Tropical grass pastures with winter legume including new species like serradella; defeating blue heliotrope (one of the worst perennial weeds in eastern Australia); addressing acid soils with lime; correcting soil deficiencies like phosphorus and sulphur; zero till farming with stubble retention; outstanding lucerne, cropping rotations using lupins; and canola and highly profitable livestock and cropping production, all result from successful farmers who adopt new technology.
Recently deceased John Atkin (aged 86), “Clarefield” Binnaway, (the northern part of central west NSW), was one of these outstanding individuals. With his mother he took over the family property after his father’s death in 1965, and adopted all the above agronomic practises in their very early days after research verified their practical potential.
Before glyphosate and tropical grasses John Atkin had a program that to a degree allowed him to live with blue heliotrope, which infested more than 1000ha of the farm. It had invaded probably from the nearby railway line, more than 100 years ago.
He cropped a weed infested area for three or so years before sowing it down to lucerne. After about three to four years of lucerne, heliotrope had again taken over and the cycle was repeated.
In the 1970s, glyphosate was released and Mr Atkin quickly worked out it effectively killed deep rooted heliotrope when applied while plants were fresh and actively growing, whereas cultivation had only partially controlled it (as well as often transplanting it). After three years of winter cropping all adult plants were dead and soil seed reserves dramatically reduced.
Around this time tropical perennial grasses, initially Consol lovegrass followed a few years later by premier digit grass, were discovered as productive and persistent on country prone to heliotrope, principally light acidic soils.
Well over 20 years ago John Atkin led Australia demonstrating that sowing tropical grasses into previously heliotrope infested country permanently kept the weed at bay. His earlier sowings today remain free of heliotrope.
John Atkins' parents were early adopters of superphosphate and sub clover, beginning their use around the late 1940s. This was very early days in areas as far north and west as Binnaway. Mr Atkin kept up the super program continuing to his death. Over 70 years of correcting soil deficiencies and running quality pastures not only has been profitable but also resulted in improved soil quality and largely eliminated soil erosion.
Also around the late 1960s John Atkin became one of the very earliest farmers to begin lime programs on country with an acid top soil but an alkaline to neutral subsoil. Lime, over the past 50 years, continues to be applied to these soils as needed via soil tests and ensures these soils remained suitable to lucerne as well as crops like canola.
Much of the really lighter country on “Clarefield” was acidic through the soil profile. From the 1970s John Atkin rapidly converted these areas to first class tropical grass pastures with winter legumes such as serradella. He was a pioneer of these pastures and showed these once despised soils could be very productive and profitable when well managed.
Bambatsi panic, a tropical grass more suited to heavier soil types, was commonly sown on “Clarefield” in combination with lucerne on some heavier soil paddocks. Typically the two coexisted well for a few years, and commonly these areas then returned to a cropping cycle.
Cropping has also been an important part of “Clarefield” with John Atkin among early exponents of rotations involving winter cereals with canola and lupins. Zero tillage with stubble retention, also saw “Clarefield” as a pioneer of the new technology. Early sown dual-purpose winter cropping was a major part of his livestock business.
John Atkin was the first to acknowledge others; his manager Jim Larkin being a vital part of the progressive farm business. Research trials were common on the property with John Atkin always willing to share new ideas and provide his property for field days. His life saw enormous upgrades in farming practise, a great part of Australian history.
Next week: Progress report of a St Barnaby’s thistle eradication program.
- Bob Freebairn is an agricultural consultant based at Coonabarabran. Email robert.freebairn@bigpond.com or contact (0428) 752 149.