Regenerating Pastures With Grazing Livestock
Minimal stocking and vast amounts of rest in the three years prior to arrival resulted in an ocean of Coolatai grass covering the 454ha of the GO. Walking the area 6 times pre purchase an estimated average of 5,000 kg DM/ha covered the area and over 95% of the groundcover vegetation was Coolatai grass. One did not need to exceed the number of fingers on both hands to count the number of native grass plants apparent on those initial walks.
In all my time looking at and assessing pastures I still vastly underestimated the low quality of the pasture present.
The diversity of soil types and trees present indicated the huge potential of the area to support a great diversity of grasses and forbs. It was pleasing to soon see the appearance of Queensland bluegrass, redgrasses, native sorghum, wallaby grasses and many more appearing. With the recent summer rain the diversity and distribution of desirable pasture species has increased, and the quality of the Coolatai grass is improving. Although there is still a long way to go.
In all my time looking at and assessing pastures I still vastly underestimated the low quality of the pasture present.
The diversity of soil types and trees present indicated the huge potential of the area to support a great diversity of grasses and forbs. It was pleasing to soon see the appearance of Queensland bluegrass, redgrasses, native sorghum, wallaby grasses and many more appearing. With the recent summer rain the diversity and distribution of desirable pasture species has increased, and the quality of the Coolatai grass is improving. Although there is still a long way to go.