INTEREST in livestock has re-surfaced as rising meat prices coincide with poor seasons, high input costs and weaker grain prices. But how do animals fit in the no-till cropping systems which are so popular in Western Australia?
This question has been answered, in part, by a review funded by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and carried out by Curtin University and the Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA).
The study has found that, although cropping a greater area increased net farm income and return on assets, the variability of income decreased as stock numbers went up, particularly where livestock contributed a significant proportion of income.
Lead researcher James Fisher says the study included a review of scientific reports, focus groups with farmers running mixed operations and an economic analysis of mixed enterprises.
“A lot of growers moved out of livestock into cropping in the 1990s because of poor wool prices and better returns from cropping. A survey conducted in 2008 showed almost nine out of 10 grain growers in WA regions were using no-till farming practices,” Dr Fisher said.
“The renewed interest in livestock raised questions about their impact on soil structure, ground cover and nutrient redistribution; the aim of our report was to identify management options, knowledge gaps and opportunities for future research.”
The scientific review examined research papers, reports and technical bulletins. Focus groups involving 39 growers were conducted at Kojonup and Northam in Western Australia as well as in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.
Consultants from the northern and southern wheatbelts of Western Australia, South Australia and western Victoria provided information regarding case studies of farming systems within their areas that utilised no-till cropping technology.
“It’s probably no surprise that we didn’t come up with a definitive answer to whether livestock can be successfully integrated into no-till cropping systems,” Dr Fisher said.
“There are pros and cons, and it depends on factors such as the perceptions and interests of the growers as well as land capability. The challenge is to increase the positives of running stock while minimising the negative aspects.
“The two major limitations of livestock in no-till systems are the removal of ground cover (crop residues) and soil compaction. However, these may be managed through rotational grazing and close monitoring of paddock condition.”
Dr Fisher says stock supply some nutrients, principally nitrogen, thereby increasing biological activity. And the scientific review revealed that the downside of having concentrated patches of nutrient distribution appears to have been over-stated.
Grazing can provide another option for integrated weed management, particularly for farms with herbicide resistance, although care is needed to prevent the spread of seeds through faeces.
Dual-purpose crops that can be grazed in the early stages of grain production are seen as a useful and profitable means of integrating cropping and livestock. However, the research suggests the need to develop more specifically-bred cultivars, particularly for medium and low rainfall zones.
“Although not true for every farm we looked at, it was common for farm income to be less variable for mixed farmers, perhaps because livestock provide some return in most years regardless of rainfall,” Dr Fisher said.
“Many of the growers we spoke to also made more money from a pasture phase than from alternative break crops like legumes.
“These factors, and the personal preference of farmers, mean that livestock are likely to continue to find a place in most mixed farms, especially if meat prices remain strong.
“This is despite the finding that the return on assets increased as the percentage of livestock income decreased.
“Further gains are likely to be made from improved management of grazing practices, attention to the management of pastures, a move away from the ‘stock and forget’ approach to sheep management and the implementation of precision livestock technologies.
“However, growers have to be prepared to put in the same level of attention to detail required for rotational grazing or confinement feeding as is currently applied to cropping,” Dr Fisher said.
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