![Angus Gibson with a draft of lambs at “Tirranna”, Goulburn. Angus Gibson with a draft of lambs at “Tirranna”, Goulburn.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-agfeed/2078904.jpg/r0_0_1024_682_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
HAVING a season as luxurious as the one at Angus Gibson's Southern Tablelands property has meant the difference between buying stock to make use of surplus grazing or agisting it.
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For the past six years he and his business partner, Peter Brooks, have run a dual cropping system on 2000 hectares at "Tirranna", south-east of Goulburn.
The system relies heavily on a large number of livestock to graze their 700ha staggered cropping scheme from April through to August or September, depending on the season.
"We run a dual cropping system which requires a large amount of stock to graze and chew down our staggered sown canola or wheat crops," Mr Gibson said.
"In previous years we have traded here and there, but relied more on a very simple agistment system.
"This year we were able to purchase the fat lambs plus more because of the season."
Since March the operation has bought 4200 crossbred lambs, 800 Merino wether lambs, 600 young trade cattle (steers and heifers), 120 cows, and used another 250 weaner cattle from their own operations.
He said most of the stock were from southern NSW.
"Because of transport costs we try to purchase as locally as possible, but we can buy from all over the place" Mr Gibson said.
"We leave that to our agent Steve Ridley who sources and trades all of our stock."
Elders Goulburn branch manager Steve Ridley said farmers had been conservative when it came to restocking in the area.
"The numbers of sheep and cattle bought into the region are not hitting any highs except for a few isolated cases like the 'Tirranna' operation," Mr Ridley said.
"It is an enterprise that stands out on its own."