AgMemo Central Agricultural Region

Worm and flystrike risk increases following warm wet conditions

DAFWA has reminded sheep producers to consider the impact of recent summer rainfall on livestock husbandry requirements.
DAFWA has reminded sheep producers to consider the impact of recent summer rainfall on livestock husbandry requirements.

Recent widespread unseasonal rainfall has increased the risks of flystrike and worms to sheep flocks across the agricultural region.

The Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA) has urged sheep producers to take action now to protect their livestock and to prevent these risks from becoming exacerbated in coming months.

Worms

In normal summer with hot and dry weather the vast majority of scour worm eggs in sheep faeces die quickly, and never reach the larval stage that can infect sheep.

Normally, ‘scour worms’ (i.e. other than Barber’s pole worm) are not a significant risk during summer provided weaned lambs and hoggets were given an effective drench (i.e. drench with greater than 98% efficacy) last December.

Adult ewes in good body condition can tolerate small worm burdens, so can be left undrenched until late March or early April (“autumn drenching”).

This scenario has now changed with the widespread heavy rainfall during February in many agricultural districts.

However, if hot, dry conditions have subsequently occurred on your property there is no change to this advice.

The longer green pasture and mild temperatures remains, the higher the rate of survival of worm larvae in faeces being deposited on the ground now.

Consequently, the winter worm population will start from a higher base in the coming early winter period.

A short period of germinating pasture does not immediately cause an increase in scour worms in sheep.

However, if ewes had not been drenched before summer then it is recommended to drench all your sheep now rather than wait until late March or early April.

One way to assess the situation particularly if ewes were given a summer drench is to get a worm egg count done.

Using an effective ‘autumn’ drench (i.e. drench with greater than 98% efficacy) is essential otherwise future winter worm problems will be costly.

Re-check your ewes four weeks before the commencement of lambing by getting a worm egg count done.

Ineffective worm control now in your ewes will lead to reduced growth rates in your lambs this coming winter. 

If Barber’s Pole worm is present in your flock and green pastures persist or sheep graze perennial pastures then an outbreak may occur within 5 weeks post rainfall.

However, it is difficult to predict whether Barber’s Pole worm will be a problem even in high risk coastal areas without getting a worm egg count. 

Making use of tools like worm egg counts (taken at the right time), getting timely advice from consultants with knowledge of worm control or seeking information from Worm Boss will be good investments this year.    

Flystrike

The risk of flystrike has also increased.

Flystrike is usually a spring problem, which producers are used to managing, however much of the state’s sheep flock is now at increased risk of strike.

The recent heavy rains, followed by a return to warm weather have created perfect conditions for flystrike.

Predicting a producer’s risk of flystrike will depend on environmental conditions as well as how susceptible their sheep are.

The most susceptible sheep are highly wrinkled Merinos and flocks which have long wool and are uncrutched/unshorn over high risk times.

Crutching is usually a spring activity so many flocks will be at increased risk at the moment.

We also expect to see an uptick in fleece conditions such as fleece rot and dermo due to sheep being wet for prolonged periods.

These conditions make sheep more susceptible to flystrike.

Flystrike is a significant welfare issue, sheep at risk should be checked daily and strategic treatments such as crutching and strategic chemical controls used to manage the risk.

The key signs to look for include sheep that are on their own, possibly not grazing; dark stains on the wool, especially on the shoulders, back or crutch; tail twitching, rubbing or chewing at the affected part; and an offensive odour when close to the sheep.

When treating individual affected sheep, first clip all the wool from the affected area and extend the clipped area five centimetres or so into surrounding unaffected wool.

Do not rely solely on applying an insecticide powder or liquid without first clipping away the wool.

If you plan to use chemical treatments make sure they are registered for flystrike use.

Follow label directions and observe withholding periods for wool and meat as well as the export slaughter interval in order to avoid unacceptable residues.

A flystrike chemical planner is also available, in both a paper version and as an app for IPad or IPhone.

This will help to ensure that correct treatments are applied and withholding periods are observed.

For more see the Flystrike Management Tools webpage.

Information on flystrike control in sheep and lambs can be found at DAFWA’s Managing Flystrike in sheep webpage.

For more information  on flystrike contact Anna Erickson, Veterinary Officer, Narrogin on +61 (0)8  9881 0211

For more information on worms contact Danny Roberts, Veterinary Officer, Albany +61 (0)8 9892 8535.

