Farming for the future: Climate smart agriculture in the Murraylands and Riverland
Farmers across the Murraylands and Riverland know that no 2 seasons are ever the same, and with the changing climate, that’s truer than ever. To help them make informed decisions about sustainable practices, the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board is rolling out a new 3-year Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) program.
Funded by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), the $2 million program is all about increasing knowledge and adoption of agricultural practices that can stand up to challenging and variable conditions.
The landscape board has established 5 demonstration sites across the region through the program, to test practical, innovative techniques tailored to local conditions. On a dairy property in the Lower Murray Reclaimed Irrigation Area, an automated surface irrigation system is being trialled to improve water use efficiency and boost productivity. In the northern and southern mallee, 2 broadacre sites are testing variable-rate fertiliser application to help reduce fertiliser use and cut emissions. Two horticulture sites in the Riverland are assessing existing in-canopy cooling systems to look at how the operation of the cooling systems can be optimised through the integration of in-crop sensing to manage extreme heat events
It’s all about taking real-world ideas and testing them locally, so farmers can see for themselves what works. Data will be gathered from these sites to back up what many farmers already suspect – that adopting smarter, more sustainable practices can make a real difference when the weather conditions and current climate throw a curveball.
Over the next few years, the landscape board will share what they learn from the demonstration sites through field days, practical resources, and stories from local producers trying new things on their properties.
So, whether you’re a grower, a grazier, or just interested in how the Murraylands and Riverland region is adapting to a changing climate, stay connected by subscribing to the Soil Matters newsletter for updates on the CSA program and upcoming events.
