A STUDY by a Charles Sturt University agribusiness academic explores on-farm variable inputs in southern New South Wales to establish the economic benefits of the use of organic matter in agriculture.
The research methodology and findings to date were presented at the recent Soil CRC Participants Conference in Wagga Wagga by Associate Professor in Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Richard Culas in the Charles Sturt School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences.
Dr Culas is also a member of the Charles Sturt Gulbali Research Institute for Agriculture, Water and Environment.
Dr Culas’ research presentation was titled Assessing the financial impacts of using organic wastes as fertilisers, and explains how various scenarios can be tested for the use of organic fertilisers by farmers.
“This includes the ‘business-as-usual’ model, assuming that farm inputs and practices are continued with current inputs,” Dr Culas said.
“This will be compared to ‘use of organic wastes as fertilisers’, for example, biochar, farmyard manure (FYM), poultry manure, assuming that current farm inputs and practices are changed due to use of organic fertilisers, whereby the farm inputs include energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, soil amelioration, water saving, and yield etc.”
The research assesses multiple financial and environmental factors to establish the economic benefits of the use of organic matter in agriculture.
These benefits include:
- Increased crop yields;
- Improved soil workability;
- Reduced fertiliser use;
- Reduced pesticide use;
- Improved microbial (biodiversity) condition;
- Improved water holding capacity;
- Reduced use of fuels for cultivation;
- Reduced greenhouse emissions; and,
- Less water required.
The research questionnaire was promoted by Holbrook Landcare and Soils-for-Life and Soil Cooperative Research Centre (CRC), and via social media from April to July; it received 61 responses from farmers in the region.
Dr Culas found the surveyed farmers had an average of 21 years managing property and their farm sizes ranged from one to 1500ha.
“There was a significant presence of mixed farming systems, with farmers growing multiple varieties of the same crop.
“Farmers replied more favourably for the benefits of using organics, compared to any negative impacts.”
The farm soil types consisted of sandy on 48 percent, clayey on 36pc, and loamy on 16pc.
The farming profile showed 68pc of responses grazed modified pastures, and 48pc grazed natural vegetation, with 44pc hosting conservation areas and 28pc engaged in dryland cropping, plus “other uses”.
The research project partners are: Charles Sturt University; University of Southern Queensland; Holbrook Landcare, and Soils for Life.
Contributors include: NSW Department of Primary Industries; NSW Environment Protection Authority, and the Australian Organic Recycling Association.
Source: Charles Sturt University