The Monaro grazing community will be able to better prepare for the impacts of drought thanks to $16,700 in federal funding from the Future Drought Fund.
Monaro Farming Systems will use the grant to fund their ‘Monaro Seasonal Outlooks - Building Drought Resilience and Preparedness’ project.
This project will see Monaro Farming Systems host two Field Days aimed at building knowledge and understanding, and preparedness of climatic influences on the coming Summer and Autumn growing seasons. Monaro Farming Systems through this grant will provide local producers with scientific modelling using the new Farming Forecaster online tool which complies weather, soil moisture, pasture production and livestock performance information to help farmers fingertips make timely and informed decisions.
Member for Eden-Monaro Kristy McBain said she was glad this project had received the funding it deserves.
“I am delighted to see this money to Monaro Farming Systems,” Ms McBain said.
“Monaro Farming Systems plays an important role in the development of sustainable and productive farming practices in our region and it will be fantastic to see their research showcased at a Field Day.
“Our farmers have been doing it so tough for many years now. But Monaro farmers are innovative and forward thinking, and this project illustrates that despite years of drought followed by bushfires, floods and the pandemic, our farmers are still modernising and adapting practices in seriously impressive ways.”
Monaro Farming Systems chair John Murdoch said the funding will enable them to deliver high value analysis of climatic influences across the entire Monaro.
“The established Farming Forecaster soil probe and weather station network enables MFS to identify warnings of potential seasonal difficulties or opportunities, and help implement appropriate management actions to assist local producers in preparing for or making the most of climatic influences,” Mr Murdoch said.
“The Monaro presents graziers with a challenging weather environment at the best of times, and MFS’s seasonal outlooks are a vital tool for producers to be both agile and adaptive to climatic change in their enterprise management.
“MFS is very grateful to receive this funding and be able to continue to offer this service to Monaro farmers’
MFS’s Summer Seasonal outlook is scheduled to occur in early December at ‘Coolringdon’ Cooma, NSW. Please contact MFS at [email protected] to express your interest in attending.
