Rod and Annette Cavanagh, Yellow Creek-Dairy Landcare Group

An attractive, coloured brochure has recently been released by the Yellow Creek-Dairy Creek Landcare Group, Victoria. Many strategic methods accompanied with relevant photographs, portray how caring for the environment and good farming practices can complement each other with natural and superior outcomes. 

Cindy McLeish MP, State Member for Eildon, attended the launch of the brochure CARING FOR THE LAND – Sustainable Agriculture, and spoke of its relevance to the beauty of our country which we must endeavour to maintain. Chris Cobern, coordinator for the Upper Goulburn Landcare Network, Vic., emphasised the importance of the brochure for the entire Australian agricultural landscape.

The brochure was written and designed by Rod Cavanagh and his daughter Annette. They consider that at times there exists a disconnect between Landcare agendas and with farmers and the wider agricultural scene. They set about to redress this situation.

Both Rod and Annette are members of the YCDC Landcare Group, Annette also being the chair of the national Intrepid Landcare. 

Rod, who rejects the term ‘greenie’, has life experience as a shearer, farm hand, and working utility stock dogs, as well as having widely travelled in outback Australia.

Annette has Bachelor degrees in conservation biology and environmental science, and is completing a PhD at La Trobe University. She is assessing the value of natural assets on a range of agricultural properties and has worked as a botanist throughout Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania.

Although both Rod and Annette are knowledgeable in their own fields, they have sought qualified help from others who have advised and clarified the Strategies and Results within the brochure.

The Strategies combine conservation with good farming practices and are outlined in a dot-point format having highlights for easy reading and quick reference. While there are no hard and fast rules, the Strategies outlined are intended to widen horizons and to create healthy discussion. It is understood that some upfront costs can be high, but the long-term benefits and returns are worth it. Perseverance and time will create positive outcomes.

Some simple steps that can be put into action are as follows:

• While it is normal practice to clear fallen timber and debris from around infrastructure to minimise bushfire and termite risk, refrain from clearing patches of bush, scrub, and fallen limbs elsewhere, and from disturbing and grazing rocky outcrops. These areas can provide ecological refuges and a delicate balance of biodiversity. 
• Chemical herbicides/pesticides/fungicides can be valuable tools but limit their use to purposeful and targeted applications – broad-scale, liberal use should be avoided. Be mindful of their effect upon insect pollinators and topsoil microorganisms and the growing concern of chemical resistance.
• Limit topsoil humus disturbance and regulate both soil pH levels and plant nutrition requirements.
• Rotate and crash graze pastures, with intermittent long spells. This encourages plant root development and organic matter within the soil – the ‘kick-start’ mechanism for microbial activity. While extra fencing may be needed, as with tree plantations, monetary grants may be available. Also, by utilising fences that exist with added temporary fences with some electrics, it often becomes affordable.
• By using natural fertilisers as much as possible and less chemical fertilisers initial costs may increase. However, organic fertilisers have a slow release of nutrients, and will be required less over time as soil structure and soil microbial health improves.   

The Results are a major feature. They give an overview of what can be achieved with both agriculture and environmental issues such as rectifying erosion and salt encroachment, so that high productive land can be reclaimed.

Coloured photographs compliment many features and captures the desire to investigate the content.

The brochure encourages common-sense practices of regenerative farming which has become a critical part of our life. Quality and quantity are important farming aspects along with profitability, and increased profit margins with sustainable and healthy farming can be attained. We must strive for community collaboration and work together.

CARING FOR THE LAND – Sustainable Agriculture is available here
or by contacting:

Upper Goulburn Landcare Network Coordinator
Chris Cobern
P.  0413 855490     E.  ugln.projects@ugln.net   
www.ugln.net/about/resources