Farming for Sustainable Soils

The combined Salisbury West and Mt Korong Landcare Groups Farming for Sustainable Soils project is in its second year of trials funded through the Federal Governments Caring for Our Country funding.

The groups have been busy with the project, addressing a variety of issues with ground cover maintenance, stubble retention, shelterbelts and soil tests.

Two paddock walks have been held to examine the pasture varietal site at Salisbury West, one of half a dozen paddock scale demonstration sites. Late in August a crop walk was conducted from Powlett to Korong Vale, discussing yield prediction, crop nutrient requirements, stubble retention and moisture retention in trial paddocks.

"Green Haystacks" are managed for grazing while providing shelter and biodiversity across the landscape. These salt bushes, acacias and trees are planted in fenced blocks turning unproductive land into grazing opportunities for sheep.

Ongoing independent soil tests have identified the need for remediation techniques trials in 2013 on all soil types in order to address hard panning and anaerobic soils.

For more information on the Farming for Sustainable Soils project, contact the Facilitator Jean McClymont, ph: 03 5437 3281 or email: bjmccly@activ8.net.au.

Photos: Jean McClymont

East Loddon Landcare Meeting

East Loddon Landcare had it's first gathering on Wednesday 15th August at the Four Posts Hotel, Jarklin. There was a great turn out with 20 people attending. The meeting was chaired by Bill Twigg. Anthony Gallacher from the Loddon Plains Landcare Network also helped out with proceedings and talked about the network, fielding answers for questions about Landcare.

The interim start up committee will meet on the 5th of September, with the Inaugural General Meeting for the group on the 12th of September at the Jarklin Pub.

Thanks to Bill Twigg for organising the evening and to all who came along!

Photos by Anthony Gallacher: Left - Bill Twigg; Right - Attendees.

Annual General Meeting

The Loddon Plains Landcare Network Annual General Meeting is being held at the Shire Offices in Serpentine on the 4^th of September, 7pm-9.30pm.

The AGM is a chance to mingle with members from other groups and get up to speed with the progress of the network. The President, Treasurer and Landcare Facilitator will present their annual reports.

Light supper provided. Please attend if you are able!

Ministerial visit to the LPLN

The State Minister for Environment The Hon Ryan Smith MP visited the Loddon Plains Landcare Network (LPLN) area on Wednesday the 25^th July. Arriving aboard a coach with the North Central Catchment Management Authority (NCCMA) Board, the Minister paid a visit to the Loddon Vale Landcare Fishing Platform project on Serpentine Creek at Durham Ox.

NCCMA Board member and LPLN President Laurie Maxted spoke about the Fishing Platform project and this was followed by lunch up the road at the Maxted family homestead.

Over lunch the LPLN Facilitator, Anthony Gallacher spoke about the progress of the network to date, including the success of the workshops run in May and the advancement of the GOANNA project with the support of The Norman Wettenhall Foundation.

The LPLN Committee of Management would like to thank the State Government for its support of the network through the Victorian Local Landcare Facilitator Initiative and the Victorian Landcare Grants Program.

A special thanks to the Maxted family for their hospitality and a delicious lunch.

From left to right: James Williams (NCCMA Board), Anthony Gallacher (LPLN Facilitator), The Hon. Ryan Smith MP (Minister for Environment), Sarah Meredith (Ministerial Advisor). Photo: Mal Brown