EMS Newsletter - October 2006 edition

An eNewsletter from the EMS Team - Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry

• Welcome to the October EMS Newsletter!
• EMS at the National Landcare Conference, October 2006
• Dairying for Tomorrow – Koroit Farm Focus Group
• Tasmania’s facilitated self-assessment project
• Gippsland Beef’s extension activities
• 101 things you want to know about EMS and extension
• Australian Pork Limited l Sustainable Industries Initiative
• Updated Contact for myEMS
• Feedback and contact 

Welcome to the October EMS Newsletter!

Read about how farmers, such as Mick Finnigan (pictured), of the Koroit Farm Focus Group, have benefited from participating in the “Dairying For Tomorrow” Pathways Project, run by Dairy Australia.

Through the Pathways Project, the Koroit Focus Group identified the NRM issues for their members and then won the hands-on support of Landcare, Greening Australia and local schools to help address those issues.

This month’s newsletter has an “extension” theme. Some of our Pathways and Pilots contributors reflect on how they have gone about encouraging landholders to participate in trials or programs and how they have used extension activities such as workshops, one-on-one facilitation and focus groups to support on-going involvement. In addition, we have a summary of an academic paper by Anna Ridley which looks at EMS and extension services - this article flags the need to think carefully about the training needs of extension officers working with EMS in broad acre enterprises. We also have a Pathways project update from one of our more intensive production industries – the pork industry. With around 2,900 piggeries in Australia Bruce Edgerton from Australian Pork Limited goes the whole hog explaining why he is excited about green pork!

In addition, we have a brief overview of the Australian Government’s Sustainable Industry Initiative (SII) projects – with eleven projects in all, the overviews have to be brief!

EMS and the International Landcare Conference

The International Landcare Conference was recently held in Melbourne. The theme for the conference was Landscapes, Lifestyles and Livelihoods. It was great to see the EMS theme evident in many of the sessions and many of our EMS partners in attendance or directly involved with oral and poster presentations.

For instance Jenny O’Sullivan, of Gippsland Natural Pty Ltd, who participated in the Gippsland Beef EMS Pilot, spoke about marketing Landcare farming. The company’s very successful EMS-based product – Enviromeat – was served to delegates at the Awards Ceremony dinner. Geoff Park, of the North Central Catchment Management Authority, presented information from the EMS Tools Pilot on harnessing the potential of spatial information in NRM. Geoff Macfarlane, from Victoria’s DPI presented case studies from an Environmental Best Management Practices project while Eloise Seymour, of Victoria’s DPI, spoke on the role of EMS in linking onfarm actions with catchment outcomes.

Dairying for Tomorrow – Koroit Farm Focus Group

The “Dairying for Tomorrow: On the Ground” Pathways project has found that farm focus groups are a great way to enthuse individual landholders and garner support from the wider rural community. This is especially evident in the project’s work in Koroit, Victoria.

As part of the Pathways to EMS project all dairy regions have developed or are in the process of developing their own on farm change programs based on the Dairying for Tomorrow Framework. These programs have several factors in common. They all involve:

• one to one delivery of the environmental self- assessment tool, DairySAT;
  
• farmer led workshops;
  
• development of action plans; and
  
• support for implementation. 

780 dairy farmers are involved in the “Dairying for Tomorrow: On the Ground” programs.

The Koroit Focus Farm group is one of six western Victorian groups funded through the EMS Pathways project.

The group first met in March this year and since then each of the members have completed DairySAT, have developed a whole farm plan, produced an NRM action list and have had a farm visit to an exemplar farm. The group was also fortunate to have the opportunity to get some Landcare funds and some terrific support from local schools. Other works by members of this group include new fencing along the Moyne River and other waterways and the installation, by two members of the group, of new effluent systems.

With the help of the local Landcare group and Greening Australia, many willing schoolchildren helped plant in excess of 10,000 trees on five of the members’ farms. A demonstration of two direct seeding methods for indigenous shelter belts was also conducted (see photo).

All of the members said they would not have been doing this had it not been for the facilitated group interaction, learning and motivation the group generates.

