Module 5 Protect Your Farm’s Natural Assets
Introduction
Healthy, resilient natural assets including soil, water and vegetation underpin livestock production, increase the capital value and profitability of your enterprise, and add immeasurably to the comfort, satisfaction and temperament of all who live or work there.
A beautiful, well managed property can be a source of pride for its owners and an inspiration for neighbours and visitors.
Many sheep producers are showing how compatible boosting farm profit is with better management of the farm’s natural resources.
A well-managed property can help store organic carbon in grasses, shrubs, trees and soil, to offset carbon released as the greenhouse gas, methane, by ruminants like sheep.
This module builds on the principle of multiple benefits and that long-term profitability and sustainability go hand-in-hand.
Implementing the procedures in this module will help you build the capital value and profitability of your sheep enterprise and keep your natural assets functioning effectively now and into the future.
Plan the vision for your business and grazing enterprise – include the whole farm team in imagining how you want your business and grazing enterprise to look in 10 years. Compare your inventory with your vision and determine the steps you must take to achieve your vision.
Prepare an inventory of your farm’s natural assets – identify and define the amount, condition, location of and threats to the farm’s natural assets, weeds and pests.
Devise and implement your action plan - aim to increase the resilience of the farm’s soils, water, vegetation and other natural resources; progressively reduce the impacts of pests and weeds; and protect your grazing enterprise from the impacts of climate variability.
Measure, manage and monitor your progress towards the vision for your grazing enterprise - adapt your actions to better manage your natural resources, pests and weeds and move towards your vision.
