Croobyar Dairy Farm
Croobyar Farm is a 200ha property located on the Milton Monzonite, extending from Leaneys Creek to the south to Croobyar Creek to the north. It runs approximately 200 milkers and a number of dry cows and calves on improved pastures. The farm is kikuyu dominated with improved rye, cover and fescue sown for winter/spring feed and a number of paddocks sown to corn during summer.
The farm has limited existing native vegetation. A stand of Morton Bay Figs line the ridge line with some scattered remnant Forest Red Gums in the western paddocks and a small riparian corridor along Croobyar Creek which is in reasonable condition.
Since 2012, the Small Farms Network has created a series of shelterbelts across the farm to help provide shade and shelter for livestock and break up the strong westerly winds. So far 3 have been established (1.34km) with an addition 5 (1.6km) to be planted over the next few years.
Current Projects on Croobyar Farm - Case study
Croobyar Farm is a 200ha property located on the Milton Monzonite, extending from Leaneys Creek to the south to Croobyar Creek to the north. It runs approximately 200 milkers and a number of dry cows and calves on improved pastures. The farm is kikuyu dominated with improved rye, cover and fescue sown for winter/spring feed and a number of paddocks sown to corn during summer.
The farm has limited existing native vegetation. A stand of Morton Bay Figs line the ridge line with some scattered remnant Forest Red Gums in the western paddocks and a small riparian corridor along Croobyar Creek which is in reasonable condition.
Since 2012, the Small Farms Network has created a series of shelterbelts across the farm to help provide shade and shelter for livestock and break up the strong westerly winds. So far 3 have been established (1.34km) with an addition 5 (1.6km) to be planted over the next few years.
Current Projects on Croobyar Farm - Case study
Leaneys Creek - Section 1 (0.42 ha)
Section 1 of Leaneys Creek was started in late 2012 with funding received through a Community Action Grant. Species planted in 2012-13 are now 2-3m in height however they are regularly impacted by flooding events which has made establishment difficult. Mixed Eucalypt species and River Oak have created some canopy and this area will be enhanced during this project with mixed rainforest and riparian species. Areas which have failed to established will be replanted using larger guards to protect against flood damage.
Kikuyu and blackberry is maintained through regular brush cutting and spot spraying. Flooding has and will continue to be a problem. Only one Black Wattle and significant Phragmites were present along this section of Leaneys Creek prior to 2012.
No. of previous tubestock: 247 (2012-2015)
No. of tubestock planted: 80 (June 2016)
Section 1 of Leaneys Creek was started in late 2012 with funding received through a Community Action Grant. Species planted in 2012-13 are now 2-3m in height however they are regularly impacted by flooding events which has made establishment difficult. Mixed Eucalypt species and River Oak have created some canopy and this area will be enhanced during this project with mixed rainforest and riparian species. Areas which have failed to established will be replanted using larger guards to protect against flood damage.
Kikuyu and blackberry is maintained through regular brush cutting and spot spraying. Flooding has and will continue to be a problem. Only one Black Wattle and significant Phragmites were present along this section of Leaneys Creek prior to 2012.
No. of previous tubestock: 247 (2012-2015)
No. of tubestock planted: 80 (June 2016)
Leaneys Creek - Section 2 (0.61 ha)
This section of Leaneys Creek was started in November 2015 and will be continued to be planted and enhanced as the Eucalytps, River Oaks and other species being to reach 2-5m over the next 2-3 years.
Kikuyu and blackberry is maintained through regular brush cutting and spot spraying. Flooding has and will continue to be a problem in lower areas, however it is not as major issue compared to Section 1 - Leaneys Creek.
No existing vegetation was present in this section of Leaneys Creek
No. of tubestock planted: 434 (June 2016)
This section of Leaneys Creek was started in November 2015 and will be continued to be planted and enhanced as the Eucalytps, River Oaks and other species being to reach 2-5m over the next 2-3 years.
