To determine the impact of grazing on soil condition and weed populations. This report is on findings after two years of grazing.
Key messages
Despite visual difference there is no major impact on soil structure, water holding capacity or water infiltration from grazing in summer or in winter when soils are waterlogged.
Grazing in the previous winter or summer does not affect the following crop establishment or grain yield.
Any yield losses after winter grazing are the result of moisture stress in the period immediately after grazing through to flowering.
Annual ryegrass and wild radish populations did not increase because of grazing, altough the sites only had low levels of infestation to begin with. However, farmer observations do not support this and further work is required.
Lead research organisation
N/A
Host research organisation
N/A
Trial funding source
GRDC
Trial funding source
Caring for our Country
Trial funding source
Grain & Graze
Related program
N/A
Acknowledgments
Troy Missen
GRDC and Caring for our Country through the Grain & Graze 2 program
No observed climate data available for this trial. Derived climate data is
determined from trial site location and national weather sources.
Inverleigh VIC
Lake Bolac VIC
Werneth VIC
Inverleigh VIC
Lake Bolac VIC
Werneth VIC
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.
