Shrub-based grazing systems for low-medium rainfall zones (Enrich Project)

2009
CC BY 4.0

Research organisaton
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) Neil Ackland (EPARF)
Year(s) 2009
Contributor Eyre Peninsula Agricultural Research Foundation
Trial location(s) Elbow Hill, SA
Minnipa, SA
Streaky Bay, SA
Shrub-based grazing systems for low-medium rainfall zones (Enrich Project) locations
Aims

To identify alternative grazing systems that are both sustainable and profitable in low-medium rainfall zones where cropping is no longer viable due to high risks and changing climatic conditions.

Key messages
  • Grazing perennial native shrubs are being trialled on Eyre Peninsula.
  • Three sites established, Elbow Hill, Streaky Bay & Minnipa.
  • Perennial native shrubs could potentially help fill the summer-autumn feed gap while providing other benefits such as drought management, nutritional value, reduced soil erosion, carbon sequestration and in some species fodder production in a saline environment.
  • Increasing ground cover in low-medium rainfall farming systems.
Lead research organisation Eyre Peninsula Agricultural Research Foundation
Host research organisation N/A
Trial funding source Caring for our Country
Related program Eyre Peninsula Farming Systems
Acknowledgments

Scott Williams, Tim Hollitt, and Minnipa Agricultural Centre for the use of the land for these sites, local landholders for their input and support, FFICRC and Jason Emms (SARDI) for their technical advice and assistance, Roy Latta (Minnipa Ag Centre), Tony Zwar (EPNRM) and funding through the EPNRM Board & the Australian Government.


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

Method

Crop types Other: Perennial shrubs Pasture: Mixed species
Treatment type(s)
  • Grazing: Application Method
Trial type
Trial design

Elbow Hill 2009 Perennial shrubs

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

Elbow Hill 2009 Mixed species

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size 50m x 50m
Plot replication 4

Minnipa 2009 Mixed species

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

Minnipa 2009 Perennial shrubs

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

Streaky Bay 2009 Mixed species

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

Streaky Bay 2009 Perennial shrubs

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
Elbow Hill, SA Not specified
Minnipa, SA Not specified
Streaky Bay, SA Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Elbow Hill, SA Sodosol
Minnipa, SA Calcarosol
Streaky Bay, SA
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 Elbow Hill SA Minnipa SA Streaky Bay SA
2009 158.8mm391.3mm120.8mm
2008 135.2mm330.4mm103.0mm
2007 142.3mm331.2mm82.1mm
2006 159.9mm334.5mm94.0mm
2005 166.8mm288.0mm105.3mm
2004 136.0mm296.1mm107.8mm
2003 146.2mm293.2mm111.2mm
2002 120.6mm283.3mm96.4mm
2001 130.9mm343.9mm101.9mm
2000 145.0mm389.0mm105.1mm
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.

Elbow Hill SA

Minnipa SA

Streaky Bay SA

Elbow Hill SA

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Minnipa SA

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Streaky Bay SA

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

2009 trial report



Trial last modified: 06-08-2019 07:54am AEST