South Australia

In SA, EverGraze activities are linked to research with sown perennial pastures being undertaken in Victoria near Hamilton and near Albany in WA.

The Supporting Sites in SA are testing the use of alternative summer active perennial pasture species such as kikuyu, tall fescue and lucerne in regions where annual pastures or temperate perennials are commonly used

The challenge

Soils in the higher rainfall grazing areas of SA are very variable, with sandy ridges interspersed by heavier clay flats. Animal production is based on annual pastures that allow recharge and the spread of dryland salinity.

Water repellent soils, erosion and water logging are also common problems.

Low water holding capacity of many soils means that it can be difficult to maintain traditional perennial species and there is considerable interest in kikuyu as a pasture on Kangaroo Island.

In the mid southeast of SA, the flat terrain means that water logging can be a major impediment to persistence of perennials. With the advent of new drainage systems, there is now the potential to grow lucerne on previously unsuitable land.

EverGraze will trial new perennial pasture systems and measure pasture persistence, animal production and assess ground cover and water use in four regions in the state.

For further details about EverGraze in South Australia

Contact Nick Edwards
08 8762-9184
Edwards.Nick@saugov.sa.gov.au