MANAGEMENT of sandy soils in Limestone Coast farms will be the focus of a Grassland Society MLA Pasture Update at Lucindale later this month.

The Pasture Update will show farmers the best options for growing pastures in sandy soil conditions and explain how containment areas can be used to better manage the land.

The Pasture Update from 1-5pm on Thursday 29 November will start at Dave and Steph Brooker’s farm Tennyson at Lucindale and will also visit the nearby Kallinga property.

GSSA Limestone Coast branch president, Dylan Brodie, said most properties in the region were made up of flats and high ranges, often with sandy soil where it’s difficult to establish pastures like Lucerne.

“The Pasture Update will help local farmers to better manage their sandy soil conditions, and it will also appeal to consultants who give advice on what to grow and how to manage those areas,” Mr Brodie said.

A highlight of the day will be a field trip to look at containment areas at Tennyson and then Kallinga to see two varieties of kikuyu, including a new variety claimed to have better winter production.

in addition to the farm visits, the Pasture Update will feature a range of topical speakers. David Gould from Seed Force will outline how to grow Kikuyu, its varieties, benefits, pitfalls and benefits of using it on sandy soils to reduce erosion, a big issue for many local farmers. Mr Gould will also talk about companion species for year-round production. San Jolly from Productive Nutrition will talk about containment feeding for productivity, reducing erosion and pasture protection, including different uses over summer and autumn, optimal designs and different feeding options.

There will also be an update on the Limestone Coast branch’s NRM-funded project looking at the economic benefits of precision soil sampling in pastures in broadacre grazing.  Rural consultant Tim Prance will explain if the savings from soil sampling are worth the investment.

MLA’s Joe Gebbels will outline phase two of the oestrogenic clover project, including some results of the first phase of the project and information about other on-farm R&D projects relevant to south east South Australia.

The MLA Pasture Update is hosted by the Grassland Society of Southern Australia. Registrations are essential. It costs $20 for Grassland Society and MLA members and $50 for non-members and includes afternoon tea and a barbecue at Kallinga. To RSVP, contact GSSA Secretary Melinda Caspersz 1300 137 550 [email protected]

Source: Grassland Society of Southern Australia.