Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator

SUMMARY

The Regional Agricultural Landcare Facilitator (RALF) works with farmers, industry and community to share information on sustainable agricultural practices and to support the Pasture Information Network project.

BACKGROUND

NRM South’s Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator (RALF) forms part of a nationwide network of facilitators who engage with their local agricultural sector to help improve sustainability, productivity and profitability for farmers. They help farmers and agricultural industries to identify and develop new projects, develop partnerships and seek new funding opportunities. The RALF is a central contact point for farmers in our region to help increase their knowledge and skills on the path to adopting practices which will help improve farm productivity.

PARTNERS

Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA), Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, East Coast Primary Producers’ Association, Private enterprise

FUNDING

Australian Government’s National Landcare Program

PROJECT DURATION

2019-2023

APPROACH

Services are being delivered to land managers and farming system groups, through a range of mechanisms including:

Participation and advocacy in relevant working groups;
Assisting farming communities and agriculture industries/ groups to develop new projects and seek new funding opportunities;
Participating in Tasmania’s Forum of Rural Stakeholders to provide advice and activities in crisis response; and
Sustainable agricultural projects and events.

PROJECT UPDATES

Wrapping up the east coast legume trial
NRM South, in partnership with the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA), have been running a perennial legume trial at Milton, Cranbrook since 2017. The aim of the trial was to test legume varieties that can persist in the challenging dryland conditions experienced on the east coast. Legumes are an important
A field day in the Fingal: Talking pasture renovation trials and livestock health
In mid-February we ran a field day in the Fingal Valley, sharing what we’ve learned so far from our strip tillage demonstration site at Speyside. Hosted alongside NRM North, TIA and Agriprove, and in conjunction with producers, the field day welcomed a great turnout of attendees. The trial is investigating
Perennial trials and tribulations
In early December, NRM South’s Regional Agricultural Landcare Facilitator – in collaboration with the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA) and the East Coast Primary Producers Association – held a successful Legume Management for East Coast Grazing Systems field day at Milton. There has been a perennial legume trial running at
Stopping the spread of serrated tussock
NRM South was proud to support Glamorgan Spring Bay Council and Tasman Council at a recent serrated tussock workshop in Triabunna. The workshop welcomed around 50 attendees, who were keen to find out more about why serrated tussock is raising alarm bells on the East Coast. Serrated tussock is an
Autumn sowing of perennial pastures
Recent rains have helped push along a perennial pasture legume trial on Tasmania’s East Coast. This trial is a collaborative project between NRM South and the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture Earlier attempts at sowing pasture crops were unsuccessful due to unfavourable weather but recent favourable conditions have allowed for
Research for a pasture that persists
The Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA) and NRM South are aiming to give farmers on the East Coast of Tasmania new strategies to manage pasture production through drought. The East Coast of Tasmania is an important wool producing region, but faces production challenges, including a dry temperate climate with highly

ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE

Developed a new project under the Future Drought Fund (Dept. of Agriculture, Water and the Environment)
Ongoing support for perennial pasture trials
Supporting farmers and producer groups on 11 grant applications to increase their capacity to manage agricultural land
Support for Glamorgan Spring Bay Council and Tasman Council to host a serrated tussock workshop
Development of Serrated Tussock Management notesheet