Pinion Advisory connects at DairySA Innovation Day -Cultivating Greener Pastures
In an evolving climate, what does 'greener pastures' truly mean for your farm's long-term prosperity? At the recent DairySA Innovation Day 2025, South Australia's dairy industry leaders, farmers, and service providers gathered to explore the intersection of dairy farming and climate resilience. Under the insightful theme "Cows and Carbon Can Be Friends," the day delved into practical, science-backed solutions for sustainable agriculture .
One of the key takeaways from the event was the importance of climate-smart agricultural practices to minimise greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural operations and farmland. This includes adopting low-emission technologies and practices that reduce the use of agricultural inputs, increase soil carbon sequestration, and reduce the volatilisation of greenhouse gases .
An effective strategy involves the adoption of low-emission technologies such as solar bores or livestock supplements. These technologies can help in reducing methane emissions from livestock and other agricultural activities . Equally or if not more important, is the protection and improvement of soil health, which underpins ecosystem services and sustainable agricultural production. Practices such as soil carbon sequestration, and improving soil moisture retention, and soil drainage are essential for resilient soil systems. Continuous soil monitoring using consistent sampling procedures and laboratory analysis methodologies will help understand trends in soil chemistry and health, enabling more informed land management practices .
Building on these insights, sustainable farm practices also deliver long-term benefits for profitability and business success. By reducing input costs, improving soil health, and increasing productivity, they help future-proof farms against rising costs and unpredictable conditions. Just as importantly, they strengthen resilience to droughts, floods, and extreme weather—protecting yields and ensuring stability in an increasingly volatile climate.