NEWS DESK
Laser idea to deter ducks Liz Bell liz@baysidenews.com.au MORNINGTON Peninsula horticulturalist Lisa Brassington knows that crops and ducks sometimes don’t mix, but the crafty inventor has come up with a simple solution to the problem that leaves both unharmed. Ms Brassington, who works at Peninsula Fresh Organics in Baxter, has spent the past three years watching ducks shift from foraging for insects to organic leafy green produce as they take advantage of what she calls “the best buffet in Baxter”. Wanting a solution that would save crops without hurting the ducks, she combined her education in rural planning and physics with her love of farming to come up with an idea using laser technology. Ms Brassington is a finalist in the RIRDC Victorian rural women’s award for her project – Duck: stirred not shredded - which uses information she gained from European and North American farmers who use
Crop saviour: Lisa Brassington has found a way to protect both birds and crops. Image courtesy AUSVEG
laser bird repellent systems. After studying data on weather and climate observations, citizen science counts of bird numbers, moon cycle information and farmer feedback, Ms Brassington came up with a system to model bird and bat behaviour and
combine this information with the technology. She said all other efforts to defeat the hungry ducks were unmanageable, and current reactive methods of dealing with them, such as random loud sounds and decorative scare-
crows, were ineffective. Since the announcement of her entry, Ms Brassington has had interest from three universities and been able to help farmers work together towards a trial. The next step, she said, would be
to bring universities, the Bureau of Meteorology, Bird Life Australia and market gardeners together to workshop the idea and come up with concrete plans she can take to HortConnections 2017 in Adelaide in May.
FRANKSTON HIGH SCHOOL
QUILT & ART EXPO
2018 Enrolment Information and School Tours A learning culture that money cannot buy
Saturday 25th March & Sunday 26th March ea Devonshire T s e & Sandwich
10am to 4pm
CRIB POINT COMMUNITY HOUSE 7 PARK RD, CRIB POINT Melways Ref: 195 B/2 mos
De Entry $5. per person t f Cra Quilts, folk art & paintings Supply Stallsby our students and local artists.
For more info Phone 59839888
Frankston High School has an outstanding reputation as a high performing school, particularly in the areas of academic achievement, music and sport. Prospective parents are encouraged to attend an information session and tour of the school on the following dates:
• Wednesday 19 April • Thursday 20 April • Monday 24 April • Friday 28 April • Tuesday 2 May
All tours to start at 9.15am For parents unable to attend through the day, an information evening will be held on Wednesday, 3 May at 7.00pm. As places are limited, bookings are required. Please book via our website at www.fhs.vic.edu.au or phone the office on 9783 7955.
Foot Street, Frankston PAGE 6
Frankston Times
20 March 2017