Recently almost half of the members of the groups across the region have been interviewed as part of the EMS Pathways project and so far all have stated that being a member of a focus farm group either has or will increase the rate at which they tackle NRM issues on their properties.

Article supplied by Catherine Phelps of Dairy Australia (cphelps@dairyaustralia.com.au)

FarmSAT - the start of the Tasmanian environmental management pathway

The Tasmanian Farmers & Graziers Association (TFGA) is leading a new project to develop and trial a voluntary Farm Self Assessment Tool for Tasmanian agriculture. The FarmSAT project is part of the TFGA’s overall approach to supporting farmers to develop tools that assist them to assess and demonstrate their environmental credentials.

The Australian Government through the NHT Pathways to Industry Environmental Management Systems (EMS) Program supports the project.

While led by TFGA, the project brings together key Tasmanian agricultural and environmental groups as well as state agency representatives, with support from DairyTAS, Tasmanian Agricultural Productivity Group, Vineyards Association of Tasmania, Treefruit Growers Tasmania, Department of Primary Industry and Water and the three Tasmanian Natural Resource Management Committees.

The self assessment tool and the FarmSAT approach were developed after reviewing a number of similar documents and projects including the EMS (Environmental Management Systems) Pilots and other Pathways projects, regional NRM management action targets and the requirements of systems such as EurepGAP. The tool is essentially a series of questions covering the major environmental issues facing producers, such as management of soil, water, chemicals, pests, weeds and vegetation. Around 90 producers have worked through the tool with the help of facilitators.

FarmSAT can be used as a starting point for producers wanting to explore what EMS is about, as a way of doing a “stocktake” for others who have taken a more formal approach to EMS and can also be used by just about everyone in between!

FarmSAT has been well received by a broad range of stakeholders including agricultural consultants, field officers, agency representatives, trainers and NRM representatives. But most importantly, producers are supportive of the project.

Jan Richardson, vegetable, grains and beef producer from the northwest coast, was involved with trialling FarmSAT. Jan found working through FarmSAT a useful process, found a few places the tool could be improved and also found a few areas where she needed a bit more information. “FarmSAT is a good introduction to environmental management”, Jan said. “And the facilitator was very thorough and helpful with 100% follow up on the areas where I requested additional information”.

Stewart Greenhill was also impressed with FarmSAT. “We have been involved with EurepGAP for our vegetables for a while now, and the FarmSAT tool is a great way to meet some of the requirements of EurepGAP. The facilitator had access to lots of useful information. Working through the tool was very easy.”

The success of the project to date can be put down to a number of key approaches.

1. Having the right people in the right place.

Within the group there is expertise across a range of enterprises and farming methods as well as experience in quality assurance, NRM Committees, Whole Farm Planning, local councils, facilitation and “real life” experience. We have used producers with a broad range of skills and experience to help other producers work through the tool. While Tasmania is a small state, having facilitators based across the state means there is always someone “local”. Having a “connection” to the facilitator can be an important introduction.

2. Making the first step easy.

The aim is for the FarmSAT visit to take between one and two hours only. The number of questions is limited and the document is designed to encourage discussion and easy access to additional information if necessary. As far as possible, questions that arise during the process should be able to be addressed on the spot. Facilitators need a non judgemental, “can-do” attitude and need to be prepared to do extra research if necessary. In addition, it is important to recognise the good agricultural and environmental practices already underway rather than emphasise the problems.

3. Knowing what the next step is and how to access it.

The facilitators are equipped with information regarding other projects, training opportunities and avenues for support so that if producers want to take the next step the path is clear. A number of producers have moved from FarmSAT to other activities such as Whole Farm Planning, quality assurance and chemical handling training.

4. Responding to producer feedback.

The tool was trialled by over 60 producers before it reached its current form and is likely to be modified again towards the end of the project. Producer feedback has also highlighted the need for concise legislative summaries and timely, accurate information. The project has responded to these requests and is working with the Department of Primary Industry and Water to develop legislative summaries. It is also exploring opportunities to develop an electronic version of FarmSAT, potentially with links to information sources.

