LANDHOLDERS met in Mallala yesterday to discuss the best ways to manage soil erosion on paddocks left bare by the fires.
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Strong winds in the region earlier this week resulted in visibility getting down to less than 10 metres because of soil drift, which prompted Mallala Ag Bureau member Richard Konzag to hold an emergency meeting.
“Everyone is aware rehabilitation is needed, but finding the best way of doing that is important,” he said.
“We were lucky to have the Irish family kindly loan us their DBS (Deep Blade System) to deep rip some paddocks and bring heavy clods to the surface, which appears to be holding. But for others, extra measures may be needed.”
Topics at the meeting included soil management and information on support services available.
Nuriootpa-based PIRSA soil consultant David Woodard advised landholders to first check their soils for an appropriate clod depth before cultivation.
“Clods help to reduce wind speed and soil bounce on the surface of soils,” he said.
“We advise landholders with fine sandy loams that are drifting to either roughly cultivate the whole paddock or to make rough strips in the paddock at right angles to the wind. The strips aim to slow the wind down, but also to trap the minute particles in rows.
“Strips will eventually make bumpy ridges in the paddock, but once those strips fill with trapped particles, the landholder can then cultivate in between the strip and start the process again.”
Mr Woodard said the most suitable practice depended on soil type.
“Deep sand areas are the most critical to address because there aren't a lot of options for recovery,” he said.
“Light clay spreading or cover crops, such as barley or cereal rye, may be the only option.
“Fine sandy loams and sandy loams are also susceptible to drift, while clay loams can be less at risk depending on how loose they are.
“The aim is to cultivate the zero to 15 centimetre range, but it will depend on how deep the clodding layer is.
“If there is good clay at less than 30cm, delving might also be a possibility.”
But, Mr Woodard advised farmers not to rush into deep ripping.
“Deep ripping could be the fall back option if tillage doesn’t work, but sometimes the extra cost and risk isn’t necessary, particularly on deep sands, as you may not bring any clods or clay up,” he said.
Other soil specialists at the meeting, facilitated by agricultural consultant Bill Long, Ardrossan, included Brian Hughes, PIRSA, and Rick Llewellyn, CSIRO, while Dennis Hoiberg from Lessons Learnt Consulting talked about mental health.
![TOPSOIL SHIFT: Strong winds earlier this week exacerbated the soil drift within the Pinery fireground. This prompted a meeting to be held on Wednesday to discuss topsoil management options and highlight support services available. TOPSOIL SHIFT: Strong winds earlier this week exacerbated the soil drift within the Pinery fireground. This prompted a meeting to be held on Wednesday to discuss topsoil management options and highlight support services available.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/3AVQXXVxehY6aUCkmGUt6Z2/9ef32ac4-4841-4c4e-ad71-67bc2c9f0d39.jpg/r109_0_3068_2452_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)