Department of Agriculture, South Special BulletinNo. 10.75/1 AgricultureinSouth Australia THE LOWER$OUTH-fl$T

10: 14, I /.

. y, -°- ._ -a--'°. . ,:a. ,_=.e ' - r

Ar'fT > . ti}r 1 ',; ,- s 1+. - . 7 at IL. -:;:,: *; , . .'o -...... t .-\. 3 . t` s. i' . Stalla Struan House, Naracoorte. CoZern&ra

NI year to crops for vegetable oils. Not all soils are Agriculture in suited to the new crops. In future, it can be expec- ted that the more suitable soils will be sown to crops of all kinds, while the poorer soils will be . THE LOWER SOUTH-EAST intensively stocked and grazed.

By P.L. Marrett, District Agronomist, Mount The district Gambier. The State border is the eastern boundary, the sea coast forms the western boundary, and a line drawn north of Frances and Kingston marks the northern boundary. The total area of the three counties, Grey, MacDonnell and Robe, is more than 1.5 million hectares.

The area is well served with air and rail services and has an excellent network of sealed roads.

, There are several extinct volcanoes in County Grey,

t; , . 1, the best known of which are Mount Burr, Mount . ,. sr~ . Gambier and . These extinct vol- - F, >4. u, . canoes, together with other features such as the 4. crater lakes, caves at Tantanoola and Naracoorte, . . ° 4` iá' . and a flourishing pine industry, attract many -w :.j'. ID N- 4 -..^ . . , tourists each year. \, k. -.,,t, t . rriZN The population of slightly less than 50,000 persons Pruning and rod tying time in a Coonawarra vine- lives mainly in the local townships. The largest yard. town is , which has a population of about 20,000. There are several centres that do not qualify as towns, but are focal points for district "':i.r ,r.1iwYM.Ar+A rL activities. Mer-... . . _.'.w. - l ... i, A'. .Í ti+, i 1`. i -e-.. Apart from rainwater catchments at homesteads and sheds, the district is completely dependent on under- ground water. This means that attention must be paid to the maintenance of the quality and quantity of this vital resource.

Two research centres located at Kybybolite and Struan serve the district including the Upper South- East. Department of Agriculture offices are situated at Mount Gambier and Struan. The latter is the South -Eastern Regional Headquarters of the Department of Agriculture.

Sweetcorn is one of the new crops in the South- Ridge systems and drainage East. Yields of 10 to 12 t per ha are common. Several ranges of low hills run in a N.N.W.- S.S.E. direction. Between the ranges there are flats which were drainage lines carrying surplus waternorth- The Lower South -East has gone through several wards before artificial drains were constructed. phases since the late 1940's. First there was the Each range and flat is lower in elevation than its new pasture development stage, followed byfairly eastern neighbour. This feature is important for rapid increases in sheep numbers. As wool prices artificial drainage. eased, there was a decided increase in cattle num- bers. On a dry -sheep equivalent basis cattle now Large volumes of water enter the district each outnumber sheep. year from east of the Naracoorte range andVictor- ian Highlands. The water comes in via Morambro, The district is currently entering a new phase with Naracoorte and Mosquito Creeks. However, natural increases in vine plantings, an increasing interest in drainage to the sea is limited to a few small creeks vegetables, and appreciable areas being sown each and springs. The best known of these is Eight Mile

2 ,_...... :...I.... i á fi, t r_ÿa -.-..-^^ 7",i4 . %._ - y _ GT wf _ . ^ . , ", 1 yr . ;,1i H M)r ,!4,... ' 4 ., t ' 4 U Cc; y1 ...s.,3.,.,...... ". 7. ., p ï ;. -. C ;a ':-.:.ii r , ár.. . ,. l ..áF. i.. 4: . uy' ..sar, . Mount Hope drain north of Hatherleigh. Without Eight Mile Creek. One of thevery few natural drainage much of the South -East wouldnot be drainage outlets to the sea. developed.

,,.J° ash too is being more widely used. Underintensive .- rì' . .,y conditions responses to potashare obtained on all . .,..: soils except the black flats.

ar Water Good supplies of undergroundwater can be -. , obtained from most parts of the district. Excep- tions are in the north western part wheresupplies can be limited. Artesian water occurs in the ;} . western area near Kingston and south to Clay o Wells. Water quality in most of thearea is good.

. oti'o.. a, c r_,-is Act Permits are now required before drillingmay be carried out for irrigation supplies and drainagepur- Naturally occurring sinkholesremove surplus water poses beyond prescribed depths (see Map 1). east of the Naracoorte range.

