Case Studies

CASE STUDIES - landscape regeneration in practice

Learn from those who are successfully practising regenerative landscape management and adopt these practices on your property.

Download our individual case studies via the table or clickable map below.

You can download the full Soils for Life Report Innovations for Regenerative Landscape Management and the full set of case studies on our Publications page.

SOILS FOR LIFE CASE STUDIES

In 2012 Soils for Life identified a number innovative farming enterprises and landscape management organisations achieving success through regenerative landscape management. These farmers are demonstrating profitable and sustainable farming while continuing to improve the natural resource base. We captured their experiences in the case studies below. The Soils for Life team is extremely grateful for the openness and hospitality shown by each of our case study participants in sharing their stories.

Watch the summary of what we found:

We hope you find these case studies interesting, informative and inspiring.

Read about each case study's production and economic highlights. Keep an eye out for upcoming events on location at our case study properties and read completed event reports.

Please make a comment and tell us what you think about the case studies, or provide feedback to help us improve future case studies and events to make them even more compelling.

DOWNLOAD OUR CASE STUDIES


	DUKES PLAIN Shane and Shan Joyce Download case study	30km south of Theodore, Southern QLD Brigalow Belt Enterprise: Producing certified organic beef on 3000 hectares Motivation for Change: Inputs and maintenance costs exceeding production returns Innovations: Comprehensively monitored and measured time-controlled planned grazing; soil improvement using biodynamic methods; all organic management Innovations Commenced: 1993
	BOKHARA PLAINS Graham and Cathy Finlayson Download case study	35km north of Brewarrina, NSW North West Enterprise: Beef cattle agistment and trading on 7200 hectares of NSW rangelands Motivation for Change: Identifying the potential to improve the landscape and production Innovations: Using stock to convert bare ground and claypan across 50% of their property to productive land; Holistic Management techniques to regenerate the rangeland; stock trading to balance stocking rate with pasture availability; diversifying into tourism Innovations Commenced: 2001
	SHANNON VALE STATION Sally and Greg Chappell Download case study	12km east of Glen Innes, NSW Northern Tablelands Enterprise: Angus bull breeding from high performance seed stock on 1450 hectares Motivation for Change: Drought, economic viability and gaining a deeper understanding of biological cycles Innovations: Overcoming weed invasion through addressing soil health; organic fertilisation tailored to soil and plan nutrient requirements; no cultivation or herbicides; managed grazing pressure Innovations Commenced: 2005
	BEETALOO STATION The Dunnicliff family Download case study	60km east of Elliot, 800km south of Darwin, NT Barkly Tablelands Enterprise: Brahman and Brahman-Senepol cross beef production on a 1,000,000+ hectare property Motivation for Change: Previous experience that water supply is critical for productive grazing on vast properties Innovations: Delivering a reliable water supply to support grazing across vast areas of previously unused native rangelands; establishing smaller paddock size on a very large scale to concentrate grazing animals to ensure managed use of pastures and continuing improvement of soils Innovations Commenced: 2002
	THREE RIVERS STATION Ben and Graham Forsyth Download case study	230km north of Meekatharra, 1000km north east of Perth, WA Mid West Enterprise: Bos Taurus beef production on 480,000 hectares Motivation for Change: Degraded landscape unable to support stock Innovations: De-stocking of property to allow for regeneration; construction of strategic earthworks to slow surface water flow, restore water flow to wetlands and floodplains, reduce erosion, build soil and promote perennial pasture regeneration Innovations Commenced: 2004
	CLOVER ESTATE David Clayfield Download case study	Mil Lel, 15km north east of Mount Gambier, SA South East Enterprise: Contract rearing of dairy heifers on 100 hectares Motivation for Change: Rising production costs and animal health concerns Innovations: Converting sand into fertile, healthy soils; introducing biologically-based soil conditioners to balance the mineral and microbial status of the soil; strategic use of foliar fertilisers; ceasing chemical inputs Innovations Commenced: 1995
	JILLAMATONG Martin Royds and Trish Solomon Download case study	5km south west of Braidwood, NSW Southern Tablelands Enterprise: Beef cattle raising, agistment and trading and various cottage industries on 453 hectares Motivation for Change: Learning about Holistic Management Innovations: A number of complementary approaches founded on Holistic Management thinking; time-controlled planned grazing within carrying capacity, designed to facilitate nutrient movement; replacing ploughing with surface cultivation and direct sowing; Natural Sequence Farming approach to watercourse management; use of organic wastes as fertilisers Innovations Commenced: 1994
	GUNNINGRAH Anne and Charlie Maslin Download case study	20km north west of Bombala, NSW Southern Tablelands Enterprise: Angus beef, sheep and goat meat production and medium wool Merinos on 4200 hectares Motivation for Change: Ecological deterioration and dependence on rainfall for profit Innovations: Managing landscape to better capture rainfall, constructing leaky weirs across creeks and gullies; time-controlled planned grazing matching stock numbers to land carrying capacity; introducing goats for weed control Innovations Commenced: 1995
	LANA Tim Wright Download case study	22km west of Uralla, NSW Northern Tablelands Enterprise: Fine Merino wool, fat lambs and beef production on 3350 hectares Motivation for Change: Excessively high costs of production and the opportunity to better use the grazing animal Innovations: Holistic Management against 10 key principles; time-controlled planned grazing using stock for nutrient movement, enhancing soil fertility and vegetation management; increasing sheep and cattle production despite reduced rainfall Innovations Commenced: 1990
	TALLAWANG Craig Carter and Nicky Chirlian Download case study	Willow Tree, 60km south west of Quirindi, NSW North West Slopes and Plains Enterprise: Beef cattle and sheep trading on 445 hectares Motivation for Change: Disenchantment with 'traditional' grazing methods in producing a healthy landscape and adequate returns Innovations: Restoring landscape hydrology through construction of leaky weirs and swales to slow water flow; time-controlled planned grazing in wagon-wheel design; stock trading Innovations Commenced: 2002
	TALAHENI Robyn and John Ive Download case study	Near Murrumbateman, 40km north of Canberra, NSW Southern Tablelands Enterprise: Ultra-fine Sharlea wool, Angus beef and farm forestry on 250 hectares Motivation for Change: Non-viability of previous management and identifying the opportunity to apply practical ecological science Innovations: Substantial revegetation to manage salinity; strategic paddock design; planned grazing strategies, particularly addressing fodder supply and drought conditions Innovations Commenced: 1980 Watch a clip of this story below
	WINONA Colin Seis Download case study	20km north of Gulgong, NSW Central Highlands Enterprise: Merino sheep, rams and wool, grain crops and native grass seed on 840 hectares Motivation for Change: Loss after major bushfire necessitating establishment of a low-input agricultural system Innovations: Developing and implementing 'pasture cropping'; time-controlled planned grazing; 'vertical stacking' of enterprises - cropping, native grass seed, sheep wool and meat; sequestering significant amounts of soil carbon Innovations Commenced: grazing management: 1989 / pasture cropping: 1993
	MILGADARA Bill and Rhonda Daly Download case study	20km east of Young, NSW South West Slopes Enterprise: Cereal, canola and legume crops, prime lamb and humus compost production on 1182 hectares Motivation for Change: Health concerns and disillusion with 'chemical' farming Innovations: Developing and applying humus compost; focusing on soil structure, biology and mineral balance; legume under-sowing of crops Innovations Commenced: 2001
	INVERARAY DOWNS Cam McKellar Download case study	10km south of Spring Ridge, NSW North West Slopes and Plains Enterprise: Irrigated grain, seed and legume crops, cattle agistment and organic compost production on 1250 hectares Motivation for Change: Prohibitively high-input crop production system Innovations: Changing crop rotation to better support soil biology; changing from inorganic to organic fertilisers; application of compost fertiliser to increase soil organic matter; integrating grazing with cropping. Regenerating soil structure and nutrient dynamics to produce healthier food with reduced inputs Innovations Commenced: 2000
	BRIANDRA Brian and Sandra Wilson Download case study	Mingay, 16km north of Lismore, 170km west of Melbourne, VIC Western Plains Enterprise: Cereal, oilseed and pulse crops and Merino sheep grazing on 1073 hectares Motivation for Change: Needing to diversify to maintain production and address waterlogged soils Innovations: Raising crop beds to improve waterlogged soils; using brewed cellulose-digesting bacteria and fungi combined with grazing to manage cereal stubbles; spreading biological blend on soils Innovations Commenced: raised beds: 1996 / biological blends: 2002
	PROSPECT PASTORAL COMPANY Ian and Dianne Haggerty Download case study	Wyalkatchem, Dowerin, Cunderdin and Meckering districts, around 190km north east of Perth, WA Central Wheatbelt Enterprise: Cereal grains and cereal hay crops, specially-bred sheep for wool and premium grade fat lambs across 8000 hectares Motivation for Change: Reducing rainfall and rising input costs Innovations: Introducing biological fertilisers and zero tillage to improve soil function and structure; integrating grazing with cropping to enhance nutrient cycling and soil structure; revegetation to limit spread of salt Innovations Commenced: 1994
	PINE LODGE Ian and Wendy Klein Download case study	Shepparton, VIC Central North Enterprise: Organic irrigated dairy, 261 hectares Motivation for Change: Health concerns and the desire to try natural farming methods Innovations: Using beneficial bacteria to treat dairy effluent for use as fertiliser; laser levelling of paddocks and enhancing the water reticulation system; composting, foliar and bio-fertilisation; all organic practices Innovations Commenced: 1996
	NORTH EAST CMA Download case study	Catchment region bounded by the Murray River in the north, Victorian Alps in the south, NSW border in the east and the Warby Ranges in the west. VIC Program: Sustainable Farm Practices - Soil Carbon Programme Program Motivation: Identified lack of knowledge on understanding soil tests and practically managing soil fertility, structure and health to improve farm production Program Activities: Soil Testing - multiple tests for over 500 farmers and seminars on interpreting results; Training and Education - provision of agronomy sessions, field days, seminars and e-Farmer training focused on improving soil carbon content and sustainable farming; Quality Management - post-activity surveys, helpdesk feedback and ontoing communications Program Commenced: 2009
	NRM SOUTH Download case study	The Southern Tasmania Natural Resource Management region covers 2.5 million hectares across South and Eastern Tasmania Program: Living Soils and Building Evidence for Regenerative Agriculture Program Motivation: The need for tailored solutions and low risk trials for farmers interested in trying new land management practices Program Activities: Tailoring support to land manager requirements in promoting the uptake of sustainable management practices, including high levels of engagement; supported trials of planned grazing incorporating formal monitoring processes and selected demonstration sites Program Commenced: 2010

