Pasture trials to increase profitability and production in the Tamar Valley

Speaker Corey Hogarth at the pasture trial site the subject of the June 2nd field day at “Greenhythe” farm.

A ‘look and learn’ plan is being implemented in the Tamar Valley with the aim of boosting farm production, profitability and sustainability.

Four pasture trial plots have been planted under very difficult seasonal conditions, and a field day will allow producers to see a range of commercially available pasture species in action in the one paddock.

East Tamar Landcare Group, in conjunction with Tamar NRM, TFGA Tamar Valley Branch and Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture invite producers to view this pasture demonstration site established in Spring/Summer 2016.

Piper’s Brook farmer and spokesperson for the group, Mr Ian Sauer said it is all about increasing profitability, sustainability and improving pastures to a point that they deliver higher profits for the farmer.

“Surveys have shown 70% of Tasmanian pastures are substandard, this I am sure is replicated over much of the Tamar Valley, and so it is easy to see there is an opportunity for all farmers to dramatically increase production”.

“This really is about looking, talking and learning. Farmers never stop learning and that is why Australia’s farmers are amongst the most efficient in the world.”

The June 2nd field day at “Greenhythe” near Hillwood will be discussing the establishment of the trial plots, showing first-hand the challenges the site presented, and looking at how the pasture mixes of perennial ryegrass and white clover, tall fescue and strawberry clover, cocksfoot and red clover, plantain and red clover are establishing.

“Producers will be invited to join in the discussion, and we want to hear about other farmer’s establishment techniques, grazing regimes, the pasture species and mixes they use.” “A secondary focus of day will be to understand what landholders can do on their farms between now and summer to improve their pastures and utilization.” Mr Sauer said.

The day is supported by funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program. It is run at no cost to the attending producers and will feature locally grown Landfall Beef BBQ for lunch.

It is important to register for catering purposes phoning Tamar NRM on 6323 3310 or email tamarnrm@launceston.tas.gov.au or go to the website: www.tamarnrm.com.au.

Download details of next Field Day …

ETLG_Pastures_Poster_2June2017.pdf
Greg Lundstrom