Water flow to the site will continue for several weeks until the ponds are flooded to capacity.

The first drops of water have trickled into Parkes Wetlands, supplying the site for the first time in more than five years. While only a small portion of the total area has been flooded, waterbirds have already been observed returning to the wetland.

Parkes Wetlands will herald a new era for local birdwatching opportunities, ecotourism, and nature-based recreation. Parkes Shire Council is in the process of transforming a disused area close to town into a vital, thriving refuge for wetland-dependent species.

Once completed, the site will be an attractive and accessible public space for residents and visitors to connect with nature. The expected positive outcomes are wide-ranging and include benefits for regional biodiversity, the local and regional economy, public health, and social connection.

Planned future projects at the site will provide walking tracks, double-story bird hides, an amenities block, car parking, interpretive signage, cultural art and sculpture, over-water viewing platforms, and an outdoor learning space.

Local Parkes resident Andrew Tom has been monitoring birds at the site over many years. Mr Tom said some of the more notable visitors have included migratory shore birds that fly from regions as far north as Siberia. Historical bird records at the site include the Freckled Duck, Black-tailed Godwit, and Curlew Sandpiper, all listed as ‘threatened’ in NSW.

Central West Lachlan Landcare Chair Margot Jolly, a long-time advocate of the project, said she is thrilled to see Council develop an asset that will enhance important waterbird habitat. “Parkes and our surrounding region stand to benefit greatly from the rehabilitation of these wetlands” she said.

This project has been supported by the NSW Government through its Environmental Trust, whose Restoration and Rehabilitation program assists community and government organisations to contribute to the ongoing sustainable management and stewardship of significant environmental assets and services in NSW.

Farmers around Australia have welcomed the Federal Treasurer’s announcement on tackling big business market power after the big two supermarkets posted enormous profits this week.

On Tuesday Coles announced a whopping $1.098 billion profit while Woolworths announced a mind blowing $1.62 billion profit on Wednesday. 

NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin said it was very disappointing that every one of those dollars came out of an Australian’s pocket at a time when families were struggling to make ends meet, repeating calls for action from the federal government.

“Families are facing huge cost of living pressures while farmers are getting paid cents on the dollar for their produce, and the two biggest companies in the middle of the fresh food supply chain are getting fat,” Mr Martin said.

“Farmers have been consistently telling us they’re not getting paid anywhere near what the food they produce is retailing for, so it’s hardly surprising Coles and Woolworths are turning such eye-watering profits.

“No-one is saying Coles and Woollies can’t make a profit – it’s just the size of those profits during a cost of living crisis that is the issue,” Mr Martin said.

Sweeping paddocks of grain crops are a familiar sight across much of regional Australia, but how many stop to think that those crops end up in their sandwich or breakfast bowl?

In fact, the average Aussie wheat farmer produces enough grain to make 3 million loaves of bread and 2 million tins of Milo.

In the final week of a crusade to better connect consumers with where their food comes from – and to value that food – the NFF-led campaign under the Australians Farmers platform aims to connect those dots.

NFF President Fiona Simson, hoped the Australian Farmers campaign had opened people’s eyes to the work farmers invested into growing food sustainably.

“This week we’re putting the spotlight on a household staple – bread. It’s main ingredient, wheat, is also a staple in the farming world,” she said.

Australia produces 23 million tonnes of wheat each year. This is used in bread, pasta, pizza dough, cake, instant noodles, dumpling skins and even animal feed.

Bread is one of the most wasted foods in Australia, bread is too precious to waste, store it properly and learn what to do if it goes stale

A new report released last week confirms the Australian horticulture industry will be making an essential contribution to attaining the ambitious goal of $100 billion in national agricultural value by 2030.

Commissioned by Hort Innovation and delivered by The Centre for International Economics, the Contribution of Australian horticulture industry report predicts the sector will witness a 22.5 per cent increase in combined value by 2030, to reach $21.8 billion.

Jolyon Burnett, Chair of the NFF Horticulture Council, said the anticipated additional $4 billion generated by horticulture equated to half the value needed across the whole of agriculture to hit the $100 billion target on today’s figures. “The horticulture sector, including fruits, vegetables, nuts and also our turf, nursery and garden industries, has experienced solid growth, backed by strong demand and innovation, with this trend set to continue,” said Mr Burnett.

“We continue to punch well above our weight, being among the most efficient industries in converting valuable land, energy and water resources into more jobs and greater wealth across regional Australia.

“And with fewer than 1 in 10 Australians eating the recommended daily intake of vegetables, half eating enough fruit, and with diet-related chronic diseases currently the major causes of premature death and disability among adults in Australia, we have an opportunity and responsibility to grow our domestic markets. 

“These are all opportunities we need to address in partnership, with state and federal governments, but also other organisations and businesses who share our goals.”

The NSW Government this week announced $31 million to support beekeepers, horticulture and cropping industries affected by the Varroa mite outbreak.

Minister Moriarty said Varroa mite will add an estimated $52 million per year in apiary management expenses. The impacts without intervention would be severe on both the wild European honey bee population as well as managed hives around Australia.