Control weeds to optimise crop yields

DAFWA senior development officer Jeremy Lemon has warned landholders to control weeds using different strategies for different regions, following recent heavy downpours across the grainbelt.
Control weeds using different strategies for different regions, following recent heavy downpours across the grainbelt.

Landholders who received high rainfall in recent weeks are advised to manage weeds carefully to capture their crop potential this growing season.

Soil water probes and paddock inspections by the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA) have revealed soil water profiles in many areas are as wet as they were during winter last year.

With wet soil and warm temperatures, weeds are expected to be a problem throughout the grainbelt.

The soil water bucket is full in many areas and that sub-soil moisture would help set grain growers up for a good start to the growing season – provided weeds are well managed.

Different weed control strategies will be required for different regions.

In low to medium rainfall areas, summer weeds will reduce soil water and mineralised nitrogen and reduce crop yield potential, if not controlled promptly.

Growers in higher rainfall areas with soils subject to waterlogging should consider leaving weeds to dry the soil, as large weeds can dry soil as effectively as a summer crop.

These paddocks can be left until a minimum of four weeks prior to seeding, before applying herbicide.

If specific weeds like melons will cause too much problem if left unchecked, consider selective weed control to leave less troublesome weeds to dry the soil.

Growers should be mindful that delayed control means weeds will be larger and harder to control and may support soil pests, such as root lesion nematodes.

The risk of winter waterlogging and the uncertainty of both autumn and winter rainfall make decisions about delaying weed control in high rainfall areas difficult.

Soil water simulations and research measurements show that sandy and loam soils will lose about 20-30 millimetres of moisture during a fallow period prior to sowing, if average rainfall prevails and less, if there is further rainfall before the break of the season.

Subsoil constraints would also influence soil water availability to the crop.

Soil water deeper than 30 centimetres is largely protected from evaporation loss.

Subsoil constraints, however, will prevent the effective use of this water, such as salinity, soil acidity and compaction.

Landholders should monitor their paddocks for weeds and the risk of crop pests and diseases, if leaving weeds to dry the soil.

More soil water management advice is available on the Summer Weeds page of the DAFWA website.

For more information contact Jeremy Lemon, Senior Development Officer, Albany on +61 (0)8 9892 8413.

Deep ripping in wet soils

An example of the ideal V shape produced from deep ripping sandy loam soils. DAFWA warns if a Y shape is formed, soils are still too wet to renovate, which could result in yield penalties.
An example of the ideal V shape produced from deep ripping sandy loam soils. DAFWA warns if a Y shape is formed, soils are still too wet to renovate, which could result in yield penalties.

Grain growers looking to take advantage of recent rainfall and start deep ripping paddocks are being warned their soils may still be too wet and they may do more harm than good.

Examine soils throughout paddocks thoroughly, before dragging the deep ripper across the whole program.

If the soil profile is too wet, machinery tines would move through the soil ‘like a knife through butter’, producing no soil renovation benefit.

The soil is not going to lift and shatter properly to loosen the whole soil profile, and is more likely to smear instead.

If deep ripping isn’t done properly, it is a waste of time and money. 

It can also have a negative effect on crop yields as there is the potential to compact the soil during the ripping process, reducing root growth and access to soil moisture during the season.

Deep ripping the top 35-50 centimetres of topsoil is typically undertaken to loosen hard layers of loamy sands to allow plant roots to access subsoil moisture, resulting in yield benefits that can last longer than two seasons, particularly when used in conjunction with controlled traffic farming.

There is a simple way to evaluate whether soils were still too wet for deep ripping.

Sample the soil at the depth to be ripped, and roll a handful of soil into a three millimetre diameter thin sausage to test the cohesion of the soil.

If you can roll the soil into a thin sausage and it maintains its shape, the clay-held moisture in the soil indicates it is too wet to rip.

Soils in this state will smear along the ripping line, making a hostile zone for root growth.

Another option is to rip a strip of a paddock and dig a hole behind the furrow rip to examine the breakout profile of the soil

The required shape is a V from the bottom to top of the ripping tine.

If the hole takes a Y shape, the soil is shattering from further up the tine and not the point. This creates horizontal compaction on the sides of the tine, damaging the soil profile and making it hard for roots to get through that lower section of the soil.

