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Project description
The dairy effluent management project provides assistance to dairy farmers in designing the upgrade of their effluent system and providing $ for $ funding of up to $5,000 for the on-ground works.
A new round of the project is currently underway and is looking for dairy farms in the north west region who are interested in updating their effluent systems. The project has funding for 30 upgrades to be completed and this project round requires farmers to complete the on-ground works by June 2008.
The main challenge for farmers is completing the on-ground works within the 12 month period of the project, particularly considering the seasonal conditions farmers are facing.
Achievements
There have been upgrades completed or underway on 90 dairy farms across the state since the project commenced in 2004. By July 2008 this will cover around 130 farms.
It is catering to a strong and ongoing need for farmers to get better information and advice on managing their dairy effluent. In many cases intensification and expansion of dairy operations meant effluent systems were now under capacity. In other cases they were simply not well maintained and changes were needed.
Upgrades on farm have included:
- Better irrigation of effluent nutrients on pastures to increase production
- Additional storage and dam capacity
- Improved pipework and pumping systems
- Solid separation and trenches
- A variety of options and differences across farm conditions
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