Farm dam field day on Kangaroo Island
Are your farm dams getting low or empty this year, and are you wondering what could be done to capture more run-off and increase the water security of your property in low rainfall years?
A few practical options exist to maximise run-off into dams, even in a dry winter.
Learn more about potential options at a Farm Dam Field Day on Friday, 21 February 2025. Meet at 8 am at 634 Birchmore Road, look for the field day sign.
GRADED CATCHMENTS
One option is a graded catchment. The design of graded catchments reduces the soakage of rainfall into the topsoil and promotes rapid run-off without creating erosion.
Graded catchments reshape the soil surface by removing the topsoil and compacting the subsoil to improve the run-off dramatically.
Run-off on a normal pasture paddock equates to about 10% of a rainfall event.
A graded catchment can increase run-off by 50-60%!
Several graded catchments have been constructed on Kangaroo Island and last winter was a good test of their effectiveness.
Learn more about graded catchments here: https://cdn.environment.sa.gov...
FARM WALK ACTIVITIES
The farm walk will visit two graded catchment sites – one on Ian Green's property and one on Derek Wheaton's. Lyn Dohle from PIRSA and the property owners will discuss the benefits of graded catchments and provide tips on the best ways to construct them.
During the morning session, Jo Sullivan from the Kangaroo Island Landscape Board will discuss how the Board can help farmers determine the best dam location on your property and other support the Board can provide to help you increase your water security.
Jo will also explain the current rules and regulations regarding dam building and cleaning.
FREE WATER QUALITY TESTING AVAILABLE
If you're worried about your dam's water quality (salinity), bring a sample in a CLEAN jar and get it tested on the spot.
If you have any questions about the day and what will be covered, call Lyn Dohle PIRSA on 0419 846 204.
BOOK IN FOR NORTH COAST FIELD DAY
A second graded catchment field day is planned for the North Coast in March on Dan and Sue Pattingale's property.
The date for this field day is yet to be confirmed, but flick Lyn Dohle a text on 0419 846204, and she will pop you on the list to be informed of the date and time.
This project is a collaboration between the KI Landscape Board, PIRSA and Agriculture Kangaroo Island, supported by the SA Drought Resilience and Innovation Hub, one of eight Hubs established across Australia through the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund.
