On the 5th February, Dyers Crossing LandCare Group (DCLG) had our first gathering in five years!
New and Old members connected over shared landholder issues. DCLG founder, Les Roberts also came along and offered much wisdom.
The theme “Successes and Mistakes” shaped the meeting. We have a wide range of knowledge and skills amongst us, including natural weed management, reforestation expertise; beef farming; vegetable farming.
We discussed:
- Giant Parramatta Grass & crown rot fungus
- Setaria
- Mulching & slashing; pros and cons
- Keeping moisture and nutrients on our land
- Implications of zoning changes in our area, which may result in land division.
- Changing shape of farming and land management with the increase in smaller land size and increase in horses.
- Resources available through LandCare Membership.
Successes included
- Doubling numbers of cattle head on a beef farm, after implementing strategies from Brian Wehlberg’s Holistic Management consulting.
- Using chickens to prepare soil for a garden bed
- Setting up good fencing at the outset
- Using compost tea to improve outputs
Mistakes included:
- Not managing weeds effectively; allowing too much spread through slashing etc.
- Digging a hole with the auger, into clay soil to plant trees
- Lack of using compost teas to bring life into soil
- Using fertilizer and other inputs, without paying attention to soil health; and encouraging biology.
A property owner in Dyers Crossing is excited about their upcoming agronomist consultation and will share the recommendations with our group at the next gathering on 25th March
Recommendations included:
- The Holistic Management course, coming soon to Krambach
- Permaculture course with Brett Cooper at Limestone Permaculture
- Future guest speakers: Biological inputs.
I am looking forward to the next meet-up! Next gathering is at Dyers Crossing on 25th March. Address TBA closer to the date. The main topic will be Setaria on this property and discussing recommendations from the agronomist. Please RSVP to Laura at laura@candlarahfarm.com
Thanks, Laura Pennington.
