Case Studies - More than Trees and Fences
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Past Projects
Grain Trials
"Enhancing Natural Resource values and improving Production on farms in Esperance WA"
Report prepared by Tim Fewings 2008
Project Outcome
The More than Trees and Fences project highlights the stories of four local Esperance farmers and their achievements in combining NRM and production.
The project is a joint initiative of the South East Premium Wheat Growers Association (SEPWA) and Esperance Regional Forum (ERF) which aims to heighten the community awareness of natural resource management techniques that exist in production areas.
NRM extends well beyond just planting trees and fencing, and quite often there is a lot of overlap between production issues, where a single treatment can provide a dual benefit, enhancing natural resource qualities while also improving production.
Project Funders
The study is funded by SEPWA and South Coast Natural Resource Management Inc.
Project Background
The More than Trees and Fences Project saw a number of focus group sessions held in selected regional areas earlier this year. Farmers were encouraged to present natural resource management (NRM), production issues and methods they could use to deal with these issues.
As a follow up to these sessions, four case studies have been developed which concentrate on some on the farmers who were recognised during these sessions. These four farmers have been chosen for their ability to enhance production and natural resource values on their properties. Of particular interest here is the crossover, where a single treatment could provide a dual benefit.
The case studies include:
Case 1
Scott and Jane Wandel and family
Matching inputs with potential yield in their annual cropping program is a positive step for Scott and Jane Wandel. On their 10,000 hectare farm Scott is certain that the investment in technologies based around "needs only" placement of inputs is paying big dividends. Paramount in this system would have to be the Weedseeker spray units used in the summer spraying program.
Case 2
Rod and Christine King and family
Making the decision to grow commercial trees on some of the sandy soils on River Plains will help to protect natural stands of remnant vegetation and wooded creek lines for the King family in Cascade. Healthy stands of sugar gums and newly planted pines are working to help use up water alongside the natural vegetation that includes large mallee trees, melaleuca plants and reeds.
Case 3
Rory and Christine Graham and family
When they first started, the green manuring was a long term holistic vision for the Graham family. "We wanted to make a sustainable system to ultimately leave it better than what we started with" states Rory. "We are still seeing the benefits, the broom bush country couldn't grow a crop but now it has crop on it".
Case 4
Stott and Charmaine and Bill and Yvonne Redman
South of Springdale Rd, Stott was determined to improve the conditions for this 70 hectare area that was bared out prior to taking possession, mostly through inundation in wetter years. Well-formed 3m raised beds combined with a wide triple grooved surface drain, have provided water use increases and production increases over the past two growing seasons.
The study looks into the history of the farm (& farmer), e.g. when and why they moved to the area and their overall operation. It also provides a general account of how they combine NRM and production on their farm, in overall terms as well as a specific account of how they combine NRM and production as described in the recent focus group for their area.
The study also provides a perspective on how the farmers see NRM and production combined in the future, what are the "big issues" and how they think groups like SEPWA and ERF (Esperance Regional Forum) can help support these initiatives.
Further Information
A final report of the case studies will be sent out to all SEPWA memebrs and also made available on the SEPWA website. For further information contact Tim Fewings on 9083 1165 or Gemma Walker on 9083 1134.