Soil Science Commons^™

Miscellaneous Publication 10/94 - The Climate And Soils Of South-Western Australia In Relation To Vine Growing, J. S. Gladstones

Viticulture research reports

The vine industry in Western Australia is at present located mainly in the Swan Valley, some 15 miles inland from Perth. It produces currants for export, wine grapes, and table grapes for both local and export markets, in approximately that order of importance.

Climatically, the Swan Valley is well suited to vine fruit production. With an annual rainfall of about 34 inches, it has a mild, wet, almost frost-free winter, and a warm, dry summer. Olmo (1956) concluded that the Swan was especially well suited to the production of currants, table grapes and sweet dessert wines. However, he considered that …

Land Resources Of The Northam Region, Neil Clifton Lantzke, I Fulton

Land resources series

This report presents soil and landform mapping of about one million hectares in the Avon Valley and central wheatbelt of Western Australia at scale of 1:100,000. The study area spans from the lateritic plateau of the Darling Range to the broad, flat landscape of the wheatbelt and covers four broad physiographic regions: • the Zone of Ancient Drainage; • the Zone of Rejuvenated Drainage; • the West Kokeby Zone; and • the Darling Range Zone. Twenty-five soil landscape units were identified and mapped on the accompanying map sheets. A soil landscape unit is an area of land that occurs in …

An Inventory And Condition Survey Of The Murchison River Catchment, Western Australia, Peter James Curry, A L. Payne, K A. Leighton, P Hennig, D A. Blood

Technical Bulletins

The inventory and condition survey of the Murchison River catchment and surrounds, undertaken by the Department of Agriculture between 1985 and 1988, describes and maps the natural resources of the region’s pastoral leasehold land. This survey report provides a baseline record of the existence and condition of the natural area’s resources, to assist with the planning and implementation of land management practices. The report identified and described the condition of soils, landforms, vegetation, habitat, ecosystems, and declared plants and animals. It also assessed the impact of pastoralism and made land management recommendations. The area surveyed by field work during 1985-88 …

An Inventory And Condition Survey Of Rangelands In The North-Eastern Goldfields, Western Australia, H J. Pringle, S A. Gilligan, A M E Van Vreeswyk

Technical Bulletins

The inventory and condition survey of the north-eastern Goldfields, undertaken by the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA) between 1988 and 1990, describes and maps the natural resources of the region’s pastoral leasehold land. This survey report provides a baseline record of the existence and condition of the natural area’s resources, to assist with the planning and implementation of land management practices. The report identified and described the condition of soils, landforms, vegetation, habitat, ecosystems, and declared plants and animals. It also assessed the impact of pastoralism and made land management recommendations. The area surveyed covers about 100 …

Resource Inventory And Condition Survey Of The Ord River Regeneration Reserve, John De Salis

Natural resources published reports

It is now some 33 years since the Ord River Regeneration Project, the largest and most ambitious of its kind in Australian rangelands, commenced.

During this time there have been a number of publications and miscellaneous reports about the project, but this publication is by far the most comprehensive produced to date. Although the field work was undertaken in 1981, the findings recorded here will stand in a good stead as a detailed account and reference work for years to come.

Much has changed within the Regeneration Reserve area since the project commenced. Cattle and feral donkey numbers have finally …

Miscellaneous Publication 42/93 - Development And Dissemination Of Design Methods For Rangeland Paddocks Which Maximise Animal Production And Minimise Land Degradation, Shane Cridland, Mark Stafford Smith

Animal production and livestock published reports

Surveys of rangeland resources in Western Australia to date have shown that 23% of the area surveyed is in poor range condition. Poor condition is characterised by the loss of perennial vegetation allowing wind and water erosion. Approximately another 37% is in only fair range condition (Curry and Hacker 1990).

The loss of range condition is partly due to uneven use of paddocks by sheep and cattle. The areas close to water and the preferred pasture types are often over-utilised, while areas well away from water and less preferred pasture types are under-utilised. The result is that rangeland in good, …

Managing For Stubble Retention, Linda Leonard

Bulletins 4000 -

One of the objectives of sustainable farming systems is to retain as much cover on the soil as possible – this helps to maintain soil structure and protects the soil from erosion.

Improving productivity, maintaining soil structure, and stabilising fragile soils are some of the desired aims of farming. Sound rotations, reduced tillage, effective use of herbicides, maintenance of ground cover and careful management of stock are part of the management process used in achieving these goals.

This Bulletin provides an introduction to stubble retention systems. Its purpose is to create an awareness of the benefits and principles of stubble …

The Mobrup Catchment Working Plan - A Resource Inventory And Strategies, Steven Garrad

Soil conservation survey collection

The Mobrup LCDC has persevered for three years with its efforts to produce a catchment plan. They readily acknowledge that their work is just beginning as they now wrestle with this working plan to form something which will have application on each individual's enterprise to ensure a sustainable future for this catchment.This report is a collation of their ideas, an inventory of works done in the catchment and the best advice which research and local knowledge can provide.

