The 2018 Winter crop variety sowing guide is available. The aim of this annually updated guide is to help grain growers and their advisers make better cropping decisions and higher profits from winter crops.
Download the guide at https://www.dpi. nsw.gov.au/agriculture/broadacre-crops/ guides/publications/winter-crop-varietysowing- guide.
With pre-season training for winter sports commencing, it is a relevant time to discuss sports related head injuries and consider what can be done to prevent or minimise the impact a concussion injury has on an athlete.
In the medical world, a concussion is considered a mild traumatic brain injury. Concussions occur not only from direct contact of the head with a solid object but also when indirect forces cause the brain to move rapidly within the skull, such as a fall on the buttocks or a whiplash injury. Contrary to popular belief, you can sustain a concussion without losing consciousness.
Common symptoms of concussion include headaches, memory and concentration difficulty, decreased balance and coordination, drowsiness, vomiting and light or sound sensitivity. The ability to perform normal activities with the same speed, reaction time and precision as prior to the injury is often significantly altered.
When managed appropriately, most signs and symptoms are temporary and resolve within 7 to 10 days; however complications can occur, including prolonged duration of symptoms and increased susceptibility to further injury. There is also growing concern about the potential long term consequences of multiple concussions.
The brain needs time to heal and rest after a concussion. This includes rest from both physical activity and cognitive loads. Return to sport too early increases the chances of another concussion.
It is worth considering performing baseline testing such as a SCAT-3 or King Devick Test in the pre-season to establish a benchmark offering comparison when an athlete has sustained a concussion. This helps determine when they are ready to return to sport.
“For the fitness of you.”
Linda Reilly.
Aussie farmers struggling to keep on top of pests and weeds will have access to a wider range of chemicals thanks to a $1.78 million Coalition Government investment.
Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, David Littleproud said the third round of the Agvet Chemicals Grants Program would deliver 26 grants to address a range of priority uses.
“We need to give farmers the tools to stay ahead of the game and do what they do best, farm,” the Minister said. “This round will unlock access to a range of chemicals which include applications for fodder beets in the dairy industry, mushrooms, green tea, quinoa and papaya.”
“These include Targo to manage mites in cocoa crops, Sero-X to manage mirids in lucerne crops, Vivado to manage cobwebs in mushrooms and Amistar to manage leaf blight in sweet corn.”
“The previous two rounds of the program awarded 100 grants to RDC applicants totalling $4.11 million and have already resulted in improved chemical access.”
For more information, visit agriculture.gov.au/ag-farm-food/ag-vetchemicals/improved-accessagvet-chemicals/agvetassistance-grants.
Could hamstring injuries be back related? The short answer is – Yes.
All hamstring injuries have some involvement either directly or indirectly from our back and nerves and how we control movement of the pelvis.
Our hamstrings attach to the bottom of our pelvis. They work to not only straighten the hip and bend the knee but to also help stabilise the pelvis. Any change in back position affects our pelvic position which in turn affects our hamstring length.
The nerves supplying our hamstrings originate in the lumbar spine. Any tightness or stiff joints in the lower back can impact on the ability of the nerves to glide and move through the hamstrings. We know muscles protect nerves, so if we have a tight nerve coming from our lower back, the hamstrings will tighten to protect this nerve. This tightness puts the muscle at risk of injury when it is working hard. The load is magnified if the hamstring is working overtime to control the pelvis when the gluteal muscles or the joints in the lumbar spine are not working efficiently.
This is why sometimes you can stretch and stretch your hammies and they just won’t loosen up. They may be protecting a tight nerve. By stretching them you are putting the nerve under strain which actually makes the muscle tighten further. In this case we need to look to the lumbar spine to free up this tight nerve.
If you suffer from hamstring tightness or recurrent hamstring injury it is important to address what is happening in your lumbar spine and pelvic control before your hamstring can completely recover.
