Skip to main content

Long-term trials of drought resilience farming practices

Purpose

The focus of the program is to trial farming practices to test and demonstrate a range of strategies for mixed farming systems in Southern NSW. Irrigation Farmers Network (IFN) will be a part of a national network of “drought resilience farm laboratories” to support the program. IFN will be focusing on the interdependence of cropping & livestock and managing environment and social impacts in response to seasonal variation – experimentation on permanent pasture establishment, investigating species, seeding rates and use of irrigation water.

IFN key focus areas

  • Flexibility to respond quickly to water availability
  • Flexibility to bring stock on / off farm or produce fodder for local feedlots
  • Sustainable use of natural resources – protecting soils
  • Understanding the impact of irrigation layout and soil type on performance of rotations
  • Increased understanding of trigger points: irrigation application and shifting focus from cropping to stock or fodder
  • Increased awareness of impact of decisions on economics, natural resources, infrastructure, water allocation and soil moisture.

Practical Outcomes

Farmers will have access to information, and alongside university academics and researchers, can consider the scientific and economic data coming out of the trials. Farmers will be able to visit the farm laboratories to “look and learn” as trials progress, deciding whether the practices are worth a try on their own farms. 

Project Investment

This project is supported by Charles Stuart University, through funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.

Partners

The project is led by Charles Sturt researchers and involves staff and farmer members from 6 southern NSW farming systems groups - Irrigation Farmers Network, Farmlink, Southern Growers, Central West farming Systems, Riverine Plains and Holbrook Landcare Network.

Login

Forgot your password?