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Diversity and Evolution of Rainfed Farming Systems in Southern Australia

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Rainfed Farming Systems

Abstract

Rainfed farming systems in southern Australia have changed during recent decades from a traditional mixed crop–livestock system towards more intensive cropping. New technologies and greater economies of scale have increased productivity and have been accompanied by the adoption of more environmentally sustainable land management systems. Despite intensification of cropping, medium-term farm business profits vary less with the proportion of the area cropped than with the management skill of individual farmers. Many consultants believe that trends toward higher cropping intensity on mixed farms may have weakened recently as a result of prolonged drought, herbicide-resistant weeds, higher crop input costs, and higher prices for livestock products. These adjustments demonstrate the benefits of the reversible integration of mixed crop–livestock systems. Optimism for the future of broadacre farming, re-ignited in 2008 by high world grain prices and increasing demand for meat, is tempered by concerns over rising energy and input costs, the possible impacts of climate change, and slowing productivity trends. Case studies in this chapter illustrate the development of mixed farming systems in contrasting regions: (1) the equiseasonal rainfall area of southern New South Wales with clay loam soils, and (2) the winter-dominant rainfall area of the northern sand plain of Western Australia.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    See Glossary.

  2. 2.

    See Glossary for botanical names of crops.

  3. 3.

    See Glossary for explanation.

  4. 4.

    See also Chap. 12.

  5. 5.

    See Glossary.

  6. 6.

    See http://www.csiro.au/org/OilseedsLegumesOverview.html

  7. 7.

    http://www.csiro.au/science/ps108.html,http://www.wool.com.au/Pastures/Pasture_selection_and_plant_breeding/page__2021.aspx

  8. 8.

    See Glossary for explanation.

  9. 9.

    Gaeumannomyces graminis.

  10. 10.

    See Glossary for botanical name.

  11. 11.

    See Glossary.

  12. 12.

    See Glossary.

  13. 13.

    Dry Sheep Equivalent – see Glossary for explanation.

  14. 14.

    This chapter uses the Australian Soil Classification see http://www.clw.csiro.au/aclep/asc_re_on_line/soilhome.htm.

  15. 15.

    See Glossary for botanical names.

  16. 16.

    This chapter uses the Australian Soil Classification (Isbell 2002) or http://www.clw.csiro.au/aclep/asc_re_on_line/soilbgro.htm.

  17. 17.

    See Glossary.

  18. 18.

    Note that this location has significant summer rainfall. Moisture in the soil at planting needs to be taken into account in the calculation.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge contributions from agricultural consultants (Tim Condon, John Francis, Ed Hunt, Bill Long, Allan Mayfield, Matt McCallum, David Sackett, John Sykes, Alan Umbers, Geoff Wray) and growers (Ian Blayney, Bernard Hart, Warwick and Di Holding, Brian and Tracey McAlpine) for providing data, experience and useful discussions for this Chapter.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CSIRO Plant Industry, 1600, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia

    John A. Kirkegaard, Mark B. Peoples & John F. Angus

  2. University of Adelaide, Waite Campus, PMB 1, Glen Osmond, SA, 5064, Australia

    Murray J. Unkovich

Authors
  1. John A. Kirkegaard
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  2. Mark B. Peoples
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  3. John F. Angus
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  4. Murray J. Unkovich
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to John A. Kirkegaard .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Gawler, South Australia, Australia

    Philip Tow

  2. Alexander Avenue, Bibaringa, 5118, South Australia, Australia

    Ian Cooper

  3. Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia

    Ian Partridge

  4. Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Rese, Leader, Vegetable Centre, Burnie, 7320, Tasmania, Australia

    Colin Birch

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Kirkegaard, J.A., Peoples, M.B., Angus, J.F., Unkovich, M.J. (2011). Diversity and Evolution of Rainfed Farming Systems in Southern Australia. In: Tow, P., Cooper, I., Partridge, I., Birch, C. (eds) Rainfed Farming Systems. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-9132-2_26

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