MALLEE farmers are encouraged to take advantage of Agriculture Victoria’s new online resources and paddock walks to learn how to reduce erosion and make their soil more productive.
Agriculture Victoria mixed-farming development officer Roger Harrower says the Building Drought Resilience of Vulnerable Soils in Low Rainfall Cropping and Grazing Systems project has been running since 2022 on Mallee farm demonstration sites.
“Demonstration trials have been set up on farms at Hopetoun, Ouyen and Murrayville,” Mr Harrower said.
“Retaining ground cover is a critical step in reducing the impact of wind erosion, improving soil productivity and helping farms to be more resilient during droughts.
“Different methods for preserving ground cover are being trialled on farm, including applying bentonite clay, changing sowing directions, spreading straw and using biosolids.”
He said a video was available on the Agriculture Victoria YouTube channel to help producers gain a general understanding of the project.
For farmers with a specific interest in on-farm biosolid application, an online e-learn module is also available.
“Our March paddock walks are also a great opportunity for farmers to talk first hand with the demonstration site host farmers and soil expert Cassandra Schefe from AgriSci about results, as well as see a soil pit,” he said.
Go to agriculture.vic.gov.au/events for further information and to register.
The project is supported by Agriculture Victoria, the Mallee Catchment Management Authority, Birchip Cropping Group and Mallee Sustainable Farming through funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.
Farm walks will take place on:
● Monday, March 25, at the Ouyen demonstration site from 2.30pm
● Tuesday, March 26, at the Murrayville demonstration site from 9am.
