Improving the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices and increasing water use efficiency on mixed farms is the aim of a new program being considered jointly by the the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA).
GRDC and MLA plan to invest $9.5 million over four years to assist mixed farmers to improve environmental sustainability and farm profitability in a nation-wide project.
It will build on successful elements of the Grain & Graze Program.
GRDC manager validation and adoption, Stuart Kearns, said farming systems projects in NSW, Victoria, South Australia and WA were currently partnering with catchment management authorities and natural resource management boards to jointly plan a program that would deliver better outcomes for farmers and the environment.
“One of the major aims we are proposing in this program is a demonstrable increase in efficiency that improves both farm profitability and sustainability,” Mr Kearns said.
“This will involve accelerating the adoption by farmers, with both cropping and livestock enterprises, of best management practices and technologies.
“The project is expected to build on the principle that what is good for the environment is good for the farm business.
"Many mixed farmers are keen to gain the benefits that will come from improved sustainable farming practices.”
Farming systems projects in the GRDC Southern Region currently involved in planning activities are the Ag Excellence Alliance, Eyre Peninsula Farming Systems, Birchip Cropping Group, Southern Farming Systems and FarmLink.
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