Falkiner Memorial Field Station

Falkiner Memorial Field Station was established in the Riverina near Deniliquin by the CSIRO in the 1940s and has been used for agricultural research by CSIRO, and lately by other institutions, ever since. The 3,125 ha comprising the station are now controlled by Australian Wool Innovations which is interested in developing the property as a model sustainable and viable farm as well as continuing field trials.

Cropping on the station

LRAM was commissioned to:

• compile a very high intensity soil map of the station;
• describe the soil morphology, chemical and physical properties;
• assess the extent of land degradation;
• evaluate the potential for a range of grazing, rainfed cropping and irrigated cropping uses; and
• recommend development options for consideration by AWI.

This information will provide a basis for AWI selecting a development plan and preparing land and water management plans for the station.

Two detailed soil maps prepared by CSIRO in the 1940s and 50s are available for the station but there is no associated report describing the soils. The LRAM approach combined:

• a literature review of adjacent soil reports to obtain soil descriptions of similar soils;
• traditional soil survey approach to verify the soil descriptions and translate these into current standard terminology and to verify mapping boundaries; with
• remote sensing of satellite imagery to assess land degradation and assist with verifying soil boundaries.

Soil pit inspection

Ten soil management groups were identified on the station and delineated on a composite soil map at 1:25,000 scale. More than 95% of the property is suitable for growing irrigated winter pastures or poorly drained pastures. More than 85% can also be used for growing rice and winter crop. Less than 75 ha are suitable for irigated summer or prennial pastures and less than 50 ha are suitable for growing vines and tree crops. None of the station is considered suitable for summer cropping.