Pasture establishment options

Their property contains 150ha of a flood plain from Murrumbidgee River, and the other part is marginally acidic with red undulating red-brown earth. They aim to increase the carrying capacity of the land from7 DSE/Ha to 10 DSE/Ha. They engage in share farming with their neighbor Dino and have purchased additional land of 1000 ha from him. The purpose of this assessment is to evaluate the case study as a mixed cropping and grazing initiative to rear sheep and cattle and produce pasture and Lucerne through share farming with neighbors with the goal of producing hay for sale. Pasture management practices. The rain is equitably distributed over the year. Temperatures vary along the season with war summers of 29C to 32C.

In summer relative humidity is low at 30% in the afternoon while in winter they go higher to 60% in the afternoon and up to 90% at night. The winter is accompanied by frost and fog but minimum snow. Maximum average annual temperatures Climate data for Wagga Wagga Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Record high °C (°F) 44. Such factors include rainfall the available pasture varieties, nutrient inputs and the demand for pasture. An optimum level of production can be achieved in pasture production considering the available resources. Thus, hay production can be increased to meet current and future demands through ways such as the introduction of specific varieties. The most productive and convenient Lucerne variety is SF10.

Its effectiveness is derived from its ability to withstand winter by being active and its high yields. The identification and introduction process is necessary to meet the demands. It is vital because it increases portions of landscape with perennial plants which prevent water tables from rising. Pasture species have also been mixed with the aim of combating the adverse effects of salinity s it is the case with a more significant part of Christine and Mike property. The mix of pasture species is also useful in mitigation of soil acidity a common problem in Wagga Wagga. The range of pasture species. The other species are also sensitive to drought compared to Lucerne, Soil Tests. The soil is a significant resource in agriculture and maintaining its health for sustainability in agriculture and increasing productivity.

Soil testing includes determining soil acidity and Ph. The determination of how acidity or alkalinity in soils is measured using the PH where below 5 is acidic and above 8 is alkaline. Soil tests are essential in the maintenance of soil health as they ensure that all aspects of soils which include physical structure, chemical components and biological life of the soil are considered. Other causes of acidity include the soil parent material or ammonium fertilizers during nitrification which yields hydrogen ions. Acidity is also increased in the process through which plants roots take nutrients from the soil excreting hydrogen ions. Controlling acidity and alkalinity requires treatment with lime and its compound. Lime keeps in check the levels of acids and lowers the percentage of toxicity of aluminum and manganese.

Lime also acts as a soil conditioner, supplies calcium and helps to increase microbial activity and the availability of some nutrients. Other perennial grasses include Native Australian perennial grasses Subtropical grass species Perennial bromes, perennial veldt grass perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, and cocksfoot. The range of inputs for pasture. It is essential for landholders to make better and informed decisions for the use of fertilizers in their pastures. The information on the range of inputs used for pastures is necessary for areas with higher rainfall like Wagga Wagga which focus on the growth of pastures mainly for grazing and high stocking rates. The soils in the area require inputs additions as a result of being weathered, low in nutrients and other factors which limit pasture growth.

Such is an example of a marginal dryland region and this means that the plant counts per square meter should be at 15-40. Another seeding rate can be 6-8 kilograms for a hectare of land and this is applicable in regions that receive an annual rainfall of about 450-600mm. such regions can be best described as drylands and, therefore, require a plant counts per square meter of 50-70. There is also the seeding rate of 10-12 kilograms per hectare and this is used in favorable dryland areas that experience an annual rainfall of about 600-800mm. such areas require a plant counts per square meter of 80-100. Quality Lucerne is helpful in flushing ewes with an aim of making the percentage of lambing and ovulation to increase.

It also offers forage with high energy, protein and an excellent source of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and vitamins A and D. Alternative establishment methods. Alternative methods for pasture establishment include establishing pastures made up of Lucerne, Phalaris, and tall fescue. Thus; pastures like tall fescue, Lucerne, and Phalaris, can withstand longer periods of drought in Wagga Wagga if positioned correctly, managed well, and fed on offer targets. it is also suitable for farmers with different soil and topography across paddocks. The technology is essential as it ensures the delivery of better pasture growth with lower water and power use. Others include soil moisture monitoring equipment which enhances regular monitoring of soil moisture level. They have been adopted by farmers to help in the achievement of optimum water use and maximum crop and pasture yields.