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East Gippsland Branch
Red Gum Plains Sustainable Stocking Rate and Pasture Management Trial
Emu Park, Fernbank, East Gippsland
Funded by National Landcare Program
Supported by East Gippsland branch of the Grasslands Society of Southern Australia,
Bairnsdale BESTWOOL/BESTLAMB, Tom’s Creek Landcare Group
October 2007 Update and Results
A lot has been happening at the trial site with the major highlights being:-
· The monthly result collection started on the 13th July 2007 and happens the first Monday of every month, and committee members strongly encourage interested farmers to attend these monthly sessions, beginning at 10am each day.
· The committee and a team of helpers have enthusiastically collected sheep weights, sheep condition scores and green pasture mass each month. Other results that have also been collected over the past 3 months have included:- pasture composition, plants per square metre and feed test samples.
· Lisa Warn sits patiently by the phone the first Monday of the month to interpret the pasture and sheep figures. From this information Lisa then calculates the increased wether numbers that are required to be in each paddock to utilise the feed that is available (see results below).
· We are already seeing increases in carrying capacity for the sown perennial pastures relative to the annual pasture (control), and seeing additional benefits from rotational grazing relative to set stocking. With the early autumn break, we have struggled to keep up with the pasture growth and have adjusted stocking rate, upwards, several times already.
· The pasture rotation for the 3 treatments that have subdivisional fencing is currently on a 30 day rotation.
· More regular results updates can be viewed on the Grasslands website, and for a discussion and presentation of what has transpired so far, come to the field day on the 5th Nov 2007 from 2pm.
Table 1. Recent trial results taken on the 1st October 2007.
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PADDOCK NO. (ha)
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Treatment
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Current Stocking Rate
1/10/07
(wethers/ha)
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Average Pasture Mass
(kg Dry Matter)
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Average Sheep weight
(kg)
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Average Condition Score
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1 (5.0ha)
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Control – annual pasture
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14
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1400
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61
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4
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2 (6.8ha)
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Maintenance P/ Set stocked
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16
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1300
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61
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4
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3 (6.94ha)
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Maintenance P/4 pdk Rotation
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19
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3300
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61
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4
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4 (6.8ha)
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High P/4 pdk rotation
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20
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3200
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59
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4
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5 (6.9ha)
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High P/10 pdk rotation
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21
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3200
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60
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4
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Something to think about is the “use of nitrogen to boost spring feed” Lisa Warn’s recent article in the Mackinnon Newsletter outlines the use of nitrogen fertilisers to increase the amount of spring pasture grown to reduce the risk of having inadequate carry-over feed coming into summer. If your improved pastures are still actively growing and you still have soil moisture, then it is not too late to get a response. Note: If you are interested in getting the article/newsletter please contact The Mackinnon Project for subscription enquires talk to Pam Leslie on 03 9731 2225.
Lisa will also be presenting more detailed trial results, nitrogen use for pastures, feed budgeting and having a pasture walk at the upcoming field day on the 5th November 2007 starting at 2pm (Please register with Shaun if you are attending).
If you know someone who may be interested in receiving periodical email updates from the Redgum Plains Sustainable Stocking Rate & Pasture Management Trial, contact Julianne.Sargant@dpi.vic.gov.au
Redgum Plains Sustainable Stocking Rate & Pasture Management Trial Committee
Contact:
Shaun Beasley ph 0427 707527
Andrew Sheridan ph 0427 419014
Craig Bush ph 0427 943155
Rick Robertson ph 0407 777516
To find out more download the project brief - Click here
East Gippsland GSSA Branch Contacts
President |
Simon Hunt Email: simonh@stephenseeds.com.au |
Secretary |
Leo Hamilton Email: leohamilton@net-tech.com.au |
Treasurer |
Richard Churchley Email: richardchurchley@netspace.net.au |
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