I undertook a project with Leanne Sherriff of Macquarie Franklin that worked with groups of farmers to improve their soil health and farm sustainability.
Leanne produced these factsheets as part of the project.
Andrew Colvin, northern Midlands
Soils at Nosswick are not great for cropping (shallow, stoney and poor drainage) so crop rotations are focused on sustainability - ensuring that good yields can be maintained in the future It has been a constant learning experience, working out the most optimal management for the irrigated farming system at Nosswick.
Richard and James Hallett, Bothwell
Variable Rate Irrigation (VRI) is an example of a technology being used to maximise efficiency and minimise impacts.
John Ramsay, Bothwell
Need to focus on poppies as being the critical crop in the rotation and the whole rotation is geared to improving soil health and maximising the returns from poppy production
Phil and Corey Spencer, Bracknell
Ploughing done at the correct soil moisture still plays an important role in the farming system at Sand Park as it enables herbicide use to be minimised.
Oat cover crops are always used between crops and pasture phases make up 1/3 of the cropping rotation.
Rob Terry, Dairy Plains
Good drainage has been critical for minimising pugging and compaction and ensuring that paddocks can be cultivated or drilled in spring.