Soil fertility:
A property can have many different soil types; therefore do not treat the whole property as if it were one paddock. The most common nutrient deficiencies in New South Wales soils are phosphorus, sulphur, potassium, molybdenum and nitrogen.
To determine nutrient deficiencies and the level of nutrient deficiency, do a soil test. A soil test will provide the level of available soil nutrient. Then a fertiliser program needs to be developed for the property. Remember that each property, and paddocks on that property, are unique and must be treated as such.
A well-planned fertiliser program can be one of the best investments on a property. More feed is produced and the quality of feed is better, which ultimately means livestock performance and profitability are increased.
Applying small balanced rates of nitrogen; phosphorus; potassium; and sulphur; fertiliser on a regular basis is sensible where they are all deficient, when compared to the alternative of applying large quantities of only one nutrient.
When applying high rates of any fertiliser it is important to understand the effect of the program on other soil nutrients. In the past, some farmers have applied Mo single superphosphate annually over many years to find their livestock are copper deficient. Excess molybdenum can tie up copper, inducing copper deficiency in livestock.
Calcium, magnesium, copper and zinc may also be deficient in some soils. It is important that all deficiencies be met because one deficiency may limit the response to the other nutrients. Lime is often used on acid soils to increase soil pH and calcium levels.
Many horse owners believe horses do better on soils that are regularly limed regardless of the soil pH. This is incorrect. As long as a soil has adequate calcium levels and a desirable pH the addition of extra lime can be wasteful and in some cases dangerous.
The amount of calcium relative to other minerals, particularly phosphorus, is more critical. Poultry manure is readily available in the Sydney, Central Coast and Tamworth areas. It is a low analysis (approximately 3:2:1 N:P:K) organic fertiliser that must be applied at heavy rates (e.g. 10 t/ha) to get the best results. Cartage and spreading are difficult and costly. It is best applied in early spring. The Sydney and Central Coast area is dominated by poor sandstone soils which have a high prevalence of kikuyu and responds well to poultry manure.
Ground preparation:
The most important issue in preparing a paddock for a pasture is weeds. Most horse paddocks have high populations of weeds because horses are supplementary fed grain that contains weed seeds. Also the selective grazing of pastures by horses encourages weeds.
Weeds can be classified into perennial, winter, spring annuals and summer annuals. Therefore a relatively quick ground preparation in autumn may not control the hard to kill perennials and summer annuals. It is important to know what weeds you have before sowing a pasture.
Pastures can be established by direct drill techniques (herbicides and no-till seeders), or by sowing into a prepared seedbed or a combination of both. On heavily compacted soils, or where kikuyu is to be sown, sowing into a prepared seedbed may be the best option.
Time of sowing:
March, April, May is the preferred time for most pasture species. In cool climates, sowing in August is an option. The subtropical grasses like kikuyu must be sown from October to March when soil temperatures are high. Where summer grass weeds are a problem sow in February/early March.
Pasture management:
Stocking rates:
The biggest problem on most horse properties is overstocking. Also horses dominate small holdings. Table 3 provides a guide to desirable stocking rates. Relating the feed required by a dry sheep (wether) to the carrying capacity of land is another way of determining suitable stocking rates (see tables 4 & 5).
Example: A light horse has a DSE rating of 10. If the horse is grazing cleared, moderate fertility, native grasses, with no seed or fertiliser then the horse will need 5 hectares of pasture to survive. It should be remembered that DSE ratings are a very approximate guide to carrying capacity and that monitoring and adjustments are continually needed to match the area to livestock requirements.
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