Victoria (Gippsland)

1. Macalister Demonstration Farm – Effluent Project.

This project demonstrated better management of a two-pond effluent system in a commercial setting to assist farmers wanting to improve their own operations. The project aimed to demonstrate the aerobic and anaerobic process of effluent degradation, as well as how to deal with sludge generated from the anaerobic process in the first pond. The project also aimed to use nutrient management plans that utilise effluent to do nutrient budgets and show how to incorporate effluent into the fertiliser regime.

Funding: Geoffrey Gardiner Foundation, Macalister Demonstration Farm and GippsDairy
Time Frame: July 2007 – October 2008

Contact: Nola Anderson T: (03) 5626 7013
E: nanderson@dcsi.net.au

2. Gippsland Riparian Project (GipRip) Phase I & II.

 GipRip summary May 2008.pdf

Phase II of GipRip built on Phase I, which was held in four catchments within the West Gippsland CMA region. GipRip Phase I won an award in recognition of its community involvement, strong relationships between farmers and agencies, and lengths of stream and river frontage fenced and revegetated with native trees and shrubs. GipRip Phase II commenced delivery in the Westernport region, specifically on Pheasant Creek and the Minnieburn-O’Mahoney’s catchment. The successful adult learning method Tell, Show, Do will be applied in this project.

Contact: Jenny O’Sullivan T: (03) 5663 2386
E: osulliva@dcsi.net.au

3. Community Water Grants.

The Australian Government’s Community Water Grants program offered grants to help local community organisations save, recycle or improve the health of their local water resources. Grants were available for projects related to:

• water saving and efficiency,
• water recycling, and
• water treatment – improving surface and groundwater health.

GippsDairy has successfully secured funding for three projects that demonstrate water savings associated with effluent management on dairy farms at Poowong East, Middle Tarwin and Maffra.

Funding: Australian Government and GippsDairy
Time Frame: July 2007 – October 2009

Contact: Karen Romano T: (03) 5624 3903
E: gippsdairypd@dcsi.net.au

4. Gippsland Grows Green Grass.

Farmers were attracted to the project’s aim of increasing pasture production and utilisation to improve profitability. Five groups of farmers across Gippsland improved their confidence, knowledge and skills to make better pasture management decisions for their farms. Changes on farm were implemented according to environmental best practice as identified in the DairySAT. The leadership capacity of farmers was also built, owing to training in group facilitation and best practice in pasture management. Communication generated by the project explained a win-win for both farmers and the environment. Specifically this was an increase in farm profitability, as well as implementation of environmental best practice to reduce the impact of dairying on catchments.

Funding: DAFF National Landcare Program, GippsDairy, Dairy Australia, DPI, Gippsland Lakes Rescue Package, and the Department of Sustainability and Environment
Time Frame: August 2007 – June 2009

Contact: JayDee Events T: 0412 368 739
E: jaydeeevents@dcsi.net.au

Water, Energy & Chemicals Savings in the Cow Shed

Chris & Lynette Vaughan are working towards saving water, energy and chemicals in their daily milking routine at Yarragon in Gippsland, Victoria. 

Chris & Lynette together with their daughter Alex milk 300 cows.   The split calving herd calves in April and August so the shed operates all year round.  The farm has flat, undulating & hilly areas with rye grass and clover pasture being the predominant feed source.  Grain feeding in the shed supplements the diet and silage and hay is harvested on farm annually. 

Always striving to implement best management practices on their farm, the Vaughan’s were aware that savings of energy, chemicals and water could be achieved in the cow shed.  All water used to wash the equipment in the shed comes directly from rainfall.  The recent years of low rainfall meant undertaking a careful review of water use and seeking water saving opportunities.

“The heating of water for washing down plant & equipment in the dairy is the greatest energy user in the shed” said Chris.   “We use hot water every day of the year and wanted to make savings for us and the environment” added Lynette.

Enter the Green Cleaning Project managed by AgVet Projects on behalf of GippsDairy.  This project is supported by the Victorian Government’s Sustainability Fund and the Gardiner Foundation.  It is working on the development of environmentally sustainable milking machine cleaning systems.  The Vaughan’s agreed to have the cleaning system prototype installed and trialled at their property.

The cleaning system aims to recycle water and chemicals and to wash the dairy plant at considerably reduced water temperatures thus resulting in large energy savings.  In addition, solar panels were installed on the roof of the cow shed to heat water and reduce energy costs further.

Chris was happy to work with the prototype saying “If I wasn’t confident this would work for the dairy industry I would not have put my hand up to get involved.”  The system has not yet been in place for long enough to quantify the water, energy and chemical savings.  Gabriel Hakim of AgVet Projects who designed the prototype says savings of up to 75% in water, 50% in energy costs and a 50% reduction in the use of chemicals are likely.

The Vaughan’s look forward to the wash system becoming fully operational and the savings of water, energy and chemicals being realised.  They are one of many dairy farming families continuously improving and adapting their farming system to achieve efficiencies and outcomes for the environment.

For further information about the Green Cleaning Project contact Rob Greenall at AgVet Projects on 0407 242033.

Chris, Lynette & Alex Vaughan with the ‘Green Cleaning’ prototype being trialled in their milking shed at Yarragon.