The pages of this website under Land Rehabilitation (Erosion, Trees & Weeds) deal with correcting the management mistakes of previous generations. We are attempting to bring the property back to a more sustainable existence.
Management practices must take into account the seasonal and generational changes that are dealt to us by the weather and our immediate environment. We have little control over the weather but we do have control over our stock and the physical environment that they make use of. We have seen that the greatest damage to the natural environment revolves around the stock, on this property, predominantly sheep.
Sheep have the ability to eat the grass very close to the ground which can be very damaging to the grasses. Kangaroos, the native species that has evolved here do not have the same eating manner, they pluck from their surrounds rather than “mow” it short. Therefore it is very important that the presence of sheep are well monitored and that management decisions are made with fore-site before the damage is done.
The relative light carrying capacity of this country has its disadvantages where it’s extensive infrastructure of fencing, roads, stock water storage is spread over a large area. Alternatively, this can be an advantage where the stock parasitic worm concentrations, when they exist, are spread over a larger area and are far easier to manage with rotational grazing.
One of the more recent developments on this property used to support the production of wool from sheep and yet maintain ground cover is the implementation of the Purple Patch project. This was administered by Southern Rivers Catchment Management Authority. The aim of the project was to protect and increase the presence of medium to high value native grasses. This was done through the resurrection of 2,6 kilometers of fencing and the construction of 10,7 kilometers of new subdivision fencing and integrated stock water infrastructure, of troughs, a tank and 2,4 kilometers of poly pipe.
In all, an additional 13 paddocks were created where the emphasis was on keeping stock out of specific areas depending on the season and state of the pasture etc. The rotation of stock enabled areas to be rested so as to build up both the vegetable matter and the seed bank. The final “project report” can be viewed and the “project map” as well .