Farm Productivity

In the 1990’s livestock were the dominant enterprise. This relied on a productive pasture base. Three programs were initiated to improve the productivity of pastures in the catchment. The first was a push to increase the amount of deep rooted perennial pastures (1993 – 1998, funded by Alcoa), the second was to enhance soil conditions (1998 – 2003, funded by Wesfarmers and Meat and Livestock Australia) and the third was to improve grazing management (2003 – 2007, funded by NLP). All three programs were successful in building the skills and confidence of farmers in pasture management.

In the past decade there has been a significant shift in enterprise mix, with a dramatic increase in cropping as a result of commodity prices, drier winters and developments in agronomy and technology. Organisations like Southern Farming Systems (SFS) and the Victorian No Till Farming Association (VNTFA) and programs such as Grain and Graze have helped promote viable and profitable cropping and mixed farming systems in the catchment and are very important partners.

The new area of interest for the WYC Group is soil health. Investigations are currently underway looking at alternative fertilisers, biological products, soil acidity and changes in soil carbon and soil fertility under different management practices.

Grazing management

· Assessing and regenerating pastures after the drought

· Tips to making better decisions after the autumn break

· Herbicide treatment for the control or suppression of common pasture weeds in new and established sub clover – perennial grass pastures

· Calculating fertiliser, lime and gypsum rates from soil testing

· Maximising sub clover seed set and production in pastures

Soil health

· Evaluating alternative fertilisers and biological products for pastures and crops - results of the 2009 and 2010 seasons