I inspected the property ‘Kinleigh’ owned by Richard & Elspeth Belfield and saw some wonderful established pasture supporting a cell grazing strategy of ten (10) beasts per acre.
Yes, that is correct; ten (10) beasts per acre in Armidale!
The paddocks are an excellent study in minimal input cost farming that fertiliser and machinery companies have discouraged for many years. It was simply embarrassing to stand in red clover & native grasses over my knees.
Then the livestock management is another break from traditional farming methods. Training & quiet handling replace boisterous dogs & brutal handling procedures. Mustering means opening the gate when the cattle wander over to say ‘Hello’.
The Belfields appear to have worked some sort of agricultural magic with simple technology and some good farmer’s commonsense.
By: Jack Arnold
