eNews #16

• 17th August - The Connection between Soil and Animal Health
• 19th August - Staying Safe & Savvy Online - Guyra
• 28th August - WaterWise Farms: Stock, Storage & Security
• 3rd September - Dam Good Water: Enhancing Farm Dams
• 15-18th  September - Spring into Nutrition Farming

As part of Landcare Week, we have released the Celebrating Landcare in the Northern Tablelands Regional Film, which can be viewed here.

From the people out in the paddock to the passionate leaders on local committees, everyone plays a part in driving positive change. Strong partnerships and collaboration have helped Landcare in the Northern Tablelands grow, support resilient groups, and empower communities.

“We collaborate, we foster partnerships, we foster growth, we build Landcare groups, we build people in the community.” – Lee Thompson, Local Landcare Coordinator, Gwymac Landcare

Southern New England Landcare is shaped by its members — and as a valued member, we need to hear from you.

We’re inviting all members to take a few minutes to share their thoughts, experiences, and ideas by 31 May 2026. Complete the survey at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2026SNELMemberSurvey

The survey focuses on key areas including:

• Training and skills development
• Local issues and challenges
• Communication and engagement
• Membership benefits and services.

Your feedback plays a vital role in helping us understand what’s working well, what could be improved, how we can better support our Landcare groups and members across the region, help inform future priorities, guide resource planning, and strengthen collaboration and communication.

• The survey takes around 10 minutes to complete
• All responses are confidential
• Closes at midnight on Sunday 31st May 2026.

You can access the survery here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2026SNELMemberSurvey

We truly value your input and encourage you to take part — whether you’re a long‑standing member or newly involved. Every response helps ensure Southern New England Landcare continues to reflect the needs, ideas, and passion of its community.

Thank you for being part of Landcare and for helping shape the region's future.

Cane toads continue to spread through parts of northern New South Wales, with populations becoming established further inland than previously expected. While cane toads are not currently established around Armidale, landholders and community members across the Northern Tablelands have an important role to play in helping prevent their spread.

For many years, cold winters were considered a natural barrier to cane toad establishment on the Northern Tablelands. However, recent observations in northern NSW, along with international research, suggest cane toads can survive and persist in cooler climates than previously recognised. This has increased the importance of community awareness and surveillance across the region.

This brochure summarises the results of a study into greenhouse gas emissions, flows and stores in the landscape of the Lower Apsley River Landcare Group.

Call the SNEL office today for a hard copy or download here. 

Webinar: Farm Business Insights - Performance Trends of Livestock Assets and Practical Planning Tools

11 August 2026 – 10:30am

Join Local Land Services and Agripath in this online webinar for data-driven insights into enterprise profitability in the North West.

What the webinar will cover:

Drawing on years of farm business data from North West NSW, Agripath’s Business Analyst Alastair Scott, will provide insights into livestock asset performance, livestock enterprise profitability and key performance trends to help producers and advisers make better-informed management decisions. The webinar will include a demonstration of a cost of production tool for forage oat crops. Topics include:

• How we measure farm performance
• Key drivers of livestock assets over the last 5 years
• Stocking Rate - Manipulating Stocking rate - Pasture Types
• Animal Performance - Drivers of Animal performance - Enterprise Choice, Costs, Income

Register here or contact Lana Andrews on 0417 328 615

The program is designed for farmers and landholders interested in renewable energy, including those considering hosting wind, solar or other renewable energy projects. There will also be a farmer-only gathering on 11 August, providing an opportunity to hear directly from existing wind farm hosts, as well as optional site tours on 13 August.

You can view the program here:
https://renewablesinagconference.com.au/agenda/

Landholders in our network can receive a 15% discount using the code CPA when registering through this link:
https://events.humanitix.com/national-renewables-in-agriculture-conference-and-expo-2026?discountcode=CPA

The Linnean Society of NSW’s 2026 Symposium entitled, Natural History of the New England Region, will take place 3 - 5 November 2026, University of New England, Armidale, NSW.

                                CALL for PAPERS

The Linnean Society of NSW promotes ‘the Cultivation and Study of the Science of Natural History in all its Branches’. It is one of Australia’s oldest, and among its leading scientific societies.