Farmers talk pastures during a paddock walk.

PASTURE, crop and livestock management options for central west New South Wales producers will be outlined during a tour of properties on July 29.

The central west NSW Grassland Society pasture update on July 29 will include paddock walks, sessions on crop management and legume options, as well as livestock feed assessment, supplements and selection.

The update bus tour will start at the Collerreina Hall and NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) development officer, Trudie Atkinson, said the update will give producers the opportunity to find new ways to boost their feed-base and lift livestock production.

“Practical discussions, most in the paddock, will be the order of the day as we tour local properties with plenty of opportunities to discuss the results, ask questions and hear about the experiences of other local producers.

“Local agronomists, industry specialists and researchers from the central west and Riverina will be on-hand to deliver the latest research results and discuss practical strategies to improve pasture and livestock productivity,” she said.

Legumes and crops for grazing are on the agenda

Participants will inspect a dual-purpose oat crop and a brassica forage crop, which have been grazed this season and hard-seed legumes, including bladder clover and biserrula, will be discussed as options for on-demand pasture in crop rotations. Successful establishment of lucerne pasture in cropping systems will be outlined.

During the tour, there will be also be sessions on assessing the value of feed for livestock performance, supplementation and avoiding livestock health issues, and ram soundness and within-flock selection to improve flock reproduction.

The pasture update is an initiative of the Grassland Society of NSW Inc. funded by Meat and Livestock Australia, with the support of DPI and Central West Local Land Services (LLS).

The tour kicks off at the Collerreina Hall, on the Nyngan-Condobolin Road, also known as Cockies Road, at 8.15 am for an 8.30 am start. The bus will leave the hall at 9 am sharp and the day will conclude at 4.30 pm.

For more information please call Trudie Atkinson, 0427 102 431 or Central West LLS officer, Neroli Brennan, 0428 692 713.

A $20 fee will cover catering and tour costs and registration is essential by Friday July 24 by calling Janelle Witschi, 0408 612 235 or [email protected]

Source: NSW Department of Primary Industries