Given that there are clear benefits to adopting practices like cover cropping and there are a growing number of cover cropping success stories in many industries including macadamias in northern NSW, can it be done in the Bundaberg region, particularly in new blocks under development?
To find out, a number of Bundaberg growers have recently begun to trial options for cover crops in the inter row. There are some genuinely impressive results evident for some growers in terms of seed establishment, improved vegetative diversity, soil benefits and an improved presence for beneficial insects. Other growers have seen fairly limited results in terms of establishment following on from seeding, mostly due to lack of rainfall following seeding in combination with poor soil health.
BioResEd has begun working with interested growers to review seed mixes best suited to their farm and the region. A seeder is available at a nominal fee for growers ready to trial cover crops in their inter row. The team will also be contributing to ‘farm walks’ for growers interested in seeing cover crops in action.
Looking further ahead, BioResEd will be building a picture of ways in which cover cropping in the region contributes to soil health, pollination and pest regulation as part of an IPM program. We will also be considering the ways in which areas for insectaries and native vegetation can contribute to ecosystem services.