Salinity - An Albany Perspective, Mandy Curnow

Natural resources published reports

This booklet has been put together as an introduction to salinity in the Albany, Denmark, and Plantagenet districts. As much local information has been included as possible, so that the booklet will relate to your situation. The booklet looks at the causes of salinity and bow to recognise it. Included also, are methods of measuring salt in water and soil, both in the laboratory and the field. Methods of controlling salinity and reversing rising ground waters are not covered as there are already so many publications dealing with this topic.

Most agricultural areas experience some Ievel of salinity. Controlling salinity, …

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 …

Bulletin 4274 - Tree Planting On The High Rainfall Coastal Plain, Don Bennett, Richard George

Bulletins 4000 -

Careful planning can mean the difference between the success or failure of a tree planting program . Healthy , well-e stablished trees stand a better chance of survival, grow faster and are more resistant to insect attack. The need for time-consuming watering in summer is also eliminated.

The high rainfall coastal plain extends from Perth to Busselton and inland to the Darling Scarp. It receives about 800 to 1000 mm annual rainfall.

Site preparation is ideally started in summer. For a winter planting, decide before March where to plant, which varieties and how many trees to plant. Early planning allows …

Soils Of The Northam Advisory District. Volume 3. The Darling Range And West Kokeby Zones, Ian Fulton, Neil Clifton Lantzke

Bulletins 4000 -

This manual describes the soils of the Department of Agriculture's Northam advisory district. Information is provided on the characteristics of each soil, its capability is discussed and yield estimates for the major land uses are given.

Designed for use by farmers and Department of Agriculture staff, the manual’s primary aims are to:

- Assist with the identification of the advisory district’s soils types

- Match land use with soil quality

- Improve farm productivity and efficiency

- Reduce the incidence of land degradation

Landman Development And Evaluation In The Wallatin Creek Catchment - Final Report, Alan Hawkins

Natural resources published reports

The aim of the project was to evaluate and further develop the Landman farm planning procedure. The Wallatin creek catchment in the Kellerberrin shire of Western Australia was selected. This catchment is typical of a large area of the wheatbelt of Western Australia.

The landman farm planning procedure has a goal of sustainable farming. The outcome of the procedure is farm layout and farm management plans. The procedure however has components of personal development, technology transfer and development of problem solving skills at both individual and group levels. The process steps are; definition of objectives, collection of information, problem or …

Soils And Landforms Of The Manjimup Area, Western Australia, Hugh Maxwell Churchward

Land resources series

No abstract provided.

An Introduction To The Soils Of The Merredin Advisory District, T C. Stoneman, National Soil Conservation Program (Australia)

Bulletins 4000 -

With descriptions, illustrations and notes on nine common soils.

Land Resources Map In The Southern Section Of The Peel-Harvey Catchment, Swan Coastal Plain, Western Australia, Dennis Van Gool, Bev Kipling

Land resources series

Soil-Landscape map prepared to assist nutrient management and land use planning in the southern section of the Peel-Harvey catchment.

Soils Of The Northam Advisory District. Volume 2. The Zone Of Rejuvenated Drainage, Neil Clifton Lantzke

Bulletins 4000 -

This manual describes the soils of the Department of Agriculture's Northam advisory district. Information is provided on the characteristics of each soil, its capability is discussed and yield estimates for the major land uses are given.

Designed for use by farmers and Department of Agriculture staff, the manual’s primary aims are to:

- Assist with the identification of the advisory district’s soils types

- Match land use with soil quality

- Improve farm productivity and efficiency

- Reduce the incidence of land degradation

Soils Of The Northam Advisory District. Volume 1. The Zone Of Ancient Drainage, Neil Clifton Lantzke

Bulletins 4000 -

This manual describes the soils of the Department of Agriculture's Northam advisory district. Information is provided on the characteristics of each soil, its capability is discussed and yield estimates for the major land uses are given.

Designed for use by farmers and Department of Agriculture staff, the manual’s primary aims are to:

- Assist with the identification of the advisory district’s soils types

- Match land use with soil quality

- Improve farm productivity and efficiency

- Reduce the incidence of land degradation

A Review Of Plant Introductions To The Kimberley 1955 To 1987, R Mccartney

Grain and other field crops published reports

This report summarizes the work done by the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, in the west and north Kimberley in introducing plant species during 1955-1987.

For the purposes of this repor1the following areas are defined thus:

• West Kimberley- lies between latitude 17°5 and 19°5 and longitude 121°E and 127°E, with an extension to the north of 1° between 121°E and I 24°20'E. The area is 118,000 km".

• North Kimberley - lies north of latitude 17°5 and between longitude 124°20'E and 127°30'E. The area is 85,000 km'.

