Supporting dairy farmers to build soil health and climate resilience.
Over the next three years, the Lower Blackwood LCDC will be working with Soils For Life and other regional partners to support dairy farmers to build soil health and climate resilience.
The project will support the adoption of practices that build soil health and climate resilience all over Australia, such as:
- Multispecies pastures
- Biological inputs (including novel effluent management)
- Adaptive grazing management
- Integrating trees
- Reducing ground-applied fertilisers, increasing foliar applications
- Plant and soil monitoring and analysis
Our team is running on-ground research into Multispecies Pasture. Our aim is to demonstrate best practice multispecies pasture establishment and management for dairy grazing operations, focusing on the “if”, “how”, and “where” a more diverse pasture use that can fit into a commercial dairy practice. This will build upon our previous project, Demonstrating the Difference, which focused mainly on how to establish multispecies pastures.
Project Site
Our Project site will be in Warner Glen.
The Trail will be a multispecies mix. The Control will be a traditional ryegrass and clover mix.
Project Activities
- Demonstration site showcasing the production, financial, ecological and social benefits of practices that build soil health.
- In-depth case studies capturing the stories, decisions, outcomes and data from leading dairy farmers implementing climate smart practices and building soil health.
- Practice guides offering step-by-step ‘how-to’ guidance, practical tips on getting started and regional insights.
- Field days to provide a wider group of farmers to see tested practices on the ground, hear directly from the farmers and explore the practicalities, challenges and benefits of trying new approaches
- Webinars with expert presenters, farmers insights and Q&A sessions.
- Peer learning opportunities providing practical training and knowledge building in a group setting, and connections to relevant specialists.
- Podcasts offering accessible, on-the-go conversations exploring ideas, challenges and real-world experiences.
This project is supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program under the Natural Heritage Trust.
This project is also proudly supported by Cradel Coast NRM, South Gippsland Landcare Network, MAFRA and District Landcare Network, Lower Blackwood Land Conservation District Committee, and Soils for Life.
