Healthy Communities

Looking after the environment is very important for all farmers.

Most families have been living on their properties for many generations.

The need to look after the land is as important to the farmer as is the consumers that buy their produce.

Sheep are not native animals to Australia so they need to share the land with native animals such as kangaroos and wallabies.

 

Woolgrowers have had to change some of the land so that their sheep are able to graze. Wool farmers must consider their land management when they do this as well as their own livestock so that the land is not damaged and that the native plants and animals are still looked after.

Water resources and soil also need to be cared for. Researchers and advisers can work closely with farmers to ensure that the land is not damaged and that the farmers can still grow their wool to provided their income.

The soil must remain healthy to be able to grow the pastures needed to feed the sheep. Soil is a very important natural resource that needs to be well managed. Soil can quickly become acidic which can lead to the soil being toxic to many pastures. Acidic soil easily erodes. Farmers need to manage their soils to prevent this from happening by adding appropriate rates of fertiliser to absorb the nitrates to balance out the acidity.

Monitoring the soil acidity with tests helps farmers to keep on top of this.

Salinity is another issue faced by woolgrowers.

Salinity is caused by the salt movement from very deep within the ground to the soils surface. Salinity not only occurs naturally but is enhanced when annual pastures are replaced by perennial ones. Annual pastures do not need or use as much water as the perennials so the underground water rises. As the underwater rises, so does the salt and this brings the salt closer to the surface.

If farmers look after their bushland and plant more trees around their paddocks this can assist in the management of the salinity levels.

To help reduce levels of erosion, farmers manage their grazing so that there is always enough grass left growing to protect the soil from wind and rain. Farmers need to ensure that they do not let paddocks become overgrazed as this leave the soil exposed which can lead to erosion.

Farmers need to manage their water resources carefully. Reducing erosion can assist in this management as well as ensuring that water is not wasted.

Property owners build dams to capture rainfall-runoff as it is very important to have a sufficient and reliable water supply. IT needs to be low in salt and low in organic matter. Water for livestock also needs to be free of toxic substances such as blue green algae. Water can also come from creeks and bores.

Farmers can build Drought Reserve Dams to help their property cope with long dry periods. Dams that are built strategically can be very valuable for a farmer.

A Drought Reserve Dam needs to be large, deep, structurally reliable and protected from strong winds. They also need to be able to have the capacity to hold the required water for up to 30 months. The maximum benefit is achieved if the Drought Reserve Dam is fenced from livestock and the water that the livestock need is reticulated to their paddocks.

Wool processors need to manage the wastes produced form wool.

When wool is scoured, dirt and grease is removed leaving clean wool but also wastewater.

The residues that are left from cleaning the wool need to be treated. It is cleaned by filtering and using a chemical treatment. Of this, 90% is able to be recycled, reducing the amount of water needed in processing the wool.

 

The remaining sludge can be used as fertilisers.

Lanolin (the grease from the wool) is used in the cosmetics industry for moisturisers and skin creams.

Improving energy efficiency on farms is important as not only does it assist in helping the environment but it also can save the grower money. Simple ways such as replacing traditional lighting with more energy-efficient lighting can contribute to saving money.

Regular maintenance of any ventilation systems as well as updating to energy- efficient machinery can also offer significant cuts to energy usage.

In areas with sufficient wind, the power of wind can be used by building wind turbines which will not only produce enough power to meet all of the farmers needs but also enough that can be sold to the national grid.

In areas where wind turbines would be unsuitable, solar panels can be installed. Solar panels are less expensive than extending power lines and can power lighting, heating, water pumps and electric fences. If raised high enough sheep are still able to graze beneath them.

Biodiversity is the way that all of the plants, micro-organisms and animals interact in the environment.

Woolgrowers encourage biodiversity by keeping areas of native vegetation on their properties as well as planting more trees and plants. Creeks and dams also provided a breeding environment for aquatic plants and animals as well as a drinking source for the sheep and native species.

 

 

Education about food and nutrition is very important. Communities need to have a healthy understanding of the importance of having a healthy diet as well as healthy eating habits.

Eating fruits and vegetables provided many health benefits as they provided nutrients for health and maintenance for our bodies. Dietary fibre from vegetables helps reduce blood cholesterol levels and can lower the risk of heart disease. Vitamin A keeps our eyes and skin healthy while Vitamin C helps heal cuts and keeps our teeth and gums healthy.

Eating healthy and living in a healthy community is not only just about food though. Healthy food is of course very important (just like knowing where our food has come from- Australia has the safest food around!). Having a ‘healthy lifestyle’ involves more than just making sure that you are eating healthy and are doing plenty of exercise.

Healthy communities are also about looking after your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing and looking out for those around you.

It is about knowing when thing are getting a bit off balance and what you need to do about it.

It is also about being able to keep up with your responsibilities as well as looking after yourself.

Stress can affect health in negative ways when things are a bit out of balance.

Sleep is very important for staying healthy. It gives your body a chance to rest and recharge. It also help with learning and memory.

Eating a well-balanced diet makes you feel healthier and stronger, reducing stress along the way. Bad eating habits can bring on mood swings, weight gain, reduced mental health and illness.

By limiting junk food, eating regularly and drinking plenty of water, stress and illness can be reduced.

Physical activity can help build a strong body and mind as well as allow better sleep and reduced stress.

Having the ability to balance out life means take a break when there is stress and do things that make you feel good or do things that you enjoy.

It is very east to get caught up in life but if we take care of our own physical, emotional and metal wellbeing we can then help take care and look out for those around us such as our family and friends. This leads to a more balanced life and a healthier community.