An extensive monitoring program, native plant identification, and soil testing has helped producers across Eden Valley, Hutton Vale, and areas near the Barossa Valley in South Australia recover and sustainably manage native grass pastures that are critical within their livestock grazing systems.
Barossa livestock producers are hoping their bushfire experiences can help farmers affected by future fires.
The Barossa Improved Grazing Group (BIGG) have spent the past two years investigating the recovery of pastures after bushfire through grants from Natural Resources Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges and SA Murray Darling Basin.
Two autumns after fire devastated grazing land in the Eden Valley regions, BIGG monitoring sites have demonstrated strong resilience of native grasses, with 90 per cent of burnt grasses having recovered.
A field day hosted by the Barossa Improved Grazing Group (BIGG) last week educated Barossa Valley producers on identification and management of native grasses and the role they plan in native pasture production systems.
Pasture production plays one of the most important roles in any grazing production system. Pastures that complement our systems help to meet livestock production requirements through the season, spread the risk and ensure good NRM outcomes on farm.
