Stocktake workshop

When: Tuesday, 24 November 2009

Time: 9am – 4pm, smoko and lunch provided

Where: QPI&F J. Bjelke-Petersen Research Station, Kingaroy

RSVP: To Sonia on (07) 5480 4412 or 0427 159 313 by 17 Nov 2009

Cost: $330 per enterprise – FarmReady approved #FTRC0272 – please note: forms must be lodged by 17 Nov 09

This workshop demonstrates a pasture monitoring tool designed to help you determine forage available and monitor pasture condition over time to maintain or improve land condition.

For more information or to register, click here

Download FarmReady application form. (To be lodged by 17 Nov 2009)

Pasture Establishment workshop

When: Thursday, 26 November 2009
Time: 9am – 4pm, smoko and lunch provided

Where:  Monto (Location to be confirmed)

RSVP: To Sonia on (07) 5480 4412 or 0427 159 313 by 17 Nov 2009
Cost: FREE to all Burnett landholders

Stay tuned for more information  – coming soon!

Grains Best Management Practice workshop

When: Early December 2009 (To be confirmed)
Time: 9.30am – 3.30pm, smoko and lunch provided

Where:  QPI&F J. Bjelke-Petersen Research Station, Kingaroy

RSVP and more info: Katie on 0428 75 3338
Cost: FREE to all Burnett grain growers.

A range of skills and best practices for grains production in Queensland have been described and documented to assist grain growers in their decision making ability with regards to rainfall, property planning, pesticides, soil and pests management.

More information available.

The North Burnett Regional Council set things off with a field day out at Narayen Station, west of Mundubbera, to share the successes and stories behind the demonstration site that they’ve established with the staff on the Australian Ag College property and with the assistance of BCCA.  The burn and spray method on both thick and medium infestations of African Lovegrass has proven successful, especially with the current drought.

With these encouraging sites in mind, the group of 40 gathered together to discuss how the group could work together to fight the spread of the weed and create awareness of it as a problem.  The group included landholders from down the road, and from neighbouring shires, as well as representatives from BCCA, Council, QPI&F, Biosecurity Qld and Main Roads.

The group agreed to let a smaller group do the talking.  An Action Group was established to work between landholders, services and government on planning what can be done in the Burnett and encourage awareness and sensible management of the weed when travelling around the region.  The group will be meeting again in December.  Any queries, speak to Lee Dorahy at NBRC – Mundubera on 1300 696 272.

Australia is one of the most difficult places in the world to farm; but overcoming these challenges is more relevant than ever as the country heads into an uncertain future with the onset of climate change. Succeed or fail, these farmers’ efforts, experiments and outcomes will provide startling insights into how farming will have to change, the world over, in order for us all to survive.

Six farmers and their families, who are not camera shy, are required to star in this new documentary about farming where no-one believes it is possible.

Farmers with all manner of backgrounds are encouraged to apply including: old farming stock; first-timers; farmers with radical new scientific ideas or new age philosophies; bio-dynamics; traditional practices or sustainable practices.

The farmers in turn will have the opportunity to gain hands-on advice and mentoring from some of the country’s most successful farmers who have also beaten the odds.

The documentary makers are looking for farmers and/or landholders who face their own unique but extreme conditions, where growing anything seems a miracle. Each farm will present its own challenge, be it salinity, erosion, drought, flooding, or over-grazing. Each farmer will be trying to do something different. Each must adapt to their land, and make a success of their conditions, in order to survive and find farming solutions that work. For further information or to register your interest email The Edge Documentaries or contact Kylee on (02) 9413 8735.

(Story courtesy of ‘The Bugle’ 23 October 2009)

African Lovegrass after being burned then chemically treated!!

Narayen Station, west of Mundubbera and part of the Australian Agricultural College, has been working with the North Burnett Regional Council to trial a few ways to control the dreaded pasture weed, African Lovegrass. Once introduced to Australia as a soil stability pasture, it has since become a pest to pastoralists in the western Burnett areas particularly (and across the Burnett).

Now, almost 18 months since treatment, come and join us for a FIELD DAY at Narayen on Saturday October 31st, 2009 from 9.30am till 2.30 with BBQ lunch provided.  Bring sturdy shoes and a hat and water.

If you’d rather not drive, a bus will be leaving from outside Mundubbera Community Development Centre (Stuart Russell St) at 8.30am. RSVP to Leigh-Anne at council on 1300 696 272. See Field Day information.

Emu and young

Originally uploaded by betterburnett

I love taking photos, and sometimes the ones you capture can really tell a story.

One BCCA member from the north Burnett has done the same, and he has sent them in for us to share with our fellow web users! Check out this photo and more using our ‘Flickr’ link or by clicking on the photo. This one is of an Emu and his 14 young!

If you’d like to share some photos from your neck of the woods in the Burnett and surrounds, we’d LOVE to hear from you. A picture says a thousand words, and the Burnett is a great place to snap some up!

Keep an eye out for more events on their website: www.pfsq.net

Coming up in the coastal Burnett:

Native Forest Harvesting and Products Field Day

Doughboy Rd, west of Gin Gin

Friday 13th November 2009 (Updated)

9am – 3pm

For more information hit their website or phone Sean on 5483 6535.  See attached flyer.

This week, BCCA’s major sponsors Burnett Mary Regional Group hosted their annual Awards evening in Kingaroy to celebrate the achievements in the Burnett Mary region over the past 12 months, and those involved in getting them done.

The Burnett did well with three winners in the room:

• Outstanding Volunteer Award – Mr Trevor Gleeson (North Burnett Landcare Group)
• Outstanding Acheivement from an Agricultural Organisation - Central Burnett Area Wide Management (Fruit Fly Force)
• Outstanding Acheivement for a Not-for-Profit Community Group - Burnett Catchment Care Association

The BCCA staff and executives who attended the event were very honoured to be awarded and we would like to show our appreciation to the other outstanding finalists.

Over the past 12 months, BCCA have been working side-by-side with BMRG to implement four natural resource management programs funded under the Caring for our Country program: Reef Rescue, SuperGraze, Healthy Habitats and Better Catchments.  Over the coming financial year, BCCA will be involved again in the Reef Rescue and Better Catchments programs across the Burnett region.  Stay tuned for more information about these programs in the coming months!

On the 7th and 8th of October, BMRG has put together the ultimate training package for landholders and natural resource managers.  Best of all it’s free!

Some special guests will also be in attendance on the 8th including a Hairy Nosed Wombat, Spotted Quoll, and a Glossy Black Cockatoo just to name a few!

The event will be held at the Kingaroy RSL and will coincide with the Burnett Mary NRM Awards (also free to attend) to be held on the night of the 7th.

To RSVP and ensure your attendance at this event please go to our website www.bmrg.org.au or phone 41812999

For more information please download the following flyer updated community notice 20090921 or visit BMRG’s website on www.bmrg.org.au

This event is made possible by funding received from the Australian and Queensland Governments through the Caring for our Country Program.

For more information and to book, please download Peter Andrews Flier 170909 or phone Noela on 0749 383919.

Where:          “Stowe Park” Calliope (Rob and Sandra Watersons)

When:           9^th October, 2009.

Time:              8.30am – 4.00pm.

Cost:               $20.00/ per person for catering.

RSVP: 6^th October to Noela on 49 383 919

BCCA are still in force and are currently in the process of tendering to BMRG for grants to be put into place in the Burnett!