Managing Our Land and Soils Sustainably

Soils sustain the productive capacity of our catchment. Soil erosion by wind, water and stock is a priority land management issue in the Upper Torrens catchment. Erosion can impact not only on farm productivity, but also on the areas where soil is deposited such as remnant vegetation, rivers and our marine environment. There are also large social costs that accrue from soil erosion including health issues from atmospheric dust and costs in repairing roads, infrastructure and fence lines.

One of the main contributing factors to erosion risk, besides the inherent nature of the soil, is the level of surface cover. Surface cover can be maintained with appropriate stock management and reducing tillage. Some areas, such as sheep camps on hilltops and eroding gullies, seem to suffer from erosion regardless of the management adopted. It is recommended that stock are removed from such sites.

Other sites may require infrastructure to manage grazing more appropriately or a change from cropping to a perennial system to ensure surface cover is maintained throughout the year.

Pasture establishment is most effective with direct drill as this ensures a low risk of erosion. Windbreaks are encouraged to protect stock and pasture.

ELIGIBLITY CRITERIA FOR THESE PROJECTS

- Properties where other positive land management practices have been adopted (eg minimum tillage methods) will be looked upon favourably.

- Windbreaks must be a minimum of 10m (3 rows) wide, be of suitable design and must exclude stock permanently.

- Fences to exclude stock from eroded watercourses must be placed a minimum of 5m from the edge of the bank. On severely eroded banks the fence may need to be placed further away.

- Rotational grazing projects and fencing to landclasses are considered, but applicants are encouraged to undertake a Prograze course (or similar - can be subsidised) to ensure the correct grazing regimes are adopted.