“For the fitness of you”
Linda Reilly
Flu vaccinations are now available at both Flannery’s and Life Pharmacies.
Why should you have a flu vaccination?
• Having an annual flu vaccination is the best way to prevent catching and spreading the flu.
• Each year, the flu causes an estimated 13,500 hospitalisations and more than 3,000 deaths among Australians aged over 50 years.
• Last year (2017), Australia experienced one of the worst flu seasons in recent years.
• While in some cases, influenza vaccination may not prevent a person developing the flu virus, it can help to reduce the severity and/or duration of the flu and potentially prevent further serious complications.
• It is important to have the vaccine each year to continue to be protected because your immunity decreases over time and flu strains change year to year.
For people who are over 65, aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander or who have chronic health conditions, you may be entitled to a free vaccination from your GP.
Drop in any time…
There is no need to make an appointment, just call in to either Pharmacy and our accredited Pharmacists are available to provide you with a flu shot straight away.
However, if you would like to make an appointment you can ring Flannery’s on 685 2111 or Life on 6852 2001.
Supporting our Community
For each vaccination given, Life and Flannery’s Pharmacies will be making a donation to two local organisations, so when you have your flu vaccination you’ll be given a token to choose which charity you want us to donate to.
The Western NSW Primary Health Network (WNSW PHN) is pleased with a recent announcement that Western NSW leads the country in the number of fully immunised 5-year olds, with new data released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). This compares with a national rate for fully immunized 5-year olds of 93.5% in 2016-17.
“Immunisation is a critical component in building healthy communities and reducing preventable hospitalisations,” said Andrew Harvey, CEO WNSW PHN. “We are thrilled with these new immunisation numbers that show families in Western NSW continue to make the right health choices for their children,” continued Mr Harvey.
WNSW PHN works closely with general practice and Local Health Districts to provide immunisation education and promotion programs for nurses, doctors and Aboriginal health workers. This includes an annual immunisation conference held in Orange and Dubbo in partnership with the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance to be held on 3-4 May 2018.
WNSW PHN is one of 31 Primary Health Networks across Australia established by the Australian Government that work to support and strengthen primary health care. WNSW PHN works closely with general practice and Aboriginal community controlled health organisations to improve quality and access to primary care in the community. WNSW PHN also funds a range of services to meet identified health needs in areas including mental health, drug and alcohol, suicide prevention, chronic disease, after hours services and older persons care.
The Western NSW Primary Health Network area covers 433,379 square kms and includes both Western and Far West NSW Local Health Districts.
Climate Smart Innovation for the Central West is a conference being held in Cowra on 18th and 19th April exploring the future of agricultural practices.
The conference will showcase the latest in the region’s agricultural, environmental and conservation projects. It will promote new and sustainable production methods for land production and environmental stakeholders in the Central West.
Major speakers at the conference include Mick Callan of Central West Council’s Environment and Waterways Alliance who will speak about Environmental Protection Projects in the region. Mick is the current winner of the Jo Ross Memorial Award for his contributions to the environment of the Bathurst Region for implementing projects such as “Racing to Save the Mount Panorama Woodlands” and “Protecting and Connecting Bathurst Copper Butterfly Habitat”.
Dr Paul Gibson-Roy, the lead scientist for Greening Australia will be speaking about “Bringing native biodiversity back into rural and urban landscapes”, which will touch on both ecology and amenity and the techniques used. Paul will speak about how native species are not only used to reduce soil or water surface loss but are also useful in farming systems for fodder or for their integrated pest management attributes.
A visit to one of the country’s leading dairy, “Moxey Farms”, will also feature. See how the farm of 6,000 cows manages innovative technology to run sustainably, including a tour of their new biodigester which is turning farm waste into fertiliser.
Kristy Good, the Splash Program Coordinator for Sydney Water will be running a workshop on “Living Waterways Framework”, providing participants with the skills to identify, design and promote solutions for water sensitive urban design strategies.
