Checklist of seasonal things to do by time of year for land managers in the Perth region. (Adapted from the Poperty Planning Manual developed by the Department of Agriculture and Food WA, Feb. 2008). These are also arranged by land use type.
Seasonal things 'to do' for farmers and small landholders in the Perth region of Western Australia.
Key activities, and timing, for revegetation using tubestock and direct seeding methods. Direct seeding provides the best opportunities for introducing a greater diversity of plants but in order to be successful, particular attention should be given to weed control.
Prior to planned revegetation
Revegetated area should be sprayed with knockdown herbicide (Roundup Biactive) to reduce seed set.
Prior to planned revegetation (i.e. as the soil begins to dry out).
Avoid ripping when soils contain a lot of moisture, especially heavy soils.
To shatter any hardpan to allow infiltration of water and roots deep into the soil profile. Ripping 8 months prior to revegetation gives time for air pockets, which may be created by the ripper, to settle out. A mounder creates a raised bed or waterlogged free zone to aid root development in the first season.
Tubestock planting - Rip lines should be around 2 to 3 metres apart, and a ripper mounder should be used in waterlogged and saline sites.
Direct seeding - Rip lines as close as possible.
Order seed the winter prior to planned revegetation; tubestock the December prior.
Seed suppliers collect in spring/early summer. Nurseries require at least six months to grow most species.
Spray germinating weeds after opening rains.
(preferred method for direct seeding)
Scalp the area, using grader blade or similar, to remove top 5 cm of soil. Rows of mounded soil created from this process will need to be sprayed with both a knockdown and residual herbicide.
Tubestock - Trees and shrubs should be planted into rip (and mounded) lines.
Direct seeding - May be done by hand or by a mechanical seeder. Tubestock should be planted on the rows of mounded top soil.
Grass selective herbicide may be used to control subsequent germination of weeds. Broad leaved weeds may be controlled using selective herbicides (e.g. Lontrel), or even a knockdown herbicide at a low rate (e.g. Ally) but expert advice should be sought.
May be necessary depending on survival and germination success. Further weed control may also be required in future years.
Seasonal 'to to' list for summer growing perennial grasses in the Ellen Brook catchment of the Perth region.
Extracted from the publication Sustainable Land Management in the Ellen Brook catchment. See Resources below for more information.
Perennial grasses cost more to establish than annual pastures because of increased cost of seed and
the need to reduce stocking in the year of establishment.
1. Early winter - Graze for winter feed.
2. Late winter - Heavily graze to remove the bulk of vegetated material.
3. Mid August - Spray with 2.5 litres of glyphosate (360 g/L), add insecticide for redlegged earth mite and lucerne flea control.
4. Late August - Harrow or cultivate to obtain enough loose soil to form a seedbed. Do not cultivate deeply (< 2.5 cm).
5. Late August/early September - Sow by mixing seed and fertiliser in the fertiliser box of a combine. Set the disc or cultivators to 2.5 cm depth. Remove the hoses and drop the seed and fertilisers onto the surface then lightly harrow to cover the seed. Roll to compact the soil around the seed.
6. Spring/summer - Delay grazing as long as possible.
It is important not to graze in the first summer.
Seasonal 'to do' list for annual pasture establishment.
Extracted from Sustainable Land Management in the Ellen Brook Catchment. See link to Resources below.
The established pasture can be lightly grazed six weeks after germination.
How to introduce improved cultivars to existing annual pastures
Early May - Direct seed with drill two days after spraying with glyphosate.
Seasonal 'to do' list for establishment of sprinkler irrigated pastures in the Ellen Brook Catchment, Perth region Western Australia.
Extracted from the publication Sustainable Land Management in the Ellen Brook Catchment. See link in Resources below.
Sprinkler irrigated pastures can play an important role on small properties. To ensure success, close attention needs to be paid to the establishment of pasture and subsequent watering, fertiliser application and grazing management.
Links:
[1] http://sustainableagriculture.perthregionnrm.com/library/weeds/weeds
[2] http://sustainableagriculture.perthregionnrm.com/library/pastures-fodder-and-tree-crops/pastures-fodder-and-tree-crops
[3] http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/objtwr/imported_assets/content/fm/small/nw09_soil_testing_hr.pdf
[4] http://sustainableagriculture.perthregionnrm.com/library/weed-identification-management/weed-identification-management
[5] http://sustainableagriculture.perthregionnrm.com/library/pastures-fodder-and-tree-crops/farm-forestry
[6] http://sustainableagriculture.perthregionnrm.com/resource/file/sustainable-land-management-ellen-brook-catchment
[7] http://sustainableagriculture.perthregionnrm.com/resource/contact/chittering-landcare-centre
[8] http://sustainableagriculture.perthregionnrm.com/resource/file/pasture-establishment-and-management
[9] http://sustainableagriculture.perthregionnrm.com/library/pastures-fodder-and-tree-crops/sub-tropical-grasses
[10] http://sustainableagriculture.perthregionnrm.com/library/pastures-fodder-and-tree-crops/temperate-perennial-grasses
[11] http://sustainableagriculture.perthregionnrm.com/resource/event/annual-pastures-and-soils-workshop
[12] http://sustainableagriculture.perthregionnrm.com/library/pastures-fodder-and-tree-crops/annual-pastures