SHEEP and cattle producers flocked to Tamworth in their droves yesterday for the 23rd annual Grassland Society of NSW conference, grazing on a veritable smorgasbord of tips to boost production.

About 240 people registered for the three-day conference. They came from across the State and as far as New Zealand to get a glimpse into the backyard of Tamworth producers and learn their secrets.

Three properties were explored as part of the conference, including Jamie and Michelle Drury’s holstein dairy, Emie-R Farm, Attunga.

Grassland Society NSW vice-president Rob Eccles said management of pastures was a strong focus of the conference and that few people were better at it than dairy farmers.

“They use the same soil, have the same

rainfall and grow the same varieties but they measure their production daily, not weekly or monthly,” he said.

“If you asked some cattle and sheep producers what their production was they would be slow to give an answer, but with dairy farmers, they’ll go, ‘bang, bang, bang – these are what the figures are’.”

Following the conference, graziers will be equipped to boost production by as much as 40 per cent by measuring pastures and implementing tailored plans, Mr Eccles said.

The conference has brought together researchers, company technicians, agronomists and producers to discuss such topics as soil health, carbon sequestration and climate change.

Conference convenor and NSW Department of Primary Industries agronomist Loretta Serafin the feedback from graziers was positive.

“Everyone I have spoken to has enjoyed the bus tours; it has been a great opportunity to visit another producer’s property and ask them openly about their decision-making processes and management strategies,” she said.

A series of talks were given at the Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre yesterday afternoon by more than a dozen guest speakers. The information sessions will continue this morning before the conference wraps up with lunch.