Where water is needed for stock, domesticand fire fighting purposes, drillingto a depth of 10 m may be carried out without a permit. Further Creek. East of the Naracoorterange "sink- holes" information can be obtained fromthe Department remove some surplus water. In other parts bores of Mines and the Engineering andWater Supply have been used to dispose of surplus water. Department. Fertilisers Animal production With the exception of boron one or more of the In the last decade sheep numbers havedeclined, chemical elements which plants and animals but cattle numbers have almost trebled. require are known to be deficient somewhere in the district. Sheep. Numbers reacheda peak in 1966 -67, following steady annual increases formany years. Because of their naturally poor structure, the Since then, numbers have fallen by 1.3 million. sandy soils need to be artificially supplemented This represents a decline of about 30per cent. The with most elements. The black soils of the flats biggest drop was in County Grey wherenumbers (rendzinas) are in least need of complex fertiliser fell by 700,000. The most likelyreason for the additions. decline was the declining wool priceand good prospects for beef. All soils, including the volcanic soils, which had high phosphorus levels in their virgin state, now In County Grey prime lamb productionfrom cross- need regular dressings of superphosphate. Of bred mothers is the main sheep enterprise,while in importance, especially with the increases insuper- the more northerly parts of the district Merinos phosphate prices, is the need for additional sulphur are more important. Corriedales are also run in the on the acid sands in the higher rainfall areas. Pot- district.

3 Map 1: Defined areas for drilling for water in the South -East.

I I j t I I II I I I 1 _ 1 A J 1 I.1.r-1 Area 11 I I Prescribed depth 25 m Arch MakinMcCallum Area 10 Shaugh Prescribed depth 10 m, t 1 25 m I --t- 10 m I I I Keith I I Senior 1 i Cannawigara I I StirlingPendleton Area 9 I---I------1 Prescribed depth 5 m, I 1 5m

I I W i r rega Tatiara I Willalooka 1 1 I I _ I Duffield !Peacock' 'Parsons I eea mmal I Landseer IMarcollat_ ieeceela I i 10m1 II 5mI J Glen _ _ 1 G r Murrabmna I Roy I Lacepede Previously defined areas I J I Minecrow Ieinnum I ILochaber Area 2, Kingston' Woolumbool I Hynam I . t : I r I 1 Area 3, Mt. 1 CD Benson Bowakal NaracloorteIJessie 1 'Townsend\ Spence lNaracoorte O I Joyce r V manna Area 4 RossI Conmurra 1 Rob 1 Robertson 1 r 5m

Water I I Area 5 House -I-i ray Smith Fox ColesIKillanoola I Revised prescribed depth 5 m L_ _ I Comaum Lake Penolá George' SymonKennonShort I I I I 4Monbull4 Penole Rivoli 2.5 m IMount? Nángwarry I y IMuirheadl RiddochGrey 1 I Area 6 J_ -L.- - Prescribed depth 2.5 m Mayurra, ç nt- I Hind marshYoungMingboo Area 7 . I I Prescribed depth 5 m Benara Blanche1 0 Scale in kilometres 50 Mt. GambierGambier

I 1 ongorong I I 5m I MacDonnell 'Caroline

4 main pig producing area. It appears that pig production is carried out by genuine pig breeders and not by farmers who are forced to change sl -....`±.ÿ_' enterprises because of drought. Mount Gambier is ti. o the pig marketing centre of the district. ! 17S. °° rF Top- dressed pastures !i ^ The area top dressed has increased in the past 10 _. years. However, there were fluctuations during this time brought about by variations inseasons frwr. and product prices. More than half the available pasture area is top dressed annually. Unfortunately, .t' there is no information about the types of pastures. A big proportion would be subterranean clover Part of the new Naracoorte sale yards. Morenew and annual grass based pastures. Pasture improve- complexes like this are needed to handle the high ment, by sowing to perennial species, is a continu- stock numbers in the South -East. ing programme for many farmers. Hay production Beef cattle. Numbers of cattlerose dramatically in the last four years of the decade. In these fouryears The main form of fodder conservation is hay. the numbers more than doubled from 262,000to There are several methods used in making hay. 526,000. This increase broughtmany problems to These include the rectangular bale, the round bale farmers. Watering points, previously adequatefor and the large fodder roll. There is no doubt that sheep, had to be modified. Increasedstorage and the rectangular bale is still the most popular. better troughing had to be provided. Hay making as an enterprise is a valuable industry In the change to beef many farmers had fencing in itself, being worth about $2,000,000 annually. troubles. Electric fences proved to bea great asset The area cut and the amount made has keptpace in making sheep fences cattle- proof. The provision with the increase in animal numbers. of cattle yards were also an importantcost item. The largest area cut for hay is in County Grey The increased cattle numbers put existing selling where there is a heavy concentration of dairy facilities under a great strain. Modificationswere cattle. Yields per hectare are highest in County made to old selling yards anda new complex was Grey. The average yields range from 120 bales ina built in the Naracoorte district. Further buildingof dry year to 200 bales per hectare in good years. new selling yards is likely in the immediate future. Most of the hay is made from clover andgrass Many breeds, new to the area, have been intro- mixtures and lucerne. Cereal hay forms onlya duced, but Herefords, Shorthorns and Aberdeen small percentage of the total hay cut. An interest- Angus are still the most popular breeds. ing feature is that, apart from dairy cattle, the amount of fodder conserved for livestock is barely Dairy cattle. Numbers have droppedby 25 per sufficient for maintenance needs. This indicates cent in the last 10 years. County Grey is the that the farmer relies heavily on the growing dominant dairy district. In thisarea there has been pasture and its residue for meat and wool a fall of about 14 per cent. Retirement, using the production. dairy herd to rear beef vealers,a direct change to beef, and dispersal of the smaller herdsare reasons for the fall. Cereals Wheat, barley and oats are of minor importance Despite the drop in dairy cow numbers, there has compared with the State production. However, not been any significant change in cheese produc- yields per hectare usually compare well with the tion. It has stayed in the range of 6500 to 7000 State average. tonnes. Fluctuations that occur are mainly due to seasonal variations. County MacDonnell is the largest wheat producing County with most of the wheat coming from the Town milk supply is an important and expanding heavy soils near Frances and the Keppoch district. part of the Dairy Industry in the South -East. County Grey is a good barley producingarea with Pigs. Numbers have increased steadily in thepast most of the barley being grown in the Millicent 10 years to more than double. County Grey is the district. Millicent is a very late district. It is not

