$380,000 funding supports EP agriculture this financial year

Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board has received $380,000 for the Regenerative Agriculture Program (RAP) from the Australian Government Regional Land Partnerships Program.

The RAP will deliver projects at a local level in partnership with groups to help farmers improve their productivity. The program will focus on helping farmers adapt to growing markets by demonstrating sustainable management practice credentials.

Regenerative Agriculture Project Officer Mary Crawford is experienced in sustainable farming on the Eyre Peninsula having worked with the local farmers and industry partners for over 10 years.

“Soil management will be the focus of the regional program” said Mary.

“The RAP aims to improve soil health on farms by targeting soil acidification, wind erosion, hillslope erosion and increasing organic matter. The RAP will assist farmers in exploring the value of mixed species plant options to improve soil health, control weeds, and improve ground cover with better grazing options. “

A series of workshops, along with a number of demonstration sites, are planned for early next year for farmers to gain an understanding of the benefits and pitfalls of undertaking mixed species planting.

Eyre Peninsula farmers are also concerned that some soils are not performing to their potential in maximising their soil water and nutrient efficiencies. Trials and demonstrations at the New Horizons sites; Darke Peak and Buckleboo have shown promising results in addressing soil constraints.

Mary invites Agriculture Bureau’s and Farming Systems groups to submit an 'expression of interest' to establish Proof of Concept in-paddock demonstrations on a range of soil types to increase organic matter levels and production.

Another issue that farmers on the eastern Eyre Peninsula are seeing is an increase in seeps and soaks emerging in their paddocks.

To help farmers obtain a greater understanding on the extent and severity of seeps and soaks Farming Systems Consultant at Insight Extension for Agriculture, Chris McDonough, will hold a workshop on Tuesday 19 February 2019 (venue TBA) to share his experience in the South Australian and Victorian Mallee region.

To further assist local farmers a free web based management tool called nrmFarm is now live on the Natural Resources Eyre Peninsula website. This management tool will give farmers the ability to produce farm maps and provide information to help with their seasonal and long term planning.

Should you wish to find out more about the RAP projects, register your expression of interest for proof of concept or to obtain further information about any of the above workshops, please contact Mary Crawford on 0407 187 878 or via email mary.crawford@sa.gov.au

More information on soil management can be found at www.landscape.sa.gov.au/ep/land-and-water/sustainable-agriculture/soil-health

To access the nrmFarm website please refer to www.landscape.sa.gov.au/ep/land-and-water/sustainable-agriculture/nrmFarm