Farmers are set to make the most of manure thanks to new funding for local dairy farmers.

West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (CMA) and GippsDairy are inviting expressions of interest from dairy farmers in the Macalister Irrigation Area (MIA) to join a project aimed at boosting the benefits of effluent on farm and ultimately reducing effluent entering the Gippsland Lakes. 

Up to 15 dairy farmers will have the opportunity to work with a qualified agronomist to develop a Nutrient and Effluent Management Plan and introduce innovations to better utilise effluent nutrients to improve production, save money and protect the environment.  

“By maximising the use of effluent across the farm, farmers can improve soil health by having to apply less synthetic fertiliser, saving money and emissions,” said Anthony Goode – Sustainable Agriculture Program Coordinator for West Gippsland CMA. 

“We know dairy effluent is a highly valuable source of nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorous. Farmers who effectively keep these nutrients on farm are not only improving their soils and pasture for cattle, they’re also protecting local waterways which ultimately flow into the Gippsland Lakes Ramsar listed wetlands,” explained Anthony. 

The project aims to help farmers increase the area of effluent distribution on their farms by providing customised advice and practical support to upgrade infrastructure and improve effluent management practices. 

Each Nutrient and Effluent Management Plan developed will clearly identify key recommendations that will improve effluent management decisions. The plans will use soil test data to advise on future nutrient application rates across the farm and how best to achieve this.

Participating farmers will receive funding to support the cost of implementing the recommended actions from the plan, such as upgrades to mains pipelines or effluent ponds.  

“We’ve been partnering with farmers for over 25 years to drive sustainable agriculture practices in the region and this project is another great example of working together for the benefit of farming and the overall health of the catchment,” concluded Anthony. 

How to apply

Expressions of interest opened at 9am Sunday 1 June and closed at 5pm Monday 16 June 2025.  

Grants will be allocated to 15 eligible applicants on a first-come, first-served basis. 

If you have any questions, please email dairy@wgcma.vic.gov.au

This project is supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program. 

West Gippsland CMA is responsible for over 40,000 kilometres of designated waterways across the region and delivers programs for healthy and resilient catchments. All these waterways flow to the Victorian coast, discharging through the Gippsland Lakes, or directly into Bass Strait and the Southern Ocean.

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Page updated 16 June 2025