Chicks in the Sticks has returned to the Wimmera after close to a ten year break.

We delivered their first Chicks in the Sticks event in 2010, born out of recognition that women are often underrepresented in traditional farmer extension activities, and with the aim of delivering an event that specifically met the needs of local farming women, while still focusing on providing sustainable agricultural extension.

The most recent Chicks in the Sticks, held on 23 October, focused on providing trusted information on carbon emissions for farm businesses.

Soil Scientist Dr Cassandra Schefe provided incredibly informative insights into the policy and market forces driving farm industry carbon targets, carbon sinks and sources, definitions of ‘scopes’, key levers responsible for farming emissions, emissions calculators, emissions intensity, soil carbon, and carbon credits.

To balance the theory provided by Dr Cassandra, Bellarine Peninsula farmer Fiona Conroy shared how this plays out in reality on her carbon neutral beef and fine wool farm. Fiona describes their farm as ‘data driven’; examples of their data collecting includes soil testing paddocks on a three year cycle, monitoring stocking rates and carrying capacity, as well as tracking weight gain and herd efficiency. This is coupled with activities such as shelterbelt planting, land class fencing, soil health improvements through fertiliser and ameliorant applications and pasture improvements.  All of this is completed with the aim of boosting their productivity and efficiency as a farm business whilst enhancing the farms natural capital. 

Fiona stressed that she hasn’t managed the farm with the aim of reaching carbon neutral status; rather it’s a by-product of best practice farming  with a focus on productivity and protecting natural capital.

Fiona encouraged participants to keep good records, to enable the ability to monitor and effectively manage. 

We will continue to deliver extension activities for farmers across the region throughout 2025 with a focus on carbon emissions. We are also working with Agriculture Victoria and Landcare Victoria Inc to deliver the Carbon Farming Outreach Program in the Wimmera. 

Landcare Vic Inc webinar recording with Cam Nicholson can be viewed on YouTube Understanding Carbon Farming

Cam Nicholson will be visiting the region to present on the topic in March, heading to Great Western on Monday 17 March, Taylors Lake on Tuesday 1⁸ and Apsley on Wednesday19th.

Dr Cassandra Schefe will also be back in the Wimmera in July, presenting carbon emission information for farmers in the Northern Wimmera, with a focus on broadacre croppers.

For information, contact Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator, Bronwyn Bant Bronwyn.bant@wcma.vic.gov.au 0427 529 232.