The Australian wool industry is committed to continuous improvement in water management and has invested in research to develop and extend better and more effective ways to manage water resources on wool-growing farms.
Maintaining healthy water systems
Healthy water systems are crucial to the Australian environment, sustaining many different plant and animal communities, agricultural enterprises and rural communities.
The Woolmark Company provides valuable resources and supports industry initiatives dedicated to effective water management practices on wool-growing properties.
Farm management practices that support water systems
Management practices undertaken by Australian woolgrowers that effectively protect and regenerate waterways and riparian areas include:
- Fencing off waterways to control erosion, grazing pressure and to allow native species to regenerate
- Planting of native species along waterways to revegetate the area and encourage soil stability and health, shelter and improve water quality
- Manage water allocations to prevent over usage of the natural resource and improve land management.
The benefits of restoring the health of waterways are numerous and include reduced erosion, increased water quality, ground cover, improved creek bank stability, weed management, increased biodiversity, effective shelter for livestock and reduced salinity.