Sustainable Farming Practices for Improved Agricultural Performance

Peter O'Reagain, John Bushell from Qld. Dept. Agriculture, along with the Lyons family in Charters Towers, have implemented various stocking strategies and rotational wet season spelling to enhance animal production, pasture condition, and soil health. They have observed economic losses with heavy stocking but profitable outcomes with variable stocking. The focus is on achieving sustainable practices for long-term agricultural success.

• Sustainable farming
• Agricultural performance
• Stocking strategies
• Rotational grazing
• Soil health

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Uploaded on Sep 26, 2024 | 0 Views

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1. PeterOReagain & John Bushell Qld. Dept. Agriculture & Fisheries Charters Towers

2. Lyons family Wambiana Station Charters Towers

3. Objective :

4. (AE = 450 kg steer) 1. Moderate stocking at LTCC* (8 ha/AE) 2. Heavy stocking at 2 LTCC(4 ha/AE) 3. Variable stocking : adjust SRs in May based on available forage (3-14 ha/AE) 4. SOI-Variable stocking : adjust SRs in Nov based on SOI predictions & available forage (3-14 ha/AE) 5. Rotational wet season spelling : (6 ha/AE)

6. Measurements Animal production & economics Pasture condition & production Soil and water runoff Fire impacts Faunal biodiversity (JCU & CSIRO) Soil C & C accounting (DAF & DSITI)

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11. Heavy stocking Initially performed well but . Economic loss in many years (6 of 19) Decline in land condition & carrying capacity Increased runoff

12. Dec 2004 12 Dec 2006 Dec 2015

13. Moderate stocking

14. Variable stocking Profitable in most years (18 out of 19) Animal production generally good Some decline in pasture condition (still evident after 12 years)

15. Rotational wet season spelling Rotational wet season spelling Good animal production & $ performance Improved pasture condition (so far) More opportunities for fire Profitable and sustainable & getting better..

16. Recommendations 1. Flexible stocking rates based on long term carrying capacity 2. Applied in a risk averse manner i.e. slow increases, rapid decreases 3. Regular wet season spelling