Responsive farming using VRT: strip grazing barley

2009

Research organisaton
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) Mark Klante (SARDI)
Roy Latta (SARDI)
Year(s) 2009
Contributor SARDI Minnipa Agricultural Centre
Trial location(s) Minnipa, SA
Responsive farming using VRT: strip grazing barley locations
Aims

To provide early feed for stock in autumn, a time of year when pastures haven’t established properly, and get ewes and lambs out of the confinement feedlot and onto good quality feed as soon as possible.

Key messages
  • In 2009 47 ha of barley sown for feed at the break of the season sustained 300 ewes and lambs for 3 months during the period of late autumn-winter, a traditional period of pasture deficit.
  • Hay freezing the forage crop ensures grass weeds are controlled.
  • Use of strip grazing better utilises feed on hand and helps control erosion (especially around watering points).
Lead research organisation SARDI Minnipa Agricultural Centre
Host research organisation N/A
Trial funding source GRDC UA00117
Related program Eyre Peninsula Farming Systems
Acknowledgments

Thanks to Brett McEvoy and Trent Brace for site management.


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

Method

Crop type Cereal (Grain): Barley
Treatment type(s)
  • Farm operations: Economics
  • Management systems: Graze and grain
Trial type Demonstration
Trial design Unreplicated

Minnipa 2009

Sow date 24 April 2009
Harvest date Nil (spray topped)
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
Minnipa, SA Red sandy loam
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Minnipa, SA 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 Minnipa SA
2009 391.3mm
2008 330.4mm
2007 331.2mm
2006 334.5mm
2005 288.0mm
2004 296.1mm
2003 293.2mm
2002 283.3mm
2001 343.9mm
2000 389.0mm
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

Minnipa SA 2009


Observed climate information

Rainfall avg ann (mm) 325mm
Rainfall avg gsr (mm) 242mm
Rainfall trial total (mm) 421mm
Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 333mm

Derived climate information

Minnipa SA

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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

2009 trial report



Trial last modified: 08-10-2019 14:41pm AEST