Transition to a Sustainable Dairy Industry
Maleny Dairies – Pilot Project
A Sunshine Coast Regional Project based at Maleny Dairies. The project goal is to demonstrate how, the transitioning to regenerative agricultural practice, in an industry in decline could achieve outstanding productivity and product far exceeding current quality standards.
Starting With Conventional Pasture & Soil
The Transition
A Sustainable Nutrient Source
Australian Dairy Farm: Milk protein trial results from cows grazed on Rural Boss treated pastures. Improved performance was identified in animal health, pasture quality and pasture dry matter production.
Multi Species Pasture
Why a Multi Species Pasture?
- Quorum sensing
- Mimic nature
- Disease and pest resistance
- Different growth characteristics
- Mineral cycling
- Rooting depths
Maleny block Planted 24 March 2020 Flail mulched to set kikuyu back 8 plant species with different varieties
1st Grazing 29 April 2020 : 3000kg feed 35 days from planting
Soil Life Is The New Fertilizer And Machinery
- Aerates the soil
- Binds the soil
- Mineralizes nutrients
- Feeds the plant symbiotically
- Protect plants
- Retains nutrients
- Prevents leaching
- Builds Humus
- Holds water, 1% increase in Om will hold 170 000 l more water/ha
Infiltration on multi species block 2min58s. Next door 8min 33s for 25mm
The Results of this 120 day Project
What could this do for the local region and then further afield ?
- Drastically reduce surface runoff of sediment into SEQ water catchments and the GBR with better infiltration and nutrient retention.
- Decrease fertilizer and chemical requirements. Healthier products.
- Completely prevent Nitrate and Phosphate water pollution by building Humus.
- Increase milk and beef production and decrease cost of production.
- Dramatically increase on farm profitability.
- Its better to decrease the COP on every liter produced than produce a few more liters. Focus on what farmers can control not milk price!
- Increase capital investment on farms.
- Attract next generation of farmers back and create employment.
- BRING HOPE TO AN INDUSTRY THAT HAS HUGE POTENTIAL.
Maleny Dairies – Pilot Project Media Links