Farming
|
Derwent Pasture Network
The Derwent Catchment Project team, with funding from NRM South through the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program, commenced in 2020 a three-year program of work with dryland grazers across the Derwent Catchment. More
The focus of the program is to support farmers managing that difficult north-facing country, which is very prone to soil erosion, and to manage dryland pastures as effectively as possible.
On hot windy days in dry country, soil can be sometimes be seen blowing across the landscape, a scene locally known rather euphemistically as ‘asset transfer’. Research has shown that a significant amount of soil is lost across the southern region of Tasmania, predominantly in the Derwent. Apart from the loss of the soil itself, erosion means that soil particles find their way to the lowest point in the landscape, ending up in our waterways, which in turn reduces water quality. |
|
Farm planning
The Derwent Catchment Project team works with farmers to produce maps of natural assets and farm infrastructure using the most up-to-date imagery available. More
Farm planning is arguably our primary focus. Our maps are compiled using information about soils, geology, land capability, vegetation, threatened species and hydrology, as well as fencing, water-points and built infrastructure. The plan is led by the farmer's interests. It can be tailored for changing paddocks, irrigation systems or potential cropping areas. We also discuss options for pasture management and pasture cover, and can lend you a plate meter to help with monitoring and pasture budgeting. We can also help you apply for grants and support for activities such as fencing off bush areas and investigating new innovations. |
|
Trees on Farms
This program provides you with comprehensive advice on successful establishment methods and species selection. Our native plant nursery grows hardy native species that are acclimatised to the region. We will visit your farm and assess the site to give you the the most accurate advice on species selection, site preparation and planting. More
Native tree and shrub species in agricultural landscapes can have dual environmental and agricultural productivity benefits. Planting diverse native species as shelter belts will ensure better pollination services, provide integrated pest management, store carbon, and assist in the retention of ground cover and soil. Trees and shrubs offer shelter and shade to stock and a safe place to lamb. |
|
Small farms workshops
We have developed a small farms workshop to assist Derwent Catchment landholders with improving productivity while moderating impact on the land. The topics covered include property planning, soil science, native animal browsing management, animal health and pasture management. |
|
MLA forage shrub trial
We are excited to be working with Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) to trial whether grazing on native forage shrubs on marginal north-facing slopes can increase stocking rate. |
Dairy programs
|
Dairy Cares for the Derwent
A collaborative initiative by local farmers, Dairy Tasmania, the Derwent Catchment Project, NRM South, TasWater and government, the program was designed to ensure that environmental sustainability underpins expansion of the southern Tasmanian dairy industry. More
The Derwent Valley is ripe with opportunity for dairy, given the excellent water rights on some properties adjacent to the Derwent River. Through the program we engaged with dairy farmers in the Derwent Catchment to plan and implement best management practices to help protect water quality in the Derwent River. Property management plans ensured 100% stock exclusion and good riparian buffers for those dairy farms fronting the Derwent River and all tributaries on dairy farms draining into it. A Fert$mart nutrient management plan was developed for each property, to be regularly reviewed and actioned.The process involves testing soils on a paddock scale for nutrient levels to maximise efficiency and minimise waste. The program completed nine Fert$mart plans, which accounted for all dairy farms in the Derwent at the time. >> More information on Fert$mart |
|
Open Gates
There is growing demand for agricultural industries to become more sustainable in an environmental, productivity and social context. As custodians of the land it is becoming increasingly important to stop land degradation, improve water quality and biodiversity, reduce nutrient and energy use, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. More
We have been working with the Compass Agri group, who operate three large dairy farms in the Derwent Valley, to help make changes to improve their sustainability. This program is supported by the Australian Government's Smart Farm initiative.
Sustainability assessments. This is an assessment that we carried out with farm managers to collect information on sustainability. The assessment looks at several different aspects to give an overall picture of farm performance. Environmental factors such as soil health, water quality and biodiversity are assessed as well as livestock management, social wellbeing and productivity. The results have been used to assess the success of farming practices, and highlights where and how improvements may be made. Fencing off waterways. Excluding stock and creating a buffer between water and land helps to reduce effluent, nutrients and sediment from entering waterways. This simple action has huge on-farm and downstream benefits to waterways. To maximise the benefits of excluding stock from waterways we have planted along riparian corridors and around dams. Plants act as a filter and sediment trap and prevent excess nutrients that may run off from paddocks from entering waterways. They stabilise the banks, reducing soil erosion and increasing habitat for wildlife. We chose plants to ensure those near the water's edge wouldn’t mind getting wet feet when it flooded, and selected drought-tolerant trees for the tops of the banks to cope with the very dry summers that can occur in the Derwent Valley. 
|