A process for supporting natural resource management on farms : a case study in the Australian sub-tropical dairy industry

This research develops a process for supporting natural resource management on farms\ua0through a case study in the Australian sub-tropical dairy industry, stemming from an industry\ua0motivation for more sustainable and productive natural resource management. This process\ua0acknowledges farmer decision making and co-ordinates the way knowledge is generated and\ua0developed in the RDE&F (research, development, extension and farmer) network associated\ua0with the sub-tropical dairy industry.The research problem is defined as the need for better co-ordination in the way knowledge is\ua0generated and communicated, in order to support individual farmer decision making. The\ua0concept of adaptive management is accepted as an ideal in the way farmers develop their\ua0management practices. Adaptive management is enhanced by initiating a critical experiential\ua0learning cycle on farms, based upon information found relevant to farmers, and supporting the\ua0development of that information through the RDE&F network. The information from which an\ua0experiential learning cycle could be initiated was incorporated into a computer software\ua0package. The software evolved into a package containing information on indicators, practice\ua0recommendations and decision support tools relevant to irrigation, soil and fertiliser\ua0management.The research was carried out in an action research framework, drawing on a number of\ua0interpretive methodologies. Soft systems methodology is used to develop farmer relevant information, which is then incorporated into a computer software package through an\ua0evolutionary prototyping process. A second stage of the research uses participant\ua0observation to examine the current RD&E network for its ability to support adaptive\ua0management on farms in the long term.Evidence is presented that farmer relevant information can be developed using a methodology\ua0that incorporates farmer sense making through critical conversation and interaction, and that\ua0farmer relevant information can be used to initiate an experiential learning cycle on farm.\ua0Further findings demonstrate a potential for the current RD&E network to support adaptive\ua0management in the long term. This has implications for the development of recommendations\ua0in the complex field of NRM, and supports learning from change theories by showing how to\ua0facilitate learning by making it and experience relevant to the cultures of those involved