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Regional On-farm Change ProjectsTasmania
South Australia
Victoria (Gippsland)
Victoria (south-west)
Queensland
Western Australia
NSW
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Victoria (south-west)Heytesbury dung beetle release More than 35,000 dung beetles were released on 15 farms in the Heytesbury region. The beetles were used to hasten the process of turning cow dung into fertile and productive soil. The project also assisted in reducing a breeding source for flies. The releases were made in the Upper Curdies River catchment and featured two types of dung beetles based on seasonal conditions. Funding: WestVic Dairy, Heytesbury Landcare Network Contact: Terry Makin: tdmakin@bigpond.net.au 2. Dairying for Tomorrow Natural Resource Management Award The Dairying for Tomorrow Natural Resource Management (NRM) Award was introduced as part of the Great South West Dairy Awards in 2008. The award attracted significant interest with 15 nominations and widespread media coverage. The award was designed to recognise and reward the farm team that had made the most progress in their NRM in the preceding 24 months. The performance was measured on improved management of effluent use, water conservation, irrigation, chemical use, soil conservation, nutrients, how farm wastes are dealt with, and pests and weeds on the property. The award will again be presented in 2009 at the annual Gala Awards Night on April 23. Funding: WestVic Dairy, Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority, Dairy Australia Contact: Barbara Collins ph: 55 922477 info@westvicdairy.com.au 3. Focus Farm project Six Focus Farm groups were formed in 2006 and a further six groups in 2007 to help farmers improve their nutrient management, became more aware of natural resource management (NRM) issues, upgraded dairy effluent systems, established shelterbelts and improved their networking through their involvement in the groups. In total, 137 south-west dairy farmers produced better natural resource management outcomes on their farms and greatly improved environmental best practice as a result of membership of Focus Farm groups. About $1.1 million had been invested in NRM improvements on the members’ farms, including 93ha of new shelterbelts, $701,000 spent on upgrading dairy effluent systems, plus additional soil tests, energy saving alternatives and soil salinity projects. Members of the groups also found stimulation from seeing other farms and sharing ideas, improved their networking with other farmers and with service provider organisations, and enhanced their skills in many areas such as effluent management, nutrient mapping and whole farm planning. Dairy Australia and WestVic Dairy in funding the Focus Farm project was to accelerate the rate dairy farmers embraced and initiated natural resource management best practice change on their farms. Farmers early in the project completed the DairySAT self-evaluation tool to get a better understanding of their performance in natural resource management, WestVic Dairy and Glenelg Hopkins CMA have already committed more funds towards the setting up of new Focus Farm groups in 2009. Farmers keen to express an interest in joining a new group should contact WestVic Dairy on 55922477. Funding: WestVic Dairy, Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority, Dairy Australia Contact: Jeff Lawes ph: 55 922477 jefflawes@westvic.com.au |