Glenn Morris
Billabong Farm
Glenn Morris, a cattle farmer and climate advocate, is passionate about regenerative agriculture and addressing climate change - so much so that he rode his horse across the Sydney Harbour bridge in 2016. This wasn’t just a publicity stunt but was a way to draw people’s attention to the challenges of a variable climate and the need for serious action. Glenn was born on a farm but grew up in Sydney, after school he returned to farming, starting out helping on cattle studs and working up to manage multiple properties. He noted that the conventional training he received at Ag. college was limited, so in 2000, Glenn returned to school where he studied sustainable agriculture. He hasn’t looked back since. Glenn manages his cattle operation using a regenerative approach that creates resilient farmscapes and addresses the bigger picture of climate change.
‘We’re standing on a living planet that gives us life. And if it’s not healthy, then we’re in real trouble.’ - Glenn Morris
Farm Facts
Farmer: Glenn Morris
Enterprise Type: Finishing beef cattle
Location: 2 Properties: Inverell and Grafton in Northern NSW
Property size: Inverell (1000ha), Grafton (400ha)
Challenges
Glenn has experienced first-hand the challenges created by a variable climate. His farming journey didn't start easy. Glenn's first year farming at Grafton, in 1998, was also the hottest year on record. Since then, the temperatures have continued to increase. Year after year, the records keep being broken, creating greater drought intensity and causing trees to die from heat stress. The 2018/2019 drought was a whole other level, causing Glenn to destock completely.
At the other end of the spectrum, the wet is getting wetter. Too much water generates challenges, arguably more problematic than drought. In 2022 the Grafton property was completely waterlogged due to the current floods, making hay/feed supplies unavailable.
‘One of the things I noticed about extreme events is we were getting a big flood event and it might only be six weeks later and we’re actually looking for rain as we were dry again.’ - Glenn Morris
One of the most considerable challenges is the accelerated natural resource decline. With fewer plants and greater storm intensity, there is an increase in erosion. The soil cannot retain water, so when it rains the water washes away, taking the topsoil with it.
Key Adaptations
Glenn has implemented a range of adaptations on his farms to address these challenges. Soil health is a principal focus. As part of his master’s degree in sustainable agriculture, he wrote a dissertation on hummus, the organic matter in the soil. He learned of the large carbon and water holding capacity of hummus. This information became a key driver for future research and has informed management decisions on his farm.
Glenn uses a holistic management approach, including planned rotational grazing and focusing on water storage in the landscape for water and soil security.
‘We broke up the paddocks on the contour using permaculture swales. We have up to eight or ten kilometres of soak banks now which are helping rehydrate that landscape and get everything healthy.’ - Glenn Morris
Although Glenn believes good management is vital when using cattle to regenerate landscapes, he also acknowledges that genetics play a crucial role in supporting that management. Selected for the specific region, the genetics of a Hereford cow and Brahman bull have proven to be his best hybrid. This cross has effectively improved conception rates and increased the number of productive years.
‘I believe that two of the biggest foundations for a successful farm operation are soils and genetics. If you can make the most out of optimising your soil health, and put the best genetics in there that you can find, you’ve got a good chance of being successful.’ - Glenn Morris
The table below outlines some of these practices in more detail.
Outcomes
With preventative management for water storage on his property, Glenn is proud that he retained all of his soil during the drought of 2018/2019 and currently during this wet period of 2021/22. Not many farmers can claim that. He has also achieved other positive results due to his adaptive management style. Some of these include:
- Increased water retention
- Improved carbon sequestration
- Improved nutrient cycling
- Decreased work hours
- Improved soil composition Improved ground cover
- Increased biodiversity
- Decreased erosion
‘As farmers, we can be managing healthy areas of the landscape which affect the climate and the atmosphere, so we can have healthy soil in between the healthy forests and really start to make a difference with the planet.’ - Glenn Morris
Download Glenn's Story
