Whole-farm management of soil nutrients drives productive grazing systems: the Cicerone farmlet experiment confirms earlier research
C. N. Guppy A C , C. Edwards B , G. J. Blair A and J. M. Scott A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia.
B NSW Department of Primary Industries, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: cguppy@une.edu.au
Animal Production Science 53(8) 649-657 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN12147
Submitted: 27 April 2012 Accepted: 13 March 2013 Published: 10 July 2013
Journal Compilation © CSIRO Publishing 2013 Open Access CC BY-NC-ND
Abstract
The Cicerone Project included a study of three 53-ha farmlets, each subjected to a different management system. The systems varied first in their input of fertilisers and sown pastures and second in their grazing management. Farmlet A undertook a high level of pasture renovation and had soil fertility targets of 60 mg/kg Colwell phosphorus (P) and 10 mg/kg KCl-40 sulfur (S), while farmlets B and C both had a low rate of pasture renovation and targets of 20 mg/kg P and 6.5 mg/kg S. In addition, both farmlets A and B adopted a flexible rotational grazing regime over the eight paddocks of each farmlet, whereas farmlet C, which had 37 paddocks, adopted intensive rotational grazing.
This paper first reviews the literature relating to soil fertility research in the summer-dominant rainfall region of the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia. It then examines whether the soil fertility targets set for the farmlets were attained and how the consequences of fertiliser management measured in this trial related to earlier research findings.
Fertiliser applications, comprising both capital and maintenance rates, were based on soil test results but at times were constrained by the availability of finance. Soil tests over 5 years indicated that only nitrogen (N), P and S varied with time within the farmlets while the other indices of soil fertility remained similar. Phosphorus and S levels increased in response to fertiliser applications whereas N levels responded to increases in legume composition, which was stimulated by the higher P and S levels. Multivariate statistical analyses demonstrated that farmlet productivity was driven by P and S fertility and thus the two farmlets with lower P and S fertility (farmlets B and C) had similar but lower levels of farmlet productivity compared with farmlet A. Significant increases in several measured pasture productivity parameters were observed in response to the higher P and S fertility on farmlet A, especially when climatic conditions were favourable. The results of the Cicerone farmlet experiment confirm the findings of earlier research on the Northern Tablelands, and elsewhere in the high rainfall zone, that has demonstrated that higher soil fertility levels and pasture renovation enhance the productivity of grazing enterprises more than grazing management, without imposing significant risks to the environment.
Additional keywords: fertiliser management, Northern Tablelands, pasture response, phosphorus, sulfur.
References
Barrow N, Carter E (1978) A modified model for evaluating residual phosphate in soil. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 29, 1011–1021.| A modified model for evaluating residual phosphate in soil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaE1cXlslylsLc%3D&md5=330a86a45af31c35766c8a9718f4e839CAS |
Behrendt K, Scott JM, Cacho O, Jones R (2013a) Simulating the impact of fertiliser strategies and prices on the economics of developing and managing the Cicerone Project farmlets under climatic uncertainty. Animal Production Science 53, 806–816.
| Simulating the impact of fertiliser strategies and prices on the economics of developing and managing the Cicerone Project farmlets under climatic uncertainty.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Behrendt K, Scott JM, Mackay DF, Murison R (2013b) Comparing the climate experienced during the Cicerone farmlet experiment against the climatic record. Animal Production Science 53, 658–669.
| Comparing the climate experienced during the Cicerone farmlet experiment against the climatic record.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Blair G, Chinoim N, Lefroy R, Anderson G, Crocker G (1991) A soil sulfur test for pastures and crops. Australian Journal of Soil Research 29, 619–626.
| A soil sulfur test for pastures and crops.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK3MXmsFGjtr4%3D&md5=346de047e1b55ccd09460da9404fea6eCAS |
Burkitt LL, Gourley CJP, Sale PWG (2002) Changes in bicarbonate-extractable phosphorus over time when P fertiliser was withheld or reapplied to pasture soils. Australian Journal of Soil Research 40, 1213–1229.
| Changes in bicarbonate-extractable phosphorus over time when P fertiliser was withheld or reapplied to pasture soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cawood M (2004) Working with Nature on Lana In ‘The Land’. July 26, 2004.
