A one-metre soil core can be used to determine a soil moisture profile beneath a crop. AgVic agronomist Dale Boyd said advances in probe technology had evolved extensively since using just a shovel.
Nanneella farmers had a first-hand introduction to AgVic’s Soil Health Guide for Northern Victoria on Tuesday, October 23 to see advances in soil probe use and to discuss soil moisture profiles.
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Goulburn Murray Landcare Network hosted the event which drew about 20 farmers from within the immediate district.
AgVic’s soil scientist Rebecca Mitchell used the session to conduct several of the nine tests outlined in the guide and make comparisons with a soil profile dug to about one metre beneath a lucerne crop.
AgVic agronomist Dale Boyd spoke about the evolution of soil probes used in agriculture and the importance of understanding soil moisture.
“Any opportunity to explore deeper into soil is useful, and where there’s a soil pit dug, it shows so much more,” Mr Boyd said.
“The day is all about encouraging farmers to test and examine their soil.”
The penetrometer is used by farmers to determine soil moisture.
Ms Mitchell showed those attending key features of the Soil Guide’s nine chapters such as those covering soil structure and pH.
She also highlighted a soil ‘health score card’ in the guide with which farmers can use nine parameters across three sites on their property to rate their sub-soil condition.
Mr Boyd said despite the improvements in probe technology, agronomists were ‘still learning’.
“Particularly with wheat, barley and canola - their water capacities are a lot deeper than what we thought,” he said.
Mr Boyd said maintaining soil health was important for long term irrigation strategies.
“If your have soil health in the best possible position then you can accommodate those heavy storm cells that can occur at any time and which will test all soil capacities in such a volume,” Mr Boyd said.
“In terms of applying water, if you can supplement that from rainfall, you then adjust your next application of irrigation to grow more with less and utilise that natural resource.“
AgVic's Rebecca Mitchell holds court with grain and lucerne farmers from one metre deep in a soil pit.
Goulburn-Murray Landcare Network facilitator Dan Walker said the day had been a success, with a last minute call-around boosting numbers.
“Within two days of cold calling, the locals are happy to jump off the tractor straight to a soil day,” Mr Walker said.