For more information contact:

Jane Lovell, Project Manager, 03 6424 6612, jane.lovell@tqainc.com.au

Ashley Bastock, Executive Officer – Natural Resource Management, TFGA, 03 6331 6377 tfgaabastock@bigpond.com

Gippsland Beef and Lamb EMS Pilot project, June 2003 – June 2006

Over a three year period, the Gippsland Beef and Lamb EMS Pilot project team has raised awareness of EMS, encouraged and assisted producers to implement EMS, and developed auditable processes for the onfarm implementation of an ISO 14001 EMS. It has also developed and marketed a new product “Enviromeat” that is underpinned by the ISO 14001 EMS. This fulfilled the project outcomes of assessing the value of EMS as a management tool, a marketing tool and a means to improve natural resource outcomes.

One of the broader benefits arising from the project was to model an effective extension method. The training program designed and trialled during the project included workshops, open farm days, support activities and regional forums. These were enjoyable, there was good attendance, and there were a lot of benefits articulated.

The group workshops provided an intensive training period in which the individual participants used templates and examples, heard from the producers who had done it all before, had a go on their own system and participated in group discussions and interaction.

The training program then moved to individual farm visits and audits. There was great value in having someone else compare the reality on farm with the system and action plans being developed.

The support activities included additional on-farm days which focused on the key action plan on the farm visited, a monitoring tools day and three annual regional forums. These were also well attended and received.

The annual review process completed the continuous improvement cycle with management reviews and auditing. The annual reviews were seen by many participants as a way of receiving recognition for the work they had achieved, of getting someone else’s opinion and prompting the development of new plans. The projects auditing program checked the management system as well as the environmental impacts and the associated production processes.

Overall, the EMS training program brought sustainable farming practices onto the agenda, linking the production and natural resource issues that farmers are dealing with every day. It also has brought together agencies, service providers and producers to build a greater understanding of how these issues interrelate and how we can improve the environment and production at the same time.

Participants often remarked that the Landcare group discussion concentrate on trees, fencing and weeds while the production focussed groups such as Beefcheque, nutrition, profitability and pasture production. While these are important topics to discuss independently, it was at the EMS meetings that the linkages between these issues of natural resources and production came together and sustainable grazing was the topic.

The cost benefit analysis undertaken by the DAFF Pilot Project Manager URS, indicated that the benefits were as much from the extension program being offered as the EMS itself.

Julie Williams (Victorian Department of Primary Industry) Julie.Williams@dpi.vic.gov.au

101 things you’d like to know about EMS extension but were too afraid to ask

The following article is based on a full refereed journal paper: Ridley, AM (2007) Preparing Australian broadacre agriculture for environmental scrutiny using Environmental Management Systems – implications for extension services. This paper will appear in a special EMS issue of the Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture, which is due out in Feb/March 2007. This AJEA issue will feature 13 papers and is the most comprehensive ‘story’ of the EMS journey in Australian agriculture to date.

Anna Ridley & Eloise Seymour (DPI Rutherglen) Anna.ridley@dpi.vic.gov.au

Our efforts over the last 8 years suggest that EMS in broad acre agricultural industries has been well trialled. We have reached a crossroad in our journey and we are asking ourselves questions like:

• Should we implement EMS as a mainstream activity to prepare land managers for likely increased environment scrutiny in the future;
  
• Does EMS lead to enough on-ground public environmental outcomes to warrant continued investment of public funds in EMS extension;
  
• What is the best approach for training land managers; and
  
• How do we involve the private sector in EMS extension and are there sufficient private benefits from EMS to warrant farmers paying for private consultants? 

We can only speculate when broad acre industries will truly feel environmental pressure in the market. However, we do know that the grains and meat industries are large, diverse and that it will take time to develop the management skills of land managers for EMS. EMS pilot projects (such as the DAFF EMS Pilot Program) have shown that EMS adoption requires significant extension support, often through group learning with one-to-one follow up. Also, given that market drivers are currently largely absent, extension and incentives are likely to be needed to facilitate uptake.

