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Regional On-farm Change ProjectsTasmania
South Australia
Victoria (Gippsland)
Victoria (south-west)
Queensland
Western Australia
NSW
Info sheets from On-ground works sites: |
Dairy SA on-farm change projects1. Regional Dairy Shed Effluent Guidelines and Resources for South Australia 2005-2008 (NLP funded). The overall aim of the project is to significantly increase the use of Dairy Shed effluent as a resource through adoption of BMP dairy shed effluent management in the dairy industry across South Australia.
Specific objectives include:
2. "RRR" Reduce Reuse and Recycle at the Dairy Shed 2007 (NLP funded). The project developed 9 information sheets supported by 3 banners detailing how dairy farmers can reduce, reuse and recycle resources in new and existing dairy sheds, saving money and reducing greenhouse gas emissions to achieve the objectives of the initial project. The project has national significance as the simple steps are applicable to dairy sheds across Australia. Located on the web, the first sheet “Getting Started” introduces the opportunities while the other 8 sheets provide greater technical detail and a local case study.
3. Dairy Best - Dairy SAT program 2008 (NLP - Innovations grants). DairySA is seeking to deliver the DairySAT on the ground program to farmers in the SAMDB from Mannum to Wellington and AMLR. This process includes at least 20 one to one farm interviews to review and document current farm practices and follow up group workshop based technical training with industry experts to address knowledge gaps. The Final Report is in preparation.
Mt Jagged Discussion group - Landcare Australia Limited The Mt Jagged discussion group have participated in a review of on farm environmental practices using the Dairy SAT tool in a project funded by Landcare Australia Limited. 10 farms including the Mt Compass Area School Focus farm participated and the reviews found that many participants had already implemented improved management practices. The group decided that their next step would be to undertake a detailed investigation of soil fertility across the farm. Most members felt that improved nutrient budgeting based on more soil tests could better inform their fertiliser decision making and a nutrient loss risk assessment would be useful both for their understanding and to inform others how they are managing. Up to 22 paddocks per farm will be soil sampled to obtain a detailed understanding of soil fertility across the entire farm. Sampling will occur from December 2009 through till February 2010. Soil samples will be analysed for pH, P,K, S, salinity, and Org C (a short test). FP-AG will provide participating farmers with reports on the analysis and farm maps including nutrient loss risk assessments for each farm as shown. The project will achieve outcomes in the following areas: · Profitability · Environmental Impact · Systems Management o Future fertility, fertiliser and effluent management · Fertiliser Planning It will provide the group with the opportunity to consider the following areas. · Understanding of the fertility impacts of effluent spreading. · Rationalisation of 2010 fertiliser program o Better targeting of fertiliser applications o Identification of unknown infertility areas o Prioritising the fertiliser $$ better · Understand changes in fertility across the farm o Impact of effluent o Impact of hay and silage o Impact of grazing and stocking practices including night paddocks 4. Industry Leaders - Sustainable Dairying – Dairying for Tomorrow in the SE. 2008-2010 (NLP – Innovations grants). Dairying in the South East is rapidly intensifying and climate change has significantly altered the production system. This project will facilitate the inclusion of sustainability analysis into dairy innovations projects in the region and undertake on ground works in irrigation, effluent & chemical management, nutrients, and biodiversity. Farmers who have already participated in DairySAT along with new participants will be able to develop on ground works programs for their farms. Shrubs under Centre Pivots New shelter belts under pivots on dairy farms - first for SA The use of shelter belts under centre pivots has been a real benefit for two south east dairy farmers. The South East Dairying for Tomorrow program showcased the two sites at a field day held in late November and talked about the new revegetation concept, the first in South Australia. Other establishment techniques, tree and shrub varieties and tree sites were also discussed and visited; this allowed participants to see the farm and environmental benefits of using well placed shelter belts on farms. Currently the Dairying for Tomorrow team are managing two shelter belts under pivot trials, the two farmers involved with the project are Jed Boshier, Port Mac Dairies, Eight Mile Creek and Sean Durcan, Shandale Dairy, Mt Schank. Some of the benefits Jed and Sean aim to achieve are reduced evaporation in their pasture during summer, improved pasture growth rates from a mild micro-climate, protection for their stock in windy or hot weather and a general improvement of the appeal of their farms. The trial has used short shrubby, water logging tolerant shrubs that have been planted along existing fence lines of the pivots to create a shelter belt. The species used for this project are Swamp paperbark and Swamp bottle brush. One pivot has drop tube sprinklers which gave 2 metres clearance, the other pivot has overhead sprinklers and this has given 3 metres clearance. The shelter belt is two rows wide by the length of the pivot. Importantly weed control was started 3 months prior to planting. Both sites where ripped to allow for good root development and a residual chemical was used. Snail bait was also applied after planting. In late spring both sites were sprayed with a grass herbicide this will allow the seedlings to ‘get away”. Both Jed and Sean are pleased with the results to date and would like to incorporate more shelter belts under pivots and across their farms to give maximum wind protection. Two information sheets have been developed to explain the trials these will be available from this web site as soon as digital versions are complete. Service Provider information day The project has also held a service provider information day that covered
Overheads from the day can be downloaded (attach presentations) as can the WUE tool (attach the correct tool file) Ongoing work for 2010. The project will continue in 2010 with further Dairy SAT activities, workshops and the major project demonstrating the farm nutrient loss index tool
Shelter belts for pivots with overhead sprinklers
Shelterbelts Fact sheet SA.pdf Shelters belts under pivots with drop tube sprinklers
5. DFT On the ground (NLP and Dairy Australia funded). Four information sheets and three posters were developed. Dairy SAT on the Ground: See Publications>Case Studies>Case Studies SA on this website Posters:
6. Climate Change information sheets (DA funded). Two information sheets were developed for regional SA discussing the potential impacts and opportunities of a changing climate. |