The department will continue its research on deep ripping this year, including examining different ripper set ups at the Mullewa Dryland Farmers’ Initiative field day on 23 March.

More information on the department’s deep ripping research is available on the Deep Ripping Soil Compaction

For more information contact Wayne Parker, Research Officer, Geraldton on +61(0)8 9956 8511.

Biosecurity alert: new emergency plant pest detected in Western Australia

Psyllid under leaf
Psyllid under leaf

The Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA) is working with the WA horticulture industry to respond to the detection of tomato potato psyllid (Bactericera cockerelli), an exotic plant pest.

This is the first time the psyllid has been detected in Australia.

Tomato potato psyllid attacks a range of plants including potato, tomato, eggplant, capsicum, chilli, tamarillo, cape gooseberry, goji berry, along with sweet potato.

The weeds nightshade, groundcherry, African boxthorn, kangaroo apple and field bindweed are also hosts of the pest.

The tomato potato psyllid poses a significant threat to production and can impact market access.

To date, the psyllid has been confirmed on more than 50 properties across the Perth metropolitan area including commercial and residential properties, and retail outlets, and in a small number of regional areas.

A Quarantine Area Notice is in place for the Perth metropolitan area, as well as the shires of Murray, Chittering and Gingin, to help prevent the spread of tomato potato psyllid to other parts of the state.

Vegetable growers – check and report, even if you don’t find anything

Commercial vegetable producers, particularly in regional areas, are urged to check for signs of the tomato potato psyllid and report via MyPestGuide Reporter app, email or phone.

The free MyPestGuide Reporter app is available from the Google Play or the App Store. Alternatively, you can email photos with your name, address and mobile number to info@agric.wa.gov.au, or call the Pest and Disease Information Service on 1800 084 881.

It’s important to report even if you don’t find any signs of the psyllid. These reports are essential to help determine the spread of the pest.

About the tomato potato psyllid and what to look for

The tomato potato psyllid is a tiny sap-sucking insect with three stages of development – egg, nymph and adult. Adults and nymphs of tomato potato psyllid cause injury to plants by feeding with sucking mouth parts.

Size of Bactericera cockerelli in relation to a 5 cent piece
Size of Bactericera cockerelli in relation to a 5 cent piece

Look for the insect in all its life stages on the underside of leaves.

Signs of tomato potato psyllid include:

  • Insects jumping from the foliage when disturbed.
  • White sugar-like granules which coat the plant leaves and stems, and can lead to the development of sooty mould.
  • Yellowing of leaf margins and upward curling of the leaves.
  • Severe wilting of plants caused by high numbers of psyllids feeding.
  • Shortening of stem internodes.
  • Stem death similar to other potato and tomato disorders.

Response activities

The department is progressing with targeted surveillance in regional areas as a priority.

Department officers have inspected more than 300 properties, and installed more than 1500 ‘sticky traps’ across the state since surveillance activities commenced.

Image of ‘sticky trap’
Image of ‘sticky trap’

Grower information sessions continue to be held in conjunction with vegetablesWA, Potato Growers Association of WA and AUSVEG.

A Quarantine Area Notice is in place for the Perth metropolitan area, as well as the shires of Murray, Chittering and Gingin, to help prevent the spread of tomato potato psyllid to other parts of the state.

More information about the Quarantine Area Notice is available from the Tomato and Potato Psyllid (TPP) webpage on the DAFWA website.

Specialists from AUSVEG, Plant Health Australia and New Zealand are engaged in this response.

Industry Updates are being provided as new information becomes available. The most recent Industry Update is available at the TPP webpage.  

Biosecurity reminder for growers

Practice sound crop hygiene/biosecurity practices to prevent the entry, establishment and spread of pests and diseases.

Proper signage to restrict entry, routine surveillance for pests, on-farm clean down facilities, and action plan and checklist are all part of a farm biosecurity regime.

Management of any host weeds such as nightshade, groundcherry, matrimony vine, and field bindweed should also be considered.

More information on biosecurity is available at the Farm Biosecurity website.

Additional resources include the AUSVEG Farm Biosecurity Plan.

Further information

More information, including how to look for and report the pest, Industry Updates and details on the Quarantine Area Notice, is available on the TPP webpage at www.agric.wa.gov.au/tpp

Tomato potato psyllid is an emergency plant pest and the department is working with industry as a priority to minimise the impact of this pest incursion.

