Flupropanate is a common herbicide used to manage serrated tussock infestations, but can also impact native grass species. 

The Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party commissioned DPI Weed Sciences to conduct trials and table a report on the non-target effects of flupropanate on a range of native and improved pasture species.

Field trials were set up at Balliang West, Werribee and Oaklands Junction in Victoria where varying flupropanate rates were applied during 2009. Measurements of basal cover were recorded for the different rate applications of flupropanate over a 604 to 660 day period.

 The overall effect of flupropanate differed between the trial sites and this may have been influenced by the initial seed bank and composition of the pasture as well as soil characteristics. It was also noted that the management of annual and broadleaf weed species reduced competition and allowed some native species, such as stipa, to regenerate post flupropanate application.

 This research supports the message from the Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party that encouraging strong, competitive pastures, such as native grasses, to regenerate through control of annual and broadleaf weed species also helps to out-compete vulnerable and slow growing serrated tussock seedlings. Successful management of serrated tussock needs to include strategies such as herbicide application, competition planting, physical removal and spread prevention techniques.   

 For more information on this flupropanate field trial, please contact Charles Grech – Research Scientist Weed Sciences on 03 9217 4120 or charles.grech@dpi.vic.gov.au

More information on effective serrated tussock management can be found on the National Best Practice Management Manual for Serrated Tussock. For a copy, please contact Alison Head 5366 0028 or alison.head@dpi.vic.gov.au

This article has been taken with permission from ‘Tussock Times”

 In the mean time if you have any items or events you would like to publicise through the network please send them through to elspeth.swan@dse.vic.gov.au or nathanw@tfn.org.au and we will try and load them to this site. It would be great to have some short articles and a photo to let people know what is happening on the Victorian Volcanic Plains.

Thanks Wyndham City for the below invite.

Dear grassland enthusiasts,

After much planning and anticipation, we are excited to announce that the registrations are now open for Wyndham’s 2011 Grassland Management Conference, to be held on Thursday 10th and Friday 11th November 2011.

I have attached a flyer, which I encourage people to distribute to groups and individuals they know that have a role or interest in grassland management. The website link is below also.
http://www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/environment/environmentsustainability/eventsprograms/events/grasslandsconference

Remember that if you would like to display a project at the conference to contact me directly.

Hope to see you all there!

Regards
Liz

and a brief overview of the NPCMN is as follows

The Northern Plains Conservation Management Network (NPCMN) was established in 2005 with the aim to bring together all those involved with and interested in the management and conservation of grasslands and grassy woodlands in the north central area.

The target area for the NPCMN encompasses the Patho Plains (Mitiamo, Pyramid Hill, Echuca and Gunbower) and the Avoca Plains (Quambatook, Bael Bael and Mystic Park). These boundaries are flexible and can be adjusted to include additional areas if required.

The NPCMN has evolved into a forum where land managers (public and private), researchers (eg. PhD students), local government (including Shire of Campaspe, Shire of Loddon, Shire of Gannawarra), and Natural Resource Management (NRM) agencies (including Department of Sustainability & Environment, Department of Primary Industries, Parks Victoria, Trust for Nature, North Central Catchment Management Authority) come together to discuss biodiversity topics and share stories about the management of these depleted ecosystems. Guest speakers often feature at quarterly meetings and a newsletter – Plains Talk – is also circulated quarterly.

In cooperation with Parks Victoria and the Department of Sustainability and Environment, I am conducting a study to determine the levels of community knowledge, awareness of a local bird; the Plains-wanderer. This species is only found in small pockets along the east coast of Australia, and as a conservation staff member or resident living in an area it is found, your participation is invaluable.

Your Participation is entirely voluntary and you are free to choose not to participate or to not answer questions if you wish. This survey will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. Upon completion, you will be eligible to be entered into a draw to win a $50.00 book prize voucher.

By participating in this survey, you will help improve communication between conservation organisations and local communities for the benefit of both parties.

If you have already received and completed this survey, please disregard this email.
To begin the survey please follow the link below. Closing date for this survey is 14 July 2011.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/plains-wanderer

Thank you for your assistance in this study.

Regards,
Kyla Johnstone

If you have any queries or concerns regarding any aspect of this research please don’t hesitate to contact myself or my supervisor at the details provided below.

Kyla Johnstone
Honours Student
Phone: 0410188307
Email: kcj@deakin.edu.au

Dr. Kelly Miller
Supervisor
Phone: 9251 7615
Fax: 9251 7626
Email: kelly.miller@deakin.edu.au

Should you have any concerns regarding the conduct of this research project, please contact the Secretary, Ethics Committee, Research Services, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood Vic 3125. Tel (03) 9251 7123 (Quote Project ID: 2011-113)

Hello Stony Rises project supporters,

We have an amazing event coming up – all about the interesting reptilian residents of the Rises.

If you’d like to attend, it’s on Tuesday 19^th April, to be held in Alvie, just up the road from Colac.

We have an expert speaker, and we might even be lucky enough to see some reptiles in the wild on our field trip.

See the attached flyer for all the details, and don’t forget to register if you’d like to attend.

Hope to see you there!

Kind regards,

Dr Anna Carrucan
Project Officer
Greening Australia
454 Murray St, Colac Vic 3250
T:  03 5231 6913
F:  03 5231 6912
M: 0427 047 413

(workdays: Tues-Thurs)
www.greeningaustralia.org.au

Julie and Sandy Cameron have been successful in developing a diverse agribusiness specialising in cheese production, and managing for grassland conservation on their ‘Glenspean’ property.

Their story is unique and exciting and can be read in the case study below or meet them personally on March 26th 2011 at the Lake Bolac Eel Fest, (see events calender for further details).

READ THEIR CASE STUDY HERE..  CS_Cameron_2010

The wonderful Lake Bolac Eel Festival is on again with

an Indigenous Grasslands focus for the Enviro Forum and

 photography, art, and the live music playing into the night that its famous for!!!

The VVP CMN and Trust for Nature are major sponsors and want to invite all along

to get involved and have a great day out! Support local communities, local ecology

and local culture!

Greening Australia run fantastic projects, in particular they have a wetland restoration and protection project based in the Corangamite region covering some 180,000 Ha called  Borrell-a-kandelop see their website here  http://www.greeningaustralia.org.au/our-projects/water/borrellakandelop

Check out the great documentary on the project embedded into the site courtesy of Geoge Negus Tonight ABC.

To celebrate wetlands and the work they do with the community they are inviting all the community to participate in a Photography competion which will have an exhibtion in Camperdown in February 2011 on World Wetlands Day.