By carefully monitoring pasture cover, paddocks can be destocked at the right time, leaving adequate cover for protection over the summer months. Benefits obtained Tree planting in valleys has stabilised watertable rise within the valleys and provided a product where growth rates have been good at the change of slope. A dam with tree planting around it, which was previously saline, has freshened. However, watertables are still rising on slopes. More quality feed is available throughout the year with the use of perennial pastures and silage.
Tall wheatgrass provides green feed in summer and autumn.
Tree planting along the boundary of these paddocks at the change of slope and as alleys within the paddocks also provides good shelter for off-shears sheep. Monitoring the amount of feed on offer enables better use of feed grown and fertiliser applied, and excess feed from ungrazed paddocks can be stored as silage. Through growing and using more feed, providing shelter and using more water in valleys and at the change of slope, Roclea and Maureen are beginning to balance landcare and stocking rates. We are cropping more frequently on these slopes but there is little else I can do at the moment. This case study was supported by funding from National Landcare Program projects 'Revegetation strategies for Land Conservation Districts of the Western Australian wheatbelt' and 'Upper Great Southern Key Farmers Sustainable Systems Promotion'.