Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Soil Acidity : A Guide For Wa Farmers And Consultants., Chris Gazey, Stephen Davies, Ron Master

Bulletins 4000 -

Our first edition of Soil acidity: a guide for WA farmers and consultants in 2009 was a significant publication which brought together current knowledge on the management of soil acidity in WA in a user-friendly book. Three thousand printed copies were distributed and an interactive PDF on the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA) website made it available to most WA farmers and consultants.

iLime is a decision tool to assist liming decisions.

Recent projects have extended our knowledge of the extent of the soil acidity problem in WA. When the first edition was published, we had good …

Esperance Area Acid Sulfate Soil Hazard Mapping, Paul Galloway, Simon Clarendon

Resource management technical reports

This project created a regional scale (1:100 000) acid sulfate soil (ASS) hazard map for the Lake Warden and Esperance town areas, using a combination of existing soil-landscape mapping information and elevation data, supported by field observations and laboratory data from 18 soil cores and 29 additional borelogs with descriptive information useful for identifying ASS and potential ASS materials. All data gathered during this project used common standards and protocols developed in Australia for identifying and mapping ASS materials. The project extends the mapping for acid sulfate soil in the region, complementing existing maps compiled for other parts of the …

Crop Updates 2008 - Farming Systems, John De Majnik, Paul Meibusch, Vince Logan, Louise Barton, Wahid Biswas, Daniel Carter, Nicolyn Short, Jodie Bowling, Glen Riethmuller, James Fisher, Moin Salam, Stephen Davies, Jim Dixon, Dennis Van Gool, Alison Slade, Bob Gilkes, Megan Abrahams, Caroline Peek, Daniel Gardiner, Kari-Lee Falconer, David Hall, Jeromy Lemon, Harvey Jones, Yvette Oliver, Tania Butler, Michael Robertson, Stephen Carr, Chris Gazey, David York, Joel Andrews, Michael Simeoni, G. Peter Mangano, Svetlana Micic, Dave Gartner, Adam Clune, Matthew Morell, Adam Umbers, Angelo Loi, Brad Nutt, Clinton Revell, Geoff Kew, Vivien Vanstone, Ali Bhatti, Ming Pei You, Imma Farre, Bill Bowden, Henry Smolinski, Jane Speijers, John Bruce, David Mccarthy, Gary Lang, David Rees, Rob Grima, John Young, Ross Kingwell, Chris Oldham, Derk Bakker, Ian Foster, David Beard, Wen Chen, Richard Bell, Ross Brennan, Art Diggle, Reg Lunt, Qifu Ma, Zed Rengel, Tim Hilder, Dusty Severtson, Shahajahan Miyan, Sam Clune, Barb Sage, Tenielle Martin, Chris Newman, Neal Dalgliesh, Caroline Peak, Andrew Blake, Megan Ryan, Richard Bennett, Tim Colmer, Daniel Real, Jiyan Pang, Lori Kroiss, Dion Nicol, Tammy Edmonds-Tibbett, Ron Mctaggart, Sean Kelly, Helen Hunter

Crop Updates

This session covers thirty nine papers from different authors:

PLENARY

1. Developments in grain end use, Dr John de Majnik, New Grain Products, GRDC, Mr Paul Meibusch, New Farm Products and Services, GRDC, Mr Vince Logan, New Products Executive Manager, GRDC

PRESENTATIONS

2. Global warming potential of wheat production in Western Australia: A life cycle assessment, Louise Barton1, Wahid Biswas2 and Daniel Carter3, 1School of Earth & Geographical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 2Centre of Excellence in Cleaner Production, Division of Science and Engineering, Curtin University of Technology, 3Department of Agriculture and …

Lockhart Catchment Appraisal 2005, Susan Murphy-White, P Leoni

Resource management technical reports

The Lockhart Catchment is the largest subcatchment of the Avon River Basin covering just over 3.56 million hectares, including 15 Shires running from Quairading and Bruce Rock in the north to Pingrup and Lake King in the south. This document aims to give the reader a starting point from which to further assess larger scale areas of the catchment for the purpose of planning to reverse and improve land degradation and sustainable farming in Western Australia.

