NAME: Helen Darlington
PROPERTY NAME: Yarrabee
PROPERTY LOCATION: Goombungee, Queensland
PROPERTY SIZE: 250ha
NUMBER OF GOATS: 300-600
MAIN GOAT ENTERPRISE: Boer goat stud
TARGET MARKET: Export breeding-stock markets – stud Boer does and bucks Domestic breeding-stock markets – stud and commercial Boer bucks
SECOND GOAT ENTERPRISE: Boer cross goat enterprises
TARGET MARKET: Export breeding-stock markets – Boer cross does, Domestic prime goatmeat market wethers, and Export meat market – cull stock
OTHER FARM ENTERPRISES: Bacon pigs, beef cattle
Although Helen’s enterprise is focused on stud breeding, it is run as commercially as possible, under intensive grazing conditions. The property is a mix of natural and improved pastures, supported by an average annual rainfall of 580mm, falling predominantly in summer.
When asked to outline her philosophy on grazing management, Helen explained that her intent is to supply adequate nutrition for her goats from clean pastures, whilst grazing in a manner which does not degrade the land – avoiding overgrazing or physical damage. To achieve this, Helen finds it necessary to spell paddocks from goat grazing for an average of four to six months each year. If there is evidence of overgrazing, Helen’s strategy is to move the stock on and/or feed supplements. Aside from overgrazing, Helen cautions of the need be aware of the physical damage which goats can do as a result of camping and playing behaviour. The examples that Helen gave relate to erosion issues. She explains that “goats have the ability to damage fragile hilly areas due to their resting habits. They usually congregate to rest in the same area on the side of a hill and have a tendency to scrape a “nest” in the ground and therefore loosen up the soil. Young goats enjoy playing and rolling down slopes and so have the potential to erode soil over time.” In these circumstances, fencing may be required to control access, or the paddock rested to allow time for groundcover to re-establish.
Internal parasites are another issue influencing Helen’s grazing strategy. Parasite burdens are monitored and if problems arise, goats are moved to a cleaner paddock. On this property, cattle provide a valuable break in the grazing routine.
Fodder crops are also an integral part of the system. If rainfall permits, forage crops are grown as an alternative feed source, taking the pressure off when pasture growth is limited.
Helen describes grazing management as a balancing act to constantly monitor the influences of rainfall, drought, stocking rate, goat behaviour and worm burden that affect the pasture quality and/or land stability. Similarly, there is a continual need to juggle the number of goats and length of time that they remain in a paddock. This is important goat husbandry and is affected by nutritional requirements, worm burden status and markets. Markets affect this due to the number of surplus goats being retained on the property at one time, in preparation for the next outlet.
