Safety focus: Agriculture Victoria research scientist Meredith Mitchell and beef producer Stephen Hill discuss native grasses.
Beef producer Stephen Hill had never experienced a fire on his property at Mt Mittamatite near Corryong, so he didn’t know how his paddocks would recover after the paddocks were engulfed in flames in December, 2019.
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“It all burnt, the whole lot, thoroughly burnt,” Mr Hill said as he looks around his property.
You can see where the fire swept through, but there’s an abundance of green on the ground and among the gum trees.
“This is 18 months on and the response of the native pastures is nothing but amazing really,” Mr Hill said.
“I was surprised at just how well it has come back after the fire.”
In a new video from Agriculture Victoria, Mr Hill talks about why he thinks his property has recovered so quickly, and Agriculture Victoria research scientist Meredith Mitchell explains native pasture recovery after fire and shows how to identify native grasses.
Agriculture recovery manager Kylie Macreadie said the video provided valuable insights into farm management after fire, with simple tips on how to identify native grasses.
“It’s great to hear from a farmer who has first-hand experience of a fire on his property, matched with clear advice on what to look for in your paddock,” Ms Macreadie said.
Road to recovery: Beef and sheep producer John Blair features in a video providing insights and advice on pasture recovery after a fire.
A second video features beef and sheep producer John Blair and Agriculture Victoria land management extension officer Ian Gamble who share their insights and advice on pasture recovery after a fire.
Mr Blair remembers when a fire came through his property in December, 2019, at Cudgewa in the Upper Murray, Victoria, so quickly that he had little time to react.
“The fire came through just before midnight and burnt everything, 100 per cent of the place,” Mr Blair said.
“The only thing we had left was the lawn.”
Mr Blair shares his insights into the effect of the fire, including the need to renovate pastures and manage weeds that are introduced through hay bought in to feed cattle and sheep.
Mr Gamble and agronomist Graham Martin share their advice on pasture management, including identifying pasture species, weed control, fodder crops, ground cover management, soil testing and pasture species selection.
