About Bibbaringa

Bibbaringa is owned by Gill Sanbrook, the property is 950 hectares and runs between 400 and 600 steers purchased annually from the high country in NE Victoria, The cattle grazed in a planned rotation on native and improved grasslands. Bibbaringa produces GrassFed beef with no hormones and antibiotic and healthy nutrient rich beef into the food chain

The focus at Bibbaringa is to build soil and have 100% ground cover throughout the year. I have used the principals of Holistic Management whereby we graze cattle strategically and allow adequate recovery for plants before we graze again. I have planted over 70,000 trees since 2007 when the property was purchased.

I am have an open mind to alternative ideas; anything that will help build the resilience of Bibbaringa ecosystem. For example I use the knowledge of innovative principles of Natural Sequence Farming outlined by Australian farmer Peter Andrews. Bibbaringa is registered with the clean energy regulator to trade carbon in native revegetation areas by building carbon in the soil and trees.

“My passion is Land management and working with nature. The rewards are enormous and the ability for nature to repair is astounding. I am constantly in awe of the synergy between managing the landscape animals and climate variability. It is constantly changing and there is no recipe.” Each season I access the climatic forecasts and current conditions, grass available and market conditions and alter my stocking rates accordingly.

The most powerful knowledge I get from Holistic Management is the decision-making. “I have learnt to understand how important my decisions are and how they can positively and adversely affect the land and animals I manage. There are constant challenges. I have been managing holistically since 1993 and have seen big improvement in the land and soil and the health of animals. I’ve also found that the family is making better decisions in finances and business since practicing Holistic Management principles.”

As an addition to my beef cattle business I offer the

Bibbaringa Shearers Quarters for accommodation. The 4 bedrooms kitchen and 2 bathrooms are ideal for family farm holidays. Bookings through Airbnb

The Woolshed is available for conferences, workshop art residency.

I welcome visitors to Bibbaringa and excited to be part of Earth Canvas.

www.bibbaringa.com
gillian@bibbaringa.com

About Mt Narra Narra

Michael and Anna Coughlan run Mt Narra Narra a 4400 ha property on the Jingellic Rd. The Hereford Beef cattle breeding operation is managed in 2 herds of cattle moving into fresh paddocks each day. There are up to 2000 animal a herd.

Mt Narra Narra backs onto the Woomargama National Park and has Spring Creek and 10 mile creek running through the property. There are pools of water along the creek with Pygmy Perch established in the stream. And phragmites in wetlands established throughout the property.

Anna and Michael joined Earth Canvas project because they were interested to see how an artist interpreted the landscape they live. Michael said we become blinded by familiarity and see changes but take them for granted. It will be good to see Mt Narra Narra through someone else’s eyes.

Wearn Family Story

WEARN FAMILY BILL & JOY WEARN & 3YO POLLY

The Wearn family have bred and grown Angus cattle, Merinos, Composites and Black faced Suffolk sheep for 25 years.

We believe in producing a high quality product for our consumers to enjoy. To achieve this our animals spend all their lives grazing contentedly on our land. We are Low Stress Stock handlers and allow our stock to mature in a happy, stress free environment where all their needs are taken care of.

In fact, due to our love of our animals we were led to Alan Savourys’ Holistic Management principles. In order to provide the very best for our stock we needed to have the best feed available for them to graze upon – prolific, regenerative grasses, shade and shelter and clean water. To achieve this we turned our attention to our soil and rehydrating our landscape guided by Natural Sequence farming practises championed by Peter Andrews.

We allow our stock to graze their paddock in large numbers for a short period of time and move them quietly and considerately to fresh pasture and resting the grazed pasture for as long as it needs to fully recover.

Within our farm we consider the relationships and balances that co exist between all flora and fauna above and below our precious soil.

Landscape biodiversity is enhanced with landcare plantings and private agroforresty projects. We are re instating wetlands and rehydrating our soils. With careful management our farm will be a healthy, replenishing and productive piece of Australian that future generations can continue to farm and enjoy.

FARMING PROPERTIES: YAMMACOONA, THE BEND, MURRUMBUNG, UROLEE, WANDOO

TOTAL AREA: 5500 HA

ANGUS CATTLE: 2500
COMPOSITE SHEEP: 1000
SUFFOLK SHEEP: 900
MERINO SHEEP: 1500