Winter field walk highlights mixed farming trials

30 July 2026

Local researchers, advisors and producers were invited to Charles Sturt University's Ashmont Farm for a winter field walk and season update at the long-term #MixedFarmingTrials site in Wagga.

Hosted by Gulbali Institute researchers Shawn McGrath, Felicity Harris, Jeff McCormick and Jessica Wyse, the field walk on 28 July gave attendees the opportunity to see how the team is managing strong early growth following a mild winter, along with the development of grazing crops and mixed pastures. Michael Walsh, from GRDC's Weed Management Initiative, also joined the group, contributing expertise to the management of the site's high weed pressure.

The 31 attendees toured the trial's different crop and pasture configurations, organised into mini-farms with sheep rotated through where required. Shawn introduced the project team and research program, while Felicity outlined crop selection decisions, including the use of Neo barley and Illabo dual-purpose wheat, and the decision not to sow dual-purpose canola this season.

Jeff discussed the livestock component, noting that 2026 is shaping up very differently to 2025, with an abundance of feed options available. He also highlighted the importance of understanding the long-term value of management decisions and their impact on farm productivity and resilience.

Jess spoke about sheep management throughout the year, from joining in confinement during January through to ewe nutrition during pregnancy and the strategic movement of stock through crops and pastures. She also outlined the switch from composite ewes in 2025 to crossbred ewes in 2026, and the resulting impacts on pasture utilisation.

Ewes and lambs on the vetch mix

The Charles Sturt Wagga trial site serves as the central hub for seven mixed farming trials being conducted by farming systems groups across southern NSW. The project compares the productivity and resilience of four farming systems: traditional (Wolfe), high-intensity (Kirkegaard), ley (O'Hare) and continuous cropping.

Now in its third year, the Charles Sturt University project team is working with the Hub on an application to the Future Drought Fund to extend the research for a further four years.

Jessica Wyse and Local Land Services' Drought Adoption Officer Martin Preuss