In the 1950’s & 60’s, government departments recommended people on the land should apply Super phosphate ( Super ) & sow subterranean clover ( sub-clover ) to increase production.
Spectacular results were achieved with farmers experiencing massive production increases.
REMEMBER - these inputs were applied to a naturally balanced, well structured soil
The introduction of artificial Phosphorous and Sulphur was conducive to the rapid growth and spread of the clovers. Through nodulation, legumes (including clovers) fix nitrogren in the soil which in turn feeds the grasses. In theory this appears to be a positive thing. The clovers however became dominant and in many situations the clover comprised between 50 and 90% of the pasture species in a given area. Clovers were supplying more Nitrogen than the few grass plants could utilize. Nitrogen produced by the legumes is in the form of a nitrate (available to plants), but this transformed into nitrite (not avaiable to plants), which is the spark that ignites the acidification process.
Subsequently, excess Nitrites upset the cation [ pronounced cat – as in the animal & iron - as in the metal ] exchange within the soil and created a substantial soil imbalance.
Sustainable Agriculture Systems recommends
" do it once ..... do it well "
Help nature repair the damage so you can grow the species that suits the soil environment , addresses the nutrient requirements for your enterprise, and delivers sustainable long-term benefits. Increasing acidity, rising salt, decreasing production & the creation of unbalanced soil are the result of a lack of understanding of natural processes and the continuation of unsustainable management practices.
Australia loses the equivalent of 40 A.F.L. football fields of farming to salinaity every 24 hours
We have managed farms for more than 20 years, during that time we had the opportunity to witness, experience and implement many management and farming practices. We have seen the impact these have had on the soil, the environment and farm productivity, our concern for the future is genuine.
S.A.S.commenced trials more than 10 years ago and have implemented our own natural Pasture ' System ' on a number of farms over the past 5 years .... [ 4 years of which were drought ].
Results thus far have exceeded our own optimistic expectations.
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