Project Details
Project Delivery: Dumbleyung Landcare
Contact: Danielle Short (SWCC-Narrogin). Ph 9881 0202. Email: Danielle.short@swccnrm.org.au
Website: SWCC Sustainable Agriculture
Start Date: June 2014 End Date: Dec 2017
Site ID: SF21
Size Are Ha: 265
Project Aim
This project will examine if the concept of claying is cost effective relative to yield response in Cb4 soils and will there be benefits to:
- Soil structure and therefore soil biology
- Water holding capacity of this soil type
- Ground cover
- Erodibility of the soil
- Soil pH
Methodology
The three year demonstration of the incorporation of clay to improve soil structure, manage nutrient addition and improve productivity at a site identified as a Cb4 soil type. These soils are found extensively around Lake Dumbleyung and historically this soil type demonstrates lower productive output and this trial will demonstrate how these soil types can be improved to produce a higher yielding output.
The site chosen is 5km of the eastern boundary of Lake Dumbleyung. By implementing these claying trials over a designated 40Ha site, from within a 265Ha control paddock that has constantly proved to be of significantly lower yielding capacity as compared to other farm sites with different soil profiles
The following measurements will be taken so comparisons can be made between the control and historical data:
- Standard soil testing, 12 samples to be collected tests June 2014 and late 2017.
- ARISA assays and calico tests will be carried out June 2014 and late 2017.
- Photographic monitoring to determine ground cover, and wind erosion carried out pre and post claying process to be conducted every 6 months
- Yield data measured at very harvest over the 3 year period.
- Soil test of clay pits utilised
*Join the growing number of farmers and industry advisers receiving trial updates by subscribing to SWCC’s Sustainable Agriculture E-newsletter. Simply email danielle.short@swccnrm.org.au with “Subscribe to SWAG” as the subject.
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