VLPA Update (Issue 56)

PETER MCCLUSKY provides an update on the Victoria Limestone Producers Association.

A successful Terang Field Day – Reducing Soil Acidity via Liming. The Commonwealth’s Caring for Our Country program is continuing to provide funding for soil health extension programs involving use of lime to combat acidic soils. VLPA has been involved with several Catchment Management Authorities, Southern Farming Systems, Perennial Pasture Systems and West Vic Dairy in delivering seminars and field days under the program on this important topic.

The latest event was a field day at Terang organised by Jeff Lawes of West Vic Dairy, the dairy industry funded research and the training body based at Terang. The role of the VLPA and the Code of Conduct were explained by Peter McCluskey and participants were provided with a VLPA membership contact listing. A report on the Terang field day follows.

Dairy farmers have been advised to use lime to neutralise soil acidity caused by the removal of milk and other products from the farm or face a major impact on their production. A farm producing six million litres of milk per year will have to replace the equivalent of 24 tonnes of lime (calcium carbonate) that is exported off the farm in milk. Most agricultural products are slightly alkaline so their removal from a paddock or farm leaves the soil slightly more acidic. Lime is used to treat acidic soils as the carbonate component in the lime neutralises acidity.

A ‘Reducing Soil Acidity through Liming and Nutrient Best Practice’ field day at Bryan and Jo Dickson’s farm near Terang on the 5th April 2011 was told that the replacement process was integral to maintaining healthy soils and maintaining good pastures. Department of Primary Industries Soil Health project officer from Geelong, Tim Johnston, said farmers needed to regularly test and monitor to protect against the dangers of acidic soils, and should apply lime at suitable levels to ensure best possible growth.

Mr Johnston said that for every 1000 litres of milk that leaves the property, the equivalent of about four kilograms of lime (100% calcium carbonate) is also removed. He said the Dickson farm, with an annual production of just over six million litres, would lose about 24 tonnes of calcium or lime equivalents every year. “To maintain the correct balance a farm of this size would need to consider applying about two and a half tonnes of lime per hectare every 10 years, depending on the quality of the lime,” he said.

A one-metre deep soil pit was excavated for the field day to illustrate to nearly 50 farmers, students and service providers the different colour and composition of soil at various depths. DPI officers explained the soil testing process and the ribbon technique to identify soil texture. A number of lime samples were also on display.

A pleasing aspect of the day was the degree of interest shown particularly by the Glenormiston agricultural students (the upcoming farming generation) who seeing the cross section of farmers and agribusiness practitioners present could sense that this is a serious topic and not just another compulsory academic class session.

ACT AND REGULATIONS REVIEW

The review of the mining and quarrying Act and associated regulations is continuing. DPI is conducting a survey of companies experiences with community consultation associated with expansion or new operations. Should members wish to record any negative or positive experiences in this area, please contact VLPA during May 2011.

MURRAY-DARLING BASIN PLAN

The draft plan as it currently stands gives priority to environmental flows ahead of economic and social needs. Two Federal Parliamentary Committees are conducting Inquiries into the Water Act and its impact on the Basin plan.

Essentially the Act needs changing to give at least equal weight to economic needs. The Murray-Darling Basin stretches from Queensland well into northern Victoria where there is considerable acidic soils as identified by CSIRO.

VLPA, along with NAA, has made recent submissions to the Senate Committee instituted by Senator Barnaby Joyce and to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Australia chaired by Tony Windsor MHR. The thrust of the submissions was to emphasise the importance of not jeopardising the productivity of the region which represents in the order of 30% of Australia’s food production and is an important user of agricultural lime to improve and maintain productivity.

For further information contact Peter McCluskey 0408 496 588

You must be logged in to post a comment Login