15ha pasture paddock at Western Flat, SA, was selected to demonstrate strategies to restore soil function following clay application and incorporation. The paddock has deep sandy soils with very low inherent and nutrient fertility.
In May 2022, five treatments were applied to plots 1.1 ha in size to supply nutrients in both an organic (compost) and mineral form (fertilisers) and was sown to a multispecies annual fodder crop.
First year results showed compost applications of 2 and 8 t/ha and fertiliser application resulted in the highest dry matter production. Second year monitoring will continue in 2023.
