Integrating Natural Resource Management with Sustainable Agriculture

Planning to set our regional direction

The formation of Natural Resource Management Boards has enabled new approaches to addressing the challenges facing the sustainability of agriculture on the Eyre Peninsula. Adaptive farming systems are essential in a changing climate and variable economic markets. Productive systems need to be matched to the land capability to ensure the soil resource is protected and farm businesses are economically viable.

Sustaining farming systems on the Eyre Peninsula is one of the program areas identified in the EP NRM business plan, Investing in our Resources. This program area is addressing three of the regional long term targets in the Eyre Peninsula NRM strategic plan, Managing our Resources. These are Target A addressing land condition and degradation, Target E addressing productive capacity of natural resource dependent industries, and Target F addressing community engagement in NRM.

Funding for the sustainable farming systems on Eyre Peninsulaprogram area is accessed from a range of sources including Caring for Our Country (Australian government), the State NRM program, PIRSA, Research and Development Corporations and corporate investment (Woolworth Ltd).

Program Area 4 - Sustainable farming systems on Eyre Peninsula

4.1 Balancing farming systems on the Eyre Peninsula – Grain and Graze

• Balance grazing and grain production on Eyre Peninsula for economic and environmental outcomes, and implement innovative solutions and research outcomes into farm practice through working with farm production groups, and in partnership with research and development organisations.

4.2 Managing risk in farming on Eyre Peninsula

• Assess the risks associated with farming in a fragile environment and in evaluating new and innovative technologies to improve production and manage environmental risk. Monitor land condition across the region, act on degraded areas of land and take rehabilitation measures.

4.3 Supporting future farming systems on Eyre Peninsula

Support production focused networks across Eyre Peninsula in identifying key issues relating to the sustainability of farming systems, and developing key linkages to address these including working closely with the Agricultural Bureau movement, Minnipa Ag Centre, Lower Eyre Agricultural Development Association, the Ag Excellence Alliance, rural resellers and farm consultants

This program area addresses key NRM issues relating to soil condition and health and water use efficiency. Over 50% of the Eyre Peninsula’s land area is farmed, while half of the native vegetation is privately owned. There are a range of issues affecting farm business profitability and sustainability of the natural resources that support these primary industries. These include wind erosion, soil acidity and alkalinity, salinity and climate change effects.

Improved farm practices that incorporate new technologies that protect and enhance soils whilst improving profitability, improved risk management strategies, and managing land to its productive capability are all strategies that are being used to improve the long term viability of farming on the EP through the range of projects listed below. These projects rely on collaboration between a range of grower driven organisations, industry and government to achieve the desire outcomes.

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