L-R: Dr Marita McGuirk, Soil Science Australia’s National Soil Strategy Extension Team Project Officer; Victorian Regional Soil Coordinator Dr Peter Fisher based at the Victoria Drought Resilience Adoption & Innovation Hub; and Felicity Harrop, Soil CRC. The trio was at the Vic Hub’s North-West Node lead’s Main Field Day at Birchip. Image credit: Soil CRC.

Sharing soil knowledge in the paddock

Soil expertise takes centre stage across the regions

This update is based on an article by Felicity Harrop, Soil CRC Soil Knowledge Broker

The field day calendar has been busy, with Soil CRC representatives out in the paddock showcasing the latest soil-management research, resources and regional projects aimed at improving soil health and farm productivity. These included:

• • Birchip Cropping Group Main Field Day, held by the Vic Hub’s North-West Node lead, BCG – Birchip, Vic
  • Riverine Plains Alternative N Sources Field Day, held by the Vic Hub’s North-East Node lead, Riverine Plains – Sanger, NSW
  • Southern Farming Systems field days, held by the Vic Hub’s South-West Node lead, SFS – Inverleigh & Streatham, Vic
    https://vicdroughthub.org.au/about/people/victoria-soil-co-ordinator-dr-peter-fisher

Victorian Regional Soil Coordinator, Dr Peter Fisher, who’s based at the Victoria Drought Resilience Adoption & Innovation Hub, said, “Representatives from three of Australia’s key soil organisations – Felicity Harrop from Soil CRC, Dr Marita McGuirk Soil Science Australia’s National Soil Strategy Extension Team Project Officer, and myself from the Regional Soil Coordinator network – were all at the field day put on by the Vic Hub’s North-West Node, BCG, to discuss soil issues with growers and promote the importance of good soil management for improved crop productivity and sustainability.”

Birchip Cropping Group Main Field Day

Soil science was a major focus at the BCG Field Day, drawing strong interest from growers and advisors keen to learn more about managing soil constraints and improving yield potential.

BCG’s Dr James Nuttall led discussions from the soil pit, outlining key constraints at the site such as salinity, boron, alkalinity and sodicity. These issues, he explained, reduce the effective ‘bucket size’ available for plant roots to access water and nutrients. The session explored possible management strategies, including gypsum application and aligning nutrient inputs with realistic yield expectations.

Riverine Plains Alternative N Sources Field Day

Dr Abe Gibson (from Southern Cross University) presented outcomes from the Soil CRC’s Plant-based solutions to improve soil performance project. Results from companion cropping trials suggested that vetch–wheat combinations may lead to denser wheat roots, improved soil mineral nitrogen, and greater plant available water at depth.

Southern Farming Systems Field Days

Farmers visited the first-year trials for Evaluating the agronomic benefits of biosolids biochar, led by the University of Newcastle in partnership with South East Water. Researchers detailed how the biochar product, made from biosolid waste, is being evaluated for crop benefits, soil health, and safe application on farms.

At the SFS AgriFocus Field Day in Streatham, Dr Nathan Robinson (Soil CRC) and Dr Richard MacEwan (from Vic Hub Digital Ag Innovation partner Federation University), unpacked the complex soil profile at the site, explaining challenges like dispersive clay and ironstone-gravel horizons. Their live demonstration of slaking and dispersion tests highlighted how farmers can assess subsoil limitations themselves to guide on‑farm decisions.

Symposium for the Use of Organic Soil Amendments – Gold Coast, Qld

Beyond the paddock, Soil CRC CEO Dr Michael Crawford delivered a keynote at this international event alongside leading researchers, sharing insights into the use of composts, biochar, biosolids and other organic amendments in sustainable farming systems.

Continuing engagement

Field days continue to play a crucial role in connecting research and practice. The strong grower engagement and feedback demonstrate real value in bringing science into the paddock.

The Vic Hub and Soil CRC will keep supporting these efforts through the national adoption plan, ensuring that research outputs are well‑communicated and practically applied across Australia’s diverse farming systems.

For more information or to arrange Soil CRC engagement at local events, contact felicity.harrop(at)soilcrc.com.au

For more information about the Victoria Drought Resilience Adoption & Innovation Hub’s involvement in soil, contact Dr Peter Fisher directly, or via the Vic Hub website.