New production systems for intensive farming in Lockyer and Fassifern valleys
Published Wednesday, 06 February, 2008 at 12:36 PM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin today announced a Property Management Systems Initiative project to improve profitability and sustainability in the intensive farming systems of the Lockyer and Fassifern valleys.
“The successful project was proposed by the Lockyer Valley Alliance to develop more efficient water and nutrient management practices in intensive farming systems,” Mr Mulherin said.
“The aim is to improve the quality of both the produce and water leaving the farm.
“This will be an important project for Queensland as the Lockyer Valley accounts for around 20 per cent of the state’s vegetable production each year.
“Combined with the adjacent Bremer catchment, the area is a significant horticulture resource for Queensland as we face challenges in water availability and waterway health.
“In response to these challenges and increasing forage prices, cropping is increasingly becoming a part of the vegetable production cycle.
“To ensure cropping and the waterways remain sustainable, this new project will focus on areas of intensive production that have a higher than average risk of adding nutrients and sediments into the waterways and Moreton Bay.’’
Mr Mulherin said DPI&F would assist in the roll out of the three-year project by providing an extension officer to be based at the Department’s Gatton Research Station.
“The officer will work with growers, industry groups, the local council and regional natural resource management groups to identify gaps in current systems and monitor the economic and environmental impact of new management practices.
“Through the project, LVA is seeking to support farmers in adopting continuous improvement in property management systems, and achieve a 30 per cent increase in the uptake of water, soil and nutrient best management in priority sub catchments.
“The project will draw on existing systems such as the Growcom and Queensland Farmers’ Federation Farm Management Systems.’’
The project is the ninth PMSI project approved so far for Queensland primary industries, with a total of 10 officers allocated to support the roll out of these projects.
PMSI is a key project for the Department under the Queensland Government's Blueprint for the Bush to support rural Queensland.”
The project will be supported by the strong partnerships developed between SEQ Catchments, Lockyer Water Users Forum, Gatton Shire and the University of Queensland.
“The successful project was proposed by the Lockyer Valley Alliance to develop more efficient water and nutrient management practices in intensive farming systems,” Mr Mulherin said.
“The aim is to improve the quality of both the produce and water leaving the farm.
“This will be an important project for Queensland as the Lockyer Valley accounts for around 20 per cent of the state’s vegetable production each year.
“Combined with the adjacent Bremer catchment, the area is a significant horticulture resource for Queensland as we face challenges in water availability and waterway health.
“In response to these challenges and increasing forage prices, cropping is increasingly becoming a part of the vegetable production cycle.
“To ensure cropping and the waterways remain sustainable, this new project will focus on areas of intensive production that have a higher than average risk of adding nutrients and sediments into the waterways and Moreton Bay.’’
Mr Mulherin said DPI&F would assist in the roll out of the three-year project by providing an extension officer to be based at the Department’s Gatton Research Station.
“The officer will work with growers, industry groups, the local council and regional natural resource management groups to identify gaps in current systems and monitor the economic and environmental impact of new management practices.
“Through the project, LVA is seeking to support farmers in adopting continuous improvement in property management systems, and achieve a 30 per cent increase in the uptake of water, soil and nutrient best management in priority sub catchments.
“The project will draw on existing systems such as the Growcom and Queensland Farmers’ Federation Farm Management Systems.’’
The project is the ninth PMSI project approved so far for Queensland primary industries, with a total of 10 officers allocated to support the roll out of these projects.
PMSI is a key project for the Department under the Queensland Government's Blueprint for the Bush to support rural Queensland.”
The project will be supported by the strong partnerships developed between SEQ Catchments, Lockyer Water Users Forum, Gatton Shire and the University of Queensland.
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