Winter Grazing Plan

Critical Source Areas are areas that collect surface water and can transport nutrients to waterways or groundwater. Critical Source Areas (CSA's) are marked on the Winter Grazing Plans for each paddock.

Winter grazing does not occur in CSA's in wet conditions from 1 May to 30 September each year - these areas are left in grass, and upper reaches grazed while dry or lifted rather than grazed.
A CSA is dry enough to graze when no pugging results.
Stock are excluded from CSA's with a buffer of 5m, or up to 20m if steep. These buffers may be in a grass paddock lower down the CSA and may be supplemented by a temporary bale detention dam.
Bales are placed on higher areas of crop paddocks away from CSA's in areas where tractors can safely access.
Slopes are grazed top to bottom toward CSA's and waterways if possible.
Winter grazing does not occur within 5m of any waterway, or 100m of a drinking water abstraction point. Any crop in these areas is lifted.
Backfences are used to protect previously grazed areas and they are replanted as early as practicable.
Crops are sown along the contour where safe to do so.

Wet Weather Planning and Animal Welfare

During wet weather when the paddock is becoming pugged beyond ankle height stock are run off to a sacrifice paddock with a large break to minimise damage and this is typically next years crop paddock.
Pugged paddocks are renovated with full cultivation back to grass including ripping if necessary.
Stock are given extra feed in wet, snowy or cold conditions.
Bale positions are moved daily to leave straw beds for stock to lie on.
Stock are consciously monitored daily for animal health issues such as acidosis, lameness, mastitis, condition loss, slowness, bagging up or calving/lambing. These animals are monitored, treated and separated as required.
Transition (where relevant) typically begins with 30 minutes on the first week from first cow on to last cow off and increases 15 minutes increments.
A feed budget is used based on square metres and crop residual is monitored.

Monitoring and Changes

The plan is monitored daily when shifting stock. Changes are made to this plan as necessary and consent authority is notified. Version history is available.

This plan is reviewed annually and has been updated ahead of the 2024 season.

Paddock Plans

Overview

There is a pond in the corner of the paddock which is protected by a 5m buffer which will be lifted rather than grazed.