Lucknow farmer John Blunt has achieved the perfect balance between sustainability and production on his property.
Central West Catchment Management Authority (CMA) spokesman Tim Nalder said Mr Blunt’s Merungie property was a prime example of why farm trees and biodiversity are important for sustainable production.
Mr Nalder spoke at the Trees on Farm field day hosted by the CMA and the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) at Mr Blunt’s property on Tuesday. Mr Blunt said the farm had been in the family for five generations and his primary goal is to sustainably and profitably produce prime lambs for the regional market.
“Sustainability is all about improving the health and condition of our farmland,” said Mr Blunt.
“It’s about giving back and looking after the land.”
Mr Blunt has planted over 15,000 native trees and shrubs to act as a windbreak for his stock and to prevent further erosion on his property. Like many properties around the region Mr Blunt’s farm was extensively cleared for mining and agricultural development in the 20th century.
Mr Blunt said he has achieved many benefits from tree planting such as paddock division, rotational grazing, wildlife corridors and improved biodiversity.
“They both go hand in hand,” he said.
“If sustainability improves then production increases.”
The field day featured DPI tree specialist Dhyan Blore who explained to attendees the latest in windbreak designs and the benefits of trees to livestock, crops and pastures. DPI agronomist Tony Cox spoke about weed management, ground cover and grazing management to achieve good livestock and environmental outcomes.