5 `------A:r Y--r.:1-'"=3°s g- i-'

t° =---*, - LY- '`_+ .±

.. , ^ a ` '... " c' ,°_.. o C '`='4, 'r .fl% e? '.Ló v4,fB1L171f _s,'i. -eS.. + .` c,°' 7?YTki \ L. 'sr' t/; 4.}M .t. Cq, -'` r.a's° , ^r+a»? ç:` `;; ;N ~,^ S.?.- , < _ ._. :'`.... 7 , r. ,, '. . ,, ,,...> .¡ÿ ti,:,;,.. °. .`rd c\ti., .' : - . , C- -' ', ' M "" ^: ".i A°,jr ryry. 'r' 'jg,,.l .;¡J,..+ áv w';;- tli!{161t 4: 1 ' _,.r iOA- á 'i:P,. :'. Good barley crops are grown in the Millicent Good supplies of irrigation water are available in district. This one at Tantanoola yielded 3.9 t per most of the district. It is used for vegetable crops, ha. vines, seed crops, hay production and summer pastures.

unusual for barley to be sown until late September and October in this County.

Most of the oats are grown in Counties MacDonnell and Robe where average yields are good.

Freight out of the district is expensive, and is dearer than from most other centres in the State.

Pasture seed An important pasture seed industry operates in the district. Seed is produced for use and sale within the State, interstate and overseas. Quality standards are high thus ensuring good quality seed for the Sunflowers are a new crop. It is grown for vegetable buyer. oil. Other crops include oilseed rape, linseed and safflower. The pasture seed industry is demanding and is only suitable for the farmer who is prepared to be a specialist. The range of seed crops includes annual medics, annual clovers, perennial legumes, perennial grasses and brassica crops. Vines Although the area is relatively small compared with Horticultural crops the State total, the area under vines, which is Potato and onion crops have been grown for many concentrated in the Coonawarra and Padthaway years. In recent years there has been a trend districts, has rapidly grown. The area has grown towards growing other crops that are new to the from 260 ha to more than 1400 ha during the area. decade and is still increasing. The grapes are used for wine making. Processing peas have been grown for several years and are now an established crop. The returns for this crop can be high and there is the added Vegetable oil crops advantage of a useful stubble for fattening lambs or Sunflower, linseed, oilseed rape and safflower are beef. crops that have been successfully grown. Sunflower does well under irrigation with yields of more than Sweetcorn is another new crop and if well managed 2 t per ha being common. yields of 12 tonnes per hectare are not unusual. , Linseed has been grown on a small scale for many Brassicas (cabbages and cauliflowers), celery and years but it has good potential, especially in Zone carrots grow well and have a big future in the area. 2.

6 _ Oilseed rape has been tried and good yieldshave been obtained. However, thereare problems with this crop and it is declining in popularity.For example aphids can cause damageat flowering 4 ....ti ~ w 411 time and the need to windrow the . ` - crop is possibly .. _. r"4.7. ' the biggest drawback. Thereare not many windrow- "` . ing machines in the district and heavy losses of . .... =`r seed can occur if the crop is not windrowedon time. t: - . Pines ;. ". About 100 000 ha are plantedto pines in Counties ' .'_.°. ° ". 2`?-, Grey and Robe. Most of the pinesare planted on i deep sands in County Grey (Zone 5). Flint stones are a nuisance interra rossa soils south The pine industry is valuable intwo ways. Good of Mount Gambier. The soil is richand grows good use is made of poor land and the industry pastures. directly and indirectly supportsa big percentage of the district population. Farm woodlotscould be used to advantage by many farmers inCounties The rise in cost of superphosphatemeans that Robe and MacDonnell. farmers must paymore attention to the mainten- ance needs of pastures. A fall inpasture production Problems of the district due to phosphate shortage couldbe disastrous. There are several problems that are of interest Soils because they can affect the farmerin various ways. Sand drift is a problem thatneeds to be watched. The main problem Fertilisers area is the coastal sands. Good management is constantly needed. Clearer understanding is neededof the use of copper. Pastures respond to this element whenit is A naturally high salinity level inmany areas must applied for the first time, but theredoes not appear always be kept in mind. Carefulmanagement is to be much response to subsequent dressings.How- needed to maintain a good herbagecover on salty ever, animals also need copper andmany farmers land. provide this by top- dressing pasturesannually with a fertiliser which contains copper. This isnot Although not as greata problem as in drier parts of always effective andmore efficient methods of the State, "water repellence"occurs. It is more supplying copper for livestockare currently being noticeable in the northernpart of the district studied. where annual rainfall is less andtends to become a problem in other parts duringbelow average rainfall years.

Pests (See Table C)

The district probably hasa greater range of pests than elsewhere in the State. Managementpractices can reduce the effects of pests,for example Phalaris pastures are resistantto crickets and the Oncopera grub. --.-.w-~2.,w. ++Kl Rabbits are a nuisance from timeto time, .'3.7""V" ------particularly in Zone 1. - :+», } .,A.x , kr >, - ti Weeds (See Table C) a..- i ti Higher stocking rates onun- improved pastures goes hand in hand with weeds. Thistlesare the worst offenders. Over 100 000 haare planted to pines mainly on the deep sands. Young pines havebeen planted in the Because seed lasts in the ground for foreground while many years, mature pines stand ready for variegated thistles are a bad problem, Hoary- logging in background. cress, a serious perennial weed, is in very small parts of

7 r 11 .

the district. Bladder campion, sown in the early days of settlement as a pasture food, is a nuisance on the volcanic soils near MountGambier. t ' 4 i !. e-t ir kt4`r1 -k v ., r .!!!+á. , é ,r 1:' ' Skeleton weed has been found from time to time, k.If-/ s mainly in Zone 5. It is well under control. . ;_ r- 14. .X. `-; ,t Bracken fern R i.o I',' iYi` . ` t . Bracken occurs naturally on deep sands (Zone 5) ..-:',....1.1,1,,:r041, <,..... and on lighter phases of the red soils (Zone 3). It .-J 2.:r. 1',i qa..,,. , can be a problem to calves and young cattlewith u+;.;*ii,: "...ól 4. l ... °. . high death rates occurring in some years. Bracken infested areas are usually indicators of Bracken fern occurs on the deep sands and some well- drained soils of low fertility. Eradication is terra rossa soils. It is poisonous to young cattle, difficult, but can be achieved by a well planned but can be eradicated by maintaining good programme aimed at establishing a good pasture pastures. containing lucerne. Pines grow well on bracken fern infested soils.

Table A General

Zone Rainfall Soils Water supplies Land value ($ /ha) (see Map 2)

1 North 550 mm Coastal Good From $50 to $60 for coastal South 750 mm Calcareous sands and peats. Bores 3 to 30 m. Some sands to $700 for good peats. artesian water.

2 North 550 mm Grey and black soils Good. Variable quality in the Up to $750 for good peats. South 750 mm associated with flats. Peats. north -west area. Bores 3 to Wide range in flats. $150 20 m. Artesian supplies in north to $400 south. the western section.

3 North 550 mm Shallow red soils over Good. $200 to $400 for grazing land South 800 mm limestone. Bores 10 to 100 m. in north to south. $1,500 to $2,000 for new vine areas. Higher for planted areas.

4 525 mm Soils of heavy texture Good. $250 to $320. (crabholes). Bores 10 to 25 m. Drainage bores deeper.

5 North 500 mm Deep sands Good. $75 to $250. South 800 mm Bores 10 to 100 m.

6 North 500 mm Deep sands. Grey and brown Good. $200 to $500. South 800 mm sandy barnsassociated with Bores 5 to 50 m. gumcountry.

7 North 500 mm Sandy soils associated with Generally good supplies. $100 to $200. South 650 mm flats. Variable quality. Bores 10 to 30 m.

8 750 to 800 mm Volcanic soils Good. $750 to $2,500. Bores 15 to 100 m.

8 ar Table B Type of production

Zone Crops Fertiliser Pasture Fertiliser

1 Barley on better soils. 100 to 125 kg /ha of Lucerne, cocksfoot, After build up of super- Some processing peas on superphosphate with Demeter, fescue, perennial phosphate 100 to 125 kg/ peats. barley. Manganese sprays. and annual ryegrasses. ha. Under high stocking Peas, 180 to 200 kg /ha Subterranean clover in rates, for example dairying plus copper and zinc. less alkaline soils. on peats, 200 kg /ha of Manganese and iron Strawberry and white superphosphate. sprays may be required. clover. Annual medics. Volunteer annual grasses (barley and brome). Veldt grass. Fog grass.

2 Wheat, barley, oats. 100 to 125 kg /ha of Strawberry clover, As above. Processing peas, sweetcorn, superphosphate with Mt. Barker Woogenellup sunflowers, linseed, cereals. Manganese and and Yarloop subterranean oilseed rape, safflower. iron sprays needed on clovers. Perennial and Vegetables on peats: grey soils. Sunflowers, annual ryegrasses. Pasture seeds. oilseed rape, safflower, Demeter fescue, phalaris, linseed, 200 kg /ha of cocksfoot. Annual superphosphate. Sweet medics, barley grass. corn. Artificial nitrogen necessary plus superphos- phate. Processing peas as for cereals plus copper and zinc.

