NEW era saltbush has proved to be a viable choice to assist cut back supplementary feed prices, whereas revitalising poor land and bettering carbon sequestration credentials.
The trial on the Division of Main Industries and Regional Improvement’s (DPIRD’s) Katanning Analysis Station produced enough feed in simply six months to scale back autumn supplementary feeding by as much as 30 per cent.
DPIRD senior analysis scientist John Paul Collins mentioned the saltbush carried out properly and helped fill the autumn feed hole, regardless of the protracted dry seasonal situations of 2023-24.
“A 70 hectare reasonably saline website was planted with Anameka saltbush seedlings in early-mid September 2023 and grazed six months later,” he mentioned.
“The location was sown at about 600 vegetation per hectare in twin rows, three metres aside at a spacing of two and a half metres, with an inter-row width of 10 metres.
“The saltbush flourished on the location, tapping into the water desk to develop to a peak of about 0.5 metres at an 80-90 per cent survival fee, regardless of no additional rainfall being obtained after it was planted.”
One other 15 hectare salt-affected website on the station was direct-seeded to Outdated Man and River saltbush at a fee of 200 grams per kilometre in early September, concurrently the saltbush seedlings had been planted.
The saltbush carried out properly within the dry situations and produced 0.5-1 tonnes of edible dry matter per hectare in six months.
The saltbush was fenced into paddocks of 10-20ha and rotationally grazed for six weeks throughout April to Might with the station’s Merino weaners, till there was 10-20 per cent leaf materials remaining.
“The saltbush supplied about 30 per cent of the flock’s every day feed consumption, partially changing the price of the pellets that will in any other case be required,” Mr Collins mentioned.
“Saltbush can also be excessive in protein and vitamin E, offering further dietary advantages.
“The saltbush additionally enabled the division to defer grazing pasture paddocks to assist institution, whereas additionally preserving floor cowl.”
A number of of the saltbush paddocks had been not too long ago undersown with tall wheatgrass and messina, which have germinated properly, to supply further out of season feed.
One of many paddocks was sown to barley for use as standing fodder to enhance the saltbush on the subsequent grazing alternative.
“Whereas the saltbush seedling choice requires a major preliminary monetary dedication, these paddocks will be capable to be grazed and save on supplementary feeding prices for the subsequent 20 years,” Mr Collins mentioned.
“It has additionally been an awesome funding in the way forward for the location.”
Supply: DPIRD. Extra details about the trial is out there within the June edition of the Ovine Observer newsletter, discovered through the division’s web site www.agric.wa.gov.au.
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