VICTORIAN Autumn 10 Issue 48 & CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT SOIL AND SOIL CARBON FEATURE Dairying in a changing climate Farm audits reduce greenhouse emissions North east projects link soil health and soil carbon Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management A UTUMN 10 ISSUE 48 Contents 8 03 From the Minister 04 Dairying in a changing climate Stuart and Jacqui Tracy from Waratah Bay in South Gippsland are adjusting their farming system in response to the changing climate. 06 Farm audits reduce greenhouse emissions Fifty farmers have achieved energy, waste and water reductions from participating in the Westernport Greenhouse Emissions Project. 08 Yea field day uncovers soil essentials Groundcover and soils ecologist Dr Christine Jones explains the importance of improving soil quality. 10 North east projects link soil health with soil carbon Groundcover is essential for healthy soil. Landcare groups and farmers in the north east are discovering how soil carbon can reverse degradation, build soil health and improve productivity. 12 Volunteers – where to find them and how to keep them A series of workshops has helped Landcare groups identify their need for 11 volunteers and learn new ways to reach out into the community. 15 Next stop Hilda Falls A successful Landcare partnership in South Gippsland is transforming a degraded site into a scenic railway destination. 16 Starting up a Landcare network Practical advice for groups considering forming or joining a Landcare network. 20 Mistletoe and tree stress The Victorian Mobile Landcare Group tackles a serious mistletoe infestation at Benalla. 22 Regional roundup Dung beetles ready for release in the Find out what’s happening in Landcare across Victoria. north east. Editorial Advisory Committee This publication is copyright. No part may be Becky Hemming East Gippsland CMA, reproduced by any process except in accordance 18 Katie Le Blanc DPI, Susi Johnson VFF, with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. Sally MacAdams DSE, Cathy Heycock DSE. Authorised by the Victorian Government, Editorial contributions 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne. Carrie Tiffany, PO Box 1135, Mitcham North 3132 Phone 0405 697 548 ISSN 1327 5496 E-mail: [email protected] The State of Victoria and its employees does not Cover photograph guarantee that this publication is without fl aw of Ian Humphry collects a soil sample on any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular the property he farms with his brother purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for Lindsay at Springhurst, near Wangaratta. any error, loss or other consequences which may The Humphry brothers won Victoria’s arise from you relying on any information in this Landcare Primary Producer Award in publication. 2008. They are part of a new soil carbon The State of Victoria acknowledges contributions program being run in the north east. made by private enterprise and other persons Students from the School for Student Photograph by Michael Bell. or groups interested in Landcare. Acceptance of Leadership are participating in a series of © The State of Victoria Department of these contributions, however, does not endorse sustainability lessons. Sustainability and Environment 2009. or imply endorsement by the State of Victoria of any product, service, or view offered by contributors. 2 | VICTORIAN LANDCARE AND CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT From the Minister This year is already shaping up to be a Congratulations to Victorian farmers Alice Project. I join with the Victorian Landcare busy one for Victorian Landcare, with a lot and Kevin Knight who were recently community in congratulating both the of great projects and initiatives continuing awarded the McKell Medal for excellence Knights and the Tracys on their outstanding to shape the future of our land and and achievement in natural resource achievements. biodiversity. management. The award commemorates Congratulations are also due to the many the contribution of former Premier of NSW There is plenty of information on soil and people who work tirelessly on Landcare and Governor-General of Australia Sir soil carbon in this issue. Soil is an essential projects throughout Victoria. Their efforts William McKell to soil and land conservation. building block for agriculture and for the are a cornerstone of managing resource environment – healthy soil is critical for During the past 40 years, the brother and management for today and tomorrow. our social, economic and environmental sister team have turned their Pittong farm sustainability. Increasing interest and into a showcase of conservation farming concern about greenhouse gas emissions and have been doing some great work in has led to a renewed focus on building up tackling severe dryland salinity in their area. soil organic matter. Alice and Kevin were founding members of The story in this issue from Victoria’s north the Pittong-Hoyles Creek Landcare Group, east shows how one region is increasing with Kevin a driving