P & A Howie & Sons – Primary Producer Award

Project Profile

Issues

Due to the strong seasonal nature of rainfall in the Northern Territory, soil erosion and seasonal feed gaps are major constraints and challenges to the sustainability of farming enterprises. Over the past seven years, the Howie’s have transformed ‘Maneroo Station’ into a conservation farming and intensively managed cell grazing system with the aim of maintaining sustainability and profitability for future generations.

Project Detail

Philip, Annette and Chris Howie (P & A Howie & Sons) have been nominated for a National Landcare Award for their integrated and holistic conservation farming and grazing program on their 5,600 hectare mixed farming enterprise, ‘Maneroo Station’, located in the Douglas Daly region of the Northern Territory.

Due to the strong seasonal nature of rainfall in the Northern Territory, soil erosion and seasonal feed gaps are major constraints and challenges to the sustainability of farming enterprises. Over the past seven years, the Howie’s have transformed ‘Maneroo Station’ into a conservation farming and intensively managed cell grazing system with the aim of maintaining sustainability and profitability for future generations.

The cell grazing system has enabled the Howie’s to control grazing pressure, grazing duration and rest periods, maintaining no less than 60 per cent ground cover.  This has improved the habitat for birds, insects and beneficial soil microbes and minimised run-off and erosion. Cell grazing has also maximised feed quality, pasture growth, nutrient cycles and energy flows and has improved profits while maintaining sustainability. Feed budgets, closer monitoring of pastures and more attention to the grazing needs of livestock, have all improved the performance and sustainability of the property.

Feed budgeting also ensures there is ample pasture throughout the non-growing season. Stock numbers are reduced in line with declining feed quality and growth at the onset of the dry season to ensure cover is maintained.  Remaining stock are distributed evenly over the pasture and supplemented if required with hay stored on farm.  This ensures feed gap can be serviced during the dry, prevents over grazing and maintains sufficient ground cover for the following wet season.

The farming operation is based on no-till, with all hay and seed crops planted directly into mulch without cultivation.  No-till is a more sustainable and viable option in a region that constantly receives high energy, erosive rainfall and requires less machinery time and less fuel. Crops are planted at the optimum time into optimum moisture while minimising any soil erosion, reducing the seasonal fluctuations and providing more consistent production and a more reliable income. The resultant crops have produced yields of 20 to 30 per cent more than conventional farming systems.

The combined practices of no-till and cell grazing have resulted in significant amounts of carbon capture and a reduction in carbon emission. Rotational grazing of cattle also ensures that sections of pastures are continuously growing and storing carbon. Cattle graze the youngest, most digestible and nutritious fodder resulting in lower amounts of greenhouse gasses being released and more efficient feed conversion.

The hay production system implemented on-farm has greatly improved fertiliser and nutrient efficiency with fertiliser drilled directly beneath the seed, maximising crop utilisation and efficiency and minimising losses. The hay enterprise also drought-proofs the property with large amounts stored on-farm. The farm also produces its own Cavalcade seed and sells to other producers in the Top End.  This specialist seed production enterprise is vital to the Howie’s hay production system and bottom line, but also to other producers who rely on this seed to grow Cavalcade, which is a key component of a sustainable farming system in the tropics.

The Howie’s farming enterprise continues to evolve with Howie’s adapting and developing practices and techniques to best suit the unique environment and protect the natural resources while still maintaining profitability. The next challenge is working towards the integration of biodynamic principles into the farming system.

P & A Howie & Sons is one of 88 finalists in the National Landcare Awards to be announced in Canberra on 24 June 2010. Commencing in 1991, the Awards celebrate the achievements of individuals and groups that make a valuable contribution to the land and coast where they live and work.

Photography

P & A Howie & Sons