The effect of defoliation on root vigour with lightly clipped spear grass on the left compared with frequently clipped spear grass on the right.

Development and promotion of Ecograze (Австралия)

Описание

Research-based development and promotion of Ecograze principles and practices through on-farm testing and demonstration.

Aims / objectives: In 1992, Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA), a producer-owned company that provides services to the entire Australian red meat industry, initiated the Ecograze project. Ecograze was intended to provide innovative management options for the pastures in the eucalyptus woodlands of north-east Queensland. It was an eight-year collaborative research project undertaken by staff of the CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) Sustainable Ecosystems and Queensland Department of Primary Industries with input from Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines. It formally concluded in 2001. However, many of the analyses and extension activities have been ongoing since then.

Methods: Ecograze was conducted on five commercial grazing properties that spanned different conditions and consequently allowed extrapolation of results to a much wider area across northern Australia. Practical grazing management strategies have been developed. The Ecograze team assessed the economic implications of managing land in various states by linking a pasture production model, to a model of farm economics. Research teams are currently testing the grazing management technology in commercial situations to understand the real costs and implications of implementing the research-derived Ecograze recommendations. The on-farm tests are supported by a number of new initiatives. These include a MLA funded project to specifically implement the Ecograze principles on farms as a means of reducing sediment and nutrients pollution of waterbodies. The National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality, through incentives, supports land management practices to reduce erosion, increase ground cover and minimise runoff. Funding is also provided by the Natural Heritage Trust to fence and sub-divide paddocks. All of these initiatives are supported by State Government agencies, who have extension staff based in the regions to assist farmers with implementing new practices. In the case of Ecograze, there are extension officers in the NE Queensland region who are actively promoting its management principles and are assisting producers in planning new strategies. Many of the Ecograze principles are also included in a new Grazing Land Management (GLM) Education package, developed by MLA and research and development agencies. The GLM package, which is delivered via a three-day workshop, is being extended to producers across northern Australia.

This approach highlights the importance of active collaboration between researchers, farmers, the beef industry and the government - in this case to develop a system to improve the condition of grazing lands. Through the central involvement of research, management options have been identified to suit different land users' needs, climates, grazing pressures and pasture conditions

Местоположение

Местоположение: Queensland, Northern Australia, Австралия

Географическая привязка выбранных участков
  • 142.42101, -20.55033

Дата ввода в действие: 1992

Дата завершения: 2001

Тип Подхода
Programme organization: Ecograze principles are part of the Grazing Land Management education package delivered through workshops.
The effect of defoliation on root vigour with lightly clipped spear grass on the left compared with frequently clipped spear grass on the right.

Цели подхода и благоприятные условия для его реализации

Главные цели/ задачи Подхода
The Approach focused on SLM only

Development and promotion of Ecograze principles leading to adoption and thereby enhancing pasture productivity, soil condition and improved livelihoods for pastoralists.

The SLM Approach addressed the following problems: (1) Poor rangeland management leading to loss of productive palatable perennial grasses (3 P grasses) resulting in reduced ground cover, soil erosion, profit loss and in some cases irreversible land degradation. (2) Lack of understanding of underlying problems regarding mismatch of animal numbers to forage supply (pressure on grazing land) in a highly variable climate. (3) No clear technical recommendations regarding resting and rotation of rangeland
Условия, содействующие применению Технологии/ Технологий в рамках Подхода
  • Нормативно-правовая база (землевладение, права на земле- и водопользование): The existing land ownership, land use rights / water rights helped a little the approach implementation: In general, implementation of Ecograze principles is undertaken by an individual on private leasehold land. Ecograze is well suited to this individualised system.
Условия, затрудняющие применение Технологии/ Технологий в рамках Подхода
  • Социальные/ культурные/ религиозные нормы и ценности: Many pastoralists are conservative and change their systems only slowly. Treatment through the SLM Approach: There are ongoing education programmes and demonstrations on target properties.
  • Наличие/ доступность финансовых ресурсов и услуг: Investment costs for fencing and water points can be burden on individual land holders. Treatment through the SLM Approach: There are various possible subsidies available (see 'Inputs', under 'Incentives').