Industry contacts for growers

VegetablesWA

Phone: 08 9481 0834

Email: office@vegetableswa.com.au

Potato Growers Association of WA

Phone: (08) 9481 0834

Email: potatoes@vegetableswa.com.au

Nursery and Garden Industry Western Australia

Matthew Lunn, Chief Executive Officer

Phone: 0410 714 207

Email: matthew@ngiwa.com.au

Department of Agriculture and Food, WA

Rohan Prince, Industry Liaison

Phone: 0429 680 069

Email: rohan.prince@agric.wa.gov.au

Pest and Disease Information Service

Phone: 1800 084 881

Email: info@agric.wa.gov.au

Keep an eye on sheep condition following rainfall

Keep an eye on sheep feed and condition following recent rains

Sheep producers whose properties have received unseasonably high rainfall in recent weeks should adjust their management programs to protect their stock from nutrition losses and toxic weeds.

Growers who have sheep grazing on stubbles should monitor the condition score of their sheep and adjust their supplementary feeding regimes accordingly.

It is important that sheep producers who intend to join their ewes and rams in coming weeks, ensure the ewes are in at least condition score three to optimise conception rates.

While the rains will stimulate germination from spilt grain from stubbles, the summer volunteer plants may not provide adequate nutrition and should not be relied on for total energy requirements.

Producers will need to do a feed budget to ensure they don’t have an energy deficit and to integrate supplementary feeding, as required.

The rain may also create problems with the germination of toxic weeds.

Producers should be aware of the risk of sheep poisoning from stock consuming toxic weeds, like caltrop and Gastrolobiums.

Monitoring at-risk paddocks will be essential, as is the prompt removal of any suspect weeds or moving stock to alternative paddocks.

Sheep grazing on lupin stubbles may be affected by lupinosis.

In early stages sick sheep separate from the mob and cease grazing.

On close inspection you may observe jaundice (yellowing of gums and eyes), swelling of the face and ears and perhaps skin peeling.

If lupinosis is suspected move sheep immediately off lupin stubbles.

If ARGT or lupinosis is suspected, or other cause of deaths or illness in your stock, contact your nearest private or DAFWA veterinary officer to investigate and advise.

More information can be found on the following pages of the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA) website.

Supplementary feeding and feed budgeting
Conditions scoring
Annual Ryegrass Toxicity in Livestock
Lupinosis in sheep

For more information contact John Paul Collins, Research Officer, Katanning on +61 (0)8 9821 3249.

Be prepared for pest and disease threat to grain crops

Barley yellow dwarf virus infection of wheat
pest and disease risks may be greater in 2017

Grain growers have been urged to adopt the Scouting Movement’s motto and ‘be prepared’ for the risk of a big year of crop pests and diseases.

Widespread rainfall throughout the grainbelt followed by warm weather has generated weeds and self-sown volunteer plants, which – if left uncontrolled – could create a ‘green bridge’ to harbour pests and diseases.

Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA) research officer Geoff Thomas said while it was too early in the season to determine how severe the risk could be, it was better to prepare for the threat.

The greatest risk to grain crops was if the green bridge survives through autumn and is still present as new crops emerge.

Many growers have already been busy spraying weeds to preserve soil moisture and nitrogen levels in their paddocks, reducing the risk of the green bridge.

Recent hot weather could also help reduce survival of regrowth and disease inoculum, however, if there is further significant rainfall before the start of the cropping season, they could build up again.

Given the risk, it would be wise for growers to factor the cost of pest and disease mitigation into their cropping budget.

There was an elevated risk of cereal rusts carrying over into crops this year, particularly barley leaf rust, which was widespread last year.

A green bridge could encourage early build-up of insect vectors of viruses, which could lead to early infections of Beet western yellow virus in canola and barley yellow dwarf virus and wheat streak mosaic virus in cereals.

Growers are encouraged to control weeds and volunteer regrowth in paddocks and in other non-cropping areas three to four weeks prior to sowing.

It is important to control the green vegetation along fencelines and road verges, especially those next to potential cropping paddocks.

Greenery around tanks, sheds and troughs also pose a green bridge risk to nearby crops and should be sprayed out.

Mr Thomas said variety selection and crop monitoring would be crucial this year to optimise yield potential.

Crop Variety Guides are available for all grains on the department’s website, which document the disease susceptibility for each variety.

