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Tackling specific issuesWater
Effluent and Nutrients
Climate Change
Biodiversity and Waterways
Mortality Composting
Effluent Management Fact Sheets and Guidelines:
Effluent Management Case Studies:
Regional and state agency information on nutrient and effluent management dairy shed effluent guidelines (South Australia) is available from the following websites: http://www.dairyindustrysa.com.au/for_farmers/effluent_management |
Effluent and NutrientsNutrients, such as Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorus (P), are crucial drivers of pasture production. Losing nutrients is in nobody’s interest and the Australian dairy industry has been at the forefront in building a comprehensive program to encourage the most efficient use of all sources of nutrient sources, including dairy effluent, on farm. Dairy effluent can be a valuable resource as it contains key nutrients including N, P and Potassium (K). Cost benefit studies suggest that the cost to install and run an effluent system will be covered within four to seven years of installation. Dairying for Tomorrow in partnership with state agencies, regional NRM bodies and research organisations has invested in the development of decision support tools and guidelines to better manage both effluent and nutrients. Some of these are: The Effluent and Manure Management database for the Australian Dairy Industry This database is a repository of the technical information that underpins state and regional guidelines on dairy effluent management, technical and farmer based extension programs and educational material on effluent management.
Developed with all relevant state departments and regulatory agencies the database contains technical information required for on- farm effluent designs. Within the database are principles for effective effluent management, performance based design criteria for components of effluent containment and reuse systems, appropriate management principles for optimal operation of each design and relevant tools such as decision support systems that can be used by public and private industry advisers.
The database is updated regularly as new information becomes available.
Better Fertiliser Decisions Database Better Fertiliser Decisions (BFD) is a specialist tool, designed mainly for use by experienced farmers in consultation with their farm adviser, fertiliser consultant and catchment manager. It enables farm managers to plot on a curve (consisting of regional, state or national pasture response data) the increase in pasture growth they can expect to achieve for a given application of N, P, K or S, depending on soil type. Using fertiliser recommendations based on BFD data will save the typical farm business several thousands of dollars a year in unnecessary fertiliser application, and significantly reduce the risk of surplus nutrients leaving the farm in runoff or by leaching through soil. The BDF has been designed so anyone experienced in agriculture can learn to use it effectively. An instruction booklet is available. FIND BOOKLET_ CONTACT NAME_KEN?? Farm Nutrient Loss Index (FNLI) The Farm Nutrient Loss Index (FNLI) uses easily identified inputs such as landscape features, climatic conditions, and pasture and stock management practices to calculate the risk of N and P loss in paddocks and evaluate the effects of different management practices. The soil test – pasture response relationships (the BFD database) and the FNLI are available via the CSIRO Australian Soil Resource Information System (ASRIS) website: www.asris.csiro.au/themes/nutrient.html Dairy Catchment Assessment Tool This risk-based dairy catchment assessment tool has been developed to better target investment strategies for industry, prioritise management activities and target improvements in natural resources. A copy of the UDC tool can be downloaded from the tools and publications section of this website. |
