Section 5 Case studies - Weeds Australia

Rotational Grazing: Robert considers that it is
important to graze pastures to maintain them.
But it is equally important not to overgraze. He
has implemented a rotational grazing system
that allows desirable grasses to recover and
‘thicken up’. He uses set stock grazing only
during specific periods, such as joining. He
“locks up” some of the paddocks on the hilly
country during the summer, utilising the feed
that has come up in following winter. He allows
the phalaris based pastures to be heavily grazed
through spring to utilize the growing green
feed while delaying seed set. He spot sprays or
chips out all emerging serrated tussock plants in
pastures used for rotational grazing.
Results
The strategies for pasture management and the
use of rotational grazing have yielded pleasing
results. Pastures are thicker, resulting in more
groundcover for stock in the long-term and more
competition for the serrated tussock.
The future
Robert notes that the most significant lessons
learnt over the past few years have been to do
with how to value the whole farming enterprise.
Robert notes: “My financial focus has sharpened.
I am deeply involved in valuing our losses (and
gains)…and how to value change such as the
impact of the sheep reduction due to acquisition;
valuing the cost of poor preparation (late ripping
for pines) and valuing standing forest trees.”
Robert plans to continue maximising his grazing
management and increasing his knowledge on
serrated tussock management by attending
further field days. He comments: “You need to
spend money in the right year on the right things
to make money”. However, he now believes it is
time to consolidate and assess the full impact of
his strategies to date.
Robert is especially pleased with the results from
his 10 ha trial site. When he rested the paddock
and allowed it to go to seed, the phalaris-clover
pasture competed effectively with emerging
serrated tussock. Only large tussock plants
survived which were controllable with spot
spraying using glyphosate or chipping. Robert’s
on-farm trials and results received second prize
in a competition held by The Grassland Society of
NSW.
The western hills that were not aerially sprayed,
have not been grazed with stock for five years to
allow direct seeded native trees to establish. The
native grasses have thrived during this time.
Robert’s rotational grazing regime has been
successful. Grasses have thickened up as
expected, and emerging serrated tussock plants
are being out-competed.
The compulsory acquisition of his land by the
Department of Defence caused delays in the
ripping and mounding of areas targeted for pine
planting, resulting in the loss of a significant
number of seedlings and the planting of more
than 10,000 new seedlings in the following year.
The best of the planted trees are now more than
two meters high and growing well. These older
pines (planted 1994−1999) seem to be having
the desired effect of shading out the serrated
tussock with fewer tussock plants setting seed.
The native seedlings planted by Greening
Australia have suffered over five years of
drought. However, those areas ripped and seeded
using the hand seeder are showing a healthy
growth of trees. The she-oaks and saltgrow
eucalyptus are also growing well.
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