Weeds and water at the 'Forage to Farming Forum'
A bright, blue-sky day in Katherine set the perfect backdrop for the NT Farmers Forage to Farming Forum, held on Wednesday 12 June at the Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts and Culture Centre in Katherine East.
The event attracted primary producers from across the region, eager to enhance their knowledge of fodder production and soil health. Esteemed speakers from CSIRO, the Australian Fodder Industry Association and Feed Central shared their expertise, offering invaluable insights into the hay industry.
Staff from the department were present at the forum’s information hub, engaging attendees in discussions about water licensing, planning and weed management. Topics of significant interest included water allocation planning in the region, the recovery of unused licensed water entitlements, trading water and the comprehensive state of the resource report for Katherine.
Farmers were particularly keen to learn about ongoing projects targeting invasive species such as Gamba grass, Siam weed, bellyache bush and Neem tree. Live specimens were showcased with discussions covering the effectiveness of previous and current Weed management plans and regional strategies with a focus on the Integrated Weed Management program that includes biological control measures and pesticides.
The event, organised by NT Farmers and supported by the Northern Hub, showcased a collaborative effort to empower and build resilient regional communities. The Northern Hub, a consortium of partners including the NT Government, aims to support land and sea managers across northern Western Australia and the Northern Territory in adapting to the challenges posed by climate change.
