Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Victoria, Danielle Green today visited Yarrawalla and Tongala to inspect progress on two farms undertaking pasture research as part of the Accelerating Change project.
Ms Green said the project had the potential to create 100 full-time jobs and boost dairy farming profitability in the Murray Darling region.
The project focusses on the accelerated adoption of research and technology to boost home grown pasture, improve pasture management, and to support the efficient use of irrigation water to reduce seasonal feed deficits.
Project works on partner farms will monitor, measure and develop strategies during the dry and hot seasonal conditions.
The project aims to increase ‘home grown’ pasture by 25 per cent, improve irrigation efficiency and reduce the cost base of dairy farming businesses with a view to boosting overall profitability.
Accelerating Change is Murray Dairy’s keystone project and has been developed in partnership with Dairy Australia. The project aims to demonstrate the benefits of continuing investment in feed practices, farming systems and growth of pastures.
Research and technology will be applied directly to the two farms and tested on 15 satellite farms, which will help monitor and analyse the technology. Results will then be shared with 380 farmers in the Murray Darling region for further discussion and analysis.
The Victorian Government and Australian Government are providing joint funding of $1.46 million toward the $2.9 million project, through the Murray-Darling Basin Regional Economic Diversification Program Victoria.
The program aims to strengthen and diversify local economies of Victorian communities impacted by the Murray Darling Basin Plan.
Quotes attributable to the Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Victoria, Danielle Green
“The Government believes that it is vitally important to take care of our regional towns by investing in key infrastructure projects that will support growth and generate employment in regions.”
“The Victorian Government is proud to be working in partnership with the Australian Government and Murray Dairy to deliver on this project.”
Reviewed 10 February 2021