The survey will be conducted by wildlife biologists, who will record the presence, species and number of game ducks at more than 850 waterbodies across Victoria, including wetlands, farm dams, sewerage treatment plants, streams and rivers.
Residents may see a helicopter flying at low levels. The safety of people and livestock is a priority and disturbance to livestock will be minimised or avoided.
The survey will also include ground counts where the helicopter is unable to operate.
Satellite imaging will then be used to determine the amount of wetland habitat available and, together with survey abundance estimates, used to estimate the total abundance of Victoria’s game duck species.
The results of the survey will be published on the GMA website in 2025.
For more information, including a map of the proposed flight path, visit: https://gma.vic.gov.au/research/duck-research
FrogID Week leaps into action
The Australian Museum will again lead the nation's largest frog count during the seventh annual FrogID Week, from November 8 to November 17.
One of Australia’s biggest citizen science projects, FrogID has recorded more than 1.1 million records through the free app, which has become a vital resource for scientific research, conservation efforts and has assisted in the discovery of new species and, importantly, aims to help save our frogs.
This year, FrogID Week 2024 aims to gather at least 15,000 new verified frog calls and expand the geographical spread of frog records from 38 per cent to more than 40 per cent of Australia, with a long-term goal of covering 50 per cent of Australia by 2027.
For more information and to download the app, go to: https://www.frogid.net.au/frog-id-week
Analysing the Trump victory
While the wider implications of a new US administration under President Trump for Australian agriculture will only become apparent over time, there are a number of key watch factors for the sector, particularly for grains and oilseeds, Rabobank says.
RaboResearch general manager Stefan Vogel says for Australian agriculture broadly, the most immediate effect may be felt as a result of a new Trump administration’s impact on currency and then, over the coming months, potentially in trade.
“With the strengthening US dollar that we have already initially seen as a result of the Trump victory, the resultant softening in the Australian dollar is a positive for Australian agricultural exporters,” Mr Vogel said.
“Though conversely, it serves to make farm inputs — including fertiliser, agrochemicals, fuel and equipment — which are largely imported, more costly to purchase.”
Mr Vogel said longer term, “the knock-on economic benefits may not be as beneficial”, as the bigger-spending policies, which were part of Donald Trump’s campaign promises, risk fuelling US inflation; and the risk of a re-escalation of global trade wars seen in the first Trump administration is also a factor to watch.
“While some of our commodities — including Australian canola — did benefit from these trade wars and the stop on China buying and importing US soybeans for an extended period during the last Trump term, there is also the downside risk of trade tensions spilling over to negatively impact our exports, as we saw with the tariffs that were placed on Australian barley, wine, beef and seafood by China,” Mr Vogel said.
Fair go for Landcare facilitators
Landcare Victoria is campaigning for the Victorian Government to invest $48 million into the Victorian Landcare Facilitator Program over the next four years.
Landcare Victoria chair Jane Carney said without longer-term and greater funding, the future of the VLFP was at risk.
“Critical to the success of Landcare are our 80 local facilitators and 10 regional coordinators who harness the power of tens of thousands of volunteers across more than 600 Victorian Landcare groups,” Mrs Carney said.
“The funding the Victorian Government provides right now gets extended bit by bit, year by year, and is not enough. That’s why we’re calling for an investment of $48 million over four years, towards facilitator and coordinator roles.
“This funding increase would enable facilitators and coordinators to be offered longer contracts at a fairer wage and provide support for an additional 20 facilitator roles, to share the growing workload.”
“The four-year commitment of $48 million is expected to generate a $336 million return on public investment, increase participation in caring for our environment and allow for more on-ground activities to be delivered by Landcare volunteers,” Mrs Carney said.
Free screening of Just a Farmer
The Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority will host a a free screening of the film, Just A Farmer, at the Kyabram Plaza Theatre on Wednesday, November 27.
Just A Farmer portrays the challenges and triumphs of a resilient farmer in rural Australia. It amplifies the often-overlooked voices of rural communities and sheds light on mental health struggles.
Supper will be provided by Kyabram Urban Landcare Group.
Bookings are required at: https://www.trybooking.com/CWMHT
For more information, contact Kerstie Lee on 0437 310 840 or at kerstiel@gbcma.vic.gov.au
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