Shane and Shan Joyce came to Dukes Plain in 1982 from a background in permaculture. Over the years they adopted new management practices: ceasing the use of fire, retaining timber and valuing regrowth, prioritising pasture diversity and native pastures, and employing low production costs and inputs. In 1993 a radical change was made to the grazing system on Dukes Plain, moving from continuous grazing in seven paddocks to a cell grazing system across almost 100 paddocks. Focus moved from the production bottom line to a measure of kilograms of beef produced per hectare of available pasture. Production increases were experienced within two years of adopting planned grazing management. In addition to cell grazing, outcomes were further enhanced by the later application of organic and biodynamic methods.
By persisting through obstacles and impediments to change, the Joyce’s have experienced improvement in the natural resource with healthier soils, more diverse pastures, more trees, fewer weeds, improved water quality and water use efficiency, as well as increased carrying capacity, easier animal management and reduced labour requirements. They have been able to maintain or increase production through periods when many properties have had to reduce stock
numbers.
TALK THE WALK FOLLOW UP
Done watching the video?
Listen to the Follow up “Talk the Walk” Q&A Call Session
with Shane Joyce
“Persist, Change and Flourish Through Adversities”
