GREG and Alex Nevin are always looking at how to do things better – more efficiently, more effectively.
It would mean that their beef cattle enterprise would evolve into a Limousin stud, as the hybrid vigour they were looking for in their own cattle would involve using premium genetics from all over the world.
"It fitted in well with our other occupation; both being airline pilots we had the privilege to regularly travel, finding great genetics from not just Australia but the USA and UK as well," said Greg.
That was until COVID came.
"It happened so quickly," Greg said.
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"Combined we have over 30 years experience in aviation, yet going back in that moment in time it felt worthless, there was no more aviation.
"Then there was the stress of not knowing how long it would last.
"With the farm and a young family it was daunting."
Alex and Greg sat down at the kitchen table.
"We talked," Greg said.
"We needed to take stock of everything; find a way through and come out the other end more resilient.
"How could we minimise costs yet improve pastures and mitigate the risks that come with farming – such as adverse weather?"
Research led the Nevins to Niels Olsen's Soilkee System, the only problem being that they couldn't find a contractor to provide the service.
Driven by their belief in the Soilkee System, Alex and Greg made the commitment to invest in a Soilkee Renovator.
It was a significant investment, but Greg will attest to it being one of the best decisions he ever made.
"Marrying Alex was the smartest thing I've ever done but implementing the Soilkee System is proving to be right up there too," he said.
It would then result in the Limousin stud expanding to incorporate a contracting service enhancing farmers' pastures, as they improved their own pastures and realised the significant potential of using the Soilkee System.
Both were a natural progression – the striving for quality, reliability and profitability in their own farming enterprise – that would result in the enterprise taking on a new direction.
"We needed to work smarter not harder, and a significant part of that process required better pasture management," Greg said.
And inspired by the change he has seen on his own property – the regeneration of paddocks and pasture, and the improved health of his livestock – Greg now offers Soilkee Contracting Services to other producers in the North East.
"Together we can increase your pastures' profitability, improve your farm's resilience during the dryer times and assist you into the world of carbon credits," Greg said.
"The Soilkee Renovator plants seasonal crops in spaced apart rows into existing pasture, leaving 80 per cent of the paddock undisturbed.
"With minimum till disturbance, the soil is protected against erosion and the soil microbiome remains healthy and intact in the majority of the paddock.
"The system enhances growth in the existing pasture while building resilient topsoil, through aeration and the incorporation of a green manure crop, worked into the soil through the rotating blades."
"It activates the soil life, increases water holding capacity and builds up nutrient presence and availability," Alex said.
The system also effectively eliminates down time in paddock management, while filling feed gaps as the Soilkee Renovator is capable of deploying a diverse mix of seeds.
Greg said that independent trials corroborate these statements, and if his paddocks are any indication of the effectiveness of the system the results speak for themselves.
"I love the new direction the farm has taken, and given the rapid rise in fertiliser costs I'm so glad we've been able to slash those cost inputs," said Greg.
***********************BREAKOUT BOX
Independent Trial Results:*
Soil Carbon increase 24 per cent (from 3.7 per cent to 4.6 per cent)
Plant available Nitrogen increase 122 per cent
Plant available Phosphorus increase 34 per cent
Plant available Sulphur increase 51 per cent
Dry matter up to 30 per cent increase
Crude Protein 13 per cent – 45 per cent increase
*Data from an independent replicated trial over one year in nine rotationally grazed paddocks on three farms, funded by a Commercialisation Australia 'Proof of Concept' grant supporting our patented innovation.
