Striking the Balance: Sustainable Farming and Grazing Systems for the Semi-arid Tropics of the Northern Territory

F. O'Gara
Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries

Early research in the NT highlighted the disadvantages of conventional farming methods. In the 1980's various government departments began investigating ways of overcoming the problems by using conservation tillage, pasture levy systems and by managing soil surface cover. The work showed that conservation tillage gave more reliable yields and greatly reduced soil loss. Conservation farming is a practice and philosophy which strives to protect the soil, minimise land degradation and environmental pollution and improve the conditions for plant growth. It is now recognised as one of the most important innovations in modern agriculture. Experience suggests it is not only desirable but essential for the long-term protection and productivity of NT soils. This book provides information on the physical environment, what is conservation farming, Herbicides: part of a more flexible system, crops for the top end, pastures in farming systems, levy farming systems, crop and pasture nutrition, field crop irrigation in the top end, weeds, insect pests and disease management and economics of conservation farming.