Reducing on-farm emissions through alternative stubble management

Background

The Mallee’s light, sandy soils have always demanded careful management, but with the impacts of climate change becoming more evident – increased variability brings less predictable rainfall and warmer seasons, making it more difficult to maintain adequate groundcover – the challenge of protecting this fragile landscape has grown. 

In response, a new four-year project led by the Mallee Catchment Management Authority (MCMA), in partnership with BCG, Mallee Sustainable Farming (MSF), and Agriculture Victoria, is working to help dryland farmers in the Victorian Mallee adapt and thrive while caring for their most valuable resource: soil. Funded through the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s (DAFF) National Heritage Trust (NHT) under the Sustainable Agriculture – Climate Smart Agriculture Program, this project supports Outcome 3: Farmers are supported to drive agricultural growth, while adopting sustainable NRM practices that protect soil. 

Aim

This project seeks to build resilience across Mallee farming systems by enhancing productivity and sustainability together. A key focus is soil and stubble management to enhance soils, which continues to be a practical challenge for farmers. 

BCG is leading the project’s soil and stubble component, reviewing current practices including mechanical and amelioration methods, through an environmental and economic lens. Through grower discussion, the project aims to better understand what drives decisions and where knowledge gaps may lie. 

Ten demonstration sites are being established across the region to validate a suite of alternative practices that can improve sustainability, productivity, and profitability in low rainfall systems. The focus is on growing productive crops and managing biomass in a way that also protects the soil and retains nutrients, while understanding the implications for carbon emissions.