The Pasture Diversity
For Drought Defence Nature Project
This nature project is supported by the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund
The Objective
Second Nature is working with farmers across Australia and agricultural-dependent communities and businesses, to become better prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of drought.
This project employs the simple and well supported principle that species diverse pastures, growing throughout the year create healthy and biologically active soils. This in turn supports climate resilience and adaptability when rain is unevenly distributed across the growing season or in drought.
Farmers will be supported to incorporate a diverse mix of summer (c4) and winter (c3) active pasture species into existing pastures to boost soil health and resilience to drought.
Farmers will be supported to improve grazing management practices to ensure optimal plant recovery, healthy soil function, and water cycling in pastures, through all seasons.
Demonstration sites will be established with diverse species of pasture in both low and medium rainfall areas.
The project will provide two local pasture species diversity guides for SA Murray Mallee and Eastern Mount Lofty Ranges, 2 workshops, access to presentations and learning material and an online network of farmers across Australia
Further Details…
Key activities to achieve project outcomes include;
Demonstration Sites
Sites will be established in the SA Murray Mallee (low rainfall) and a second in the Eastern Mount lofty area (medium rainfall). Summer and winter active pasture species will be established and grazing management during the early years will be demonstrated.
Proven establishment options (including direct seeding, seed production zones and seedlings), will be used at these sites to allow for farmers to choose most cost effective for their needs.
Workshops
Pasture establishment and grazing management workshops at demonstration sites will provide livestock farmers with tools to manage pastures to maintain plant and soil health that builds resilience to drought.
Video Recordings
Recordings of workshops will be available to share with farmers across Australia, via our online farmer group.
A Pasture Species Guides
Produce pasture species selection guides for SA Murray Mallee Region and Eastern Mount Lofty Region (2 guides) to share with farmers in these regions
The Farmer’s Facebook Group
A dedicated online (social media) farmer group accessible to farmers Australia-wide. The program and its resources will be made available for access by the public and create space for online networking and support in group.
Nature Project Activity
