Information
Wambiana Grazing: Soil and nutrient loss, and pasture growth investigations
Level 1 General description
Purpose:
To determine the effects of grazing management on soil and nutrient loss and to calculate pasture utilisation of steer grazing.
Methods (brief)
O’Reagain et al (2008) examined hydrology and soil movement processes under various stocking rates.
Stone et al (2009) used information from the Wambiana grazing trial at Charters Towers to model ‘potential’ pasture growth, and provide estimations of animal intake and pasture utilisation.
Key findings (brief)
O’Reagain et al (2008) found that there was no clear difference in percentage runoff, sediment loss or water quality among treatments. This is likely due to similar ground covers for each treatment. Soil and nutrient loss were relative low across all grazing treatments due to a combination of good cover, low slope and low rainfall intensities. Water quality of runoff was considered moderate across all treatments with relatively low levels of total suspended solids, total N and total P.
Stone et al (2009) utilised both field and simulation data, determining that pasture utilisation increased with higher numbers of steers and during times of drier conditions and low pasture growth. The consumption of standover feed is an issue for pasture sustainability, as it provides a protective groundcover against erosion in early summer storms.
Location
Wambiana, North Queensland Lat S20 34S, Long E146 07E
Related studies
Grazing management Implications on runoff and erosion processes in semi-arid central Queensland (Glentulloch) (Water 2004)
Grazing management Implications on runoff and erosion processes in semi-arid central Queensland (Keilambete) (Water 2004)