Farm Management Systems

In late 2003 the Queensland Farmers’ Federation began to explore the applicability of Environmental Management Systems (EMS) to agriculture. The term "Farm Management System" emerged to collectively describe the various on-farm programs that member organisations were progressing to assist their farmers better manage their enterprise, natural resources, and farm workers.

Basing the concept of a Farm Management System on the principles of EMS but with wider application in areas such as quality assurance, farm productivity, and work place health and safety, QFF and member organisations set out to work on positioning Queensland’s intensive industries to develop and implement a comprehensive voluntary approach to rural land management.

The Concept of a Farm Management System
Fundamentally, a Farm Management System is about better business. Based on a systematic approach to agricultural business management, farmers can identify and manage risks and opportunities arising from their farming activity. Management attention is focussed on implementing recommended practices to address identified risks, then reviewing progress made against plans and desired outcomes.

The term Farm Management Systems Programs is a collective reference for programs being developed and delivered by QFF member organisations such as the cotton industry’s Best Management Practice Program and the dairy industry’s Dairying Better N Better for Tomorrow Program. Because programs have developed or are developing to suit and match industry priorities, needs and circumstances they have their own individual identities. More information on member organisations’ programs is available on their websites.

QFF’s Farm Management Systems Framework
QFF and member organisations have developed the Farm Management Systems Framework to enhance the individual activity of member organisations. Through collaboration, member organisations share similar design and delivery features of programs, facilitate the development of partnerships, and enhance the prospect of achieving efficiencies and savings.

Farm Management Systems Framework
Farm Management Systems Fact Sheet

Working in Partnership
QFF has set out to work with stakeholders, particularly the Queensland Government and regional Natural Resource Management (NRM) groups to foster an environment that supports and enhances the farm management systems initiative. Partnership work of late has also included the Australian Government and the conservation sector.

Significant partnering steps thus far have been the signing of Memoranda of Understandings between QFF and the Queensland Regional NRM Groups Collective and Queensland Government in June 2004 and March 2005 respectively.

The Queensland Government has recognised the potential of the farm management systems initiative and has assisted QFF member organisations through programs such as the Rural Water Use Efficiency Initiative and a number of funding grants from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Sustainable Industries Division.

The Australian Government has supported member organisations too, with the most recent effort being through the third round of its Pathways to EMS Program. Both Governments see value in the farm management systems initiative in contributing to the achievement of the objectives of the Great Barrier Reef Water Quality Protection Plan and the successful implementation of Regional NRM Plans.

Back