Cayley JWD, Kearney GA, Saul GR, Lescun CL (1999) The long-term influence of superphosphate and stocking rate on the production of spring-lambing Merino sheep in the high rainfall zone of southern Australia. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 50, 1179–1190.
| The long-term influence of superphosphate and stocking rate on the production of spring-lambing Merino sheep in the high rainfall zone of southern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cayley JWD, Saul GR, McCaskill MR (2002) High-fertility pastures in south-west Victoria can be economically and environmentally sustainable. Wool Technology and Sheep Breeding 50, 724–729.
Clark DA (2010) Contribution of farmlet scale research in New Zealand and Australia to improved dairy farming systems. In ‘Proceedings of the 4th Australasian dairy science symposium’. Lincoln University, Christchurch, New Zealand. (Eds GR Edwards, RH Bryant) pp. 112–124. (Caxton Press: Christchurch) Available at http://www.sciquest.org.nz/node/69343 [Verified 26 March 2013]
Colwell JD (1963) The estimation of the phosphorus fertiliser requirements of wheat in southern New South Wales by soil analysis. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture and Animal Husbandry 3, 190–197.
| The estimation of the phosphorus fertiliser requirements of wheat in southern New South Wales by soil analysis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaF2cXnvVOhsQ%3D%3D&md5=10367a875bbe6a5bdbfd2d4075305cf8CAS |
Cook SJ, Blair GJ, Lazenby A (1978) Pasture degeneration. II. The importance of superphosphate, nitrogen and grazing management. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 29, 19–29.
| Pasture degeneration. II. The importance of superphosphate, nitrogen and grazing management.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaE1cXhtF2qtb4%3D&md5=eb1e445201f5793668a4980db6b8a9a1CAS |
Cottle D, Gaden CA, Hoad J, Lance D, Smith J, Scott JM (2013) The effects of pasture inputs and intensive rotational grazing on superfine wool production, quality and income. Animal Production Science 53, 750–764.
| The effects of pasture inputs and intensive rotational grazing on superfine wool production, quality and income.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
CSIRO (1964) ‘Soil and pasture research on the Northern Tablelands, New South Wales.’ (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne) 81 pp.
Donald GE, Scott JM, Vickery PJ (2013) Satellite derived evidence of whole farmlet and paddock responses to management and climate. Animal Production Science 53, 699–710.
| Satellite derived evidence of whole farmlet and paddock responses to management and climate.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Edwards C, Duncan M (2002) Extension activities improve producer awareness of soil health. In ‘Proceedings of the 17th annual conference of the Grassland Society of NSW 2002’. (Ed. A Bowman) pp. 48–49. (Grassland Society of NSW Inc.: Orange)
Goh KM, Nguyen ML (1992) Fertiliser needs for sustainable agriculture in New Zealand. In ‘Proceedings of the international conference on sustainable land management, Napier, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand’. (Ed. PR Henriques) pp. 119–133.
Hinch GN, Hoad J, Lollback M, Hatcher S, Marchant R, Colvin A, Scott JM, Mackay D (2013a) Livestock weights in response to three whole-farmlet management systems. Animal Production Science 53, 727–739.
| Livestock weights in response to three whole-farmlet management systems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hinch GN, Lollback M, Hatcher S, Hoad J, Marchant R, Mackay DF, Scott JM (2013b) Effects of three whole-farmlet management systems on Merino ewe fat scores and reproduction. Animal Production Science 53, 740–749.
| Effects of three whole-farmlet management systems on Merino ewe fat scores and reproduction.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Holford I, Crocker G (1988) Efficacy of various soil phosphate tests for predicting phosphate responsiveness and requirements of clover pastures on acidic tableland soils. Australian Journal of Soil Research 26, 479–488.
