Perennial pasture systems for the upper Eyre Peninsula and other dryland farming areas

This project will demonstrate perennial pastures as an option for improving the productivity of low productive cropping land on the upper Eyre Peninsula. The aim will be to turn this land into productive livestock pasture, with only minimal inputs of fertiliser, and without the need for herbicide and tillage. Two farmers will sow demonstration sites; one on a grey calcareous soil and the other on a red sandy loam/typical Mallee soil. A mixture of species including grasses and legumes will be sown based on their suitability for local soil and rainfall conditions. The perennial pastures should improve the long term soil health and fertility of their paddocks, reduce the risk of soil erosion, provide valuable reserves of feed in times of drought or late seasonal breaks, improve weed control through plant competition, improve rumen health and reduce the risk of animal health issues such as photosensitisation.