Regenerative agriculture is more than just farming by growing crops or raising livestock—it’s about rebuilding soil fertility from the ground up. For Will McGirr, restoring his property in Yelverton has meant focusing on pasture diversity, increasing ground cover, and building organic matter to breathe life back into the neglected soils.
His Yelverton farm, nestled in the South-West of Western Australia, involves a mixed operation, integrating a variety of regenerative practices and livestock— the Square Meater cattle breeding stud, Australian White sheep, and pigs—all of which contribute to the biodiversity and resilience of his farm ecosystem. At the heart of the ‘Regenerate Square Meaters’ farm is the soil, and its success depends on using the right mix of soil management strategies to help it thrive.
A Vision for Regeneration
Five years ago, Will began the journey of revitalising neglected farmland in Yelverton, drawing inspiration from soil health pioneers like Joel Salatin and Gabe Brown in the United States. As Joel Salatin says, your most important livestock are your “underground livestock”, i.e. the worms and microbes working to make all those minerals available to the plants, which are then available to the animals, which are then available to us.
With a clear goal to produce nutrient dense food and a commitment to regenerative principles, he set out to improve soil health and establish diverse, productive pastures—all without relying on herbicides. Today, this Regenerate Square Meaters cattle breeding operation extends into a well-balanced whole regenerative program, including the livestock program, compost production, and the production of homemade vermicast slurry extracts for seed coating and microbial-rich fertiliser.
Overcoming Soil Challenges
Like many regenerative farmers, Will has faced significant soil constraints. Low pH levels and acidic conditions made pasture growth difficult, while invasive species such as Guildford Grass (also known as Onion Grass) competed aggressively with perennials. Guildford Grass, a small herb with long and slender, but very tough and wiry, cylindrical basal leaves which are produced annually from a pea-sized corm, proved particularly resilient. To combat this, he developed a mixture of management strategies, including the inclusion of free- range pigs to reduce the Guildford grass, applied lime strategically over three years, and conducted light tillage only when necessary. In 2025, he applied 2.5 tonnes of lime per hectare, successfully raising soil pH from 3.8 to 4.4, with a long-term goal of reaching 5.5.
Initially, he sowed a variety of perennials with amendments, but they struggled until deeper soil issues were addressed. By shifting to annuals and prioritising organic matter buildup, pasture performance has improved. He is now gradually reintroducing perennials to enhance resilience.
Strengthening Soil Through Diversity
Will’s regeneration strategy has evolved into a multi-phase system that supports both short- and long-term goals. In the first year, Will sowed a range of perennials to kickstart the regeneration process, but results were slow until deeper soil issues were addressed. Now, his strategy includes a multi-phase approach:
- Annuals for Immediate Gains – Oats, ryegrass, and clover provide rapid ground cover, organic matter build up, and improved moisture retention.
- Gradual Perennial Integration – As soil health improves, perennials are reintroduced to establish deep-root structures and stabilise the soil.
- Cover Crops for Protection – Bell pasture regen mix to help prevent erosion, build soil structure, and support microbial life.
Root Development & Ground Cover: The Keys to Regeneration
Healthy, robust pastures depend on robust root systems that anchor soil, increase nutrient access, and support water infiltration. Will’s approach to soil regeneration focuses on;
✔ Deep-Rooted Grasses & Legumes – Enhance soil stability and access deep nutrients.
✔ Organic Matter Buildup – Compost, manure, and extracts improve microbial health and soil fertility.
✔ No-Till Techniques – The No-Till Darryl Drill enables effective no-till seeding, preserving soil and root structure.
✔ Moisture Conservation – Maintaining ground cover through seeding and grazing rotations reduces evaporation and drought stress.
The Role of the Darryl Drill
Before adopting the Darryl Drill (DD2400), Will’s experience with seeders was limited to a cumbersome 3m combine drill, which was kindly loaned from a neighbour. However, he found this borrowed drill was awkward to manoeuvre, difficult to use in his paddocks, and not as effective. The 2.4m Darryl Drill proved to be a game-changer for his seeding operation, offering ease of transport between paddocks, smoother operation, and efficient access and turning ability at sheds for seed coatings with compost slurry, and seed bin refill.
Regenerative Management Strategies
Will’s operation includes a suite of regenerative strategies designed to build long-term soil health:
✔ Pasture Diversity – Will selected the Bell Pasture Seeds Regen mix (a 12 species mix consisting of peas, ryecorn, oats, ryegrass, clover, cocksfoot, chicory and plantain to name a few) improves soil structure, soil nutrients and fertility. Clovers are renowned for their nitrogen fixation capabilities, whilst ryecorn has the ability to control soil erosion and suppression of weeds. Cocksfoot has deep penetrating roots which improve soil by increasing humus content, as well as provide forage during dry times. Ryegrasses provide good ground cover and ample feed for grazing. The chicory has a deep taproot (can grow up to several metres), allowing it to draw soil water reserves upwards and provide drought tolerance through deep root systems.
✔ Organic Soil Amendments – Home-produced seed coatings and extracts replace synthetic fertilisers, boosting soil microbial activity.
✔ Rotational Grazing – Livestock are moved daily to allow pastures to recover, improve nutrient cycling, and reduce compaction.
✔ Electric Fencing – implementation of Kiwi Tech’s cost-effective 3-wire system to support fast and efficient rotational grazing.
✔ Selective Tillage – Used sparingly to manage weed pressures while maintaining soil structure. The Darryl Drill’s no-till capability is helping to reduce the need for tillage over time.
✔ Seasonal Seeding – Will sows a winter mix to improve feed availability and nutrition, while his summer crops include species like millet and sorghum to supplement dry-season feed.
Learning & Future Improvements
Will commented that the “addition of the Darryl Drill to his program has been brilliant!”
Whilst it’s been easy to use and smooth to operate, Will noted that a depth control instructional guide would be valuable for users. His latest trials—sowing oats, ryegrass, and clover at 15mm depth—showed good results for oats but lower germination rates for clover. Will felt the potential need for varied seeding depths based on seed size remains an area for exploration.
Looking ahead, Will is exploring opportunities for contract seeding, particularly for equine pastures, though he intends to fine-tune his seeding technique using the Darryl Drill before offering services more broadly.
A Growing Future in Regenerative Agriculture
Through ongoing experimentation, persistence, and adaptation, Will McGirr is steadily building a healthier, more resilient farm ecosystem. His journey shows that regenerative agriculture is not just about short-term productivity—it’s a long-term investment in the future of your land.