March NEWSLETTER
In this edition:
What does RFT Cover?
Soil, Pasture and Stock Health Field Days
Greater South East Irrigation Scheme Field Day
Carbon Pub Chat
Carbon Courses
Kelpies!
Upcoming Ag Innovation Expo
What’s New on the Portal
Resilient Farming Tas (RFT) provides more than information on 40+ resilience topics - it builds skills across the ag sector to identify and address our risks.
The RFT program provides farmers one-on-one coaching, in-person and online events, and an online resource platform to help them address risks to resilience and harness potential opportunities for their farm. To learn more about the program and sign up head to: www.tasfarmingfutures.com.au/resilient-farming-tas
let’s get planning
What Does The Resilient Farming Tas Program Cover?
The RFT Program has been designed to fit your needs, learning style and available time.
You choose:
[ ] to focus on a few critical areas, or
[ ] run a risk assessment across your whole business
[ ] to lead your own assessments and prepare your own Farm Business Resilience Plan, or
[ ] have our coaches support you throughout the entire journey
Access learning materials: [ ] online, [ ] at events or [ ] individually with your coach?
We understand every farm, and every farmer has a different path towards building a more resilient future - some are already on their way, others are looking for a map. Wherever you are, we’re here to help you build a strong future-proof business.
Some of the topics we can help you address:
[ ] The future of your business
[ ] Decision making
[ ] Data and knowledge management
[ ] Business structures
[ ] Succession
[ ] Diversification - options and benefits/risks analysis
[ ] Finance
[ ] Whole farm budgeting
[ ] Cash flows
[ ] Mixed margin analysis
[ ] Diversification - contract types, agritourism
[ ] Negotiation and marketing skills
[ ] Safety
[ ] OHS Plan
[ ] Induction systems
[ ] Systems to keep you safe
[ ] Emergency preparedness
[ ] Natural disasters (including fire and flood)
[ ] Biosecurity plan
[ ] Drought preparedness
[ ] Insurance
[ ] Human Resources
[ ] Staff training and management
[ ] Attracting and training staff
[ ] Natural resource management
[ ] Pasture and soil management
[ ] Protecting biodiversity and pest management
[ ] Understanding carbon
[ ] Water management - budgeting, planning, drainage and run off
[ ] Regenerative agriculture
[ ] Improving your farm life
[ ] Time management
[ ] Bookwork strategies
[ ] Prioritising family and enabling holidays
[ ] AgTech resources
[ ] Known unknowns & unknown unknowns
Our coaches are ready for the next stage of developing your Farm Business Resilience Plan - whether you’ve just joined the program, have completed a few activities in the workbook, or have started writing your plan - we’re here to hear what you need, and to provide guidance if you’re feeling stuck.
As the busiest season for many farmers starts wrapping up, catch up with our coaches through autumn and winter to review your risks and address them with achievable actions in your Farm Business Resilience Plan.
Get involved - or tell a friend!
This is a great opportunity to invest in the long-term success of your farm. The Resilient Farming Tas team is here to help—reach out to learn more and take the next step toward a stronger, more adaptable future. If you, or someone you know, could benefit from the RFT program, please share this information or reach out to us; contact Cassie Tickner-Smith or visit Resilient Farming Tas.
getting down in the dirt
‘Soil Health, Pasture Health, Animal Health’ field days on Flinders Island & George River
Flinders Island: Exploring Innovative Soil and Pasture Management
RFT coach Isabel Axiö recently hosted an insightful field day on Flinders - focused on innovative soil and pasture management techniques, drawing together more than 20 local farmers and industry experts to visit two generous farm hosts. The event aimed to equip participants with strategies to enhance soil health, improve pasture productivity and animal health under the challenge of drier weather and with an angle of what could be different and better than status quo.
Pasture expert Matt Hall (Matt Hall Consulting) and soil expert Dr. Doris Blaesing (RMCG and RFT coach) facilitated lively discussion on key topics such as soil microbiology, nutrient management and pasture species selection. Farmers had the opportunity to engage in discussions, ask questions, and share their experiences, fostering a collaborative learning environment.
The feedback on the day was positive and farmers stayed for drinks and platters and continued networking. One farmer explained it was a great opportunity to get a different group of people together than other existing groups and talk about topics from a new angle. One of the hosts found the group discussion in his paddock so valuable he’s already implemented advice and changed his management.
If you’re interested in hosting or attending a field in your area, contact your coach or sign up to the program.
Focus on soil health in George River catchment:
Farmers from the North East Coast, Pyengana, and the George River catchment area recently gathered for a field day to discuss soil health and sustainable farming practices. During visits to properties in Pyengana and St Helens, they had the chance to get ‘knee deep’ in soils and pastures, assess current treatments, and discuss strategies for improvement.
Hosted by Resilient Farming Tas and the George River Farmer Landcare Group, the event featured expert advice from Dr. Doris Blaesing and Matt Hall. Alongside 18 farmers, they covered topics such as soil health, pastures, animal health, rotations, and drainage, with a focus on minimising environmental risks.
The Field Day also served as a valuable platform for risk assessments and fostered stronger community ties among farmers. As one farmer involved in the RFT Program shared, “My ideas on how to implement changes and develop better management strategies improved.”
With many participants already working on their Farm Business Resilience Plans, there was a shared desire to meet again for continued collaboration and to stay ahead of emerging farming trends.
planning for water?
Greater South East Irrigation Scheme Field Day
Two of our coaches, Sasha Brightman (RMCG) and Allison Clark (Optimum Standard), headed along to a recent field day run by Tasmanian Irrigation to discuss RFT and the importance of Farm Business Resilience Plans.
The field day was well attended by farmers seeking to learn more about the Greater South East Irrigation Scheme.
For farmers considering the opportunities that irrigation schemes bring there are many elements to think through. Building a Farm Business Resilience Plan can help with decision-making and support productivity and profitability risks and opportunity assessments while choosing whether to get involved.
In some states you need a Farm Business Resilience Plan (or equivalent farm business plan) to apply for drought preparedness grants and loans. Sasha and Allison talked to farmers about the benefits of enrolling in the RFT Program to help prioritise planning for not only water management and infrastructure, but to consider action steps that support on-farm diversification and innovation, as well as mitigations for natural disasters such as flood and fire. They’re keen to talk to you too if you’d like to reach out to sashab@rmcg.com.au or aclark@optimumstandard.com.au
carbon chat
Carbon Pub Chat
Most carbon farming practices align with what we've long considered good farming practices. This includes approaches to managing soil health, such as maintaining ground cover, incorporating organic matter, and matching stocking rates and density.
The products we use all have carbon footprints, representing the emissions created during the production of farm goods and their transport to market. But what do terms like Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions mean, and what do farmers need to think about?
This topic was explored in a recent Pub Chat in St Helens, facilitated by Sam Bye (RFT & AgSam). Sam led farmers through an hour of discovery, breaking down the meaning of these terms and sparking engaging questions and discussions. Farmers were particularly interested in new opportunities to benefit from carbon farming.
If this is an area you’re interested in investigating for your business, your coach can connect you directly with Sam and/or share a recording of his presentation.
carbon courses
Carbon Courses
Carbon and its opportunities (and challenges) are currently on many minds across the agricultural sector. If you’d like to investigate carbon further to build your farm business resilience, you might benefit from some of these:
Carbon EDGE: The MLA are offering two day courses across multiple locations - including 24-25th March in Oatlands & 27-28th March in Burnie, and are taking EOIs for future events if those date/locations don’t suit you: www.mla.com.au/extension-training-and-tools/carbon-edge/
Carbon Curiosity: Risk, Revenue & Reward in Agriculture
A free networking event designed for agricultural advisors, finance professionals, and large-scale landowners looking to explore carbon farming, agroforestry, and risk management in Tasmania - Thursday 3rd of April 5:30-7:00pm.
www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1363949
Smart Farms: Using Big Data to Quantify Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Impacts in Agriculture
This straightforward 42 question survey aims to understand farmers’ perceptions of agricultural sustainability, for a PhD study:
https://federation.syd1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6Mqz9Vzs9m7kdNk
kelpie support
Kelpies!
Working dogs are synonymous with farm life - providing support with stock and often a friend when we need them.
Beloka Kelpies can help tune up, or train up your working dogs during a two day on-farm training workshop in Campbell Town May 17-18. To learn more and register head to www.belokakelpies.com.au/event/working-dog-school-tasmania-may-1718/
The Kelpie Concept is a free, reliable, confidential service that aims to be easily accessible for those in the ag industry needing a chat. Linking mentees with experienced mentors, it provides a chance to talk about anything - work related or personal. Whether wanting to get something off your chest or looking for advice, one of their trusted mentors will be there. To learn more head to:
www.thekelpieconcept.com
new on the portal
New on the Resource Portal
Participants of the Resilient Farming Tas Program can access an online classroom of resources collated by our expert coaches. With more than 40 topics relevant to Tasmanian farms the resources provide practical guidance and tools to support your farm's resilience and success.
Some recent additions include all the recordings to our recent webinars, including our most recent webinar ‘An Introduction to Regenerative Agriculture’ featuring Prudence Rothwell (RFT, RMCG), Sophie Milic (Coaldale Walnuts) and Matthew Gunningham (Gunningham Farms). This webinar explored the context and drivers of the regen ag movement, how regen ag differs to sustainable agriculture, core principles and on farm practices, challenges and ideas for how you might start on the journey towards regeneration.
If you’re looking for something on the portal and need a hand - ask your coach, or check out this useful video:
The Farm Business Resilience Program is jointly funded through the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and the Tasmanian Government’s Rural Business Resilience Package.