 |
Reduction in number
of chemical spills, inappropriate applications and contamination of surface and
groundwater. Avoiding targeting of beneficial organisms through integrated pest
management |
Savings through more
targeted chemical use; Less chance of penalties for non-compliance; Reduced cost
of damage from incorrect chemical use; Reduced cost (time and $) of accidental
poisoning of workers and family. |
Meeting duty of care
responsibility; confident that precautions have been taken to avoid accidental
poisoning of self, family members and staff; easier to locate chemical;
understanding potential chemical interactions; minimal chance of downstream
impacts; great shed |
 |
Regional reduction
in net recharge and fall in watertable levels leading to reduction in areas of
saline discharge as well as measurable improvements in water use efficiency on
farm and at a regional level |
Some reduction in
water costs and especially the cost of groundwater pumping for the control of
the watertable levels. Reduced cost of production losses from salinisation and
waterlogging of soils – not only rice, providing greater crop rotation options
in rice growing system. Yield benefits and savings through improved irrigation
scheduling |
No ugly scalds on
farm; can get around farm a lot easier; feel you are meeting obligations to
Irrigation Companies; proud of meeting water use efficiency targets |
|
Reduction in
nutrient content and turbidity of surface water with fewer blue-green algae
blooms; environmental flows of water to meet sustainability needs of streams
and waterways
|
Savings in
fertiliser costs through more careful application; access to additional water
resource through improved drainage and re-use; Significant reduction in regional
cost of blue-green algae outbreaks in rivers and streams |
Not embarrassed by
being seen as cause of algal blooms; reuse storages provide some flexibility in
drainage management; streams looking a lot cleaner and the fishing is improving;
happy for kids to swim in local streams |
 |
Farm operations and
infrastructure based on sound planning principles leading to efficient use of
natural resources – land, water - as well as labour and capital |
Savings from having
a clearly defined development program and investment schedule – avoids
redevelopment costs to fix inappropriate earlier actions. Best farm management
practices, based on more holistic management provides greater net income from
farming activities. Use of groups to develop effective solutions to overcoming
environmental risks |
Farm looks good and
is easier to manage due to planned layout; can see where its going and feel
confident that holistic approach with best management practices will ensure
sustainability of the next few generations; enjoyable social interaction through
ECP cluster groups |
 |
Reduction in
management induced adverse environmental problems through capacity to anticipate
and take action to prevent or minimise environmental mishaps – (related to many
of other pathways) |
Avoidance of
unexpected costs and production losses resulting from damage to natural resource
assets that were not anticipated and did not have a counter measure in place |
Not likely to get
nasty surprises based on ignorance of issues affecting the long-term
sustainability of the farm systems. Capacity to recognise elements of
environmental risk increases capacity to do something about minimising the risk |
 |
Improved native
vegetation management leading to greater measurable biodiversity at farm and
regional level |
Benefit from
increased value of farms perceived to be in good ecological balance through
demonstrating measures that protect and enhance habitat. Product access to high
value markets if seen as responsibly green |
The farm looks great
– can enjoy the diversity of flora and fauna; proud of contributing to the rice
industry’s new image as being environmentally responsible; starting to
understand the interactions between improved biodiversity and farm viability in
the future |
 |
Adoption of best
practice to reduce greenhouse gas output per farm and per tonne of rice produced |
Potential savings in
energy and fertiliser costs through use of greenhouse-friendly energy sources
and farm management practices |
Feel happy to be
contributing to international greenhouse obligations; proud to achieve improved
yield per tonne of Carbon output; fewer complaints about smoke haze from stubble
fires; waste management is no longer unsightly on farm or a risk to family or
workers |
 |
Meet crop quality
assurance requirements, including freedom from chemical and other contaminants
(weed seeds, glass, plastics) – reduction of incidence of contamination reported |
Continuing
marketability of products, hence income certainty, through meeting food safety
and quality assurance requirements of market. Minimise chance of penalty for
food contamination and environmental contamination by packaging |
Greater pride in
ability to produce quality products that meet all market expectations |
 |
Reduction in soil
salinity, sodicity, acidity and improvements in soil structure through adoption
of best management practices, including whole farm planning and participation in
CropCheck programs |
Maintenance/improvement in crop yield and quality, hence income, through:
prevention of salinity, sodicity, acidity and loss of soil structure; more
timely fertiliser application; soil friendly cultivation methods |
Property and crops
look better and yield better; fewer waste areas on farm; feel confident that
best management practices will ensure farm is in a good condition to hand over
to the next generation |
 |
Participation in CO2
sequestration programs, carbon trading, trading in salt credits and “BushTender”
market based instruments and other services that result in greater measurable
biodiversity at a farm and regional level and more sustainable ecosystems
(natural and man-made) |
Potential carbon
credit trading income from providing greenhouse sinks; income from environmental
services (eg honey production); Grants to protect native vegetation and
biodiversity (eg Bush Tender); Income from trading in salt credits |
Creates new
interests and opportunities to diversify the farm business; provides
opportunities to justify/legitimise continuing investment in improving the
biodiversity of the farm |
