An updated pasture condition guide for the Kimberley is available free of charge to livestock producers in the region.
Department of Agriculture and Food Development Officer Kath Ryan said Bulletin 4846, Pasture condition guide for the Kimberley included information on the 17 most common pasture types throughout the Kimberley.
It replaces Bulletin 4769 which focused on the Ord River catchment in the East Kimberley.
Ms Ryan said each pasture type represents a broad group of similar vegetation which has similar management requirements for pastoralism.
“The updated guide includes four additional pasture types that are common in the West Kimberley; pindan, blue grass, salt water couch and buffel grass pastures,” Ms Ryan said.
“Pindan pastures are a major pasture type in the West Kimberley. They are comparatively minor in a regional context, but are important locally in the management of individual stations.
“The additional content has been compiled from data collected during regional rangeland surveys, rangeland condition assessments and long-term monitoring.”
Ms Ryan said the guide provided a method, supported by photographic examples, which allow users to readily see changes in pasture condition.
“The pasture condition guide assists managers to identify early signs of range condition decline and the need for management changes, and helps users ‘tune’ their eyes to some of the key indicators of pasture condition,” Ms Ryan said.
“It can be used as a field reference for pasture condition assessments and as a field training guide for pastoral station staff and others interested in the productivity and maintenance of rangeland plants and pasture communities.”
Ms Ryan said pasture condition was an important factor that affects the capacity of the rangelands for animal production, and is a useful indicator for the sustainability of production.
“By recognising pasture type and condition, land managers can determine the impact of season and their management practices, and set goals for their property in terms of rangeland condition maintenance and improvement.”
Ms Ryan said hard copy supply of the guide was limited to one per station manager. The original Pasture condition guide for the Ord River catchment, Bulletin 4769, remains current for producers in the East Kimberley.
“In the West Kimberley, department staff will swap the previous version with the updated guide as we go about our regular dry season rounds this year,” she said.
“Station visits will also provide an opportunity for station managers (both new and seasoned) to discuss rangeland management issues with us.”
The guide was produced with the support of Rangelands NRM and will soon be available on the Rangelands NRM website. Upon request, the department will provide the interactive guide on a compact disc or USB.
Media contact: Jodie Thomson/Lisa Bertram, media liaison +61 (0)8 9368 3937