For more information and to register, contact Cowra Council on 02 6340 2040 or go to www.cowracouncil.com.au.
The NSW Food Authority again released details last week of testing for Listeria that identified Riverina property, Rombola Family Farms, as the source of the recent outbreak. It follows reports that there was no clear link to the property.
Genetic sequencing was used to test samples. More than 30 samples of melons through the supply chain, including retail and on farm, tested positive to Listeria monocytogenes.
Additional testing found L. monocytogenes in the packing area. All L. monocytogenes samples had the same genetic sequence as human cases. NSW Food Authority believes the cause of the outbreak was a combination of environmental conditions and weather contaminating the surface of the fruit, with low levels of the bacteria persisting after the washing process.
Throughout the incident the NSW Food Authority worked with the Australian Melon Association to support its members, providing a written letter advising of its confidence that all affected product has been removed from the supply chain.
The much anticipated Sheep Field Day returns to the Australian National Field Day (ANFD) site, near Orange in April.
The Australian National Field Days’ Administration Manager, Jayne West said the event on Thursday, 19th April is an exciting addition to the Field Days’ calendar.
“Last year’s inaugural Sheep Field Day attracted farmers from across NSW. The success of the day has cemented the event as an annual fixture. The Sheep Field Day creates a one-stop-shop for all sheep related products, meaning farmers can access the latest information and products all in one location, on the one day. There’ll be a variety of exhibitors at the event providing sheep producers with a unique opportunity to interact with the best in the field,” said Jayne.
“Exhibitors will be displaying automated drafting systems, sheep handlers, stockyard systems, animal health products, electronic ear tagging and livestock management systems, as well as nutrition, supplement feeding and pasture management. “In addition to the variety of exhibitors, a number of information seminars will feature.
Talks will include the much anticipated release of the MSM Stockfeeds’ Supplementary Feeding Trial results, along with a farmer feedback panel focusing on lamb feeding. Other talks include Ian Crafter from Atlex Stockyards, who’ll discuss the evolution of the sheep yards and look at how animal psychology and precision technology continues to evolve the modern yards. Dr Kathryn Egerton – Warburton from the NSW DPI will give a presentation on sheep genetics and results from the trials currently being run in a variety of sites in NSW.”
Exhibitor sites are available to all companies related to the sheep industry and can be booked by calling the ANFD office on 02 6362 1588. Gates open at 9am on Thursday, 19th April and entry is free.
A new Drought Transport Fund announced on Monday by the NSW Government will help farmers manage livestock through dry conditions. The NSW Drought Transport Fund will provide up to $20,000 in low interest loans, with a two-year interest and repayment free period.
Minister for Primary Industries, Niall Blair said the fund would help eligible farmers pay freight costs for fodder, water, or to move stock to agistment.
Niall said these costs have provided significant challenges for a number of producers who are trying to manage their property during these difficult conditions.
“We know that more than a third of the state is struggling with drought or conditions approaching drought. My colleagues, including the Member for Upper Hunter, Michael Johnsen have expressed particular concern for the Hunter, Central Tablelands, Central West and in the Far West of the state.
“Primary production is the lifeblood of the communities in these regions and when farmers are struggling, the whole community feels the impact. This additional step in our drought strategy will allow farmers to better manage core breeding stock,” said Niall.
The NSW Drought Transport Fund will complement existing transport subsidies for the cost of transporting donated fodder within NSW and transporting stock off a property for animal welfare purposes.
These measures form part of the wider NSW Drought Strategy, which includes a rural resilience program, rural support workers and financial counselling, and the Farm Innovation Fund for on-farm drought preparedness work and capital improvement.
The Farm Innovation Fund has approved $54 million worth of low-interest loans this financial year, with almost $9 million worth of loans applied for in March alone, and more than $200 million since its inception in 2013.
More information on the NSW Drought Transport Fund and application details are available from www.droughthub.nsw.gov.au.