Growers considering sowing early, due to good sub-soil moisture levels, are reminded to monitor crops for disease as the season progresses, as early sown plants often have greatest exposure to green bridge inoculum.

These early sown plants will also have greater chance of their crop canopy and crucial grain filling period being exposed to weather conditions favourable for disease.

Growers should plan pest and disease mitigation measures to save time and money and reduce problems as the season unfolds.

It is worth budgeting for seed dressing, in-furrow or foliar fungicides and insecticides to avoid getting caught out if there is a problem.

If the risk doesn’t eventuate, then this expenditure can be saved.

The department will undertake pest and disease surveillance throughout the Grainbelt during autumn and into the growing season, as well as wide-ranging research to further understand and mitigate these constraints on production.

Growers can keep up to date with the latest information and advice regarding pests and diseases during the growing season by subscribing to the department’s free PestFax newsletter.

Reports of pests and diseases can be made via the department’s free MyPestGuide Reporter, Pestfax Map and MyCrop suite of apps.

For more information contact Geoff Thomas, Research Officer, South Perth on +61 (0)8 9368 3262.

Using remote cameras to monitor water

: A remote camera mounted on a star picket facing a water trough
A remote camera can save you time and money.

On properties where sheep access water using troughs, checking the troughs during summer – autumn can be a time-consuming process.

There is also a cost associated with fuel, wear and tear on vehicles and labour used in checking troughs not being available for other farm improvement tasks.

The labour cost is often the most significant if it means other things can be missed on farm and staff can’t go away from the farm for more than a couple of days at a time.

Remote monitoring cameras

Where sheep are being run over multiple properties which are a significant distance from the home base, remote monitoring cameras on water troughs are a handy tool.

Using the mobile phone network, remote cameras allow the user to remotely monitor a number of troughs using an app on their device by logging in with a secure username and password.

The cameras can be set to take regular photos on a schedule.

If mobile reception is not available then a satellite phone connection is possible.

Remote cameras with a solar panel and aerial can be purchased for around $1500 each.

They are portable and can be easily shifted around when a mob is moved to another paddock.

The economics

DAFWA have had a benefit-cost analysis done on a sheep enterprise near Eneabba.

Over a ten year period, a system comprising 15 remote cameras cost $22,500 but saved the farmer $21,400 every year in labour and vehicle costs.

This saving was the result of not having to do a 300 – 400km round trip every three days during summer.

The benefit-cost ratio for the cameras was 5.3, so for every dollar invested in remote cameras, there was a saving of $5.30.

The payback period for the investment is 2 years.

One of the factors determining the profitability of the investment is the distance travelled.

There is a break even in the investment (benefit-cost ratio of 1) when 5km is travelled.

So investment in remote cameras can still be profitable where distances of 5km or more are travelled when inspecting troughs.

A key benefit of the remote cameras which is not captured by the economic analysis is the ‘peace of mind’ when away from the farm and better time management when home on the farm.

Further information

New on – farm technology to improve labour efficiency is a focus in the Sheep Industry Business Innovation (SIBI) project.

We will be producing a series of case studies on specific tools to improve labour efficiency.

A short video on the remote cameras is available on the DAFWA Youtube channel.

The economic analysis and feature article on the case study is available on the SIBI new on-farm technology webpage.

For more information contact John Paul Collins, Research Officer, Katanning on +61 (0)8 9821 3249.

Flood assistance available to primary producers

Financial assistance has been made available to primary producers affected by recent flooding.
Financial assistance has been made available to primary producers affected by recent flooding.

Widespread rainfall across Western Australia has caused damage to agricultural land and infrastructure.

Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia staff have concluded work in the Ravensthorpe and Lake Grace areas, where they conducted site visits focussing on Flood Impact Assessment. Staff targeted particular properties, across different soil types and landscapes, for their site visits.

The information collected is integral to the State Government decision making processes for Western Australia Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (WANDRRA).

DAFWA have been in contact with growers in affected areas through surveys, direct contact and events and will continue to work with local government, regional NRM groups and other government departments to provide support to affected landholders.

The Flooding in Western Australia (January and February 2017) has been proclaimed an eligible disaster under the WANDRRA, jointly funded by the State and Australian governments, and Category A and B are already available to primary producers.

