By Felicity Harrop, Soil CRC Adoption Manager
The Soil CRC’s research extension efforts are in full swing as we begin our final year of operation. We are working hand-in-hand with our researchers and grower group partners to share our research findings with farmers and agronomists across Australia.
Soil CRC resources from Mallee Sustainable Farming
With support from the Soil CRC Adoption Plan Implementation, Mallee Sustainable Farming (MSF) is delivering a selection of adoption activities to share Soil CRC research with their community.
Soil CRC researcher Dr Amanda Schapel (PIRSA) recently shared insights from our long-running, collaborative sandy soils project on MSF’s ‘Farm Talk’ podcast. The project investigated how clay and organic amendments can improve the productivity and resilience of sandy soils through literature reviews, pot trials and long-term multi-site field research.
The podcast can be found on the Soil CRC’s Knowledge Hub: Sandy soils, new solutions: Insights from a Soil CRC project – Podcast (2026)
In addition, MSF developed a new ‘Rainfall Mapper’ fact sheet based on Dr Peter Weir’s presentation at their pre-sowing updates, where he shared results from his Soil CRC-supported PhD project at Federation University. Developed by Federation University, Rainfall Mapper is an interactive web-based tool that converts complex weather data into clear, practical maps and graphs, helping growers better understand rainfall patterns at the paddock scale.
View the fact sheet: Beyond the rain gauge: Mapping rain where it matters – Mallee Sustainable Farming fact sheet (2026)
Soil CRC researchers out and about
The Soil CRC Adoption Plan Implementation supported Soil CRC participants’ events during June.
MSF hosted a workshop, ‘Making Soil Amelioration Pay in the Mallee’, where Soil CRC project leader Dr Richard Bell (Murdoch University) presented the keynote address, titled ‘What have we learned about improving sandy soils?’.
Soil CRC researcher Dr Amanda Schapel (PIRSA) facilitated a farmer experience panel discussion and wrap-up featuring Dr Bell. MSF senior project manager, Dr Jay Cummins, said key on-farm decision makers, advisers, researchers, extension staff, students and other stakeholders attended the workshop. He noted that the event evaluation showed improved attendee understanding of soil amelioration, including its risks, rewards and paddock targeting.
The workshop helped participants move from general interest to clearer implementation thinking, with farmers identifying practical areas to explore such as soil pits, profile moisture, trafficability, machinery choice, organic amendments, nutrition, low-profitability zones and timing amelioration around seasonal risk.
Participants left with stronger confidence in soil amelioration as an option for soil improvement and drought resilience, while recognising the importance of economics, nutrition, groundcover and multi-season monitoring. These changes in knowledge, understanding and attitude are important steps toward on-farm change and adoption.
More information on Soil CRC soil amelioration projects can be found on the Soil CRC Knowledge Hub.
Burdekin Productivity Specialists hosted Southern Cross University Soil CRC project leaders Dr Terry Rose and Dr Mick Rose, who delved into soil health and measuring soil biology.
Rob Milla, BPS extension manager, highlighted, “One of the largest growers in the district went home and discussed nutrient management with his farm management team and they are looking to change and optimise their phosphorous management strategy based on information presented at the workshop. So direct impact!”
More information on these projects can be found on the Soil CRC website: New organic amendments and plant-based solutions projects and Measuring soil microbes project.
Thanks to our Soil CRC participants for sharing our research outcomes with their communities.
Soil CRC events in August
During August, Soil CRC researchers will join grower group partners Birchip Cropping Group, Mallee Sustainable Farming and Riverine Plains for events on drought resilience, soil performance, plant diversity, soil biology and herbicide residue management.
- Dr Hassan Sardar and Professor Richard Bell (Murdoch University) will discuss long-term drought resilience trials investigating practices to improve water use efficiency, soil health and soil carbon.
- Professor Terry Rose (Southern Cross University) will introduce research on building soil resilience and carbon through greater plant diversity.
- Associate Professor Mick Rose (Southern Cross University) will share insights on soil microbes, herbicide residues and practical indicators for soil health and crop production.
- Dr Uwe Grewer (University of Southern Queensland) will present the latest Soil CRC decision support tools.
In addition, Soil CRC researcher Simon Edwards (University of Tasmania) will present on Soil CRC soil sensor technology at SPAA’s 2026 Australian Precision Ag Symposium in Sydney.
View the Soil CRC events webpage for details.
Main image: Dr Amanda Schapel (PIRSA) and Professor Richard Bell (Murdoch University) at the Mallee Sustainable Farming ‘Making Soil Amelioration Pay in the Mallee’ workshop in June.