Grant to help boost resilience for Wide Bay’s dairy farmers

April 28, 2021

Gympie and South Burnett dairy farmers may benefit from a share of $196,763 from the Coalition Government for a project to help improve their improve on-farm natural resource management and soil health knowledge.

Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien said the project, delivered by Burnett Mary Regional Group in conjunction with Sub-Tropical Dairy Programme Limited, will receive funding through the $13.4 million Natural Resource Management Drought Resilience Program, as a part of the Future Drought Fund.

“No one understands the land like farmers, and this project is a way for our Wide Bay producers to engage with 270 dairy businesses throughout New South Wales and Queensland, to reduce the impact of drought and soil degradation by adapting key agronomic and soil conservation strategies from regional grain farmers,” Mr O’Brien said.

“Our dairy farmers are feeling the impact of the years-long drought, on top of an unfair price for their product, and while we are still working to make the dairy industry more equitable for producers, this funding will help give dairy farmers the tools they need right now and setting them up to succeed into the future.”

“Effective risk management at the farm, regional and national scales can help to mitigate the impact of future droughts, and these innovative management practices will ensure our Wide Bay dairy producers, and their land, can adapt and regenerate into the future.”

Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management David Littleproud said the funding would enable farmer groups and agricultural organisations to adapt their practices and enhance their farming systems to increase drought resilience.

“Future droughts are inevitable, and while Australian farmers are well accustomed to climate variability, climate change is increasing the importance of managing drought risk,” Minister Littleproud said.

“This funding will support tangible projects that will help address this.

“The projects being funded will include a strong focus on local engagement, conducting training through face-to-face workshops, field days and small group training sessions.”

Fast Facts:

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