Discover the benefits of whole farm planning

FROM April 13, landholders have the opportunity to undertake a six week course in whole farm planning and computerised farm mapping through the FarmPlan21 program.
The course is being delivered by the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (DEDJTR) in partnership with the South Gippsland Landcare Network.
FarmPlan 21 is a version of Whole Farm Planning that incorporates the use of iFarm, an electronic mapping program. As well as being provided with the latest aerial imagery of your property, course participants will be supplied a copy of the iFarm software program and a wide range of supporting digital information.
FarmPlan21 covers topics such as land use capabilities, farm water supply, pasture production and grazing management, drought management, legal requirements on farms, soils and their management, invasive plants and animal control, biodiversity and native vegetation.
Fish Creek beef farmer Jason Keays completed the FarmPlan21 course at Koo Wee Rup last year and found it to be a useful tool for developing and managing his property.
“The sessions on soil and grazing management made me reassess my overall approach to farming the property. Anyone that wants to make the most out of their property should do the course,” he said.
Whole farm planning is especially important to Gippsland farmers who farm the steep Strzelecki hills country where landslips and erosion are always a risk.
One of the best ways to reduce the risk is to take a pro-active approach by identifying areas likely to slip or erode and to manage grazing in these areas more sustainably.
On completion of the course landholders can continue to use the iFarm mapping program to generate maps of their property and to assist in future farm planning.
The course is held over six weeks on consecutive Wednesday nights starting April 13 to May 18, 2016 between 6.30-9.45pm at the DEDJTR office on Peart Street, Leongatha. The course cost is $150 per property. To register download an enrolment form atwww.sgln.org.au or email sgln@landcare.net for a copy.
For more information contact the South Gippsland Landcare Network on 5662 5759.

Broadening horizons: trainer Nick Dudley shows a participant how to use iFarm at a course delivered in Leongatha last year.

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Posted by Sarah Vella on Mar 30 2016. Filed under Rural News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry