Technology boosts farm sustainability

Monday, 20 Feb 2012

Landholders can now improve farm productivity and boost sustainability all from the comfort of their home computer.

That's the message from AgForce Projects ahead of a series of free property computer mapping workshops planned for Emerald on 29 February and Rolleston on 1 March.

AgForce Projects officer Natalie Schick said the workshops will teach landholders how to digitally map their property to improve property planning and management.

"Landholders will develop hands-on skills to create their own property map identifying infrastructure, business activities, natural resources and future developments. This type of map is essential for landholders looking to meet government legislation and applying for funding grants such as Reef Rescue and finance loans," Ms Schick said.

"The practical mapping skills help with land condition monitoring, planning future infrastructure and rotational grazing practices. The software's in-built tools make it simple for landholders to easily measure paddock areas or fencing requirements and accurately calculate things such as grazing pressure circles, frontage country and grazing land types".

AgForce vice president and Emerald cattle producer Ian Burnett said he finds computer mapping a great tool for property planning.

"After attending a mapping workshop in Emerald last year I have had the chance to put it in to practice on my own property. I've used it to plan for new infrastructure and development such as new fence lines and laneways, and for optimal regrowth control," said Mr Burnett.

Mr Burnett, a member of NFF's Mining and Coal Seam Gas Taskforce said having a comprehensive computer map and plan of your property is also vital for landholders affected by resource development.

All landholders who attend the session will receive their property's latest digital data including high resolution Spot5 imagery and 11 years of Landsat satellite images ranging from 1988 to 2010.

These workshops are delivered free by AgForce Projects in partnership with Fitzroy Basin Association Inc and The Central Highlands Regional Resources Use Planning Cooperative through funding from the Australian Government Caring for our Country Reef Rescue initiative.

The workshops can also be completed through farm software company AGDATA's Australian Government FarmReady approved program, whereby landholders receive Phoenix mapping software as part of the course materials. Visit www.agforceprojects.org.au to register and www.farmready.gov.au for FarmReady eligibility.

AgForce will be hosting further mapping workshops in Taroom, Theodore and Wowan from 12-15 March.