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The ChemClear program has scheduled a NSW state collection for unwanted agricultural and veterinary chemicals for October/November 2016.

Registrations are essential and need to be made by 5pm 2^nd September 2016 to be included in the October collection.

Please forward this information onto your staff, clients, colleagues, members and any other interested party to ensure they have the opportunity to spread the word and register for the collection.

Bookings can be made at www.chemclear.com.au

Free call 1800 008 182

I attach a Media Release, advertisement and Inventory Form for your attention.  If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact me by return.

July 2016 ChemClear NSW – What’s In Your Shed

ChemClear – NSW October 2016

Cheers

Lisa Nixon
National Program Manager ChemClear & drumMUSTER  |  Agsafe Ltd

P:  02 6206 6805 | 0488 188 149
E:  lisa.nixon@agsafe.com.au
A:  40 Macquarie Street, Barton, ACT 2600
GPO Box 816 Canberra City,  ACT  2601
W: www.agsafe.com.au | www.drummuster.com.au  | www.chemclear.com.au

An infestation of an exotic nematode, Bursaphelenchus vallesianus was detected on Pinus radiata in the Sydney basin in March 2016. The New South Wales Government is coordinating surveillance of pine trees across New South Wales to identify any further infestations. As part of this surveillance over 3000 pine trees in the area of the original detection were individually checked for pine nematode symptoms with 31 trees sampled and tested for pine nematode infestation. So far a total of 7 trees in the original area have tested positive for pine nematode and have been or are in the process of being removed and disposed of in a biosecure manner.
Damage caused by pine nematodes can lead to rapid tree wilt and death. This pest has not previously established in Australia and poses a serious threat to Australia’s softwood plantation forest industry.
Pine nematodes are carried from infested trees to new host trees by beetles. A number of beetle species can carry pine nematodes, none of which known to be present in Australia. At this stage all beetles trapped in the area of the infested tree have tested negative for pine nematode.
We have had strong support from arborists and land managers across New South Wales reporting pine tree health across the Sydney Basin and further in NSW. So far hundreds of pine trees have been assessed with some follow up sampling and testing being undertaken. No further infestations have been found away from the original detection area.
Continued tree health assessments and reporting are important as part of ongoing investigation and eradication. A pine tree health assessment is easy. Stand back from the tree and look at the needles and branches.
Pine tree health can be assessed as:
Grade 1: less than 15% of the tree canopy is brown, considered normal.
Grade 2: approximately 25% of the tree canopy is brown which could indicate a problem. Continue to monitor the tree for further symptom development.
Grade 3: more than 50% of the tree canopy is brown, this tree should be tested for nematodes.
We are particularly interested in trees that have declined rapidly – within a few months.
Where possible please include photos of grade 2 and 3 trees when submitting your reporting sheet.
We are interested in reports of healthy as well as dying trees as these let us know where surveillance has occurred.

Completed pine tree health reporting sheets can be emailed to biosecurity@dpi.nsw.gov.au or posted to Plant Biosecurity, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Locked Bag 21, Orange NSW 2800.

For more information on pine nematodes and how you can contribute to this surveillance program, visit http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/content/biosecurity/plant/pine-nematodes
Report suspect exotic and emergency pests and diseases of plants by phoning the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline 1800 084 881.

2016-Pine-tree-health-reporting-sheet

2016-Primefact-Pine-nematodes

Bermagui Country Club Greenkeeper Jake Needs was awarded the NSW Golf Course Superintendents Association (NSWGCSA) annual Vince Church Graduate of the Year Award at a presentation at Terrey Hills Country Club on December 5.

Mr Needs was endorsed by his TAFE College in the ACT. He was one of four finalists vying for the prestigious award from TAFE colleges across NSW, including Ryde, Kurri and Yallah.

All four candidates were interviewed by a panel of the association’s directors with Mr Needs awarded the award in a very even contest.

“TAFE Colleges across NSW only endorse their top graduates,” Malcolm Harris, education officer for the NSWGCSA said.

“The award is held in incredibly high regard, It looks good on a resume, and it will open doors when applying for jobs. It sets an apprentice like Jake up for a great career in the industry.”.

As part of his prize, Mr Needs will receive a trip to the United States to attend the 2017 Golf Industry Show in Orlando, Florida in February, which is hosted by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.

While there, he will get to visit several world-renowned golf courses and to learn about some of the golf industry’s best practices.

Mr Needs will now go on to represent NSW at the Australian Golf Course Superintendents Association Graduate of the Year award during the organisation’s annual conference on the Sunshine Coast in June 2017.

The story Bermagui Country Club greenkeeper Jake Needs is graduate of year first appeared on Narooma News.