Holistic Soil Management Practices

Raising sheep using natural farming principals is an agricultural system that relies on holistic management practices and organic inputs instead of synthetic inputs. It is a holistic soil management practice that has the objective of maximising the natural fertility of soil to grow nutrient dense grazing pastures for sheep.

A regenerative sheep farm focuses on producing animals from a mainly forage-based system.  Its emphasis is on maintaining animal health through improved welfare, nutrient dense pastures, and a reduction in the use of conventional, routine veterinary treatments.

Nutrient Dense Grazing

Healthy soil is the backbone of any successful sheep farming operation. One of the key ways to build robust soil biology is by encouraging a diversity of grasses in your pastures. This diversity fuels the soil food web and supports a flourishing microbial community.

The secret lies in photosynthesis. Different grass species have varying photosynthetic pathways, allowing them to capture and convert sunlight into sugars in unique ways. These sugars are then exuded from the grass roots and feed the soil microbes, to multiply them.

The more diverse the pasture, the greater the variety of sugars available to soil bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms

Plant diversity nourishes a thriving, balanced soil food web that can cycle nutrients, improve soil structure, and make organic nutrients available to plants.

Incorporating a mix of cool-season and warm-season grasses, as well as broadleaf plants, is an excellent way to maximise the photosynthetic potential of your pastures.

Resting The Land

In a regenerative sheep farming system, farmers focus on enhancing the natural processes within their land, rather than relying heavily on synthetic inputs such as uan fertilisers or pesticides. This means that they prioritise practices like rotational grazing, which allows the land to rest and regenerate between grazing periods.

By implementing these methods, sheep farmers aim to improve soil fertility, increase water retention capacity, and enhance carbon sequestration.

Regenerative Sheep Farming For Increased Profit

In a regenerative sheep farming system, farmers maximise the use of grazing land to supply feed, and focus on growing multi-species crops, pasture cropping, and building soil health to provide nutrient density to pastures.

Pasture Cropping was first developed by NSW Australian sheep farmer Colin Seis.  The primary principal of pasture cropping is to have 100% ground cover, 100% of the time, to ensure optimal photosynthesis, healthy plant root growth, and biological activity in the soil.

Cereal crops, like oats and barley, are planted into perennial pasture, rather than rotated fields, and the killing off of cover crops or heavy tilling, is generally not required.  Instead, the perennial pasture becomes the cover crop.

For a more indepth understanding of pasture cropping, see Colin Seis – Webinar Pasture Cropping

Read Article – ‘Top 2 Cost Effective Pasture and Cover Cropping Tips’

Optimised Animal Welfare

Additionally, using a regenerative sheep farming system can lead to improved animal welfare. With a focus on providing ample space for grazing and minimising stressors, such as overcrowding or confinement, farmers can ensure that their sheep are living in a comfortable, natural environment.

Overall, regenerative sheep farming offers a sustainable alternative to conventional practices by utilising natural inputs and prioritising soil health. It not only benefits the environment but also promotes healthier livestock and higher-quality products for consumers.

Biological Soil Fertility Booster

In the realm of sheep farming, ensuring optimal nutrition and digestion is crucial for the overall health and productivity of the flock. One effective way to achieve this is by utilising nutrient-dense forage produced through the use of boosting soil biology with Liquid Biological Fertilisers.

Naturally cold fermented Biological Fertilisers deliver balanced organic minerals. Activated with beneficial microbes, these chelated mineral concentrates stimulate beneficial microorganisms in the soil. Increased biological activity then supports crop growth, nutrient density and overall crop resilience.

By incorporating Biological Fertilisers into farming practices, sheep farmers can improve the mineral nutrition in their pastures. This translates into better nutrition for their flock, as their sheep will have access to a wider range of essential minerals necessary for growth and overall well-being.

Liquid Fish Benefits for Pasture Improvement

Liquid Fish Fertiliser is made from fish discards from processing. It is a potent source of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, amino acids, enzymes, vitamins, and trace minerals.

Cold processed Biofertilisers deliver nutrients that are bio-available for plants to easily uptake. Liquid Fish not only provides essential nutrients but also enhances soil fertility by feeding beneficial microbes in the soil.

Balanced By Nature

Using a combination of Liquid Seaweed and Fish Biofertilisers offers several benefits.

Firstly, they provide a balanced nutrient profile necessary for healthy plant growth. Secondly, Biological Fertilisers improve soil structure by increasing microbial activity and organic matter content. This leads to better water retention capacity and nutrient availability for crops.

Moreover, the natural hormones present in both Liquid Seaweed and Liquid Fish Biofertiliser help regulate plant growth processes effectively, and promote root development for better nutrient uptake.

By incorporating Biological Fertilisers into your sheep farming practice, you can reduce your reliance on synthetic fertilisers while simultaneously improving soil structure. This approach not only benefits nutrition in your pastures, but also contributes to long-term soil fertility and sustainability.

Further Reading;

‘Top 2 Cost Effective Pasture and Cover Cropping Tips’

‘7 Reasons Why Farmers are Shifting to Organic Nitrogen’

Liquid Minerals for Sheep

Sheep farming is a year-round endeavor that requires careful attention to their nutritional needs. One crucial aspect of sheep nutrition is ensuring they receive the necessary minerals for optimum growth, health, and fertility.

Probiotic Liquid Seaweed Supplements can play a vital role in providing sheep with the broad spectrum minerals they need. SONIC Liquid Seaweed optimises digestive function, with natural probiotic cultures, and improves feed efficiency, contributing to overall good health and body condition.

Probiotic Liquid Seaweed Benefits

By incorporating bio-available Liquid Seaweed into the feeding regimen, sheep farmers can ensure their flock receives the essential nutrients they require for optimal performance.

Probiotic Liquid Seaweed helps bridge any nutritional gaps that may exist in the animals’ diet

With a combination of probiotics and seaweeds full spectrum of minerals, sheep farmers can enhance their flock’s productivity while also safeguarding their well-being. By prioritising digestive function and mineral nutrition, sheep farmers can set their animals up for success throughout the year.

SONIC Protiotic Liquid Seaweed contains certified organic Australian Seaweed (kelp), activated with 100% natural probiotic cultures, offering sheep a nutritious liquid solution, that is tasty for them to drink, and easy for them to digest.