Making the Most of Good Seasons
Graziers are well-versed at managing tough times - goodness knows, they get plenty of practice - but how well-skilled are they in making the most of the good times?
Last week’s Desert Channels Group (DCG) / DEEDI “Making Money in Good Seasons” field day, was designed to upskill and inform landholders on how to achieve higher returns in both the short and long term.
A morning walk through Mitchell grass paddocks on Dunblane, Barcaldine, set the scene for discussions about the growth of Mitchell grass and other species common to these downs country, fire regeneration and improving stock rates with David Counsell of Dunblane showcasing the results of his successful ground management project, recently funded by DCQ.
Back in Barcaldine, after lunch, Peter Spence, DCG’s NRM Facilitator, took the opportunity to promote DCG’s next round of devolved grants to be released in early 2012. David Counsell shared more of his experiences, including tips on improving profits through stocking rates and spelling. David Phelps concluded the day’s programme with discussions about the theory and recommendations for managing stock rates.
Throughout the day, emphasis was placed on the importance and benefit of spelling paddocks to maximize biodiversity and productivity with stock.
“Making money in good seasons” Field Day, Dunblane, was part funded through the Australian Government’s Caring for our Country program.
For more information on the work of Desert Channels Group, visit www.dcq.org.au.
Media enquiries: Roelie Hartwig Ph: (07) 4652 7812 Fax: (07) 4658 0122 or roelie.hartwig@dcq.org.au
