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Abstract

Grazing trials are used to quantify and demonstrate the biophysical impact of grazing

strategies, with the Wambiana grazing trial being one of the longest running trials in northern

Australia. Previous economic analyses of this trial suggest that there is a major advantage in

stocking at a fixed, moderate stocking rate or in using decision rules allowing flexible

stocking to match available feed supply.

The present study developed and applied a modelling procedure to use data collected at the

small plot, land type and paddock scale at the trial to simulate the property-level implications

of a range of fixed stocking rates for a breeding-finishing enterprise. The best economic

performance was achieved at a moderate stocking rate of 10.5 adult equivalents/100 hectares.

Model outcomes are consistent with previous economic analyses using actual trial data.

Further modelling of the Wambiana trial data is warranted and similar analyses should be

applied to other major grazing trials to allow scaling up of results to the whole-property level.