Riverine Plains Blog

What does ESG mean for farmers?

Key messages:

• environmental, social, and governance (ESG) is a framework that covers business practices and data capture
• national and international market access requirements are changing, driven largely by consumers and shareholders demanding transparency around environmental and ethical farming practices
• farmers will increasingly have to collect and present data to prove their ESG credentials to maintain market access and potentially access finance in future
• more work is needed to understand the types of ESG data that are important across the value chain
• awareness of coming changes will help farmers proactively manage their future business needs

Key messages

• electronic identification (EID) technology underpins NLIS traceability, biosecurity and market access
• mandatory EID tagging of sheep and farmed goats begins on 1 January 2025
• using EID technology for performance monitoring and record keeping can enhance livestock management and decision making

EID technology has many applications beyond its role in traceability and represents a real opportunity for farmers looking to improve their livestock management.

Although many farmers are already familiar with EID technology, there are many who may be feeling overwhelmed by the cost and upskilling required. So, what are the additional benefits of using EID technology and where can you get help if you need extra support?

Key messages:

• check the efficacy of your pre-emergent herbicide applications – poor results may mean you need to reconsider your post-emergent spray program or other control options
• overall herbicide efficacy can be affected by a range of factors including plant stress, moisture and inadequate coverage
• delays or failures in weed control can be costly, so monitor now to manage the risk

Many Riverine Plains growers are still busy finishing their sowing programs, while also managing time-sensitive issues like slugs. Despite time constraints, it’s important to prioritise weed monitoring, including the effectiveness of pre-emergent herbicide applications, especially in earlier sown crops.

Key messages:

• canola crops are especially vulnerable to sulfur deficiency
• leaching and high rates of plant removal over the past few years have likely reduced soil sulfur levels
• incremented soil testing to a depth of 60-80cm will identify the quantity and location of sulfur in the soil
• understanding what’s in the ‘bank’ can help farmers make timely and economical fertiliser decisions

Sulfur (S) is an important nutrient for grain crops as it is used in chlorophyll formation and plant development. Canola has a higher requirement than wheat or legume crops for sulfur thanks to its oil and protein production.

Key Messages:

• Mice and rats have become a more persistent problem over the past few years
• monitoring is key to understanding the scale of the problem and helps indicate when additional control is required
• timing mouse bait application is critical to protecting crops when populations are high.

Mice populations have traditionally followed a boom-and-bust type pattern, however over the last decade or so they have become a more persistent problem.