please reach out to Local Land Services on 1300 795 299 or visit your nearest office.”

There are more than 170,000 landholders across NSW. Those without stock still need to complete their returns to avoid unnecessary fees. The Animal Health and Meat Industry Levy is automatically applied to a landholder’s next Local Land Services rates notice if they fail to complete their return.

Landholders can visit nsw.gov.au/alsr or scan the QR code on their Annual Land and Stock Return notice.

Landholders Asked To Lookout For Rock Fern

June 19, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Plants vary between 10cm and 30cm in height and have a reddish-brown central stalk with a bright green fern leaf.

Central West Local Land Services is urging livestock owners to be on the lookout for rock or bracken fern in their grazing paddocks, which can cause toxicity.

Found in many parts of the Central West region, rock fern is a hardy plant that survives dry conditions and reshoots readily after rain in autumn and winter.

These fronds are particularly toxic to cattle, and less commonly sheep. While not overly palatable, stock will consume rock fern when feed is limited, or they may ingest it incidentally when the plant is present amongst short green, or dry standing feed.

Hungry, young and naïve stock are most at risk.

Nik Cronin Central West Local Land Services District Veterinarian said, “The prolonged dry following summer, and the late autumn break have provided ideal conditions for rock fern.

“The movements of young trade cattle, as well as the influx of cattle from droughtaffected areas into our region have also increased the risk. Our records show that cases most commonly occur in the months of May-July, peaking to a high in June.

“Two cases have recently been diagnosed in the last week within the Central West Local Land Services region – one case in agistment cattle near Narromine with 6 out of 48 animals affected – 4 deaths, and the other in trade weaners at Coonabarabran with 14 out of 34 affected – 3 dead.

“For now we would recommend that producers check grazing paddocks for rock fern. If rock fern is present where stock are grazing then they should be removed” Nik said.

If you have deaths or signs of toxicity in your livestock, please call your veterinarian.

Help Combat Invasive African Boxthorn

June 5, 2025 By Roxane Manley

African boxthorn (Lycium ferocissimum) is one of the most invasive and damaging weeds threatening the region’s environment, agriculture, and biodiversity.

Parkes Shire Council is calling on residents to be vigilant in identifying and reporting African boxthorn (Lycium ferocissimum), one of the most invasive and damaging weeds threatening the region’s environment, agriculture, and biodiversity.

Native to southern Africa and introduced to Australia in the mid-1800s, African boxthorn has become a widespread and destructive pest species. It forms dense, thorny thickets that can reach up to five metres in height, hindering access for both livestock and people, outcompeting native plants, degrading bushland, and providing shelter for invasive animals such as rabbits and foxes.

Michael Chambers, Environment and Sustainability Manager at Parkes Shire Council said “This plant is extremely versatile and thrives in a wide range of climates and ecosystems.”

“African boxthorn is one of the worst weeds in Australia due to its invasiveness and the serious economic and environmental impacts it causes.”

African boxthorn is a listed Weed of National Significance (WONS) and is considered a Priority Weed in New South Wales. It reduces agricultural productivity, is toxic to humans and animals, and spreads rapidly through birds, water, vehicles, and dumped garden waste.

The plant is easily identified by its pale lilac to white tubular flowers with purple blotches, bright green teardrop-shaped leaves, and small orange to red berries about one centimetre in diameter.

“We’re here to support the community in managing this weed, but lasting success depends on all of us working together,” Mr Chambers added.

Residents are urged to report any sightings of African boxthorn, especially along roadsides, creek lines, and public reserves.

For assistance with weed identification, contact Council’s Biosecurity Team on 02 6861 2343. For information, visit https://www.parkes.nsw.gov.au/Services/Biosecurity.

Flock To Cowra For Sheep Muster

May 15, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Central Tablelands Local Land Services is announcing Sheep Muster 2025 – an unmissable opportunity for sheep producers.

Taking place in Cowra, Sheep Muster is a free event that will focus on opportunities for improved performance and positioning production to meet demands driven by the consumer, with presentations highlighting the future industry and market direction.

