APSRU PROJECT SUMMARY NO. 55

Project Title:                        Tools for determining the role of pasture leys in management of soil physical fertility

Project Supervisor:            Mr Robin Connolly

Funding Body:                     GRDC

Admin Contact:                   Mr Peter Cronin

Commencement Date:        01/07/96                                 Completion Date: 30/06/98

Aims:

1.     To provide tools for farmer groups to assess need for pasture in cropping systems.

2.     To broaden the range of soils assessed for suitability to pasture rotation in sustainable production systems.

Research Proposal Summary:

This project, building on GRDC project DAQ44, will develop tools to help farm managers apply pasture rotations in their cropping systems.  These tools will be developed with input from farm managers and will cover a range of soil/cropping system/climate types.  Results from the project DAQ44 and additional measurements will extend our knowledge of soil responses to pasture phases.  The tools developed will draw on this knowledge and will provide a means for farmers to assess their soil and cropping systems and develop strategies for sustainable cropping.

Potential Outcomes:

1.     Development of practical tools for use by farm managers.  This will include developing of spreadsheet and paper based tools for comparing management strategies.

2.     Consolidation of an already extensive database of soil properties for use by these tools.

3.     Development and testing of the tools by industry groups will ensure this approach is useful for land managers, and that outcomes are reliable.

Project Publications: