LANDSCAN® - PROfarm testimonial

Greg and Helen Kuchel

Since starting out four years ago on their cattle property, ‘Massadon’, near Borambola, in New South Wales, Helen and Greg Kuchel have experienced devastating drought.

But despite the difficult seasons, the couple has managed to operate successfully and are continuing to make extraordinary progress in all parts of their business by following well-thought-out plans.

Trading predominantly British breed steers, including Herefords, Black Baldy and Angus cattle, for the feedlot market, the Kuchels buy in young steers at around 250 kg and grow them out to about 450 kg on a rotational grazing system over about seven to eight months.

‘For the rest of the time, during the dry summer period, we strive to have only minimal stock,’ Mr Kuchel said.

With an average rainfall of 650 mm (which the Kuchels have yet to experience), the 487 hectare property includes 72 hectares of river flats, 280 hectares of undulating country and 135 hectares of hill country with native grasses.

While Greg Kuchel is a relative newcomer to land ownership, he has been involved with the agricultural industry for most of his life. To update their knowledge and skills for best practice farming management and sustainable productivity, the Kuchels have participated in several NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) workshops and courses. The latest, LANDSCAN®, has helped them to better utilise their land and water resources through implementing some new strategies. With an aim to maintain 100 per cent cover on ‘Massadon’, 100 per cent of time, they are making great headway.

‘LANDSCAN pointed us in the right direction to making a move towards soil nutrient balance, to successfully establishing perennial pastures and to achieving better water utilisation,’ Mr Kuchel said.

‘By using rotational grazing and through buying in stock at this time of the year (with the aim of having the majority gone by Christmas), we are able to lighten up our numbers while going through the dry summer.’

Stocking paddocks according to the dry matter and pasture growth rate is also an integral part of their land management.

‘We have also been able to utilise our land better by spelling our native country during the autumn/winter period and then utilising it through the spring/summer. That has allowed us to keep good coverage on the flatter, more arable country.’

Apart from their native pasture country, the Kuchels are working on a program to eventually grow perennial pastures right throughout ‘Massadon’. Understanding soil issues, assessing paddock potential and aspect and choosing the right pastures for different landscapes all help to achieve this.

Mr Kuchel completed the LANDSCAN course more than two years ago, and said he found it extremely beneficial for his enterprise.

‘I actually participated in the PROGRAZE® course before LANDSCAN and think we would have probably got more out of PROGRAZE had we done the LANDSCAN first – it gave us a few more basics and a better understanding of soils and the landscape.’

The NSW DPI LANDSCAN workshop series has been developed for farmers, graziers and land managers. Delivered by lectures, discussions and practical, in-paddock demonstrations, the sessions include; reading landscapes, soil types and sampling, understanding soil tests and soil fertility, soil degradation issues, management strategies for production and sustainable land use, assessing paddocks and deciding on priorities for property development and management.