Land

North central Victoria is agriculturally diverse. Irrigation areas cover much of the northern Loddon and Campaspe riverine plains. Dairying, horticulture and mixed farming are the main enterprises. Improved irrigation technology and tradeable water entitlements have encouraged the rapid expansion of horticulture outside traditional irrigation areas.

Dryland accounts for 77% of the region. Dryland agricultural areas are characterised by broadacre land uses, such as cropping and grazing. Land close to the major centres is increasingly developed for horticulture, new and emerging agricultural commodities and as 'rural living' zones. Intensive animal production industries are also represented.

Irrigated land areas accounts for only about 10% of the  area, however it accounts for almost 50% of the gross value of agricultural production. The grains and mixed cropping sector remains the largest agricultural sector.

Approximately 13% of the region is public land. Large areas are reserved and managed for recreation and nature conservation. Commercial forestry operations are carried out on public land throughout the region. The most intensive operations are concentrated in foothill forests and softwood plantations in the south. A range of products, including firewood, posts and poles, furniture timbers, honey and Eucalyptus oil, are obtained from forests and woodlands in the north.

 

Action on the Ground

For information about our partnership project with Kilter Pty Ltd 'Action on the Ground' please view the Sequestering Soil Carbon in an Irrigated Landscape turned Dry Ecological Grazing fact sheet here.