force behind the Gavin Jennings, Minister for Environment the skill base of its landholders with soil success of the Woady Yaloak Catchment and Climate Change MLC health forums and workshops that have a focus on practical changes to make farms more economically viable and sustainable. The interview with dairy farmers Stuart and Jacqui Tracy from South Gippsland highlights the complexities of managing a modern farm. With the added challenge of a changing climate, the Tracys approach every decision with research and knowledge; they reuse water, recycle nutrients, test their soil and use energy saving technology. A parliamentary enquiry into soil carbon sequestration in Victoria is currently underway and a report is due later this year. The Environment and Natural Resources Committee has been exploring the possible environmental benefits of soil carbon, considering how measurement can be undertaken, identifying costs and harms and looking at links with other schemes and policies. Importantly it will explore options for the Victorian Government to support the benefits of soil sequestration. Left, Kevin Knight on the farm at Pittong. Right, Alice Knight at a function for the Woady Yaloak Catchment Project. AUTUMN 10 ISSUE 48 | 3 Dairy farming in a changing climate By Gillian Hayman Stuart and Jacqui Tracy are dairy farmers at A new cow shed completed in 2006 Waratah Bay in South Gippsland. They milk services the farm well. The Tracys 470 cows on their ocean-front property are seeking energy savings in the shed Jacqui and Stuart Tracy are adapting their and are members of the Fish Creek and run their automatic wash system farming practices to the changing climate. Landcare Group. at temperatures of about 50 degrees celsius. Quantum (heat pump) hot water Stuart Tracy believes that he and Jacqui services were installed this year and Stuart are observing changes in the climate. They and Jacqui are keeping an eye on new have noticed later autumn breaks – often technologies to reduce energy and water calf rearing area. With later autumn breaks a winter break, milder winters resulting in use even further. freshly lactating cows are not always able to more grass growth and the growing season move on to green pastures. A feed pad built finishing earlier, often resulting in an early “We want to save energy, dollars and in 2004 allows the feeding of oaten hay, silage season. not have such a big impact on the bread, almond hulls and home-grown silage. environment,” Jacqui said. According to Jacqui they have not had a The other challenge that Stuart and Jacqui March calving wet winter since 1996. did not predict was mastitis. The often In 2002 the Tracys made the decision to “We now make silage in September, so dusty conditions in March and the increased change their calving pattern. Tired of calving there is no getting away in those school number of flies that come with drier cows in muddy, cold conditions during holidays anymore,” Jacqui said. summers have meant more cases of mastitis. the winter and seeing significant pasture Changes in the climate have brought damage, calving was moved to March. Pasture trials underway changes to the Tracys’ farming system. The Traditionally rye grass has been the According to Stuart calving is now much extended dry season over the summer predominant pasture species on the farm. easier with calves born on to dry paddocks. months and less runoff throughout the Longer, drier summers have brought winter means water supply is tighter and “Our milk production is much more even. concern about pasture survival and Stuart needs to be managed carefully. We used to have large peaks and troughs has found that annual over-sowing of in milk production which would cost us pastures is becoming expensive. With this Effluent captured from the cow shed and money. Winter milk incentives are gained in mind he is investigating alternative deep feed pad is irrigated over half the milking with this calving pattern and lactating rooted species, more suited to the sandy area. Not only is water reused, but nutrients cows can make the most of grass growth loam soils and drier summer conditions. are recycled too. Annual soil testing allows through the winter months,” Stuart said. Stuart has begun trialling cocksfoot, fescues Stuart and Jacqui to monitor nutrient levels and prairie grasses and is working through With calving now in early March there are on these areas. The reuse of nutrients palatability, grazing and management issues also some challenges. Hot days can cause has resulted in a reduced application of with these species. phosphorous and potassium fertilisers and some heat stress to the young calves in the in turn equates to financial savings. shed; this is managed with shading of the The Tracys’ focus on establishing shelter belts over many years is paying off as Stuart and Jacqui Tracy’s ocean-front dairy farm (the boundary marked in red) at Waratah Bay. longer, hotter and drier summers are occurring. Stock are able to use the shade and shelter and it provides important habitat for many coastal bird species.