Phase farming particularly on the Esperance sandplain is becoming more common and is helping farmers retain stock and use the pasture phase to manage problem soils and restore soil fertility affected by frequent cropping. So what pasture species are successful in achieving both a high quality fodder for livestock and also compliment the following cropping phase?

Ryegrass has increasingly become an important pasture option in Esperance as it produces high amounts of quality feed faster, when compared to other pasture options. As it is so successful, the question was raised by a number of SEPWA members, would the new ryegrass hybrid, tetraploid Italian and perennial ryegrasses be suitable to implement in a pasture phase farming rotation?

Project Aim: To monitor and evaluate a new pasture phase as part of a phase farming system for high rainfall sandplain farming.

Project Objectives:

The selection, monitoring and evaluation of long term pastures as part of a 3 year phase farming system on the Esperance sandplain to:

1. Increase ground cover and decrease wind erosion by increasing the length and quality of pastures
2. Reduce herbicide use and the incidence of herbicide resistant weeds in the following cropping phase
3. Improve soil health and nutrition for the following cropping phase
4. Provide increased water use throughout the year compared to annual pastures
5. Provide an economic pasture option

Funding

This is a SCRIPT Activity funded by the National Landcare Program ($321,254) & coordinated by SEPWA.

Overall the project will be run by a joint committee of SEPWA, Esperance Regional Forum (ERF) and Department of Agriculture members. Current members include:

Ben Curtis	DAFWA
Lyndon Mickel	SEPWA
Andrew Fowler	SEPWA
Andrew Heinrich	SEPWA