2009 Science Forum

The Lachlan CMA recently held its 2009 Science Forum in Forbes. The Forum drew a large crowd of about 120 for the two day event and was co-hosted by the Lake Cowal Foundation. The theme for the Forum was “The Proof is in the Paddock” and was well reflected with an even mix of land managers, researchers and local government representatives. The focus was squarely on how science is applied in the paddock and how it affects the farm business.

“We have been really pleased with the support Lachlan land managers have given this event,” said Mr Rob Gledhill, Chairman Lachlan CMA, “ it is great to bring this group together to explore the link between the research and our farming systems.”

The Forum was held in Forbes over 2 days – Tuesday 11th and Wednesday 12th August and had a diverse program with an area of interest for everyone with speakers and sessions covering the themes of water, biodiversity, land and community.

The crowd were inspired by Professor David Goldney who gave a compelling keynote address on the Ecology of Farming identifying both the opportunities and limitations farming poses.

“One of the major attractants has been the opportunity for land managers to have input into future research needs in the Catchment,” Mr Gledhill said. The program was designed to capture this feedback for each theme explored over the two days.

More participants at the Forum;

The evening dinner was also very enjoyable with Mr James O’Loghlin, well known media personality and host of the ABC’s The New Inventors program, as the guest speaker, providing an entertaining address.

The event was hailed a great success and it looks likely there will be another held in 2010 so be sure to get on your local Lachlan CMA Office contact list so you don’t miss out on next years event.

Following are copies of the 2009 Science Forum Presentations;

Opening Addresses

"Water, Drought and Climate Change"
Professor David Mitchell - Lake Cowal Foundation

"The Ecology of Farming - Opportunities and Limitations"
Professor David Goldney - CSU / Cenwest Environmental Services

Water Theme

"Improving Water Management Decisions and Reconnecting Wetland Systems of the Lower Lachlan River through Improved Flow Regimes"
Mr Darren Barma - Barma Water Resources Consulting

"Ecological Character of the Lower Lachlan Floodplain and Wetlands"
Dr Samantha Capon - Riverine Landscapes Laboratory, University of Canberra

"Controlling Carp and Restoring Native Fish in the Lower Lachlan"
Dr Dale McNeil - South Australian R&D Institute

"Spawning and Recruitment of Native Fish in the Lachlan Catchment"
Dr Amina Price - Murray Darling Freshwater Research Centre

"Convenient and Low Cost Irrigation Scheduling - An opportunity for Irrigators in the Lachlan Valley"
Dr Evan Christen - CSIRO Land & Water

"Evaporation Rates on Riverine Soils and their Effect on Drip and Flood Irrigation Systems"
Ms Belinda Kerridge - Cooperative Research Centre for Irrigation Futures

"Achieving Water Efficiency Gains through System Conversion - Travelling to Pivot Irrigation Systems"
Mr James Stewart  - Mixed Farming Landholder.

Biodiversity Theme

"Southern Pygmy Perch and Macquarie Perch Habitat Mapping, Breeding and Reintroduction"
Mr Luke Pearce - NSW DPI Aquatic Habitat Protection

"Mistletoes - Noxious Weeds or Keystone Species ?"
Ms Karolina Petrovic - CSU

"The Impact of Extreme Drought on Persistence of Native Grasses in Central NSW & Implications for Climate Change"
Dr Robert Godfree - CSIRO Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research

"A Role for Native Animals in the Restoration of Degraded Rangelands"
Dr David Eldridge - UNSW

"Lachlan River Catchment - Conservation Assessment of Travelling Stock Reserves and Routes"
Mr Phil Spark - NW Ecological Services

"Invasive Native Scrub, Policy, Management and Science"
Dr Sue Briggs - CSIRO

"The Direct Relationship between Human Decision Making and Biodiversity"
Mr Gary Johnson - Landholder

Land Theme

"The Importance of Comprehensive Soil Examination"
Dr David McKenzie - McKenzie Soil Management

"Balancing the Productivity and Sustainability of Grazing Systems"
Dr Warwick Badgery - DPI

"Implementation of the Lachlan Catchment Land Management Targets with Time Controlled Grazing"
Mr Angus Hickman - Landholder

"Basic Principles for Improving Biological Functions in Australian Soils"
Dr Gupta Vadakatta - CSIRO Entemology Soil Ecology Team

"Farming and Grazing Systems in a Dry Climate"
Mr Roger Todd - Landholder

"Sequestering Carbon in Farmlands and Rangelands can be a Win-Win Situation"
Mr David Tongway - CSIRO Honorary Fellow & ANU Visiting Fellow

"The Value of Balancing Calcium and Magnesium in Soils"
Mr Mark Conyers - DPI Soil & Organics Research

Community Theme

"The PUTTI Project: Improved Land Management Practice - Better Catchment Outcomes"
Ms Lorraine Bates - CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems

"Targeting Salinity Investment through Landscape Understanding"
Mr Andrew Woolridge - DECC

"Sustainable Agriculture, within an Ecological Perspective, at a Farm and Community Level"
Mr Vince Heffernan - Landholder

"Mental Health in Rural Communities"
Ms Anne Tonna - Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health

"Understanding Social Landscapes from a Salinity Perspective"
Mr Allan Nicholson - DECC

"The Importance of Citizen Scientists in Threatened Species Recovery Programs"
Mr Dean Ingwerson - Birds Australia, Woodland Birds Conservation Office

"Building Community Resilience with a Natural Resource Management Focus"
Ms Rachael Hill - Liverpool Plains Land Management