Sustainability

We ensure that our farming practice is the most sustainable it can be. Our Old Man Saltbush Plantations are a deep rooted native that is drought tolerant. It is excellent in reducing salinity. Saltbush retains it leaves even in dry conditions and provides a high protein feed for our flock all year round.

Saltbush requires no chemical, it is 100% natural, they require little to no water once established, and is a drought tolerant plant. Our flock is grazed on saltbush not only to be environmentally productive but it also enhances a unique flavoursome red meat which is very aromatic when cooked. This meat has a very vitamin and mineral dense quality due to the depth of the Saltbush roots.

Saltbush in a way provides protection during drought, which is the original reason Ryan and Rustons father the late Trevor Donovan planted these plantations in September 1996. Further to the first plantation, we have established another 200 acres.

We have been a part of a 3 year sustainability progress plan with the Murray CMA in relation to the establishment and management of Oldman Saltbush Plantations. More and more local farmers are realising the benefits of utilising this as a natural farming production tool and are opting to put their own plantations in.

Given the latest about Carbon trading Schemes and the worldly concern of excessive emission production, it has become apparent that Old Man Saltbush has been linked with Carbon. Some recent studies say that even the best trees in inland Australia would possibly take around 20 years to sink as much carbon as saltbush does in three years. Through studies it has also been estimated that Old Man Saltbush stores around 15 to 20 tonnes of carbon per hectare when sown in plantations.

We believe that is the future of farming and we are making a concerted effort to ensure we are kept correctly informed by networking with professionals which have dedicated their lives to these types of studies.