Regional Coordinator

Jodie Dean
PO Box 300, Condobolin NSW 2877
Phone: (02) 6895 1015
Mobile: 0428 480 143
Email:  jodie.dean@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Regional Information

Project summary -  Central West Lachlan Brochure.pdf (pdf - 332KB)

For more information about the Central West/Lachlan region's farming practices, regional activities and a calendar of events, please visit the regional website at: http://www.cwfs.org.au/graingraze0.0.html

New Perennial Pasture FACT SHEETS

 Fact Sheet 1. Perennial Species.pdf (pdf - 366KB)

 Fact Sheet 2. Native Grasses.pdf (pdf - 544KB)

 Fact Sheet 3. Introduced Grasses.pdf (pdf - 534KB)

 Fact Sheet 4. Old Man Saltbush.pdf (pdf - 911KB)

 Fact Sheet 5. Lucerne.pdf (pdf - 920KB)

Latest Trial Results Autumn 2007

 Pasture Cropping results update autumn 2007.pdf (pdf - 195KB)

 Salt Bush Alley Farming Trials 2006 07 Results.pdf (pdf - 151KB)

Case Studies from Central West/Lachlan Farmers

These case studies provide insight into a range of successful mixed farming enterprises. Local farmers share the factors that underpin the success of their farming systems. Stories include conventional and innovative techniques such as pasture cropping, or use of perennial woody forages.

Pasture Cropping as a whole farm system -  Barton Farm (pdf - 609KB)	Focus on profit, not production. Combining pasture cropping, rotational grazing and livestock trading.
Intensification and diversification in a mixed farming system -  Cavanagh Farm (pdf - 587KB)	Four families on an average sized property. Diversification and intensification.
Mixed farming with Old Man Salt Bush -  Chase Farm (pdf - 605KB)	Planting Old Man Saltbush has improved grazing and enterprise management over whole property. Tools used to improve soil quality and productivity.
Low risk farming in a variable climate -  James' Farm (pdf - 566KB)	Low risk farming in a variable climate with short cropping phase and on-farm fodder storage. Regeneration of native perennial pastures.
Intensive conservation farming -  Langley Farm (pdf - 846KB)	Profitable production and enhanced environment through conservation farming. Flexible trading of livestock.
Conventional farming with an eye to effective succession -  Tanswell Farm (pdf - 606KB)	Long term business viability and planned succession. Flexible response to seasonal conditions.

Grain & Graze projects in the Central West/Lachlan region

• Communication, education and extension. View project summary.
  Project contact: Jodie Dean, phone (02) 6895 1015, email jodie.dean@dpi.nsw.gov.au
• Innovative mixed farmer case studies. View project summary.
  
  Project contact: Dr Ron Hacker, phone (02) 6880 8002, email ron.hacker@dpi.nsw.gov.au
• Feed profiles and production options. View project summary.
  Project contact: Dr David Michalk, phone (02) 6391 3830, email david.michalk@dpi.nsw.gov.au
• Biodiversity in mixed farming landscapes. View project summary.
  
  Project contact: Dr Sue Briggs, phone (02) 6242 1621, email Sue.Briggs@csiro.au
• Eastern zone pasture cropping systems. View project summary.
  Project contact: Geoff Millar, phone (02) 6391 3847, email geoffrey.millar@dpi.nsw.gov.au
• Western zone alley farming systems. View project summary.
  
  Project contact: Richard Maccallum, phone (02) 6895 1002, email richard.maccallum@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Updates, Fact Sheets and Further Information

Subscribe to the montly E-vents & Training List for the region - email grain.graze@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Region Snapshot

The Central West/Lachlan region extends from the Great Dividing Range to the Riverine Plains, with a population of 208,000 people. There are 3,308 farms in the Central West/Lachlan region.

Grazing of perennial pastures for wool, sheep meat and beef production predominates in the eastern high rainfall zone. The lower rainfall areas form part of the wheat sheep zone, with grazing enterprises combined with dryland cropping of winter cereals, oilseeds, and pulses.

Other activities include irrigated production of cotton, hay, vines and horticultural crops. The region is generally considered too unreliable for summer cropping.

Key issues for mixed farmers in the region include declining terms of trade and the need to utilise available resources more efficiently and profitably.

Major threats to natural resources include dryland salinity, degradation of riparian and wetland ecosystems, reduced biodiversity and deterioration of soils. Soil acidity is relatively widespread and many of the red brown earths used for winter cereal production are low in organic matter and hard setting.