Down to Grassroots

Bill Twigg believes soil health is a crucial element in healthy farms. Since the 1970's, he and Gwenda have reduced their expenses, and have slowly developed "a system of farming in sympathy with the environment and nature". They do not use chemicals, and have planted lucerne as their major pasture because it has the ability to recycle nutrients and moisture to the soil surface, and is an excellent food source for sheep.

Bill and his brother, Colin, have had to modify their farming practices to suit lucerne which must be grazed on a rotational basis. They have divided their 14,000 hectares of lucerne pastures into a series of eight paddock systems where sheep graze one week on, seven weeks off. With this approach, the sheep can eat green feed year round, which is better for their digestive systems. Without lucerne, they would have to provide sheep with dry feed during the summer.

Bill Twigg uses the surrounding environment to guide his farming practices. He believes "we need all native species, plant, animal and insect to create a balanced system". Weeds are an integral component of the Twigg’s farm management and soil monitoring programme. Bill has found that certain weeds can be used to inform them about the condition of the soil, and that most weeds can be eaten by sheep. Native trees and shrubs are also key elements in his farming system. The Twigg family started planting trees and gathering local seeds during the 1970’s. Gwenda’s interest in native vegetation has extended from identifying native trees from the area to designing a native garden near the house. She has found a nursery in Bendigo which supplies plants indigenous to the area.

Next Case Study

Lucerne paddocks at Bears Lagoon on the Loddon Plains

Gwenda Twigg and native plants

Colin Twigg with sheep fleece

Colin Twigg and sheep