Key Messages:

• Rehabilitating land previously used for tagasaste due to the sandy structure of the soil can improve production and return the land to an arable condition.
• Removing tagasaste and rehabilitating land back to arable condition through claying may be more cost-effective than purchasing arable land with current land prices in WA.

Project Summary:

This project follows a local producer in the Wickepin region to assess the cost of removing large areas of tagasaste and returning the land to arable condition for cropping. The aim is to compare the total costs of removal with the current price of arable land in Wickepin and surrounding areas, helping determine whether this approach is a viable option for producers looking to expand their cropping land.

Through observations so far, we have noted some links between clay spreading and incorporation methods and the early benefits of adding clay to sandy soils. One key finding is that allowing clay to dry adequately after excavation can reduce clumping, enabling a more even spread and better incorporation through the soil profile. When clay remains clumped after spreading, deep ripping or incorporating it twice before seeding has shown potential to break down these clumps faster, improving soil structure sooner and supporting better results in the first year. In cases where clay was spread without drying, clumps tended to persist and may require an additional season to settle before improvements in crop establishment and yield are seen.

While no significant changes have yet been recorded through testing or monitoring, visual comparisons are providing useful insights. Over the next three years, we will monitor two sites to track how clay improves soil structure and identify the most effective spreading and incorporation methods. All input data and costs associated with rehabilitation will be recorded alongside grain yield and quality results. This will help build a clear picture of the potential benefits and costs involved in removing tagasaste and restoring this land for cropping.

Project Background:

Tagasaste has long been used in WA as a fodder shrub on sandy soils, but this model no longer aligns with current enterprise priorities or market conditions, with most producers now focusing more on cropping enterprises and no longer requiring large amounts of fodder shrubs. This change is prompting a closer look at how land once planted to fodder shrubs could be brought back into rotation to improve farm efficiency, profitability, and long-term land value.

Established tagasaste can be challenging to remove due to its deep roots, long-lived seedbank, and ability to resprout, making rehabilitation a multi-year process. For some producers, although labour-intensive, reclaiming this land offers a potentially cost-effective alternative to buying more arable country, especially with strong land values and limited supply in the Wheatbelt.

Sandy soils present their own challenges, including limited nutrient availability, water repellence, and poor structure, which can limit crop performance if left untreated. Clay spreading, deep ripping, and other soil amelioration methods can help address these constraints, with the right approach improving water infiltration, nutrient holding capacity, and overall productivity.

This project is assessing the costs and benefits of removing large tagasaste areas and rehabilitating the land for cropping, considering both the technical requirements and the economic viability compared to local land prices. The aim is to provide practical, localised information to guide producers in making informed land use decisions.