Lion Dairy Pride
Landcare Grants 2019
Guidelines & Criteria
Landcare Australia www.landcareaustralia.org.au
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Lion Dairy Pride Landcare Grants 2019
Guidelines for Applicants
Lion, in partnership with Landcare Australia, is inviting eligible groups to apply for a 2019 Lion Dairy
Pride Landcare Grant. As part of Lion’s efforts to create long-term, mutually-beneficial partnerships
with Lion farmers, the Lion Dairy Pride Landcare Grants program supports dairy farmers in improving
the sustainability, productivity and profitability of their farms.
Projects must address at least one of the two priority funding areas:
• Improve on-farm biodiversity and land management; and / or
• Improve energy efficiency.
To determine whether your project is eligible, please see the eligibility and assessment criteria
sections below.
Project Funding Available
A total funding pool of $80,000.00 (ex GST) is available for eight (8) grants, of up to $10,000 (ex GST)
per project.
Enquiries & Assistance
If you have any questions after reading these guidelines, please call (02) 8440 8819, or email:
If you need assistance with your application, please contact your local Lion Farm Services
representative. They may be able to refer you to an industry specialist who can recommend
equipment to best suit your dairy farm.
Key Dates
Applications open Monday 4th March, 2019
Applications close Thursday, 18 April 2019, 5pm (AEST)
Successful applicants notified May, 2019
Progress Report due Friday 30th August, 2019
Project completed and Final Report due Friday 20th December, 2019
Landcare Australia www.landcareaustralia.org.au
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Eligibility
Your farming business is eligible to apply for a Lion Dairy Pride Landcare Grant 2019 if it supplies milk
directly to Lion, or is part of the Dairy Famers Milk Co-operative (DFMC).
Your project must address at least one of the two priority areas below:
• Improve on-farm biodiversity and land management, e.g. through supporting
improvements to biodiversity, nutrient water management, water usage efficiency and / or
reducing erosion impacts; and / or
• Improve the energy efficiency of your farm, e.g. through reducing energy consumption and
/ or implementing renewable energy infrastructure.
Grant-specific conditions:
• Water usage efficiency projects to provide evidence showing litres saving for reuse and water
saving infrastructure projects.
• Energy efficiency projects are required to provide evidence of a reduction in energy usage (in
kilowatt hours (kWh), and tonnes of carbon), for at least 12 months before, and 12 months
after grant funds are provided.
• All applicants are required to undertake and provide their DairySAT as part of their application.
DairySAT is an environmental self-assessment tool for Australian dairy farmers.
• While past recipients are welcome to apply, preference will be given to applicants who did
not receive Lion Landcare funding in the 2018 year.
• Funding must not be used for political or religious organisations, fundraising dinners or events,
debt reduction activities, and / or the purchase of vehicles, computers or media equipment.
General Terms and Conditions
Landcare Australia is responsible for administering the funding for this grant. Prior to receiving
funding, you will be required to agree to the Landcare Australia Grants - terms and conditions.
Landcare Australia www.landcareaustralia.org.au
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Priority Funding Areas
The headings below outline the different project areas that will fit into the overall desired grant
outcomes of ‘Improving on-farm biodiversity and land management’ and ‘Improving on-farm energy
efficiency’. A summary of each project area, and how it fits in with dairy farming, is explained below.
Links to more in-depth information along with case studies of real life examples are also provided
below. These resources are great for helping deciding on the right type of project for your farm.
1. Improving on-farm biodiversity and land management
Improving nutrient management
Adequate nutrition for pastures and fodder crops is essential for profitable dairy farms. Inputs
such as fertiliser (which is a significant operational cost), effluent and manure are the primary
sources of nutrients and nutrient loss from farms. Farm nutrient loss is costly, and can degrade
waterways, groundwater, habitat for local fauna, and contribute to greenhouse gases.
The pathways and causes of nutrient loss are well understood, and farmers in recent times have
been using tools such as the Farm Nutrient Loss Index (FNLI) and Nutrient Management Plans to
simultaneously identify profitability, and environmental risks.
Opportunities to reduce these risks include nutrient budgeting for differing farm management
zones, spreading effluent over larger areas with buffer zones for drainage lines / creeks,
controlling drainage from hardstand areas and lanes, and composting waste.
