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As north-west Tasmanian farmers are increasingly exposed to variable climate conditions and changing market expectations around sustainability, it can be hard to decide what actions need to be taken on-farm.
Cradle Coast NRM has been funded to deliver a four-year project to practically support farmers with tools and advice to face key emerging risks and opportunities around on-farm sustainability and climate resilience.
The project will support north-west Tasmanian farmers and the agriculture sector to adopt practices to reduce emissions and build resilience to climate change. Additionally, the project will drive agricultural growth while adopting sustainable natural resource management practices that protect and conserve natural capital and biodiversity.
Demonstrations Under Development
On-farm Natural Capital Accounting Demonstration in partnership with TIA and supported by Fonterra.
Cradle Coast NRM proposes to work with Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA) in undertaking a natural capital account at TIA’s Elliott Dairy Research Facility, to demonstrate the value of accounting for and actively considering on-farm natural values and ecosystem services for north-west Tasmanian dairy farms.
There are various drivers which are increasing interest in and scrutiny around the management of on farm natural capital, including carbon and biodiversity markets, changing financial reporting expectations, export market requirements, premium brand opportunities, increasing on-farm costs and changing climatic conditions.
This proposed farm-scale natural capital account and report aims to clarify the confusion around what natural capital accounting is and what role it could have in supporting farmers. The on-farm natural capital account and associated extension and communication activities will demonstrate the process of undertaking an on-farm account on a working dairy farm and demonstrate the ways this account can support farm business planning including meeting supplier and industry expectations, emerging market opportunities, boosting productivity and farm economic and climate resilience.
Demonstrating the value of diverse cover crops for intensive vegetable productions in partnership with Harvest Moon
Multi-species cover crops can reduce farm inputs, improve soil health and contribute positively to overall farm profitability while also aligning with industry sustainability standards and emerging market expectations.
Harvest Moon are integrating broadscale incorporation of multi-species cover crops between vegetable cash crops and are recognising the value in their production systems.
Cradle Coast NRM is partner with Harvest Moon to showcase the great work the business is doing to practically incorporate multi-species cover crops into north-west Tasmanian vegetable production systems. This demonstration aims to support on-going business decisions at Harvest Moon, but also demonstrate to the broader north-west Tasmanian cropping community and Harvest Moon contract growers, practical and profitable ways to incorporate diverse covers to ensure farmers get the best value from incorporating them into their production system.
The ultimate aim is that more farmers will recognise the value of, and be confident that they can practically incorporate, multi-species covers into their production system, which will drive the adoption of improved land management practices across the Cradle Coast region.
Expressions of Interest
If you would like to find out more or be involved in this emerging project, please reach out to:
Ben Correy, Land Coordinator: 0474 325 192 or [email protected]
Tom O’Malley, Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator: 0410 150 994 or [email protected]
Hannah Sadler, Land Program Manager: 0427 554 793 or [email protected]
