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Yarram Yarram Landcare Network
Carbon Action On The Ground |
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Funded
Department of Agriculture,Fisheries and Forestry Project Period 2012 - 2015 Project Objectives The purpose of this project was to implement the delivery of the “Gippsland plains soil carbon trials - productivity and climate change responses”. The project has trialed and demonstrated innovative on-farm practices to increase the sequestration of carbon in soils through a range of innovative practices, including the use of drought tolerant perennial pastures, improved management of nitrogen fertiliser use and soil amendments and improving grazing/rotational management practices on 14 participating properties in the Gippsland plains region of Victoria. Project Description This project was conducted on 14 properties in the Gippsland Plains region of Victoria to demonstrate and evaluate the effectiveness of different on-farm practices to increase the sequestration of carbon in soils. On-farm practices trialed include the use of drought tolerant perennial pastures, improved management of fertilisers, application of high rates of organic material (compost, chicken litter) and improved grazing/rotational management practices. Each farmer has had their soil carbon and pH levels tested (using soil samples to a depth of 1 metre) . The project ran several field days and training courses explaining the benefits of carbon in the soil.. As a result many of the landowners have made significant practice changes. These include trialling alternative fertilisers with high organic or biological content such as compost, chook or pig manure, biochar etc, increasing the use of rotational grazing, direct drilling/over sowing into pasture with deep rooted perennials /herbs and liming to an acid /alkaline budget. Completion report The final report with all the facts and figures and the findings of this interesting project can be downloaded here.
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