The saltland agronomy project has always been viewed as an integral component of the Upper South East Dryland Salinity & Flood Management Plan (USE DS&FMP).

With construction of the USE drainage scheme, the saltland agronomists have assisted landowners to adjust to remediated soils with the introduction of improved pasture species and improved land management practices, thereby maximising the agricultural benefits of the drainage works.

The saltland agronomists have maintained strong linkages with studies undertaken in the area by various researchers, including the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and the Adelaide University covering aspects such as soil sodicity, pasture trials and the impacts of drainage on surrounding agricultural land. The project has also instigated additional soil monitoring and assessment at a number of sites to determine post-drainage impacts on primary production. The results of these studies would also potentially assist managers of the USE Program in discussions with landowners about the drainage project.

Key Project Achievements
The success of the position of Saltland Catchment Agronomist has been recognised Australia wide as being highly successful and locally recognised with strong community pressure to maintain and renew funding from National Landcare Program, National Heritage Trust, National Action Plan and USE Program sources for the 10 years that the project has covered. A measure of the success can be appreciated with the uptake of perennial saltland pastures. In the USE Environmental Impact Study (EIS) it was estimated that 20% of salt affected land was sown to saltland pasture. In the EIS a target of 80% was set. A phone survey conducted by the project in 2000 determined that with the influence of the Catchment Agronomist this target was achieved in 6 years.

A range of activities has been undertaken through the life of the project by the saltland agronomists with some of the key achievements being:

• Coordinated the first major salinity forum (Salt, Sand, Success) in the USE in the spring of 1996.
• Liaised with “Saltland Solutions” to determine and undertake local minor research needs that included: puccinellia pasture nutrient analysis, fertilizer application and response, winter cleaning herbicides on puccinellia. The results of which were presented in fact sheets and at regular field days held in the area.
• Involved with the assessment of remote sensing for “Mapping Salinity in the Upper South East Catchment in South Australia” CSIRO Mathematical and Information Services (1998). A study that showed waterlogging couldn’t be differentiated from salinity using Landsat imagery.
• Organising committee for the 6th National ‘Productive Use and Rehabilitation of Saline Land’ conference at Naracoorte in Nov 1999. During the conference a meeting was held at Keith (70 attendees) at which Tom Hatton and Richard George addressed the issue of drainage versus perennial plants for recharge control.
• The agronomic assessment of “Dundas” Tall Wheatgrass with Hamilton PRI (Vic) for plant variety registration.
• Prepared the “Management Plan Proposal for Clearance of Samphire in Pasture Renovations” for presentation to the Native Vegetation Council by The Lacepede /Tatiara Soil Conservation Board.

• Poster presentation in the 7th National Productive use and rehabilitation of saline land conference “Puccinellia nutrition” March 2001, Launceston.

• Spray topping Puccinellia – a series of 4 trials that were finalized with an Sustainable Grazing on Saline Lands (SGSL) project that identified the best chemicals and timing of sprays to reinvigorate mature puccinellia stands. Results have been presented at a number of the regular field days and farm walks held in the area. Published results will appear in the SGSL product range.

• A feature of the Catchment Agronomy Project has been the Field Days, Forums and Farm Walks organized by the Catchment Agronomist. In recent years at least 4 events a year have been organized in association with the USE Program, the Sustainable Grazing on Saline Lands Program, the CRC for Dryland Salinity, SARDI Pasture Development Project Group, Australian Wool Innovation Wool Programs, Meat and Livestock Australia Producer Initiated Research and Development Groups, South East Catchment Water Management Board, Million Hectares Program, Saltland Solutions and the Silvergrass Taskforce.

• Produced a number of publications and reports including:

1. Soil salinity sampling (Saltland Agronomy Information Series 02/2002)
2. Feed Values of puccinellia (Saltland Agronomy Information Series 01/2001)
3. Fertiliser and puccinellia (Saltland Agronomy Information Series 01/2001)
4. Saltland Pasture Recommendations (Saltland Agronomy Information Series 01/2001)
5. The effects of drainage on saline soils in the South East (Saltland Agronomy Information Series 06/2003)
6. Saltland Management – The Place of Pastures (Saltland Agronomy Information Series 08/2003)
7. Trialing grasses for Drained Land (Saltland Agronomy Information Series 01/2005)
8. Drain Spoil: suitable for Clay Spreading? (Saltland Agronomy Information Series 04/2006)
9. Salt explained on the Bald Hill Flats (Saltland Agronomy Information Series 04/2006)
10. Monitoring Northern Catchment Drains Post Drainage: Trends to date 2006 (Saltland Agronomy Information Series 06/2006).
11. Private Drainage in the Upper South East. Factsheet Dec 2000, mailed out to all levy payers.
12. Saltland – What do you do with it? Brochure of 4 case studies October 2000
13. Silvergrass Management. Brochure of 4 case studies December 2001
14. Educational salinity poster distributed to SA schools March 2007
15. Soil Salinity/Sodicity Best Practice Management March 2008. Brochure distributed to 2000 landowners.

Most recently a major 3 year scientific study was completed on the Keilira/Bald Hill flats located 30km north east inland from the south eastern coastline of South Australia and is 4 to 8 km wide. Topographically flat (1:10,000 fall to the NW) this land was subject to annual water logging and flooding, but progressive surface water and ground water drainage encouraged the clearance of native vegetation, and sowing of high production improved annual pastures over the last 50 years.

The progressive decline in the productivity of annual pasture species, death and decline of remnant native vegetation, and paddocks becoming rough to traverse with boggy “glue pots” developing at various locations which had been served long term by either surface or ground water drainage along the Keilira/Bald Hill and Taratap Flats spurred the Keilira Farm Management Group Members to identify the causes and seek a solution to the spreading problem. A National Landcare Programme funded grant running from Spring 2004 to Summer 2007 allowed the “Saline/Sodic Soils Project” to scientifically research the soils, and also explore a range of management practices and new technologies at three focus trial sites in similar positions within the landscape. The project was unique due to the heavy clay content and interaction of the shallow groundwater with the soil.

Site 1 – Long term 1.8m groundwater drainage – 2.5 km east of the Blackford Drain (constructed 1962, 1.8m deep), and adjacent to the 1.8m deep subsidiary (constructed 1996)
Site 2 - Short term 1.8m ground water drainage – adjacent to the Fairview drain (constructed 1998, 2m deep)
Site 3 - Long term surface drainage.

For further information please contact Jack England on 8767 5071 or 0427 670 025

Click here to access Part 1 of Beating Salinity and Sodicity