Promoting
salinity solutions through agribusiness aims to increase
the area of lucerne and other perennials in profitable
farming systems across southern Australia through a collaborative
partnership between agency-based extension programs and
Landmark.
It is a unique partnership between a
CRC and agribusiness that seeks to make the latest information
on the establishment and management of perennials pasture
plants (as part of profitable whole-farm systems) available
to farmers through a national network of local agribusiness
agents.
The success of this project hinges on
the relationship Landmark staff have with their clients.
The nation needs landscape-scale change
to tackle the challenge of salinity. However, changing
farming systems can be expensive and risky - and farmers
need to have confidence in proposed solutions and easy
access to one-on-one support (particularly during establishment).
The CRC's agency partners have expertise
in the extension of new farming systems to suit regional
requirements, but don't have the resources to provide
one-on-one extension.
Landmark agronomists have local knowledge
- they know their clients, their businesses, and the environment
they're working in - making them the vital link between
researchers and farmers.
Objectives
- Extend the adoption of lucerne and
other perennials into profitable farming systems.
- Develop and resource a two-way knowledge
exchange network between the CRC, Landmark staff and
their clients and other land managers
- Extend the education and knowledge
exchange processes to other lucerne production stakeholders
including other agribusinesses.
How does it work?
The CRC and Agency staff will:
- Conduct ongoing training workshops
- Provide up to date and practical information
in a lucerne compendium and on a dedicated website
- Ensure easy access to expertise (via
this website and key CRC contacts)
- Establish relevant and accessible
demonstration sites
- Facilitate farmer feedback & participatory
research
Why focus on lucerne?
We have focused on lucerne because this
perennial plant offers the broadest range of tested proven
options for integration into profitable farming systems.
Lucerne is used as a pasture plant for animal production,
and can take advantage of unseasonal rain and offer feed
during the lean summer months. Lucerne also adds value
to cereal cropping systems by providing a break in the
cropping cycle for weed and disease management, and contributing
to soil nitrogen for subsequent crops. It significantly
reduces the amount of water leaking through to the watertable.
The CRC is developing a range of other
perennials. However, it will take some time before they
are ready to hit the ground. These new plants and systems
will be promoted through the partnership as they become
available. Find out more in the Research section.
A brochure on this
project is available from your local Landmark office (
download the PDF version ). |