3 Wheat, barley, oats, 100 to 125 kg /ha of Lucerne, cocksfoot. As above. processing peas, sweet- superphosphate for Mt. Barker and Potash needed on inten- corn, sunflowers, linseed, cereals, manganese sprays Woogenellup subterranean sively used areas e.g.irriga- oilseed rape, vines, for linseed. Sunflowers clover. Phalaris, perennial ted lucernehay cutting. pasture seeds. oilseed rape need 200 kg/ and annual rye, demeter ha of superphosphate. fescue, annual medics, Sweetcorn and grass volunteer annual grasses pasture seeds. Artificial barley, brome and fog nitrogen plus "super ". grass. Legume seed crops, super, copper, zinc and molybdenum.

4 Wheat, oats, barley. 100 to 125 kg /ha of Annual phalaris (Canary 100 kg/ha of superphos- superphosphate. grass) phalaris. Annual phate. Manganese sprays may rye. Some subterranean be needed. Zinc with clover. Annual medics. wheat crops. Copper may Suited to Paragosa gama be needed. medic.

5 Not suitable for cropping. Lucerne, cocksfoot, 100 kg /ha of superphos- Some oats. Pine phalaris, annual rye, phate in south. 60 to plantations. subterranean clover. 70 kg /ha in north. 100 kg/ Annual grasses. Veldt ha potash needed for grass. Fog grass. establishment.

6 Wheat, oats, barley, 100 to 125 kg /ha of Mt. Barker, Woogenellup 60 kg /ha of superphos- potatoes, sweetcorn, superphosphate for and Yarloop subterranean phate. Potash on inten- sunflowers, linseed, cereals. Oilseed rape, clover. Phalaris, demeter sivelyused areas. Extra oilseed rape, processing linseed, sunflowers, fescue, perennial and sulphurneeded in wet peas, vegetables, pasture 200 kg per hectare. annual rye. Cocksfoot years. Molybdenum where seeds. Potatoes need heavy rates and lucerne in well drained ironstone "shot" present. of mixes of N.P.K. soils. Barley and brome fertilisers, artificial nitro- grasses. Fog grass. gen needed for sweetcorn and grass seed crops. Super, potash, copper, zinc and molybdenum for peas. 7 Oats, barley (limted). 100 kg /ha of superphos- Lucerne in suitable sites. 100 kg/ha of superphos- phate. Mt. Barker, Yarloop, phate. Woogenellup subterranean clover. Strawberry clover. Phalaris, demeter fescue, annual ryegrass. Barley and brome grasses.

9 Table B Type of production (continued)

Zone Crops Fertiliser Pasture Fertiliser

8 Oats, barley, irrigated 100 to 125 kg /ha of Lucerne, phalaris, cocks - 200 kg /ha of superphos- lucerne for hay, superphosphate for foot, demeter fescue, phate on intensively used vegetables including sweet- cereals, manganese perennial and annual rye. areas. Plus potash 100 to corn, processing peas, spray for cereals. 200 kg/ White and strawberry 125 kg /ha as maintenance onions, brassicas, potatoes, ha of superphosphate clover in irrigation. on intensively used areas. tomatoes, linseed, oilseed rape. Irrigated Mt. Barker, Woogenellup oilseed rape, pine lucerne 350 to 400 kg /ha subterranean clovers, nurseries. of superphosphate plus barley and brome grass. 100 kg /ha potash. Volunteer medics. Vegetables need special mixes of high rates of N.P.K. fertilisers. Trace elements copper, zinc molybdenum.

Table C Problems

Zone Weeds Main insect pests Other problems Special fertilisers

1 Horehound, erodium, Red legged earthmite, Copper and cobalt essential Higher rates copper and capeweed, onion weed, lucerne flea, pasture for animal health. Sand zinc needed for new cape tulip, buchan weed, cockchafer, pink cut- drift on coastal dunes. pastures. Sprays of man- thistles, false caper, worm, snails, barley grub, ganese and iron needed for dock, with swamp nettle rabbits, sitona weevil, crops. on peats climbing cutworm, Williams grass. oncopera all soils (County Grey only).

2 Barley grass, buchan weed, Red legged earthmite, Copper and cobalt essential Manganese and iron sprays thistles, salvation Jane, lucerne flea, pink cutworm, for animal health.- for some crops. dock, erodium, horehound barley grub, snails, Kabatiella (clover wilt on stony rises, Hoary cress, crickets (in some years), disease) in subterranean nut grass, bladder campion. slugs, aphids, sitona clover. weevil.

3 Horehound, onion weed, Red legged earthmite, Copper and cobalt for Manganese sprays for some Capeweed, cape tulip, lucerne flea, pasture stock. crops. buchan weed, thistles, cockchafer, curl grubs, salvation Jane, soursob, philobota, pink cutworm, erodium, sorrel, bracken barley grub, slugs, snails, fern. sitona weevil, aphids.

4 Capeweed, barley grass, Red legged earthmite, Zinc with wheat crops. erodium, thistles, lucerne flea, barley grub, Manganese sprays. Copper salvation Jane, soursob, sitona weevil. may be needed. dock.