Senior Land Services Officer Peter Evans says local producers will be sharing how they’re adapting their businesses to tackle current industry challenges. In addition to presentations and panels, Sheep Muster will feature a range of trade stands and plenty of opportunity to chat with industry specialists and innovative producers over morning tea and lunch.

Sheep Muster will take place at the Cowra Services Club on 5 June from 9am to 3pm. Bookings are essential – www.lls.nsw.gov.au/regions/central-tablelands/events For more information contact Peter Evans on 0438 496 851 or via peter.evans@lls.nsw.gov.au

Let’s Get The Bush Connected This Election

April 16, 2025 By Roxane Manley

The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has called for commitments from all sides of politics to bridge the digital divide for rural and regional Australians in this election.

NFF President David Jochinke said that while significant investment has been made, we’re still a long way from fixing the rural and regional connectivity problem.

“Whether it’s calling for help in an emergency, coordinating logistics during harvest, or simply staying connected with loved ones – bush connectivity is not a luxury, it’s a lifeline,” Mr Jochinke said.

“Reliable connectivity is critical to keeping people outside major population centres safe and connected, both in times of natural disasters, and in daily farm life.”

Mr Jochinke said rural, regional and remote constituents deserved reliable and resilient connectivity, and he acknowledged productive discussions with telecommunication providers, but it’s time for the Federal Government to step up.

“This election, we’ve put all parties on notice: rural voters are tired of buffering, dropouts and excuses. They want to be connected” Mr Jochinke said.

The NFF has compiled a list of actions that would continue to improve bush connectivity.

The NFF’s Election Platform can be found here keepfarmersfarming.org.au

Tender Submissions Open For Long Term Grazing Permits

March 6, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Livestock producers in NSW are invited to apply for long term grazing access to select Travelling Stock Reserves (TSR). Tender submissions are now open for Long Term Grazing Permits, which are valid for up to five years from July 2025. Permits are allocated via a robust tender process led by Local Land Services. Submissions close at 11:59pm on Sunday 30 March 2025.

Program Lead TSR, Sam Hand, said strategic grazing played an essential role in effective TSR management. “Long Term Grazing Permits allow producers to make long-term business decisions and access TSR for extra fodder to support healthy livestock, particularly during times of drought, feed shortages and other emergencies.

Applicants are required to inspect the TSR before making a submission, to ensure it is fit for their intended grazing usage.

In NSW, there are more than 6,500 TSR on Crown land, covering an area of around two million hectares. Local Land Services manages about 30 per cent of the state’s TSR network, which is approximately 578,000 hectares.

All submissions must be lodged online at https://www.nsw.gov.au/regional-nsw/primary-industries-nsw/travelling-stock-reserves/tsr-permits/long-term-grazing. Applicants can call on 1300 795 299 or visit the website for more information.

Dam Experts Partner With Parkes Shire Council

February 27, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Dam experts from WaterNSW will visit Beargamil and Lake Endeavour dams on 12 March, partnering with Parkes Shire Council to enhance the safety of local dam infrastructure.

The visit to the two dams is part of a WaterNSW partnership with local councils under the NSW Government’s Town Water Risk Reduction Program (TWRRP) which is an initiative of the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).

The TWRRP brings the strengths of major entities in the water sector, like WaterNSW, to local councils, to help improve water security, quality and reliability.

WaterNSW Executive Manager Strategy and Performance, Fiona Smith, said “One of those niche but critically important functions are the five-yearly risk reviews required under the Dams Safety Act 2015 to protect local communities and dam infrastructure.

“One of the big lessons learned from the most recent drought is the water sector must collaborate more closely to build expertise and provide better access to niche skills outside normal local government functions,”“WaterNSW is a national leader in the water sector, operating most of the large dams in NSW, which is why our experts are well placed to help councils and local water utilities identify risks and improvements to dam safety and water quality.

“The site visits to Beargamil and Lake Endeavour dams is the first step in our partnership with Parkes Shire Council.

“We are delighted to have our team working alongside Council officers to advise on their next risk review of these important local dams, and to advise on other potential compliance improvement measures,” Fiona said.

Subscribe