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| SA Drought E-News, 1st May 2008 |
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| Stock feed supply dwindling |
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This stage of the drought is often the most difficult – stock feed is running out, dry paddock feed is poor, it is cold, and the stock may be in late pregnancy or even lactating.
Brian Ashton, PIRSA Senior Livestock Consultant, Rural Solutions SA at Port Lincoln, says it is important to feed stock their required ration. If they suffer now, or have to be sold in desperation, the effort and expense of getting them through the summer is wasted.
Monitor your stock and, if they are in late pregnancy or lactating, err on the side of feeding more than you think they need.
A review of farmer experiences after the 2006 drought found that after the break-to-the-season:
- This is when stock losses can occur.
- There was a problem with bloat due to lack of roughage. Save some good roughage for when the stock are released from containment areas and at the break. Poorer stock will tend to eat more when they are put onto good green feed because they make “compensatory growth”. This predisposes them to health issues such as bloat and nitrate poisoning.
- There was an increased incidence of milk fever (calcium deficiency) in lambing ewes last time. Stocklime is essential when feeding cereal grain or when grazing young pasture. Place a mix of stocklime and salt in a container in the paddock.
More information: “Farmer experiences. What was learnt by sheep and cattle managers in the 2006 drought” and “Feeding and managing sheep in dry times”. Publications available from the Roseworthy Information Centre, phone 1800 356 446.
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| New Riverland drought co-ordinator |
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Barb Cowey from Renmark started work this week as the new Drought Coordinator for the Riverland.
Ms Cowey was previously employed as the Economic Development Officer with the Riverland Development Corporation in Berri, and will be working closely with the Riverland community, local organisations and government agencies to minimise the social and economic impacts of the drought on the region.
She will support the Regional Drought Taskforces and coordinate drought related initiatives on behalf of local communities. She will also be the main point of contact for farmers in the region to go to for help on drought related matters.
She replaces Jim Caddy who recently resigned from the position.
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| Murray Mouth boating exclusion zone reinstated |
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A boating exclusion zone past the Murray Mouth began on Monday, 28 April 2008, as dredging in the area continues. Boats had been able to travel past the Mouth since the October long weekend last year.
Boat access past the Murray Mouth has been excluded each winter since the sand pumping project began in 2002.
Dredging work is set to begin on the Hindmarsh Island side of the Goolwa and Coorong channels to remove sand that has built up over summer. A line of yellow buoys will cross the channels either side of the Mouth to establish a total exclusion zone for all vessels.
Boat operators can access the Coorong using the boat ramp at Mundoo Channel, and the Goolwa Channel between the Goolwa Barrage and the Mouth, by launching at Beacon 19.
Further information is available from the Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation on 8204 8605.
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| Beating salinity and sodicity |
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A project by the South East Natural Resources Management Board in partnership with the National Landcare Program aims to give land managers in the region methods to combat salinity and sodicity – issues that are becoming exacerbated due to the drought.
A brochure is at www.senrm.sa.gov.au on the Our Projects > Saltland Agronomy page.
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| Three-month rain outlook |
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| The Bureau of Meterology’s three monthly rainfall outlook for May – July indicates the chances of exceeding the median rainfall over that period in South Australia is mainly between 45 and 60%. So the chances of being wetter than normal are about the same as the chances of being drier. More information: www.bom.gov.au/climate/ahead/rain_ahead.shtml. |
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| Innovation key to water management |
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The need to be innovative in securing the State’s long-term water management will be a key feature of the month-long 2008 Australian Innovation Festival.
Hundreds of events will be held across the country until 30 May. Details of South Australian events are at: www.ausinnovation.org.
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| More Rural Expos on the way |
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Two more Rural Expos - designed to provide drought and drought recovery information to irrigators, farmers and their families - will be held in the Riverland following the success of the Waikerie Institute Expo in April.
The Expos will be held at the Loxton Hotel on 23 May and the Renmark Hotel on 27 June.
The informal sessions are being run by the Riverland West Local Action Planning Group, District Council Loxton Waikerie, Keltie Grant Rural Community Counsellor from Country Health SA and the Riverland Development Corporation. More information is available from Penny Smith on 0428 432 268.
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| Water a feature of Federal Budget |
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The 2008-09 Federal Budget will establish a $12.9 billion water investment program over 10 years. This will include $3.1 billion to be put aside to purchase water to put back in Murray Darling Basin waterways. A further $5.8 billion will be available under the Sustainable Rural Water Use and Infrastructure program for key rural water projects that help secure a long-term sustainable future for irritation regions and return water to the rivers.
A full media release from Senator Penny Wong has been posted on the drought website: www.sa.gov.au/drought.
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| Central area leaders discuss climate change |
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Climate change and us – the impacts and implications was the focus of a day-long forum for 80 regional stakeholders in the Central Local Government Region held in Port Pirie this week.
Speakers tackled issues such as impact of climate change on the region’s primary industries including grain, grape, fishing, grazing and forestry; initiatives for business and community to manage climate change; and the way forward.
The forum was organized by the Central Local Government Region; the Northern and Yorke Natural Resources Management Board; the Southern Flinders Ranges, Yorke and Mid North Regional Development Boards.
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| Drought bus visits SA |
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The Commonwealth Government’s drought bus provides information on drought support and assistance and is visiting more South Australian centres over the next few weeks at the following locations:
Mannahill – Monday 5 May, 10.00 am - 3.30 pm, opposite Mannahill Hotel, Barrier Highway.
Jamestown – Tuesday 6 May, 9.30 am - 4.30 pm, in front of Town Hall, Ayr Street.
Gladstone – Wednesday 7 May, 9.30 am - 4.30 pm, in front of Gladstone District Hall, Cross Street.
Melrose – Thursday 8 May, 9.30 am - 4.30 pm, Melrose Park, adjacent to Paradise Square, Stuart Street.
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| Access and equity |
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| The information in this publication can be provided on request to those who need it in an alternative format or another language. Contact Julie Gregory on (08) 8226 0230. |
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Drought E-News is a regular newsletter updating the State Government’s drought response. If you’ve been forwarded this E-News and you would like to subscribe, click on the link below, complete the details and you will receive drought E-News in the future.
Feedback is always welcome, email Drought News.
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