Mallee Sustainable Farming (MSF) will now be better able to support farmers from across the Mallee following the recent appointment of Dr. Nick Paltridge, who joins the team as livestock farming systems project manager.

Nick brings to the team a wealth of practical experience in on-farm livestock and cropping systems, combining practical experience as a livestock producer with practical extension and project delivery as well as on-farm research in mixed cropping systems.

Nick was recently on hand to help launch a new project supporting on-farm fodder shrub production for Mallee livestock farming systems. This project is supported by the Mallee Catchment Management Authority through funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund. The project aims to develop a “community of practice” for livestock producers who are interested in sharing their experiences and learning more about how they can best establish fodder shrubs on-farm. This new project forms part of Mallee Sustainable Farming’s “Robust Farming Systems” initiative for farmers from the Millewa and Mallee regions.

“Fodder shrubs offer much potential and opportunity for livestock producers across the Mallee, and this new project aims to bring interested Mallee farmers together to see firsthand how best to grow, establish and utilise fodder shrubs as a useful food source for livestock” said Nick.

According to Nick, farmer experience over the years have highlighted the benefits of on-farm fodder shrubs, including the opportunity to have a living hay reserve when paddock feed is in short supply, and importantly reducing the erosion risk on fragile Mallee soils.

If anyone is interested in becoming involved in the project, they are encouraged to contact Nick via email or mobile (nick@msfp.org.au or Mobile 0434 076 508).