Mosaic Map: NRM funded projects
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Making the most of the land for farmers and the environment
Dairy farmer Jason Heap
Jason's pipe and rise flood irrigation system
Comparing paddocks: non-irrigated pasture (left) with irrigated pasture (right)
Farmers in North Central Victoria will increase their agricultural production on irrigated land while minimising impacts on the natural environment, thanks to help from the North Central Catchment Management Authority.
Using irrigation water more efficiently to help protect the River Murray is a key part of several projects in the Loddon Campaspe area.
Funding
Through the Sustainable Agriculture Project, the Catchment Management Authority (CMA) is providing assistance, incentives and education to involve landholders in economic, environmental and socially sustainable farming.
The project has received $523,000 from the Australian and State Governments.
Activities
This is helping landholders deal with threats to irrigated land including permanent loss of water rights, low water allocation, salinity, over-irrigation, declining water and soil quality and nutrients escaping from the farmland, as well as threats from pests, encroaching residential areas, climate change and the fragmentation of habitat for wildlife.
"We want to match how we use the land with what it is capable of, and we also want to maximise our water use," said Tim Shanahan of North Central CMA.
"When we apply this principle consistently across the region, we'll be helping to protect the land and soil, plants and animals, and rural and urban communities.
"Managing irrigated land wisely reduces impacts downstream and threats to the environment."
The CMA is surveying land and developing property management plans that factor in the whole farm, whether it's used for crops, mixed farming, dairy or horticulture.
Best management practice guidelines have been drafted to:
- prevent excess surface water drainage causing rising groundwater levels
- control animal effluent
- improve water use efficiency and
- promote information to the community through training, forums, media interviews, brochures and display.
Achievements
The project has resulted in:
- 3,225 hectares surveyed to determine suitability for sustainable agriculture
- 310 hectares treated for rising groundwater via surface water management
- 1,913 megalitres of irrigation water reused and
- soil moisture monitoring and irrigation scheduling equipment installed on 440 hectares to help match plant requirements to soil capability.
"We've also held dozens of forums engaging dairy, horticulture, cropping and mixed landholders across the Loddon Campaspe Irrigation region," said Tim.
More information
- Tim Shanahan, Team Leader Irrigation and Water Resources, North Central Catchment Management Authority: (03) 5448 7124 or tim.shanahan@nccma.vic.gov.au
- North Central Catchment Management Authority website: www.nccma.vic.gov.au
See also
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