NSW Agriculture, Biosecurity and Mine Safety Divis : Science backs sheep producers

21 Jan 2014

A large-scale research trial in central west NSW is on track to deliver optimum grazing management options to sheep and wool producers as it enters its third year and another tough summer.

Productivity and long-term environmental benefits are driving the science behind the trial after NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) researchers listened to farmers and took their needs into account.

DPI research agronomist, Warwick Badgery, said the Australian Wool Innovation-funded trial compares rotational options with continuous grazing as it explores how to best manage stocking rates and paddock numbers for native and introduced pasture systems.

"Results offer an in-depth insight into the choices farmers can make to manage land and stock, including cues for moving animals in rotational grazing systems," Dr Badgery said.

"There are 11 different treatments in the trial, which simulates a spring lambing system where the stocking rate is higher through spring and early summer.

"Subject to the same conditions farmers faced, with dry springs during the last two years, we've seen the higher stocking rates have done it pretty tough going into summer.

"Farmers are limited to what they can try on their own properties and observe over the fence of their neighbours - in this trial we aim to fully explore as many options as are practical in terms of stocking rates and grazing rotations."

On track to deliver the facts farmers need to fine-tune grazing management, the trial has produced solid information on the diet quality, animal production and the profitability of different forms of grazing management.

Intensive and extensive measurements have been taken at two sites - Orange Agricultural Institute with introduced pasture and native-based pasture at Panuara.

Animal growth rates, condition scores, wool weight and micron have been measured, along with pasture quality and quantity.

Dr Badgery said the aim is to deliver the objective data farmers need to make the best grazing decisions to boost production and secure a healthy landscape.

"We're extracting as much detail as we can, right down to analysing faecal samples to work out exactly what sheep are eating and how feed quality impacts on production."

Animal behaviour is a key factor in the trial, and the Panuara site has provided valuable lessons on how sheep use variable landscapes and native pastures.

Researchers are due to report on production and economic results from the trial during a field day to be held at the Orange Agricultural Institute this March.

Media contact: Bernadette York 6391 3936, 0427 773 785