EMS extension requires a change from the traditional ‘bottom-up’ approaches that are unlikely to work for problems that are new to land managers (ie. complex environmental issues). The long time lags between the action and the environmental response can make learning difficult. EMS training will require the support of industry and government and should use a ‘programmed learning’ approach. Programmed learning is more suited to EMS extension in that it is based on the latest research and industry needs, caters for different geographical areas, involves a range of participants, is linked to competency standards and should provide mentoring between meetings.

There will be a need to train EMS extension facilitators from both the public and private sector. There are approximately 4,000 extension providers listed nationally to service 130,000 farm businesses (ie. 1 extension provider per 30 land managers). In theory there seems to be enough extension providers across the private and public sector. Some land managers pay private consultants, in order to maintain their competitive edge – particularly those who operate in a global environment and have the desire to be certified to ISO14001. There are a number of examples in the private sector of corporations who are keen to enhance their environmental image eg. the Elders Pty Ltd and Landcare partnership.

For many land managers, however, EMS extension services will rely on partnerships with the public sector, industry, Landcare networks and regional NRM bodies. Public sector extension provision is strong where there are sufficient public benefits from investment of public funds, but also where the practice is adoptable and there are sufficient private benefits for the landholder. For private extension services to be purchased, there must be sufficient private benefit for the landholder. For more information about public and private benefits and the implications for extension, go to: www.sif3.org.

The widespread training of EMS extension staff in both the public and private sector will require funding support. This issue needs to be addressed sooner rather than later, given the time needed to prepare land managers for increased environmental scrutiny.

Australian Pork Limited - Journey on the Pathway to EMS

The following is a summary from information provided by Bruce Edgerton, Environmental Manager, Research and Innovation, Australian Pork Limited (APL). Bruce has been with APL since Oct 2005, following a five year stint with QAF Foods where, among other things, he implemented EMS, enjoyed playing in effluent, and managed mortality composting trials. (bruce.edgerton@australianpork.com.au)

APL joined the Pathways Programme in 2004 and branded its project Environmentally Sustainable Piggeries (ESP). This project aimed to build on some of the key environmental work already being undertaken by APL. With over 2,900 piggeries across the nation, APL saw the Pathways project as a great way to refine environmental management tools and help get them out to their producers.

APL’s goal is for 25% of industry (by sow numbers) to be operating a certified EMS by the end of 2007. A further 20-30% of producers are targeted to complete environmental training and/or have their farms undergo EnviroCheck (a one day site audit developed by APL and further refined under the Pathways project).

Eighteen piggeries signed up to the EMS program with 16 of the original piggeries and possibly 2 new ones expected to participate in the EMS Audit process this coming summer. Three participants in APL’s ESP program- Tong Park Qld, QAF Huntly Vic, and QAF Corowa NSW - chose to implement ISO 14001:2004 certified EMS. These three piggeries represent 12-15% of Australia’s production capacity.

Separate to APL’s ESP program; QAF Foods and Perfect Pork have implemented ISO 14001 at their respective processing facilities in Corowa NSW and Lavington Vic.

APL has run over 30 environmental training days in 2003-2004 with 80 producers attending the 2 day EMP course and a further 230 piggery workers attending the 1 day Environmental Principles for Piggeries course.

APL awarded an inaugural Environmental Stewardship Awards to five producers at the Pan Pacific Pork Expo in September 2006. The Environmental Stewardship Award will be presented at this forum every 2 years to acknowledge the work of producers who have participated in APL’s ESP program and pioneered leading NRM practices across Australia. The award winners will be the basis of APL’s Environmental Media Strategy.

APL is also developing a logo for use by retailers and to place on farm gates. This will be along the lines of the little Red Tractor in the UK – with a product claim addressing:

• Quality,
  
• Good animal care, and
  
• Environmental stewardship of land & water. 

It is hoped that the award will provide a financially rewarding market incentive for producers who participate in ESP.

For further information contact bruce.edgerton@australianpork.com.au

Sustainable Industries Initiative

In the last newsletter we introduced the NLP Sustainable Industry Initiatives (SII) Programme. The Sustainable Industry Initiatives (SII) is funded through the National Landcare Programme (NLP), an initiative of the Australian Government.

