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DWE Home > Home > Across the state > Hunter > Natural Sequence Farming - Hunter trials

Hunter

Natural Sequence Farming - Hunter trials

Natural Sequence Farming (NSF) is a landscape management method developed by a Hunter Valley landholder, which claims reduced salinity, improved productivity and reduced on-farm water usage. DNR staff are assisting the landholder to undertake scientific trials. Central to DNR's role is the development of an 'approvals' mechanism which meets the legislative requirements governing these activities and assists the trial to proceed in order that NSF is assessed on scientific merit.

What are the aims of NSF?

The NSF approach, developed by Mr Peter Andrews, aims to improve stream health and floodplain sustainability via the rehabilitation of pool-riffle sequences or 'chain of ponds' type structures and inundating floodplain wetlands.

The principles that underlie NSF are that it will:

• decrease salt fluxes
• increase sedimentation
• increase shallow aquifer recharge
• decrease flow velocities
• maintain high water tables
• increase pasture productivity via effective subsurface irrigation
• increase soil organic carbon levels and the residence time of nutrients
• minimise soil erosion

How does it work?

The method involves installing a series of structures to ‘back–up’ water, creating a series of ponds. Intensive planting is carried out around the ponds.

The installation of the structures is aimed at directing flood flows out over the floodplain.

What is DNR's role?

The system appears to work on Mr Andrews' property, but requires quantitative data to back up the claims made regarding its effectiveness. DNR is working in partnership with the CSIRO, Southern Cross University, and the Australian University to answer these questions and develop the necessary approvals to allow the trials to proceed.