MALLEE

Volume 11, Issue 2

update

www.malleefutures.org.au

What's inside

On Ground Works UpdateLameroo Planting DayFree Foxoff BaitsRestoring Wildlife HabitatMMLAP General MeetingDo Perennials fit in the MalleeAssessing Crop Water UseRevegetation WorkshopComing EventsFriends of Karoonda Parklands GroupSupport for local revegetation projectsA landholder’s Own Story - Brian Teakle

Funding is now available for on ground works in 2009/2010.

This funding will assist withProtecting remnants – through fencing and threat abatementRevegetating blocks or windbreaks using local native speciesEstablishing perennial fodder Establishing perennial pasture EarthworksRevegetation of priority shrubby vegetation on dunes

This funding is available for approved works that are completed before June 15th 2010.

If you would like to apply for funding please complete an 'Expression of Interest' form (enclosed) or if you would like more information on available funding or have any other questions please call Rowena on 8531 2066 or Emily on 8531 3075.

Funding Available in 2009/2010

Seventy students, from year one to year seven, spent the morning planting over 200 native plants at the site that sits across the road from their school. The plantings included bush tucker varieties such as Muntries and Quandong trees, as well as varieties chosen for their aesthetics.

The students will be able to return in future years to continue the maintenance of the site and to experience the 'fruits' of their work.

This project is an example of the fantastic work that can be done when Schools, LAPs and Councils team up and work together.

Pinnaroo Primary School Roadside Revegetation

Pinnaroo students get busy planting

Pinnaroo Primary School students have revegetated an area of roadside on the corner of Parilla Well Road and Devon Terrace in Pinnaroo. This was a joint project between the Murray Mallee LAP, Southern Mallee Council and the Pinnaroo Primary School.

On Ground Works Update Jan – June 2009

Protecting WoodlandsA fantastic 21.7km of fencing has been completed before the end of June through the 'Protecting woodlands' project. This fencing will help to protect over 604ha of remnant vegetation within the Murray Mallee region.

The MMLAP has established 30 bushland condition monitoring sites. These bushland condition monitoring sites are located in various locations across the Murray Mallee region where fencing has been erected to protect mallee woodlands. The sites will be used to monitor and record the condition of the bushland at each site and are designed so that landholders and community members, with support and training, can continue the monitoring in future years.

Reducing Soil Erosion in the Murray MalleeThe MMLAP also had funding available between January and June 09 to reduce soil erosion in the Murray Mallee. This funding assisted landholders in completing earthworks, fencing and the establishment of perennial vegetation to reduce soil erosion.

Unfortunately the funding available was extremely limited and the MMLAP received expressions of interest for more than ten times the amount of hectares funding was available for.

In total the MMLAP was able to fund the stabilisation of 45ha eroding land within the Murray Mallee region.

Funding for these projects has been provided by the South Australian Murray Darling Basin Natural Resources Management Board.

Trialling Oil Mallee at HalidonIn partnership with PIRSA Forestry, an Oil Mallee trial site has been established at Halidon. This 5ha site will provide useful information about establishing Oil Mallee in the SA Murray Mallee region. Species planted at the site (Eucalyptus loxophleba ssp lissophloia) has shown potential in Western Australian trials and we look forward to being able to provide local landholders with some useful local data about these mallees.

2008 Saltbush Shelterbelt Trials Trial sites set up in 2008 across the Mallee have been assessed for survival rates. After a very difficult season with poor rainfall and dry/ windy conditions, survival rates ranged between 10% and 80% across the region. Two of these sites were chosen for in-fill planting. These sites are located at Pata and Scorpion Springs and planting to replace lost seedlings took place in June.

On Friday 22 May the Murray Mallee LAP visited the Lameroo Regional Community School to assist students with revegetating an area within the school known as the 'Bush Garden'.

Attempts in previous years to revegetate the Bush Garden have had mixed results due to poor seasonal conditions. But this has not dampened the enthusiasm of the students who are committed to the long term success of the Bush Garden.

