1MG FlippingBooks
Blog Post
Farm machinery bad for soil productivity, study finds
Elizabeth Gracie
A recent study completed by The Grains Research and Development Cooperations (GRDC) has found that farm machinery can cause yield-limiting soil compaction across the Low Rainfall Zone (LRZ) of South Eastern Australia.
The five-year ‘Application of Controlled Traffic Farming in the Low Rainfall Zone’ study has highlighted that machinery traffic on farms can have a detrimental effect on soil compaction and virility to growing crops.
Most soil types in the LRZ suffer compaction as they are trafficked under wet conditions and multiple passes with heavy machinery. This has adversely impacted the microbiology and nutrient availability of the soil in the region.
The Soil CRC of Australia has said that “underperforming agricultural soils cost Australian farmers billions of dollars in lost revenue each year”.
Agriculture Victoria Land Management Development Office Rebecca Mitchell said the findings of this study were important for all LRZ farmers to know, especially if they were thinking or were already using machine technology in their farming. However she believes there is a solution.
“Controlled traffic farming (CTF) confines the wheels and tracks of all cropping equipment to 12-18% of paddock area and leaves the remaining 80% of the paddock uncompacted and in optimum condition for crop productivity,” said Mitchell.
However whilst CTF has been widely adopted across Australia, with 30% of grain farmers using this system, the LRZ in South Eastern Australia has fallen far behind.
“The LRZ of south-eastern Australia is a marked exception from the rest of the country with a much lower adoption rate of the CTF system of a mere 5%” said Mitchell.
Mitchell attributes these low figures to false perceptions about CTF technologies by farmers in the LRZ. These include fear of a high cost in moving to a CTF system, difficulties in managing wheel tracks, and that CTF technology was not compatible with other management systems.
“Initially the evidence base wasn’t there for the farmers to have the confidence to go ahead and implement this system” said Mitchell.
However, the benefits of CTF technology are now more well known and Mitchell hopes that another five years’ time will see an increase in ripping and soil amelioration practices that will drive farmers to adopt CTF to better protect their soil.
She also hopes that farming equipment manufacturers will provide more options for farmers who want to ensure new equipment lines up with their current or planned CTF system.
NEWS
Following from another record year for beef production and exports, we anticipate opportunities for Australian beef to continue into 2025, especially in markets like the US which is in a cattle herd rebuild and was our number one export destination for beef in 2024.
Cutting-edge mobile technology is revolutionising on-farm decision making, but what makes agtech especially successful is when it complements farmer knowledge and links with on-farm practices, in a user-friendly manner.
Trace elements play a crucial role for Australian livestock producers. Long-Acting trace element bolus improves productivity, fertility, health and profitability. One dose, complete peace of mind.
The next-gen Mitsubishi Triton ute is the latest incarnation in an evolution of tough, reliable vehicles, that began in 1937.
Cattle producers are reaping the benefits of improved herd fertility, increased weight gain, and fewer stock losses thanks to strategic supplementation with trace minerals
Some milestones are marked with fanfare – others with piles of freshly picked colourful spring produce, protein-packed prime cut lamb, pork and beef; fresh catch seafood; creamy white mould cheese, pasture-reared eggs or pure honey. All that’s fresh and farm direct and destined to mark the 25 th Year of Australia’s vibrant farmers’ market sector.
A selection of The Australian Farmer Sponsors - Click on a banner below to find out more...
CONTACT US
Phone: +61 2 9884 9660
solutions@onemandate.com
LET’S CONNECT
SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER
