A Victorian initiative is enabling farmers to implement on-farm projects that increase profitability and productivity, while reducing emissions
Victorian agriculture minister Ros Spence has announced the opening of round 2 of the Innovation Fund, which offer grants of up to $100,000 to participants of the On-Farm Emissions Action Plan Pilot.
The Pilot is a three year initiative for 250 Victorian farmers and growers, designed to help them 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.
“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,” Spence says.
“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.”
Two successful recipients from round 1 of the Innovation Fund have already seen their projects commence at their respective dairy and beef cattle farms in east Gippsland and south Gippsland.
Both were chosen for their focus on implementing on-farm trials to test new and different emission reduction approaches.
Tarago River Farms of east Gippsland received $30,000 for its 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.
South Gippsland beef cattle famer 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.
Applications for round 2 Innovation Fund grants will be open to Pilot participants from until January 31.
For more information on the On-Farm Emissions Action Plan Pilot, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/climate-and-weather