NSW

Northern Rivers Region

1. Dairy NRM works for healthy soils, rivers and catchments (NLP Project).

This project is based around engagement of dairy farmers in natural resource management (NRM) and implementation of NRM projects, through the Farmer Targets for Change (FTC) group farm planning, mapping and project prioritising system. The FTC process includes a pre workshop farm meeting; followed by 4 group meetings. These include computer based farm planning/mapping, on-farm site assessments and DairySAT (self assessment tool) visit and compilation of on-farm data. 

The FTC process is proving to be an excellent method of bringing groups of dairy farmers in a catchment / sub-catchment together to discuss and learn about NRM issues. Groups work together to arrive at solutions and pathways to improving NRM, along with farm sustainability and profitability. 

Objectives:

1. Increase landholder capacity to manage natural resources using dairy industry best management practice.
2. To improve land/soil, water and biodiversity resource condition through implementation of on ground works, and thus contribute to NRCMA CAP targets.
3. Build and enhance partnerships between dairy industry NR CMA and other NRM partners through promotion of the project.

FARMER ACTION TO IMPROVE CATCHMENT SCALE HEALTH

On-ground works in this project will include stock control to riparian areas, provision of off-stream watering points, weed control and revegetation, stock crossing points and cattle laneways. These will all have positive impacts on water quality, riparian and aquatic biodiversity and soil health which are the main areas of the NRCMA CAP.

RESULTS TO DATE

This project, and other similar styled projects in the NRCMA region, have successfully achieved the following NRM targets:

• Vegetation - 39.2 ha of native riparian vegetation &12.3 km of stream bank protected
• Weed control - 31.2 ha of managed for weeds 27.7 ha of land protected from soil erosion
• Off stream watering - 46 off stream watering sites installed protecting 2 km of stream bank
• Effluent control works established  - 29 systems have been upgraded or established
• Water use efficiency - 17 properties have improved irrigation practices on 159 ha

Hunter and Central Rivers Region

Across the Hunter and Central Rivers region the dairy industry has engaged farmers in a variety of NRM improvement programs. The purpose of individual projects that have been targeted to sub-groups of dairy farmers is to assist the local industry to achieve the following outcomes: a reduction in the impacts of dairy farming on natural resources, an improvement in productivity, preparing the farm business for climate change effects and provision of a more enjoyable and satisfactory farm management environment.

A strong relationship exists with the local CMA, which previously funded the training program, Farmers Targets for Change (FTC)which enables farmers to identify and quantify their natural resource impacts, understand the links between natural resources and farming practices and develop sustainable farm practice goals and priorities. Many of the identified on-farm priorities are known and have been implemented to various degrees but most farms have not been in a position to do anything because of market uncertainty, financial limitations and lack of knowledge. The FTC process has provided the impetus to get involved.

Future projects for the Hunter and Central Rivers dairy region are expected to address:

1. Climate change and sustainable production;

2. Improving water quality;

3. Nutrient use efficiency;

4. Managing organic waste, and

5. Improving soil health;

These issue areas will be acted upon by supporting dairy farmers to install constructed formed laneways, integrated water supplies, feed infrastructure, modern and water efficient effluent systems, more and improved shade and improved pasture management.

Forbes, Wagga Wagga and Tumut Region

This region has engaged with two local CMAs to deliver on-ground work projects for the modest, but growing, dairy industry that exists across these regions. These on-ground works projects are focused on farm planning, identification of priority issues using DairySAT, that lead to farmers addressing and/or upgrading their effluent systems, laneways, riparian zones, improved water quality, reduced labour costs and hence greater labour efficiency, and on-farm biodiversity.

The success of these projects has led to stronger relations between the dairy industry and local CMA bodies and / or a variety of research organisations. Together the industry is focussing efforts to conduct applied agronomic and economic research into soil science and pasture production, while other stakeholder linkages have established on-farm irrigation drainage management plans to boost water use efficiency in the face of drought and future uncertainty of water availability.

Southern Rivers Region

Across the southern coastal region of NSW, the dairy industry has been extremely pro-active in maintaining strong stakeholder relationships, securing funding and resources to implement on-ground works, and tangibly contributing to catchment scale health outcomes.

Significant projects have targeted a range of on-farm issues, including nutrient management, effluent management, riparian protection, off-stream watering, enhanced biodiversity, weed eradication, external impacts of water quality on downstream industries, climate change preparedness, cattle cooling systems, and irrigation efficiency.

The scale of dairy-NRM works that have been conducted over the past few years amounts to over $2 million, and is continuing as actively as ever.

Grassland Society of NSW Annual Conference - The Grass is Greener

The Grassland Society of NSW recently held their Annual Conference, The Grass is Greener at Taree on 5th and 6th August 2009.  Out of this conference came videos from Col Cowan & Chris and Sally Maslen discussing their envolvement and application in the Farmer Targets for Change program. 

To view these videos and link to the NSW DPI website, The Grass is Greener annual conference please click through the links below;

Chris and Sally Maslen

Col Cowan

NSW DPI - The Grass is Grenner Annual Conference