Ravensthorpe Area Catchment Appraisal 2006, A Massenbauer

Resource management technical reports

The Ravensthorpe area covers 861, 000 hectares. Ninety percent of the study area covered in this report falls within the Ravensthorpe Shire, Western Australia. This document aims to give the reader a starting point from which to further assess larger scale areas of the catchment for the purpose of planning to reverse and improve land degradation and sustainable farming in Western Australia.

Managing Grey Clays : To Maximise Production And Sustainability, Greg Hamilton, Peter Fisher, Matt Baimbridge, Jennifer Bignell, Jessica Sheppard, Rod Bowey

Bulletins 4000 -

This bulletin discusses the identification, understanding and management of grey clay soils in the south-west of Western Australia.

Wheatbelt Waterwise = Saltwise : Gardening Guide, John Colwill, Juana Roe

Bulletins 4000 -

As a result of agricultural clearing, many country towns are now feeling the effects of rising groundwater and the salt that it carries. Salinity has been identified as Australia’s number one environmental problem. While most people think that salinity means land lost to agriculture, it also poses a serious threat to many country towns. A report for the Department of Agriculture in 2001 highlighted the need for simple and cost-effective salinity management strategies to be adopted in wheatbelt towns. These included water recycling, revegetation and more efficient water use.

Improved Soil Management And Cropping Systems For Waterlog-Prone Soils : Results Of The 2000 Season, Derk Bakker, Greg Hamilton, David Houlbrooke, Cliff Spann

Resource management technical reports

The results of the fourth year of a five year research and development project to develop soil management practices and cropping systems to prevent waterlogging and increase the productivity of waterlogged lands in Western Australia. The concept of raised beds was used to alleviate or prevent waterlogging.

Western Australia Soil Acidity Research And Development Update 2002 : Time To Lime, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

Bulletins 4000 -

The Soil Acidity Research, Development and Extension Project has produced a summary of the activities, research results and recommendations each year and this book is the last in a series of seven.

The Department of Agriculture Western Australia, The University of Western Australia and CSIRO have supported the project with industry funds from The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and The Natural Heritage Trust (NHT).

The high level of funding for soil acidity research, development and extension comes to an end in June 2002. It is now time for the management of soil acidity to be part of all …

Improved Soil Management And Cropping Systems For Waterlog-Prone Soils : Results Of The 1999 Season, Derk Bakker, Greg Hamilton, D Houlbrooke, Cliff Spann

Resource management technical reports

The project aim was to map the distribution of waterlogging occurrences relative to soil type and climate; to develop soil, water and crop management practices applied to the concept of raised beds to alleviate or prevent waterlogging; to establish the economics of raised bed farming, relative to geographic location and waterlogging frequency.

Western Australia Soil Acidity Research And Development Update 2001 : Time To Lime, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

Bulletins 4000 -

This book for 2001 again summarises the work being carried out by staff of The Integrated Soil Acidity Research, Development and Extension projects in Western Australia. These projects are based at Agriculture Western Australia, The University of Western Australia and CSIRO.

Several articles in this book are an indication that the current round of funding for this work is drawing to a close in June 2002. The articles reflect our increasing understanding of not only the effects of soil acidity but also the time required for current practices of surface applied lime to ameliorate acidity in both the surface and …

Western Australia Soil Acidity Research And Development Update 2000 : Time To Lime, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

Bulletins 4000 -

We have come a long way over the past three or four years in terms of both, the level of understanding and recognition of Soil Acidity as a major land degradation issue for the wheatbelt of Western Australia, and, in our actions to treat the problem.

During 1999 there were three very significant changes relating to acid soils in Western Australia.

• Lime use in WA increased by over 200,000 tonnes from 1998 to 1999 to a record 653,000 tonnes, which was double the amount applied in 1997.
• The Agricultural Lime Industry adopted a voluntary Lime Industry Code of Practice in …

Results Of The Improved Soil Management & Cropping Systems For Waterlog-Prone Soils Project, Derk Bakker, G J. Hamilton, Peter I. Tipping, Cliff Spann, Doug Rowe

Resource management technical reports

No abstract provided.

