Central West/Lachlan Region, NSW

Project contact: Richard Maccallum, phone (02) 6895 1002, email richard.maccallum@dpi.nsw.gov.au

The incorporation of plantings of woody perennials into existing mixed farming systems has the potential to improve the reliability of forage supply in low-rainfall environments and to re-establish water use patterns similar to those of the original landscape.

This project sets up a replicated, farm-scale rotation trial consisting of 30 x 10-hectare paddocks arranged in pairs, in a three-year-pasture, two-year-crop rotation using Merino ewes. It will examine the competitive and complementary effects of incorporating Old Man Saltbush (OMSB) into the traditional farming system and document the hydrologic, productive, economic and biodiversity benefits of the new system.

Furthermore, the project will demonstrate the role of OMSB in stabilising animal production, reducing risk and increasing farm profit by enabling a shift in enterprise focus from wool to prime lamb.

The project is supported by the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries.