Pasture based feeding system boosts bottom line

Growing different varieties of pasture and forages across the farm at different times of the season reduced cost and helped Mark Billing and his wife Sam maintain supply.

“We adopted this practice after doing a lot of research into home grown forage. Putting that research into practice has improved our pasture based feeding system.” says Mark.

He has approximately 450 holstein fresian cows and produces of multiple varieties of home grown forage on his 520ha property.

“We’re in a much better position to respond to the feed needs of the herd as well as seasonal conditions. In autumn we can even get a crop by dry-sowing a different variety of seed.”

If you want to learn more about increasing consumption of home-grown forage on dry land dairy farms, link up with Project 3030. It’s designed to help dairy farmers achieve a 30 per cent improvement in profit through a 30 per cent increase in the consumption of home-grown forage. Hence the name 3030.

This project is delivered through the Department of Primary Industries, Dairy Australia and Melbourne University.

Future Farming co-invests with industry partners to deliver a range of research to help the agricultural sector deliver productivity gains.

Future Farming helps farmers look ahead to apply new research, boost productivity, access better services and a whole lot more.

Future Farming action 1 – Boosting productivity through new technology and changes in farming practices