VRT and CTF in mixed farming systems

Frank D’Emden
Variable Rate Technology

- Applies equally to livestock as to cropping for soil amelioration

- Replacement P from yield maps requires caution

- Grazing intensity maps at R&D stage

Data collection, processing and ground-truthing
Zone mapping
Zone mapping
Zone mapping and transfer

• 25% fuel saving

• 8kph vs 5kph
• 550mm vs 400-450mm
• ~50% of area
Variable rate lime

Flat rate
800ha @ 1.5t/ha = 1200t
1200t @ $50/t (spread) = $60,000

VR
800ha @ 320kg/ha = 256t
256t @ $50/t (spread) = $12,800
$47,200 lime saving ($59/ha)
P replacement from yield maps
 P replacement from yield maps

• Frost and weed effects on yield

• Spatial variation in Phosphorous Buffering Index

• Lift low/average potential areas through amelioration

• Feed average/better areas to your WUE limits

Days 1-3 Days 7-9 Days 13-15

Total residency
 The humble earthworm

• Casting have higher nutrients than

surrounding soil.

• Multiply beneficial bacteria in their

guts and distribute throughout the
soil.

• Symbiotic relationships with

mycorrhiza, a fungal extension of
the plant’s roots.

Slide courtesy Quenten Knight

 Effects of soil compaction on Earthworm counts
Compaction Treatment Earthworms (# per hectare)
No Compaction 410,000
Annual compaction of wet soil @ 10-ton axle load 20,000

Radford, Wilson-Rummenie, Simpson, Bell,

Ferguson 2001 “compacted soil effects soil
macrofauna populations in a semi-arid
environment in central Queensland.

Slide courtesy Quenten Knight

Slide courtesy Quenten Knight
 Where is the N going?

Data courtesy Jeff Tuhlberg

 Livestock in CTF systems

• Shallow compaction from hooves

– can be rectified with a knifepoint

– incorporates weed seeds

• Keep sheep off weedy paddocks, chaff dumps at end of runlines

– closes surface pores on heavier soils

• Graze lightly and keep sheep off heavy country, especially when wet
 Livestock in CTF systems

• Logistics

– Put a lot of thought into design

– Be prepared for sheep-work on a bike or side x side with good suspension

– Get a good dog and train it well

 Resources
• http://www.giwa.org.au/2017researchupdates
– Controlled Traffic Farming in Practice – Bindi Isbister

• NACC_Controlled_Traffic_Farming_Technical_Manual.pdf

• 22 questions you may ask about CTF in WA v 5

• https://grdc.com.au/ctf-case-studies-wa

• https://www.actfa.net/

• https://www.spaa.com.au/pdf/519_CTF_Profiles_LR.pdf
Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC)
A Level 4, East Building, 4 National Circuit, Barton, ACT 2600 Australia
P PO Box 5367 Kingston, ACT 2604 Australia
T +61 2 6166 4500
F +61 2 6166 4599
www.grdc.com.au

@thegrdc @GRDCWest #GRDCUpdates