ON FARM NORTHERN CATTLE FEEDBASE f Take a long‑term view of stocking rates L ong‑term research into “With the drought we still had high wet season spelling and amplplant mortality rates, but this wasified by heavy stocking ratesNine steps for wet moderate stocking rates .” season spelling has shed light on how these Pasture recovery practices should be balanced to After severe drought, pasture recovery Monitoring stock and grazing improve on‑farm productivity. is also more dependent on stocking rates is important to achieve rates than spelling. effective spelling. Here are nine Since 2012, researchers from other tips for success: the Queensland Department of In the trials, areas which were grazed 1. Spell pastures as much as Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) at high rates were observed to have possible, without placing undue have studied the effects of spelling little or no rejuvenation, while there grazing pressure on areas which and stocking rates on pastures in was some pasture recovery with are not being spelled. MLA/DAF‑funded grazing trials on moderate grazing. ‘Wambiana Station’, Charters Towers. 2. Prioritise which areas to spell “You have to stock your country with based on pasture condition and The spelling project, which is located the long term in mind,” Paul said. the time since the last spell, but within the longer‑term Wambiana remember all paddocks will grazing trial, used 20m x 20m fenced “Paying attention to stocking occasionally need rest. areas for wet season spelling. After rates is going to be highly 3. Spell paddocks after 1 December spelling, these plots were opened up in ordinary seasons, or earlier in and grazed using the same stocking beneficial to the country rates as the rest of the paddock. going forward and will show exceptionally wet years. Ideally, paddocks should be spelled DAF senior scientist Paul Jones and you what your long‑term immediately following rainfall of his team are using these trials to carrying capacity is for 50mm or more. determine the impacts of grazing 4. The best results will be achieved and spelling and develop strategies viable feed management.” if paddocks are spelled for to manage pastures and reduce the the entire wet season, but this impact of drought. In regard to spelling, Paul said isn’t always realistic. As a rule although drought had affected the of thumb, the longer the spell, To date, the trial has demonstrated: results, they had encountered some • stocking rates greatly affect the surprising findings. the better. survival and regrowth potential of 5. Closely monitor paddocks which the more productive grasses “We were really surprised by the are being grazed – if these are growth of desert bluegrass seedlings being over‑utilised, progressively • high stocking rates amplify the in the spelled patches,” Paul said. open spelled paddocks to reduce damaging effects of drought, while grazing pressure. moderate stocking significantly “Although most seedlings died due reduces the impact of drought to the drought conditions, spelling 6. Paddocks should be opened • wet season spelling is beneficial and allowed some seedlings to survive. up based on their spelling improves survival of better grasses, However, this only occurred under priority levels, starting with but should not be prioritised over moderate stocking. low‑priority paddocks. managing stocking rates. “Established desert bluegrass plants are 7. Stocking rate is of greater very tough, and while they have been importance than wet season “The greatest learning from this trial stressed by the drought, hopefully we spelling because of its effects on has been that stocking rates are more will have some for the future. land condition, so always ensure important than spelling treatments in stocking rates remain at or below pasture management,” Paul said. “We’ve also seen that spelling is long‑term carrying capacity. “We observed the impacts of this beneficial in simply giving pastures 8. Although it takes second place to on desert bluegrass, a cornerstone a rest and helps overgrazed patches stocking rate, wet season spelling is pasture for beef production in recover and evens paddocks up again nevertheless essential to maintain northern Australia. with overall ground coverage.” ■ or improve pasture condition. “Under moderate stocking rates, Paul Jones 9. Good fence lines and water desert bluegrass tussocks had a far E: paul.jones@daf.qld.gov.au access are important for spelling – higher survival rate and were more developing infrastructure creates vigorous than those which were Cameron Allan opportunities to spell more areas. subjected to high stocking rates. E: callan@mla.com.au 16