A word from the Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator (September 2026)
As we move into spring, paddocks are beginning to respond to warmer temperatures and increasing daylight hours. While it can be tempting to maximise grazing opportunities during periods of strong growth, maintaining adequate groundcover remains one of the most important investments landholders can make in the long-term productivity and resilience of their farming business.
Groundcover acts as the first line of defence against wind and water erosion, protects valuable topsoil, reduces moisture loss and helps suppress weeds. It also supports healthier soils by providing organic matter and creating favourable conditions for soil biology. In a variable climate, groundcover can be the difference between a paddock that quickly recovers following a dry period and one that struggles to regain productivity.
Spring provides an ideal opportunity to assess pasture utilisation and consider whether current grazing pressure is allowing sufficient cover to remain. Small management decisions made now can have lasting impacts on pasture persistence, soil health and productivity in the seasons ahead.
Many producers across the region are already demonstrating how maintaining groundcover can support both production and environmental outcomes. By balancing livestock performance with paddock recovery, they are building more resilient farming systems that are better equipped to handle seasonal variability.
As the growing season progresses, take the time to look down as well as ahead. Groundcover may not always be the most visible part of your farming operation, but it remains one of the most valuable assets beneath your feet.
This information was provided by Riverina Local Land Services’ Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator, Jade Auldist. Sustainable Agriculture Facilitators are supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program. For further information on this article, please contact Jade at jade.auldist@lls.nsw.gov.au.