Looking Forward, Not Back - Stabilising Sandy Pasture Paddocks With Low Groundcover FEAT. Geoff Moore

In this episode WMG Comms Officer Simon Kruger & Mixed Farming Systems Officer Melanie Dixon are joined by Geoff Moore, Research Scientist at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. When grasshopper issues first arose in the 2021 season in the West Midlands region, Geoff was the first respondent on the ground with the WMG team and our affected members. Geoff specialises in legumes, pastures, livestock feedbase and groundcover among many things, and chats with us as part three in our series focusing on positive producer responses to 2021 seasonal grasshopper and groundcover issues. After monitoring the areas of greatest risk in our region and producing several case studies investigating the response to grasshopper, groundcover and soil erosion, Geoff is able to provide some more background on both producer and department response, as well as detailing several key short, mid and long term tactical and strategic options for dealing with groundcover issues.Geoff and DPIRD have kindly provided some links to extra resources for producers who may be interested in the topics covered during the conversation or those that are hoping to mitigate similar problems in this and coming seasons.Useful Links:https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/pastures/stabilising-sandy-pasture-paddocks-low-groundcoverTagasaste management with Bob Wilson Pasture Cropping - An introduction to the concept and EverCrop project Pasture Cropping - Experiences of innovative growers  Pasture Cropping - Results from the Moora focus site with David Ferris Key steps for successful establishment of sub-tropical grasses with Phil Barrett-Lennard Identifying sub-tropical grass seedlingsSub-tropical grass establishment - machinery demonstrationProducer perspectiveAssessing sub-tropical grass establishmentSaponins and grassesKetosis in cattle with Marion SeymourSupport the show