Cressfield Case Study
As a child growing up on a large acreage property located in the Darling Downs in Queensland, Wayne Bedggood spent a lot of his spare time collecting and caring for all kinds of native flora and fauna, from lizards and snakes, frogs and echidnas, to growing wattles and gums from seeds collected from the local surrounds. All of this came naturally to a child who desired to be involved in the natural wonders he saw happening around him. How many people can say that they have watched a caterpillar grow to full size and then begin to make its chrysalis; in time emerging from its shiny silver casing as a wet-winged butterfly, to ultimately fly off and start the whole process again?
This inherent love of nature subsequently led to Wayne’s later involvement in conserving the natural environment for the benefit of not just people but also for local and migratory fauna, native vegetation species, healthier river systems etc.
Wayne is the manager of a thoroughbred horse stud, Cressfield, lying just north of Scone in the Upper Hunter Valley. “Having always lived on large thoroughbred breeding properties, it was a natural progression to move back, after a good education in the city, to the lifestyle I was accustomed to on the land. Once I progressed to management roles it was much easier to start to implement environmental protection and preservation plans, especially as they could be ‘sold’ as a major benefit to the overall production and maintenance of the properties involved.
This has all led to my present position with Cressfield where I work for a very environmentally conscious employer who loves to see his property tended to for the future and is willing to spend money on all manner of environmental improvements.”
Cressfield open pastures
Cressfield, is an old 1,500 hectare wheat and sheep raising property, complete with the 5 bail shearing shed still in operating order. It still operates with a mixed farm approach and runs 500 head of Angus cattle, grows Lucerne hay for farm use and has some 70 of the best breeding and racing thoroughbred horses in Australia.
Cressfield homestead is ‘listed as an item of the environmental heritage’. After government approval was given, the homestead recently underwent an 18month restoration to bring it back to its former glory. A two-storey, local sandstone 1917 Queensland Federation style homestead, it has magnificent views of the surrounding valley.
Two watercourses merge below the homestead, providing continuous underground flow for wells and bores to pump water for farm use.
“Cressfield is two thirds of the way through our 35 stage Property Development Plan which has both improved natural vegetation plans as well as plans for natural regrowth of native vegetation. We plant and maintain vegetation for soil stabilisation, flora and fauna habitats, stock shade and natural aesthetics. Our native nursery grows tube stock from seeds sourced from our own native trees and then planted on targeted areas of the property, as part of our staged development process.
Adjacent to our alluvial flats are 500 hectares of natural steep, wooded bushland in wonderful condition. Fencing now prevents stock from accessing this area and has allowed spectacular natural regrowth where before there was just cleared grassland. Some 9.5 kms. of double-sided riparian zone is also fenced off from stock which has led to massive regrowth in most parts of the stream, albeit with some not so “friendly” or native species also regenerating. It is now our intention to replace the non-native grasses and woody plants with natives supplied from our own sources where possible.”
With the Environmental Protection Authority and the Great Eastern Ranges Initiative, research to determine the success of habitat protection and rehabilitation works as an indicator of ecological connectivity continues to be conducted.
Over 80 species of birds have been recorded over the past year, showing riparian areas support most species, then core areas of intact woodland. Surveys were undertaken quarterly, helping to determine if there are any seasonal differences e.g. Dollar Bird and White-throated Warbler migrants during the summer breeding season and Golden Whistler moving from the high country.
Threatened birds identified include the Scarlet Robin, speckled Warbler, Brown Treecreeper and Grey-crowned Babblers and declining woodland birds like the dusky Woodswallow and Jacky Winter.
Scarlet Robin Speckled Warbler
Photos by Chris Tzaros
“For me, managing Cressfield means sharing my farming and conservation experiences, knowledge and skills with other farmers and landholders.
In October we held a Landholder Field Day at Cressfield to introduce local farmers, other landholders and local Landcare representatives to the woodland and conservation areas, key bird habitat and research methods and results.
We travelled through open pastures and the steep, woodland areas, discussing and showing the interconnectedness of woodland and pasture for native birds, their importance to the natural environment and benefits to agriculture in this process. The research methods, sampling and results were then presented to participants before discussing these over lunch.”
Cressfield recently hosted a Riparian Workshop (conducted by Conservation Volunteers Australia), for local farmers and landholders. It provided opportunity to identify and learn about local weeds, their control methods and to also share some innovative weed control and ‘homemade tools’ ideas.
Partnerships have a vital place in Cressfield’s sustainable agriculture and landscape management, knowledge sharing and future planning. The Great Eastern Ranges Initiative, Catchment Management Authority, Landcare, Environment Protection Authority, Greening Australia, Conservation Volunteers Australia, other farmers and landholders are part of this.
Cressfield regenarated bushland area
Produced under the Australian Government’s Caring for our Country initiative.
