Four year old seedlings planted into an area of remnant bush. Discusses soil salinity solutions, sheep condition trials, use of pines and tall wheatgrass, and value of remnant vegetation. I accept that I can no longer crop much of the valley flats, but I will not accept that I can no longer graze them. Farm plan for 'Lomond park', Tim Heffernan's property east of Wickepin, Western Australia. Background Tim Heffernan farms at 'Lomond Park', east of Wickepin, Western Australia, in a 450 mm rainfall area.
Upper slopes consist of sandy gravels over ironstone with patches of deep sand.
Salinity first appeared in crabhole depressions in the flats in the 1950s, spreading over larger sections of the flats in the 1960s and 70s. Solutions Tim's main aim in developing his farm plan is to stop the salt from spreading. Pines planted on deep sands and tall wheat-grass on the valley flats should take some of the pressure off the rising ground water system. Tim Heffernan sows tall wheatgrass over the whole paddock and then broadcasts saltbush and Acacia saligna, allowing them to find their own niche. Tim believes that growing trees in non-saline areas will produce valuable sawlogs.