Environmentally Friendly Farming dairy page . Introduction Most dairy farmers in Australia desire to act as good custodians of the environment to promote a clean-green production image. This outlook is encouraged by milk processors and catchment management authorities who seek to encourage farmers to manage agricultural runoff. The declining water quality of many inland and coastal streams, in association with the increasing prevalence of blue green algae blooms has provided authorities with the impetus to control farming practice with an adverse environmental impact. In addition, overseas competitors may seek to dispel the industry image as agricultural production in harmony with the environment.
Farmers tackling runoff usually seek to implement a plan which yields more production from a farm.
There is also a realisation of the need for improved quality of life through aesthetic work surroundings which enhance the capital value of the enterprise. In addition, there is a desire of enterprise managers to attract quality workers to the farm as well as to keep the children as part of the enterprise. A dynamic and developing, enterprise has attractions for both the young and potential employees. Techniques for successful environmental protection should not be limited to facilities like effluent ponds, filter strips, vegetated buffers, treed riparian zones or wetlands. The key to success is to produce more efficiently, yielding more nutrients as milk for export from the farm.