A VIEW FROM THE FARM

There are many reasons why landholders decide to join ALMS. But nearly all our members agree on the benefits. Don't just take it from us. Here is what the Calder family from Victoria say about ALMS.

Ken, Helen and Alastair Calder farm grain, sheep and goats at Wareek near Maryborough in Central Victoria.

The Calders joined ALMS and got involved in the ALMS management system because they care for the natural environment and wanted to find out how to improve the way they manage their land and water resources. They already have quality assurance, OH &S and business plans for their enterprise and saw the ALMS management system as an efficient way of combining this information with their on-ground activities and adding value to their enterprise.

The Calders became involved in ALMS because, like all farmers, they are always on the lookout for ways to increase the farm’s profitability. They believe that ALMS will provide a structure and a planning schedule that will enable them to improve their farming practices and the natural environment.

In the future they see that implementing ALMS will help achieve better market access, productivity increases, cost reductions and access to services and Government grants, and ensure access to resources such as water and be a minimum standard for eco service payments. Other spin offs they have identified include increasing property values and, hopefully, reduced insurance premiums, rates and taxes.

The Calders are leaders in the farming community and saw the ALMS management system as a step that agriculture needs to and is about to take. They want to show the community that they manage natural resources sustainably and are up-to-date with their legal and catchment responsibilities. ALMS is a way of demonstrating that they are proactive rather than reactive to situations.

What’s been involved?

The ALMS management group that they belong to has completed, analysed and reviewed a very detailed Self Assessment Questionnaire which gave them a lot of information and insights into their property and the way they manage it. The group then completed an Environmental Review, which identified aspects and impacts of their activities, products and services, and their legal and catchment responsibilities. They then did a risk assessment as a way of enabling them to describe the significant impacts on their property.

Recently the group completed their Environmental Policy and the ALMS section on legal and other requirements. They are now action planning and, using the latest in GIS technology, have set realistic plans for the farm.

At each meeting, the group does a hands-on activity where they learn how to monitor, measure and improve some aspect of their business. So far they have looked at soil physical properties, biodiversity, successful lucerne production, and risk management. In the future they will be dealing with topics such as workplace safety, soil chemical properties, soil testing, farm succession planning, calculating perenniality, and water use efficiency.