LOCAL farmers are implementing practical on-farm projects that increase farm profitability and productivity while reducing emissions through the state government’s On-Farm Emissions Action Plan Pilot.

Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence announced the two successful recipients of the Innovation Fund Round 1 and opened round 2 of the Innovation Fund - which offers grants of up to $100,000 to pilot participants.

The pilot is a three-year initiative for 250 Victorian farmers and growers designed to help them to identify their on-farm emissions profile, develop an emissions reduction action plan, and apply for a grant to implement recommended actions through a pool of $5 million.

“We’re backing innovative farmers to trial hands-on solutions through the On-Farm Emissions Action Plan Pilot to increase productivity and long term sustainability,” said Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence.

“It is a key part of our $20 million Agriculture Sector Pledge, delivering a shared vision alongside industry to help farmers to reduce emissions while maintaining productivity and profitability.”

Both successful Round 1 projects are underway at dairy and beef cattle farms in east and south Gippsland respectively and were chosen for their focus on implementing on-farm trials to test new and different emissions reduction approaches.

South Gippsland beef cattle famer Carolyn Wilde received $37,399 for her Novel Water and Supplement Delivery System project, which looks at the delivery of a water-based supplement to reduce methane emissions through livestock drinking water troughs.

Neerim South-based Tarago River Farms received $30,000 for their Multi Species Emissions Saver project focused on trialling the use of various crop blends, and the use of wastewater sourced from the dairy and a local cheesemaking business, to determine the most efficient methods of producing dairy feed and minimising nitrogen input.

The On-Farm Emissions Action Plan Pilot is a key initiative under Victoria’s first Agriculture Sector Emissions Reduction Pledge.

Applications for Round 2 Innovation Fund grants will be open to pilot participants from 29 November 2024 to 31 January 2025.

For more information on the On-Farm Emissions Action Plan Pilot, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/climate-and-weather.