Soil Management
Biological Farming
Biological, biodynamic and organic farming
Farm enterprises that use a biological, biodynamic, or organic production system are usually based on the premise that natural or non-manufactured inputs and processes are the most desirable for producing high-quality food products. Each of these systems represents a ‘position’ on a scale between some dependence on manufactured or artificial chemicals and products, to reliance on natural additives only. Grower associations and state agencies can provide advice on organic and other biologically-based production systems, and certification of products so produced is managed by a number of associations.
The relative benefits of these biological or natural systems compared with “conventional” farming systems that rely on manufactured chemicals are often difficult to resolve. Some research shows benefits from biological or organic systems, while other research has showed some significant disadvantages. Often the results depend on which components of the farming system are measured, and there have been few holistic or fully objective comparisons completed. Thus, the decision is more often a philosophical choice made by individual farmers in response to a range of personal values or goals. There is a range of scales at which these types of natural systems are practiced - from home gardening to broad-acre cropping and extensive livestock industries. Hence, the profit motive and the need to ensure that income exceeds costs also vary.
Carbon Farming
Soil organic carbon (SOC) is central to the functioning of many physical, chemical and biological processes in the soil ecosystem. However, a more fundamental understanding of the climatic, soil texture and management factors which influence its storage and persistence in the soil is required to optimise carbon content and storage under different land use systems. The optimal level of SOC required in any particular soil is difficult to quantify because different amounts and types of SOC may be required to support different soil functions. The interest in carbon storage and sequestration in response to greenhouse gas emissions and global warming has focused recent attention on changes in SOC across different regions, climates and management systems.
On-Farm Management
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Pasture Cropping
Pasture cropping describes a technique where crops are sown using zero (preferably) or minimum tillage equipment into living, perennial (usually native) pastures. The grasses remain in place during the cropping season, but their growth is suppressed because they are “out-of-season” (i.e. temperature dormant) and are shaded by the crop. Once the crop dries off and is harvested, the grasses resume growth as temperatures rise.