Pasture Trial Reviews

Evidence is mounting that multi-species pasture gives a lift to ruminant livestock productivity per hectare compared with monoculture pasture while at the same time increasing paddock ecosystem services and reducing methane emissions per kg of carcase weight.

Sheep and cattle pasture intake is impacted by a range of complex interactions associated with plant biology and animal physiology, by providing livestock with greater choice they eat more, grow better and paddock biodiversity with all its ecosystem services implications is enhanced.

The soil treatments with the lowest cost of producing extra pasture were those that addressed first limiting nutrients.

Applying artificial climate treatments to pasture species without including different grazing regimes is absurd, it makes the research conclusions around pasture species resilience in face of climate change irrelevant.

Some native grass species will respond to increased plant available phosphorus, but best practice grazing management is critical to ensure their persistence when fertiliser is applied.

The Wongwibinda, Northern Tablelands NSW fertiliser trial was established through local farmer interest in composts as an alternative source of phosphorus and other plant nutrients. Unfortunately the trial has produced biased results.

By Lisa Miller. Soil monitoring through the Corangamite soil monitoring program and trial sites shows soil acidification issues are not limited to the topsoil (0-10cm) but commonly extend to 10-20cm in all soils types, indicating our liming practices are not keeping pace with acidification rates.

Farmers should be monitoring soil test data as well as paddock carrying capacity per hectare and per 100 mm of rainfall.

Results of a three year liming trial on grazing and cropping farms to help farmers make more informed decisions on lime applications.

Correlations demonstrated between soil fertility, pasture species, carbon flows, biology and rainfall By Patrick Francis The Holbrook Landcare Group’s alternative

By Patrick Francis The Binalong Landcare Group and NSW DPI alternative fertiliser trial was professionally set up, monitored and analysed