Anthony and Christie Kingston are exploring increasing ground cover on their farm as one tool in adapting their farm to our changing climate.
Ground cover can protect soil from wind and water erosion, keep it cooler in the hot months, take advantage of summer rainfall, and support soil life in our warming, drying climate.
Protecting soil is key to farm profits.
As part of Wheatbelt NRM’s Optimising Fodder Options in Mixed Farming Systems project, the Kingstons will work with an expert to develop a farm plan to increase feed options, decrease summer and winter feed gaps, and support animal and soil health.
Anthony and Christie run sheep for wool production and winter mixed cropping on their 1500 hectares in Goomalling WA.
They see ground cover as a win-win for mixed farmers. They have dabbled unsuccessfully with Tall Wheatgrass, Puccinellia, and Lucerne; had pleasing results with SSS in a year with good summer rainfall; and their sheep have benefitted from the shade, shelter and fodder provided by saltbush and native shrub mixes.
They want to learn more about pasture, fodder and forage options that could contribute to the resilience and overall health of their system.
Christie, a Farmers for Climate Action board member and on the working group of the newly-formed WA Climate-Smart Ag Collective, is also motivated by the role farmers can play in carbon drawdown to help limit global warming.
The Kingstons are a farm planning demonstration site for the Optimising Fodder Options in Mixed Farming Systems.