Holistic approach to land
Regenerative farming looks after farmland
AWARENESS of cultivating natural landscapes is sprouting through grassroots movements.
Condamine Alliance, a natural resource management organisation, has been connecting farmers with agricultural groups and trainers specialising in regenerative agriculture and Indigenous burning techniques.
The end goal: boosting agricultural productivity within all farming niches.
Holistic and regenerative farming practices are focused on creating a healthy soil that is harmonious with the local environment and complements agricultural activity.
In an effort to spread this message, Condamine Alliance has partnered with Regrarians founder Darren Doherty to educate farmers about the benefits and systems to enhance soil and, ultimately, a natural landscape.
As a result agri-produce is grown without injecting hundreds of thousands of dollars into the paddock.
Holistic farmer and educator Helen Lewis said by saving on expenditures, farmers learnt a new business model – that bigger is not always the best way to grow.
“You understand how nature works, reduce input costs and then the yields don’t have to be extraordinary and you maximise the profitability of the property,” she said.
“You do more with less.” Veronica and Dan Laffy run a mixed beef/sheep operation near Dalby.
They decided to incorporate regenerative agriculture into their business model to improve soil and water function, as well as cut back on expenses.
“We have gone from about 30 or 40 per cent ground cover to 55 per cent,” Mrs Laffy said.
“It’s an ongoing process and we will always trial new things.
“Condamine Alliance is a hub of knowledge and through their support we were able to jump on it (regenerative agriculture) and have a go.”
Recently they held an Indigenous burning workshop on their land to learn more about managing the landscape and improving ground cover.
Mr Laffy will be busy over the next few months burning pastures so that native grass seeds are activated.
Management of the fires must be precise so that the fire’s temperature is not too high, stimulating pest seeds into germination.
“It is such a gentle process,” Mrs Laffy said.
“It’s old wisdom that all farmers need to incorporate into their enterprise.”
Indigenous fire instructor Victor Steffensen says all landholders must know how country operates to make accurate choices in the paddock and implement Indigenous burning techniques accordingly.
“Fires behave differently in different environments,” Mr Steffensen said.
“There must be a relationship between people and the landscape, a sustainable one.
“It is crucial to understand the dynamics.
“It is a beginning of changing our culture… when you look at problems in landscapes people ask where do we start.
“What happened in Condamine is the first stepping stone and they all see the value needs to be supported, agencies need to be involved.”