This year a group of year 6 & 7 students spent the day assisting younger students in reception and years 1 & 2 to plant 100 seedlings within the garden and this has enhanced and improved previous efforts.

The Bush Garden has also been fenced with funding provided through the Australia Post Community Grants Program.

Lameroo Planting Day

Lameroo students dig deep

Free FOXOFF baits available for spring baiting in areas containing Mallee Fowl habitat.

For more information please contact Sarah Lance on 8532 1432 or the MMLAP on 8531 2066

Free FOXOFF baits

Restoring Wildlife Habitat in the Northern Murray Mallee

The MMLAP is embarking on a targeted dune restoration project to restore wildlife habitat in the northern Murray Mallee. The project is in partnership with the Department of Environment and Heritage, SAMDB NRM Board and Greening Australia. Our previous work has identified shrubby dune vegetation as important to some of the characteristic but declining birds of the area, including Southern Scrub-robin, Shy Heathwren and Inland Thornbill.

In May 2009, a revegetation trial site was established by the group at Mantung. The site has been established to compare both seeding and mulching techniques in establishing revegetation and will provide important information for best practice methods on these typically difficult sandy soils.

Over the next few years, a number of dunes will be restored with appropriate habitat, initially focussing on the area to the south-east of Bakara Conservation Park. Besides the habitat value of these areas, the project will also improve soil conservation in the area, as dunes can be prone to erosion. Revegetating the dunes will stabilise them and ultimately provide habitat for the declining mallee birds. We are aiming to restore 350 ha of shrubby dune vegetation in the next three years, and are actively seeking suitable dunes right now.

If you have a property in the area between Bakara Conservation Park and Hamilton Scrub you may have the dunes we are looking for! If you are interested in receiving assistance for restoring any areas of deep sand (usually dunes), please contact Rowena Danks at the Murray Mallee LAP (8531 2066) or Chris Grant at DEH, Berri (8595 2174). Assistance is available for fencing, revegetation and pest plant and animal control. More information on habitat restoration can be found at www.environment.sa.gov.au/biodiversity/murraylands_bcp/

Funding for this project is provided through the SA MDB NRM Board and the Native Vegetation Council.

A revegetation trial site has been established at Mantung

Murray Mallee Local Action Planning Association2009 Annual General Meeting

The 2009 Murray Mallee Local Action Planning Association Annual General Meeting will be held on Sunday 6th September at the Browns Well Football Club, Paruna, and beginning at 12:00pm.

The Annual General Meeting will be followed by a tour of the 'Butcher's Soak' which will begin at around 2:00pm.

Please R.S.V.P or register your interest to the Murray Mallee LAP by 24th August, on either 8531 2066 or 8531 3075.

“In this region, can perennials, incorporated into marginal areas of the farm or included as phased crop rotations, improve farming system resilience, profitability and environmental performance in the face of climate variability / change?”

CSIRO have a started a project named 'Evercrop' examining pastures across the various rainfall zones in southern Australia. In this examination over the next seven years they will look at how perennial pastures fit in various farming systems. In the SA Mallee we are fortunate to be nominated as a low rainfall node for perennials in our mixed farming systems. The Mallee will get a focus site at Allen Buckley's property, 10 k south of Waikerie, with a trial of various perennials species, and another at Kerribee, Victoria. The aim is to look at the question posed above – is it possible to mix cropping, livestock and perennial pastures.

The first and obvious question is 'What are perenials'?

There are any of the following: Native remanent vegetation; Tagasaste; Fodder plantations; Firewood lots; Native Grasses; Veldt grass; Evening Primrose; Saltbush; Acacias; Chenopods; Lucerne etc. etc.

The broad aims of the project are to:Develop and demonstrate the potential role for perennials in mixed farming in the Mallee.Develop strong grower input into the direction of research and development. Seeking to identify reasons why perennials can or cannot work in the Mallee and then find out why or why not.Develop methods and conduct local trials to address barriers to adoption of perennials using on-farm R&D activities.Assess and report the outcomes and results and determine success.

