Regular Soil Testing to Overcome Farming Constraints in Hills-Fleurieu

Farmers and land managers across the Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula are responsible for managing some of the most complex farming systems. This complexity results from mixed farming enterprises, competing demands between community interests, industries, and environmental priorities, and interfacing with regional peri-urban communities. It is also exacerbated by variability in the physical soil resources and related environmental and production systems constraints.

Across the region, a wide range of production systems, special interest farmer groups and networks, and various agribusiness service providers. This introduces an additional layer of complexity relating to the steps to communicating and extending technical information and best management practices to farmers.

The Landscapes Board identified an area of need for encouraging farmers to undertake regular soil testing to develop improved soil and plant nutrition practices. Few farmers regularly soil test and have a limited understanding of soil constraints.

Encouraging landholders in the region to undertake soil testing regularly, understand the results and be able to address issues with a variety of soil amendments is an identified priority for the region.

By having farmers and land managers undertake soil testing (and interpret results) annually, farmers are expected to be capable of making the right soil amendment decisions for their properties, retaining and improving soil fertility in the long term. Long-term data sets obtained through this initiative will assist SARDI researchers in better understanding any soil issue trends occurring in the Hills and Fleurieu.

In summary, the project seeks to empower farmers with the knowledge and tools to address soil constraints, improve productivity, and build resilience against drought. The Hills and Fleurieu group aims to promote long-term sustainable farming practices through workshops, demonstrations, and expert collaborations.