Catchment:

Northern NRM Region - Tasmania

Collaborating Producer:

John and Maria Weeding, “Weedington”

Location:

Near Oatlands in central Tasmania

Producer Group:

Tasmanian 8x5 Wool Profit Program

Site Co-ordinator:

Eric Hall
T: (03) 6336-5449

E: Eric.Hall@dpiw.tas.gov.au

Production and Environmental Challenges:

The challenge in this region is to maintain a high perennial component in an environment where low rainfall, cold weather and wind chill can significantly reduce pasture and animal production. There is little natural shelter in the region and lamb losses can exceed 50% under adverse conditions

Innovation being tested:

The 10 ha site will test an innovative system using new species of low shrub (Dorycnium) inter-sown with a new Spanish Cocksfoot. Both of these species have been tested in recent trials undertaken by the Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research. The shelter and browse shrubs and the new cocksfoot will provide high quality forage for lambing ewes and shelter from the wind.

Base pasture:

Naturalised pasture with some sown species but dominated by annual species.

Animal systems:

Ewes and lambs

Latest results: