The latest Fertcare® soil sampling guidelines are available now. Why use the guidelines? Fit-for-purpose sampling Sampling plans should vary based on what you’re looking for. This could be: predicting what and how much nutrients the crop needs monitoring soil fertility over time diagnosing a nutrient deficiency or toxicity compliance with […]
Testing deep phosphorus (P) can improve fertiliser recommendations with a more accurate look at soil P stocks. It can help to know how much P is in the profile, and where it is. The topsoil is usually the most nutrient dense part of the soil. Maturing crops also rely on […]
A review of the Better Fertiliser Decisions for Cropping Systems in Australia database is set to commence with a series of industry consultative meetings over the next three months. The BFDC database contains yield response curves for many crops, nutrient applications and soil types across grain growing regions and has been […]
Lab tests help advisors with fertiliser and soil amendment planning. Without lab tests, crop nutrition can be a ‘best guess’. Returns from fertiliser inputs might not be optimal. Yields could suffer. Soil, plant tissue, and grain testing can guide crop nutrition throughout the season. Soil tests indicate crop available nutrient […]
Compost can improve overall soil health and benefit crops. The organic matter may improve soil structure, infiltration and porosity. The soil’s water and nutrient holding capacity may get a boost. Compost feeds the microbes in soil, which in turn increases soil fertility. Compost and nutrients Individual composts are different. The […]
It used to be that nitrate was often the only form of nitrogen (N) specified in soil test results. Now it’s common for soil test results to specify the quantity of ammonium-N as well. Recently some unusually high ammonium levels – equal to or higher than nitrate levels – have […]
As well as being used to monitor long term trends in soil fertility, soil testing can be used to inform crop nutrition decisions. Collecting representative samples is the most important step in getting useful results from soil analysis. Plan your sampling by: mapping paddocks into zones if they are not […]
After a hot finish to the winter crop season, the opportunity for summer crops is now upon us. Fertilisers can account for up to 40% of the variable costs of growing a crop. Hence it is well worth investing money in accurate soil testing and agronomic advice to help balance […]
Question: Target trace element soil concentrations What target trace element (Zn and Cu) soil concentrations should a farmer be aiming for on duplex mallee soils? (Cascade, WA) Received: 19/09/2014 Answer The value of soil tests in diagnosing micronutrient supply is limited. Soil test values give a general view of the potential […]
