FAST-growing interest in building biological activity in soils has sparked plenty of farming practices that in the past would have been considered counterproductive, if not wacky.
Yet the results, in terms of better yields, reduced costs, improved animal health and long-term farm sustainability, have been phenomenal.
For the producer looking to tap into that knowledge, knowing where to start can be the hardest part but assessing soils has to come first in order for the development of a plan of attack to replenish microbial activity and rectify issues such as compaction or poor structure.
Straightforward visual soil tests that require simple equipment and can be carried out by one person in the field are serving producers well in terms of taking that first step towards a biological farming approach.
On the North Coast, where some of the country's most forward-thinking soil health farmers, advisors and educators have pioneered many of the now-common biological farming practices that are paying big dividends, an innovative soil health card (SHC) is widely used.
It has also been picked up by producers across the state, adapted to take into account different soil types.
The SHC was created in the early 2000s through TAFE workshops involving producers representing a wide range of horticulture, cropping and grazing industries.
Northern Rivers avocado and macadamia grower Bonnie Walker, one of the driving forces behind the SHC, said an audit was the first step for farmers who realised the importance of soil health in their operations.
"The SHC is a tool that can set a farmer on the path to turning around a farm that is unsustainable," she said.
By testing regularly and keeping cards, farmers can build up a record of their soil health and understand the effect of management practices on soil health.
Regular assessing will show the response to the introduction of practices like mulching, composting, minimum tillage in crop rotations and also allow for early detection of soil problems.
The tests cover ground cover, which contributes organic matter that feeds soil animals and microbes and provides roots to help maintain soil structure, along with diversity of soil life, root development and soil structure.
Farm-made devices including a penetrometer and infiltrometer are used to measure the soil's penetration ability and water infiltration properties.
Aggregate stability, which is associated with susceptibility to erosion, earthworm numbers, soil pH and leaf colour are other tests covered.
Farmers should test at the same time each year to allow accurate comparisons and autumn, just after good rain, is recommended.
Horticulture consultant Alan Coates, Lismore, said farmers could look at their scores on the SHC to identify areas that need addressing.
"The SHC does have suggestions as to what may be the problem and solutions but farmers can also take advice from a consultant or agronomist with experience in biological farming systems or do their own research online," he said.
Mr Coates said compaction, for example, was a common issue that had been identified courtesy of the SHC.
It was generally identified through the infiltrometer test and the poor rates of water infiltration at 200 millimetres often came as a surprise to farmers, he said.
Solutions included aerating, changing ground cover management to include tap root or vigorous grass root systems and introducing a greater diversity in species, along with measures to increase organic matter levels in the soil, he said.
The visual tests are not intended to replace laboratory soil testing but are another tool to help farmers understand the productivity of their soils.
Laboratory soil testing compliments the visual tests and allows farmers to take the next step towards replenishing microbial activity, says soil chemist Graham Lancaster from the Environmental Analysis Laboratory at Southern Cross University in Lismore.
"The two work together beautifully - farmers identify soil types and issues such as drainage, compaction and odour using the soil health card and where an issue is found, a soil test can determine the way forward to rectifying it," he said.
The soil health card is available online at A link to Google
Microbes pay at Beaudesert
A FOCUS on soil and pasture condition at Col and Jackie Clark's "Rahane", Beaudesert, Queensland, has paid dividends not only in lifting yield and quality in crops and pasture but ensuring the long-term sustainability of a weaner growing operation.
The couple take bought-in weaners (main picture) from 250 kilograms to 450kg in 10 months at the 240-hectare, basalt soil, native pasture forest country property which runs from creek flats to ridge country.
The couple (pictured inset) took over the family property in 2007 after moving away from urea to a more soil-focused approach to cropping at their previous farm near Murgon and have implemented their way of farming at Beaudesert for the past eight years.
"Organic matter is now up to eight per cent, we have two to three earthworms per shovel of soil and we're getting some the best yields and quality in our crops ever achieved here," Mr Clark said.
The Clarks opened their farm to others interested in holistic management via a SoilCare field day earlier this week.
Shan Goodwin
Journalist for The Land on the North Coast.
Journalist for The Land on the North Coast.
