The Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists have just released The Blueprint to Repair Australia’s Landscapes, a document focussing on the cost of repairing Australia’s environment. Focussing on five of Australia’s major landscape asset groups: soil, native vegetation, threatened species, freshwater and coasts, it has taken six years to compile with input from more than 60 expert contributors. Sheep Central reports that the Wentworth Group found that repairing Australia’s landscapes is not only affordable; it is essential, urgent, achievable and in the national interest. The Sheep Central summary can be accessed here, while the Blueprint itself is available on the Wentworth Group’s website.
The latest NT Agriculture and Security Newsletter highlights a new NT Cattlemen’s Association (NTCA) three-part podcast series named ‘Learning the Lessons’ which offers a detailed look into the management of beef enterprises in a variable climate. The podcasts showcase the experiences and strategies of Central Australian pastoralists Andy and Steve Hayes, The Garden Station; Willy Brown, Hewitt Australia; and Rebecca Cadzow, Mount Riddock Station. Discussion topics include changes in the industry, current approaches to improving production outcomes, and ways to enhance sustainability.
Over 60 goat producers attended the recent Going Ahead with Goats roadshow workshops that were held across the western region of NSW. The half-day workshops covered several important topics, with significant interest and engagement from those attending. Topics discussed included goat grazing management, cost of production, business benchmarking, research updates and information on eIDs for goats. Read more in the latest edition of the NSW Local Land Services Western Division Newsletter.
When University of New South Wales researcher Erica Barlow collected a black rock during an undergraduate field trip in the Hamersley Ranges in Western Australia in 2013, she had no idea it contained a microfossil never seen before. Estimated to be 2.4 billion years old, the fossil could be the oldest known evidence of complex life on earth. Read more at ABC News.
The June issue of the FutureBeef eBulletin contains a number of items of interest. There is a link to a webinar looking at Profitability of supply chain options for beef producers: a WA case study and articles focussing on virtual fencing trials aimed at improving drought resilience and why good planning is the key to farm business resilience during tough times. Access all these and more here.