DUKES PLAIN

Shane and Shan Joyce
Download case study

30km south of Theodore, Southern QLD Brigalow Belt

Enterprise: Producing certified organic beef on 3000 hectares

Motivation for Change: Inputs and maintenance costs exceeding production returns

Innovations: Comprehensively monitored and measured time-controlled planned grazing; soil improvement using biodynamic methods; all organic management

Innovations Commenced: 1993

BOKHARA PLAINS

Graham and Cathy Finlayson
Download case study

35km north of Brewarrina, NSW North West

Enterprise: Beef cattle agistment and trading on 7200 hectares of NSW rangelands

Motivation for Change: Identifying the potential to improve the landscape and production

Innovations: Using stock to convert bare ground and claypan across 50% of their property to productive land; Holistic Management techniques to regenerate the rangeland; stock trading to balance stocking rate with pasture availability; diversifying into tourism

Innovations Commenced: 2001

SHANNON VALE STATION

Sally and Greg Chappell
Download case study

12km east of Glen Innes, NSW Northern Tablelands

Enterprise: Angus bull breeding from high performance seed stock on 1450 hectares

Motivation for Change: Drought, economic viability and gaining a deeper understanding of biological cycles

Innovations: Overcoming weed invasion through addressing soil health; organic fertilisation tailored to soil and plan nutrient requirements; no cultivation or herbicides; managed grazing pressure

Innovations Commenced: 2005

BEETALOO STATION

The Dunnicliff family
Download case study

60km east of Elliot, 800km south of Darwin, NT Barkly Tablelands

Enterprise: Brahman and Brahman-Senepol cross beef production on a 1,000,000+ hectare property

Motivation for Change: Previous experience that water supply is critical for productive grazing on vast properties

Innovations: Delivering a reliable water supply to support grazing across vast areas of previously unused native rangelands; establishing smaller paddock size on a very large scale to concentrate grazing animals to ensure managed use of pastures and continuing improvement of soils

Innovations Commenced: 2002

THREE RIVERS STATION

Ben and Graham Forsyth
Download case study

230km north of Meekatharra, 1000km north east of Perth, WA Mid West

Enterprise: Bos Taurus beef production on 480,000 hectares

Motivation for Change: Degraded landscape unable to support stock

Innovations: De-stocking of property to allow for regeneration; construction of strategic earthworks to slow surface water flow, restore water flow to wetlands and floodplains, reduce erosion, build soil and promote perennial pasture regeneration

