Farmers are implementing practical on-farm projects that increase farm profitability and productivity while reducing emissions through the State Government’s On-Farm Emissions Action Plan Pilot.
Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence recently announced the two successful recipients of the Innovation Fund round one and opened two of the Innovation Fund – which offers grants of up to $100,000 to Pilot participants.
The pilot is a three-year initiative for 250 Victorian farmers and growers designed to help them to identify their on-farm emissions profile, develop an emissions reduction action plan, and apply for a grant to implement recommended actions through a pool of $5 million.
Both successful round one projects are underway at dairy and beef cattle farms in East and South Gippsland respectively and were chosen for their focus on implementing on-farm trials to test new and different emissions reduction approaches.
South Gippsland beef cattle farmer Carolyn Wilde received $37,399 for her Novel Water and Supplement Delivery System project, which looks at the delivery of a water-based supplement to reduce methane emissions through livestock drinking water troughs.
Tarago River Farms received $30,000 for their Multi Species Emissions Saver project focused on trialling the use of various crop blends, and the use of wastewater sourced from the dairy and a local cheesemaking business, to determine the most efficient methods of producing dairy feed and minimising nitrogen input.
“We’re backing innovative farmers to trial hands-on solutions through the On-Farm Emissions Action Plan Pilot to increase productivity and long term sustainability,” Minister Spence said.
“It is a key part of our $20 million Agriculture Sector Pledge, delivering a shared vision alongside industry to help farmers to reduce emissions while maintaining productivity and profitability.”
“This is supporting farmers to increase productivity and profit, while taking action to reduce emissions on farm,” Member for Eastern Victoria, Tom McIntosh, said.
The On-Farm Emissions Action Plan Pilot is a key initiative under Victoria’s first Agriculture Sector Emissions Reduction Pledge.
