Binalong Alternative Fertilizer Pasture Trial
| Project start date: | 01 January 2015 |
| Project end date: | 23 December 2015 |
| Project status: | Completed |
| Livestock species: | Sheep, Lamb |
| Relevant regions: | Eastern Australia |
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Summary
Native perennial grass pastures are the most commonly occurring pasture type across the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales (NSW). Productivity from these pastures is critical in sustaining a productive and profitable livestock industry. Due to the fluctuating cost of conventional fertilizers, perception of increased environmental benefits associated with using alternative fertilizers and/or that conventional fertilizers are not as effective, graziers requested detailed information about alternative fertilizers, their benefits and productive capabilities.
Binalong Landcare conducted a Producer Demonstration Site (PDS) to help local producers improve their knowledge and decision- making strategies of currently used fertilizers in the local agricultural industry. Ten fertilizer products were compared with a control (nil fertilizer) application at three sites near Binalong and Bookham in southern NSW.
An economic assessment of the six-year study identified the products that were more cost effective. Single superphosphate has reliably shown to be the most cost effective product however some of the alternative fertilizers trialled were comparable in some years of the study.
Objectives
This PDS aimed to compare the cost effectiveness of the alternative fertilizers for use on native based pastures in the southern Tablelands of NSW, and analyse the botanical composition data collected over 6 years and determine any relationship between changes in species composition and fertilizer applied.
Progress
Producer evaluation confirmed the project had greatly assisted them to make better on-farm decisions in relation to fertilizer product choice. Evaluation responses (105 responses) indicated that 80% of field day attendees had a better understanding of fertilizers and their impact on pasture responses, the cost effectiveness of the fertilizers applied and the importance of soil nutrient cycling and soil health.
The six year project had also made an impact on fertilizer decision making with 41% indicating the project had confirmed their existing fertilizer choice (of which 77% were users of single superphosphate), and 17% indicating the project had resulted in them making a change to the fertilizer types used on farm. A remaining 38% indicated they were still considering their fertilizer choice options.