| Efficacy of various soil phosphate tests for predicting phosphate responsiveness and requirements of clover pastures on acidic tableland soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaL1MXjvVWmtQ%3D%3D&md5=da4631d87dea9ef542043efcef17f352CAS |
Isbell RF (1996) ‘The Australian soil classification.’ (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne)
Jones RM, Jones RJ, McDonald CK (1995) Some advantages of long-term grazing trials, with particular reference to changes in botanical composition. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 35, 1029–1038.
| Some advantages of long-term grazing trials, with particular reference to changes in botanical composition.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kaine G, Doyle B, Sutherland H, Scott JM (2013) Surveying the management practices and research needs of graziers in the New England region of New South Wales. Animal Production Science 53, 602–609.
| Surveying the management practices and research needs of graziers in the New England region of New South Wales.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McCaskill MR, Ridley AM, Okom A, White RE, Andrew MH, Michalk DL, Melland A, Johnston WH, Murphy SR (2003) SGS Nutrient Theme: environmental assessment of nutrient application to extensive pastures in the high rainfall zone of southern Australia. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 43, 927–944.
| SGS Nutrient Theme: environmental assessment of nutrient application to extensive pastures in the high rainfall zone of southern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McCosker T (2000) Cell grazing – the first 10 years in Australia. Tropical Grasslands 34, 207–218.
Mears PT, Havilah EJ, Price GH, Darnell RE, Mclennan DJ, Wilson C (1993) Superphosphate maintains soil fertility and beef production on grazed white clover pastures in the subtropics. 1. Residual soil phosphorus, sulfur, and nitrogen, and pasture growth responses. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 33, 425–434.
| Superphosphate maintains soil fertility and beef production on grazed white clover pastures in the subtropics. 1. Residual soil phosphorus, sulfur, and nitrogen, and pasture growth responses.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2cXitFGqu7w%3D&md5=56137dc64619d132d3d6fc8c2d2b8431CAS |
Melland AR, Gourley CJP, Smith AP, Tarbotton IS, Peverill KI (2004) Developing a farm nutrient loss index for grazed pastures in Australia. In ‘SuperSoil 2004: 3rd Australian New Zealand soils conference’. University of Sydney, Australia. (Ed. B Singh) (The Regional Institute Ltd) Available at http://www.regional.org.au/au/asssi/ [Verified 26 March 2013]
Morley FHW, Spedding CRW (1968) Agricultural systems and grazing experiments. Herbage Abstracts 38, 279–287.
Murison R, Scott JM (2013) Statistical methodologies for drawing causal inference from an unreplicated farmlet experiment conducted by the Cicerone Project. Animal Production Science 53, 643–648.
| Statistical methodologies for drawing causal inference from an unreplicated farmlet experiment conducted by the Cicerone Project.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Nixon J (1999) Developing and maintaining productive pastures. In ‘Proceedings of the 14th annual conference of the Grasslands Society of NSW, Queanbeyan, NSW’. (Eds D Garden, HL Davies, D Michalk, H Dove) pp. 91–94. (Grasslands Society of NSW Inc.: Orange)
R Development Core Team (2011) ‘R: a language and environment for statistical computing.’ (R Foundation for Statistical Computing: Vienna) Available at http://www.R-project.org [Verified 26 March 2013]
Robinson G, Lazenby A (1976) Effect of superphosphate, white clover and stocking rate on the productivity of natural pastures, Northern Tablelands, New South Wales. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 16, 209–217.
| Effect of superphosphate, white clover and stocking rate on the productivity of natural pastures, Northern Tablelands, New South Wales.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Saul GR (2005) Summing up: Cicerone – a ‘Mexican’s’ perspective. In ‘The Cicerone farms: under the microscope’. Armidale, NSW. (Ed. JM Scott) pp. 83–88. (The Cicerone Project Inc. and Centre for Sustainable Farming Systems, University of New England: Armidale)
Saul GR, Kearney GA, Flinn PC, Lescun CL (1999) Effects of superphosphate fertiliser and stocking rate on the nutritive value of perennial ryegrass and subterranean clover herbage. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 50, 537–545.
| Effects of superphosphate fertiliser and stocking rate on the nutritive value of perennial ryegrass and subterranean clover herbage.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Schafer B (1980) A description of the soils on the CSIRO Pastoral Research Laboratory property, Chiswick, Armidale NSW. CSIRO Technical Bulletin No. 8.
