Our Farming System

Knowledge of our surface geology, soil biology and soil mineral analysis is of paramount importance and was our starting point. Whole farm planning followed, allowing us to focus on  “ecological function”. The creation of ‘edge effect’ has increased our biodiversity.

Grass Species (33 KB)

• Planned Grazing of pure Simmental cattle and Merino sheep based on “Grathlyn” bloodlines. This has maximized recruitment of native grass species, forbs and shrubs. We have tried to maintain 100% ground cover, 100% of the time. Animal impact has and is being used for rehabilitation and soil conservation work. We are encouraging Dung Beetles as soil renovators and aerators. We use Alpacas as “guardians” during lambing and calving.

• Brewing “Compost Teas” for building our Soil Microbe populations and their function within our Soil Food Web.

• Fenced a laneway system and wildlife corridors interconnecting remnant vegetation and allowing wildlife and livestock movements between and across all farms.

• Native Timber plantings for: Bio security buffer zones; Livestock shelter belts; Hardwoods for agroforestry; eucalypt mallee plantations for carbon offsets and future plantings of Jatropha Curcas (Biodiesel Tree) for bio diesel production.

• Adopted “Pasture Cropping and No Kill Cropping” techniques for promotion of perennial grass recruitment; livestock grazing and cereal grain production.

• Established 4 ecological monitoring sites using ‘On Track Paddock Indicators'.

• Changed to solar and wind power wherever possible and established a weather station with anemometer to check for ‘wind runs’ and ‘wind speeds’ for future wind turbine electricity generation.


                                   We are minimising our carbon footprint.


Continual monitoring of changes and trends is occurring This is recorded and monitored through ‘PAM QAPlus Farm Management software with Pastures from Space’ and also ‘On Track Paddock Indicators' monitored for us by Vanguard Business Services.
 
We have found this system to be one of diminishing inputs with increasing production, and thus increasing profitability. 


We do not believe that Genetically Modified technology delivers any benefits but in fact causes far more problems.