A blanket ban on tree clearing would do more environmental harm than good, according to University of Queensland research in the state`s eastern mulga country.
Dr Geoff Slaughter, who grew up at Mungallala and is now an associate lecturer in agribusiness at UQ Gatton, studied the financial viability and sustainability of grazing enterprises in the eastern mulga lands of southwest Queensland for his PhD.
He spent six months working with more than 40 property owners, reviewing their performance and financial data for the past five years.
“The combination of inappropriate grazing strategies and the absence of fire has led to vigorous regeneration of woody vegetation and created environmental problems,” Dr Slaughter said.
“Some of the worst degraded country I saw had so many trees that the dense canopy cover prevented adequate grass growth resulting in severe erosion of topsoil.
“To achieve a healthy landscape, there needs to be a managed balance between timber and grass.
“We shouldn’t undervalue the knowledge of people who have lived with the ecosystem for generations. They are often in a good position to recognise past mistakes and can provide valuable insights into how this balance can be achieved.”
Dr Slaughter’s mulga country research caps a varied and outstanding academic career.
He completed a business degree with first class honours at UQ Gatton and won a University Medal for outstanding academic achievement.
A PhD scholarship gave him the opportunity to return to his roots and study the long-term viability of grazing in the fragile mulga environment.
Dr Slaughter is keen to pursue opportunities for western graziers to turn sustainable management of the mulga country into a marketing advantage.
“Discerning consumers are looking to be assured that their food is produced in a well-managed landscape,” Dr Slaughter said.
His findings also challenge the commonly-accepted wisdom that bigger is better.
“A well-managed mid-sized property which is conservatively stocked can produce a financial bottom line equal to that of a bigger enterprise with a higher cost structure,” he said.
The research identified numerous properties in the eastern mulga region that could be classified as too small to be economically viable, particularly in the long term.
“Sure there are traditionalists,” he said. “But there are also innovative producers who are really considering the issues and trying to move forward to secure their futures.”
Dr Slaughter said his research showed that management of a property post-drought was critical.
“The costs of maintaining large numbers of stock during a drought are questionable. When the drought breaks, new growth has to be managed carefully to ensure palatable pasture species are not eaten out,” Dr Slaughter said.
“Recovery of the enterprise can be severely set back.”
For more information, contact Dr Geoff Slaughter (telephone 0419 022 618 or 5460 1614) or Anthony Smith (telephone 0409 265 587).
