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Page 1: Lion Dairy Pride Landcare Grants 2019 - Landcare in Australia · Landcare Australia Page 1 of 9 Lion Dairy Pride Landcare Grants 2019 Guidelines for Applicants Lion, in partnership

Lion Dairy Pride

Landcare Grants 2019

Guidelines & Criteria

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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:

[email protected].

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

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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.

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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)

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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)

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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.

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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].

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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.


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