Kikuyu and blackberry is maintained through regular brush cutting and spot spraying. Flooding has and will continue to be a problem in lower areas, however it is not as major issue compared to Section 1 - Leaneys Creek.
No existing vegetation was present in this section of Leaneys Creek
No. of tubestock planted: 434 (June 2016)
Leaneys Creek - Section 3 (0.51 ha)
This project is a 921m riparian corridor (1.24ha) along a gully adjacent to Leaneys Creek (upper reach). This planting will begin the revegetation of this significant section of Leaneys Creek and will provide long-term shade and shelter for 400 dairy cattle. This project creates a continual link between Section 1 and a western shelterbelt, connecting to the Croobyar Creek corridor.
No. of tubestock planted: 1,448 (June 2018)
This project is a 921m riparian corridor (1.24ha) along a gully adjacent to Leaneys Creek (upper reach). This planting will begin the revegetation of this significant section of Leaneys Creek and will provide long-term shade and shelter for 400 dairy cattle. This project creates a continual link between Section 1 and a western shelterbelt, connecting to the Croobyar Creek corridor.
No. of tubestock planted: 1,448 (June 2018)
Croobyar Farm - Back Gully 1 (0.30 ha)
This gully was first started in December 2013 but it was not completed due to dry conditions. The tubestock are now 2-3m in height but have been grazed by dairy cattle and kangaroos due to poor fencing during this time and success has been around 60%.
This gully in 1 of 3 gullies leading into Croobyar Creek and it will be enhanced and planted during this project.
The gully is dominated by thick kikuyu with one mature Forest Red Gum located at the junction of Gully 2.
No. of previous tubestock: 101 (2013-2015)
No. of tubestock planted: 15 (July 2016)
This gully was first started in December 2013 but it was not completed due to dry conditions. The tubestock are now 2-3m in height but have been grazed by dairy cattle and kangaroos due to poor fencing during this time and success has been around 60%.
This gully in 1 of 3 gullies leading into Croobyar Creek and it will be enhanced and planted during this project.
The gully is dominated by thick kikuyu with one mature Forest Red Gum located at the junction of Gully 2.
No. of previous tubestock: 101 (2013-2015)
No. of tubestock planted: 15 (July 2016)
Croobyar Farm - Back Gully 2 (0.29 ha)
This gully was first started in December 2013 with half of it planted out before dry conditions and funding ceased. The tubestock are now 2-3m in height but have been grazed by dairy cattle and kangaroos due to poor fencing during this time and success has been around 80%. The top section of this gully has been planted out (2016) and some enhancement plantings will be done in the lower section which joins Gully 1. The gully is dominated by thick kikuyu and is very rocky from paddock de-rocking which does minimise the density of planting in some areas.
No. of previous tubestock: 160 (2013-2015)
No. of tubestock planted: 249 (July 2016)
This gully was first started in December 2013 with half of it planted out before dry conditions and funding ceased. The tubestock are now 2-3m in height but have been grazed by dairy cattle and kangaroos due to poor fencing during this time and success has been around 80%. The top section of this gully has been planted out (2016) and some enhancement plantings will be done in the lower section which joins Gully 1. The gully is dominated by thick kikuyu and is very rocky from paddock de-rocking which does minimise the density of planting in some areas.
No. of previous tubestock: 160 (2013-2015)
No. of tubestock planted: 249 (July 2016)
Croobyar Farm - Back Gully 3 (0.52 ha)
This gully is a bare, rocky, heavy clay and kikuyu dominated site which limits planting density in some areas and provides some challenging planting conditions. The gully has been planted out during the first half of 2016 and enhancement plantings will continue throughout the project as suitable species become available.
No. of tubestock planted: 657 (December 2016)
This gully is a bare, rocky, heavy clay and kikuyu dominated site which limits planting density in some areas and provides some challenging planting conditions. The gully has been planted out during the first half of 2016 and enhancement plantings will continue throughout the project as suitable species become available.
No. of tubestock planted: 657 (December 2016)