Reducing erosion impacts
Implementing erosion control on farms protects invaluable soil resources, as well as provides
productivity and profitability benefits. Soil is essentially a non-renewable resource, because it can
erode much faster than it is created. Preventing erosion and the movement of sediment also has
a significant beneficial impact on water quality and aquatic ecosystems in creeks and rivers.
Maintaining healthy native vegetation around farms can assist stabilise soils and greatly reduce
the potential for erosion.
Preventing erosion and / or rehabilitating actively eroding areas early on can greatly reduce the
impact on farm operations and costs. For example, preventing or repairing gully formation
increases the efficiency of machinery operations, reduces the reliance on expensive manual
works, and often reduces requirement for fertiliser inputs. Designing your farm layout to reduce
potential erosion, particularly in regard to drainage plans, diversion structures and ground cover
maintenance, significantly reduces the time, costs and lost productivity involved in repairing
More information and examples of erosion and nutrient management projects:
• Managing Dairy Farm Effluent (Gipps Dairy)
• Maximising your fertiliser $ with whole farm soil analysis & mapping (Dairy Australia)
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• Cradle Coast NRM & DairyTas – Soil Nutrient Management project (Dairy Tas)
• Effluent Management Video Series (Dairy Australia)
• Dairy waste (Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation)
Installing water-saving products/infrastructure
In these times of rainfall variability, climate change and drought, implementing water saving
infrastructure helps dairy farms to be more resilient to water shortages. Being water-use efficient
and being prepared for reduced access to water and to ensure water supplies are maintained for
as long as possible, and using available products and infrastructure can help. Water saving projects
may include water monitoring devices, better catchment and drainage, water recycling
infrastructure in the dairy.
Most water used on farms is for growing pastures through irrigation. Implementing better
irrigation infrastructure doesn’t just reduce water consumption but can also improve productivity.
Projects use a range of techniques to reduce water loss and environmental impacts of irrigation,
such as soil moisture technology, on-farm recycling and pressurised systems. Getting professional
industry advice for water-efficient infrastructure and innovative water-saving products is
invaluable to farmers.
Implementing water usage efficient processes
Water-efficient procedures lead to ongoing pasture resilience, they also help to reduce
environmental pressures and threats. These threats may arise from chemical leaching, soil
salinization, water-logging and increased water table recharge, driven by over-watering of pasture
for cattle. Over-watering allows for pollutants to move into surface water catchments as
suspended solids, bound to other sediments, or into groundwater by dissolving in water,
impacting both irrigators and habitats downstream.
Methods of operating on dairy farms may be improved through implementing water efficient
processes such as: Regular monitoring (soil moisture, water testing for salt and pH, irrigation
equipment servicing and repair); Developing a water budget; Recycling water from effluen; using
an irrigation schedule that is based on soil and environmental conditions (rather than date) and
seeking professional advice from industry leaders in new water-saving technologies.
More information and examples of water usage efficiency projects:
• Waterway Protection Benefits Dairy Farms (Corner Inlet Connections)
• Energy & Water Savings in a Cow Shed (DAFF / Dairy Australia / GippsDairy)
• Smarter Irrigation for Profit Case Studies Final (Department of Agriculture and Water
Resources)
• Dairy water use in Australian dairy farms: Past trends (CSIRO & Dairy Australia)
• Dairy shed water usage (Agriculture Victoria)
• Saving water in dairies - Info Sheets (Dairy Australia)
Landcare Australia www.landcareaustralia.org.au
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Increasing biodiversity
Re-establishing biodiversity is one of the key ongoing challenges for Australian farming. Farmers
now recognise that to support native wildlife and improve overall land management, some areas
of their farm can be protected or replanted with native vegetation.
Many of the remnant areas of our most threatened ecological communities are located on farms.
Activities such as fencing vulnerable habitat to exclude stock, control of invasive pests,
revegetation with native species, installing wetlands and repairing eroded slopes or gullies, are
highly beneficial to both farms and the wider community.
Over recent years, many farmers have revegetated creeks, shelterbelts, wildlife corridors and
wetlands. Benefits include improved stock health, creation of native wildlife habitat, control of
erosion on waterways and slopes, reduced salinity and improved water quality.
