Gerogery farmer goes back to nature

The planned program over the past four years has also resulted in reduced soil acidity and compaction, and increased soil aeration, boosting pasture growth and animal productivity.

Mr Shuter and his son Nicholas run an aggregation of four properties (freehold and leasehold) totalling 1240ha, at Gerogery and Walla.

By focusing on lifting soil and pasture health, their 2013-drop calves achieved a lifetime average daily weight gain of 1.1kg off grass.

The program has been in place since one of the properties, Gerowalla, was gutted by a grass fire in December, 2009.

“The fire was a worry but it has given us the opportunity to start with a blank canvas when it came to fencing, pasture and tree plantations,’’ Mr Shuter said.

“We have refenced Gerowalla into cells with a central laneway for ease of stock management.”

Mr Shuter is seeking to achieve a balance between organic and conventional products, but plans to move to a chemical-free program in the long term.

A worm farm was established on Gerowalla last year to produce worm juice and castings for the family’s own use.

“I am a big believer in creating ideal conditions for the soil microbiology,’’ Mr Shuter said.

The cattle are cell grazed around a system of eight 12ha paddocks.

“Each mob spends a month to six weeks in each paddock, and individual paddocks are grazed about three times a year at the most,’’ Mr Shuter said.

He said the biological treatments had improved soil aeration and water infiltration, and reduced soil compaction and inputs.

“Productivity has lifted enormously – the district average carrying capacity is 12-13 DSE/ha, and on Gerowalla and Noojee we are achieving 22DSE/ha," he said.

“Today, consumers are wanting to know where their food comes from and how healthy it is.

“Once our pasture is fully established, the plan is to go organic as possible, only using the TM and worm juice.’’