Mix it Up! Dairy Resilience Field Day
Can pasture diversity be used to extend the growing season, improve soil or animal health outcomes, reduce fertiliser requirements… and help farmers manage environmental risks?
Is there a place for more multi-species and/or perennial pastures on your farm?
These are some of the questions South West farmers will explore at an upcoming Dairy Resilience Field Day hosted by Lower Blackwood LCDC as part of its Dairy Resilience Project, a national initiative led by Soils for Life.
The field day will take participants into the project’s demonstration site in Warner Glen, where we’ve set up a field scale trial of best practice ryegrass/clover and multi-species/perennial pasture strips (where we do the trials so you don’t have to!)
We’ll walk through paddocks showcasing different pasture species and hear from local agroecologist Mark Tupman and agronomist Graham Mussell about the benefits and challenges that multispecies pastures can present in productive dairy and grazing systems.
Rather than presenting a one-size-fits-all solution, we’ll explore how increasing pasture diversity can contribute to healthier soils, more resilient pastures and improved livestock performance, while encouraging discussion about how these ideas could be applied under local farming conditions.
We’ll also cover:
- Species selection and why
- The establishment of multispecies and perennial pastures
- Different nutritional approaches
- Grazing management of diverse pasture systems
- Relevant data collection on soil characteristics, forage production and quality, associated costs and farm resilience
Why should I go?
This will be a great opportunity to engage in discussions and knowledge sharing with presenters and participants around pasture productivity. It’s also a chance to check out a real world example of how multispecies work in our local context.
We’ll also look at a some of the other things happening at the farm this season, including plots where different biological planting treatments were used, growth responses from macro and micro nutrient foliar spray applications, and the planting of deep-rooted pasture species in low lying areas to reduce nutrient runoff.
The day isn’t just for dairy farmers – everyone interested in boosting grazing stock productivity is very welcome to attend and get involved in our debates and discussions!
Event Logistics
When? Friday 21 August, 10am-1pm
Where? Blackwood Springs Farm, 1220 Warner Glen Road
Cost? FREE. Light lunch provided
What Else? BYO refillable water bottle, hat, wear appropriate footwear and dress for the weather as it may be cold and wet!
This project is jointly funded through Soils for Life and the Australian Government through funding from the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program under the Natural Heritage Trust.
- 21-08-2026
- 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
- 1220 Warner Glen Road, Warner Glen 6288
Category
Organizer
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Lower Blackwood LCDC
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Phone
0410 743 151 -
Email
karen.tearney@lowerblackwood.com.au -
Website
https://lowerblackwood.com.au
Speakers
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Graham MussellAgronomist, Graham Mussell ConsultingGraham is an Agricultural Scientist with a broad range of experience in agricultural production and business management in high, medium and low rainfall environments. Graham has over 20 years of experience as an agronomist, advisor, farm manager, researcher and extension specialist, and through his business Graham Mussell Consulting, works closely with farmers and industry to improve productivity and efficiency.
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Mark TupmanAgroecologist, Productive EcologyMark Tupman is a consultant and educator in the fields of biological production, permaculture, regenerative agriculture and holistic land management, with an abundant backyard!
Over the last three decades, he has been actively involved in a mix of training, research and community projects, and commercial horticulture, livestock and cropping operations.
Aside from time spent on the ground, he is a regular speaker, advisor and content creator for various organisations around Australia. Through his business, Productive Ecology, he assists gardeners, farmers and companies to implement more economically and environmentally viable production systems, that are examples of what can be achieved by working with life.
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