Agricultural groups in Grey will benefit from Landcare Smart Farms Small Grant funding to adapt to change, innovate and become more sustainable.
Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey said the Agricultural Bureau of South Australia has been successful with two grants under the program totalling almost $140,000 to implement more sustainable farming practices.
The first grant, the Innovative and Cost-Effective Methods to Manage ‘Emerging’ Soil Acidity to Improve Soil Health, Crop and Pasture Production, will receive $91,080 to help the Agriculture Bureau of South Australia work with at least five groups in ‘non-traditional’ soil acidity areas on the Yorke Peninsula and where soil acidity has and is likely to become an issue.
It will demonstrate the new and innovative technology of soil pH mapping with the new Veris soil pH machine with each group to map the spatial variability of soil pH across paddocks.
In the second project which has been granted $47,500, the Ag Bureau of SA will work with the Minlaton Ag Bureau to run activities on the Yorke Peninsula which will build practical snail management skills and increase the rate of adoption of improved snail control practices amongst farmers. Farm land managers will benefit from improved farm gate returns through lowering farm costs and crop damage and by being able to better adapt to changes in market conditions and access premium markets. A direct benefit of snail management will be in the reduction of the risk of soil erosion in sand and loamy soils. Benefits to the broader community will include higher air quality due to reduced dust, smoke and soil erosion. The reduced use of metaldehyde will benefit the environment. Improved grain quality will increase export income and build community prosperity and well-being.
Chair of the Ag Bureau SA Mark Grossman said he was extremely happy to win these grants.
“This funding will be of great assistance in providing better management of acid soils, a problem which is becoming more prevalent with changed farming practice,” he said.
Mr Ramsey said local farmers and community groups have an intimate knowledge of the land they work and live on.
“These grants are about giving them tools and technology to be more sustainable,” Mr Ramsey said.
Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources David Littleproud said Aussie farmers have a huge job managing 61 per cent of this nation’s land.
“The grants of between $5,000 and $100,000 will support Landcare groups and farmers through new tools, methods and technology they need for their world-leading sustainable practices,” Minister Littleproud said.
“The first round of funding was highly competitive, attracting over 800 applications. I strongly encourage those who missed out under round one to apply under future rounds.”
Fast facts:
· The National Landcare Program phase two is an investment of more than $1 billion to 2023.
· Landcare was first launched in 1989 and has had bipartisan support for nearly 30 years.
Media Contact: Leonie Lloyd-Smith 08 8633 1744
July 31 2018
