SUMMER crops could help mitigate erosion issues caused by the recent Pinery fire.
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A meeting at Mallala on Wednesday last week discussed ways farmers could avoid drift issues in fire-affected paddocks.
Attendee Mark Branson, whose Stockport farm had been burnt out 20 years ago, as well as in the recent fires, said getting something in the ground and growing was one of the best ways to deal with drift. Another farmer affected by the recent fire, Richard Konzag, Mallala, agreed.
“Whatever you can grow to get some cover on the ground is going to help,” Mr Konzag said.
South Australian No-Till Farmers Association president Tom Robinson, Hoyleton, said there were some key aspects of growing summer crops that farmers should keep in mind.
“I’ve been playing with cover crops in the last few years, and 25 millimetres of rain is not enough for them,” Mr Robinson said.
“You really need 50 to 75mm of rain for any success.
“You also need to sow the crop just before the rain or with the rain.”
Mr Robinson recommended farmers look at crops like millet, buckwheat, sorghum or sunflowers.
“I know it can be a dirty word, but ryegrass could be worth considering, as it has an amazing root system,” he said.
“You need to think about what you can do to get cover, particularly on the sandhills.
“Buckwheat is another really great cover crop, as it has a really great root system. But, it doesn’t go as well when sown before the rain, it really needs to go in with the rain.”