Scott JF, Scott JM, Cacho OJ (2013a) Whole-farm returns show true profitability of three different livestock management systems. Animal Production Science 53, 780–787.
| Whole-farm returns show true profitability of three different livestock management systems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Scott JM, Behrendt K, Colvin A, Scott F, Shakhane LM, Guppy C, Hoad J, Gaden CA, Edwards C, Hinch GN, Cacho OJ, Donald GE, Cottle D, Coventry T, Williams G, Mackay DF (2013b) Integrated overview of results from a farmlet experiment which compared the effects of pasture inputs and grazing management on profitability and sustainability Animal Production Science 53, 841–855.
| Integrated overview of results from a farmlet experiment which compared the effects of pasture inputs and grazing management on profitability and sustainabilityCrossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Scott JM, Gaden CA, Edwards C, Paull DR, Marchant R, Hoad J, Sutherland H, Coventry T, Dutton P (2013c) Selection of experimental treatments, methods used and evolution of management guidelines for comparing and measuring three grazed farmlet systems. Animal Production Science 53, 628–642.
| Selection of experimental treatments, methods used and evolution of management guidelines for comparing and measuring three grazed farmlet systems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Scott JM, Munro M, Rollings N, Browne W, Vickery PJ, Macgregor C, Donald GE, Sutherland H (2013d) Planning for whole-farm systems research at a credible scale: subdividing land into farmlets with equivalent initial conditions. Animal Production Science 53, 618–627.
| Planning for whole-farm systems research at a credible scale: subdividing land into farmlets with equivalent initial conditions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Shakhane LM, Mulcahy C, Scott JM, Hinch GN, Donald GE, Mackay DF (2013a) Pasture herbage mass, quality and growth in response to three whole-farmlet management systems. Animal Production Science 53, 685–698.
| Pasture herbage mass, quality and growth in response to three whole-farmlet management systems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Shakhane LM, Scott JM, Murison R, Mulcahy C, Hinch GN, Morrow A, Mackay DF (2013b) Changes in botanical composition on three farmlets subjected to different pasture and grazing management strategies. Animal Production Science 53, 670–684.
| Changes in botanical composition on three farmlets subjected to different pasture and grazing management strategies.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Simpson R, Oberson A, Culvenor R, Ryan M, Veneklaas E, Lambers H, Lynch J, Ryan P, Delhaize E, Smith F, Smith S, Harvey P, Richardson A (2011) Strategies and agronomic interventions to improve the phosphorus-use efficiency of farming systems. Plant and Soil 349, 89–120.
Trompf JP, Sale PWG, Saul G, Shovelton J, Graetz B (1998) Changes in practices and decisions resulting from the paired-paddock model used in the Grassland’s Productivity Program. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 38, 843–853.
| Changes in practices and decisions resulting from the paired-paddock model used in the Grassland’s Productivity Program.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Walker R, Kearins R (1986) Fertilizer and stocking rate strategies for sustained profitability. In ‘Proceedings of the 1st annual conference of the Grasslands Society of NSW, Richmond, NSW’. (Ed. WJ McDonald) pp. 56–65. (Grassland Society of NSW Inc.: Orange)
Waller RA, Sale PWG, Saul GR, Kearney GA (2001) Tactical versus continuous stocking in perennial ryegrass-subterranean clover pastures grazed by sheep in south-western Victoria – 3. Herbage nutritive characteristics and animal production. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 41, 1121–1131.
| Tactical versus continuous stocking in perennial ryegrass-subterranean clover pastures grazed by sheep in south-western Victoria – 3. Herbage nutritive characteristics and animal production.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Whalley R, Robinson G, Taylor J (1976) General effects of management and grazing by domestic livestock on the rangelands of the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales. The Rangeland Journal 1, 174–190.
| General effects of management and grazing by domestic livestock on the rangelands of the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Zuur AF, Ieno EN, Smith GM (2007) ‘Analysing ecological data.’ (Springer: New York)
