Bega Cheese
Project Profile
| Name of Project | Demonstrating effective feed resource management in times of drought to improve sustainability and reduce environmental impacts |
| Name of group(s) involved | Bega Cheese |
| Time frame | 2010-2011 |
| Website | www.begacheese.com.au |
| Location | Bega |
| State | New South Wales |
| NRM Region | Southern Rivers |
| What industry does the group belong to? | Dairy |
| Corporate Partners involved | Woolworths |
| Level of Funding from LAL | $11,000 |
| Funding from other sources | $102,021 |
Issues
Due to highly variable climatic conditions affecting the dairy industry in the Bega Valley, the pressure from feeding out to stock during drought conditions or severe wet events has degraded pastures and soils and, in turn, impacted on animal health. There was also an issue of feed waste from trampling losses.
Strategic feeding areas or ‘feedpads’ designed by Bega Cheese for the far south coast NSW region were incorporated into two dairy management systems to demonstrate a more effective way of feed management. The feedpads, located in the Bega Valley, were demonstrated to farmers to increase their knowledge of the design, construction and development of such areas. A set of best management practice guidelines was also developed to enable dairy farmers to convert more easily to the use of the feedpad concept.
Funded by a Woolworths Sustainable Farming Grant, Bega Cheese coordinated the project and research on behalf of the dairy farmers in the region and for broader statewide use.
Project Detail
| Background to Project | The dairy industry in the Bega Valley, situated on the far south coast of New South Wales, has been operating since the 1860’s.
The dairy industry has significantly contributed to the district’s economy due to long term employment and the sale of milk, cheese and butter products.
Bega Cheese is currently owned by dairy farmers in the Bega Valley and has operated since 1899.
Dairy farmers have experienced a deterioration of their soils and pastures from feeding out to stock, particularly during drought or severe wet events. Feed waste has also added to the financial burden.
Bega Cheese has coordinated the development of two feedpad trial areas to assist dairy farmers identify improved management systems to address pasture and soil management and feed waste issues.
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| Key Objectives | •To demonstrate how to implement effective design and management of strategic feeding areas on two dairy farms in the Bega region •To assist farmers become more familiar with effluent management when using feedpads •Assist farming systems in the dairy industry to become better equipped to manage drought periods and climate variability while at the same time maintaining productivity and sustainability |
| Description of Project | The project incorporated the design and development of a strategic feeding management plan. Two locations were chosen in the Bega Valley to trial and demonstrate best management practice in the use of feedpads on dairy farms. The feedpads were based on cow numbers and space available.
The findings were discussed and improvements were made. Demonstration days were held at these sites for farmers and a set of best management practice guidelines for feedpad use was developed from the learnings of the project and made available to the dairy community.
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| Issues encountered during Project | •The costs associated in meeting the NSW Guidelines for Effluent Management as well as basic stock requirements were in excess of the original project budget and adjustments had to be made and extra funds sourced |
| Project Outcomes – Qualitative | •Increased knowledge of processes for the installation and management of feedpads for a dairy farm enterprise •Better understanding by dairy farmers of the benefits of feedpad use from management, financial and environmental perspectives •Better understanding of responsibilities for effluent management when using feedpads |
| Project Outcomes – Quantitative | •Two demonstration feedpads were installed and trialled •A draft set of best management practice guidelines, “Strategic Feed Out Area Guidelines for the NSW Dairy Industry”, was developed based on the lessons learned from the project •Within the first twelve months of the initial trials at two farm sites, another feedpad has been installed using the guidelines and a further 2 feedpads are proposed •Both farmers that were involved in the initial trial are very happy with their feedpads. Feed waste has been significantly reduced and they now have better flexibility with regard to the feed types they can purchase which has cost saving implications |
| Lessons Learned | •The feeding areas need to meet NSW Guidelines for Effluent Management •Flexibility needed to be built into the project to allow for situations such as a change of location during the initial setting up phase •Farmers needed to allow for adequate watering points on or near the feedpad to maximise benefits of the feedpad and to minimise damage to the feedpad surface (gravel pad) from cows congregating around a small number of water points •Surface drainage on the feedpad needs to be carefully considered to minimise water ponding on the surface for too long softening the surface of gravel based feedpads |
| Transferable Outcomes | •The guidelines on best management practice for strategic feeding areas in the Bega Valley can be broadly used by dairy farmers across New South Wales (contact the project officer) •Improved knowledge of the NSW Guidelines for Effluent Management and their application to dairy farm operations can help improve sustainability of farm businesses in the future |
Photography
Field day at first trial site, July 2009.
Second trial site – photo taken 2009.
