Grant available for mixed species cropping

Eyre Peninsula farmers are encouraged to apply for a mixed species cropping grant with the purpose of undertaking mixed species summer and winter crops for 2019-20.

Mixed species pastures and summer cover cropping improves soil health, plant diversity, increasing organic matter, controlling weeds, improved grazing and seed harvesting. 

Funding made available through the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program provides Eyre Peninsula farmers with the opportunity to undertake paddock demonstrations this spring to obtain a better understanding of which pasture and cropping species work in their soil and climatic conditions.

Natural Resources Eyre Peninsula Regenerative Agriculture Project Officer Mary Crawford advises that expressions of interest for grant funding of up to $10,000 are now open to participate in these demonstrations.

For more information please visit Natural Resources EP Soil Health.

Landholders interested in mixed species cropping are encouraged to attend the workshop on June 21 to hear local farmers stories on their experiences in growing mixed species cover crops and pastures.

Information about the Exploring soil health workshop can be found in the article to follow below.

Exploring soil health workshop

On Friday 21 June 2019 an Exploring soil health workshop will be held at Ungarra Sporting Complex.

Landholders interested in exploring the value of mixed species cropping can hear first hand how farmers have incorporated summer cover cropping into their programs.

Local Agronomist Denis Pedler will discuss species options and availability, sowing rates and tips for landholders planning to trial summer cover cropping.  Landholders are asked to bring their boots as two paddock walks are included in the morning event.

Jess Gunn (SARDI - DLPS project officer) will outline the Dryland legume pasture systems project (DLPS) which is supported by Rural Research and Development for Profit. 

DLPS is a five-year study aiming to boost profit and reduce risk in medium and low rainfall areas. A major project developing recently discovered pasture legumes, together with innovative management techniques that benefit animal and crop production and farm logistics has been established at the Minnipa Agricultural Centre.

As part of the development and extension of the DLPS project, four demonstration sites have been established on Eyre Peninsula in 2019 at Lock, Wirrulla, Ungarra and Butler Tanks to work with farmers and grower groups, evaluate the performance of novel legumes to livestock and cropping systems over the life of the project.

Keep an eye out for DLPS information and events occurring on Eyre Peninsula and for more information please call the Minnipa Agricultural Centre on (08) 8680 6200.

This workshop is a partnership with Lower Eyre Agricultural Developmental Association and Natural Resources Eyre Peninsula.

For further information or to RSVP please contact Sarah Voumard ph 8688 3075.

Mallee seeps and soaks feedback

Chris McDonough, Insight Extension for Agriculture, spoke at a workshop at Rudall to help farmers obtain a greater understanding of what is causing seep and soaks in the landscape on eastern Eyre Peninsula. Chris also presented ideas on what can be done to reduce the amount of land becoming unproductive and identifying ‘hot spots’ in the landscape.

Chris’ key message was “Act now when you see a small issue – don’t wait until it gets bigger as it will be much harder to contain.”

The importance of soil amelioration to improve non wetting sand, and treat sand compaction to increase root penetration and water use, was highlighted as important tools to address seeps and soak.

Other solutions discussed included using plant based options to use the water and improve organic matter, sowing summer crops around seeps, strategic use of Lucerne, and perennial vegetation, looking a range of planting options and new species.  Some farmers discussed the opportunity to harvest the water by installing a sump and using the water for livestock.

The Mallee Seeps and Soaks project will continue in 2019-20 with monitoring, using NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) mapping to identity sites that may be susceptible to seeps forming.

If you are interested in finding out more please register you interest with Mary Crawford 0407187878 or mary.crawford@sa.gov.au

nrmFarm comes to the EP

nrmFarm is a free web based farm management tool which allows you to create and save a map of your farm including property boundaries, paddocks and infrastructure. You can record information such as chemical applications, sowing dates, yield data, livestock movements, soil test results, weed sightings and much more.

This FREE and easy to use program (nrmFarm) was developed by the South East and SA Murray Darling Basin NRM Boards. nrmFarm enables landholders, large and small, to produce and keep farm maps, store information to help with their seasonal and longer term farm planning and record keeping.

nrmFarm training sessions for farmers and rural property owners will be available in coming months.

If you would like further information or to register your interest to attend an upcoming training session please contact Mary Crawford ph 0407 187 878 or email mary.crawford@sa.gov.au

To Access nrmFarm please visit Natural Resources Eyre Peninsula nrmFarm page

On-farm water infrastructure rebate scheme

Under this scheme primary producers in eligible areas are able to apply for a rebate of 25 per cent (to a maximum of $25,000) of costs associated with the purchase and installation of on-farm water infrastructure.

The guidelines and application forms can be found on the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme page on PIRSA’s website

Applications close on 31 March 2021 (or until funding exhausted).

Landholders are encouraged to call the Drought Hotline on 1800 255 556 for further information.

Acknowledgement

This Regenerative Agriculture Project is supported by the Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.