- Published:
- Tuesday 5 December 2023
The Allan Labor Government is working closely with Victoria’s dairy industry to improve soil health through a new innovative research program.
Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence and Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture Michaela Settle visited Fernleigh Park Pastoral in Fiskville today to launch the $7 million DairySoil project, coinciding with World Soil Day celebrations.
The DairySoil project will introduce cutting-edge farming practices to help reduce industry’s use of synthetic fertiliser, decrease greenhouse gas emissions, and increase productivity and resilience to climate change.
This program will utilise state-of-art sensors to measure, map, retain and recover the moisture and nutrient levels needed to produce reliable and sustainable soil.
In partnership with Dairy Australia and the Gardiner Foundation DairySoil is spearheading the initiative as part $42.5 million DairyFeedbase23-28 program. The DairyFeedbase23-28 project is supporting transformational programs across soils, forages and animal nutrition over the next five years.
From researching soil health and pasture composition changes, to measuring and reducing methane emissions, the DairyFeedbase program will aim to increase the profitability and productivity of dairy farms while minimising their impact on the environment.
The projects will also link to other national research underway and make the most of Victoria's world-class facilities at Agriculture Victoria’s Ellinbank and Hamilton SmartFarms and the AgriBio Centre for AgriBiosciences in Bundoora.
For more information visit, dairyfeedbase.com.au.
Quote attributable to Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence
“Healthy soil is crucial to growing the sustainability of Victoria’s $2.5 billion dairy industry and this pioneering soil research will boost industry efficiency in improving and maintaining nutritious and healthy soil.”
Quote attributable to Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture Michaela Settle
“It’s so important we continue to bring new research to Victorian farmers, helping to improve productivity and the resilience of our thriving agriculture industry.”
Quotes attributable to Dairy Australia Managing Director David Nation
“The DairySoil program is the cornerstone investment in soil research for Dairy Australia and the DairyFeed base program. It recognises the important role soil health plays in farm profitably and sustainability. The outcome will help farmers get more from their soil.”
Quotes attributable to Gardiner Foundation CEO Allan Cameron
“Including soils in the DairyFeedbase program for the first time will provide valuable insights on how to create healthier soils for dairy farms.”
“Gardiner Foundation is proud to support this important research which seeks to improve the productivity and sustainability of the Victorian dairy industry.”