In lieu of a all-encompassing guide, we practice a fusion of different principles, including Holistic Management, Natural Sequence Farming and Regenerative Farming. However, one core principal remains consistent throughout, community is the governing factor. Thinking of your property as isolated from the ecosystem, working against biodiversity, does not benefit anyone. It is a big picture perspective that will establish growth and longevity.

'Regenerative Farming' is currently at the fore front of people’s minds and is one of many terms to conveniently summarise a set of values, though, as this term encompasses many different aspects of the whole, there are incidentally varying definitions relating to the same key aspects. This is one description that we believe outlines the essence of Regenerative Farming.

"Regenerative Agriculture is a system of farming principles and practices that increases biodiversity, enriches soils, improves watersheds, and enhances ecosystem services. By capturing carbon in soil and above ground biomass, Regenerative Agriculture aims to reverse global climate change. At the same time, it offers increased yields, resilience to climate instability, and higher health and vitality for farming communities. The system draws from decades of scientific and applied research by the global communities of organic farming, agroecology, holistic planned grazing, and agroforestry." Terra Genesis International

Balala is actively involved in numerous projects, experimenting, testing, failing, succeeding, learning, though each endeavour is aimed toward enhancing the Ecosystem process and function. Some of our projects and practices can be found in blog posts on our website, and while not every attempt is a success, as Gabe Brown mentions, “if you are not making mistakes then you are not trying new things”.

We are striving towards Carbon Neutrality as well as the more audacious goal of being Carbon Positive. We strongly support the Red Meat Industry in Australia becoming carbon neutral by 2030 (CN2030) and are working toward Balala Station achieving target by that date. 

This move makes complete sense for us, not only because it makes positive contribution to the battle against climate change, but critically, the driving factor is that it benefits our production. It allows producers to be more resilient to variation in the changing climate, and even a small change such as encouraging farmers to increase the organic matter in their soils, would pay off enormously. A 1% increase in organic matter in your soils can hold an additional 150 000 litres/ha of water. Your soil becomes an enormous sponge. So, creating biologically diverse soils with organic matter and soil carbon allows these sponges (carbon sinks) to improve the productivity of the property.  

It is critical that producers get organic matter back into their soils. More friable, aerated and biologically diverse soils will improve landscape rehydration, which then allows deep rooted perineal plants to grow through photosynthesis, feeding the microbes in the soil and in turn attaining minerals for the plants that feed your livestock. The meat being produced is more nutrient dense and nutrient diverse because of biodiversity in the animal’s diet, the benefits of which are seen in the health of the consumer. So there is more to be considered than simply Grass Fed or Pasture Raised, diversity of feed has a massive impact as well. Here at Balala Station, our pastures offer livestock over 30 different species of grasses, forbs and plants.

It is extremely exciting times for the agriculture industry as we move toward a symbiotic relationship between land and humanity, so become part of the solution.

Whether you’re a producer or consumer, find your tribe, and get involved.