Holistic approach to farm management boosts performance and ESG benefits

Growth Farms’ focus on sustainability has led to outstanding results on the Victorian-based Warrong property we manage.

The revegetation work carried out by Growth Farms involves creating and protecting 10 hectares of precious native wetland on the sheep and cattle farm. Warrong is part of a wider aggregation, comprising three holdings, located 30 minutes northwest of Warrnambool. The total aggregation is 2100 hectares, with Warrong accounting for 800 hectares, and the remaining at Canarvon.

Improving biodiversity

Growth Farms took over the management of the farm in 2015, but it wasn’t until 2019, after farm manager James Glasgow joined the company, that the more serious sustainability work began. Glasgow says in his first year, 2.5 hectares of wetland were protected with the planting of 2500 rushes and 500 native trees.

“A predator-proof fence was constructed and 1.5km of revegetation corridors, consisting of both direct seeding trees with seed and seedlings, were planted,” he says. “Over the next couple of years another 7.5 hectares of wetland were revegetated. All species that we planted are native to this area and soil type.”

The revegetation work does require a lot of planning, Glasgow adds. “Low-lying areas that tend to hold water are generally the areas we’ve identified for wetlands,” he says. “The majority of weather comes from the west so planning where revegetation corridors are to be planted needs to account for this. Once fully grown, they will greatly benefit livestock, especially lambing ewes who need shelter.”

Glasgow says before the revegetation took place, the livestock were challenged by the extreme weather, especially in winter and we have a duty of care to try to rectify that.  “All the land had all been cleared before we started managing it,” he says. “There were no original trees left. In years to come as the trees grow, the animals are going to be more comfortable in the harsher conditions from being able to shelter against the windbreaks.”

Commercially, Glasgow says the sustainability work being carried out is increasing the value of the property. “This is without a doubt,” he says. “But there’s also a feel-good factor from seeing an increase in the number of native animals and bird life coming back to the area. That brings ecological benefits, which is fantastic.

Managing farms these days requires a holistic approach and the environmental aspect of it is becoming increasingly important. Growth Farms’ approach to sustainability and ESG has always been a fundamental part of how we conduct our business and as we can see with the Warrong property, it is an approach that pays dividends both commercially and environmentally.”