Участие и распределение ролей заинтересованных сторон

Заинтересованные стороны, участвующие в реализации Подхода, и их роли
Какие заинтересованные стороны/ организации-исполнители участвовали в реализации Подхода? Перечислите заинтересованные стороны Опишите роли заинтересованных сторон
местные землепользователи/ местные сообщества Traditionally, men undertake on-farm planning, implementation of activities and provide labour. Women play an important role in planning and management of finances, and tend to take a more strategic view on NRM issues than the men.
государственные власти (отвечающие за планирование или принятие решений)
Govt. agencies/extensionistes
Участие местных землепользователей/ местных сообществ на разных стадиях реализации Подхода
нет
пассивное
внешняя поддержка
интерактивное
самоорганизация
инициирование/ мотивация
x
workshops/seminars, field days
планирование
x
consultation with specialists
выполнение
x
fencing and water points
мониторинг/ оценка
x
field observations; field observations of pasture composition; economic assessments
Research
x
on-farm; on-farm field trials and demonstration areas
Схема реализации Подхода

Programme organization: Components and activities at different levels of the Ecograze programme.

Принятие решений по выбору Технологии УЗП

Решения принимались

  • исключительно землепользователи (по собственной инициативе)
  • в основном землепользователи при поддержке специалистов по УЗП
  • все участники как часть процесса совместных действий
  • преимущественно специалисты по УЗП после консультаций с землепользователями
  • исключительно специалисты по УЗП
  • политики/ руководители

Принятие решений было основано на

  • анализ подробно описанного опыта и знаний по УЗП (принятие решений на основе подтвержденных фактов)
  • результаты исследований
  • личный опыт и мнения (незадокументированные)

Техническая поддержка, повышение компетенций и управление знаниями

Следующие мероприятия или работы являлись частью Подхода
Повышение компетенций/ обучение
Обучение было предоставлено следующим заинтересованным лицам
  • землепользователи
  • местный персонал/консультанты
Тип обучения
  • в ходе работы
  • обмен опытом между фермерами
  • опытные участки
  • общие собрания
  • курсы
Рассматриваемые темы

The Ecograze principles and findings have been incorporated into a training course entitled 'Grazing Land Management (GLM) Education Package'. To date (2005) over 100 farmers have participated in the course and it is anticipated that in the next three years this number will reach over 1,000 producers.

Консультационные услуги
Консультационные услуги были предоставлены
  • на полях землепользователей
  • в постоянно функционирующих центрах
Key elements: In on-going research trials in cooperation with land-users, government officers build up their knowledge and capacity to support farmers . Field days form part of the extension and education process. , Government assistance with extension and training through free advice provided by extension officers is helpful, Subsidies to attend training courses like GLM Education also assist with the uptake and adoption of Ecograze. ; There is also a significant interaction between neighbouring properties in sharing of ideas and successes and failures. Commonly, these neighbouring properties are linked through catchment or a Landcare groups.
Институциональная поддержка
Какие институциональные структуры были укреплены или вновь созданы
  • нет
  • да, немного
  • да, умеренно
  • да, существенно
на уровне
  • местные
  • региональный
  • национальный
Опишите организацию, функции и ответственность, членство и т.д.
Тип поддержки
  • финансовая
  • повышение компетенций/ обучение
  • оборудование
Подробнее
financial (see Annex A3)
Мониторинг и оценка
Bio-physical aspects were regular monitored by 0 through measurements Socio-cultural aspects were ad hoc monitored by land users through observations Economic / production aspects were regular monitored by 0 through measurements; Area treated aspects were ad hoc monitored by 0 through measurements No. of land users involved aspects were ad hoc monitored by project staff through measurements There were no changes in the Approach as a result of monitoring and evaluation: Further research and testing, on-going monitoring and evaluation is underway after the initial project. It is too early to state what changes are likely other than obviously needing to adapt to individual land-users resources and available finances.
Научные исследования
Научные исследования проводились по следующим темам
  • социология
  • экономика / маркетинг
  • экология
  • технология

The impact of the ongoing research on understanding and implementing the technology through the Ecograze project is significant, and continues to be so. Research into various technical aspects of grazing management has been recently supplemented by economic analyses of costs and benefits.

