Recent strong winds and a lack of rain in many parts of the Eyre Peninsula have highlighted the importance of paddock surface cover in reducing the effects of wind erosion.  

Strong winds such as those on Wednesday 25th of June cause exposed lighter soils to drift and sandblast emerging crops.    

Early reports from this event indicate that the extent of erosion and crop damage varied considerably within districts.  Critical factors influencing the extent of damage include; light textured soils, late sowing, minimal stubble cover, timing and amount of rainfall, and cultivation.  

Reports are that earlier sown paddocks were generally less affected by the wind.   Recently cultivated, sandy paddocks were not only more affected by these strong winds but will require careful management in order to reduce the risk of significant wind erosion over the next 12 months. 

Some growers are questioning whether or not to resow crops?  Whilst the option of resowing just to get some cover back on a drifted area can be tempting, the risks associated with this course of action are extremely high.  Some important points to consider include;

• Crops that have not yet fully emerged will provide significant cover with adequate moisture.  
• Cereal crops have a main growing tip close to the soil surface and with adequate moisture will often recover from sandblasting.
• Re-cultivating will further expose soils to erosion.  
•  Crop emergence will be much slower in these cooler months.
• If re-establishment is unsuccessful these soils may be exposed for up to 12 months. 

In these instances it may be better to leave drifted areas to regenerate from the seedbank that is there until such time as the risk of further erosion is reduced.  If good rains are received to early spring a cereal with a fibrous root system i.e. cereal rye or barley, sown using narrow points and press wheels, may help to establish some surface cover on bare blowouts.  

On soils with a high erosion risk careful management is required to maintain surface cover levels at levels that reduce the risk of erosion.  Grazing pressure on these paddocks should be monitored; with stock being removed well before critical cover levels (up to 1.5 t/ha on sandy soils) and stubbles should be left standing.  

For further information on land management issues please contact Rural Solutions SA, Port Lincoln on (08) 86883400.

AUTHOR: Brett Masters, Soil and Land Management Consultant, Rural Solutions SA
CONTACT: Brett Masters, Rural Solutions SA Pt Lincoln Office, Telephone 08 8688 3400 or Email masters.brett@saugov.sa.gov.au