Beneficials in Native Vegetation 

Recent research has confirmed non-crop vegetation plays an important role in supporting beneficial insects.

Insect predators (eg. red & blue beetles, ladybirds, damsel bugs & lacewings) have been collected by Ingrid Rencken (PhD student UNE) in native windbreaks (Eucalyptus spp, river red gum, acacia, melaleucas & casuarinas), dryland lucerne, grassy paddocks & stock routes surrounding cotton fields. In general, woody habitats support a higher biodiversity than crops. This non-crop vegetation supports arthropod predators during the winter months by providing breeding sites & alternate sources of food. 

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New Project: FREE Groundwater testing this July

 Groundwater in the Namoi catchment supports an irrigation industry worth in excess of $380 million as well as being the water supply for many towns and intensive industries such as feedlots. Monitoring the status of groundwater levels and groundwater salinity is central to groundwater management. During July groundwater users are being encouraging (irrigators and stock & domestic) to collect a water sample from their bore for a FREE partial analysis . Sampling bottles can be collected from Namoi Water, NSW Farmers, the Cotton CRC and the Namoi CMA. Analysis <More