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Meeting livestock needs while making the most of saltbush
Exploring the limits of saltbush productivity while looking after livestock condition will be the theme of a field day in the Upper South East this month.
The field day, supported by the Coorong District Local Action Planning Committee, SARDI and Productive Nutrition, will provide new insights on how to get the most from saltbush without compromising both the condition of grazing animals and the long term productivity of stands.
The timely field day to be held April 16 2010 near Coomandook and Peak, will explore ways to fill the current Autumn feed gap, and will feature interesting demonstrations and trials.
Dr Greg Sweeney said saltbush has gained favour as a hardy perennial forage at critical times, but its ongoing value depends on striking the right balance between meeting livestock needs and effective use of stands.
“Producers will see the effects of different grazing intensities, understorey plantings and shrub combinations, and learn about the importance of supplements in balanced use of saltbush stands” he said.
“Speakers in the program will draw out the options for feed supplements, companion forages growing in the understorey, and grazing management that balance livestock production, and sustainable use of saltbush stands,” he said.
The speaker program includes well-regarded animal nutrition expert, San Jolly of Productive Nutrition, along with researchers from SARDI’s pasture team.
Dr Sweeney said that managing strong differences in preferences by livestock for saltbush and other companion forages is a significant challenge.
“We’ll also look at the choices producers can make to optimise productivity in ewes, which can mean paring back intense grazing on salt bush and increasing supplements during pregnancy.”
The program would include demonstrations of:
- the effects of cell-grazing versus set stocking
- different inter-row forages and shrub combinations on shrub use and animal condition
- the critical role of supplements in exploiting saltbush productively
- pruning options for recovering overgrown saltbush stands.
The field day, on Friday April 16 10am- 4pm will start from the Mount Russell Shearing Shed, on the corner of Flowery Plain Road and Peters Road (6km north of Coomandook).
The Coorong Forages Program is supported by the Coorong District Local Action Plan Committee and SARDI, is funded by the Federal Government’s Caring for Our Country program, and collaborates with the Future Farm Industries Cooperative Research Centre Enrich program.
Further information: Greg Sweeney (08) 8303 9683, greg.sweeney@sa.gov.au
Download field day flier (PDF)
Please note: To download a high resolution photo of the sheep click on the sheep photo.
