Rotational grazing has long been an area of debate. Ask a group of land managers what the optimal rotation period is and chances are you’ll get answers ranging from 20 to 200 days. With so many variables in play and little research in the area it is easy to understand why confusion reigns.
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With this in mind, NSW Department of Primary Industries research agronomist Dr Warwick Badgery has been conducting a trial at Orange investigating various grazing management strategies and their impact on sheep production, profitability and sustainability.
“One of the aims of the research was to provide information for producers who are planning on changing or have changed their management to an intensive rotational grazing system,” Dr Badgery said.
With this latest information now available South East Local Land Services in conjunction with NSW DPI are inviting graziers to attend a seminar at Crookwell on how grazing management influences pastures and livestock performance.
The seminar, which will run from 9:30am to 12:30pm on Monday, May 8, will have representatives from both organisations covering topics:
- Where does grazing management fit into the farming system? (P Graham NSW DPI)
- What we know and still need to know about managing sustainable grazing systems (W Badgery NSW DPI)
- Worm management – what role does grazing management play? (B Johnson South East Local Land Services)
- Breeding lamb – future challenges and opportunities (A White NSW DPI)
In analysing the initial findings of his research, Dr Badgery has found that a fast rotation with an average rest period of 60 days was the most profitable and sustainable. Interestingly, at lower stocking rates (7 DSE/ha) continuous grazing was able to deliver the same benefits in terms of production and sustainability.
To register and for further information, please contact South East Local Land Services Goulburn on 4824 1900 or michelle.borland@lls.nsw.gov.au
