The Nutrient Smart Project aim was to improve knowledge and activities associated with fertiliser management on working farms. Aiming to maximise farm productivity from appropriate fertiliser application and reduce wastage and nutrient export to the catchment.
The project provided opportunity's for farmers to gain confidence about their farm fertiliser program and continue to ‘self-manage’ environmental impacts on water quality and soil health. Farmers and the industry will have the opportunity to be proactive in demonstrating that they can operate in a way that is sustainable, profitable and committed to minimising impacts on catchment health.
This program allowed farmers to contribute and guide future recommendations for Best Management Practice for nutrient applications and soil management.
A major outcome is the reduction in excess nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous from farms, associated with fertiliser application. Reduced nutrient loads will, over time, lead to a reduced occurrence and severity in algal blooms, eutrophication and fish deaths in the catchment.
Nutrient Smart was been launched by the Geographe Catchment Council in partnership with the Cape to Cape Catchments group and the Department of Agriculture, with close involvement by farmers, fertiliser companies, and fertiliser management consultants.
