Stipa Native Grasses Association
Presentations and conversations
Native Grasses in Action
Wednesday 22nd August 2007
8.30 am – 12.00
Large Caughley Room
CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems
Bellendon Street, Gunghalin (off the Barton Highway)
(Gregory’s directory – map 31, D7)
Please report to reception on arrival.
The Stipa Native Grasses Association promotes healthy, functioning landscapes and authenticates the
profitability of native grasses in farming systems. More than 400 Stipa members across Australia
incorporate native grasses as the basis of highly profitable pasture and cropping enterprises.
Modern agriculture is polarised between productivity and environmental stewardship with many believing it is impossible to have both operating simultaneously – it has to be one or the other. This conflict is causing landscape degradation as generating an income is paramount in an environment of diminishing returns.
The good news is there are other ways to make a living with the land and actually enhance biodiversity, improve landscape function and become more financially profitable in the process. Instead of operating in the competitive paradigm, the system of symbiosis is the model used; this means learning about, respecting and working with natural systems and cycles.
Agriculture doesn’t have to be a battle against the elements – it can be a satisfying, fulfilling partnership yielding higher margins and lower costs of production. The farmers and pastoralists speaking at this gathering enjoy telling their stories, sharing what they have learned and describing how their landscapes have been restored to health and prosperity.
Speakers:
The land’s trip to hell – an historical perspective by George Taylor:
George will provide an historical perspective of pasture management from white settlement to the present day. George has run a sheep grazing enterprise, based on native grasses, for 35 years. His philosophy has been to care for his land while being profitable at all times, including in drought. George and his son, Chad, are principals of the Mumblebone Merino Stud.
Pasture Cropping withColin Seis:
Colin pioneered pasture cropping – sowing cereal crops directly into native grass pastures and obtaining both good crop and native grass improvement. Colin is a sheep and cereal farmer on his property, Winona, Gulgong.
Social and economic implications of native grass management for pastures withMark Gardner:
Mark is a farm Management Consultant with some 15 years experience in Central West NSW. As part of his work, he has been collecting information on financial and social implications of native pastures for farm businesses. He is also an educator for Allan Savory’s Holistic Management.
Case Study– Fitting profitable grazing into natureby Sue Rahilly:
Sue and Patrick Rahilly own Alma, a beef grazing property east of Wellington. Sue will talk about their profitable pastoral enterprise and how native grass ecosystems are enhanced by good grazing management.
To deal with the effects of climate change, especially in agriculture, mental models have to adapt to other ways
of developing and achieving meaningful regenerative outcomes. We look forward to creating conversations
about how this can be and is being achieved in Australia. The implications are exciting.
RSVP Friday 17th August to: pennie scott – White Knuckle Marketing. Telephone 6259 7116 or 0427 44 11 07.
Catering by Bush Goddess Foods & Catering