Deep ripping, manuring and claying on sandy soils in the Wimmera, Victoria

BIRCHIP CROPPING GROUP

This fact sheet supports the ‘Deep ripping, claying and manuring on sandy soils in the Wimmera’ webinar hosted by Soil CRC Community of Practice participant Kate Maddern, Birchip Cropping Group (BCG).

The webinar covered:

• soil carbon
• Lubeck and Netherby trials
• key learnings
• considerations for deep ripping, claying or manuring.

Watch the webinar on BCG’s YouTube channel

Soil carbon

Soil carbon is essential for crop growth and is derived from plant biomass that remains in the soil after harvest. Soil organic matter, which includes carbon, contains vital nutrients for crops.

Lubeck trial

In the Lubeck trial (30 km east of Horsham. Victoria), low water holding capacity and compacted sand were key constraints to growing biomass. Soil amendments included chicken manure (organic matter and nutrients), a fertiliser blend (plant nutrients), and deep ripping (mechanically breaking the compaction) to improve soil structure and amend the constraints for improved plant productivity.

Establishment challenges in the trial were caused by rain-induced furrow slumping, which affected seed depth and emergence. Nutrient application methods were impacted by soil disturbance during sowing.

The chicken manure application resulted in increased yields and grain protein due to the extra nutrients.

Netherby trial

The Netherby trial (100 km north west of Horsham, Victoria), located in a drier area with shallower sandy soil and clay pans, faces challenges like limited root depth and low water holding capacity. This trial started in 2020, focusing on improving soil conditions for better crop growth.

Considerations

Understanding the specific constraint in your soil is crucial. Soil testing and soil profile assessment is crucial to understand soil type and nutrient levels before implementing soil amelioration techniques. Identify problems such as compaction layers, water-holding capacity, nutrient deficiencies, pH issues, salinity, root diseases, and herbicide residues.

Choosing the right crop type and sowing depth is essential for successful establishment. Timing of soil amelioration treatments should be carefully considered to minimise erosion and optimise crop establishment. Consider the risk of herbicide residues and weed levels when planning soil amelioration treatments.

When considering soil amelioration techniques, start small with trial patches or strips before applying them to the entire paddock. Test the effectiveness, machinery setup, and potential issues. Take a targeted approach to problem areas rather than treating the entire field.

Watch the webinar on BCG’s YouTube channel