Welcome to Soil Matters, a bimonthly newsletter providing updates and information on soil, weather and industry developments to support on-farm decision making within the SA Murray-Darling Basin. This newsletter will draw together a number of resources including:

• Bureau of Meteorology seasonal outlook

• SA Murray-Darling Basin weather station network

• SA Murray-Darling Basin soil moisture probe network

• Upcoming grants, programs and projects relevant to your region.

We would appreciate any feedback on content, or ideas for content

and are happy to assist with any inquiries regarding the featured tools and projects.

Please contact Fiona Gray, Regional Landcare Facilitator on fiona.gray2@sa.gov.au or 0439 062 084 for more information.

Alternatively you can subscribe to a hard copy of the newsletter by emailing fiona.gray2@sa.gov.au and we will mail it out to you.

BoM seasonal outlook

Weather Station Network

Soil of the month

Trace element application trial

Photo of the monthNatural Resources SA Murray-Darling Basin (SAMDB) is currently trialling the integrated pest management potential of a native grass ecosystem within an establishing citrus orchard. This trial aims to create a reservoir for beneficial insects by direct seeding and planting native grass tube stock within the inter-row of the orchard.

Whats on in the region?

IN THIS ISSUE:

Improving water use in dairy pastures

SOILmatters

April 2018 | Soil matters | 1

The Regional Landcare Facilitator Programme is supported by the SA Murray-Darling Basin Natural Resources Management Board through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme and NRM Levies

Information sourced from the Bureau of Meteorology ‘Climate Outlook-monthly and seasonal’ issued 15 March 2018.

Summer climate outlook overview (April to June)Near equal chances of wetter or drier three months for most of Australia.

Most of the country has roughly equal chances of a warmer or cooler than average three months, but April is likely to be cooler for most of the mainland.

Nights are likely to be warmer than average for southern parts of Australia.

Rainfall totals that have a 75% chance of occurring for April to June 2018

• There is an equal likelihood of median rainfall for the Eastern Mount Lofty Ranges, Riverland and Mallee districts.

• Recorded median rainfall is 115 mm at Strathalbyn and 67 mm at Waikerie. Past accuracy for the districts is moderate.

• Recorded median rainfall is 102 mm at Lameroo. Past accuracy for this district is low.

BoM seasonal outlook

Chance of exceeding minimum temperature (%) April to June 2018

• There is an equal likelihood of exceeding median maximum temperatures and it is likely minimum temperatures will be exceeded in the Eastern Mount Lofty Ranges, the Riverland and Mallee districts.

• Recorded median maximum temperature is 19.4°C at Strathalbyn, 20.4°C at Waikerie and 19.5°C at Lameroo. Past accuracy for the districts is moderate to high.

• Recorded median minimum temperature is 9.0°C at Strathalbyn, 8.0°C at Waikerie and 7.2°C at Lameroo. Past accuracy for the districts is low.

SAMDB weather station networkThe following climate observations have been compiled from March 2018 data – Note: March data includes until 26 March only. Across the region generally, average temperatures, wind speeds similar to March 2017. Soil temperatures are warm across most districts.

Loxton March conditionsTotal rainfall was 4.6 mm compared with 0.4 mm last March. The highest fall of 4.2 mm fell on the 16th, the same day recorded 3.1 mm of evapotranspiration. The average daily maximum temperature of 28.4°C was 4.1°C cooler than 2017 records. Soil temperatures at 15 cm were slightly less than last year with a minimum of 24.1°C and maximum of 31.9°C, however the daily soil temperature fluctuations were higher than the previous year at 7.8°C difference between night and day temperatures. Wind speeds were similar to the same time last year with an average of 8 km/h and the maximum of 52.8 km/h occurred on the 16th.

Currency Creek March conditionsCurrency Creek received a total of 8.2 mm rainfall, occurring between the 16th-20th with 1.6 mm more rainfall than last March. This year’s average daily maximum was 27.4°C, lower than 2017 records. Minimum temperatures were slightly higher than last year at 15.3°C. The growing degree day (Tbase 10°C) total of 245 was similar to last year, as was the average wind speed, with a maximum wind of 44.4 km/h on the 25th. Soil temps were 3°C higher than last March with a similar day-night temperature fluctuation.

