Hi Landcarers

Well, it’s hard not to mention the rain. The forecast looks like we might be able to dry out a bit over the next couple of weeks.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) have released a clip (three and a half minutes) simply explaining the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) and its impact on weather in Australia. At the moment the weekly IOD index values are the lowest in at least the last 15 years. The link is on our facebook page.

It’s still not too late to register for the GRDC Grains Research Update in Forbes on Tuesday, 26 July. Doors are open at 8.30am for a 9am start at the Forbes Services Memorial Club and round up at 1pm.

The GRDC Grains Research Update provides growers and advisers with an opportunity to hear from leading industry professionals on issues impacting crops and current, effective treatment methods.

The update has brought together experts from Central West Farming Systems, Department of Primary Industries, CSIRO and the University of Adelaide, covering topics including: longer season wheat varieties; crown rot, scald and spot form net blotch; soil acidity, crop yield impacts and management; dual purpose wheat and canola crops; benefits of crop residues and tillage to enhance the supply of nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphur in soil; and the management of resistant ryegrass in modern farming systems.

Morning tea, lunch in information booklet are included in the fee of $30 per person, with additional people from the same business for $20. Details on their website.

Did you know that the Invasive Animals CRC is running its annual photography competition? This is a national competition that is open to everyone. You don’t have to be a professional photographer, just capture that feral photo or footage. This year they have added a ‘best footage’ category.

This competition has been running since 2011 and over the last five years has had some amazing images included. Go and have a look on their website. Some of them are quite unbelievable!

These photos give you a different perspective of what is happening out there in the environment and the damage that these pest animals are causing.

Remember that the animals need to be invertebrates to be included in the competition. Terms and Conditions are available on their website.

One more week to register for National Tree Day. If you would like to RSVP, you can go to the Planet Ark National Tree Day website to register. We are running events in Parkes and Forbes. Both events are listed, with details of the event and a map to assist you to get to the site. If you don’t have access to the internet, please give me a call and let me know so that I can make sure that we have enough for lunch.

Have you seen our Green Army Team out and about? They have been removing ‘Mother of Millions’ from Memorial Hill in Parkes and have done a fantastic job. This is a massive problem around sections of Parkes and this work will go a long way to eradicating the problem.

The Team will be helping out next week with our Eco Day activities at the Central West Livestock Exchange (CWLE) and Forbes Schools Tree Day activities on Friday.

If you see them out and about, say hi and give them some encouragement. Our current team will be working with us until December.

As usual, links to items in this article are available on facebook or on our website at centralwestlachlanlandcare.org and I can be contacted at our office on 02 6862 4914 or email me at cwllpo@hotmail.com

Until next week, happy Landcaring!