Free Standard AU & NZ Shipping For All Book Orders Over $80!
Register      Login
Animal Production Science Animal Production Science Society
Food, fibre and pharmaceuticals from animals
Shopping Cart: ( empty )
You are here: Home > Journals > AN > EA06017
REVIEW
Contents Vol 46(7)

The role of livestock in the management of dryland salinity

D. Masters A H , N. Edwards B , M. Sillence C , A. Avery D , D. Revell A , M. Friend C , P. Sanford E , G. Saul F , C. Beverly D and J. Young G
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A CSIRO Livestock Industries and Cooperative Research Centre for Plant-based Management of Dryland Salinity, Private Bag 5, Wembley, WA 6913, Australia.

B South Australian Research and Development Institute and Cooperative Research Centre for Plant-based Management of Dryland Salinity, PO Box 618, Naracoorte, SA 5271, Australia.

C School of Agricultural & Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University and Cooperative Research Centre for Plant-based Management of Dryland Salinity, Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia.

D Primary Industries Research Victoria and Cooperative Research Centre for Plant-based Management of Dryland Salinity, RMB 1145, Rutherglen, Vic. 3685, Australia.

E Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia and Cooperative Research Centre for Plant-based Management of Dryland Salinity, Albany Highway, Albany, WA 6330, Australia.

F Primary Industries Research Victoria and Cooperative Research Centre for Plant-based Management of Dryland Salinity, Private Bag 105, Hamilton, Vic. 3300, Australia.

G Farming Systems Analysis Service, RMB 309, Kojonup, WA 6395, Australia.

H Corresponding author. Email: david.masters@csiro.au

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 46(7) 733-741 https://doi.org/10.1071/EA06017
Submitted: 11 January 2006  Accepted: 28 April 2006   Published: 8 June 2006

Abstract

Management of dryland salinity in Australia will require changes in the design and utilisation of plant systems in agriculture. These changes will provide new opportunities for livestock agriculture. In areas already affected by salt, a range of plants can be grown from high feeding value legumes with moderate salt tolerance through to highly salt tolerant shrubs. A hectare of these plants may support between 500 and 2000 sheep grazing days per year. The type of plants that can be grown and the subsequent animal production potential depend on a range of factors that contribute to the ‘salinity stress index’ of a site, including soil and groundwater salinity, the extent and duration of waterlogging and inundation, the pattern and quantity of annual rainfall, soil texture and chemistry, site topography and other site parameters. Where the salinity stress index is high, plant options will usually include a halophytic shrub that accumulates salt. High salt intakes by grazing ruminants depress feed intake and production. Where high and low salt feeds are available together, ruminants will endeavour to select a diet that optimises the overall feeding value of the ingested diet.

In areas that are not yet salt affected but contribute to groundwater recharge, perennial pasture species offer an opportunity for improved water and salt management both on-farm and at the catchments. If perennial pasture systems are to be adopted on a broad scale, they will need to be more profitable than current annual systems. In the high rainfall zones in Victoria and Western Australia, integrated bioeconomic and hydrological modelling indicates that selection of perennial pasture plants to match requirements of a highly productive livestock system significantly improves farm profit and reduces groundwater recharge. In the low to medium rainfall zones, fewer perennial plant options are available. However, studies aiming to use a palette of plant species that collectively provide resilience to the environment while maintaining profitable livestock production may also lead to new options for livestock in the traditional cropping zone.

Additional keywords: environmental management, halophytes, nutritive value, perennial pastures, salt tolerance.


Acknowledgments

The research reported in this review has been supported by Land Water and Wool, an initiative of Australian Wool Innovations and Land & Water Australia, by Meat & Livestock Australia and by the agencies and institutions affiliated with the authors.


References


Barrett-Lennard EG (2003) The interaction between waterlogging and salinity in higher plants: causes, consequences and implications. Plant and Soil 253, 35–54.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Barrett-Lennard EG , Malcolm CV , Bathgate AD (2003) ‘Saltland pastures in Australia.’ (Land & Water Australia: Canberra)

Barrett-Lennard EG, George RJ, Hamilton G, Norman H, Masters D (2005) Multi-disciplinary approaches suggest profitable and sustainable farming systems for valley floors at risk of salinity. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 45, 1415–1424.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Bathgate AD , O’Connell M (2001) Economics of saltland pastures. In ‘Productive use and rehabilitation of saline lands, 7th national conference’. pp. 167–169.

Bennell M , Hobbs T , Ellis M (2004) FloraSearch species and industry evaluation. Low rainfall agroforestry options for southeastern Australia. Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, Canberra.

