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March 12 with pasture height and mass ruler

Impact of ground cover bulk on rainfall infiltration after a summer thunderstorm, Riverina plains. Photo: Patrick Francis.

Response to the rainfall was dramatic with the summer active cocksfoot (left) and tall fescue growing 20 cm plus leaves from multiple tillers within 11 days.

The Advocate for Soils Michael Jeffery has polarised farmers, researchers and advisors into two groups, those that agree with his Soils for Life approach and the rest.

Rory Frost inspecting planted saltbush. It was the catalyst for a long term claypan turning into thick grass instead of shedding water after one millimetre of rain.

After two years: The missing saltbush leaves eaten by livestock allow the pattern of regeneration around the saltbush to be clearly seen.

After three years: Less of the claypan is visable as other plants expand the regeneration process.

After five years: The once-bare claypan is now covered in dense grass. Picture taken in mid-June 2012.

When holistic grazing is practiced perennial plant dominated pasture, phosphorus fertiliser requirements are less because labile carbon is maintained in the ecosystem despite rainfall variation, which in turn provides food to ensure an active soil food web and helps maintain soil moisture. There is no need for silver bullet solutions. Photos: David Marsh

Boom-bust pasture like in this western Victoria paddock, shown in August then five months later in February, demonstrate an unhealthy dominance of annual species which rely on regular applications of plant available phosphorous fertiliser for productivity. Ecosystem function is impaired by lack of perennials, low level of ground cover, poor soil moisture holding capacity and restricted soil food web.

When holistic grazing is practiced perennial plant dominated pasture, phosphorus fertiliser requirements are less because labile carbon is maintained in the ecosystem despite rainfall variation, which in turn provides food to ensure an active soil food web and helps maintain soil moisture. There is no need for silver bullet solutions. Photos David Marsh.

When holistic grazing is practiced in perennial plant dominated pasture, phosphorus fertiliser requirements are less because labile carbon is maintained in the ecosystem despite rainfall variation, which in turn provides food to ensure an active soil food web and helps maintain soil moisture. There is no need for silver bullet solutions.