Improve productivity
Soils
Healthy soils form the basis of farm and ecosystem productivity. Issues such as erosion, salinity, soil carbon sequestration, nutrient run-off, acidification can all be addressed through soil structure, biology and chemistry.
- Farming for Sustainable Soils Project Fact Sheet – North Central Catchment Management Authority, March 2011
- NCCMA Regional Soils Forum Summary – North Central Catchment Management Authority, April 2011
- Signposting Sustainable Soil Management – Declan Macdonald, Department of Primary Industries
- Innovations for Regenerative Landscape Management – Case Studies of Regenerative Landscape Management in Practice, Soils For Life
Links:
- Soils for life – A Outcomes Australia project
- Farming for Sustainabile Soils – North Central Catchment Management Authority
Native Pastures and Grazing
Native grasses can provide valuable benefits to grazing properties and are being recognised through on farm trials and research work. As perennials, they offer grazing opportunities throughout the year, are resilient and adapted to local conditions and provide comparable feed values to introduced perennials. With judicious grazing management, native grasses can provide a sustainable and productive pasture option.
- What is native pasture? – Birchip Cropping Group Fact Sheet
- Native pasture cropping – Birchip Cropping Group Fact Sheet
- Grazing benefits of native pasture – Birchip Cropping Group Fact Sheet
- Native Grass ID Cards– Government of South Australia
- Native Pasture Management Brochure – Department of Primary Industries and Environment
- Grazing Strategies for Biodiversity– Farming Ahead, September 2007, No. 188
- Native Grasses Identification, Establishment and Management Presentation – Eris O’Brien, North Central CMA
Shelterbelts
Native shelterbelts not only provide habitat for native birds and beneficial insects but can provide economic benefits to farms through improved stock health and crop growth.
Links:
- The economic value of shelter belts – Report by Basalt to Bay Landcare Network.
- Shelterbelts and wildlife – Agriculture Victoria information sheet
- Shelterbelt design -Agriculture Victoria information sheet