Innovations Commenced: 2004

CLOVER ESTATE

David Clayfield
Download case study

Mil Lel, 15km north east of Mount Gambier, SA South East

Enterprise: Contract rearing of dairy heifers on 100 hectares

Motivation for Change: Rising production costs and animal health concerns

Innovations: Converting sand into fertile, healthy soils; introducing biologically-based soil conditioners to balance the mineral and microbial status of the soil; strategic use of foliar fertilisers; ceasing chemical inputs

Innovations Commenced: 1995

JILLAMATONG

Martin Royds and Trish Solomon
Download case study

5km south west of Braidwood, NSW Southern Tablelands

Enterprise: Beef cattle raising, agistment and trading and various cottage industries on 453 hectares

Motivation for Change: Learning about Holistic Management

Innovations: A number of complementary approaches founded on Holistic Management thinking; time-controlled planned grazing within carrying capacity, designed to facilitate nutrient movement; replacing ploughing with surface cultivation and direct sowing; Natural Sequence Farming approach to watercourse management; use of organic wastes as fertilisers

Innovations Commenced: 1994

GUNNINGRAH

Anne and Charlie Maslin
Download case study

20km north west of Bombala, NSW Southern Tablelands

Enterprise: Angus beef, sheep and goat meat production and medium wool Merinos on 4200 hectares

Motivation for Change: Ecological deterioration and dependence on rainfall for profit

Innovations: Managing landscape to better capture rainfall, constructing leaky weirs across creeks and gullies; time-controlled planned grazing matching stock numbers to land carrying capacity; introducing goats for weed control

Innovations Commenced: 1995

LANA

Tim Wright
Download case study

22km west of Uralla, NSW Northern Tablelands

Enterprise: Fine Merino wool, fat lambs and beef production on 3350 hectares

Motivation for Change: Excessively high costs of production and the opportunity to better use the grazing animal

Innovations: Holistic Management against 10 key principles; time-controlled planned grazing using stock for nutrient movement, enhancing soil fertility and vegetation management; increasing sheep and cattle production despite reduced rainfall

Innovations Commenced: 1990

TALLAWANG

image of Craig Carter and Nicky Chirlian

Craig Carter and Nicky Chirlian
Download case study

Willow Tree, 60km south west of Quirindi, NSW North West Slopes and Plains

Enterprise: Beef cattle and sheep trading on 445 hectares

Motivation for Change: Disenchantment with 'traditional' grazing methods in producing a healthy landscape and adequate returns

Innovations: Restoring landscape hydrology through construction of leaky weirs and swales to slow water flow; time-controlled planned grazing in wagon-wheel design; stock trading

Innovations Commenced: 2002

TALAHENI

Robyn and John Ive
Download case study

Near Murrumbateman, 40km north of Canberra, NSW Southern Tablelands

Enterprise: Ultra-fine Sharlea wool, Angus beef and farm forestry on 250 hectares

Motivation for Change: Non-viability of previous management and identifying the opportunity to apply practical ecological science

Innovations: Substantial revegetation to manage salinity; strategic paddock design; planned grazing strategies, particularly addressing fodder supply and drought conditions

Innovations Commenced: 1980

Watch a clip of this story below

WINONA

Colin Seis
Download case study

20km north of Gulgong, NSW Central Highlands

Enterprise: Merino sheep, rams and wool, grain crops and native grass seed on 840 hectares

Motivation for Change: Loss after major bushfire necessitating establishment of a low-input agricultural system

Innovations: Developing and implementing 'pasture cropping'; time-controlled planned grazing; 'vertical stacking' of enterprises - cropping, native grass seed, sheep wool and meat; sequestering significant amounts of soil carbon

Innovations Commenced: grazing management: 1989 / pasture cropping: 1993

MILGADARA

Bill and Rhonda Daly
Download case study

20km east of Young, NSW South West Slopes

Enterprise: Cereal, canola and legume crops, prime lamb and humus compost production on 1182 hectares

Motivation for Change: Health concerns and disillusion with 'chemical' farming

Innovations: Developing and applying humus compost; focusing on soil structure, biology and mineral balance; legume under-sowing of crops