In the past year:

• 2,148 people have spent an estimated 452,569 hours on the response across 990,400 hectares of eradication (red) zones

• The NSW DPI has fielded more than 10,000 calls, and has held close to 100 community

• meetings and webinars;

• The Wild European Honey Bee Management Program has deployed 705 bait stations, 823 Fipronil applications, and has been monitoring samples of Wild European Honey Bees collected in Emergency Eradication Zones for Varroa mite of which 725 have returned negative results;

• The NSW DPI has sampled 40,726 managed hives across NSW;

• Beekeepers have sampled 91,626 hives throughout the state.

The NSW Government has already spent more than $33 million to control Varroa outbreaks, including $13.7 million in reimbursement to around 2,500 affected commercial and recreational beekeepers.

Minister Moriarty said an updated plan for the next three years of the response had been endorsed by the National Management Group, which includes representatives from all states, the Commonwealth and industry groups.

Farmers and agronomists in the Western region in NSW are dealing with several difficult-to-control weeds, and herbicide resistance is adding to the challenge.

For the past ten years, WeedSmart has promoted science-backed weed management tactics proven to work in the field to drive down weed numbers and contain herbicide resistance in dryland and irrigated cropping systems. 

Project manager, Jessica Strauss, says that the tenth WeedSmart Week event, planned for Dubbo in early August, promises to deliver practical solutions to the weed management challenges facing growers on the Western Plains. 

“The 3-day event will delve into ways to mix and rotate herbicides within a diverse cropping rotation that tackles herbicide resistance head-on,” she says. “Local agronomists and growers will speak about how they are disrupting weed cycles and using mechanical and cultural practices to underpin their herbicide programs to drive down the weed seed bank in crop and in the fallow.” 

WeedSmart Week begins with the forum day at the Dubbo Regional Theatre & Convention Centre on 1 August, 2023. The 3-day event includes bus tours to three farms in the region and a machinery expo, where growers can see the latest in spray and camera technology, impact mills and other mechanical weed control tools used on Western Plains farms. 

“At the forum, the speakers and panels will address wide-ranging topics, including the use of residual herbicides, pulse width modulation technology, the role of livestock in weed control and ways to increase crop competition across farming systems,” says Ms Strauss. “The farm visits and machinery expo are always a highlight of the event as forward-thinking growers outline how they implement the WeedSmart Big 6 tactics in their farming system.” 

Register for this important 3-day event for the ‘early bird’ single ticket price of $290, which includes the bus tours, machinery expo and forum, all fully catered. Early bird pricing is available until 2 July. Group bookings and student discounts are available. 

Work has begun on one of the largest water infrastructure projects in NSW, with the Parkes-Peak Hill Water Supply Project designed to put the region in a stronger position to manage water in a drier climate.

NSW Water Minister, Rose Jackson said, “The Australian Government is proud to have committed $11 million to ensure this much-needed water infrastructure project becomes a reality, bolstering drinking water security for the Parkes and Peak Hill communities.

“Our Government has an unwavering commitment to continuing to invest in Australia’s regions to create jobs, build opportunity and unlock economic growth.

“We’re putting in 39 kilometres of new pipelines, two new pump stations, an upgraded Lachlan River pump station, a new pre-treatment plant at Eugowra Road and a new raw water storage lagoon at the Parkes Water Treatment Plant.

“To make sure we are doing everything we can to shore-up water security for the community, especially during dry periods. The project will more than double Parkes’ current transfer capacity from the Lachlan River and bore fields, which is major win for the community as it will secure better access to safe, clean drinking water” 

Lilly and Lachlan Cox in action with Shadow. Inset: Dustin and Adam Tanswell with Tess.

Parkes Yard Dog Trials were held on 18th and 19th June at the Parkes Showground. Over the two days, thirty-two competitors ran one hundred runs. The Maiden, Novice, Encourage and Local were given eight minutes to move twelve sheep through a series of yard configurations. The Juniors had no time limit and the Open were given ten minutes to move twenty sheep through a harder course.

Saturday saw the running of the Maiden, Novice, and Juniors. Gary White from Nyngan first place in both divisions with White’s Pint, second with White’s Albert in the Novice. William Cox from Young was second and third in the Maiden with Sam and Maverick and third in the Novice with Sam.

Sunday, we ran the Encourage, Local and Open. First in the Encourage was Teagan Cox, Young with Sam, second Karren Higgins, Terrey Hills and Rouge, third Sharron Steer and George from Billimari.

The local was hotly contested with Donna Lindley, Cowra and Jet winning, Lachlan Cox, Alectown second and equal third with Shadow and Lieu, Bernard Dwyer, Alectown equal third with Annie.

Sunday was the Open. First and third were won by Dean Incher, Cooma with Hulk and Raffa second Gary White, Nyngan, and White’s Benny. Hulk scoring one hundred and ninety-seven from a possible two hundred.

Our highlight for the weekend were our juniors. They were Dustin Tanswell and Tess, Lilly Cox and Shadow and Kinsley Unger and Annie. Each child had an adult with them in the yard. The three entrants were under five. Special thanks to the judge Greg Walton for all his encouragement. Also, thanks to Robert Cox for judging on Saturday and Ollie Hanson on Sunday.

Thank you to our sponsors Inland Petroleum, Westonfence, Quality Wool, Wakely Shearing, Tanswell Transport, Nick Williams Livestock Pregnancy Scanning, Agriwest, Agboss, AA Blatch, Nutrien Ag, Dwyer Contracting, Timtrac Industries, Parkes Central Butchery, Gundarimbah Merino Stud and CopRice, and all our helpers.