Woolgrowers managing the environment, naturally

Australia’s wool industry will build on five years of natural resource management research outcomes now emerging from its Land, Water & Wool initiative with a new program designed to further strengthen the natural resources that underpin wool production.

Australian Wool Innovation Limited’s (AWI) Natural Resource Management Program focuses on delivering further outcomes from Land, Water & Wool and expanding the scope of the program.

New, ‘next generation’ research planned includes development of innovative ways to fight weeds and feral pests, such as rabbits, which have a major impact on our landscape and biodiversity; research to reduce the impacts of salinity and acidity on soils; and projects to improve the sustainability of grazing on native pastures.

A major component of the proposed program will also be the development of a ‘best practice’ farm management program to demonstrate environmental stewardship to domestic and international markets. This component of the program is funded under the Pathways to Industry Environmental Management Systems (EMS) Program – part of the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust.

Wool production continues to be one of Australia’s most important agricultural industries, representing 6.3 per cent of the gross value of agricultural production and $2.3 billion in export income in 2003-04. With woolgrowers grazing over 100 million sheep on 85 million hectares – or one quarter of the Australian landmass – the natural resource base of soil, water and vegetation provide the fundamentals on which the wool industry builds significant economic and social benefits for the nation.

AWI Chief Executive Officer Dr Len Stephens said productive management of natural resources greatly assists woolgrowers demonstrate their sense of pride in their farms and their desire to see their assets passed on to future generations in better condition.

“The knowledge gained from programs like Land, Water & Wool, provides the grazing industries with a unique opportunity to demonstrate that rural landscapes can be managed to effectively support profitable grazing enterprises, the natural environment and rural communities, while meeting the needs of increasingly environmentally-aware consumers,” he said.

“This is all about productive resource management for mutual economic and environmental outcomes. We want Australian woolgrowers to be recognised as world leaders in sustainable and profitable farming practices.”