Pasture Cropping and grazing in one land management system.
Courses were held in March and May 2009.
The following feedback was given by course participants.
I found the course interesting because:
- of the harmony of working with nature & Colin's enthusiastic presentation.
- new information and ideas, different perspective of how things may work.
- I continually run out of summer feed for stock. This may help.
- wanting to include some/all of these practices within our farming enterprise
- I learned more about the concept.
- course was practical, not high-tech. Presented by a REAL FARMER who relies on farming for a livelihood
- another piece of the jigsaw! A lot of practical on-farm advice.
- it answered a few questions that I have been trying to answer plus gave me someone to contact in the future.
- its all new to me!
- we plan to start pasture cropping
- lots of practical examples were used / explained in detail
- it re-affirms so much of what I knew but did not understand.
- it is a new concept to me which utilises the historical evolution of native species within a commercial farming framework.
- anecdotal evidence through experience is worthy knowledge. Good emphasis on wholistic approach to multiple enterprises.
- it affirmed what I thought was right = keeping native pasture
- can put it into my situation
- Colin is very knowledgeable and experience in this field. Also it gives us a starting point to go on with and a goal to achieve
- it showed me a way and brought up ideas that I haven't been shown by traditional farmers I've worked for.
- new ways of thinking and doing things outside the square
- I learnt new things and expanded on existing knowledge
- opened up - challenged my thinking
- it was about grasses and an outlook on how to sustain a better cropping progress
- I learnt a lot I didn't know
The training could be improved by:
- more relevance to MIA.
- handouts, which may have helped my note taking.
- looking at actual native pastures (difficult I know).
- excellent day. More information, but 2 day course coming, on-farm visit to areas where its all happening.
- Showing grass species.
- more information, but difficult in such a short time.
- more outdoor activity.
- displaying maps of the different regions discussed.
- a bit less on history and expanding on hows, whys and whens.
- a 5 minute refreshment or convenience break.
- some emphasis upon application to horticulture and irrigation areas. How could it work under these circumstances and enterprises.
- nothing. It was great. Would love it to be over 2 days.
- it was very good
- more time obviously - pre-reading
- more outdoor participation
The best part of the day was:
- the morning presentation.
- the questioning by course participants.
- understanding the concept, the lecturer was obviously a farmer and spoke at our level.
- found all of the day was beneficial.
- input and returns.
- practical on-farm advice coming from someone who has been there, done that.
- a look from a farmers eyes.
- was to see that it can work after time
- discussion on regenerating pasture - naturally without the use of chemicals.
- learning about the species of plants that suit our region, particularly in a 'climate change environment'. Increasing soil health through better management practices increases yields and bottom line profits / gross margin for our business.
- understanding soil and plant and animal symbiosis
- comparing the method with conventional methods and seeing the difference
- checking paddock
- learning more about soil health and CO2
- the discussion about grazing techniques
- the whole day
- paddock tour
- keep interest for all time - hard to do in seminar environment, subjects right timing
- the outdoor, putting theory into practice
- all parts plus field trip
One of the best things about the PC method is:
- it 'fits' with the best of both worlds, grazing & cropping & non destructive methods
- as a grazier I can get the benefits of cropping without the financial and management pressure of weed control.
- its cheap.
- working with nature and maintaining soil health.
- reduced input costs when cropping
- potential for available agriculture
- having livestock and farming in a mixed system - less stress and feed. Livestock become more compatible with farming system.
- soil health taking advantage of variable rainfall, low risk profitability.
- all year round production.
- lowering our inputs
- C3, C4 grassland species (understanding)
- benign and synchronous with natural cycles.
- easy to understand and follow.
- minimal input with great output. Also working with nature - not against it.
- soil improvement without reduction in productivity
- not having to spend a fortune to slowly adopt it
- the way it fits with nature and the overall sutainability of the method - especially in the long term.
- that there is good stock feed as soon as the crop is stripped
- modern thinking
- lower costs, improving the health of the soil
- increased production - less chemical costs etc - back to nature good for environment
- less inputs
The facilitator could be more effective if:
- no problems here.
- the enthusiasm & passion was certainly evident. I appreciated the go slow method of not to jeopardise the crops profitability in these difficult climatic and economic times.
- there was a restored pasture to view.
- excellent facilitator.
- the presenter covered enough for us to apply without confusing us.
- all OK. Great use of photos and past data.
- samples of grass species.
- it was difficult to go into depth of concepts in such a short time.
- he needs to provide more detailed notes and information to take home.
- Nil. Very good and natural.
- was fantastic, down to earth and practically explained his methods.
- though he was great
- he did extremely well
I would have liked to learn more about:
- more relevant to MIA climate and soil types + species of pastures
- Different native grasses and their role in the grassland cropping system. Can see this is a factor of observing on our farms the different seasons/management and role and the benefit of these different species.
- rotational and cell grazing.
- results of PC. More on native plan maintenance - grazing & cropping.
- would like to know more about it all, but was good for time frame.
- everything - two day course hopefully will reveal.
- teas and their mixtures and effective use of rates.
- how to control weeds at the early stage of change over.
- cell grazing.
- gross margins
- Grazing management & pasture cropping practices being congruent.
- practical examples of how different regions have used PC principles.
- other farms in our area adopting this practice.
- native species identification. Should do course!
- native grasses
- not sure, just more in general
- grazing
- soil biology
- rotation - animal side
- cropping
Other comments:
- thank you for the opportunity of the day .
- the class size was about right.
- thanks, good day. Keep opportunities coming for farmers to keep up-to-date and informed through training.
- Col touched on a huge range of topics - a 2 day course to follow up would be a huge advantage. Thank you for presenting a great amount of relevant information in an ever changing world.
- good course and I will recommend to others.
- Can't wait to give it a shot!! Great course and innovative way of farming.
- this was such an interesting and enlightening course. I am very excited about the prospects of PC in this area. Thanks.
- a bloody good day, every farmer and grazier should do this course.
- excellent, well done
MIA EnviroWise program has been made possible thanks to funding from the
Australian and NSW Government's National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality.
