In acknowledgement of the time taken to complete the survey, participants were entered in a draw to win a $250 RB Sellars clothing gift voucher.

Central West Local Land Services General Manager, Andrew Mulligan, said the high participation rate of the survey was particularly appreciated considering the challenging drought conditions.

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“We found it very encouraging that nearly 400 regional landholders took the time to tell us about their farming practices and attitudes to NRM” Mr Mulligan said.

“This will greatly assist us to deliver NRM projects targeted specifically to our diverse regional landscape and communities,” he said.

Winners of the voucher, Beric and Lynn Cowley owners of ‘Tickled Pink Pork’ in Narromine were ecstatic with the win.

“I can’t remember winning anything since the 1970’s and that was a single vinyl record!” Mrs Cowley said.

Beric and Lynn run cattle as their main commercial enterprise and have introduced pig production over the last few years as a drought proofing mechanism.

“By selective breeding we aim to run a mob of quiet, free range sows that will ideally produce two litters per year. We also select sows for their ability to cope with the extremes of weather we get in the Narromine area.” Mrs Cowley said.

Funded by Catchment Action NSW as part of the ‘Communities Driving NRM’ program, the survey results have been used to support development of a ‘Central West Regional Profile Snapshot’.

When finalised, it is anticipated that the publication will assist Central West landholders to make informed decisions on suitability of the regional landscape for future land management activities and practices.

The Snapshot publication is currently being finalised and is due for publication in October 2018.

To find out more about Natural Resource Management in the Central West visit: www.centralwest.lls.nsw.gov.au