The effect of grazing crops on soil structure and weeds (preliminary findings)

2010
CC BY 4.0

Research organisaton
Funding sources

Trial details

Researcher(s) Simon Falkiner
Cam Nicholson
Year(s) 2010
Contributor Southern Farming Systems
Trial location(s) Werneth, VIC
The effect of grazing crops on soil structure and weeds (preliminary findings) locations
Aims

 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 differences there is no major impact on soil structure, water holding capacity or water infiltration from grazing in summer or 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 raddish populations did not increase because of grazing, although 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 Grain & Graze 2
Acknowledgments

GRDC and Caring for our Country through the Grain and Graze 2 program.
 


Other trial partners Not specified

Method

Crop types Cereal (Grain): Wheat Oilseed: Canola
Treatment type(s)
  • Grazing: Timing
Trial type
Trial design

Werneth 2010 Wheat

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified

Werneth 2010 Canola

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Trial source data and summary not available
Check the trial report PDF for trial results.

Trial results Wheat yield at Inverleigh in 2010

# Variety
Treatment 1

Grain yield t/ha


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Screenings <2mm %


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Trial results Barley yield at Inverleigh in 2011

# Variety
Treatment 1

Grain yield t/ha


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Trial results Wheat yield at Lake Bolac in 2010

# Variety

Grain yield t/ha


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Trial results Barley yield at Lake Bolac in 2011

# Variety

Grain yield t/ha


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Trial results Canola yield at Wernth in 2010

# Variety

Grain yield t/ha


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Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Not specified
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Werneth, VIC Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Werneth, VIC Sodosol
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 Werneth VIC
2010 355.2mm
2009 305.1mm
2008 305.4mm
2007 307.3mm
2006 301.9mm
2005 316.1mm
2004 326.0mm
2003 340.8mm
2002 343.2mm
2001 413.1mm
2000 441.0mm
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.

Werneth VIC

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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


No trial reports or attachments found


Trial last modified: 31-10-2019 11:29am AEST