Introduction: Rationale and Methodology

Rationale

This case study evolved from an economic investigation into a mixed (cropping / sheep) farming system in Western Australia’s (WA) south-eastern wheatbelt. The investigation was undertaken as the system’s profitability is much higher than industry norms given its higher proportion of livestock, its profit variance is much lower than those with similar profitability in comparable systems, and consequently the business has expanded to an above average size. Furthermore, its modelled emissions are significantly less than comparable mixed systems and evidence exists that its soil organic carbon (SOC) is comparable or as much as 40% more than the district average.

The owners’ business objective (Brendon and Gabrielle Savage, pers. com.) is sustainable intergenerational farming; sustainable refers to the resource base as well as profit. A particularly unusual production feature is evidence of high levels of livestock performance achieved by grazing in some paddocks that are dominated by older subclovers ( Trifolium subterraneum L.) which can be highly oestrogenic, which normally constrain ewe reproduction potential. This case study highlights the importance of promoting lower input mixed farming systems in WA’s public policy as these innovative systems have the potential to be both profitable, more climate resilient and environmentally friendly by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and emissions intensity and building soil carbon. They also have the potential to underpin the creation of value chains that reward low net carbon outcomes.