Lots of interest in pastures – A recent Tamar Valley pastures field day at Hillwood which is to be incorporated into the MLA 3 year pastures demonstration project Issue
A Tamar Valley producer group is aiming to demonstrate an increase in farm
profitability by at least 10 per cent, through better pastures, pasture utilization and
pasture management.
The project, which is one of the most significant of its type ever conducted in northern
Tasmania, is being coordinated by Tamar NRM.
“A group of farmers in the Tamar Valley has joined forces to highlight what pasture
performance can do for red meat production at three different sites,” Tamar NRM coordinator,
Greg Lundstrom, said today.
“Funding of more than $73,000, for a three-year pasture demonstration site project, has
come from Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA).”
Tamar NRM submitted a funding application after talking with farmers and farmer
groups and identifying a need in the region.
“The project aim is to present, via demonstration, pasture species/cultivars and
innovative grazing management practices, evidence that the profitability of the red meat
supply chain can increase by at least 10 per cent, Mr Lundstrom said.”
Chairman for the ag-focused steering committee formed to drive the project, Piper’s
Brook farmer, Mr Ian Sauer, said “Producers will be invited to attend a number of field
days, looking at the progress and challenges as well as sharing their experiences with a
broader group of northern Tasmanian famers. Poor pasture performance impacts
animal health and production and results in reduced utilisation, negatively impacting
business performance and causes a range of sustainability issues such as, reduced
ground cover, soil erosion and weed invasion. This could be costing millions of dollars of
lost Tamar Valley production each year.”
Trials will be at Blessington, Beaconsfield and Hillwood, with some trials already
operational.
Tamar NRM coordinator, Greg Lundstrom
