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Could native grasses be the key to a sustainable system?

Australian native grass is the general term used to describe the diverse range of grasses that have evolved over millions of years under Australian conditions. There are around 1000 native grass species in Australia alone. They are well adapted to our harsh and varying climate, low fertility soils and play an important part in maintaining ecosystem health.

Although often underrated, the agronomic and environmental benefits of our native grasses are profound. Native grasses often showcase increased dry matter production, high potential to respond to summer rain events, and persistence and nutritive value similar to introduced species. Thus there is good potential for native pastures to be a sustainable and productive choice for inclusion in livestock farming systems.

Although native grasses do have some limitations in agriculture, they also have a range of key benefits including:

  • Native grasses are mostly perennials and persist well in our often harsh environment;
  • They can cope with adverse climate conditions such as droughts, heavy rains and frosts; and many tolerate low fertility, acid soils, water stress and are more resistant to disease;
  • Different native species such as warm season or cool season grasses have growth periods at different times of the year, providing the potential for year-round green feed;
  • Generally they have dense tillers and roots that hold the soil and allow increased use of soil moisture to help prevent soil erosion and nutrient runoff;
  • Some native grasses can also help control dryland salinity, due to their deep root systems, summer activity and perennial growth patterns, reducing recharge to groundwater;
  • They can provide a lower input grazing system, reducing dependence on finite resources;
  • They provide for integrated pest management and native biodiversity.

One major advantage of native plants is their adaptation to local conditions. These adaptations enable them to be more productive and persistent than introduced species, especially in marginal areas or in difficult soils. Lower input requirements, sustainability and resilience mean that even in areas populated by introduced pastures, native grasses can hold steady.

Native grasses often have benefits to the sustainability of a system, take a look at these landholders in South Australia using native grasses for drought and fire mitigation. Maintaining ground cover but still decreasing fuel load to control fire, native grasses might just be the answer!

https://www.abc.net.au/landline/native-grasses:-planting-native-grasses-to-help/12376990

If you are interested in trialing native grasses on your farm or for more information, contact our Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitators.

Annabelle Garratt (E) Annabelle.Garratt@nacc.com.au (P) 0448 986 879

Lizzie King (E) Lizzie.King@nacc.com.au (P) 0447 361 335

Annabelle Garratt & Lizzie King – Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitators

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In 2020-21 I talked about ‘raising the bar’. In 2021-22 we worked on setting the bar on fire. Over the last 12 months, the team at NACC NRM has not stopped.

The Sustainable Agriculture team has extended the program’s reach through collaborations with grower groups in the regions. Specifically, the Beyond Reasonable Drought project and Grower Group Alliance – South West WA Drought Innovation Hub – Geraldton Node project. The Beyond Reasonable Drought partnership with grower groups supported farmers across the region to improve the environmental sustainability of their agricultural production and drought resilience. The outcomes of this project have been consolidated through our successful Expression of Interest to the South West WA Drought Innovation Hub, with support from grower groups across the region, to host the Geraldton Node of the Hub. The program continues to focus on working with agricultural networks to share technical expertise and provide opportunities that will improve land management practices in agriculture across the region.

The conservation outcomes of ranger teams have expanded through work on several land tenures. Maintaining Heritage sites such as Willi Gulli, Racecourse Paddock and Buller River has long been a priority. During 2021-22, the teams have increasingly focused on threatened species and ecosystems.

To this end, Western Mulga rangers have improved management across 19,000 ha for the conservation of Malleefowl through firebreak and access management. They completed the maintenance of water holes and supported the monitoring of over 90 Malleefowl mounds.

Similarly, the Kwelena Mambakort Aboriginal Corporate ranger team have contributed positively to Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo populations by installing artificial hollows and habitat restoration.

All ranger teams have collected native seed, propagated native plants for restoration, and planted native vegetation in key locations across the NAR. Seed collection provides valuable industry experience and has facilitated the planting of over 100,000 seedlings during the year.   

In September 2021, the NACC NRM team delivered the WA Threatened Species Forum, held in tandem with the National Malleefowl Forum. Given the impact of COVID and the timing of this event, having more than 100 delegates from all over Australia was a significant achievement. The two Forums brought together 12 events over five days and featured 14 local artists, 25 businesses and 36 youth participants.

Following the successful relaunch of our updated NARvis, NACC NRM was invited to help lead a significant piece of strategic planning work for the region with Mid West Development Commission and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. With funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund, the consortia delivered a Regional Drought Resilience Plan covering the shires of Northampton and Chapman Valley and the City of Greater Geraldton, along with significant technical analysis of drought vulnerability for the South West land division. The development of this plan also included extensive community consultation to ensure that local knowledge and technical advice guided the development of priorities for action.

This planning work links to existing NACC NRM on-ground projects, including Beyond Reasonable Drought and the Chapman Catchment Collaborative regeneration project.

It was a busy year for events with face-to-face events becoming commonplace again. During 2021-22 we hosted events in Gingin, Moora, Dalwallinu, Cervantes, Jurien Bay, Walkaway, Nabawa, Perenjori, Kalannie and Morawa. We supported events in Karakin, Thundellara, Perenjori, Paynes Find, Wubin, Cataby, Warradarge, Northampton, Yuna, Dalwallinu and Dandaragan.

We also supported on-ground works throughout the region, including at the following locations Yuna, Dalwallinu, Dandaragan, Merkanooka, Goodlands, Kalannie, Bunjil, Yardarino, Canna, Kondut, Latham, Kadathinni, Nabawa, Red Gully, Sandy Gully, Waddy Forrest, Devils Creek, Perenjori, Bowgada, Ellendale, Wandana, Namban, Hill River, Warradarge, Gillingarra, Regans Ford and Moonyanooka.

Our region is vast – slightly larger than Tasmania, which for comparison, is serviced by three separate NRM organisations. Covering the NAR region and its many environmental threats is challenging. We continue to focus on partnerships and collaboration to address this challenge. We know that by working with our community through passionate delivery of collaborative on-ground projects and education, the community will value and actively protect our region’s natural capital.

This year we have launched a new Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). The RAP Working Group consulted widely and developed an Innovate RAP which Reconciliation Australia approved in March 2022. The activities to fulfil these commitments are now in full swing.

Sadly, at the end of 2021, we farewelled former NACC NRM CEO Shelley Spriggs, who lost a long battle with cancer. Shelley was an inaugural inductee to the NRM Leadership Honour Roll. I will always be grateful for her guidance and no-nonsense approach, not to mention her passion for life.

While we have said farewell to some, we have welcomed many new faces across all programs, including our Administration team. We have also hosted a school-based trainee from Nagle Catholic College who has been working towards a Certificate II in Conservation and Ecosystem Management. This trial position has been very successful, and we look forward to making this opportunity available again in 2023.

During 2022 we have taken on new projects that align with our organisational and program objectives, and we have successfully completed some great initiatives that support continued conservation and sustainability outcomes. I want to thank the whole team who continue to go above and beyond for the organisation and each other proving their ongoing commitment to our purpose and our values.