Southern Victoria
Hamilton
The Proof Site at Hamilton is studying the effect of different pasture and animal systems on pasture and animal production, lamb survival and water use. This site is also comparing the impact of sheep versus cattle on different pasture systems.
The challenge
Over the past 100 years, the pasture base in South West Victoria has changed from native perennials to a mix of annuals and winter active perennials. However, many sown pastures contain less than 30% perennials and are dominated by annual grasses. Also, there is intense competition from annual cropping systems that are seen to be more profitable than traditional grazing systems.
Research overview
Economic and biophysical modelling and consultation with producers indicates that there is potential to substantially increase profit from livestock production while reducing groundwater recharge by matching pasture species to soil type. Most farms in the region have soils that vary from well drained on crests to water logged on valley floors but to date there has been little attempt to use this variability to advantage.
EverGraze future farming systems at Hamilton are growing the best pasture on the most appropriate soil type to reduce recharge and increase profit.
Lucerne on well drained soils and tall fescue on the clay flats have the potential to reduce recharge by 80 mm/yr and 60 mm/yr respectively compared to ryegrass pastures.
Three pasture systems are being compared:
- Perennial Ryegrass – 3 different cultivars used matched to soil type
- Triple pasture system – Lucerne on crests, ryegrass on slopes and tall fescue on valley floors
- Novel pasture system – Chicory on crests, Italian ryegrass on slopes and kikuyu on valley floors.
All pastures are sown with subterranean and white clover and operate under a high fertility regime.
The pastures are grazed by high performance merino ewes mated to a terminal sire and lamb in September.
Weaner cattle are compared to the ewes on both the Perennial Ryegrass and Triple Pasture systems. The spring born weaners enter the plots in March each year and are grown out to 450kg for feedlot entry.
EverGraze is measuring key water, pasture and livestock inputs and outputs of the systems to enable further economic and recharge improvements to be made, as well as allowing prediction of the impact of farm management change on catchment outcomes.
Site Leader is Ralph Behrendt, DPI Victoria
T: (03) 5573 0979
E: ralph.behrendt@dpi.vic.gov.au or contact us online click here
More information from the Southern Victoria Proof Site brochure
|
