Offered Papers Theme C: Delivering the Benefits from Grassland
Description
n Southern Australian sheep and beef farmers have been slow to adopt technology related to grazing management and pasture utilisation despite clear evidence of a strong link between utilisation (stock per ha) and profitability. Between 1971-95, the average stocking rate on farms was 10-12 dry sheep equivalent per hectare (dse/ha) (Anon 2004). Results from the Hamilton Long-term Phosphate Experiment (Cayley et al., 2002) show higher pasture production, herbage digestibility, stocking rates and profitability as phosphorus fertiliser applications increase. In 1993, the Grassland Productivity Program (GPP) started in the winter rainfall areas of southern Australia (Trompf & Sale 2000), initiated by the Grassland Society of Southern Australia, funded by the wool industry. In brief, groups of 4-6 farmers were assisted by experienced advisors to compare current management practice in one paddock with productive pasture technology (PPT) in an adjacent paddock. PPT consisted of appropriate fertiliser application; pasture manipulation to balance grass and legume content and higher stocking rates to ensure utilisation of the herbage grown. Over 300 farmers participated in GPP between 1993-2003. This paper reports the impact on the grazing industry 10 years after PPT was introduced.
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Farmer Adoption; Ten Years of Productive Pasture Systems in Southern Australia
n Southern Australian sheep and beef farmers have been slow to adopt technology related to grazing management and pasture utilisation despite clear evidence of a strong link between utilisation (stock per ha) and profitability. Between 1971-95, the average stocking rate on farms was 10-12 dry sheep equivalent per hectare (dse/ha) (Anon 2004). Results from the Hamilton Long-term Phosphate Experiment (Cayley et al., 2002) show higher pasture production, herbage digestibility, stocking rates and profitability as phosphorus fertiliser applications increase. In 1993, the Grassland Productivity Program (GPP) started in the winter rainfall areas of southern Australia (Trompf & Sale 2000), initiated by the Grassland Society of Southern Australia, funded by the wool industry. In brief, groups of 4-6 farmers were assisted by experienced advisors to compare current management practice in one paddock with productive pasture technology (PPT) in an adjacent paddock. PPT consisted of appropriate fertiliser application; pasture manipulation to balance grass and legume content and higher stocking rates to ensure utilisation of the herbage grown. Over 300 farmers participated in GPP between 1993-2003. This paper reports the impact on the grazing industry 10 years after PPT was introduced.
