Supporting farmers to further knowledge and adopt practices to improve and protect the condition of soil
Community engagement activities are building on farmer awareness and understanding of soil acidification processes, risks to production and profit, and acidity ameliorating land management practices. Practices include soil testing for pH to inform lime application, efficient use of fertilisers, and maintaining groundcover targets in grazing and cropping enterprises.
Soil monitoring sites will be established and soil tested to depth (with pH) to identify potential sub-soil acidity risks.
Soils4Farms is partnering with industry organisations, the Landcare community and Traditional Owner groups to empower community action for improved sustainable land management, strengthened social networks and increased adoption of innovative practices.
Investment: $2,000,000
Funding by: Australian Governments Regional Land Partnerships (RLP)
Delivery partners: Agriculture Victoria (Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions), Federation University Australia, Southern Farming Systems, WestVic Dairy, Winda Mara Aboriginal Corporation
Soil testing
| RLP outcomes and investment priorities | Anticipated contribution to RLP outcomes and investment priorities by 2023 |
| Outcome 5. By 2023, there is an increase in the awareness and adoption of land management practices that improve and protect the condition of soil, biodiversity and vegetation (soil acidification). Outcome 6. By 2023, there is an increase in the capacity of agriculture systems to adapt to significant changes in climate and market demands for information on provenance and sustainable production. | Through increased access to on-line soils data, 200 farmers have increased capacity to manage soil acidification and improve and protect soil. An increase of 1,000 farmers with the knowledge of appropriate actions to manage soil acidification and improve and protect soil. An increase of 100 farmers with skills and confidence to adopt appropriate actions to manage soil acidification and improve and protect soil. An increase of 80 farmers who have adopted appropriate actions to manage soil acidification and improve and protect soil. Lime application to manage soil acidification has increased by 10% from baseline. |
Here’s a snapshot of what we achieved:
