Some places look like they’ve been stripped bare and turned into a desert!

One of the plant species that we’ve noticed has been knocked about is the dreaded Cat’s Claw Creeper.  As part of the Better Burnett project of 2007-08, BCCA placed the tinged bug biocontrol agent along the banks of the Boyne River less than 20km upstream of where the Boyne meets the Burnett near Mundubbera.  This month we decided it would be a good idea to go and inspect the damage to the infrastructure that was initially set up to allow the population of tinged bugs to grow. 

The ‘tent’ we built was only basic, using steel pickets driven into the sandy river bank and shadecloth (from the hardware store) to protect and enclose the area and while the population became established.

The results of the release were something less than desirable, as the dry conditions did not allow the growing population to succeed.  The favourable wetter conditions that we have experienced this summer would encourage any bugs that survived; however, the strong floodwaters appear to have knocked back a lot of the weed, providing no leaves for the bugs to consume.   Our ‘tent’, while under flood for some months, remains in the same location, only knocked over.  The equipment will be reused by the landholder.

There is still Cats Claw attached to trees, and so not doubt that it will grow back again, but perhaps this time we can manage it while it is still weak.  For chemical control of the weed, use gylphosate, but if you’d like to try using the biocontrol agent, which slows the growth and vigour of the plant, contact Gympie Landcare on 5483 8866 for bugs that you can release on your property. More information on the weed can be found here.

Left: Biocontrol agent release site in 2008

Left: The tent, which was washed over by the floodwaters, remains in place along the riverbank

However, it seems perhaps the drier climate that we’ve been experiencing in the inland Burnett has produced less than favourable conditions for the same ‘tingid bug’ species.  The major release in February 2008 amongst a 20ha infestation along the Boyne River seems to have not been able to sustain the bug and 2 years down the track, no evidence of their ever being there is present… even after the good rains of the past months.

Have you had any success with the release of this agent in your area?  We’d love to hear!  Drop us an line at admin@bettercatchment.org

Before and after: April 2008 (2 months after release) and February 2010 (2 years after release)

The Grains BMP was put together by QPI&F together with AgForce and Fitzroy Basin Association and BCCA saw an opportunity to present this to the willing participants from Kingaroy and surrounds.  The group were some of the first to try the online version of the Grains BMP (available here).  Local BGA AgriServices agronomists, Ian Crossthwaite and Damien Sippel joined in and will be able to assist landholders further.

Participants in the Kingaroy workshop qualified for a small grant under the ‘Better Catchments’ program that will be put towards something that will improve soil management on their property.  Two participants have already got their projects in, one will be putting the funding toward modifying their planting equipment to become zero till operators and another to upgrade their GPS system for more accurate controlled traffic.

We’re very pleased to see such eager uptake of this sort of project.

Stay tuned for more information about up and coming workshops and funding opportunities!!

BCCA extension officer, Leeanne Witcher and grower Stewart Hansen from the south Burnett get to work on the online version of the Grains BMP.

invite you to attend a “Combating Weeds Day”. Are you interested in how to manage weeds that are popping up in your area?

If so than this FREE information day is for you!! Mark this date in your diary!

WHEN:  Thursday 9 July 2009

Where:  Monto Showgrounds Hall

Time: 9am – 4pm Morning Tea, Sausage Sizzle Lunch & Afternoon Tea will be provided.

RSVP: Wednesday 8 July 2009 BCCA Office 41653551

Keynote Presenters include:

Kym Johnson & Daniel Stock – Lantana WoNS project (Queensland Primary Industries & Fisheries) will introduce the Lantana Best Practice Decision Support Tool and will also outline other work that is being done by the Lantana WoNS group.

Jodie Sippel – Land Protection Officer (Queensland Primary Industries & Fisheries) will discuss declared weeds found in the local area and legal obligations in regards to declared weeds and other weeds to keep watch for.  Topics will include identification, impacts and control measures.

Terry Haupt & the Small’s Creek Landcare Group will discuss the success of the Blue Heliotrope biocontrol beetle.

Lousie Newman (BCCA) – will discuss the competitive pastures for Parthenium Control & Compost Teas for Creeping Lantana control project.

Nicholas Koch – DowAgro Sciences will discuss woody weed control options and chemical options.

There will be several weed displays on show with plenty of take home materials.  All presenters will be available in the afternoon for individual discussions to answer questions & to help provide take home material on weeds/topics of interest.

Elsie already has a Facebook page (link available from Better Burnett website) wiith information about her species and the opportunity to support her survival as a ‘fan’.

To compliment this, a year-in-the-life event will be documented in what will be named ‘Elsie’s Diary‘.  Keep up-to-date with what the latest movements are for the species in the local Burnett catchment area, and learn what to expect in the coming months.

Stay tuned for more information!

Elsie is a threatened species found only in the Burnett, Fitzroy and Mary catchments.  BCCA are keen to help her survive this year – and more to come!

Check out Elsie‘s Facebook page…!

As part of this Reef Rescue program, Burnett Mary Regional Group and BCCA are pleased to provide coastal graziers with the opportunity to participate in the EdgeNetwork Grazing Land Management Workshop series presented by the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries.

This successful workshop series provides graziers with strategies to improve the profitability and sustainability of their enterprise.  This 4-day workshop is to be held at Miriam Vale CWA Hall on 28-29^th April and 12-13^th May 2009.  This workshop series usually costs $1780 per enterprise, however with funding through Reef Rescue, we are able to offer this workshop for only $350 per enterprise.  However, numbers are limited, so be quick to register.

For further information, please download the GLM Flyer and if you are interested in attending please also download and  complete the Registration Form and fax to (07) 4165 3552 by COB 21 April 2009.  Please don’t hesitate to call Letetia on (07) 41653 551 if you require more information.

Where: Bill & Frances Tincknell’s Property “Coongoola” – Miriam Vale

More information Flyer available for download: agforests-qld-forest-practice-field-day-workshop-flyer_miriam-vale_april09