Western Australia Soil Acidity Research And Development Update 1999 : Time To Lime, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

Bulletins 4000 -

We all know we have to apply lime as part of our farming systems. This means that a huge amount of lime will be applied to soils which have never had lime applied before.

One of the effects of this is that we can now consider thinking about introducing acid-sensitive systems to soils, which previously would have been considered too acid.

The other side of liming is that the pH changes affect many soil properties. There is an element of uncertainty about whether unforeseen side effects will emerge on our fragile soils as a result of this new practice.

The …

Western Australia Soil Acidity Research And Development Update 1998 : Time To Lime, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

Bulletins 4000 -

Recent yield responses by canola where lime has been applied to acidic soils are very encouraging. Two sites have shown that the yield increase in canola after lime was applied in the previous year would have easily paid for the total cost of purchase, transport and application of the lime.

This work was carried out to demonstrate the increased options that are likely to be available once producers are treating or managing soil acidity. Canola is becoming increasingly important as a cash value crop and a break crop allowing wider rotations.

Growers are pushing the limits of canola’s tolerance to …

Western Australia Soil Acidity Research And Development Update 1997 : Time To Lime, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

Bulletins 4000 -

There is a lot of lime being spread in Western Australia – or is there?

In fact, the Australian Bureau of Statistics agricultural census paints a picture showing that we are still far short of the amount of lime that should be getting on to the ground.

For many years Western Australian soils acidified without significant production penalties. The soil pH was at values that were not affecting plant growth. However, over the last decade or so, large areas of soils have reached the point where production is being affected. In addition, we are now introducing plant species such as …

Soil Information Sheets For The Northern Agricultural Areas, Natural Resources Assessment Group, Agriculture Western Australia, Landcare Western Australia

Agriculture reports

These soil information sheets are produced for farmers in the Northern Wheatbelt. Each sheet summaries information on the particular soil's characteristic properties and associated land use suitability and management. A photograph of a representative profile is provided for each soil. Technical terms are defined in the glossary. Information is presented under the following headings: Soil series and group, occurrence, native vegetation, soil profile description, characteristic soil properties, soil classification (Australian Soil Classification and Northcote Principal Profile Form).

Soil Information Sheets For The Mount Beaumont, Mallee And Esperance Agricultural Areas, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Landcare Western Australia, Esperance Land Conservation District Committee, Mount Beaumont / Howick Catchment Group (W.A.)

Agriculture reports

Each sheet summarises information on the soil's characteristic properties, and associated land use suitability and management. A photograph of a representative profile is provided for each soil. Technical terms are defined in soil sheet glossary. Information is presented under the following headings: soil series and groups, occurence, native vegetation, soil profile description, characteristic soil properties, soil classification and agricultural land use and management.

Soils Of The Weaber Plain, East Kimberley, Western Australia, J C. Dixon

Resource management technical reports

The Weaber Plain, north-east of Kununurra, is one of three "black soil" plains in the Kimberley area of Western Australia. It comprises about 15,000 hectares of irrigable land, part of which is known as Stage 2 of the Ord River Irrigation Area (ORIA). The area was surveyed in 1977 following a similar survey of the nearby Keep River Plain and preceding a survey of the Ivanhoe Plain, which has since been developed commercially. Map units and soil series used in those reports have also been used for this rep ility in crop selection, preferring high water use crops.

Land Resources Of The Bencubbin Area, Gerard J. Grealish, John Wagnon

Land resources series

This survey of the Bencubbin area is part of the Agriculture Western Australia's regional land resource mapping program, and covers approximately 1.5 million hectares in the Merredin, Trayning, Koorda, Mount Marshall, Mukinbudin, Westonia and Nungarin Shires of Western Australia. The climate is Mediterranean, with hot dry summers and cool winters. Land is used for winter cereal production and grazing, and about 60% is cropped each year. Wheat is the main crop and is grown in rotation with lupins, field peas, barley and medic pasture. This report provides primary and interpreted information on the character and capability of the land, for …

Soil Information Sheets For Ravensthorpe And Part Of The Jerramungup Agricultural Areas, Tim D. Overheu, Landcare Western Australia.

