Farm Plan Training

Topoclimate Services Pty Ltd (TSPL) has developed a training programme based around production of Topoclimate Farm Plans to suit the information needs of farmers for whole farm planning in a holistic process.

The purpose of the TFP training programme is to enhance the ability of farmers to identify, acquire and apply the management skills and practices that are needed to take advantage of the whole range of development opportunities from diversifying into new agricultural products, adding value to produce, seeking new marketing opportunities, improving the productivity of current enterprises and farming more sustainably.

The TFP training programme aims to assist primary producers and rural land managers to improve their business and natural resource management in an integrated way rather than making natural resource management decisions remotely from the mainstream farm business decision-making process.

Eligibility for FarmBis Training Grants

If you are a primary producer in Queensland or Western Australia and earning most of your income from your farm or a rural farm manager with a 2ha or larger farm, you may qualify for FarmBis Grant Assistance.

The Topoclimate Farm Plan Training Programme is eligible for grants of up to 60% of eligible costs to a total FarmBis Grant Limit of $10,000 per property per year.

Please check with us for training costs and to confirm your eligibility for assistance.

The Topoclimate Farm Plan Training Programme

Module 1

Defining personal Aims and Objectives for your farm

This module identifies the personal factors essential to the development of a business plan within the framework of a sustainable farm management plan.

The long-term directions and purposes of the business are determined by identifying and analysing the values, expectations, and the personal goals of the people concerned.

Desired outcomes for the business are determined for use in guiding the formation of a Topoclimate Farm plan for the short, medium and long term.

Values, expectations and personal goals of the people involved in the business are defined and formalised, including:

income levels required
preferences for various enterprise types
lifestyle and work patterns preferences
period of business ownership
provision for next generation
retirement provisions

Module 2
Defining Farm Layout and Improvements

This module shows you how to identify the farm layout and improvements essential to the development of a business plan within the framework of a sustainable farm management plan.

A manageable sized plan is developed for the property on a digitised and georeferenced aerial photograph base. Property boundaries are defined and matched to legal cadastral maps for the property. Title documentation is researched.
Details of any easements and planning constraints such as powerlines, road reserves and water supply catchments are listed and spatially identified.
Existing property improvements including fencing, water supply, buildings, access yards, pastures and plantations are listed and spatially identified with appropriate signage.
All farm layout and Improvement details will be outlined and mapped in a Section for the TFP for the property.

Module 3

Physical Resource Information (Climate, Soils, Water) for Farm Planning

To identify the critical climatic factors (rainfall, temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, frost) affecting the property.
To identify the critical soil factors (soil structure and horizons, soil chemistry, moisture holding capacity, salinity etc) affecting the property.
To identify the critical water resources factors (water quantity, source, storage capacity delivery systems etc and water quality issues eg pH, salinity, Dissolved Oxygen etc) affecting the property.
To collate data on the identified critical factors.
To analyse the data using statistical tools to identify trends and patterns.
To develop an understanding of tools for physical resource data analysis including tools such as the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) and Soil Structural Vulnerability Index (SVI).

Module 4
Assessing Cropping and Pasture Options for your Farm

To identify the crops and pastures most suitable for the property based on analysis of the physical resource data (soils, climate, water) produced for the property.
To collate production data on the identified crops and pastures.
To analyse crop and pasture options using economic tools.
To develop an understanding of tools for selection of suitable crops and pastures such as Plantgro.
To develop an understanding of the need for critical mass in development of new crops and the need for complementary facilities for processing and marketing of produce.

Module 5
Future Directions for your Farm—developing a Plan

To use the physical resource data (soils, climate, water) produced for the property to develop a Plan of Action
To collate base production data on the property to measure and monitor change .
To analyse farm management options using economic tools.
To develop an understanding of tools for selection of suitable farm management options
To develop an understanding of the need for community co-operation to address farm management issues beyond the farm gate to support change.

For further information on this Training programme or for a Training Application Form, please contact Gary Hutchinson at the Coffs Harbour Office of Topoclimate Services Pty Ltd.