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Reports

Hills and tablelands reports

Summary - Hills and tablelands report Four page summary of a report about native pastures on the hills and tablelands of North-East Victoria and the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales.	Version 2.0 15Kb
Hills and tablelands report A report about native pastures on the hills and tablelands of North-East Victoria and the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales.	Version 2.0 125Kb
Hills Case Study One Located between Wodonga and Wangaratta. Covers current farm situation, and evaluates replacing native pasture, fertilising native pasture and other options. Spreadsheet data available on request.	Version 2.0 137Kb
Hills Case Study Two Located near Tallangatta. Covers current farm situation, and evaluates fertilising native pasture, sub-division and other options. Spreadsheet data available on request.	Version 2.0 100Kb
Hills Case Study Three Located north of Crookwell on the Southern Tablelands. Covers current farm situation, and evaluates fertilising native pasture, sowing introduced species into native pasture and other options. Spreadsheet data available on request.	Version 2.0 124Kb
Hills Case Study Four Located north of Crookwell on the Southern Tablelands. Covers current farm situation, and evaluates replacing native pasture, fertilising native pasture and other options. Spreadsheet data available on request.	Version 2.0 86Kb

Plains reports

Summary - Plains Report Four page summary of a report about native grasslands on the Riverine Plain between Bendigo in Victoria and Hay in New South Wales.	Version 2.0 14Kb
Plains Report Full report about native grasslands on the Riverine Plain between Bendigo in Victoria and Hay in New South Wales.	Version 2.0 211Kb
Plains Case Study One Located between Hay-Deniliquin-Jerilderie. Covers current farm situation, and evaluates potential role of saltbush in meeting income needs. Spreadsheet data available on request.	Version 2.0 134Kb
Plains Case Study Two Located between Hay-Deniliquin-Jerilderie. Covers current farm situation, and evaluates option of 1/3rd reduction in stocking under a pasture decline scenario. Looks at how saltbush might compensate. Spreadsheet data available on request.	Version 2.0 160Kb
Plains Case Study Three Located in north-central Victoria. Evaluates lighter stocking of native grassland and cropping alternatives. Spreadsheet data available on request.	Version 2.0 102Kb
Plains Case Study Four Located in north-central Victoria. Currently very lightly stocked. Evaluates cropping option if the property was sold. Spreadsheet data available on request.	Version 2.0 79Kb

Other reports

South-western Victoria case study A rapid appraisal approach, and principles of farm business analysis, are used in a case where loss of conservation values is imminent. Appropriate policy actions are discussed.	Version 1.0 44Kb
Farm advisors, native pasture and the whole farm A preliminary study by Robert Edgar of farm advisors and the advice given to farmers about native pasture and whole farm management.	Version 1.0 21Kb
Case study method A published paper on the case study method used for the project.	Version 1.0 46Kb
Who's Eating Where? Procedures for A livestock utilisation model. A method for estimating the contribution of different feed sources on the farm. Spreadsheet model can be supplied on request.	Version 1.0 40Kb

Abstract

Improving market outcomes: the case of native grasslands

The economics of managing native grasslands and native pasture on farms is of direct relevance to formulating government policy. Native grasslands are one of Australia's most threatened ecosytems, and much of what remains is on private land. These areas may require particular management by farmers if they are to retain their conservation values. Deep-rooted native grasses may help prevent land degradation. Pastures which contain them are more widely found than native grasslands but have limited conservation value. These native pastures may thus be important in maintaining the long-term productivity of the land

The current place of native grasslands and native pasture on eight case study farms is examined, and the effects of changes to farm management are evaluated. Results have been compiled into two reports. One report covers native grasslands on four properties located on the Riverine Plain between Bendigo in Victoria and Hay in New South Wales. The second report is about native pastures on the four farms which are located on the hills and tablelands of North-East Victoria and the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales.

The key technical and economic aspects of how each farm currently operates are outlined, taking account of farmer goals, pasture types, livestock utilisation of pasture, and the current farm financial position. The technical details of alternative farm management options are then specified and their profitability evaluated. The management options considered include sowing introduced pasture, fertilising native pasture, cropping native grassland, planting saltbush, reducing stocking levels and fencing out small areas of conservation interest. These options are evaluated using partial budgets, both steady state and discounted cash flow. The application of the approach in a rapid appraisal of a property in south-western Victoria is also reported in a separate paper.

The results of the case farm analyses form the basis for a review of possible incentives and other mechanisms for achieving public policy goals relating to conservation and long-term productivity of farmland. While some mechanisms are appropriately directed to management of the site of conservation interest, four other levels which might be targeted in order to achieve policy goals are considered - the farming system, the farm business, the ownership and operation of the farm business, and off-farm. The proposed approach thus not only focuses on the future of the conservation area to be managed, it also emphasises the future of the farm itself.

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• Research in Land and Food
• Institute of Melbourne School of Land and Environment