5 Capeweed, barley grass, Red - legged earthmite, Copper, zinc, molybdenum erodium, thistles, sorrel, pasture cockchafer, pink and potash for new skeleton weed, bracken cutworm, barley grub, pastures. Lime needed for fern. aphids. pasture establishment.

6 Capeweed, erodium, cape Red legged earthmite, Cobalt for stock. Copper Copper and zinc may be tulip, thistles, dock, lucerne flea, pasture cock- needed to prevent "steely" needed for pastures. salvation Jane, sorrel. chafer, curl grubs, wool. Kabatiella (clover Molybdenum needed. More barley grub, pink cutworm, wilt disease in subterranean acid phases may need sitona weevil. clover). heavy rates of lime.

7 Capeweed, erodium, Red - legged earthmite, Cobalt for stock. Copper Potash on heavily used buchan weed, thistles, lucerne flea, pasture cock- needed to prevent "steely" areas. Molybdenum nece- salvation Jane, dock. chafer, curl grubs, pink wool. Kabatiella (clover ssary. Copper and zinc for cutworm, barley grub. wilt disease in subterreanan pastures. clover).

8 Horehound, onion weed, Red legged earthmite, Manganese sprays for Capeweed, cape tulip, lucerne flea, pasture cock- crops. Molybdenum on erodium, thistles, chafer, curl grubs, Glencoe soils. Potash. salvation Jane, buchan philobota, pink cutworm, Copper. Zinc. weed, soursob, dock, barley grub, sitona bladder campion, sorrel. weevil, slugs.

10 Table D Potential for increased production

Zone Increased production Alternate land use

1 More perennial pastures would enable better stocking Sands. Very little scope. Peat soils limited vegetable grow- rates. Pest control of snails and rabbits in particular. ing.

2 Increase areasownto perennial pastures. Phalaris The deeper phases of this zone are ideally suited to many importantasplanttolerant to crickets. Cropping to crops. Ultimately these soils must be used for high return better use fertility and gain control over insect pests. crops e.g. linseed, peas and oilseed rape. The peats in this Control Kabatiella in subterranean clover sites to zone will become important vegetable growing areas. improve hay yields.

3 Increased dairying. Irrigation for "out of season" Vine growing. Vegetables in better soils. dairying and meat production. Increased lucerne. Small seed production. Potash on intensively used areas. Improved pastures. Artificial breeding to improve dairy herds.

4 Weed control in cereals, could give better yields. Very few alternatives in this zone.

5 Properly managed lucerne pastures. Lucerne seed Very few alternatives in this zone. Farm wood lots are a production in favourable sites and years. Large area definite proposition. already under pine plantations. Lupins on better sites.

6 Improved pastures would improve stocking rates and Small seed production. Good potential for oil crops. provide better seasonal stability. Better irrigation Market gardening. Farm wood lots in suitable sites. methods would improve potato yields. Potash would help pasture production. Dairy enterprises could be improved.

7 Salt tolerant species. Drainage could help some sites. Alternatives are limited. Avoid over grazing of saline sites.

8 Improved pastures. Potash for pasture growth. Dairy Vegetable crops, oilseed crops. Sale of irrigated lucerne enterprises could be improved with artificial breeding. hay.

Table 1 Holdings

1963 -641964 -651965 -66: 1966 -671967 -681968 -691969 -701970 -7119 71- 721972 -73 County Grey Number 1914 1911 1911 1905 1903 1936 1941 1936 1951 1967 Total area Iha) 484 781484 962484 437480 614480 223480 540478 103476 587476 660479 311 Average size 253 254 253 252 252 249 246 246 244 244 County MacDonnell

N umber 552 558 561 556 567 576 572 576 573 575 Total area (ha) 473 677476 362473 071472 385473 326475 769478 487479 441483 655472 504 Average size 858 854 844 857 834 825 837 832 844 822 County Robe

Number 984 979 969 978 992 1009 996 1003 998 989 Total area (ha) 468 072472 013474 422473 523475 670474 327471 197473 354475 800477 670 Average size 486 482 489 484 479 470 473 472 477 483

11 Table 2 - Wheat

1963 -641964 -651965 -661966 -671967 -681968 -691969 -701970 -71 1971-72 1972-73

County Grey

Area(ha) 610 433 302 187 231 897 703 291 110 154 Yield (t) 909.6 690 490.2 546.3 235.91942.37 1304.5 568.1 176.9 413 Average yield It /ha) 1.49 1.59 1.62 2.92 1.02 '2.17 1.86 1.95 1.61 2.68

County MacDonnell

Area (ha) 3963 2628 1910 2167 2120 5440 2917 1386 1538 2248 Yield (t) 5642.8 2363.4 2850.3 4957.7 1666.4 9490 4758.4 2629.9 1899.9 4495

Average yield It /ha) 1.42 0.90 1.49 2.28 0.79 1.74 1.63 1.90 1.24 , 2.00

County Robe

Area that 1797 1843 1066 1199 742 2350 1039 502 . 330 655 Yield (t) 2899.7 1947.6 1301.2 1870.6 424 4305.5 2000 840.3 440.4 1191

