Can the principles of multipaddock grazing accelerate land condition recovery?

Abstract

Recovery of land condition would significantly improve livestock carrying capacity and ecosystem services on many properties in northern Australia. Unfortunately, this is often extremely slow, even with significantly reduced stocking rates and pasture resting. There is interest amongst graziers in using the principles of intensive, multi-paddock, rotational grazing systems to accelerate recovery. However, evidence for their effectivity relative to conventional recommendations is often anecdotal and sometimes contradictory.

To test the ability of these principles to accelerate land condition recovery, a short duration grazing treatment (SDG) was implemented on two poor condition paddocks in a long-term grazing trial in north Queensland, Australia. Two experienced multi-paddock practitioners have been engaged to guide management. The treatment results can assist to develop cost-effective, evidence-based guidelines to accelerate recovery on grazing lands in northern Australia.