More information and examples of biodiversity and native habitat projects:
• BIGG Watercourse Revegetation project (Barossa Improved Grazing Group)
• Dairy the Green Way (Dairy Australia / GippsDairy)
• Arnum Land for All – Case Study (Dairy Australia / GippsDairy)
• Tree Benefit Sale Dairy Farm (Dairy Australia / GippsDairy)
• Share Farming with Nature (Dairy Australia / Gipps Dairy)
2. Improving on-farm energy efficiency
Reducing energy consumption on the dairy farm
The price of energy is increasing, and accounts for a significant proportion of a dairy farm’s
operating costs. Many dairy farmers undertake energy efficiency assessments to identify
opportunities to increase profitability by reducing costs, while also reducing greenhouse gas
emissions. Investments in reduced energy consumption in cooling milk, milk harvesting and
generating hot water, are some of the opportunities for improving energy efficiency.
Renewable energy (solar and wind turbine) systems
A reliable and efficient source of energy is essential for a profitable and productive dairy farm,
with high-energy demands from cooling milk, harvesting milk and generating hot water. Increasing
the use of renewable energy can have multiple benefits for dairy farms, including a reduction in
greenhouse gas emissions, improved carbon footprint and reduced costs.
More information and examples of energy-reduction projects:
• Economic analysis of technologies to reduce dairy energy consumption (Agriculture Victoria)
• Solar: A better solution to inadequate power supply (Dairy Australia)
• Reducing Farm Energy Costs (Dairy Australia)
• Solar hot water reduces costs in the dairy (Dairy Australia)
• Dairy Shed Effluent & Biogas – FAQ’s (Dairy Australia)
• Efficiency by Sector, Dairy Farming (Sustainability Victoria)
Landcare Australia www.landcareaustralia.org.au
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Planning & Monitoring Tools
All dairy farmers are required to undertake and provide their DairySAT as part of their application. In
addition, detailed advice on keeping nutrients on-farm and utilised for feed production can be found
on the Fert$mart and Dairy Pride websites.
Many farmers use tools such as Riparian Vegetation Appraisal Tool (RVAT) and the Farm Nutrient Loss
Index (FNLI) to identify opportunities and provide guidance on improving both profitability and
environmental management.
Tools such the Riparian Vegetation Appraisal Tool (RVAT) can demonstrate improvements for projects
focussed on biodiversity. Each tool can provide simple recommendations, yet strong direction for a
project application. For example, the project objective could be to improve the “Environmental
function” ranking for waterways as assessed by the RVAT.
Advice on native revegetation, habitat connectivity and management of waterways can also be sought
from your local Landcare group, Council, or regional Natural Resource Management Organisation,
Catchment Management Authority (VIC), or Local Land Services (NSW).
Electricity bills provide a simple measure of the reduction in energy use. Implementing the
recommendations from an energy audit also provides good direction for a project application in this
area.
Applicants are welcome to suggest other methods for measuring improvements, but they should
provide a clear and objective rationale for undertaking the project and demonstrating positive change.
Other tools that may be useful for implementing and monitoring your project include:
• Dairy Greenhouse Gas Abatements Strategy (DGAS) (Dairy Australia)
• Dairy shed water – How much do you use? (Vic Department of Primary Industries)
• Farm Biosecurity Action Planner (Plant Health Australia / Animal Health Australia)
Reporting Requirements
As a condition of receiving the grant you will be required to complete a progress report and a final
report. Reporting must include evidence of the improvements as described in your original
application, such as energy bills, water meter readings/bills and before / after photos. Landcare
Australia will contact you to complete your reporting.
Water usage efficiency project funding recipients are required to provide evidence showing litres
saving for reuse and water saving infrastructure projects.
Landcare Australia www.landcareaustralia.org.au
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Energy efficiency project funding recipients are required to provide evidence of a reduction in energy
usage (in kilowatt hours (kWh), and tonnes of carbon), for at least 12 months before, and 12 months
after grant funds are provided.
Reporting timelines for the Lion Dairy Pride Landcare Grant 2019 are as below:
Progress Report due: 30th August, 2019
Final Report due: 20th December, 2019
How to Apply
Groups can apply for the Lion Dairy Pride Landcare Grant 2019 on the Landcare Australia
Communities Portal until Monday 1st April 2019.
