Perennial shrubs - production, grazing and recovery in the Mallee

2011

Research organisaton
Funding sources
<abbr title='Mallee Catchment Management Authority'>Mallee CMA</abbr> CRC <abbr title='Grains Research and Development Corporation'>GRDC</abbr>

Trial details

Researcher(s) Dave Monks (Victorian DPI)
Year(s) 2011
Contributor Birchip Cropping Group
Trial location(s) Walpeup, VIC
Perennial shrubs - production, grazing and recovery in the Mallee locations
Aims

To explore the use of perennial shrubs as a feed source for profitable and sustainable grazing systems in low-to-medium rainfall areas of hte Mallee.

Key messages
  • Atriplex and Rhagodia species fared best in these experiments, producing the hightest biomass on offer to sheep, plant survival rate and health scores.
  • Four species showed poor adaptation to the environment at Walpeup and produced little edible biomass, namely Atriplex semibaccata, Convolvulus remotus, Cullen australasicum and Medicago strasseri.
  • Results from this experiment and others across the nation have led to establishment of a new site a Manangatang that demonstrates the most promising spcies for the Mallee region's poorest soils.
Lead research organisation Birchip Cropping Group
Host research organisation N/A
Trial funding source Mallee CMA
Trial funding source CRC
Trial funding source GRDC
Related program Caring for our Country
Acknowledgments

This project was funded by the Mallee Catchment Management Authority through the Australian Government’s Caring for our Country. The work was undertaken by the Victorian Department of Primary Industries. Additional funding was received through the CRC for Future  arming Industries, GRDC and DPI Victoria.


Other trial partners Not specified
Download the trial report to view additional trial information

Method

Crop type Other: Perennial shrubs
Treatment type(s)
  • Grazing: Species
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Replicated

Walpeup 2011

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information
Trial source data and summary not available
Check the trial report PDF for trial results.
Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Not specified
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Walpeup, VIC Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Walpeup, VIC Calcarosol
Soil Moisture Source: BOM/ANU
Average amount of water stored in the soil profile during the year, estimated by the OzWALD model-data fusion system.
Year Walpeup VIC
2011 359.8mm
2010 293.1mm
2009 251.8mm
2008 233.8mm
2007 259.0mm
2006 226.8mm
2005 269.7mm
2004 219.8mm
2003 217.1mm
2002 172.5mm
2001 236.6mm
2000 281.1mm
National soil grid Source: CSIRO/TERN
NOTE: National Soil Grid data is aggregated information for background information on the wider area
Actual soil values can vary significantly in a small area and the trial soil tests are the most relevant data where available

Soil properties

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Climate

Derived climate information

No observed climate data available for this trial.
Derived climate data is determined from trial site location and national weather sources.

Walpeup VIC

NOTE: Exact trial site locality unknown - Climate data may not be accurate
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Some data on this site is sourced from the Bureau of Meteorology

SILO weather estimates sourced from https://www.longpaddock.qld.gov.au/silo/
Jeffrey, S.J., Carter, J.O., Moodie, K.B. and Beswick, A.R. (2001). Using spatial interpolation to construct a comprehensive archive of Australian climate data , Environmental Modelling and Software, Vol 16/4, pp 309-330. DOI: 10.1016/S1364-8152(01)00008-1.

Trial report and links

2011 trial report



Trial last modified: 20-03-2019 09:16am AEST