• East Kimberley-lies north of latitude 19°5 and between longitude 127°30'E and …

Pasture Condition Guides For The Murchison River Catchment, A Fox, T R. Eckersley

Soil conservation survey collection

Knowledge of the pasture resource and its capabilities is essential to sustainable use of the rangelands. Rangeland managers must be able to recognise firstly the different pasture types, and secondly, the differences between present condition classes for each type. Both factors affect the stock carrying capacity, and appropriate pastoral management of a pasture. This guide has been produced for use by pastoralists to assist them to recognise and assess the condition of the perennial pasture resource of their own properties. The guide describes the condition states found in 10 of the most widespread pastures of the Murchison River catchment (Fig. …

Adjusting Farm Strategy To Allow For Seasonal Conditions, Andrew Bathgate, Stephen Robinson, Ross Kingwell

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

Changes in the price of wheat did not alter the selection of best rotations on various soils, or the area of crop, in an economic study done by the Department of Agriculture. When determining what area to crop, it is much more important to consider the type of start to the season, the amount of summer rainfall and whether light land can be sown early. If there is a good start to the season, the size of the increase in the area of crop depends on the capacity of seeding gear and the mix of soil classes on the farm.

Deep Tillage : Keep An Eye On Costs As Well As Yields, Amir Abadi, Andrew Bathgate

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

Deep tillage overcomes compaction of sandy soils caused by movement of heavy machinery. Many experiments since 1981 have shown cereal yields improve as a result of deep tillage. However, the increased yield does not necessarily mean more profit when costs are taken into account. To determine the profitability of deep tillage farmers must consider its impact on other farm operations. A whole-farm analysis is needed to accurately determine the increase in profit resulting from deep tillage

Manual Of Field Techniques In Hydrology, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia. Division Of Resource Management

Agriculture reports

No abstract provided.

Land Capability Study For Horticulture In The Swan Valley, J M. Campbell-Clause, Geoff Allan Moore

Land resources series

The Swan Valley is an important agricultural, recreational, tourist and heritage area in which there are a number of competing land uses because of its location close to Perth. The traditional agricultural use, mainly centred around the viticulture industry, has to compete with tourist development, urban encroachment, hobby farms and clay extraction. The major objective of this report was to identify any areas of prime horticultural land which should be retained for that purpose. A land capability study was done using the existing soil series map of the Swan Valley (Pym 1955), which covers most of the Swan Valley Policy …

An Introduction To The Soils Of The Narrogin Advisory District, T C. Stoneman, Department Of Agriculture And Food, National Soil Conservation Program (Australia)

Bulletins 4000 -

Descriptions, illustrations and notes on eight common soils / compiled by T.C. Stoneman.

An Introduction To The Soils Of The Katanning Advisory District, T C. Stoneman, National Soil Conservation Program (Australia)

Bulletins 4000 -

With descriptions, illustrations and notes on eight common soils.

Land Management Manual. Merredin Advisory District, F. Frost, M Howell

Natural resources published reports

Farming by soil type recognizes that each major soil unit has specific land use capabilities. 'When developing a farm management programme, understanding and appreciating the productive potential and degradation hazard of each soil unit ensures that production systems can be developed which are 'sustainable. The aim of this land management manual is to describe the climatic and geological features of the district and provide definitions of each of the major soil units and 'current management recommendations. The material is designed to be used as an information base for farm planners.

Thes oil units described are for the Merredin advisory district …

Darling Range Rural Land Capability Study, Peter Donald King, M R. Wells

Land resources series

This report presents land resource mapping and land capability assessments for rural residential and associated agricultural activities at a scale of 1:50,000 over 100,000 ha of rural land in Perth's eastern metropolitan hills area. The study area is bounded to the west by the Great Northern, Albany, Roe and South Western highways, and extends north, east and south to the boundary of the Perth metropolitan area. Using the broad framework of landform-soil associations defined by Churchward and McArthur (1980), discrete mapping units have been delineated by reference to landform and soil characteristics likely to affect future land uses. They provide …

Land Resources In The Northern Section Of The Peel-Harvey Catchment, Swan Coastal Plain, Western Australia Map, Dennis Van Gool

Land resources series

Land Resources Map and Land Capability table for the northern section of the Peel-Harvey catchment. Prepared to assist nutrient management and land use planning in the southern section of the Peel-Harvey catchment.

Geraldton Rural-Residential Land Capability Study, R A. Dye, A M E Van Vreeswyk, Geoff Allan Moore

Land resources series

With a growing population in the Geraldton area, there is a demand for rural and coastal subdivision to provide for rural residential development and intensification of agricultural activities. Future land use planning for land use change and management of land to overcome existing land degradation problems should be based on land capability. This study provides a semi-detailed (1:50,000) soil and landform inventory for the immediate zone around Geraldton, south from Coronation Beach to Cape Burney along the coast, 13.7 km inland in the north and 7.6 km inland in the south. Eight land systems were identified in the land resource …