Private Land Management

The Healthy Soils, Stock & Pasture project is a 3 year project funded by the National Landcare Program that is creating a lot of interest amongst the farming community. The project is designed to measure the effects that different fertilisers have on soil microbiological activity, soil chemistry & pasture productivityThe recent significant increases in many fertiliser prices have put increased cost pressures on farmers. Many farmers are now considering using the many different fertiliser options that are available to them (including waste products). However, many farmers are wary of swapping over to alternative sources, as there is little quantifiable research comparing alternative fertilisers with conventional chemical fertilisers on a production & cost basis.  This project is assisting farmers to trial a number of these different fertilisers on their properties.

This project is comprised of 2 parts.

·         Part 1 consists of 2 trial sites. These 2 sites are set up to measure the effects that different fertilisers have on soil health & pasture productivity. These sites have no livestock access & are set up to be statistically valid, scientifically valid & repeatable. Both sites comprise 6 different fertiliser applications set against a control. The plots are harvested with a mower approx 10 times per year (similar to a rotational grazing regime), and the pasture is collected, weighed, tested, sampled & recorded. Soil is also collected & sampled for a wide range of parameters including; soil microbiology, temperature, chemistry, water holding capacity etc. No known trial has been carried out in Victoria that gives so much data over time as will this trial.

·         Part 2 consists of 6 trials sites. These sites are located on a further 6 farms & livestock have access to these trials. Each trial site will be comparing 3 different fertiliser applications against a control. Soil tests are being taken on an annual basis to determine soil chemical changes. Pasture is being measured for growth approx 10 times per year (similar to a rotational grazing regime) just before the cows graze these sites. Samples are collected & the pasture is then sent on an alternate basis to FeedTest to analyse the ME, Protein, Digestibility etc of the pasture, & NorSearch to measure the nutrients that are actually in the pasture. The farmers play a major role in the collection of the samples & the measurement of pasture growth.

All of the trials have accurate details of the types of fertilisers applied & the nutrient analysis of the applications. Each application has been costed out on a $ per Ha basis. A large variety of fertilisers are being trialled on a wide range of soil types throughout the catchment. They range from chemical through to organic, with many in between. A number of waste products are also being trialled with promising results. A significant amount of high quality data has already been collected & this is freely available to anyone who is interested.

If you would like further information on this project then please contact;

Peter Ronalds - Sustainable Agriculture Project Officer - WPCLN

email pronalds_cec@dcsi.net.au

ph 0359 418446

P.O. Box 875 Pakenham 3810