A key component is the Local Adaptation Group. This group is formed from growers, industry reps, consultants, NRM, RSSA, LAP and any other interested people. The functions of this group are to: Raise awareness of perennials,Plan and take part in extension activities – field days, tours, workshops, newsletters etc.Develop methods and conduct local trials using on-farm R&D activities to address barriers to wider adoption of perennials.Be exposed to the breadth and extent of the previous and current body of work in perennials in SAAssess and report the outcomes and results and determine success.Facilitate the learning to the wider community, through workshops, extension materials, field days, etc.Be Involved in verification of the value and role of perennials in Mallee using whole farm economic modelling (MIDAS)

The Local Adaptation Group have formed and are well on their way to providing some valuable feedback to the researchers. We have had one bus trip to look at the SARDI perennial species trials at Monarto, and also some established sites around Waikerie. The LAG is open to any interested people. The following groups are involved in the Evercrop project in the Mallee:Drs Patricia Hill and Rick Llewellyn, CSIRO – researcher, project leader, Future Farming Cooperative Research CentreDr Jason Emms, SARDI – selection and provision of plants for trialsLeighton Pearce, NRM and Richard Saunders, Rural Solutions – extension and group supportIf anyone would like to be involved or received newsletters email me at the following address: saunders.richardj@saugov.sa.gov.au

Do Perennials fit in the Mallee?

EverCrop’s study area (low rainfall

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Assessing Crop Water Use in the Mallee

The South Australian Murray-Darling Basin Natural Resources Management Board (SAMDBNRM Board) has completed an 'Assessing Crop Water Use' project in the Mallee Prescribed Wells Area. This project aimed to identify irrigation water application and use practices, highlight areas of best practice management, encourage the private uptake of Soil Moisture Monitoring (SMM) systems and monitoring records to enable good decisions for water management to be made.The two year project (August 2006 – August 2008) was initiated by the SA MDB NRM Board, with funding provided by the Board, Horticulture Australia Limited (HAL) and the South Australian Potato Industry Trust (SAPIT), with technical support provided by Rural Solutions SA.

Soil moisture data was collected over both summer and winter crops to gain a better understanding of crop water requirements. The collection of this data has allowed participants to gain a better understanding of their water requirements over different stages of the crop growth. Information collected by the SMM equipment and the use of data from the automatic weather stations within the Mallee are good tools to make informed decisions when deciding when and how much to water.

Growers, who are already using some new technology in other areas of crop production, were the most keen to use SMM equipment and make use of the data which is generated. Past indicators of soil moisture levels have been crop/plant health, and digging a hole to assess soil moisture. Using the SMM equipment provides a real time and electronic record of soil moisture throughout the soil profile.

The SMM equipment purchased through the project is available to Irrigators in the Mallee for free loan from the SA MDB NRM Board. Irrigators interested in trialling the equipment on their property should contact the Mallee and Burra Water Resources Project Officer, on 8582 4477.

On the 21st April, 17 people attended a revegetation workshop held at the Karoonda Parklands, which are located adjacent to East Terrace in Karoonda.

The workshop was presented by Matt Rose, from Natural State. Matt has had many years experience in the revegetation industry and provided us with valuable knowledge on revegetation.

Attendees had the opportunity to learn about and discuss revegetation techniques and the issues that need to be considered when revegetating such as timing, weed control, site preparation and follow up care. Bush care techniques for delicate weed control within bushland were also covered. A disc seeder used for direct seeding in revegetation projects was also put through it's paces to show participants how this machine works and the type of soil it can be used in.

Matt discussed seed collecting, and how to determine if and when seeds are ready to be collected followed by a demonstration on how to collect local native seeds. The group then had the opportunity to spend time collecting a variety of seed from the area.

