Here you’ll find guidance on identifying planting opportunities, choosing species, creating a plan, protecting young plants, and understanding the productivity and sustainability benefits for your farm.
Summary:
Planting on farm (e.g. riparian margins or shelterbelts) can improve water quality, provide shade and shelter for cows and help reduce on farm emissions.
Creating a planting strategy for your farm
Identify areas for improvement and set clear goals to ensure planting supports your farm’s ecosystem and biodiversity.
Look for areas that need attention:
- Slopes or land prone to erosion
- Unproductive paddocks
- Places lacking shade or shelter
- Spots where you could boost biodiversity
Be clear on your goal – why you’re planting and how it helps your farm and local environment.
- Use native plants and trees where you can, especially for riparian areas or restoring bush fragments.
- Native planting helps wildlife and creates natural corridors for birds to spread seeds.
What you can do
- Investigate options for establishing riparian planting zones.
- Manage plantings to improve water quality.
- Use planting to help stabilise stream banks.
Create a plan
Develop a detailed planting plan, choose suitable species, and budget effectively to maximise benefits and survival rates.
- Make a simple plan: what you’ll plant, where, and why.
- Ensure that you are not planting when it is too dry or cold.
- Check for funding options like regional council grants.
- Planting can improve water quality, biodiversity, and provide shade for cows.
- Pick species that suit your farm. Ask your Sustainable Dairying Advisor for advice.
- Choose plants grown locally – they’ll thrive better.
- Contact your local nursery - they'll know which species suit your area best.
- Buying in bulk saves money, but plan for labour and timing to keep plants alive.
- Think about spacing, wind flow, and slope – different plantings need different setups.
- Even if you’re new to planting, a project manager will only be worth it if planting a significant area – so contact your Sustainable Dairy Advisor if it is a smaller area.
What you can do
- Review advice on how to select the right trees.
- Understand how to plant and maintain them.
- Enhance farm productivity and environmental outcomes, support biodiversity.
Protect your plants
Implement weed and pest control strategies to safeguard young plants and ensure successful growth.
- Keep weeds away so your plants have space to grow.
- Plan for pest control. Your council can give advice and tools to stop animals damaging plants.
What you can do
- Carry out release spraying once your planting is complete.
- Find out about tips and resources on safely controlling plant pests and weeds.
What's the opportunity for your farm?
Productivity, Profitability and Sustainability.
Productivity
- Shade and shelter can reduce stress on animals and improve pasture growth.
- Planting can prevent erosion and slips.
Profitability
- Healthier cows mean better returns.
- Stabilising erosion can save time and money in the long run.
- Customers value milk from farms with lower carbon footprints.
Sustainability
- Turn poor grazing land into planted areas.
- Riparian planting improves water quality and supports biodiversity.
Need help finding the right person to talk to us about planting? Contact us here
Customer Service Team
Our Farmer Support Team is available 24/7 for urgent help and immediate guidance.
Local support
The My Co‑op app has contact details for your local Farm Source team for more complex issues.
Chat in person
Your Farm Source store is there for local face‑to‑face support with our team. They’re always happy to help.