Финансирование и внешняя материальная поддержка

Годовой бюджет мероприятий по УЗП в долларах США
  • < 2000
  • 2000-10000
  • 10000-100000
  • 100 000-1 000 000
  • > 1 000 000
Precise annual budget: н/п
Approach costs were met by the following donors: government (national government): 40.0%; local community / land user(s) (community / local): 60.0%
Землепользователям были оказаны/предоставлены следующие услуги или меры стимулирования
  • Финансирование и внешняя материальная поддержка, предоставляемая землепользователям
  • Субсидии на отдельные затраты
  • Кредитование
  • Другие методы или инструменты стимулирования
Финансовая/ материальная поддержка, предоставленная землепользователям
Local Landcare groups often request assistance, and this is provided either from the research agencies or from extension officers or through grant applications to the Natural Heritage Trust.
Другие методы или инструменты стимулирования

During the research phase of Ecograze, incentives were not available. However, since then, newly established Government initiatives such as the Natural Heritage Trust and the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality, which commenced in 2003, have increased the number of incentives (eg support for on-ground works such as fencing, relocation of water points etc) available to implement management practices such as those recommended in Ecograze.

Анализ влияния и заключительные положения

Влияние Подхода
Нет
Да, немного
Да, умеренно
Да, существенно
Сумел ли Подход помочь землепользователям внедрить и поддерживать технологии УЗП?

Ecograze leads to retention of 3P grasses ('perennial, productive and palatable' grasses), and therefore better pasture coverage, soil retention and greater water use efficiency.

x
Did other land users / projects adopt the Approach?

Ecograze principles have been included in the new Grazing Land Management Education package - which is being used across northern Australia by Meat and Livestock Australia and other agencies also. It has also now been incorporated into university courses on grazing management.

x
Основные причины, побуждающие землепользователей внедрять УЗП
Долгосрочная устойчивость мероприятий в рамках Подхода
Могут ли землепользователи самостоятельно (без внешней поддержки) продолжать применение того, что было реализовано в рамках Подхода?

Progress is continuing with further field trials and participation from land users. Those land users who have begun with the Ecograze system can continue without external support.

Заключительные положения и извлечённые уроки

Сильные стороны: по мнению землепользователей
Сильные стороны: по мнению составителя или ответственных специалистов
  • Adoption of the technology should result in financial reward. (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: Continue ongoing economic analysis as an indication of technology success.)
  • The system has been very well documented and adapted to the land users conditions through the involvement of research, the land users, primary industry, and extension. (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: Continued support for applied/on-farm research to adapt the system to the needs of the land users and the environment. Support for long-term monitoring.)
  • State government extension agencies have also readily accepted Ecograze and are actively promoting its principles with landholders.
  • The approach is focussed on changing attitudes to management in the long term. (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: Continue with training and education programmes.)
Слабые стороны/ недостатки/ риски: по мнению землепользователейвозможные пути преодоления
Слабые стороны/ недостатки/ риски: по мнению составителя или ответственных специалистоввозможные пути преодоления
  • One-off training programs such as the Grazing Land Management Education package (a 3-day course) may not be enough to sustain initial commitment to testing new management options. Create support network and supply follow-up training and/or support.

Справочные материалы

Составитель
  • Andrew Ash
Editors
Рецензент
  • David Streiff
  • Deborah Niggli
Продолжительность применения Технологии: 18 декабря 2008 г.
Последнее обновление: 4 апреля 2018 г.
Ответственные специалисты
Полное описание в базе данных ВОКАТ
Связанные данные по УЗП
Документирование осуществлялось при участии
Организация Проект
Ключевые ссылки
  • Ash A, Corfield J and Taoufik T (undated) The ECOGRAZE Project: developing guidelines to better manage grazing country. CSIRO, Meat and Livestock Commission and Queensland Government:
This work is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareaAlike 4.0 International