Trees on farms: a tool for decision-making
There is a centralised database that can assist with decision making for planting trees on-farm.
| Project start date: | 31 January 2021 |
| Project end date: | 30 May 2022 |
| Publication date: | 28 April 2022 |
| Project status: | Completed |
| Livestock species: | Grain-fed Cattle, Grass-fed Cattle, Sheep, Goat, Lamb |
| Relevant regions: | National |
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Summary
This work aims to address information gaps regarding the co-benefits trees provide to farm systems and assist farmers in accessing this information and incorporating it into on-farm decisions. Given this objective, farmers and consultants are the primary audience. The results can be used by consultants, extension officers, and interested farmers to find data and apply it to on farm decisions. Additionally, they will form the beginning phases in a broader decision framework that is a deliverable of Module 4 of the Carbon Storage Partnership, Trees on Farm: Maximising co-benefits.
Objectives
- Develop a decision-matrix template to guide farms in planting trees on farms in two areas in South East Australia.
- Develop a database of key research on co-benefits and risks of planting trees on farms.
- Provide information to support the use of the decision matrix template for the decisions to establish a timber plantation or environmental plantings in two livestock systems each.
Key findings
The decision matrix was applied to two farms near Hamilton, Victoria. The decisions include critical factors related to both environmental and timber plantings. The initial version of the database includes co-benefit information for over 90 publications. This allows interested users to access a substantial amount of information in one place and eases production of factsheets and other material on the co-benefits of incorporating trees on farm.
Benefits to industry
This project has consolidated information on the productivity and carbon co-benefits of trees on farm along with data on other co-benefits in one place. It has also provided support for incorporating this information into decision making including development of example decision matrices for two farms.
MLA action
Phase 2 of this project - P.PSH.1239 "Maximising co-benefits of trees on farms" is underway as part of the Carbon Storage Partnership (CSP).
Future research
Recommended future work should largely be incorporated into Phase 2 of this project. Additional literature can be added to the database as other updates are made to the database including developing a user-friendly front end. A Tasmanian example of the decision matrix will be completed by February 2022. Lastly, a broader decision framework to guide farmers is already planned.
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For more information Contact Project Manager: Margaret Jewell |
