THE FUTURE LIES BENEATH

What a beautiful rain! Boy, are Queensland Hinterland farmers spoilt! Yes I can hear it – why? Well in the 70s and 80s along the River Murray in South Australia where I grew up we had flood irrigation and the number of waterings was controlled by the EWS, that's what the government body was called then. Only 14 waterings per year, seriously an average of over just one watering per month were allowed. No matter what rainfall you received, and we were in a 250mm yearly rainfall!

I have travelled most of Australia and some places around the world and the Hinterland is gold for agriculture production. In my five years in this area even with the less than usual annual rainfall, it has so much potential to very productive. Sun, warmth, 12 month growing seasons and rainfall, erratic, but still better than 250mm/year that I grew up with!

We were forced to look at every avenue of trying to grow the most grass with the least amount of water including improving the soil to retain moisture. That's how we got into aeration, multi species cropping, electric fencing and dairy cattle that were efficient.

Regenerative agriculture, what is it? Before I define it, I just want to say that some are too philsophical about it. I am too but I'm a realist as well.

Firstly it was organic, then sustainable, now regenerative.

Call it what you like, the main aim is to develop and maintain a healthy animal/plant/soil health ecosystem. There are many ways to do it. Some purists may be offended but you may have to resort to spraying a chemical for weeds or till, only once, but remember humans have stuffed up the countryside over the last 50 years and we expect to turn it around in a year or two?

Some refer to Gabe Brown as a pioneer in regenerative agriculture but he also started with a clean slate in a way and with some fertility in his fields. How? Clean paddocks from years of spraying chemicals and synthetic fertiliser which did improve the soil to some degree. What his situation does prove that the soil can make a regenerative comeback from that conventional system of farming in a very short time. He has done it, so have I and so can you.

I'm not against organic but over the years I have come across vegetable farms and cattle properties that are certified organic. Well the cattle were “RSPCA type” cattle and the vegetables were almost rotten. You cannot be organic by default. It has to be about nutrient dense food.

Organic or not, inputs are needed to produce quality food. We don't want regen ag to go the same way.

So what is regen farming? Since I love cattle lets start with “regen grazing”. It's the paradigm of cattle and farm management via bio mimicry and a holistic approach. Now Allan Savory originally coined the term “Holistic Management” but the original concept had a flaw. Great to move cattle in large mobs on a regular basis but they need to perform as well. Genetic adaptation wasn't really taken into account to perform under these new conditions.

By working with herd animals instincts to graze in high density clusters for short duration in rotational patterns, many benefits are derived that work synergistically for the greater good of the herd and the soil. Manure is consistently deposited in the pastures as the animals are moved encouraging the symbiotic relationships between the cattle, birds, insects and plants to thrive in a balanced system that supports life.

A diverse use of cover crops provide high quality forage that keep the cattle thriving while improving the pastures with organic matter and bio diversity. This innovative sustainable farming approach offers a multitude of benefits that changes the entire conversation on how to manage cattle and other herds in a way that supports healthy ecosystem.

Next month:- Are you a slashing addict?

Stephen Nussio 0427 609 454 – advancerural@hotkey.net.au

"Fat roots... fat cows... fat wallet" ~ Jamie Elizondo. Photo by Stephen Nussio.

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