Ian Donges, chair of the Grain and Graze program and Dr Richard Price, National operation co-ordinator discuss the reasons behind the Biodiversity theme of Grain and Graze (BiGG) but also Grain and Graze in general. It also includes interviews with farmers and scientists involved the BiGG project.
Dr Kerry Bridle, leader of the Biodiversity in Grain and Graze (BiGG) theme explains the approach taken to involve farmers and natural resource management advisors in identifying the amount of biodiversity on farms. It goes beyond just remnant vegetation to biodiversity in paddocks.
Dr Peter McQuillan, Dave Green & Dr Janet Smith who were involved in the analysis of the data from the BiGG program identify their insights from surveying native vegetation, cropping and pasture paddocks.
An introduction to the BiGG project and what it aimed to achieve. Several farmers give their take home messages from the National biodiversity conference in Tasmania.
A journal report that describes examples of the development and implementation of integrated pest management strategies in cropping systems in Victoria (Aust Journal of Experimental Agriculture).
A chapter from the book Biodiversity: Integrating Conservation and Production (Eds Lefroy, Bailey, Unwin & Norton) describing the link between diverse habitats and beneficial species based on data from the Grain and Graze program..
A brochure that outlines the principles involved in integrated pest management (IPM). It covers beneficial predators, possible cultural practices, strategic use of insecticides and monitoring methods. The brochure contains good pictures that identifies and describes common beneficial species and their prey.
Reports on the connection between floristic diversity and beneficial species necessary in an IPM approach.
Interview with Rohan Peel, who operates a mixed farm in South West Victoria. Rohan was a early adopter of IPM and discusses the challenges and rewards of adopting IPM.
Course notes prepared for the teaching of an IPM pilot course run by Dr Paul Horne (IPM Technologies).
Alan Buckley and Vadakattu Gupta talk about the management of soil biology on a mixed Mallee farm in South Australia with use of No Till and stubble retention.
John Nolan from Roma in QLD discusses his experiences with the BiGG project.
Malcolm & Sue Heddle from the Eyre Peninsula region in SA share their thoughs on BiGG .
Craig Forsyth from the Northern Ag region in WA talks about his involvement in the BiGG project.
Malcolm Plum from the Murrumbidgee region in NSW talks about his involvement in the BiGG project.
Elizabeth Nolan from the Maronoa-Balonne region in Qld talks about here involvement in BiGG
John Nolan from the Maranoa-Balonne region in Qld talks about his involvement in BiGG.
Steve Wilkins from the Border Rivers region in Qld talks about BiGG.
Gene Stone from the Avon region in WA shares his thought on the BiGG project.
Geoff Chase from the Central West/Lachlan region, NSW shares his thought on the BiGG project.
Jack Speirs, Casterton farmer and board member of LWA talks about his interest in biodiversity and sustainability in farming.
This report prepared by the Arthur Rhylah Institute in Victoria measures the impact of grazing on the diversity of native grasslands in South west Victoria.
Graziers Tom and Kate Calvert talk about achieved the holy grail of increased productivity, lower costs and a healthier environment through the use of native Australian pastures on their property, Terrinallum South, at Darlington in the Western Districts of Victoria.