A Kooloonong Natya Landcare project in collaboration with BCG.
Victorian Mallee broadacre grain growers have for many years, been proactive in their attempts to improve production and the profitability of sandy (coarse textured) soils. Advances in farming system practices such as reduced tillage and no-till combined with stubble retention, have changed the productive capability of these soils greatly. This was evident specifically during the millennium drought 2000-2009.
During the millennium drought, the important changes in management practices were earlier sowing time, less cultivation, more nutrition and protection of ground cover by retaining stubble.
Since 2010, growers have observed the sandy soils to be as responsive to these practices, and growers are now dealing with similar issues however at increased cost.
As part of the National Landcare Program 25th Anniversary Grants, the Kooloonong-Natya Landcare Group sort to investigate the potential causes for the decline in the performance of sandy soils in the region. The project brought together the collaboration of local growers, BCG (Birchip Cropping Group) and leading advisers in an attempt to identify and address some of the specific issues arising.
This document will outline those issues and propose strategies growers can implement in order to mitigate these issues, returning the soils back to their once reliable status.
To read the rest of this report, please see the document below.
