Supporting Site Details

Catchment:

 North East

Collaborating Producer:

 Graham Colson

Location:

10 km south of Wangaratta

Producer Group:

Warby Range Landcare group

Site Co-ordinator:

Jeff Hirth
E: jeffhirth@bigpond.com
P: (03 5726 5270
M: 0428 732007

Production and Environmental Challenges

Grazing systems in the North East have seen farming output and natural resources of the area deteriorate. Current knowledge suggests that if perennial pastures can be successfully maintained, established and grazed using the latest techniques they will deliver and demonstrate improved and sustainable NRM and farm productivity outcomes.

Innovation being tested:

 Improve the profitability of this paddock by:

• Adopting a deferred grazing regime on the higher slopes through land class fencing
• Improving productivity of lower slopes by increasing perennial pasture species—through resowing of phalaris based pasture 
• Demonstrating environmentally and financially sustainable grazing management

Base pasture:

Upper slopes contain native perennials spear, wire and wallaby grasses, but also considerable annuals such as erodium, cape-weed and barley grasses. Lower slopes are dominated by erodium, cape-weed, barley grass, but include some phalaris, wallaby grass, ryegrass and sub-clover.

Animal systems:

 Sheep