To submit an application:
1. Login to the Landcare Australia Communities Portal. If you have applied for a grant on the
portal in the past, your username will be your email address. If you have not applied for a
grant before, you can register as a user here.
2. Click on ‘Lion Dairy Pride Landcare Grant 2019’.
3. Click on ‘Create Application’.
4. If you wish to leave a partially completed application, press ‘Save’ and log out. You can log
back in and continue to edit your application form until you are ready to submit.
5. Upload photos and other documents to the grants portal (maximum of three attachments per
application). Click on your grant application number (e.g. GA-00006543) and select ‘Attach
File’ in the Notes and Attachments section.
6. To submit your application, select the ‘Is application complete?’ checkbox and press ‘Save &
Close’.
7. You will receive a confirmation email when your application has been successfully submitted.
If you do not receive an email confirmation please check your junk or spam folder.
For questions about online submissions, please refer to the Landcare Australia Grants - Frequently
Asked Questions or email [email protected].
Landcare Australia www.landcareaustralia.org.au
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Assessment Criteria
Essential Criteria
Applications will be assessed based on the following criteria:
Assessment Criteria Explanation
The project aligns with at least one
of the program objectives.
• Improve on-farm biodiversity and land management
and/or
• Improving the energy efficiency of your farm, e.g. through
reducing energy consumption and / or implementing
renewable energy infrastructure.
The project is well developed,
appropriately supported and
resourced.
• Project activities are feasible with a sound technical basis and a
strong probability of success.
• There is adequate technical expertise to support the project.
• Project benefits will be achieved in the time / budget available.
• Relevant planning approvals or state EPA guidelines are
addressed.
Project benefits are clear and
measurable.
• The project will measure and report on benefits (e.g. assessing
energy bills, photo-monitoring, water quality monitoring).
• Water usage efficiency project funding recipients are required
to provide evidence showing litres saving for reuse and water
saving infrastructure projects.
• Energy efficiency project funding recipients are required to
provide evidence of a reduction in energy usage (in kilowatt
hours (kWh), and tonnes of carbon), for at least 12 months
before, and 12 months after grant funds are provided.
There is a commitment to monitor
and maintain project benefits. • Project demonstrates how project infrastructure, on-farm
works or revegetation will be maintained into the future.
The project demonstrates value for
money.
• Adequate detail is provided in the budget.
• The budget is relevant and aligns with the project activities.
• The budget aligns with the expected project benefits.
The Dairy Pride Self-Assessment
Tool has been completed. • The application has attached a Dairy Pride Self-Assessment
report.
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Desirable criteria
• You may advise whether the project will support broader environmental sustainability
objectives, e.g. water quality, waste minimisation, greenhouse gas emission reductions.
• You may make a financial contribution to your project (e.g. in-kind contributions).
• You may involve others in your project, such as local Landcare groups, or the wider
community, and also share information about your project.
About Lion
Lion is a leading beverage and food company with a portfolio that includes many of our region’s
favourite brands. We employ more than 6,500 people across Australia and New Zealand
predominantly and take great pride in our local manufacturing footprint, which spans 36 sites –
including large breweries, craft breweries, wineries, dairy farms, milk, cheese, yoghurt and juice sites
as well as venues.
Lion is a company focused on long-term, sustainable growth. We have a clear ten-year strategy to
reinvigorate our beer markets and contribute to vibrant and responsible drinking cultures; transform
our dairy and juice businesses and champion the nutritional credentials of our portfolio; and build our
presence in high-value categories in targeted Asian markets. To achieve this, we invest in our core
strategic assets – our people, brands, production facilities and supply chain.
About Landcare Australia
Landcare Australia is a not-for-profit organisation which provides support to the grassroots Landcare
movement and local Landcare groups. From humble beginnings in 1985, the Landcare movement has
become the biggest grassroots environmental management movement in the country: encouraging a
sustainable, integrated approach to agricultural and environmental management through a vast
network of local community groups.
With a vision of all Australians actively caring for the land and water that sustain us, Landcare
Australia’s key focus is the promotion, support and funding of Landcare projects across the country.
Our well-recognised Landcare Australia, Junior Landcare and Coastcare brands enable us to service
specific areas of the Landcare community, providing opportunities for better exposure, awareness,
resources and funding.