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

East Loddon Landcare Pub Night

 

East Loddon Landcare is reforming, starting with a pub night at the Jarklin Four Posts Hotel. 

Get involved in Landcare and hear news from the Loddon Plains Landcare Network.

Pub meal provided. 

Come along and help create a new local Landcare community.

 

7pm Wednesday 15^th August

Four Posts Hotel,

Cnr Loddon Valley Hwy & Jarklin East Rd, Jarklin

 

For more information contact Anthony Gallacher on 0447 095 501, 5446 9249 or by email at anthony.gallacher@gmail.com.

 

NCCMA Box-Gum Grassy Woodlands Project Grants Open

Box-Gum Grassy Woodlands grants supported by the North Central Catchment Management Authority are now open.  Funded from the Australian Government’s Caring for our Country program, the project is seeking landholders who are wanting to do on-ground works of fencing and revegetation to protect or enhance eligible grassy woodland remnants. 

Applications for the grants close 5pm Tuesday 11th September. Successful projects must be completed by 30th April 2013. In-kind contribution is not required and landholders may undertake the works themselves or engage a contractor.

There are specific requirements for the project, including a defined geographic area. For more information visit:

http://www.nccma.vic.gov.au/Biodiversity/Conservation_and_Habitat/index.aspx

LPLN News: Newsletter

The Loddon Plains Landcare Network has just published the first edition of it's new newsletter, the LPLN News.

The LPLN News is a new initiative of the network to increase sharing, communication and to generate enthusiasm around upcoming projects and events in the network. 

The newsletter contains news coming from the network and its groups. You’ll find upcoming events and articles of interest relating to natural resource management and Landcare. You’ll also find any news coming directly from the LPLN Landcare Facilitator, Anthony Gallacher.

The newsletter will be a great way to share the collective stories of the Loddon Plains Landcare Network, both amongst groups and with the wider community.

The release schedule has yet to be finalised, but a notice of each edition release will be posted on this blog. Groups will receive an email version and a hard copy.

The network would like to start an e-list for people interested in receiving the newsletter by email. People can be added to the e-list by contacting Anthony Gallacher with their email address.

Contact:

Ph: (03) 5446 9249

M: 0447 095 501

Email: anthony.gallacher@gmail.com