The proclamation currently covers 91 local government areas, from the Kimberley to the South Coast, enabling primary producers to apply for:

  • reimbursement of up to 50 per cent for freight costs associated with transporting livestock, fodder or building or fencing equipment or machinery;
  • reimbursement for costs of materials only to repair or replace boundary fencing damaged or lost where it adjoins a major road or rail corridor and where roaming livestock may present a danger to the travelling public;
  • grants of up to $1500 to provide professional advice related to the disaster, such as financial, agronomic and animal husbandry issues;
  • interest rate subsidy on a new loan to repair or replace assets lost or damaged, or to replace livestock lost in the disaster.

Assistance is not provided as compensation for general damage or losses sustained, or as a disincentive to obtaining commercial insurance.

However, landowners whose fencing claim has been rejected by their insurer (i.e. hydrologic determination) may have their claim on boundary fencing considered under the WANDRRA , if all other conditions and or qualifications are met.

For details about WANDRRA assistance for primary producers visit agric.wa.gov.au/wandrra or call DAFWA’s Rural Business Development Unit on 1800 198 231.

Do not self-assess, contact a WANDRRA assessor to talk about your situation.

WANDRRA applications for primary producers must be lodged before 13 August 2017.

Primary producers concerned that they will experience financial hardship as a result of these rainfall events should contact the Rural Financial Counselling Service on freecall 1800 612 004.

The Regional Men’s Health Initiative is available to work with communities and individuals experiencing distress as result of these events by contacting (08) 9690 2277.

Information on flood recovery measures and support is available on the Department of Agriculture and Food website agric.wa.gov.au

 

Waterlogging and salinity risk warning for Grainbelt

Landholders with areas that are susceptible to waterlogging (like this property near Lake King) due to recent rainfall have been warned to take action to mitigate the short and long term impact of salinity.
Landholders with areas that are susceptible to waterlogging (like this property near Lake King) due to recent rainfall have been warned to take action to mitigate the short and long term impact of salinity.

Grain growers with flat country subject to waterlogging and salinity could face potential yield losses this season after widespread summer rainfall.

Growers are advised to soil test at-risk paddocks and adjust cropping programs accordingly.

About one million hectares of arable land in the grainbelt is vulnerable to increased salinity, waterlogging or both after a wet summer.  

Conditions this season could result in significant yield losses of up to 25 per cent in affected paddocks.

Wet seasons are not uncommon, valleys waterlogged in 2000 and 2006 may encounter problems this year, such as boggy soil or poor plant growth.

The water table has become very shallow, bringing salt up into the root zone due to evaporation.

Unless there is sufficient autumn rainfall to flush the salt away from this area, plant growth and yields could be considerably retarded by salinity.

Soil testing would identify the electrical conductivity (EC) level, which would provide consultants and growers with a better understanding of the salinity threshold in the paddock.

It is also important to remember that even if valley floors dry out over coming weeks, the soil profile is full of moisture and won’t take much to saturate again and become waterlogged.

If there was a dry finish to the season, crops could be subject to a ‘double whammy’ salinity impact.

If these conditions eventuate, crops will not only be hit by waterlogging, hindering seed germination and early plant growth, dry conditions will also facilitate the capillary movement of saline water from the water table to the soil surface, which could result in poorly developed root systems and various forms of crop toxicity.

Landholders should tailor short term tactical options and longer term strategic solutions to areas prone to waterlogging.

Firstly, growers need to consider the seasonal outlook and determine whether to sow a crop on susceptible land this season.

If so, crops with greater salt tolerance should be considered, such as barley and canola.

It will be important to retain as much stubble as possible, which can act as a mulch to help reduce the movement of saline water to the soil surface.

Growers are urged to reflect on the movement of water over paddocks in recent weeks and to integrate this knowledge into their long term property management strategy.

This year provides a good opportunity to develop a better understanding of how high rainfall affects growers’ soil resources, especially on slopes, and how water movement is influenced by different tillage systems.

Amelioration options can be planned to alleviate runoff from sloping land to ensure continuity of flow of water across valleys so water is removed after three days, before the more severe waterlogging and salinity issues arise.

If the area is not suitable for cropping, alternative land use options should be considered, such as saltland pastures.

More information can be found on the Dryland Salinity in Western Australia – An introduction. webpage on the DAFWA website

For more information contact Dr Richard George, Research Officer, Bunbury on +61 (0)8 9780 6296.