Grazing service fits well for Hills sheep enterprise

Although progeny from the Merino ewe and White Suffolk ram combination are sold at markets as store lambs, or carried through to prime condition when seasonal conditions permit, the enterprise also provides and manages grazing sheep for clients in order to control pasture growth and knock down other vegetation.

This focus aligns with Brookside Farms' values of keeping the Adelaide Hills productive and beautiful.

Managing director Luke Fitzgerald said the enterprise was based in Bugle Ranges, near Echunga, and currently operated across 15 properties - utilising both their own and clients' holdings.

About 650 Merino ewes are being joined in 2020 - dry seasonal conditions have had an impact on that number, with 1000 ewes and an additional 500 wethers used in previous years.

Ewes are joined to White Suffolk rams, which are sourced from the Illoura stud at Moorlands.

Mr Fitzgerald said Merino ewes suited their enterprise in multiple ways, suiting the grazing side due to their calm nature and their inclination to be less pushy on fences than other breeds, while also producing both wool and lambs for a multi-faceted income stream.

Mr Fitzgerald said lambing was spread across three months - generally from late May to early August - with ewes in drier districts of the enterprise lambing first.

"The lambs are an important feature of the business whereby the stocking rate and grazing pressure naturally increases to compliment the spring flush," Mr Fitzgerald said.

"A lamb marking rate of 100 per cent is desirable as the carrying capacity of most properties doubles during this period.

"The first-cross lambs are readily accepted by the market as stores, and seasonal conditions permitting, can be carried through to prime condition."

Brookside previously sold and processed lambs directly to customers, through a local small butcher shop, but has switched its focus to expanding the grazing portion in the past two years.

Mr Fitzgerald said the grazing service eliminated the cost and difficulties associated with slashing small, hilly land holdings.

VARIOUS agreements ranging from leasing to agisting to in-kind arrangements make up the Brookside Farms operating model, according to managing director Luke Fitzgerald (pictured).

He said there was good demand for grazing sheep for small landholders in the Adelaide Hills to control pasture and other vegetation.

"Grazing reduces the fuel load across the breadth of landowners' properties in preparation for fire season, especially in places were machinery cannot access," he said.

Mr Fitzgerald said Brookside Farms services - which includes full management of each flock - brought scale to managing small mobs of sheep, freeing landowners from the wastage associated with purchasing drench or vaccine for limited numbers, or the hassle of engaging shearers.

He said landholders were drawn to the business's goal of keeping the Adelaide Hills 'productive and pretty'.

"It's no surprise that the region was nominated for World Heritage Listing as a working agricultural landscape," Mr Fitzgerald said.

"Visitors and the residents of the area in which we farm want to see livestock in the paddocks, and the farms clean and tidy, especially in a dry season with elevated fire risk. Brookside Farms allows that to happen, providing a functional service locally, and food and fibre to those beyond."

Mr Fitzgerald, who has more than 20 years experience in the agribusiness sector, said he also provided consulting advice to landowners on property infrastructure improvements, such as sheds, water supply, fencing, yards and earthmoving.