The benefits of native grasses, agroforestry, sandalwood and revegetation in farming systems will be highlighted at a free field day at Echuca on Thursday 13 October from 10am – 4 pm (including lunch). 

Mr Joel Spry from the North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) said local farmers and community members are encouraged to attend.

Mr Spry said, “The Echuca field day is similar to recent successful field days held at Marnoo and Lake Charm and builds on our forum held in Kerang in August on ‘Productive Farming - for a Variable Water Future’. 

“We had a terrific response at these events with feedback indicating that local farmers and the community are interested in exploring alternative farming systems and we are pleased to offer more information at the Echuca field day.”

Mr Spry said topics such as ‘maximising production from native grasses’, ‘revegetation design integrating conservation and profit’, ‘a current sandalwood trial in Northern Victoria’ and ‘growing more livestock from perennial pastures’ will be further discussed during the day. 

“We have secured prominent and well known guest speakers including Graeme Hand, CEO of Stipa Native Grasses Association Inc.; Stephen Murphy, ecologist and author of ‘Recreating the Country’: Sustainable Design of Revegetation Plantings that Integrates Conservation with Production; and Rowan Reid, Senior Lecturer in Farm Forestry at the University of Melbourne and Coordinator of the Australian Master TreeGrower Program: Trees on Farm for Shelter, Conservation and Profit.”

The afternoon session will include visits to three on-farm demonstration sites including a sandalwood trial incorporating biodiversity plantings and remnant protection, farm forestry and native grass production sites. This will provide farmers with plenty of opportunity for further questioning and discussion.

To find out more and to register please RSVP to the North Central CMA by 5 pm Tuesday 11 October 2011 on (03) 5448 7124 or email info@nccma.vic.gov.au, indicating any dietary requirements.

The field day is part of the Australian Government’s Regional Landcare Facilitator project, which is hosted by the North Central CMA for the North Central region and the CMA’s Adopting Sustainable Farming Practices, which is funded by the Australian Government’s Caring for our Country initiative with support from the Campaspe Shire.

For further information please contact: 

Communications Officer, North Central CMA
PO Box 18, Huntly VIC 3551
t: 03 5448 7124
e: info@nccma.vic.gov.au