Questions On Notice Questions on notice are usually asked when a more detailed answer is required and are in writing, and are forwarded by the Clerk of the Parliament to the relevant Minister who prepares a written answer which is presented to Parliament.
Water Efficiency in the Dairy Industry |
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| Posted by Administrator (admin) on Sep 26 2007 |
| Questions On Notice >> |
MR LAWLOR asked the Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries (MR MULHERIN)-
QUESTION:
How is the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries assisting the dairy industry in improving water use efficiency?
ANSWER:
The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) will invest $150,000 a year for the next three years to deliver phase 3 of the rural water use efficiency initiative in partnership with the Queensland Dairyfarmers' Organisation. The collaboration over the previous phases has achieved a 20% improvement in water use efficiency across the dairy industry and it is expected that the current phase 3 program will improve water use efficiency by a further 5% by 2009. To help achieve improved water use efficiency, sites have been established to determine best practice benchmarks for water management and fodder production. In addition a service is offered to producers to test the capacity and efficiency of their irrigation system. These two strategies are critical components of the program to reduce water losses and plan irrigation strategies more accurately.
This program also aims to achieve improved effluent management practices on dairy farms. Phase 3 has been operating for the past 12 months and activities have included an industry study tour to New Zealand. To ensure information about water use efficiency is made available, workshops have been facilitated across Queensland's dairying regions. Included in these workshops the water use efficiencies of different pasture and crops has been communicated. DPI&F is also conducting wider research into forage production and utilization that will assist the dairy industry. This investment will be approximately $3 million over the next three years. It is expected that one element of this work will investigate the water use efficiency of different forages under grazing and relate water use to milk production. Information from this work will be used to develop the best combinations of crops and pastures to maximise milk production for a given amount of water. It is expected that the results of this research will have application to both irrigated and dryland producers. Last changed: [PUBLISHED_DATE] at 12:59 PM
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