Progress & Transparency
Introducing Our Australian Merino Wool Farms
Australian Merino Wool
Introducing the farms behind our Australian Merino wool
We share a long history with Australian Merino wool. Here we introduce two of the farms and families whose approach to caring for their sheep, land and wider landscape is rooted in long-term management.
Glenwood Merinos
A fourth-generation Merino farm
Norman and Pip Smith are the fourth generation on Glenwood Merinos, located east of Wellington, New South Wales. They run a commercial Merino ewe flock and stud operation, producing 18.5-micron bold and deeply crimping, soft handling and highly aligned lustrous Merino Wool.
The land is undulated to hilly and supports extensive areas of grassy woodlands, ideal for breeding Merino sheep.
Glenwood has adopted holistic farm management practices for over 20 years. Norm and Pip are passionate advocates of regenerative agriculture and, in 2011, were the New South Wales Farmers of the Year.
They are dedicated to their animals and to improving the land for future generations, aiming to achieve a balanced outcome for their landscape, livestock, business and people.
Caring for the land
Keeping the ground covered
Norm and Pip are focused on maintaining ground cover and enhancing the diversity of the pasture base.
Industry targets suggest a minimum of 70% groundcover is required to minimise water run-off and erosion, and high groundcover levels assist in effective water and mineral cycles.
Over the last 13 years, ground cover remained above 85% and peaked at 100%.
Glenwood monitors its progress annually using indicators such as the level and type of ground cover, evidence of organisms and variety of perennials.
Holistic Grazing Management
Three key principles
Glenwood follows three key principles under holistic grazing management.
Paddocks are grazed for only a short amount of time.
After grazing periods, paddocks are rested for an extended interval, allowing the plants to recover and seedlings to establish themselves.
Animal integration disturbs the soil just enough to invigorate plants to seed, germinate and regrow their roots.
Regenerative Agriculture
Building more resilient pastures
When they implemented holistic management practices, Glenwood subdivided paddocks and added watering points and time-controlled grazing management practices.
This recovery-based grazing practice has made Glenwood pastures more resilient, and now some of their paddocks have up to 60 different grass species in them.
Glenwood has also been able to minimise its chemical use through livestock management techniques, leading to significant cost savings.
Since holistic management, there have been significant improvements in pasture production and diversity of desirable perennials and flora and fauna.
“Holistic management has not only been better for our land and our animals but also for us. Promoting the regeneration of our landscape is important to us because we want our future generations to come onto Glenwood and have not only a financially stable future but also one with a more balanced lifestyle.”Norman Smith
Karbullah Poll Merinos
A generational Merino stud
Situated 70km North of Goondiwindi in Southern Queensland, Karbullah is a generational Merino stud focussed on producing sound 19-19.5-micron wool.
Mark and Vicki Murphy and their family Luke, Sarah, Ben and Stephanie are passionate about their sheep and land.
They have been following regenerative agriculture practices for many years, attending Landcare and Holistic Management courses and workshops and connecting with like-minded, passionate producers.
The family also works with a progressive group of SRS Genetic Merino breeders from across Australia, ethically producing wool and sheep. This active group has been functioning for over two decades.
Planned Grazing
Managing the land through the seasons
From this training, Karbullah use planned grazing principles so that their paddocks rest between periods of stock integration depending on the seasons.
This assists with plant health and density and improves water retention, compost, microbial health and pasture and tree root systems.
Some seasonal challenges, such as drought, can cause a reduction in resting periods. Overall, with efficient planning and monitoring, Karbullah's grazing management has led to increased benefits for both the animals and the land.
In high summer rainfall events such as 2021, the result was rapid plant growth, major seeding events and increased plant varieties. Ultimately, more ground cover and healthier stock.
Regenerative Agriculture
The fundamental principles at Karbullah
Regenerative agriculture has been a significant focus for many years at Karbullah to support their livestock, land and lifestyle.
They are caretakers of the land and want to leave it better than it was when they arrived.
Increasing the biodiversity and health of the landscape, livestock and people.
They have a duty of care in reducing chemicals, especially in livestock production.
Water quality is paramount, together with reducing water run-off and damage.
Overarching Goals
Healthier country, livestock and communities
Promoting healthier country including soil, water, flora and fauna.
A healthy lifestyle for the caretakers and happy, productive and content livestock.
Supporting communities, including their family, industry and the wider community.
Maximising Ground Cover
Supporting soil, water and biodiversity
Maximising ground cover has been part of Karbullah's ongoing land management to assist with water control, penetration and use.
Karbullah's holistic management and regenerative agriculture concepts also assist in their forage crop planting to regenerate soil biology.
Paddocks for forage cropping are sown down to perennial grasses and Old Man Saltbush, a native Australian deep-rooted perennial, which provides ground cover for twelve months of the year.
Old Man Saltbush helps maximise water penetration, minimise water run-off and assist the area's biodiversity.
Mark and Vicki have planted 400 acres of Old Man Saltbush on top of many of the valleys that were farmed before their ownership.
Protecting native vegetation
Areas of trees and scrubs are preserved on Karbullah, and additional trees have been planted, all encouraging native fauna and flora.
Reducing erosion
Retained vegetation along the edges of Karbullah's "jumpup" country, where there are steep drops in topography, has helped reduce erosion.
Creating wildlife corridors
The retained vegetation also provides important corridors for wildlife within the wider nature cycle.
Looking to future generations
The approach is rooted in a desire to care for the land and leave it in better condition for children, grandchildren and future generations.
“Ultimately we want to make our place better for our children, our grandchildren and future generations to come.”Vicki Murphy
