Projects
Long-term trials of Drought Resilient Farming Practices in Victoria
Long-term trials of Drought Resilient Farming Practices in Victoria
The purpose of the trials is to investigate innovative and transformational cropping, grazing and mixed farming practices through the lens of drought resilience and associated risk management. The ‘Central Hub’ trials are conducted by the University of Melbourne, established at their Dookie campus. These trials have intensive scientific data collection...
- This project is led by the University of Melbourne, with funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.
- Jessie Wettenhall
- Rokewood
- Current
Clover for Crops – Introducing clover into crop rotations
Clover for Crops – Introducing clover into crop rotations
How can different clover species be strategically integrated into crop rotations to improve nitrogen input, grazing opportunities, and overall farm profitability and resilience in South West Victoria's mixed farming systems?
- Meat & Livestock Australia and Grains Research and Development Corporation
- Lisa Miller, Cameron Barr
- Skipton/Rokewood Regions
- Current
MLA Innovative Mixed Farming Project
MLA Innovative Mixed Farming Project
The purpose of the project is to increase the profitability and resilience of farms in Southern Australia through an increase in livestock numbers and the productivity of those animals through the extension and adoption of MLA products and programs. It aims to capitalise on the recent shift in interest from...
- Meat and Livestock Australia
- Rokewood
- Current
Uncertain Times Workshop – Reset, Recover, Regenerate!
Uncertain Times Workshop – Reset, Recover, Regenerate!
This workshops was put together by Cam Nicholson, Nicon Rural, Lisa Miller, Jessie Wettenhall, Michelle McClure, SFS & Jane Gaussen, The Livestock Vet and Malcolm Rowe, Victoria West Rural Financial Counselling Service in response to the continuing dry season experienced across South West Victoria. The aim of the workshop is ...
- This event is part of the Victorian Government’s Drought Assistance Package for South West Victoria.
- Michelle McClure, Jessie Wettenhall
- Hamilton, Dergholm, Harrow, Moonambel
- Current
Carbon Farming Outreach Program
Carbon Farming Outreach Program
The Carbon Farming Outreach Program (CFOP) aims to support farmers and land managers to make decisions around carbon farming and increase knowledge of greenhouse emission management on farm. Southern Farming Systems is collaborating with Grower Group Alliance for the delivery of the National Industry–led Carbon Farming Outreach Program. Delivered with...
- Southern Farming Systems is collaborating with Grower Group Alliance for the delivery of the National Industry–led Carbon Farming Outreach Program. Delivered with funding support from the Commonwealth of Australia through the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water under the Carbon Farming Outreach Program.
- James Palmer, Brett Davey, Ashley Amourgis, Audrey Gripper
- Southwest Victoria, Gippsland and Tasmania
- Current
Young Agriculture Professionals (YAPs) Network
Young Agriculture Professionals (YAPs) Network
The Young Agriculture Professionals Network is to create a community of like-minded people who are involved in the agricultural community in any capacity that are the youngest active generation on farm or are up coming and in their agricultural career.
- This project is supported by Southern Farming Systems with funding from the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund & the Victorian Drought Resilience Adoption & Innovation Hub
- Greta Duff
- South-West Victoria
- Current
Assessing the suitability of existing small farm dams to prepare for, cope with, and recover from drought
Assessing the suitability of existing small farm dams to prepare for, cope with, and recover from drought
Farm dams are critical to farming properties, but they are limited in their capacity to hold water for extended periods and rely on regular rainfall to fill them. Their vulnerability during drought periods has researchers looking into small farm dams. Southern Farming Systems is leading the project with researchers from...
- This project is part of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry | Future Drought Fund - Research and Adoption Program. The grants from this program support innovative projects that equip Australian farmers and agricultural-dependent communities and businesses with the tools and capacity to adapt, reorganise, transition and/or transform in preparation for future drought conditions.
- Bret Ryan, Michelle McClure
- Victoria
- Current
Mapping the Farm (Innovation Grant)
Mapping the Farm (Innovation Grant)
To investigate mapping and monitoring farms using multiple mapping systems of Satellite, EM, Yield Monitor, drones & other sensors to gather the base data linked to the decisions of the time, so when conditions change you can recognise trigger points of change.
- Current
Soil Moisture and Informed Decisions
Soil Moisture and Informed Decisions
The amount of stored soil moisture and soil temperature drives pasture and crop growth. An extensive soil moisture network operated across the southern high rainfall zone of Australia has been enhanced and expanded in a recent National Landcare Smart Farming Partnerships Project called "Building the resilience and profitability of cropping...
- This Project is supported by FRRR, through funding from the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund.
- Michelle McClure, Bret Ryan
- Inverleigh, Streatham, Hamilton, Gippsland and Tasmania
- Current
Understanding the Research, Development & Extension needs of the fodder industry
Understanding the Research, Development & Extension needs of the fodder industry
Victoria is the engine room of Australia’s fodder production (40% of Australian total, 90% sales), yet the domestic fodder production (hay / silage) is very laissez faire. It operates primarily through many individuals making decisions depending on seasons, circumstances and local demand (unlike the fodder export industry, which has its...
- This project is supported by Southern Farming Systems, through funding from the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund.
- Current
Correct design of on farm water reticulation systems
Correct design of on farm water reticulation systems
It has been identified by merchandise business's in the East Grampians region for developing skills within business to provide appropriate design and planning advice on expenditure on infrastructure of tanks, pipes and troughs is adequate for drought conditions.
- This project is supported by Southern Farming Systems, through funding from the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund.
- South West Victoria
- Current
Review of the functioning of the Victorian emergency water supply network
Review of the functioning of the Victorian emergency water supply network
Through the South West node it was identified that the network of 300 emergency water supply points (EWSPs) across Victoria that provide water carting for emergency stock and domestic purposes and firefighting are managed and maintained by a range of organisations, including local councils and urban and rural water corporations....
- This project is supported by Southern Farming Systems, through funding from the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund.
- South West Victoria
- Current
Containment for livestock
Containment for livestock
It has been identified that is commonly recognised the need to have livestock containment areas on farms is a good risk management tool in drought, but there are many questions around issues with these area's that we may or may not have the answers too.
- This Project is supported by Southern Farming Systems & Riverine Plains Inc, through funding from the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund.
- Lisa Miller, Michelle McClure
- South West Victoria
- Current
Building Capacity to Manage Mental Health
Building Capacity to Manage Mental Health
The South West node is funding pilot projects to work through way's to build capacity in the community around mental health, as it is a recurring theme identified by farmers, merchandise business's, advisors and the financial sector. The impact of climate on our agricultural communities mental health is significant and...
- This project is supported by Southern Farming Systems, through funding from the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund and Gorst Rural
- South West Victoria
- Current
South West Node of the Victorian Drought Hub
South West Node of the Victorian Drought Hub
The Australian Government have established a Future Drought Fund to enhance the resilience of rural and regional communities to cope with the impacts of drought. The fund provides opportunity to invest in research, development and innovative solutions for people and businesses when entering into, during and coming out of drought....
- This project is supported by Southern Farming Systems, through funding from the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund.
- SW Victoria
- Current
BUILDING DROUGHT RESILIENCE
BUILDING DROUGHT RESILIENCE
How prepared is your farming business to predicted climate change? Climatic risk (including drought) is an accepted part of farming and historically most businesses have been able to survive these challenging periods and rebound. However climate change is increasing this variability, to an extent that events are predicted to be...
- Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment Future Drought Fund
- Grace Evans
- SW Victoria
- Current
