Rowan Peel trialled the use of raised beds to grow lucerne on his 1,300 hectare farm in the Corangamite/Glenelg area, southern Victoria.

David Kingston is keen to improve the way he runs his sheep to reduce fleece microns in his Merino flock and the time it takes him to turn off his lambs.

Oversowing grazing oats into established lucerne on raised beds could fill the winter feed gap in SW Victoria. Trials achieved extra livestock value of $142.40 per hectare in a very dry year.

Problems with cropping businesses point to a positive role for livestock in the farming mix. Native and temperate grasses have the potential to optimise farm feed supply.

As a consultant for grain growers, agronomist Michael Castor has witnessed the rise of zero till, controlled traffic and conservation farming. He has also seen problems emerge within that grain production system.

IPM has boosted crop yields and lowered spraying costs on-farm, but requires monitoring and good technical interpretation.

Tom Calvert has turned towards native pastures as a grazing alternative for his Merino flock and has doubled his stocking rate at the same time.

By growing perennial grasses and fodder shrubs many farmers have filled a feed shortfall lifted stocking rates and reduced erosion.

Reducing their sheep flock by 20% has improved lambing percentages and wool production for the Matthews family on their mixed farming property in the Victorian Mallee.

Matching production capacity with land use and looking after the environment is a priority for Debbie Shea and her family.

Data being collected from six innovative farms across the Mallee region is providing local producers with the knowledge they need to implement more profitable and sustainable farming systems.