Farm

FARMING SNOWY RIVER LAVENDER

MAJESSE ESTATE – THE LAND WE FARM

Majesse Estate is marginal agricultural land located at the end of a ridge line where grazing land gives way to the rugged granite escarpment of a Snowy River gorge downstream of Lake Jindabyne. The meander of the Snowy River dramatically defines the southern boundary of the farm and a 300 meter drop from the farming paddocks to the river valley’s floor, less than a kilometre away, defines the steepness of this country. This mountainous geography has been fundamental in shaping our farm with only 50 – 100 acres of a 700 acre property availing to any form of cultivation.

Once part of a much larger grazing property sub-divided in the early 1980’s, the land has since then and until we purchased it in 2000, been used as rural and bush land lifestyle acreages each around 350 acres. Majesse Estate rejoins two of these acreages, one previously used for horse grazing with relatively good soils, and the other a hobby sheep farm with very neglected and degraded soil. The granitic nature of the landscape also defines the character of the soil with the decomposing granite in the most fertile areas presenting a free draining sandy loam with an average pH around 6.

In terms of farming, the low percentage of arable acres, and the hilly and disjointed scope of the fertile areas, has made this land prohibitive to most commercial agricultural pursuits. However lavender as a dry land perennial, indigenous to the higher inclines of French Provence, suits well this situation and the intensive nature of essential oil production means that a small scale farm of around 50 acres can still be a commercial player in the upper end boutique market for essential oils.

The meander of the Snowy River
The meander of the Snowy River defines the southern boundary of Majesse Estate. The back country is largely inaccessible except by foot. Nevertheless this rugged bush escarpment does not daunt the hardy herds of wild goats and deer; nor the native fauna.
Peter Andrews speaks about the pioneering capabilities of ‘weeds’ to restore land which has been misused. We learnt this inadvertently when in our original land preparation we used to disc plough and row form raised planting beds. What is now known is that we were de-naturing the soil and allowing compaction to occur, which induced a proliferation of various plants, especially the blue flowering Vipers bugloss.
Peter Andrews speaks about the pioneering capabilities of ‘weeds’ to restore land which has been misused. We learnt this inadvertently when in our original land preparation we used to disc plough and row form raised planting beds. What is now known is that we were de-naturing the soil and allowing compaction to occur, which induced a proliferation of various plants, especially the blue flowering Vipers bugloss.
Vipers bugloss is a vigorous plant with a large tap root. Allowed to grow to full expression this plant works to initiate soil restoration both above and below the surface of the soil. The tap root works on de-compaction and restoring organic matter to the soil, while the cut top forms a thick layer of mulch to maintain soil hydration and overtime the decay adds life sustaining organic matter.
Vipers bugloss is a vigorous plant with a large tap root. Allowed to grow to full expression this plant works to initiate soil restoration both above and below the surface of the soil. The tap root works on de-compaction and restoring organic matter to the soil, while the cut top forms a thick layer of mulch to maintain soil hydration and overtime the decay adds life sustaining organic matter.

Climatically the Snowy Mountains region is not typical of Australia. As snow would indicate we do enjoy a proper winter season with average day time temperatures around 4-6˚C and most night time temperatures well below 0˚C. While high altitude does increase UV radiation, the summer does not match the heat or humidity experienced elsewhere in Australia. Perhaps the most restrictive aspect, for farming, of our climate is the low rainfall, generally between 250mm and 300 mm annually. This said we have experienced years when the average total has not exceeded 100 mm with our first 8 years on the farm prolonged drought. Bushfire is also a constant threat in the summer months when hot windy conditions from the west can rapidly turn a mild summer into a eucalypt fuelled fire storm, as happened in 2003. However, in total these conditions do not harm the success of lavender as an essential oil crop on ‘the land we farm’.

Thus restricted to a patchwork of high valleys and plateaus, set between 1000 - 1200 metres, lavender is an opportunistic addendum to our landscape, with the plant’s robust nature making it a perfect fit with the hardy indigenous and naturalised species of plants and animals already characteristic of our land.

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FARMING FOR A LIVING SOIL

At Snowy River Lavender we farm for a ‘living soil’ sustained through nurturing the ‘natural’ ecology of the landscape in which our farm is situated. We believe this approach and the soil culture it allows gives our essential oils their own unique signature of quality.

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AGRICULTURAL INFLUENCES

Ecological styles of farming see farm production as part and parcel of a custodial relationship to land which is ecologically complex. From this perspective the farm production resides alongside an understanding and nurturing of the biological diversity that already exists in the ‘natural’ environment (both flora and fauna). The farm is acknowledged as part of a much larger living system.

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Gracing the top paddock
Gracing the top paddock at harvest is the magnificent floral abundance of the lavandin Margaret. Amongst the flowers dwells a microcosm of insect life. No insecticides are ever used on our farm, for to remove insects is to remove a crucial part of the farms ecology. Not only are they beneficial to the plants, but are an important food source for birds, small reptiles and animals.
Majesse Valley in winter
Majesse Valley in winter highlights the tawny cording of the lavender rows. Most people expect to see purple, however for most of the year the lavender rows are the same gold green monochrome of the rest of the valley. The rows following the contours of the valley work to slow the flow of water and increase the hydration of the land.
Majesse Valley comes alive
Majesse Valley comes alive with a magnificent display of floral beauty in the summer months. Beloko Range in the distance hangs above the river valley on the opposite side to us.
Majesse Estate’s mountainous terrain
Majesse Estate’s mountainous terrain and the hilly and disjointed locations of the fertile areasare drawn together by a network of tracks. The most impressive of these we call the ‘Majestic Highway’, a road which traverses the steepest escarpment of our farm and hangs above the river valley. Built in 2008 it was a necessary development in opening up our largest planting paddock Goat Valley. Beyond this paddock is our only vehicle access down to the river.
A biodiversity of plants
A biodiversity of plants in the farm environment help s to build a balanced and hydrated soil and sustain a vibrant and complex farm ecology which includes birds and insects. Mowing turns these plants into a ready source of mulch and much need organic matter a critical ingredient in maintaining soil life and fertility.
Eastern grey kangaroos
Eastern grey kangaroos are constants among the lavenders. They graze between the rows doing the lavender no harm. Despite being a common sight, they are still always a joy to watch.
Goat Valley is our largest planting paddock
Goat Valley is our largest planting paddock holding about 150 -200,000 plants. Planting is a late autumn, early winter job. Lavender is dormant over the winter and cold weather planting allows it be soil ready for the warming growing season, spring.
Goat Valley
Here are some of the name sakes of Goat Valley. Wild (some would say feral) goats roam freely over Majesse Estate, both the farm and the wilderness are home to these hardy and characterful creatures.