Pathway to Productive Pastures | NSW

The 2021 Conference of the Grassland Society of NSW will be held at Mittagong RSL on the 20th and 21st July. The theme for the 32nd conference is “The Pathway to Productive Pastures”. The Society is excited to include a range of speakers to cover the process of maximising pasture productivity.

On day one there will be presentations on managing stocking rates and feed budgets, effective pest exclusion fencing, results from a lime and superphosphate trial site and a farmer perspective on improving a rundown property. Bus tours to farms in the region have been organised after lunch on day one to look at soil probes, exclusion fences and leading grazing properties.

To finish off day one, a dinner will be held at Mittagong RSL. The guest speaker, Lorraine Gordon of Ebor, will describe her journey in regenerative farming.  

The first speakers on day two will cover soil pH, fertility and the effects on gross margins of grazing properties. This will be followed by a discussion on the replacement or rejuvenation of pastures. The session will finish with a presentation by Peter and Cate Brooks from Princess Pastoral Company who have provided more than 6000 cattle and sheep to Woolworths in the past year, from three properties located near Berrima, Goulburn and Oberon.

The final session will highlight increasing soil organic carbon and the benefits this will make to the farm. There will be discussion on how farmers can be paid for the soil organic carbon. The closing presentation will outline how the red meat industry is working towards a target of being carbon neutral.

As usual, the Grassland Conference will provide an opportunity for liaison between researchers, advisors, industry and farmers. An event not to be missed. Early Bird Registrations close on 30 June. All registrations must be completed by 14 July.