SOILS AND VEGETATION

PRIORITY LS3

Soils at risk from nutrient imbalance and acidity

Nutrient imbalances and acidity are an ongoing concern for farm productivity and environmental outcomes across the region. Unmeasured and unmanaged soil pH will lead to suboptimal plant growth and potential animal health issues as nutrients and trace elements may be either unavailable for plant uptake or available in toxic quantities. Many soil types of the region are naturally acidic, which is further acidified over time through moderate to high levels of precipitation which leach basic cations from the soil profile. Inadequate nutrient levels lead to crops failing to achieve optimal yield quality attributes, while excessive levels (particularly nitrate and phosphate) may exacerbate existing soil acidity and lead to adverse off-site impacts.

Awareness and adoption of pasture management practices that maintain a stable pH, such as appropriate fertiliser and lime application, are essential to maintaining the productivity and health of northern Tasmanian soils.

outcome

By 2030, 30% of land managers in the region with permanent pasture systems have adopted management practices to manage soil acidity and fertility.

threats

Local threats that can be addressed by NRM actions:

  • Loss of natural capital
  • Loss of production
  • Reduction in economically viable enterprises in the region
  • Off-farm impacts such as water quality reduction caused by poor nutrient management.

Actions

LS3.a

Encourage the adoption of practices under grazing systems to address soil acidity and nutrient imbalance to improve pasture quality, persistence and productivity.

Encourage the adoption of practices under cropping systems to address soil acidity and nutrient imbalance to improve soil health and productivity.

implementation

Investment Opportunity

  • Australian Government
  • Tasmanian Government
  • Regional or Local
  • Private or philanthropic

  • Information gathering activities including a foundational spatial review of properties in areas with permanent pasture systems.
  • On-ground works including trials, demonstrations, and one-to-one advice on BMP for different production systems.
  • Behaviour-change and capacity-building activities such as BMP education and support,
    PMP facilitation, extension to landholders.

Landholders; industry bodies; agri-service providers; processors; State and Australian Government; research institutes.

Engagement with landholders including through the development of extension and education materials and website resources; field days and public events; on-farm customised support.