How This Farm Fights Drought With Soil Biology

Can you grow pasture in one of the driest years on record?
On a family farm north of Melbourne, regenerative strategies are turning dust into soil—even with just 80mm of rain in 6 months. In this episode, we break down 4 proven techniques to build drought-resilient pastures, reduce inputs, and improve long-term productivity using biology and smart bale grazing.

You’ll see how Jerseys, multi-species pastures, and simple changes to feeding and fencing are restoring this once-barren paddock.

🛠 Key Topics:
• Strip & bale grazing explained
• Using biology to break down basalt rocks
• Building a sponge-like soil structure
• Why Jersey cattle are key to regen grazing
• 4-step method to build life in dry conditions

📍 Filmed on-farm in Victoria, Australia.
🎥 Guest: Hamish – regenerative landholder and advocate

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🔗 Related Videos:
• Colin Seis on Bale Grazing & Native Grass
• BRIX Testing for Soil Health
• Peter Andrews on Hydration & Natural Sequence Farming

🌱 #RegenerativeAgriculture #SoilHealth #DroughtFarming
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00:00 Record-Breaking Dry Year
01:15 Meet the Farmer: Hamish’s Vision
02:30 Bale Grazing on Rocky Ground
04:00 Strip Grazing and Green Growth
05:30 Fungi, Thatch & Water Retention
07:00 Rocks Disappearing? Here's Why
08:15 Multispecies and Soil Preparation
10:00 What Makes a Sponge Soil?
12:00 Soil Test: Regenerative vs. Untouched
14:00 Why Jersey Cattle Work Best
15:00 Regen Grazing to Reduce Feed Costs
16:20 From Dust to Grass – 3-Year Results