Innovation and success in private forestry

Posted 31 July 2024

In July, Private Forests Tasmania’s CEO, Dr Elizabeth Pietrzykowski, hosted a session at Red Meat Updates about the success story of Chester Farm and its innovative approach to business diversification.

This case study sheds light on the remarkable journey of the Archer family, who have seamlessly integrated forestry within their existing farm enterprise to achieve sustainable growth and resilience.

Chester Farm is a Trees on Farm demonstration site with PFT. The below is a snapshot of Andrew Archer’s presentation at Red Meat Updates.

Chester Farm: A Model of Diversification

Andrew Archer, alongside his brother Sam, manages Chester Partnerships at Chester Farm, one of PFT's demonstration sites. Chester Farm exemplifies the integration of forestry within an existing farm enterprise, demonstrating how diversification can drive success.

In 2018, Andrew and Sam Archer took over the management of Chester Farm from their parents, who had established a successful business. Instead of expanding land holdings due to rising land prices, they decided to intensify their operations. Over the past five years, they have doubled their mid-winter stocking rate, increased cropping activities, and invested significantly in water infrastructure.

Forestry Integration

Forestry has played a crucial role in Chester Farm’s operations. The Archer family planted pines, which suited their rainfall and soil type, and protected the environment by locking up significant bushland areas and fencing off waterways.

“Dad has always had trees in and harvested nitens. We found that pines probably do better in our country,” Andrew said.

“So out of the nitens that were harvested, we’ve put most of it back with 92 hectares back into pines and then another 10 hectares to new country.”

This integration of trees has provided economic benefits, enhanced biodiversity, and improved animal health.

Chester Farm utilised data going back 10-15 years to identify the paddocks that were wind prone or wet as a guide to establish plantations and shelterbelts.

“The benefits of trees have been the reduction of erosion, improved stock health, decreased evaporation of the irrigation dams and increased biodiversity.

“I get quite excited about my little critters. We’ve got bandicoots and devils and quolls … and livestock do better with trees. So you might be losing a bit of land, but you’re increasing productivity."

Livestock and Cropping Management

Chester Farm has seen substantial growth in its livestock operations. The farm has increased its ewe and cattle numbers, subdivided paddocks for better management, and implemented efficient water reticulation systems. Additionally, the cropping program has expanded with a focus on direct drilling and sustainable practices.

Innovations in Practice

Chester Farm has embraced various innovations to enhance productivity and sustainability. Comprehensive water management systems, erosion-prone area fencing, and the planting of thousands of trees around irrigation dams have reduced evaporation, improved biodiversity, and made the farm more resilient to environmental challenges.

Livestock Management

The Archers have focused on improving livestock management through rotational grazing, strategic drenching, and careful breeding practices to maintain herd health. The introduction of composite cattle has improved both productivity and the aesthetics of their herd.

Irrigation and Cropping

Fully embracing irrigation, Chester Farm has eliminated dryland cropping. The diversification of their crop mix to include chicory, plantain, and clover has proven beneficial for lamb health and growth, supporting their break crop strategy and enhancing soil health while reducing pest issues.

Future Outlook

Looking ahead, Andrew and Sam Archer are committed to creating sustainable and financially viable farms. They plan to continue refining their practices, focusing on key performance indicators, and making strategic improvements that will benefit the farm in the long term.