Australian Soil Problems

Northern Advocate, 10 January 1939, Page 10

Australian Soil Problems

Many of Australia’s primary industries have been expanded to the limits of economic production, and ini some cases beyond them. Any increases in production are therefore to be expected only from better breeding of stock and better soil utilisation, states a recent circular of the Bank of New South Wales, entitled “The Depreciation of Soil Productivity.” The rising trend of production resulting from the use of more intensive methods, it points out, is being counteracted by reduced soil productivity.

Up to the present the importance of soil and pasture conservation has been insufficiently realised. There has been more concern at the loss of stock in a drought than at the greater eventual losses and more permanent damage resulting from soil erosion together with the deterioration of fodder plants and soil fertility. These losses could be substantially reduced by the application of scientific methods of erosion control and the exercise of foresight in pastoral problems, Before correct farming methods can be adopted, however, there must be a thorough survey of soil problems by competent and trained research officers, followed by education of primary producers along lines indicated by their conclusions. For such research and educative activity the bank’s circular makes a strong plea.

Erosion in Productive Areas

Wind erosion has resulted in some cases in complete abandonment of wheat-producing areas. This is especially the case in the Mallee district in Victoria, where removal of natural cover has resulted in substantial losses of the surface soil. On the other hand, much of the most productive and intensively cultivated land in the higher-rainfall wheat areas is subject to water erosion. This is in large part a result of the wholesale removal of timber from slopes where it was really necessary to prevent’ erosion. The circular mentions possible remedies, but points out that each case is best treated, on its own merits. The use of contour banks could be developed with -advantage, while the danger of allowing land to lie bare for long periods should be more generally realised.

Overstocking Prevalent

Attention might well be drawn to the prevalence of overstocking as a cause of pasture deterioration, as well as of soil erosion. Overstocking results in-the removal of pastures which are the only guard against wind-drift and washaways, and in successive seasons there is a progressive deterioration which is accelerated by the recurrence of droughts. Restrictions on the number of animals 'allowed to graze per acre of pasture should be imposed wherever necessary, and this could conveniently be done under the guidance of a central administrative body.

“Looked at in the broader sense there is need to regard the use of land in a more enlightened way than hitherto,” the circular concludes, and this statement, in spite of different climatic and topographical conditions, is no less applicable to New Zealand than to Australia.