Beverly C, Bari M, Christy B, Hocking M, Smettem K (2005) Predicted salinity impacts from land use change: comparison between rapid assessment approaches and a detailed modelling framework. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 45, 1453–1469.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Clarke AJ (1982) The grazing value of saltbushes. Journal of Agriculture, Western Australia 23, 7–9. open url image1

Cocks PS (2003) Land-use change is the key to protecting biodiversity in salinising landscapes. Australian Journal of Botany 51, 627–635.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Cosgrove GP, Parsons AJ, Marotti DM, Rutter SM, Chapman DF (2001) Opportunities for enhancing the delivery of novel forage attributes. Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production 61, 16–19. open url image1

Dear BS, Moore GA, Hughes SJ (2003) Adaptation and potential contribution of temperate perennial legumes to the southern Australian wheatbelt: a review. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 43, 1–18.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Doyle PT, Carter DJ, Speijers EJ, Plaisted TW, Hetherington RE , et al. (1996) Changes in the amount and nutritive characteristics of annual pastures from late spring to autumn on the south coast of Western Australia. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 36, 791–801.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Dumont B, Maillard JF, Petit M (2000) The effect of the spatial distribution of plant species within the sward on the searching success of sheep when grazing. Grass and Forage Science 55, 138–145.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Edwards NJ , Hebart ML , Craig AD , Abraham EA , Hocking Edwards JE , et al (2004) Applying nitrogen increases pasture and sheep production on puccinellia-based pastures in the SA SGSL experiment. In ‘Proceedings of the conference salinity solutions: working with science and society’. (Eds A Ridley, P Feikema, S Bennett, M Rogers, R Wilkinson, J Hirth) (CD-ROM) (CRC for Plant-based Management of Dryland Salinity: Perth)

Edwards NJ , Norman HC , Barrett Lennard EG , Hebart ML , McCaskill MR , et al (2005) Australia’s sustainable grazing on saline lands initiative: a national program. In ‘International salinity forum. Managing saline soils and water: science, technology and social issues’. pp. 159–162. (University of California: Riverside)

Ewing MA , Flugge F (2004) The benefits and challenges of crop-livestock integration in Australian agriculture. In ‘Proceedings of the 4th international crop science congress’. (CD-ROM)

Franklin-McEvoy J (2002) Improving the performance of sheep grazing saltbush. Honours thesis, The University of Adelaide, Australia.

Hemsley JA, Hogan JP, Weston RH (1975) Effect of high intake of sodium chloride on the utilisation of a protein concentrate by sheep. II Digestion and absorption of organic matter and electrolytes. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 26, 715–727.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Lefroy EC (2002) Forage trees and shrubs in Australia – their current use and future potential. Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, Publication No 02/039, Canberra.

Lefroy EC, Avery AL, Hume I, Flugge F (2005) Potential of current perennial plant-based farming systems to deliver salinity management outcomes and improve prospects for native biodiversity: a review. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 45, 1357–1357.
| Crossref |
open url image1

McCaskill MR , Bennetts D (2004) First-year production of salt-tolerant pasture in response to salinity and wetness. In ‘Proceedings of the conference salinity solutions: working with science and society’. (Eds A Ridley, P Feikema, S Bennett, M Rogers, R Wilkinson, J Hirth) (CD-ROM) (CRC for Plant-based Management of Dryland Salinity: Perth)

McCaskill MR , Pollard T (2005) Summer weight gains from tall wheatgrass and volunteer pastures on saline lands. In ‘Proceedings of the 46th annual conference of the grassland society of southern Australia’. (Ed. J Court) p. 124. (Grasslands Society of Southern Australia: Warragul, Vic.)

McDonald P , Edwards RA , Greenhalgh JFD , Morgan CA (2002) ‘Animal nutrition’. (Pearson Prentice Hall: Harlow, England)

Macfarlane DJ , George RJ , Cacceta PA (2004) The extent and potential area of salt-affected land in Western Australia estimated using remote sensing digital terrain models. In ‘Engineering salinity solutions, 1st national salinity engineering conference’. (Eds S Dogramaci, A Watehouse) pp. 55–60.

Malcolm CV, Pol JE (1986) Grazing and management of saltland shrubs. Journal of Agricultural, Western Australia 27, 59–63. open url image1

Maslin BR , McDonald MW (2004) AcaciaSearch – Evaluation of Acacia as a woody crop option for southern Australia. Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, Publication No 03/017, Canberra.

