Small Farms Network

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The Small Farms Network is a free support service for people who live on or manage rural and peri-urban land on the south coast and southern highlands of NSW. The Network provides support to all landholders ranging from half a hectare to several hundred hectares. Members in our Network range from full time farmers/producers, to residents who visit their property on the weekend and live in Sydney.

A range of services are provided to assist you with your activities whether it be:

producing beef, sheep, goats, poultry, alpacas or worms
horticultural crops, farm forestry, bush tucker or vegetables for family or commercial production
weed control, pasture productivity and soil health advice
project planning for bushland, creek restoration or shelterbelts design
training workshops and field days on a wide range of topics

Regional Dung Beetle Survey

The Small Farms Network is interested in undertaking a survey of dung beetles in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven area over the next 12 months with your help.

The first Saturday of each month (starts Saturday August 6th 2011), will be the designated snap shot in time for our regional dung beetle collection.

Process to collect and send
Collect dung beetles across your farm / paddock (usually where cattle are currently grazing) place beetles in boiling water (3 per species) and dry them out overnight. Place beetles in a match box or small container, include date, exact location, contact details of collector and send to: PO Box 148, Kiama NSW 2533.

Each landholder who contributes to the survey will receive a copy of the Lucy Vale Dung Beetle Resource Pack which is full of information on dung beetles. You will also go into the draw to win a colony of dung beetles to be released in 2012.

Regional Release History
Have you brought dung beetles privately or received a grant for them in the past. The Network is interested in documenting previous releases of dung beetles across the Illawarra and Shoalhaven. Please email me with species, number released, date, year, location and source if know.
Email: abritton@southerncouncils.nsw.gov.au

Overall Target

To obtain a better understanding of species distribution in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven area
Determine species establishment success – have we wasted our time and money on unsuitable species
Document the history of dung beetles in the region to guide future investment

For more information contact:
Andrew Britton
Small Farms Coordinator
Ph: 4232 3200
Email: abritton@southerncouncils.nsw.gov.au

Shoalhaven & Illawarra
Resource Guides
Rural Living Guide Information on sustainable farming and NRM issues. Coming soon!
Beef Calendar of Operations A guide to help manage your beef enterprise more efficiently Available Now!
Illawarra Bushland Database Vegetation survey data from across the Illawarra region from Helensburgh in the north, to the Shoalhaven River in the south.
Local Producer Networks
Shoalhaven Beef Producers Association For local beef producers collectively working together to improve farm income.
Sheep Network Local breeders meet four times a year to discuss seasonal issues with local experts.
South Coast Goat Network Are you a goat breeder, producer or have pet goats? Then this Network is for you.
Regional Projects
Canon Australia Grant The project will document the work conducted by the Small Farms Network since 2004, including the onground projects, members stories and training events.
Berry Corridors Establishing vegetation corridors between Coolangatta Mountain and Moyean Hill
Revegetating the Milton Monzonite Sustainable Agriculture / NRM in the Croobyar Road Catchment
Regional Dung Beetle Survey Help us map dung beetle species across the Illawarra & Shoalhaven region

Page Updated: 20 January, 2012