The Cicerone Project is a producer led group that is dedicated to improving the profitability and long term viability of grazing-based agriculture in the New England. The key feature of the Project is that it is led by producers and involves individuals and other groups with stakes in the success of Northern Tablelands agriculture. In order to do this, the Cicerone Project leased 200 ha of land from CSIRO, Chiswick, Uralla.

The land was subdivided into three equal 50 ha farmlets taking into account soil type, slope and drainage and soil recharge. Much work went into making the three farmlets as equal as possible by using considerable base data which was entered into a Geographic Information System (GIS). Six iterations of data analysis permitted the three farmlets to be provided with soil resources, slope and fertilizer history as equal as possible. Non-contiguous paddocks were necessary and lane-ways were developed to help with stock movements. There is also an outer area, the periphery, to where stock can be 'sold' or 'agisted'.

The farmlets were designated A, B and C to avoid any pre-conceived ideas attached to the name of a management system and also to suggest the learning aspect of the work. Fencing and water lines were installed during the months from December 1999 to July 2000. The first pastures were fertilized and sown in autumn 2000. Accurate records of stock movement and input costs have been measured since 1st July 2000.

Click here to see our 'GUIDELINES FOR RUNNING THE THREE FARMLETS'