Future Fodder Project outcomes guide enhanced drought preparedness

VIC HUB SOUTH-EAST NODE PROJECT UPDATE

Forage and fodder production are key drivers for beef and dairy outputs, with proactive planning critical to success. To that end, planning for spring and summer pasture resources is well underway across the Gippsland region.

Drought and dry years can result in significant losses in pasture production ­(both grazed grass and pasture for storage as silage or hay) and considerable costs to the business. The Future Fodder Project – which is funded by the Future Drought Fund (FDF) and facilitated by Gippsland Agri Group – has seen several events delivered so far, with more planned this year.

Associated expenses include greater reliance on bought-in feeds (such as grains or hay), future control of weeds with paddocks, or increased costs in pasture renovation.

Dealing with green drought

One of the key issues beef and dairy sectors face across Gippsland is the onset of “green drought”.

Green drought is where paddocks look green from a distance, however pasture growth has been substantially reduced by low rainfall, and grass growth is impacted by weeds or poor soil conditions in paddocks. Soil compaction resulting from dry conditions can lead to decreased root activity and reduced forage production.

Green-drought management projects underway include a trial which is investigating whether it’s possible to increase topsoil depth from 100 millimetres to 300mm through different treatments, applied to a demonstration site at the Gippsland Research Farm.

Conducted across three stages, the project will also seek to answer the question, “Can we double the water-holding capacity of our topsoil?”

With the help of a new soil coring trailer, extraction of soil cores to a depth of one metre forms the focus of a separate, but complementary, initiative, helping local farmers understand what’s below the ground to help with decision making above the ground.

Recent funded projects by the FDF provide a better understanding of rainfall projections for regions. Climate Services for Agriculture has an important farmer-focused tool (My Climate View) that allows primary producers to receive future rainfall predictions for their farm. This planning tool provides important information so farmers can balance out the risks associated with green drought

Identifying green drought impacts

Two impacts are easily identified for green drought; the first is a lack of pasture growth during the previous autumn and winter, resulting in low pasture mass in spring. This scenario presents the need for earlier supplementation of stock as pasture resources decline in the later phase of spring and summer. The second impact is reduced growth when (or if) autumn rains occur, as green drought situations can be difficult to manage, with an elevated risk of over-grazing.

West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority Adoption Officer Sam Shannon said, “We’re planning an event later this year in West Gippsland that focuses on the unique challenges of drought in high rainfall areas.

“While South Gippsland and Baw Baw Shires are not typical locations that come to mind when we think about drought, their livestock-grazing systems are set up around reliable rainfall, so when the tap turns off it can have a big impact in a short amount of time.

“Drought here can be deceiving, with pasture often remaining green through prolonged dry periods, while beneath the surface soil moisture is insufficient for plant growth and there is no runoff to fill dams. It’s important to think about how you will manage your grazing business through these events, well before drought sets in.”

Other activities

There are other, complementary activities to the Future Fodder Project and managing green drought. Our Hub partners in North-Eastern Victoria have been working on containment feeding for livestock. The combination of green drought and the impact of drought conditions in summer may result in limited options to feed livestock. Containment feeding is one option that is worthwhile investigating and planning for. You can find more information here about the Stock-Containment Feeding Project.

For further information about the Future Fodder Project, please contact Vic Hub South-East Node, Food & Fibre Gippsland, info@foodandfibregippsland.com.au