Workshops to provide solutions for pasture rundown

Posted on June 4th, 2014

Pasture productivity and rundown solutions for graziers will be tackled in a series of workshops to be held by Fitzroy Basin Association Inc. (FBA) and the Queensland Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF).
Pasture productivity decline is affecting large areas of central Queensland, with declining grass yields, lower animal production and changes to pasture composition.
FBA Acting Chief Executive Officer Elyse Riethmuller said the free workshops will look at the causes of declining pasture productivity and discuss the options available.
“Healthy pastures are the foundation of all grazing businesses, however pasture productivity decline, known as rundown, is widely recognised in sown pastures, especially in buffel grass pastures,” Ms Riethmuller said.
“CQ graziers will have the opportunity to learn how to address rundown in sown pastures during the workshops, being held across the region from 17-19 June”, she said.
DAFF senior agronomists Stuart Buck and Brian Johnson will lead the workshops, giving graziers an opportunity to view a degraded pasture in-person, followed by practical solutions for addressing the issue.
Mr Johnson said when well advanced, rundown can reduce buffel grass productivity by 50 per cent, which effectively translates to a 50 per cent decline in animal production through reduced stocking rates.
“All sown pastures will suffer from rundown at some stage. These workshops will cover the signs of pasture rundown and focus on cost-effective and practical ways to address it,” Mr Johnson said.
The Queensland Government is funding the workshops as part of a three-year joint project between FBA and DAFF to help graziers implement practical and innovative strategies to improve pasture productivity and groundcover.
The workshops will be held in Blackwater on Tuesday 17 June, Bauhinia on Wednesday 18 June and Wandoan/Taroom area on Thursday 19 June.
For workshop locations and directions participants should RSVP to Joe O’Reagain by email joe.oreagain@fba.org.au or call 0427 572 200 or visit FBA’s website and view the event calendar.
Media enquiries: contact Samantha Hansen on 0417 273 695 or email samantha.hansen@fba.org.au.