Pasture to Pocket Training

A vibrant group of young farmers from Glen Innes and surrounding districts, including Inverell and Guyra took advantage of the Pasture to Pocket grazing management course organised by GLENRAC in late October.

Resource Consulting Services senior lecturer, Garry McDouall led the participants through the Pasture to Pocket course covering the principles of managed grazing, including plant and animal processes, managing for healthy animals, practical means of feed budgeting, and assessing carrying capacity for resilient properties.

Grazing charts were introduced as part of the course to provide a practical tool for monitoring stocking rates on each paddock, showing grazing and resting periods for each mob of livestock, and allowing an assessment of paddock yield and profits across the whole farm.

The course was well received by participants, with the field trip to Albert & Wendy Holliss property being a highlight. Many found the material challenged some of the current management styles with alternative options providing food for thought in the future. They also felt the course highlighted the importance of plant health and growth and the need to monitor graze length in each paddock and stocking rates, especially in dry times. Garry stressed the need to focus on what you want, not on what you dont want.

Four follow up events will be held with participants on topics of interest voiced during the course. These sessions will recap on discussions from the training, and to give participants the chance to delve deeper and work together to build on skills and knowledge developed through the training.

The Pasture to Pocket training was subsidised by a Community Action Grant from the Australian Government. Please contact the GLENRAC office 02 6732 3443 or email office@glenrac.org.au for more information.