Average yield It /ha) 1.61 . 1.06 1.22 1.56 0.57 1.83 1.92 1.67 1.33 1.82

Table 3 Barley

1963 -641964 -65 1965 -66 1966 -671967 -681968 -691969 -70 1970 -711971-72 1972-73

County Grey

Area (ha) 606 881 943 1199 877 2603 2382 1560 2762 862 Yield (t) 1076.1 1718.6 1422.4 2566.1 924.4 5564.7 4632.9 3022.9 2356.1 1630 Average yield (t /hal 1.78 1.95 1.51 2.14 1.05 2.14 1.94 1.94 0.82 1.89

County MacDonnell

Area(ha) 1169 1272 636 812 1598 2734 1491 1578 1354 1336 Yield (t) 1345.3 1321.7 860.7 1226.5 923 2686.4 1487 1745.7 1729.9 1893 Average yield (t /ha) 1.15 1.04 1.35 1.51 0.58 0.98 1.00 1.11 1.28 1.42

County Robe

Area(ha) 1025 769 726 789 989 2269 1711 1124 1011 1357 Yield (t) 755.5 676.6 679.3 1134.1 564.3 2562.3 2372.9 1357.5 1093.9 1593 Average yield (t /hal 0.74 0.88 0.94 1.44 0.57 1.13 1.39 1.21 1.08 1.17

Table 4-Oats

1963 -641964 -651965 -66 1966 -671967 -681968 -691969 -701970 -71 1971 -721972-73

County Grey

Area (sal 487 1040 704 969 815 1942 1076 700 550 394 Yield (t) 697.9 1384.1 757.9 1747.2 564.2 2677.8 1422.5 1103.2 817.8 715 Average yield (t /ha) 1.43 1.33 1.08 1.80 0.69 1.38 1.32 1.58 1.49 1.81

County MacDonnell

Area (ha) 4332 3840 3032 4418 4584 5781 3293 3356 2535 2785 Yield (t) 4594.9 3478.3 3139.4 6946 2463.6 6956.6 3620.4 4381.2 2813.7 3937 Average yield It /ha) 1.06 0.91 1.04 1:57 0.54 1.20 1.10 1.31 1 .1 1 1.41

County Robe

Area (ha) 3397 3226 2884 3618 2739 4988 2861 2545 2145 1959 Yield (t) 3694.4 3491.9 3054.3 6702.9 1706.8 6539.9 3215.4 3414.2 2354.6 2749 Average yield It /ha) 1.09 1.08 1.06 1.85 0.62 1.31 1.12 1.34 1.10 1.40

12 Table 5 - Top dressed pastures

1963 -641964 -65 1965 -66 1966 -671967 -68 1968 -691969 -701970-711971 -721972-73

County Grey

Area (ha) 246 325 262 616265 447 270 862267 035223 664249 756239 441244 187257 511 Superphosphate (t) 36 814 40 050 43 201 45 286 45 635 35 355 38 181 36 074 35 915 37 424 kg /ha 149 152 163 167 171 158 153 151 147 145

County MacDonnell

Area (ha) 154 773 185 615204 486 212 615218 614190 874214 070210 008194 146221 195 Superphosphate (t) 23 282 27 449 30 043 32 153 33 139 28 351 31 705 30 403 29 080 27 599 kg /ha 150 148 147 151 152 149 148 145 150 125

County Robe

Area (ha) 252 568. 272 440288 251285 227 277 360252 403283 505268 527236 004283 444 Superphosphate (t) 37 403 41 439 44 399 46 930 44 150 37 587 42 603 39 428 33 980 39 938 kg /ha 148 152 154 165 159 149 150 147 144 141

Table 6 Sheep and wool

1963 -64 1964 -65 1965 -66 1966-67 1967 -68 1968 -69 1969-70 1970-71 1971 -72 1972-73 County Grey

Sheep 1315 581 1 491 363 1651 302 1668 683 1450 768 1569 468 1435 597 1330 030 1073 756 951 088 Sheep and

lambs shorn 1517 442 1 558 079 1758 879 1844 819 1758 103 1666 953 1726 626 1602 258 1378 106 1130 444 Wool ( kg) 6917 296 7 183 425 8422 675 8579 513 7544 644 8555 777 8767 614 7529 167 6442 631 5365 348 Wool /head (kg) 4.56 4.61 4.79 4.65 4.29 5.13 5.08 4.70 4.67 4.75 County MacDonnell

Sheep 726 093 824 640 907 380 928 906 917 917 979 034 1013 517 1045 192 912 919 810 035 Sheep and lambs shorn 807 983 846 089 992 920 1034 092 1064 253 1032 514 1146 858 1194 743 1153 796 963 632 Wool (kg) 3 829 395 3907 778 4571 959 4829 555 4553 459 5125 769 5647 650 5647 806 5522 049 4591 588 Wool /head (kg) 4.74 4.62 4.60 4.67 4.28 4.96 4.92 4.73 4.79 4.76 County Robe

