Developing sustainable grazing management's systems for the semi-arid tropics of the Northern Territory

Summary

The objective was to ensure by 2001,that throughout the VRD and Sturt Plateau regions:

The majority (>65%) of pastoral land managers have an increased understanding and knowledge of local pasture communities and basic grazing ecology and management.

50% of pastoral managers have investigated the economic viability of a range of sustainable grazing management options using a range of Decision Support Systems (DSS) in a whole-property framework

60% of pastoral properties have documented current paddock and property stocking rates and developed individual estimates of sustainable livestock carrying capacity.

70% of producers are aware of the principles and best practice of controlled burning by providing a relevant and practical fire management manual and presenting information at on-property workshops, field days and shows.

The majority (>80%) of land managers and administrators are aware of the increase, cause, impact and potential cost of woody plants.

50% of pastoral leases have developed or implemented strategic grazing management plans as a result of active participation in whole paddock demonstrations of sustainable grazing management options.

Work was undertaken in six sub-projects to provide information to land managers assisting them to deal with seasonal variability, fire management, carrying capacity decisions and woody plants management. The headings of the sub-projects included:

A description and information booklet for better land management of native pasture communities in the VRD.

Economic assessment of grazing management options

Assessment of stocking rates and carrying capacity for pastoral properties.

Developing practical burning guidelines to manage pasture communities and woody plant populations.

The impact of woody vegetation throughout the semi-arid tropics of the Northern Territory.

Implementing and monitoring sustainable grazing practices as part of whole paddock management.

The collection of most field data associated with this project was completed by December 2000. The remaining time was spent working with land managers gathering stocking rate data and estimating safe carrying capacities, completing data analysis and reporting of all trials. A production of a preliminary report was possible by June 2001 however there was a considerable amount of further analysis and development work utilising existing data, modeling tools and outputs. The progression of this work was regarded as a high priority by project members and industry and ensured that full value was extracted out if this project phase.