Bruce Christie, Senior Land Services Officer
What’s the best way to establish native vegetation? Opportunistic protection of regrowth is a valuable strategy for the establishment of native vegetation across landscapes.
Land managers have recently reported an abundance of natural regeneration of native trees and shrubs, possibly a direct response from the low groundcover from the drought and then the recent above average rainfall.
With stock pressure also being reduced these areas have had the perfect conditions for the germination and growth of trees and shrubs. This has given land managers a once in a decade opportunity to protect regrowth, allow damaged ecosystems to bounce back and save the costs of other forms of establishing vegetation.
An endangered fish species
Allan Wray, Senior Land Services Officer
You have probably heard of the Macquarie Perch, but have you heard of the endangered Blue Mountains Perch?
The Blue Mountains Perch has been found to have significant genetic differences to the Macquarie Perch and could soon be classified as a separate species, rather than a variation of the species. These fish populations are only found in streams at the most eastern edge of the Central Tablelands, within the Greater Blue Mountains area. They are distinctly smaller in size, have a darker colour and sometimes mottled appearance compared to the Macquarie Perch.
Options to boost recovery
Herd and flock rebuilding
Being understocked reduces your potential income. Rebuilding your herd or flock is one strategy for utilising the vacant DSE capacity during the recovery period and enhancing income generation per hectare. Rebuilding can be achieved by breeding back and buying in replacement breeders.
Before adopting any rebuilding option, it’s important to carefully consider the following questions:
Am I better off breeding my own replacements or should I buy in replacement stock as well?
What is the maximum price I should pay for replacement stock?
Should I buy young or older replacement stock?