As hardy as Saltbush is in this 600 mm rainfall zone – it will fail if overgrazed. Rest and recovery periods between grazing determine your plantations success. Saltbush on light sandy soil is more prone to grazing stress (verses rich red scrub and darker alluvial soil). You can align grazing Saltbush to an annual event to coincide with weaning. Calves (from 100 days old and lambs from 80 days old) will prosper on any soil type when saltbush is locked up for 9 to 12 months between grazing. Animals can better utilise dry grass when combined with saltbush.
If saltbush grows too tall you can utilise full size cattle to chew it down.
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PHOTO 1: Old Man Saltbush in Seed. Potential of Long Spell is seen here. This bush is over 2 metres tall. It was intentionally planted with a Belah Tree next to it. Soil type here is light sand loam with yellow grey clay from 300mm down.
PHOTO 2: Saltbush on impoverished sandy soil with clay subsoil. These bushes are about 4 years old and have been grazed with a 9 month spell between grazing. Grass is thriving. Tree Guards contain Silky Oak planted on perimeter.
PHOTO 3: Scene from Long Yard Garden. Sheep have access to this Hedge of Saltbush only once per annum. Objective is to grow Saltbush Hedge to 3 metres in height well above the grazing height of sheep. Saltbush Hedges act as light reflectors for food crops like tomato.
PHOTO 4: First signs of overgrazing. Some bushes are not keeping up. This section of Saltbush was damaged even more in 2019. To restore plant vigour sheep have been excluded. Calves have access once per annum. Cattle eat Saltbush differently to sheep. Sheep will pluck every leaf off. By week 3 to 4 new leaves will start to shoot. Never let cattle or sheep graze any saltbush plantation for longer than 4 weeks.
PHOTO 5: Saltbush planted as Windbreak on circumference of Waterhole. Most of the Saltbush are now 3 metres tall.
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