Episode 51 - Shutting the paddock gate to cut costs

Deferred grazing could be a great option for your farm, to reduce costs, and improve soil health, with environmental benefits too, and could be as simple as shutting the paddock gate. In this episode, hear from a Waikato farmer who has implemented this practice on his farm, and a scientist behind the research into deferred grazing. We also hear from Property Brokers about what changing land use regulations could mean for the rural property market going into 2025.. 

Guests include:

1. Bill Garland, Waikato Sheep & Beef Farmer

2. Conrad Wilkshire, General Manager Rural, Property Brokers

3. Dr. Katherine Tozer, Senior Scientist, AgResearch

Hosts:

1. Rebecca Greaves, Editor, Country-Wide

2. Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Managing Director, CountryWide Media

Waikato sheep and beef farmer Bill Garland discusses how he’s used deferred grazing as a low cost pasture renewal tool, and the environmental benefits he’s noticed. He says managing biodiversity is a big part of their operation, with five QEII covenants on their land. He shares how deferred grazing has reduced input costs, and benefitted the environment and their farm system. 

• Read more about Bill’s story here.

Property Brokers General Manager for Rural Conrad Wilkshire discusses the impact of changing regulations around full farm to forestry conversion, and what this means for the rural property market. He says we collectively need more information about what this means for the property market, but it does create an opportunity for farmers to look at land use change opportunities. 

AgResearch Senior Scientist Katherine Tozer discusses how to get started with deferred grazing for pasture renewal, and what the benefits are. She discusses how deferred grazing improves soil quality, and can lead to increased root depth. She says not to think of it as wasted feed that’s not eaten, but instead that it’s part of the pasture rejuvenation process. 

• Read the Summer issue of Country-Wide Magazine here.

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