Southern Tablelands Branch Report to 2006 Conference AGM The branch remains essentially in recess following the retirement of inaugural secretary and driving force behind the Southern Tablelands branch, Peter Simpson. The inability of myself and other members to devote sufficient time and/or resources to this key position has meant that no Grasslands activities have been held during the last year. However Chris Houghton and myself as signatories have been managing the funds for three continuing Acid Soil Action projects for which, since July 2003 the Southern Tablelands branch holds accounts to facilitate their completion. “Brushy Hill” grazing project: Drought conditions during most of last year at the replicated grazing site at Braidwood, prevented its use to fatten lambs and despite good rain in summer, the return of drought conditions this autumn resulted in the lambs being grown out on the limed and unlimed paddocks, losing too much weight and the trial had to be de-stocked yet again. This account has sufficient funds for the continuation of this work for 2 more years and we have just recently been successful in attracting funds from the Southern RiversCMA to employ someone one day a week to assist at the site and re-commence writing up the results. At the same site, the species evaluation trial sown in 1998 has lost many cultivars, all the ryegrasses and most of the fescues. All phalaris and most cocksfoots have persisted well. The local Landmark business approached us to rejuvenate the trial and has commenced site preparation with the intention of sowing next autumn. New cultivars, particularly the summer dormant fescues and cultivars with endophytes, will be sown and evaluated. Education a/c: this ASA account was set up specifically to assist develop the workshop series LANDSCAN, dealing with landscape and soil test interpretation. Most of this development work is currently being funded by NSW DPI and the Education a/c is now being used to cover small items like printing of a conference poster and for soil testing to complete the ASA data set on movement of topdressed lime from two sites that did not receive additional funds post 30/6/2003. The journal article dealing with the movement of topdressed lime by Sari Glover & Dr Brendon Scott was deemed to have insufficient data and by collecting further data and including data from two other ASA projects, it is hoped we can overcome this objection by the referees. Herbage Quality a/c: this is used to support the on-going work on native pasture at Newbridge, now in its twelfth and final year. Attached is a flier that promotes the final field day and paddock walk at the site on Thursday 26th October. I would hope the Grasslands Society will be able to be involved and help promote the day. Finally, I was approached by Haydn Lloyd-Davies to consider convening the annual conference in this area next year but feel that I would not be able to do that until 2008. I have spoken to several original committee members and they have given an undertaking to assist on a committee to run the annual conference in 2008 if the Society wishes. Southern Tablelands Branch account: balance @30.6.2006 - $1824. Michael Keys
Agronomist (special projects)
NSW Dept of Primary Industries | 
