Coleambally Education Program

conducted by MIA-EnviroWise via their

FarmWise Program

 

 

Irrigated Soil Management

 

·         Define the terms field capacity, refill point, permanent wilting point and readily available water (RAW);

·         identify solid layers;

·         Identify effective rootzone;

·         Identify soil texture;

·         Calculate the soil's readily available water which indicates how much water is available to the plant;

·         Discuss how water is held by soil;

·         Sample soil and water to check their suitability for irrigation;

·         Discuss irrigation water quality;

·         Relate roil surveys such as EM surveys to WUE;

·         Understand the concepts of soil biodiversity and why it is important for their farming system; and

·         Link the skills learnt and principles to LWMP objectives and on-farm options.

 

 

Vegetation Planning

 

·         Identify factors relating to the health of remnant vegetation;

·         Identify remnant vegetation on their property;

·         Understand the importance of remnant vegetation management;

·         Identify how remnant vegetation management and tree planting can be incorporated into farming operations; and

·         Understand the concepts of vegetation management assessment.

 

 

Irrigation Systems

 

·         Identify and discuss the importance of irrigation efficiency;

·         Measure and record appropriate characteristics to calculate system performance;

·         Identify and prioritise changes in design and management to improve irrigation efficiency;

·         be able to calculate flow through structures;

·         Identify sections of channels (farm or Company) that are leaking;

·         Assess if your current drainage system meets the basic design criteria;

·         Identify and undertake responsible drainage management practices; and

·         Link the skills learnt and principles to LWMP objectives.

 

 

Scheduling and Benchmarking

 

·         Determine crop water requirements;

·         Compare irrigation scheduling methods and tools;

·         Develop an irrigation schedule;

·         Develop a seasonal irrigation budget;

·         Identify the benefits of water use efficiency benchmarks for your farm;

·         Understand the importance of water ordering in relation to scheduling; and

·         Link the skills learnt and principles to LWMP objectives and incentives.

 

 

Financial/Business Planning

 

·         Discuss the importance of each of the factors that compromise a financial situation, cash flow, profitability and net worth.

·         Define a financial situation;

·         Review, clarify and describe your shared farm business vision;

·         Identify the key goals contributing to your shared farm business vision;

·         Identify strategies that address the forces acting on and within your farm business; and

·         Create action plans to ensure the key goals of the farm business are achieved.

 

 

The Farm Team

 

·         Working as a team;

·         Coping with change;

·         Managing stress;

·         Using your time effectively;

·         Communicating successfully;

·         The need for planning for your family's future;

·         What are you good at; and

·         Where to go for help.