Revegetation Workshop

MMLAP AGM – 6th September. Contact Rowena Danks 8531 2066

Mantung Maggea Land Management Group AGM - 23rd August. Contact Glenda Hall 8589 7029

SANTFA Cropwalks17th Aug SANTFA/MSFS Combined Cropwalk – Northern Mallee, SA18th Aug SANTFA/MSFS Combined Cropwalk – Southern Mallee, SAContact Wade Nickolls, SANTFA 0429 778 700

Friends of Karoonda Parklands meeting - August 10th at 2pm.Contact Rowena Danks 8531 2066 or Chris Grant 8595 2174

Coming Events

Irrigation Management WorkshopsIrrigation scheduling equipment workshop - Parilla 26th June 2009Pump Efficiency - Parilla 27th August 2009Soil water dynamics - Parilla 30th October 2009Salinity Management - Parilla 29th July 2009Contact Noel Johnston or Brenton Fenwick onph: 8582 4477

A friends group has now formed to help Council manage the Karoonda bush block. The group met on Monday, 25th May, 2009 at the NRM office in Karoonda to form the group and discuss management issues of the Karoonda bush block and Pioneer Park. Chris Grant from the Department for Environment and Heritage and Rowena Danks from the Murray Mallee LAP welcomed people to the group. Peter Smithson attended on behalf of the Council. Eight members of the public attended.

The aims of the group and management issues to be addressed were discussed. Issues include rabbit control, trail bikes, weeds and facilities for the public. The group discussed the fencing of the Parklands along East Terrace, which was funded by DEH and the LAP and is now complete.

It is hoped to progress the Friends group in future by identifying elements of the existing Management Plan for the Parklands for implementation, and to develop promotional and information material for the Parklands.

Formation of Friends of Karoonda Parklands Group

Bridal Creeper will be one of theweeds to be controlled

Correa glabra is one of the plants found in the patch of scrub

The next meeting will be on the 10th of August, at 2pm at the Karoonda NRM Office. All interested parties are

welcome to attend.

I've just started on a Landscape Restoration project in SA Murray Darling Basin NRM region. The main aim of the project is to help with on-ground biodiversity projects in the region, particularly those projects focussed on revegetation for habitat and ecosystem values. Habitat 141 is a key project being developed in the MDB region (and adjoining States of NSW and Victoria). It is an Alliance of partners working at interstate scale to achieve widespread landscape restoration. As part of my role, the MDB NRM board provides funding for Community Biodiversity support. It is through this role that I am able to work specifically with Community Groups, Local Action Planning Groups and projects across the whole NRM region.

I have been involved with biodiversity projects and community work for over 15 years. I have worked in many roles, such as helping to establish and manage a cabinet timber plantation on the eastern seaboard, old growth forest surveys, flora surveys, protected areas and grassy ecosystems. I have recently been working as an environmental consultant and also in the field of biosolids.

I am a familiar face, having participated in many local workshops and shows, so please feel encouraged to ask me about some of the projects in the region like planting for Carbon, Habitat 141, Conservation Action Planning and the River Murray Forest project (free revegetation within 20km of the Murray River). I am hoping to be a crucial link for people in accessing information and resources with project support.

I look forward to working with Rowena and Emily to help build upon all the work that has been done so far in the Murray Mallee region. There is a huge amount of experience, knowledge and enthusiasm out there that we can all draw on to do some really effective projects with multiple benefits to both landholders and the landscape. I am really looking forward to helping make a positive difference in the region. Feel welcome to contact me!Jo SpencerNRM Office, Murray Bridge ph: 08 85313300

New support for local revegetation and biodiversityprojects, Jo Spencer, Greening Australia

A Landholder's Own Story – Brian Teakle20,000 Native Trees & 120,000 Old Man Salt Bush in 18 years

In 1990 we purchased the property, Glenholme, located south of Karoonda on Whyte Wells Road in the Murray Mallee. Average annual rainfall for the area is about 350mm. Soils vary from deep sand to shallow sandy loam over clay with some limestone ridges and a few stony flats. The southern part of the farm was mainly treeless.

In January, 1991, we decided that we needed to plant 10 acres of Saltbush ( Atriplex nummularia) as a trial for sheep feed plus some trees to enhance the appearance of the farm, provide additional stock shelter and, if needed give us additional drought proofing.

