North-East Woolgrowers Lead Native Vegetation Research

A group of north-east Victorian woolgrowers is exploring the critical role of native vegetation management as part of a healthy and productive farming business through a research project aiming to improve wool production on farms.

The research project involves nine case study farms throughout Victoria, in the Springhurst region, the Ararat Hills district and the Maryborough Lexton region in central and western Victoria.

The landmark project will help identify productive, practical solutions for native vegetation management, incorporating the commercial aspects of wool growing and sheep breeding, according to project leader, Jim Moll, a senior agribusiness analyst with the Department of Sustainability and Environment at Benalla.

“Productive management of native vegetation is an increasing priority for many woolgrowers,” Jim said. “Many Victorian growers manage their native bush/scrubs or native grasslands differently to other areas of their farm because they perceive there is environmental and production benefits.”

Matthew Allen, Rocky Point Merino stud, Byawatha, is one of three woolgrowers involved in the project in the Byawatha/Springhurst region. A fourth generation woolgrower and sheep breeder, Matthew has embraced the project to help ensure his farm remains sustainable for future generations.

Matthew and his wife Mandy and three young children farm 1000 hectares at Rocky Point, running 4500 Merino sheep. Matt’s father Rex is also actively involved in the management of the farm. The sheep flock (average 19.5 micron) includes a stud nucleus of 700 ewes, 1100 flock Merino ewes, 600 ewes joined to Border Leicester rams for first cross lamb production and 1000 Merino wethers.

“Our attitude is that the farm has to be sustainable in every sense of the word,” Matthew said. “That means in terms of profitability and environment, which also includes diversity of life across the property. It’s a responsible approach so that hopefully if the next generation wants to keep farming, it is available as a truly sustainable enterprise.”

For the three case study farms in the Springhurst region, the first part of the project involves an extensive property appraisal covering agronomic and financial analysis as well as the mapping of landforms and native vegetation. The appraisal is formed utilising satellite imagery, on-farm visits by a variety of specialists such as botanists and agronomists and detailed discussions and interviews with the property owner.

Jim said once an accurate picture of the farm has been mapped and an assessment of its financial, productivity and native vegetation status made, then it’s a matter of formulating a plan of action that fits in with the woolgrower’s goals.

“After the initial appraisal, we will have an accurate picture of what native vegetation is on the farm. Then we can start to work out how that fits in with a vision of what the landscape could look like in the future, combining the woolgrower’s goals and practising sustainable management of native vegetation.

“What’s unique about this project is that it has to fit in with the farmer’s personal, productivity and profit goals. First and foremost, the research has to consider maintaining a commercial wool growing enterprise.”

Matthew said he has instigated several forms of sustainable land management in the past but nothing as substantial as the Land, Water & Wool research. One aspect of the project that Matthew enjoys the most is the healthy discussion between farmers and the various specialists involved in the project.

“It’s an exciting time and a great learning curve to have a mix of people from botanists, agronomists and other specialists in their field visiting the property and working towards finding a balance between productivity and biodiversity,” Matthew said.

“We are starting to accomplish things that will make a difference in the long-term. As far as I am concerned, the more help you can get and the more relevant information you can take in, the better. It helps you achieve your goals much more quickly.”

First published November 2003. For more information go to the Native Vegetation and Biodiversity Sub-program.