Growing Climate Smart Agriculture in the Northern Tablelands

The Growing Climate Smart Agriculture in the Northern Tablelands project supports farmers to drive agricultural growth while adopting sustainable natural resource management practices that protect and conserve natural capital and biodiversity.

It supports them to:

• adopt practices that improve the function of the landscape
• adopt innovative practices that help build resilience to climate change
• improve knowledge for more effective farm management.

Project background

The Northern Tablelands region is experiencing a range of impacts to the viability and profitability of local agriculture, ecosystems and social systems.

Threats to agricultural productivity and sustainability in the region include:

• invasive weeds
• unsustainable land management practices
• knowledge gaps impacting efficient farm management  
• climate variability and extreme weather.

Project objectives

The project aims to:  

• conserve natural capital
• protect biodiversity
• improve farm profitability
• build resilience to increased climate variability.  

Project delivery

Work includes:

• weed distribution surveys
• invasive weed control
• improved land management practices
• increasing landholder knowledge of current best practice
• identifying knowledge gaps and barriers to adoption of best practice agricultural and land management practices
• field days and workshops for farming communities
• skills and knowledge surveys
• circulation of information and education materials.

Northern Tablelands Local Land Services is delivering workshops and educational resources about:

• sustainable agriculture techniques
• effective grazing practices
• improved land management practices
• natural resource management
• biodiversity conservation
• weed removal
• pasture monitoring practices
• practical solutions to help build climate resilience.  

Project timeline

2024–25:  

• weed distribution surveys
• field days and workshops for farming communities
• circulation of information and education materials
• implement improved land management practices.  

2025–28:  

• weed distribution surveys – outcomes
• 250 ha weed removal works
• skills and knowledge surveys (annual)
• 28 field days and workshops for farming communities
• circulation of 16 information and education materials
• 1,317 ha implemented improved land management practices
• project close (30 June 2028) and outcomes reporting. 

Work underway

• Site prioritisation and expression of interest invitation have been completed.
• Consultation and collaboration with private land/livestock managers is underway to determine support requirements for improved land management practices.  
• Improved land management practices implemented across 306 ha.
• Case studies have been completed on weed control and pasture dieback with further case studies underway.
• Field days completed on grazing management best practice, industry focus for livestock in the Feeder Steer cohort and comprehensive soils information day, including expert presenters and soil pit work.  
• Video completed about water quality on-farm and further videos in production on soil testing best practice, natural capital and landscape hydration. 

Funding and partnerships

Our key delivery partners are:  

• farmers and private land and livestock managers
• NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
• University of New England
• Landcare and other community groups. 

This project is supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program and delivered by Northern Tablelands Local Land Services, a member of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel. All outcomes for this project are recorded in MERIT.