Farmers have the chance to better understand the nuts and bolts of grazing management during a two-day workshop in August.
Organiser Neil James from Agriculture Victoria said the workshop would begin with the key principles of grazing management.
“Participants will be challenged to think about both livestock and pasture management objectives and the impact their decisions have on productivity, natural resource management and existing farm management,” Mr James said.
He said farmers are asked to express their interest now for the two-day course, planned for August. Topics include principles of grazing management and balancing the needs of pastures and livestock, management of species relevant to the region (such as native pastures, lucerne and phalaris) and manipulating composition with grazing; the benefits of grazing strategies such as native or introduced species and outcomes from relevant grazing management experiments; and completion of a seasonal management plan and farm map.
Mr James said both workshop days included paddock walks for practical application of the topics discussed.
“This will be a great chance to brush up on the nuts and bolts of grazing while learning some new skills and information to improve grazing management,” he said.
Shane Dellavadova, who completed Nuts and Bolts of Grazing Strategies in the Maryborough region two years ago, said he wholeheartedly recommended the course. “It was very informative and reassuring about our grazing systems,” he said.
“Since completing the workshop we have gone ahead and fine-tuned all our grazing strategies on farm.”
Farm manager Dean Lanfranchi said the cost of between $120 -$180 per business per day made it a very affordable training program.
Contact Mr James on (03) 53366620 or 0417353929 or email neil.james@ecodev.vic.gov.au
