Workshops to identify pastures

Kimberley cattle producers have taken the opportunity to improve their skills at identifying local pasture species.

Presented by the Department of Agriculture and Food and Rangelands NRM, the workshops provided a hands-on opportunity to learn more about native pastures.

One-day workshops at Flora Valley, Gogo and Roebuck Plains stations were well attended.

Department land and water assessment development officer Kath Ryan said it was vital for producers to know what their cattle were eating, and what they were not, because diet influenced animal productivity.

"Breeding cattle that consume good-quality feed are more productive, and sale cattle reach target weight faster, returning higher potential profits for producers," Ms Ryan said.

"If pasture quality is poor, there is likely to be a reason for it, and the issue can be addressed by managing the rangeland to achieve optimum production with the available resources.

"The relationship between different soil types and plants was covered and the program included a field-work component which saw participants collect and examine pasture samples and identify them by consulting recommended plant guides and other resources."

Pasture plants were identified, including herbs, grasses and shrubs, and participants were shown how to take samples and photos for further identification.

Participants were provided with a copy of Grasses of the Northern Territory Savannas, a field guide and various other guides were discussed, including the Pasture Condition Guide for the Kimberley.

The natural resource management component covered the identification of characteristic plants that show the condition of the pasture for grazing.

Ms Ryan said this part of the workshop helped producers recognise early-stage range condition decline which was common on properties across WA.

By recognising the signs based on plant indicator species, pastoralists could manage degradation in the early stages and restore the condition of rangelands.

"The most effective method for improving and maintaining rangeland condition is to align stock numbers to the amount of available feed on offer," she said.

"The ability to identify the plant species is fundamental to this.

"Grazing management techniques such as spelling country over the growing season are also useful.

"The ability to monitor and demonstrate improved rangeland condition and trends requires basic plant identification skills."

Perth-based botanist Andrew Mitchell presented the basic introduction to plant taxonomy and led the field identification sessions.