Life Sciences Commons^™

Alley Farming : New Vision For Western Australian Farmland, Ted Lefroy, Phil Scott

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Alley farming is a system where crops and pastures are grown in the alleys between rows of trees and shrubs. The concept is new to Western Australia but one that is likely to become more familiar over the next few years. The objective is to use trees and shrubs to decrease the environmental side effects of agriculture, such as erosion and salinity while increasing farm profit through the direct and indirect value of the trees.

This article describes some examples of alley farming in Western Australia and discusses the challenge of getting the right tree species and layout to maximise …

How Sustainable Is Grazing Sheep On Annual Pastures In The Woolbelt?, Don Mcfarlane, Richard George

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Low wool prices have reduced the profitability of producing wool from clover-based annual pastures in the south-western woo/belt. The heavy reliance on one commodity is economically unsustainable for many farmers. But we should also consider how ecologically sustainable the practice is.

Shallow-rooted annual pastures contribute to widespread salinity in the area, annual legumes are acidifying the soils and making them water repellent, and bare, detached soils from heavy grazing cause sheet and rill erosion during autumn storms. In addition, stock are degrading remnant vegetation and destroying the soil's structure.

To counteract this degradation, the woo/belt needs more perennial pastures and …

Red Mud : Cutting Pollution And Boosting Yields, Rob Summers

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

A by-product from the refining of bauxite ore in the South-West is proving a bonus for agriculture.

When spread over the land, not only is it improving soil quality, but it is helping to prevent leaching of phosphorus and the consequent massive algal blooms in the waterways.

Bauxite residue is also showing considerable promise in human and animal effluent disposal systems, composting urban refuse, sewage treatments and as a road base.

Western Australia is now in the forefront of this research which is attracting world-wide interest.