Lush growth of rose clover, biserrula, arrowleaf clover, sub clover, serradella and medics in tropical grass pastures will feature at one of the nation’s best pasture businesses during a field day on Friday October 21.
George Avendano, recent winner of the “Light soil farmer of the century award”, for his innovative leadership in pasture improvement on soils not that long ago widely regarded as “poor quality”, and his wife Maree are hosting the event with ourselves.
The Avendano pastures are not only just spectacular in a good season like the present one, but are worth seeing any time any year. Top pastures are part of why Mr Avendano stresses that they have had some pretty tough seasons over the last 28 years, but nothing that has forced them to radically destock or rate as a drought.
A variety of winter legume species growing with their tropical grasses (2250 hectares or 5500 acres of their 3300ha property) reflects the variable soil types ranging from light acidic to medium loams and some heavy clay, some hard setting sodic.
“Towri”, Boggabri, the Avendano farm business, runs about 1000 cows with close to 100 per cent calving (facilitated by pregnancy testing). Offspring are routinely marketed at weights ranging from 450 to 700 kg/head to supermarkets, feedlots or other abattoirs, much depending on price as well as seasonal factors.
Key to the success of pastures, stresses Mr Avendano, is addressing low natural soil fertility, perennial tropical grasses that are long lasting, acid soil tolerant legumes and grasses, planned pasture establishment and sound grazing management. One can’t avoid that most of their soils were very low in phosphorus sulphur and nitrogen when they first purchased their land (with a gradual build up in area over their years on “Towri”). Sulphur and phosphorus deficiency have been addressed from day one and Mr Avendano stresses that single super added to legume pastures has been the cheapest way to address these production limiting elements.
Winter fodder crops are used to clean up country before sowing to tropical pastures as well as for winter feed.
Tropical grasses have been successfully established with few if any failures, testament to planning that includes eliminating summer weeds in the years before sowing (sound fallow management), correct agronomy such as species selection, shallow sowing depth, soil fertility and post-sowing grazing management.
While financial loans have been an integral part of “Towri” growth and development George and Maree Avendano have built their business entirely from income generated from their land and their hard efforts (including that of sons Matthew, Tom and Richard).
Perhaps an under emphasised aspect of the Avendano pastures is their grazing management.
It is based on flexible rotational grazing, not grazing pastures too hard, maintaining ground cover and allowing them to reach flowering whenever possible.
While winter legumes are depended on to build soil nitrogen, the Avendano’s sometimes add nitrogen (urea or sulphate of ammonia, depending on price) to boost levels to tropical grasses should dry springs reduce legume nitrogen contribution.
For anyone wishing to attend book quickly (essential for catering) via my email (below).
The field day aims to cover issues relevant throughout the state and not specific to Boggabri. Arrive 9am for a 10am sharp start. Morning tea and lunch provided.
There is a charge ($100 head) and numbers are limited. Details, re-directions will be provided after registration.
Next week. Action plan to prevent or overcome weed herbicide resistance.
- Bob Freebairn is an agricultural consultant based at Coonabarabran. Email robert.freebairn@bigpond.com or phone (0428) 752 149.