Innovations Commenced: 2001

INVERARAY DOWNS

Cam McKellar
Download case study

10km south of Spring Ridge, NSW North West Slopes and Plains

Enterprise: Irrigated grain, seed and legume crops, cattle agistment and organic compost production on 1250 hectares

Motivation for Change: Prohibitively high-input crop production system

Innovations: Changing crop rotation to better support soil biology; changing from inorganic to organic fertilisers; application of compost fertiliser to increase soil organic matter; integrating grazing with cropping. Regenerating soil structure and nutrient dynamics to produce healthier food with reduced inputs

Innovations Commenced: 2000

BRIANDRA

Brian and Sandra Wilson
Download case study

Mingay, 16km north of Lismore, 170km west of Melbourne, VIC Western Plains

Enterprise: Cereal, oilseed and pulse crops and Merino sheep grazing on 1073 hectares

Motivation for Change: Needing to diversify to maintain production and address waterlogged soils

Innovations: Raising crop beds to improve waterlogged soils; using brewed cellulose-digesting bacteria and fungi combined with grazing to manage cereal stubbles; spreading biological blend on soils

Innovations Commenced: raised beds: 1996 / biological blends: 2002

PROSPECT PASTORAL COMPANY

Ian and Dianne Haggerty
Download case study

Wyalkatchem, Dowerin, Cunderdin and Meckering districts, around 190km north east of Perth, WA Central Wheatbelt

Enterprise: Cereal grains and cereal hay crops, specially-bred sheep for wool and premium grade fat lambs across 8000 hectares

Motivation for Change: Reducing rainfall and rising input costs

Innovations: Introducing biological fertilisers and zero tillage to improve soil function and structure; integrating grazing with cropping to enhance nutrient cycling and soil structure; revegetation to limit spread of salt

Innovations Commenced: 1994

PINE LODGE

Ian and Wendy Klein
Download case study

Shepparton, VIC Central North

Enterprise: Organic irrigated dairy, 261 hectares

Motivation for Change: Health concerns and the desire to try natural farming methods

Innovations: Using beneficial bacteria to treat dairy effluent for use as fertiliser; laser levelling of paddocks and enhancing the water reticulation system; composting, foliar and bio-fertilisation; all organic practices

Innovations Commenced: 1996

NORTH EAST CMA

Download case study

Catchment region bounded by the Murray River in the north, Victorian Alps in the south, NSW border in the east and the Warby Ranges in the west. VIC

Program: Sustainable Farm Practices - Soil Carbon Programme

Program Motivation: Identified lack of knowledge on understanding soil tests and practically managing soil fertility, structure and health to improve farm production

Program Activities: Soil Testing - multiple tests for over 500 farmers and seminars on interpreting results; Training and Education - provision of agronomy sessions, field days, seminars and e-Farmer training focused on improving soil carbon content and sustainable farming; Quality Management - post-activity surveys, helpdesk feedback and ontoing communications

Program Commenced: 2009

NRM SOUTH

Download case study

The Southern Tasmania Natural Resource Management region covers 2.5 million hectares across South and Eastern Tasmania

Program: Living Soils and Building Evidence for Regenerative Agriculture

Program Motivation: The need for tailored solutions and low risk trials for farmers interested in trying new land management practices

Program Activities: Tailoring support to land manager requirements in promoting the uptake of sustainable management practices, including high levels of engagement; supported trials of planned grazing incorporating formal monitoring processes and selected demonstration sites

Program Commenced: 2010

Watch John Ive of Talaheni discuss how he overcame saline seeps across his property:

CASE STUDY LOCATIONS

Click on the property name to download the case study.

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK

What fantastic stories. These farmers should be commended. Hopefully in the future all of our farmers will be using techniques such as these.

These case studies are very professionally put together with valuable information. Thank you so much for the efforts. We want to print them and share them on our website to reach further people. Are they only in digital format at this stage?

Due to popular demand, we are currently out of hard copies of our case study report. We hope to print more in 2013. Please feel free to distribute digital copies of our case studies. Support wide adoption of regenerative landscape management practices!

I do like the format and initiative behind these stories. How do wwe go about submitting a case study

Thanks for your comment Norm. We expect to be calling for our next series of case studies from July 2013. We will be focusing in particular on regions and land use types not sufficiently covered in our first series. Keep an eye on the website for our call for expressions of interest.

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These case studies were produced with the support of: