Biodiversity building value for woolgrowers

A major wool industry field day in the Glen Innes region today has heard that important beneficial insect-eating bird species — including a number of woodland species that are declining further south - are returning to the region to provide a natural pest control service on farms.

The new research findings, presented by project leader Dr Nick Reid (UNE), confirms that the tremendous amount of tree planting undertaken across the region in recent years is having a significant positive impact to on-farm biodiversity for many woolgrowers.

More than 100 woolgrowers from across the New South Wales Northern Tablelands attended the ‘Biodiversity, Sustainability, Profitability’ field day held at Rob and Annabel Dulhunty’s property, ‘Nant Lodge’. The field day showcased how the Dulhuntys have increased their wool profits by increasing biodiversity on their farm.

Ms Karen Forge, Landcare Coordinator with Southern New England Landcare Ltd at Armidale, said, 'Participants have come from as far away as Walcha to see what the Dulhuntys have achieved, with members of the BOZO Landcare Group even organising a large bus full of people to come from the Walcha, Uralla, Armidale and Guyra areas.'

The Dulhuntys’ property is one of the key research sites in the New England region supported by the national Land, Water & Wool program - a joint initiative of Australian Wool Innovation Limited and Land & Water Australia. The Native Vegetation and Biodiversity sub-program of Land, Water & Wool is working with woolgrowers to show that biodiversity has a range of values, can add wealth to their business and can be managed as part of a productive, profitable wool enterprise.

Nick Reid is the project leader for the Land, Water & Wool Northern Tablelands Project, which is being conducted in collaboration with Southern New England Landcare Ltd, and the Centre for Agricultural and Regional Economics (CARE).

'This field day demonstrated to Northern Tablelands woolgrowers one set of ways they can integrate biodiversity into wool enterprises and increase profits,' he said.

'During the day, we were able to show participants Rob and Annabel’s healthy basalt hill country at ‘Hillside’, which was the inspiration for their redevelopment of ‘Nant Lodge’.

'And we’ve also been able to highlight the importance of farm planning to turn around profits and restore ‘Nant Lodge’s’ production and environment.'

One of the main highlights of the day was guest speaker, the Hon Ian McLachlan AO, Chairman of Australian Wool Innovation Limited.

Mr McLachlan officially launched three booklets detailing how three local case study farms — Jon and Vicki Taylors’ ‘The Hill’ at Kentucky, Tim and Karen Wrights’ ‘Lana’ near Uralla, and the Dulhuntys’ ‘Nant Lodge’ — have been able to achieve positive wool profit and biodiversity outcomes, albeit in different ways.

Participants at the field day also gained insights into the management of native and improved pastures, drought planning, the rejuvenation of tired farming soils for sown pasture production, native revegetation for shade, shelter and biodiversity, restoration of riparian zones, and the construction of farm water supplies, wetlands and water reticulation for production and conservation.

Speakers included property planning consultant, Bruce Gardiner (The Rural Block), who emphasised that maximum production means diminished profits and sustainability. Wool growers need to understand the difference between maximising production, income, profits and sustainability — they are all different.

Woolgrowers interested in obtaining a hard copy of the Case Study Farm Booklets should contact Southern New England Landcare on 02 6772 9123 or snelcc@bigpond.com.

[Click here](http://landwaterwool.gov.au/index.php?q=node/126) to download a free copy of the booklets.