Farm dams | Resources – ANU Sustainable Farms

Managing natural assets: Enhancing farm dams

amber.croft@anu.edu.au — Wed, 03 May 2023 06:27:20 +0000

Natural wetlands have been highly modified or removed from many agricultural regions in south-eastern Australia. By enhancing dams through managing livestock access, farmers can play a role in restoring biodiversity by providing habitat and resources that were once present in these natural wetlands. Enhancing dams has also been demonstrated to lead to improvements in water quality and water persistence, which in turn have benefits for stock health and overall farm productivity. Enhanced dams also have reduced greenhouse gas (methane) emissions compared to typical dams.

This 8-page management guide shares Sustainable Farms’ research on the multiple benefits that arise from enhancing farm dams and how to undertake a dam enhancement project.

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Farm Dams Technical Guide

Christiaan — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 02:25:25 +0000

Farm dams are a key asset in the agricultural landscapes of eastern Australia, providing essential water for stock, crops, households and for native wildlife.

In the context of a changing climate, water loss from farm dams by evaporation is likely to increase due to more extended dry periods, meaning traditional dams may become a less secure farm water source. This heightens the need for careful farm water planning and dam management.

Good design, construction and management of farm dams can pay significant dividends for farm productivity and for the environment. Enhancement of existing dams has significant benefits for agricultural productivity, biodiversity and climate management, through improved water quality, improved water persistence, improved provision of ecosystem services and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

View Guide

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Webinar: Planning & planting to maximise the potential of farm dams

Suzannah — Mon, 18 Oct 2021 04:16:33 +0000

In this webinar, held on 14 October 2021, our speakers discuss the following:

Sustainable Farms ecologist Dave Smith shared current research on enhancing farm dams.
Angelina Siegrist, Sustainable Farms ecologist, introduced our new guide, Enhancing farm dams: What to plant in and around your dam, including explaining the different zones of a dam and species selection.
Sally Day, Greta Valley Landcare project officer, shared her experiences of why farmers choose to enhance their dams and practical aspects of planning a farm dam project.

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Wholesale nursery list

Suzannah — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 21:24:58 +0000

This list focuses on NSW Central West, South West Slopes, Murray-Riverina and North East Victoria. It is not exhaustive – if you know of other native plant nurseries or wholesale suppliers that should be added to this list, please get in touch.

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What to plant in and around your dam

Suzannah — Tue, 20 Jul 2021 01:32:18 +0000

Native vegetation in and around a farm dam has many benefits for water quality, farm productivity and biodiversity. This brochure provides guidance on the types of plants suitable for revegetating dams, and includes lists of recommended plants.

We have developed this guide for regions within the Sustainable Farms project area (see map), which encompasses the NSW South West Slopes, Central West, Murray-Riverina and North East Victoria.

The plants listed are generally available at native plant nurseries. Local availability may vary, but the guide provides a range of options to choose from. We have also compiled a list of native plant suppliers and nurseries that will stock many of these plants – access the list here.

This guide was developed with the support of NSW Local Land Services.

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Ten ways to improve natural assets on a farm

Suzannah — Wed, 02 Sep 2020 22:38:00 +0000

The Ten Ways booklet highlights how improving the management of natural assets on a farm can create new habitat for native wildlife, while supporting sustainable agriculture. The publication is underpinned by 20 years of long-term research into biodiversity on farms.

The booklet covers: paddock trees, waterways & wetlands, farm dams, native pastures, shelterbelts, creating connectivity, rocky outcrops, renmant vegetation, plantings, and farm planning.

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How to build a wildlife island on your farm dam

Christiaan — Wed, 17 Jun 2020 01:43:28 +0000

Eleanor Lang – an ANU Fenner School of Environment & Society ecologist – gives us a 2 minute demonstration to follow up on her webinar on “Farm Dam Enhancements”.

This video demonstrates one way to create temporary wildlife habitat in a dam – it may not be suitable for all properties – but we are happy to discuss the options!

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Webinar: Enhancing farm dams

Alice Marzano — Thu, 04 Jun 2020 01:18:29 +0000

Join Sustainable Farms ecologists Dr Mason Crane and Eleanor Lang, and Local Land Services District Vet Eve Hall, to discuss enhancing farm dams for multiple benefits.

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After fire comes recovery: Life in a farm dam

Christiaan — Tue, 02 Jun 2020 01:45:11 +0000

This farm near Batlow burnt badly in the bushfires of January 2020. Heavy rain followed on the bare, burnt earth, and farmer David Waters was worried that his dam – and the family of platypus that lived there – would suffer. But the vegetation around the dam helped protect it from erosion and sediment, so it is once again a refuge for wildlife.

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Improving farm dams: a farmer’s perspective

Christiaan — Wed, 15 Apr 2020 01:40:43 +0000

In time, Marcus’s enhanced dams will provide cleaner water for his cattle, habitat for wildlife, and a green, vibrant place on the farm that will be a pleasure to visit.

Thanks Murray Local Land Services and Holbrook Landcare Network for making this video possible!

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