Wilkawot March conditions2mm of rain fell during March compared with 1mm in March 2017. The average maximum and minimum temperatures were slightly lower than 2017 with a 11.3°C minimum and 28.2°C maximum average. Daily minimum temperatures are decreasing with five days dropping below 7°C, the lowest record temperature was 2.5°C on the 21st. The soil maintained temperatures between 27.9 and 21.4 throughout the month. Warm soil temperatures combined with low diurnal temperature variations provides good conditions for mineralisation after rainfall events. The growing degree day (Tbase 10°C) value of 254 was 67.8 less than in 2017. The average wind speed was 11 km/h, slightly higher than 2017 records.

Cambrai March conditions

Only 3.6 mm falling over two days with 2mm of this falling on the 16th, the 16th also recorded 4.8 mm evapotranspiration. Maximum average temperatures were lower than 2017 records at 27.5°C, 3°C lower that 2017 records. Soil temperature ranged between an average maximum of 27.6°C and an average minimum of 23.1°C, lower than 2017 temperatures. Consistently warm soil temperatures combined with low diurnal temperature variations provide good conditions for mineralisation after rainfall events. Average wind speeds were slightly higher than 2017 at 13.4km/h, these wind speeds were the highest of the reported locations reaching 62.9km/h on the 18th, the high wind speeds may have influenced the high evapotranspiration on this day.

Above: 28 March 2017 Above: 28 March 2018

Root zone soil moistureBureau of Meteorology root zone soil moisture showing values relative to historical patterns. 2018 shows most of the SA Murray-Darling Basin region containing average or below average moisture, with the Eastern Mount Lofty Ranges and the Southern Mallee districts below average.

2 | Soil matters | April 2018 April 2018 | Soil matters | 3

General Description: Very thick soft loamy sand becoming highly calcareous and slightly more clayey with depth. The calcareous loams are the most extensive of all 61 soils, accounting for 8.7% or 1,362,000 ha of Southern South Australia. They are widespread in most low to moderate rainfall areas.

Properties: Alkaline surfaces grade to alkaline or strongly alkaline subsoils. Surface soils contain 2% to 20% fine carbonate and levels increase with depth. Profiles have no major physical barriers to root growth or water movement. Inherent fertility is moderately low. Carbonate-induced plant nutrient deficiencies are common, especially phosphorus, zinc, manganese and iron. Subsoil fertility is low.

Production: Moderate to moderately high dryland agricultural potential. Surfaces are easily worked, providing good conditions for germination and root development. Primarily devoted to broadacre cropping, often with breaks of annual pasture and low-intensity sheep grazing. Irrigation potential is generally high.

Management:Surfaces readily powder when dry and disturbed (e.g. cultivated, bared, trampled by livestock), creating a wind erosion risk. Hard carbonate content reduces effective soil volume and water holding capacity. Fine carbonates and alkalinity reduce biological activity.

Sulfonylurea herbicides breakdown can be slow in alkaline–calcareous soils, and leaching can occur, leading to a concentration and prolonged persistence in subsoils. Residual amounts of herbicide can affect subsequent susceptible crops.

Regular applications and higher rates of phosphorus fertiliser are required to maintain productivity. Phosphorus leaching is rare in calcareous soils. Plant-available nitrogen is highly mobile and nitrogen is widely applied as fertiliser to crops.

Zinc and copper deficiencies are widespread but can be overcome by occasional dressings. Low copper intake causes problems

Soil of the month: Deep calcerous loamy sand

This soil profile information has been compiled drawing on information from ‘The Soils of Southern South Australia Volume 1’ (James Hall, David Maschmedt and Bruce Billing) and the Department for Environment and Water, Soil and Land Program Soil Characterisation Site data.

with livestock (e.g. ‘steely’ wool in sheep); serious manganese deficiencies occur where surface soil fine carbonate content is high; while iron deficiency is usually only a problem in grain legumes (e.g. faba beans) and some horticultural crops (e.g. citrus).

For more information: https://data.environment.sa.gov.au/Content/Soil-Characteristics/CH111.pdf

SA Murray-Darling Basin Soil Moisture Probe NetworkThis is a dial representation (dry to wet) of plant available soil moisture recorded at eight sites throughout the Natural Resources SA Murray-Darling Basin soil moisture probe network. The dials are provided with support from Agriculture Victoria. The data is recorded from 26 March 2018, 26 February 2018 and 26 March 2017.

