Mosaic Map: NRM funded projects
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Grazing for profit in Cowra
On a property 20 kilometres outside of Cowra in New South Wales, farmers are successfully using stock to manipulate their pastures.
Funding
Gus and Anna Hickman have improved their farm's grass mix and lowered production costs through a project funded with more than $26,000 from the Australian and State Governments. The funding was provided through the Lachlan Catchment Management Authority (CMA).
Activities
"We're using a rotational grazing system to holistically manage our property. We use livestock to target various plants species to improve the grass with a view to eventually gaining 100 per cent ground cover," Gus said.
"We're getting Warrego grass, more red grass and a good mix of different self-seeding grasses now."
Lachlan CMA Officer Kieran Hawker said a well-managed rotational grazing system can provide a number of benefits.
"As well as maintaining and sustaining the pasture's health, the long-term goal is to ensure there's a good level of pasture cover throughout the year," Kieran said.
"The advantages are that - as well as looking after the environment - there are positive production outcomes in the form of improved feed and, ultimately, greater net returns from the farm."
Cattle and sheep are grazed in large mobs over a number of smaller paddocks for a short period of time, which may be as little as three days. After paddocks have been grazed they may be rested for anywhere from 30 to 120 days depending on climatic conditions.
The stock tends to graze evenly across a paddock, giving them less time to overgraze the more desirable pasture species. An extended rest period between grazing rotations also provides time for these desirable species to recover and compete with those species that may be considered less productive.
"The aim is to use the stock as a tool to manipulate pasture composition and encourage a mix of desirable perennial pasture species that are winter and summer active," Kieran said.
"This helps ensure permanent groundcover can be maintained and there is efficient use of rainfall because the mix of summer and winter activity means rain is being used when it falls.
"Over time the health of the soil improves, salinity is controlled and the diversity of pasture species is improved."
More information
- Kieran Hawker, Lachlan CMA Officer: (02) 6341 9307
- Lachlan CMA website: www.lachlan.cma.nsw.gov.au
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