Sheep 1314 349 1437 870 1593 347 1616 356 1513 804 1632 450 1623 698 1555 569 1357 143 1203 220 Sheep and Iambs shorn 1439 574 1522 214 1 706 187 1781 136 1808 186 1755 281 1891 449 1.805 386 1696913 1438 340 Wool (kg) 6911 191 7166 150 8095 334 8207 845 7781 965 8722 670 9380 648 8 476 122 7922 634 7000 435 Wool /head (kg) 4.80 4.71 4.74 4.61 4.30 4.97 4.96 4.69 4.67 4.87 Average value Cents /greasy/ kg 118.77 96.39 99.49 97.09 79.13 87.91 73.35 57.16 59.44 131.68

13 Table 7 Beef and dairy cattle 1969-70 1970-71 1971-72 1972-73 1963-64 1964-65 1965-66 1966-67 1967-68 -1968-69 . County Grey

211 046 226 209 81 411 82 743 94 928 90 641 85 282 117 949 149032 174 596 Beef 39 696 39 518 46 347 .44 437 45 251 _ 44 023 41 021 Dairy 45 878. 44 931 45 976 193 055 215 617 250 742 265 727 Total 127 289 127 674 140 904 136 988 129 719 163 200 County MacDonnell

42 934 57 229 82 394 109 098 122 075 Beef 22 772 23 221 29 438 28 210 30 439 3288 3337 3222 3208 3326 Dairy 5770 5397 4238 3917 3576 60 566 85 616 112 306 125 401 Total 28 542 28 618 33 676 32 127 34 015 46 222 County Robe

75 415 96 961 125 927 159, 108 178 100 Beef 47 034 48 786 54 251 50 926 51 318 5032 4171 4307 3990 Dairy 9774 8205 7183 6839 5471 5241 182 090 61 434 57 765 56 789 80 656 101 993 130 098 163 415 Total . 46 808 56 991 303 222 382 917 479 252 526 384 Total beef 151 217 154 750 178 617 169 777 167 039 236 298 52 392 48 414 47 211 46 834 Total dairy 61 422 58 533 57 397 57 103 53 484 53 780 355 614 431 331 526 463 573 218 Grand total212 639 213 283 236 014 226 880 220 523 290 078

Table 8 Pigs

1963 -641964 -65 1965-661966-671967 -681968 -691969-701970-711971-72 1972-73

County Grey 7056 9672. 11 067 10,354 13 162 16 311 17. 506 18 974 19 319 19 496 County MacDonnell 1602 2067 2221 2621 3473 3137 3996 3209 4628 4778 4602 County Robe 2271 2852 3024 3048 2223 2815 3158 3185 3629 27 576 28 876 Total 10 929 14 591 16 312 16 023 18 858 22 263 24 660 25 368

Table 9 - Hay production 1971-721972 -73 1963 -641964-651965 -66 1966 -671967 -681968 -691969 -701970-71

County Grey

16 187 19 768 24 463 20 801 Area (ha) 12 096 13 797 11 378 22 298 18 632 25 139 86 689125 769 86 190 Yield (t) 45 318 64 951 47 797114 145 61 739131 217 75 894 4.69 4.49 5.14 4 :14 Average It /ha) 3.75 4.71 4.20 5.12 3.31 5.22 County MacDonnell

4357 6260 8558 9628 Area (ha) 2301 2807 2140 5395 7161 6441 34 786 34 626 Yield (t) 8543 10 993 8157 25 662 20 364 27 120 17 470 25 264 4.01 4.04 4.06 3.60 Average (t /hat 3.71 3.92 3.81 4.76 2.84 4.21 County Robe

7328 10 471 11 624 11 951 Area (ha) 4636 5179 4450 9474 9279 11 387 44 075 54 059 49 403 Yield (tl 16 533 20 348 16 791 43 040 24 352 55 413 33 310 4.55 4.21 4.65 4.13 Average It /hal 3.57 3.93 3.77 4.54 2.62 4.87 All Counties

36 499 44 645 42 380 Area (ha) 19 033 21 787 17 968 37 167 35 072 42 967 27 872 214 614170 219 Yield (t) 70 394 96 292 72 745182 847106 455213 750126 674156 028 4.54 4.27 4.81 4.02 Average (t /ha) 3.70 4.42 4.05 4.92 3.04 4.97

14 Table 10 Rainfall (mm) -73 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 County Grey 09 April November 459 763 18 566 579 280 803 383 615 797 469 Year 603 896 648 694 375 905 533 755 912 565 27 County MacDonnell April -- November 381 718 407 381 236 597 333 541 604 371 Year 505 818 468 519 75 318 688 452 646 719 456 ?6 County Robe )1 April November 471 738 447 435 256 630 341 560 '641 413 Year 621 833 509 562 347 716 478 669 763 495

0 0

0

1

3

15 Map 2: Average annual rainfall isohyets (in millimetres) for all years of records to the end of 1973.

Marcollat

550 500

Keppoc Frances Kingston J

Lucindal 550 . Reedy Creek Naracoorte

600

650

Konetta

650 Periola

Kalangadoo 700 Millicent

Glencoe 760

Mt. Gambier 800

800 Map prepared bythe Bureau of Meteorology 750 SouthAustralianRegionalOffice. Cape Northomberland

16