You can view more SAMDB region soil moisture data here:http://www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/samurraydarlingbasin/land-and-farming/tools-for-land-managers/soil-moisture-monitoring-network

Waikerie-Maggea Flat (loam over light clay-calcrete)

25% 75%

50%

Dry Wet

The soil has dried over the month to reach the lower limit, unlike last year’s 75% moisture.

Point Pass Flat (red brown clay loam over light orange clay)

25% 75%

50%

Dry Wet

There’s more moisture on the rise with a small decrease over the month to be similar to last year.

Pinnaroo Midslope (loamy sand over sandy clay)

Decreasing moisture over the month on the Pinnaroo midslope.

Mount Torrens Irrigation Hilltop (gravelly sand over clay)

25% 75%

50%

Dry Wet

Irrigated pastures were recorded as consistently dry between March 2017-March 2018

Mount Compass Irrigated Midslope (sandy loam over sand)

25% 75%

50%

Dry Wet

Saturated midslope soil profile for each of the 2017 and 2018 recordings

Lameroo Sandy Rise (sandy over sandy loam)

25% 75%

50%

Dry Wet

Increased moisture in the both February and March 2018 records compared with March 2017

Moorlands Flat (loam over calcrete rubble)

25% 75%

50%

Dry Wet

Moorlands Flat has a consistently dry (less than 35% full) soil profile for the February-March 2017 and 2018 months.

Langhorne Creek Sandy Rise (deep sand over clay)

25% 75%

50%

Dry Wet

Consistently dry soil profile for the Feb- March 2018 records at Langhorne Creek

25% 75%

50%

Dry Wet

26 March 2017 26 February 2018 26 March 2018

26 March 2017 26 February 2018 26 March 2018

26 March 2017 26 February 2018 26 March 2018

26 March 2017 26 February 2018 26 March 2018

26 March 2017 26 February 2018 26 March 2018

26 March 2017 26 February 2018 26 March 2018

26 March 2017 26 February 2018 26 March 2018

26 March 2017 26 February 2018 26 March 2018

Above: Soil profile of deep calcerous loamy sand

Above: Key attributes of deep calcerous loamy sand

April 2018 | Soil matters | 54 | Soil matters | April 2018

Improving water use in dairy pastures

Trace element application timing trial – first year results

Natural Resources SAMDB and Lowbank & Districts Agricultural Bureau began a paddock scale trial in 2017 to better understand the importance of timing of micronutrient applications in Mallee farming systems. Paddock strips had either a seeding liquid trace element application or boomspray foliar application later in the season.

The frosty finish to the 2017 season caused the trial to ‘take a hit’ and, like other growers in the area, lost around 50% of yield potential. Nonetheless, some interesting data evolved from the trial.

In the sand treatments there was a strong yield result with the control treatment, which was behind all year on tillers and head numbers and didn’t seem to suffer the frost penalty as greatly as other areas. However, when comparing the results to the ‘rest of paddock’ (total paddock average), seeding treatment 1 had a yield increase of approximately 120 kg/ha. The spray treatments did not differ significantly from the rest of paddock average due to the farmer’s current practice being a similar foliar spray regime.

On the loam site, seeding treatment 1 was the highest yielding but only marginally over the untreated control and approximately 100 kg greater than the rest of paddock average. Again the spray treatments were similar to the rest of paddock treatment.

Results from only one year with such a high frosted percentage are difficult to quantify but they have generated some interest around the early application of trace elements at planting, as an option to provide early nutrition to the crop while it is developing through the juvenile growth stages.

We hope for a good 2018 growing season to obtain better data.

Seeding time application strips were made with a trial device, the Green Wombat liquid delivery kit, which is available for

growers to utilise for on-farm trials. The Green Wombat liquid delivery kit allows 10 rows of your seeder to be ‘retro-fitted’ with a liquid delivery system with a 200 litre tank attached. Setup time is around one to two hours and is a simple process. Please contact the Lowbank Ag Bureau or Natural Resources SAMDB for more details on this trial.

