Maintain Productivity By Reducing The Winter Feed Gap

A stock feed gap typically occurs when feed quality does not meet the energy requirements of livestock. If not identified and addressed early, stock may start to decline in condition and production losses may be seen. The length of this period depends predominantly on seasonal conditions and stocking rates.

For most, mid to late winter through to early spring is when the feed gap is most likely as the days are cooler and sunlight day length shorter resulting in slower pasture growth.

Unfortunately, it is during the coldest part of winter that livestock energy requirements increase. Livestock quickly lose condition when energy requirements are not met particularly young and pregnant or lactating stock.

Understanding your feed gap can help to predict when one may occur and therefore assist you to maintain maximum productivity.

RDA Central West Appoints New Director

Mr Bowman is excited about his new role at RDA Central West, having been a board member for the not-for-profit organisation for two years.

Prior to joining RDA Central West, Mr Bowman was the Business Engagement Lead for Southeast and Central NSW at nbn Co. Before this he was Economic Development Manager for Bathurst Regional Council for eight years. He was also a CoFounder of Bathurst’s Upstairs Startup Hub and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

RDA Central West Chair Ruth Fagan said Mr Bowman’s appointment was a fantastic step forward for the organisation.

Protecting Our Travelling Stock Routes

Central West Local Land Services (LLS) are reminding people that it is illegal to collect firewood from Travelling Stock Reserves (TSRs).

Anyone caught removing timber or disturbing vegetation (alive or dead) from a TSR can be fined up to $5,500 under the Local Land Services Act 2013.

People can apply for a permit to collect firewood from selected state forests. Contact 1300 655 687 for details or visit Forestry Corporation for further details.

For more information or to report any illegal activity on TSRs call LLS on 1300 795 299 or visit our website.

QUESTION of the week QUESTION of the week

What is your special talent?

Canowindra Public School Uncovers The Past

Students from Canowindra Public School recently visited the Age of Fishes Museum for a presentation by Dr David McGrath. Dr McGrath along with Amanda Lane and Lorraine Spear from the AOF museum and Aleysha McGrath created a hands-on experience for the children, exploring a number of questions and answers related to the fish fossil discovery back in the 1950s.

The children have previously visited the Age of Fishes Museum and impressed Dr McGrath with their knowledge of geological age and the fossils found at the site.

This provided the opportunity to look more closely at the uniqueness of the find and incredible rarity of such an event. Scientific theories of billabong, coastal lagoon and lake were enthusiastically discussed in a question-and-answer session. Discussion moved through to early plants to fish food to the catastrophic ending event 360 million years ago.

The frozen moment in time was energetically considered through curious minds with the children displaying an emerging logical thinking and creativity. Did the fish die through drought, storms, or yet to be discovered events and mechanisms?

The scientific process of re-constructing the fish as 3D models was explained through latex moulds placed over the sandstone slabs. There was also time to explore the anatomy of these ancient fish, and consider the evolutionary move to life on land with four limbs.

The children involved themselves with much larger subjects such as continental drift, extinction events and climate change.

Overall, the children left with an increased awareness and appreciation of the significance of the Canowindra fossils, and the possibility of further discoveries on our doorstep.

By Dr David McGrath