With the help of the late Doug Smart of Smart's Nurseries we set out in early February to grow 10,000 seedlings, for planting in July. In June we purchased 250 tree seedlings from State Flora at Murray Bridge.

The saltbush survival rate was excellent; however the trees didn't do as well. All of the plantings had been fenced. The trees were hand while the saltbush was machine-planted using a converted Broccoli Planter that we purchased from Virginia.

After considering the cost of tree seedlings we decided in May, 1991, that we should join Trees For Life and grow our own. Since then we have been members except for the years when we put our orders in late. In those years we purchased seed from Blackwood Seeds which at that time was in Murray Bridge. We used potting mix with extra sand added to grow the seeds in. 1992 to 1994 were big years for planting saltbush. We were so convinced that growing more was a must. Smart's nurseries discontinued growing saltbush and Topline at Uraidla said they would have a try. To this day they still grow saltbush seedlings.

1994 was a big year by previous standards as we planted nearly 1,000 trees. We also built a Direct Seeder with the help of our neighbour and share farmer. In previous years we had direct seeded only a few handfuls- a mixture of saltbush and trees. That year we received a grant for fencing and seed. It was now very obvious that the cost of fencing was going to be the biggest hurdle to get

over if we were ever going to plant significant numbers of trees. Initially direct seeding results were not good. It was years later, while walking the planting site that we noticed that we had planted at 300mm to a metre spacing - we normally plant seedlings, depending on the species at 5 to 7 metre spacing. I have attended a seed collection workshop but I've only collected a few grams each year for seedlings. So we decided that we should restart direct seeding and started seed collecting in earnest. Since we have collected in excess of 5 kg of seed from the farm.For the past 5 years, we have dual planted with direct seeding, over which we plant seedlings.

Deep ripping has been undertaken wherever possible since 1992; however it is worthwhile where there are stones. We found that in a wet year the plants became buried so since then we have planted to the side of the rip line. In the early years we placed a tyre around every plant to prevent attack by rabbits and hares. This worked well but once we used a V-blade on the direct seeder, there was no need for the tyre. The V-blade created a wide shallow, v shaped trench, removing the top soil that included any weeds or weed seeds. This also meant that we were planting into moist soil, because we had removed the non-wetting top soil. We have used the V-blade ever since.

Because we don't use chemical for weed control the planting time is important to ensure the best survival. If we plant too early, we don't achieve the best weed control; too late and we may miss some rain that is needed to get plants established before summer arrives. Generally any planting after the end of July is too late. June is the best time in our area to plant.

The best survival results have been achieved when we plant into a cereal crop, within a week of it being seeded. We do not top spray the crop. We harvest over the top of the direct seeding and then fence the area. The extra weed control gives the plant a chance to survive the first summer.

The worst results have come from trying to get seedlings to grow adjacent to established native vegetation.

We trialed an ally plot with a mixture of Tagasaste and Saltbush as well as a Saltbush planting on a sandy rise without extra fencing. That was not really successful, though we think we may have let the stock in too early.

During 1994 and 1995 we only undertook replants and small projects that required a minimum of fencing.To speed up the filling of tubes and the subsequent planting, we purchased a pack of rectangular tubes that have been used many times. To ensure every box is full, we use the TFL tube to top up.

In November 2000 we became members of the Murray Mallee Local Action Planning Association, to have access to the Mallee Futures Program, resulting in a massive increase in the number of plantings, because the financial assistance paid for the fencing materials. This was the year that we started to trial native grasses by hand planting seed; a project that is continues each year. In 2007 we planted 200 seedlings collected from State Flora.