Masters DG, Rintoul AJ, Dynes RA, Pearce KL, Norman HC (2005) Feed intake and production in sheep fed diets high in sodium and potassium. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 56, 427–434.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Michalk DL, Dowling PM, Kemp DR, King WM, Packer IJ , et al. (2003) Sustainable grazing systems for the central Tablelands New South Wales. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 43, 861–874.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Morcombe PW, Young GE, Boase KA (1996) Grazing a saltbush (Atriplex-Maireana) stand by Merino wethers to fill the 'autumn feed-gap' experienced in the Western Australian wheat belt. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 36, 641–647.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Morrison DA , Bathgate AD (1990) The value of pasture in a dryland farming system. In ‘Annual ryegrass workshop’. p. 13. (Waite Agricultural Research Institute: Adelaide)

Morrison DA, Kingwell RS, Pannell DJ, Ewing MA (1986) A mathematical programming model of a crop-livestock farm system. Agricultural Systems 20, 243–268.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

National Research Council (1980) Sodium chloride. In ‘Mineral tolerance of domestic animals’. pp. 441–465. (National Academy of Sciences: Washington DC)

Norman HC , Dynes RA , Masters DG (2002) Nutritive value of plants growing on saline land. In Productive use and rehabilitation of saline lands, 8th national conference’. pp. 59–69.

Norman HC, Dynes RA, Rintoul AJ, Wilmot MG, Masters DG (2004a) Sheep production from saline land - productivity from old man and river saltbush and the value of grain and straw supplements. Animal Production in Australia 25, 289. open url image1

Norman HC, Freind C, Masters DG, Rintoul AJ, Dynes RA , et al. (2004b) Variation within and between two saltbush species in plant composition and subsequent selection by sheep. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 55, 999–1007.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Peirce AW (1968) Studies on salt tolerance of sheep. VII. The tolerance of ewes and their lambs in pens for drinking waters of the types obtained from underground sources in Australia. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 19, 577–587.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Puckridge DW, French RJ (1983) The annual legume pasture in cereal-ley farming systems of southern Australia: A review. Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment 9, 229–267.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Purser DB (1980) Nutritional value of Mediterranean pastures. In ‘Grazing animals’. (Ed. FHW Morley) pp. 159–179. (Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company: Amsterdam)

Ramírez-Restrepo CA, Barry TN, López-Villalobos N, Kemp PD, McNabb WC (2004) Use of Lotus corniculatus containing condensed tannins to increase lamb and wool production under commercial dryland farming conditions without the use of anthelmintics. Animal Feed Science and Technology 117, 85–105.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Ridley AM, Pannell DJ (2005) The role of plants and plant-based research and development in managing dryland salinity in Australia. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 45, 1341–1355.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Rogers ME, Craig AD, Munns R, Colmer TD, Nichols PGH , et al. (2005) The potential for developing fodder plants for the salt-affected areas of southern and eastern Australia: an overview. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 45, 301–329.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Sanford P , Young J (2005) Are new farming systems based on perennial pastures in south west Australia more profitable? In ‘XX International grasslands conference’. (Eds FP O'Mara, RJ Wilkins, L ' t Mannetje, DK Lovett, PAM Rogers, TM Boland) p. 847. (Wageningen Academic Publishers: Wageningen)

Stoneham G, Eigenraam M, Ridley A, Barr N (2003) The application of sustainability indicators to Australian Agriculture: an overview. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 43, 195–203.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Thomas DT, Rintoul AJ, Masters DG (2006) Diet selection in sheep offered feed combinations containing high and low levels of sodium chloride. Applied Animal Behaviour Science In press , open url image1

Thompson AN , Evans PM , Gordon DJ , Byron AH (2001) A case study for a highly productive salt tolerant forage legume. 2. Sheep production from Melilotus alba. In ‘Productive use and rehabilitation of saline land. 7th national conference.’ pp. 172–173.

Tiong MK (2005) Variation in the nutritive value of four halophytic plant species commonly found in Western Australia and the genotypic and environmental differences observed within Atriplex amnicola. MSc (NRM) thesis, University of Western Australia, Australia.

Warren BE , Casson T (1994) Sheep and saltbush – are they compatible? In ‘Productive use and rehabilitation of saline lands, 3rd national conference’. pp. 125–129.

Wilson AD (1994) Utilisation of halophytes by livestock; an overview. In ‘Productive use and rehabilitation of saline lands, 3rd national conference’. pp. 119–124.

Wood WE (1924) Increase of salt in soil and streams following the destruction of native vegetation. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia 10, 35–47. open url image1