For those producers affected by the fires please note there is some financial assistance from the government in the form of transport subsidies and low interest rate loans.
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Primary producers: transport subsidies
Transport freight subsidies of up to 50 per cent on the carriage of livestock and fodder are available to help primary producers. The maximum subsidy available is $15,000 per annum. Inquiries should be made to the nearest Department of Primary Industries office. Telephone: 1800 814 647. Website: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au
Primary producers: loans
Loans of up to $130,000 are available (subject to certain eligibility criteria), at a concessional interest rate for those in urgent need.
These loans may be used to meet carry-on requirements and the replacement and repair of damage not covered by insurance. The NSW Rural Assistance Authority administers this scheme. Phone 1800 678 593 or go to www.raa.nsw.gov.au.
A fond farewell
At the close of 2012 we saw the retirement of two highly valued members of our frontline extension team here in the south Paul Parker, district agronomist in Young and Greg Meaker, beef cattle officer in Goulburn both called it a day.
Paul has been with NSW DPI for almost 45 years. Given NSW DPI started in 1890, this is one third of the time that the department has been in existence.
Paul’s advice on a range of cropping and pasture issues has been second to none and he has been very willing to share his knowledge to those of us that have entered the department behind him.
His expertise, particularly on the cropping side, has been highly regarded right across NSW. Paul’s advice on farming issues has always been extremely considered, well balanced and honest. He will be greatly missed by both colleagues and farming clients.
Greg has been with NSW DPI for 36 years. Greg’s expertise in beef cattle has been extremely sort after by farming cliental across a very wide area of NSW.
He has been the only NSW DPI beef cattle officer in the Southern Tablelands region for the last 12 years and has been responsible for resolving many issues across a large area.
Greg has been extremely dedicated in helping landholders in the area of beef cattle production and grazing management.
He has regularly serviced our Yass area regarding beef cattle and has been a familiar presenter at a number of our Yass NSW DPI courses/workshops such as Prograze and StockPlan. Greg will also be greatly missed by both colleagues and producers.
Variety Guide now available
The NSW DPI publication ‘Pasture Varieties used in NSW 2012-13’ is now available. The biennial book is now updated to help farmers decide which pasture varieties are most suitable for them.
It lists the characteristics of all species and varieties commercially available in NSW. It covers both temperate and tropical pasture grass, legumes and herb species sold in NSW.
The book is useful in helping to sort out the vast range of varieties available. A description is given about each species including its preferred rainfall and soil type, any special information about its habits, growth, resistance to pests and diseases and the varieties currently available.
The book includes other useful information such as legume inoculants and inoculation, livestock disorders associated with pasture improvement, how to select pasture varieties and a list of seed suppliers.
If you would like a copy, please contact Fiona Leech on 6118 7701 or 0427 201 805.
Useful DPI canola book now available free of charge on web
It has been decided that the NSW DPI series of cropping books listed below will now be published to the NSW DPI website and maybe downloaded free of charge. Previously these books were $35 per copy.
These recent publications contain practical and valuable information on the many issues that need to be considered when growing the various crops. The books include:
- Canola growth and development
- Wheat growth and development
- Barley growth and development
- Lupins growth and development
So far only the publication, ‘Canola growth & development’ has been published to the website: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/broadacre/winter-crops/oilseeds/canola/growth-development. However, over the coming months the other above mentioned books will also be available via the NSW DPI website.