Agriculture reports

The soil information sheets produced for the Ravensthorpe Land Conservation District provide an easy reference guide to the soils for part of the Jerramungup and Ravensthorpe agricultural areas, and provide land use and soil management recommendations. Soil data are shown on the front of the sheet, and land use and land management information is given on the back. The information should be used as a guide, and encourage the user to seek further information through the relevant people and organisations.

Improving Sustainable Production From Water Repellent Sands, Paul Blackwell

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

The agricultural management of water repellent ( non-wetting) sands is difficult, and production from them is mostly low. However, there are ways to make them more productive.

Furrow sowing and the incorporation of dispersive clay are two likely methods to make these soils easier to manage, more productive and more profitable than they are now.

This article discusses several aspects of our research on water repellent sands. In addition, some of the costs and benefits of alternative management strategies are outlined.

North Stirling Land Conservation District - Soils Manual, Justin Hardy, Peter J. Tille

Soil conservation survey collection

The North Stirling Land Conservation District is located between Katanning and Albany on the northern edge of the Stirling Ranges in south-western Western Australia.It includes parts of the Shires of Cranbrook and Tambellup, covering approximately 100,000ha of the catchment of the North Stirling basin. The basin is a flat area formed on Eocene sediments with poorly defined drainage lines and many salt lakes. It is surrounded by low granite and sandstone hills. The climate is Mediterranean, with cool wet winters and hot dry summers. Average annual rainfall ranges from 375-500 mm per annum. There is very little surface or underground …

Stubble : Friend And Foe, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

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

Several articles in this issue of the Journal of Agriculture discuss some of the important issues of stubble management. The articles are condensed from some of the papers presented at a stubble workshop at Geraldton in 1991.

Land Reclamation In The North Stirling Land Conservation District, M F. Lewis, National Soil Conservation Program (Australia)

Resource management technical reports

Investigations were carried out to determine the interaction between the lakes and groundwater systems, the influence of bedrock structures on groundwater flow, and the regional flow characteristics in the basin. The hydrological investigations showed that water does flow from lakes to the groundwater system. However, the benefits from draining land have to be compared with the benefits of not adding water to the lakes. A basin water balance showed that most of the excess water resulting from reduced epotranspiration since clearing remains in the basin as increased groundwater storage. Only relatively small quantities of the extra water leave the basin …

Regenerating The Rangelands, Adrian Williams, Ron Shepherd

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

Parts of Western Australia's rangelands have been degraded by inappropriately high stocking rates, often associated with large numbers of native or feral animals, poor seasonal plant growth, or the ravages of cyclones, floods or fire. Today, most pastoralists are keen to rehabilitate the degradation of the past, as indicated by the proliferation of Land Conservation Districts (LCDs) throughout the pastoral zones.

There is no 'quick fix' to regenerating the rangelands. It may take many years to achieve the desired result.

Soil Management For Sustainable Agriculture : Background Papers From A Workshop Organized By The Research Review Committee Of The Grains Section Of The Western Australian Farmers Federation Held At Perth Civic Centre, September 29-30, 1987, Western Australian Farmers' Federation, G A. Robertson

Resource management technical reports

No abstract provided.

Managing Water-Repellent Soils, D A. Mcghie

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

A study of water-repellent soils has led to some management recommendations.

The Long Term Effects Of Frequent Cropping, Stanley Thomas Smith

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

AGRICULTURALLY speaking, few Western Australian soils are more than 50 years old. We have the responsibility of preserving them for farming—not for one man's lifetime, but for centuries.

The aim of this article is to demonstrate that cropping and cultural practices do have some effects on the soil, and that these effects should be considered when choosing a farm rotation.

Winter Management Of Salt Land, T C. Stoneman

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

WITH the emergence of crops, many farmers will again be seeing bare patches or thin stands of cereals due to salt accumulation.

Would these areas be better left out of cultivation, or should they have been planted to saltbush and bluebush?