In January 1999 we germinated Quandong and Sandalwood seed (Santalum species). The plants we raised were planted into a shelter belt but none survived. During 2002, we started a woodlot of Quandong and Sandalwood with the aim of have some 350 plants plus hosts. This project continues and, hopefully by 2010, we will have an established plantation. We believe, that in the Mallee, it is necessary to water the Quandong and Sandalwood trees to ensure survival. We have made mistakes; we now plant seed directly into the soil by hand as soon as possible after thecontinued on back page

This newsletter is printed on 100% Recycled paper - Protecting our Trees and Environment

Murray Mallee Local Action Planning Association Inc.Murray Bridge Natural Resources CentreMannum RoadPO Box 2056, Murray Bridge SA 5253ph: (08) 8531 2066 fax: (08) 8532 5300email: mmlap@internode.on.net

MMLAP Committee Membership

hetta designs0437 914 066

cntinued from page 7

One plot included Atriplex amnicola. Attriplex semibacata, A.suberecta and six other Attriplex species have been planted into tree lines.

All together we have planted 90 native species with the help of our sharefarmer, grandsons and friends.During the early years we often wondered if the trees were going to grow. However now we see the improvement to the overall landscape, the shelter and the potential feed, if needed. The ideal tree line appears to be 25m wide, consisting of 3 rows with the outside rows 7m in from the fence line to ensure the future scars are minimal and the overhanging branches are well away from the fence.

The 90 species ensure a good bio-diversity. The future, ideally, is to fence all remnants of native vegetation so that they can regenerate, but still provide stock shelter and survival feed when needed. We also want to learn how to confidently grow native grasses.

Our conclusions: Growing the seedlings with the help of TFL is easy and not costlyPersistence is essentialWith the grants administered by groups such as the MMLAP (when available) make the projects cost neutral- all that is needed is some work to grow, prepare, plant and fence.

2009 is a replant year, ensuring that all the gaps from the pervious five years plantings are filled. We will still deep rip, V-Blade while direct seeding and over plant with seedlings. We will have about 700 plants and in excess of 5 Kg of seed to do this.Brian Teakleph: 8443 7181 or 0407 722 297

opening rains. This has reduced the need to raise seedlings that are very fragile to plant out. We place five seeds at each watering point about 10mm below the surface. If we did a similar project again we would plant out our both species at the same time, and spray out the weeds.

In 2001 we fenced off our first remnant vegetation block and planted and fenced another Saltbush block. This area had some native trees on it plus some saltbush that we planted in 1998 without fencing. Into this block we planted a row of trees which required us to exclude stock for at least four years. In 2002 we had to plant more saltbush as the area was larger than we had estimated.

2003 saw us planting 2,313 seedlings plus some direct seeding. This was our biggest year for seedlings. In 2004 we planted a small plot of 1,000 Saltbush plants, plus 1,630 trees and Direct Seeding.

In both 2007 and 2008 we were able to plant 1500 seedlings each year and Direct seed 5 KG of collected seed. Direct seeding started at 300 gram /km. We now aim for 700 gram/km or more.

Replanting into tree lines is essential for at least 2 years after initial planting to ensure establishment. We do not water as the job would be too great; also we want the toughest to survive. Quandong and Sandalwood are the exception.In good rainfall years we have had up to a 95% survival rate, however the last 3 years have only been around a 50% to 70 % survival rate with not much evidence yet that the direct seeding has been successful. Our observation is that seed germinates and establishes better in the heavier soils.

During 2006 we fenced 8 plots, which were all approximately 1 hectare, within the 1992 saltbush plantings to conduct feeding trials for 5 or 6 years and to establish a plot of lucerne, which was unsuccessful.

Rod Brown (Chairperson/ Public Officer)Lameroo ph: 8577 4033

(Vice Chairperson)Karoonda ph: 8578 6066

Karen Payne (Secretary)Galga ph: 8121 2806

Rex Spinley (Treasurer)Para Hills ph: 0466 499 560

Barry ManuelMindarie ph: 8578 7018

Neville PfeifferParrakie ph: 8576 2051

Andrew HallWunkar ph: 8589 7029

Trevor SchillerWaikerie ph: 8541 9096

Chris Grant, DEHBerri ph: 8595 2174

Malcolm JohnsKaroonda ph: 8589 7053

Adrian GrowdenKaroonda ph: 8578 1057

Lew WestbrookLoxton ph: 8584 7811

Leighton Pearce, SAMDBNRM Boardph: 8582 4477

Damien Berger