Integration of best practice management of vulnerable Mallee soils for improved drought resilience

Integration of best practice management of vulnerable Mallee soils for improved drought resilience

Some soils in the Mallee region are particularly vulnerable during extended periods of low rainfall, which can be further exacerbated by severe wind erosion events (‘blowouts’) when there is insufficient groundcover. These factors create a perfect storm for soil erosion in the Mallee, impacting not only crop potential, but also the overall wellbeing of soils and surrounding native vegetation.

 

BCG is working with the Mallee Catchment Management Authority (Mallee CMA) to address this through a project aimed at implementing an integrated best practice approach with a number of growers across the Mallee to mitigate the risks of vulnerable soils for increased drought resilience. The project has been funded through the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and focusses on working with landholders in high wind erosion susceptibility zones. As part of BCG’s involvement, three growers have been engaged for paddock-scale demonstrations, focusing on practices that protects vulnerable soils while optimising crop yields. The paddock-scale demonstrations will take place in Torrita, Ouyen, and Kooloonong.

 

The overall goal of the project, facilitated by the Mallee CMA, is to help growers adopt long-term practice changes and mitigate future risks that could undermine economic and environmental stability due to drought. Throughout the project, local growers will be provided with opportunities for engagement and capacity building activities through field days, small-group events, and digital products, with the goal of increasing awareness of the impacts of drought and management practices that can mitigate drought-effects on regions with vulnerable soils.

 

Working with the three growers and the unique conditions on-farm, this project will develop a tailored integration of management practices to improve soil quality and paddock productivity across variable climatic conditions. For example, at Simon Craig’s property in Kooloonong, which is located in a high wind erosion susceptibility zone, one of the identified challenges is soil acidity. The tailored integration of applying lime to neutralise the acidity, as well as comparing different sowing rates and nitrogen application rates using Yield Prophet® will provide insight into how best to optimise crop productivity in a vulnerable soil. During harvest, a stripper front header will be used to retain as much stubble as possible, which will be a key strategy for mitigating soil erosion over summer. The findings from these paddock-scale demonstrations will be shared with BCG members and collected by the Mallee CMA as part of its role as project lead.

 

This project is supported by the Mallee CMA, through funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.