Nature’s Plough

Dairying produces vast amounts of residual water and effluent. To restrict nutrients from getting washed into water ways and onto pasture, Brian has put in two storage ponds just below the dairy. These ponds store the dairy waste which is recycled onto pastures during the summertime. A new dairy shed has helped Brian manage waste more efficiently and also makes milking easier on both the cows and the milkers. Brian also feels that both water quality and stock health improves when water storage areas and creeks are fenced off from stock. He has planted native trees along stream banks and in gullies to help prevent erosion.

The Enboms share their land with the Giant Gippsland Earthworm, which has made them more conscious about living in harmony with the environment. These rare earthworms are generally found along the stream banks and in gullies. Their habitat is particularly vulnerable to trampling by stock, and to the quality of water in the stream. You can tell if worms are present in an area by stamping on the ground: worms make a gurgling sound as they retreat down tunnels. In addition to revegetated and fenced stream banks which conserve the worms habitat, Brian also tries to minimise the use of fertilisers. In one revegetated gully, Brian has recently heard earthworm activity after a silence of nearly twenty years.

The Faster Creek runs through their land and joins up with the Powlett River, which is part of the Wonthaggi catchment area. This catchment is home to the Powlett Project, a major co-operative revegetation project. Farmers, Landcare, local nurseries and city people plant trees which are native to South Gippsland in a campaign to improve the landscape and water quality in the river.

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Brian and Evan Enblom plant trees which are native to South Gippsland

Brian Enbom with dairy calves

Giant Gippsland Earthworms

South Gippsland was once covered with a dense forest

Brian and Cheryl Enbom: husband and wife dairy farmers