PASTURE growers on the Swan Coastal Plain are encouraged to participate in a valuable soils project to improve fertiliser use, protect waterways and boost business performance.
This is the second year of the initiative, which last season attracted 63 participants between Ellenbrook and Condingup.
Expressions of Interest are now open to beef, dairy and sheep producers who receive more than 550mm annual rainfall to participate in the Soils – New Horizons project, delivered by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD).
The three year project – co-funded by the Western Australian and Australian Governments – complements the Healthy Estuaries WA program, and also includes the south coast and south west capturing a wide area north to Jurien Bay, inland to Darkan and Boyup Brook and east of Esperance.
The project provides training, subsidised soil testing and tools to assist landholders to better understand soil nutrient requirements and make evidence-based fertiliser decisions.
DPIRD senior research scientist Simon Clarendon said the initiative delivered practical information that could be applied immediately to help participants save time and money, while supporting the environment.
“Applying only the nutrients that are required can improve production, profitability and reduce the risk of loss of nutrients to the environment,” he said.
“Soils – New Horizons equips growers with the knowledge and tools to understand the nutrient soil nutrient status and production system requirements, as well as how to integrate soil testing into on-farm decision making.
“The first cohort of participants highly valued the opportunity to gain practical soil knowledge and fertiliser recommendations, taking the guesswork out of on-farm nutrient management while seeing some likely savings in their fertiliser budget.
“Participants’ feedback was very encouraging, reinforcing how this program helps farming operations become more sustainable and profitable, while having a positive environmental impact.”
Demonstration trials have been established on collaborators’ properties at Gingin and Kentdale, near Denmark, to investigate potassium and sulphur constraints to pasture – building on last year’s trials at DPIRD’s Manjimup Horticultural Research Institute.
Project researchers are also deep soil sampling to 30cm between Gingin and Esperance to better understand the extent and severity of subsoil constraints in pasture-based production systems, including subsoil acidity and aluminium toxicity.
This information will be used to better understand how pasture production may be limited by these subsoil constraints, which can restrict root growth and reduce nutrient uptake.
The Soils – New Horizons project is part of a bilateral partnership between the Australian Government and the Western Australian Government, delivered by DPIRD with additional funding from Healthy Estuaries WA.
To find out more and register an Expression of Interest to participate in the project visit the ‘Whole farm nutrient mapping for high rainfall pastures’ DPIRD webpage or email nutrientmapping@dpird.wa.gov.au. Expressions of interest close at 11.59pm on Wednesday, July 22.
