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Integrated Grazing and Cropping Systems to Soil Type

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Sustainable Agriculture

This demonstration site in Bruce Rock used EM-38 and soil profile analysis to determine soil types and constraints across the paddock and then matched shrubs and legume pastures to the soils, choosing species that can be grazed in the establishment year and then cropped in subsequent years. The trial aims to improve overall production yields of the historically poor performing paddock, where cropping or pasture management have not been highly productive (cropped two years in 10, and unrennovated pasture). The paddock has been used for sheep grazing of winter weeds and native bluebush with minimal intervention.

One year update

In March 2015, hard seed Bartola bladder clover and Margarita serradella pod were planted, while Casbah biserulla was planted at the break of the season. Unfortunately, lack of winter rain resulted in patchy germination and poor competition with winter weeds. While the biserrula was highly successful, the bladder clover failed to thrive and the serradella had low density rates. This year, barley was planted over the pasture sites and it is hoped the biserulla and some serradella will re-germinate in 2017.

Forage shrubs including Anameka, Oldman, and River Saltbushes, Enchylaena tomentosa, Rhagodia drummondii and Rhagodia candolleana were planted in July 2016. Despite being planted into minimal moisture, ten days later low lying areas were underwater for several weeks (thanks to 100mm of rain over four days), resulting up to 10% plants deaths. Shrubs across the site have generally been very successful and grown well. Some infilling of shrub seedlings has taken place this year and the site is expected to be fully grazed over the coming summer – autumn period.

These photos show a stark contrast in the paddock's production from Summer 2015 to Winter 2016 - the landowners are delighted with the paddock at this stage! Crop yields, pasture and sheep production and grazing day data will really show how a marginal paddock can be improved by working with soil constraints.

Before - Summer 2015 After - Winter 2016

 

Interested in running a sustainable agriculture trial or demonstration site on your farm? 

Current funding round closes: Monday 12 September 2016

Resource

http://www.agtrialsites.com/