National Ag Day recognises our hard-working farmers
National Agriculture Day, celebrated on 20 November, is a timely reminder to stand by our hard-working primary producers and support them by buying local produce now and throughout the year.
Posted 18 November 2020.
Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board Sustainable Agriculture Team Leader Tony Randall said our region is known as the food bowl of South Australia because of the high quality and diverse range of fresh food, fibre, and wine that is produced.
“Many producers are coming out of drought and bushfires so we all need to support our regional communities,” Mr Randall said.
“Local producers are deeply connected, to the land and livestock they care for and play their role in managing the land and environment which is vital to our region and state’s future.
“More than 80 percent of the land in this region is managed for primary production by people who understand how looking after precious soils, water and bush makes good business sense.
“Our skilled producers are using new land management methods and technologies to improve production to ensure sustainable farming and business practices,” Mr Randall said.
Did you know in the Murraylands and Riverland region?
- 80% of producers use no-till farming which greatly increases sustainability measures in the cropping sector.
- Soil carbon levels have increased by .07% per annum over the last 30 years to improve the health and productivity of soils.
- Soil erosion has decreased while productivity and profitability has increased, making farming businesses more sustainable and viable
- Many of the region’s producers have adopted management strategies to minimise soil erosion and drift risks, managing stocking rates to retain vegetation cover on their soils.
- Producers have better agronomy, improved farming practices, and they are continually adopting new technologies to improve their farming systems and the natural resource base.
- Australian producers are leaders in employing high tech equipment and machinery to increase the sustainability of food, fibre and wine production.
Our producers are at the heart of protecting and conserving our environment, for now, and for future generations, what can you do to support them?
Mr Randall said we can support our farmers this Christmas and throughout the year by choosing to purchase local products and Australian produce. This can be done at a large number of stores, supermarkets, and markets.This program is supported by the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program and the Landscape Levies.