The project was possible with the assistance of: Lowbank & Districts Agricultural Bureau; Field Systems: strategic soil management; Wisdom Data & Mapping; Balanced Ag. Consulting; Wilchem Pty Ltd; the Schober family for their land and time and ensuring the trial was executed to a high standard.

This project is supported by the South Australian Murray-Darling Basin Natural Resources Management Board through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program and the NRM Levies.

Full details will be available on our website soon.

Above and left: “Green Wombat” liquid delivery unit

Natural Resources SAMDB is working with Dairy SA and local dairy farmers in the Mount Compass and surrounding districts to optimise pasture growth and productivity through the remote monitoring of soil water balances.

Although the region is a high rainfall region (>800 mm per annum) the sandy soils and hot summers make it challenging for dairy farmers to achieve consistent high rates of dry matter production to support dairying in the summer months.

This project has established a number of soil water monitoring sites in dairy pastures and a supporting weekly soil water balance and seven day climate outlook for the benefit of both trial site participants and the wider irrigation community. This information service is promoting the development of better irrigation decisions based around interpreting the real effects of climate and irrigation on soils and consequently pasture productivity by species and soil type.

Above: Charts representing yield data from the Lowbank trial site on sand and loam treatments in a dune swale soil system.

Above: Table representing yield data from the Lowbank trial site on sand and loam treatments in a dune swale soil system.

April 2018 | Soil matters | 76 | Soil matters | April 2018

Click on any of the links below for more information.

April4 - New Industrial Crops (Murray Bridge)Industrial hemp farming: come and learn about commercial production and market opportunities.

4 - Successful farm management for small rural properties (Monarto)Come to an information night and learn about weed control, soil management and growing successful pastures on your property

5-6 - Annual Ag Excellence Forum and Awards (Adelaide)

6-7 - Karoonda Farm Fair (Karoonda)

8 - 19 May - Upper Murray bird field surveys (Various)Are you interested in bird watching? Would you like to improve your knowledge of local bird species and contribute to citizen science? Join us for our autumn bird field surveys.

10-11 - NRM Science Conference 2018 (Adelaide)The South Australian Natural Resource Management Science Conference is a biennial showcase of the natural resource management science underpinning environmental decision making, policy and management in South Australia.

10 - Team productivity and time management (Loxton)Come to this team productivity and time management workshop for a range of topics from self-leadership to handling difficult conversations.

13 - 28 - Lower Murray bird field surveys (Various)

13 - Farm Decision Making workshop (Tailem Bend)

Whats on in the region

To keep up to date with events in the SA Murray-Darling Basin region visit the events page of our website:

http://www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/samurraydarlingbasin/get-involved/events

or contact Fiona Gray:

fiona.gray2@sa.gov.au or 0439 062 084

Contacts

Natural Resources Centre Murray Bridge 110A Mannum Road Murray Bridge SA 5253 T. 8532 9100 | F. 8531 1843

Natural Resources Centre Berri 2 Wade Street Berri SA 5343 T. 8580 1800 | F. 8582 4488

E. samdbenquiries@sa.gov.au

For more information on natural resources management in the region, the SAMDB NRM Board and its activities, please visit www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/samurraydarlingbasin

Natural Resources SA Murray-Darling Basin

@nrsamdb

@nrsamdb

Public I2-A1 Creative Commons Attribution 4.0

15 - Guided Bird Watching at Laratinga Wetlands (Mount Barker)Join John Gitsham, President of Birds SA for a walk around Laratinga Wetlands in Mt Barker to learn about the woodland and water birds that make Laratinga home.

May1 to 5 June - A Practical Guide to Rural Land Management (Mount Barker))A six week course to help you make better management decisions for your property.This course encourages land managers to adopt an integrated and sustainable approach to managing natural resources while supporting the goals they have for their property.

8 - ‘Weather the storm’ Supporting women prepare for disasters (Mount Pleasant)Register with Kim Blenkiron, Executive Officer, WoTL M 0427 592 243 E eo@wotl.com.au

12 - Cox Scrub autumn walk (Cox Scrub)

15 - Field Day - Soil Health and Water Use (Willow Creek)

17 - Autumn Flora Survey (Sedan)

8 | Soil matters | February 2018