Slippery slopes

EIGHT years of research on the steep hills has produced a guide for farmers aiming to make the most of their often unproductive slopes.
Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Researchers Zhongnan Nie and Reto Zollinger have developed several systems which can be applied to different steep hill situations.
Dr Nie said deferred grazing was becoming a popular way to manage marginal land classes such as steep hill country.
“Deferred grazing involves resting a paddock for a few weeks to a few months in the spring, summer to autumn period, depending on what the landholder’s aim is,” Dr Nie said.
“While rested the pastures produce a large quantity of seed which helps in the development of new perennial pasture plants.
The system allows producers to make the most of native grasses which have prevailed on the sometimes seemingly barren hills.
Dr Nie said native grasses were a valuable pasture component for grazing, especially fine wool production.
“Like introduced grass species, their productivity and persistence depend on grazing strategies, fertiliser management and weed and pest control.
“After eight years of research we have developed deferred grazing strategies with potential economic and environmental benefits for marginal landscapes such as steep hills,” he said.
Deferred grazing is often designed to match grazing timing or resting to pasture plants growth stage.
There are several types of deferred grazing which can be used to achieve different management targets.
Dr Nie said optimised deferred grazing was one of the most effective ways to change pasture composition through increasing perennial grass population and production while suppressing annual grasses.
“It is best used on pastures with at least 20 per cent desirable perennial species and a capacity for intensive grazing in pring, through land class fencing.
The animated series was made possible through support from the Farm Services Victoria Innovation Fund.