The establishment and management of perennial pastures in cropping systems can often be a trying exercise for landholders, especially through dry periods and seasons of variable rainfall, as is currently being experienced across the south.
The field day at Berrembed Station, Matong attracted over fifty landholders and industry specialists to experience first-hand the trials and successes observed by station manager Andrew Lloyd.
Engaging with the practical work of Mr Lloyd and his staff, Richard Hayes and Helen Burns, DPI officers, Wagga Wagga along with Frank McRae from Auswest Seeds and Harry Hosegood (Heritage Seeds) took the assembly through the various research opportunities revealed through the latest Grassland Society of NSW Pasture Updates.
The Grasslands Society of NSW host the Pasture Updates, which are funded by Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) and the field day was delivered in collaboration with NSW DPI and Riverina Local Land Services.
Berrembed Station is a 5,300ha mixed farming operation west of Wagga Wagga with frontages to the Murrumbidgee River and Bundigerry Creek, and the low country is subject to flooding which can be at time useful, but long periods of inundation does lead to lucerne pasture loss.
Alongside the ear-marked 2,200ha for the 2018 cropping program, 2,100 head of Angus are currently grazing the property including 750 calving females, so the establishment of enduring pastures is a priority for the station management.
Lucerne is the preferred pasture option for Mr Lloyd, for its persistence and productivity once established: but he is searching for alternative species to grow in some of his lower lying areas.
Mr Lloyd told his audience the medium-term plans for the property included the reduction in the cropping area to around 1800ha on an annual basis, of which 30 percent will be undersown with perennial pastures.
“We are planning on expanding cattle numbers and are aiming at calving about 1,000 females,” he said.
“The aim is to crop for three to four years before returning to pasture, allowing the operation to maintain flexibility and to be in a position to quickly adjust to changing markets.”
Although the risk of bloat in cattle grazing pure lucerne stands is a concern, Mr Lloyd noted stock losses have been minimised by feeding oaten hay when the stock are on lush growth, allowing access to grasses and native pastures, and moving stock when necessary.
“We try to avoid high risk situations,” Mr Lloyd said.
‘Sardi Grazer’ has been the preferred variety of lucerne, and he said a Phalaris-based pasture will be sown this year for the first time on Berrembed Station to assess its potential on low lying areas subject to flooding or inundation following heavy rainfall events.
- Temperate Perennial Pasture Establishment Guide is available here.