Landcare strategies in pastoral areas are less obvious to the visitor than those in agricultural areas. We do not clear the land so we rely on the native vegetation for production. For sustainable production it is imperative that the perennial vegetation and soil condition be maintained and improved if possible.

Stock numbers are generally low and stock are spread widely. Sheep, for instance, are run at one sheep to 10 to 40 hectares depending on the landtype and season. Good management practices are essential. Modern pastoral managers are aware that they are custodians of a vast natural resource which must be maintained in a stable and productive condition. Some of the land has in the past been abused at times by overstocking and pastoralists seek to repair the damage where possible with good management practices and scientific knowledge now available. In some cases this is impossible but lessons have hopefully been learnt and mistakes of the past will not be repeated.

The priority of landcare in the pastoral areas is controlled grazing pressure. This is achieved first and foremost by conservative stocking rates and removal of feral animals.

Other strategies include:-

• Relocating watering points from degraded areas
• fencing to landtypes to achieve better control of preferred grazing areas
• slowing down water flow by brushing up gullies and neck points in creeks
• fenced exclosures to allow natural regeneration
• revegation work on degraded areas
• monitoring vegetation and soil condition
• control of introduced animals such as foxes and cats with baiting program
• control and eradication of weeds

Floods, droughts, strong winds, hail storms and periods of extreme heat can all have a detrimental effect on the landscape. We try to keep this to a minimum by maintaining a good covering of perennial plants and by removing stock in dry times. Fire can cause damage in years of heavy annual growth.