Third generation pastoralists, investing in the future
Nestled within the picturesque landscape of South Australia's north-eastern pastoral district, 120 kilometres north-east of Burra, Sturt Vale Station spans 1,373 square kilometres (339,275 acres) of pastoral rangeland.
At Sturt Vale, we understand the value of nurturing and preserving the land and our resources, and with an average annual rainfall of 208ml, nurturing resources such as our water is an absolute necessity.
We proudly carry the torch as third-generation pastoralists, and our story is one of dedication, love, and a shared commitment to sustainable practices.
Sturt Vale Station itself is an aggregation of five properties, each with its own unique history: Sturt Vale, Wyndale, Alexandrina, Fordes Lagoon, and Aldermans.
Our farming legacy doesn't stop at Sturt Vale. We extend our passion for the land to Hillsley Farm, nestled in the idyllic Sellick's Hill region of South Australia. These combined properties form the Sturt Vale Pastoral business, where tradition meets innovation, and the bonds of our family tie together past, present, and future.
From Merinos to Dorpers
In 2019, after careful consideration regarding the sustainability of Merinos, we decided to transition from wool production to Dorper sheep, marking a new chapter in our journey and Sturt Vale’s history.
Dorpers are a meat-producing sheep that tolerate drought conditions far better than the Merino breed - supporting our commitment to livestock welfare.
We commenced the transition from Merino sheep to Dorpers that year, and by 2022 Sturt Vale had transitioned to a 100% Dorper flock.
With our days of wool production behind us, the last Merino shearing was held in late 2019 (pictured) and Sturt Vale stepped into a new era with Dorpers.
Regenerate and restore
In line with our positive land management activities, Sturt Vale Pastoral are proud to have implemented a carbon farming project alongside partner, GreenCollar.
The project has been approved as part of The Australian Government’s Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) implementation plan, which has been put into effect to assist Australia in reaching net zero by 2050.
The scheme offers high integrity emissions abatement opportunities to the Australian government (by purchasing carbon credits through the Emissions Reduction Fund), or alternatively to businesses and individuals looking to offset their emissions.
The scheme ensures carbon is stored in both vegetation and soil, with an emphasis on regenerating native tree species that are indigenous to the local area via rotational grazing and managing feral pests.
The environmental benefits include increasing biodiversity, ground cover, and canopy cover - which in the long term provides a more sustainable livestock business.
Today, with the assistance of our rotational grazing practices, along with Human Induced Regeneration, re-growth of vegetation and grasses is occurring in line with our plan.
Carbon projects, like this one, are subject to ongoing auditing, data collection and regulatory reporting, ensuring the land management activities are making a real and positive difference to the environment.
This benefits pastoralists such as ourselves by not only helping to support infrastructure upgrades, but also to assist in restoring the health of our pastures. It also benefits the local community by providing jobs and increasing the sustainability of pastoral business' for generations to come.
Partnering with Pinion
Pinion Advisory shares our core values of profitability, sustainability, and innovation. With their support, we've redefined our strategies, fostering new ways of thinking and adaptability.
In today's competitive landscape, agility and responsiveness are paramount. Pinion's insights have enabled us to anticipate shifts, address challenges, and capitalise on emerging opportunities. Our collaboration with Pinion has played a pivotal role in the strengthening of our business.
However, our partnership is not confined to the present; Pinion Advisory helps us chart a course for future success. Their guidance ensures that our legacy is one of achievement and forward-thinking.