Jackie wraps up Marla Oodnadatta field day
Check out our video of all the action from the March Marla Oodnadatta field day where up to 100 people converged on Mount Barry Station and the Coober Pedy Golf Club to catch up and find out the latest on a range of pastoral land management subjects
Posted 20 April 2017.
Check out our video of all the action from the March Marla Oodnadatta field day where up to 100 people converged on Mount Barry Station and the Coober Pedy Golf Club to catch up and find out the latest on a range of pastoral land management subjects.
Emerging technologies were a big feature of the two day event.
Observers were left quietly impressed by Falcon Aerial Service’s smooth demonstration of using a drone to count cattle and move them from one end of Mount Barry’s cattle yards to the other; likewise Catagra Group’s use of an ultrasound wand for quickly testing for pregnancy in cattle struck a chord with many.
Soil doctor Col Stanton gave attendees a taste of his soil conservation and grader workshops (see separate article) and, back in the shade of the homestead, many enjoyed the opportunity to see the behind-the-scenes action as Cassie Hough and Courtney Fowler presented a live broadcast of ABC’s SA Country Hour.
At the Coober Pedy Golf Club, Murray Grey (Glenflorrie Station, WA) talked about recent developments in the world of precision pastoralism and a trial of a telemetry system which correlates cattle weight with satellite imagery on pasture quality; Northern Territory research officer Tim Schatz talked about heifer productivity work conducted on Tieyon Station; and participants also heard updates from Livestock SA and Bon Bon Station (Bush Heritage) as well as on wild dogs, livestock biosecurity, and groundwater rights and obligations (see separate article).
Climate was also on the agenda with Darren Ray, Bureau of Meteorology, saying the forecast El Nino doesn’t have to spell disaster for the outback and talking about the longer term warming trends brought about by climate change, and Cecilia Woolford (Outback Communities Authority) presenting the recently released Far North and Outback SA Climate Change Adaptation Plan.
No-one went hungry with attendees enjoying a huge variety of savouries and sweets for lunch thanks to the Coober Pedy Area School and dinner featuring lamb and pig on a spit courtesy of Mark Hoad.
Members of the Royal Flying Doctor Service were also on hand at Mount Barry offering free health checks, a great opportunity to meet with the new breast care nurse.
Big thanks to the Coober Pedy Golf Club, Mount Barry Station, stall holders, presenters and participants for making this a successful day.
The field day was hosted by the Marla Oodnadatta NRM Group with support from Lil Kamphorst, Community Engagement Officer, Natural Resources SA Arid Lands and with funding from the SA Arid Lands NRM Board, the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program, Meat and Livestock Australia and Outback Communities Authority.
Jackie Williams, Marla-Oodnadatta NRM Group Chair