Here is a little more information on the current industry partnerships.

• Australian National Committee on Irrigation and Drainage (ANCID)

To facilitate the development of an Industry driven irrigation information network, including the development of a website portal that will enable all sectors of the Australian community to share and use credible information about irrigation.

• Cotton Catchment Communities CRC (Cotton CRC)

The project aims to work collaboratively with NRM agencies to ensure that NRM extension activities and resources are utilised to achieve the best NRM outcomes and to avoid duplication.

• Dairy Australia Ltd.

This project aims to strengthen and coordinate industry-wide and regional NRM initiatives to increase the adoption of sustainable dairying practices. It aims to foster better engagement between Catchment Management Groups and the dairy industry, to allow greater industry input into Regional NRM Plans and target setting. The project will foster awareness amongst farmers and communities of NRM issues, and relevant industry initiatives to resolve these issues.

• Fertiliser Industry Federation of Australia (FIFA) and the Australian Fertiliser Services Association (AFSA)

The Fertiliser Industry Partnership Program is developing Fertcare, a national training and accreditation initiative for all fertilizer and soil ameliorant industry businesses and staff. Fertcare is designed to lift the skills and knowledge of all individuals involved in the supply and distribution of fertilizers and to assist in optimising environmental stewardship, occupational health and safety, food safety and agricultural profitability.

• Grower Group Alliance (GGA)

This project seeks an integrated approach to agriculture, bringing growers, community groups and industry organisations together to increase the adoption of sustainable production systems. The project will enhance the ability of groups to gather industry intelligence, form partnerships and develop and extend programs to encourage adoption of sustainable agricultural practices amongst WA landholders.

• Horticulture Australia Ltd (HAL)

This project is a component of the HAL Horticulture for Tomorrow programme. This project has developed a national Horticulture Natural Resource Management Strategy. HAL will also test a number of regional and industry NRM strategies as pilot studies to determine NRM programme requirements and provide a framework for the development of new programmes and encourage industry uptake of best management practices.

• Irrigation Association of Australia (IAA)

Develop training and certification measures to underpin best practice guidelines, related industry requirements and funding incentives to increase the capacity of the rural irrigation industry to achieve better natural resource management outcomes.

• NSW Sugar and the National Food and Industry Strategy Ltd

The project is investigating the potential benefits of a complete food chain sustainability reporting systems for farmers, processors and wholesalers that would enable the reporting of sustainable NRM activities to consumers.

• Saltland Pastures Association (SPA)

This project aims to facilitate the revegetation by land owners and managers of one million hectares of salt affected Agricultural land in WA over ten years (2005-2015). Approximately 900 000 ha will be revegetated for forage production and 100 000 ha for biodiversity. SPA aims to strengthen partnerships with R&D organisations to further refine and develop pasture establishment and management techniques.

• West Australian No-Till Farmers Association (WANTFA)

This project aims to investigate and communicate the benefits of no-till and conservation farming practices to WANTFA members and the broader grower community. The project will promote the extension and coordination of conservation agriculture activities across Australia, through the Conservation Agriculture Alliance of Australia and New Zealand (CAAANZ).

• Winemakers Federation of Australia

The project is establishing a management structure to implement its Natural Resource Management Programme (NRMP) in line with the industry’s NRM and environment strategy, Sustaining Success 2002 and to support the work of the National Wine Industry Environment Committee (WINEC). The project is establishing a two-way consultation process with states and regions, government agencies, supply chains and other key interest groups to identify and address NRM priorities. This includes establishing links to ensure the wine industry regional NRM approaches are consistent with, and contribute to, regional catchment and state resource and sustainability plans. For more information email.

Updated Contact for myEMS

The contact given in the April EMS Newsletter for myEMS is incorrect. For further information on myEMS, contact Michael Grosser at myEMS Pty Ltd on 0414 233 344 or mgrosser@myems.com.au

Next edition of EMSNews

EMSNews is posted quarterly with the next edition scheduled for January 2007.

Feedback and Contact

Email: EMS
GPO Box 858 Canberra ACT 2601