spading trials to improve mallee sands - chris mcdonough (iea)

SESSION OUTLINE• Brief Overview of Karoonda Site Results• Key Principals of Spading Success• Lowbank Trial Results and Discussion

KAROONDA SITE ABOVE SEEP AREA

Non wetting sand over clay

Control

Spaded

Non wetting sand over claySpaded with

Chicken Manure

YIELD RESULTS

0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0

Unmodified

Spaded

CM 6 t/ha spaded

CM 9 t/ha spaded

Yield t/ha

Modification: Unmodified Spaded CM 6t/ha Spaded

CM 9 t/ha Spaded

Average grain yield (t/ha) 1.55 2.17 3.29 2.8

Income @ $220/t $ 342 $ 478 $ 725 $ 616

Additional income $ - $ 136 $ 383 $ 274

Cost of modification $ - $ 100 $ 310 $ 415

Increase $ in first year $ - $ 36 $ 73 -$ 141

WEED DIFFERENCES…?

Spaded Control

WHY SPADING WITH CHICKEN MANURE WORKSBreaking Deep Compaction

WHY SPADING WITH CHICKEN MANURE WORKSSignificant increase to nutrition and organics

(photo from Nigel Wilhelm, SARDI)

Zinc Deficient

Zinc Enriched

LOWBANK SPADING TRIAL RESULTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Karoonda and Lowbank Agricultural Bureaus