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305 results found
  • Rewriting nitrogen fertiliser ‘rules of thumb’
    Soil and Nutrition, 18 Feb 2023
    Rewriting nitrogen fertiliser ‘rules of thumb’

    Commonly used rules of thumb, which advisers and growers use to make fertiliser decisions, are based on a nitrogen fertiliser uptake of around 50 per cent of that applied, but Victorian research undertaken in growers’ paddocks puts that figure at just 35 per cent.

  • Protecting soil fertility is paramount for continuous cropping
    Soil and Nutrition, 17 Feb 2023
    Protecting soil fertility is paramount for continuous cropping

    Soil organic matter, which is critical for healthy soils and sustainable agricultural production, is declining under continuous cropping. This means more fertiliser, especially nitrogen, and the best management practices are needed to protect soils and maintain grain production levels.

  • Nitrogen’s value extends beyond yield
    Soil and Nutrition, 14 Feb 2023
    Nitrogen’s value extends beyond yield

    The sufficiency approach means that nitrogen mined from soil organic matter is not replenished, causing a long-term decline in the soil nitrogen bank. Once organic matter is lost, it takes a long time to rebuild. However, there are three ways that growers can potentially improve soil organic matter and fertility.

  • Nitrogen banking: a long-term approach to risk
    Soil and Nutrition, 12 Feb 2023
    Nitrogen banking: a long-term approach to risk

    Nitrogen banking may provide a suitable long-term approach to calculating nitrogen requirements for cereal and canola crops. The banking approach is simpler and less time-consuming than seasonal risk-based approaches.

  • Optimising nitrogen critical for success
    Soil and Nutrition, 11 Feb 2023
    Optimising nitrogen critical for success

    The burden of choice can rest heavily when making nitrogen fertiliser decisions, and the yield potential of many crops remains limited by nitrogen. GRDC is committed to improving nitrogen use efficiency to help growers improve production and profitability and reduce greenhouse emission intensity.

  • Living legacy of soil knowledge
    Soil and Nutrition, 18 Jan 2023
    Living legacy of soil knowledge

    A living legacy of soil quality information has been created under the stewardship of SoilsWest by a broad collective of soil scientists, complemented with grower experiences in a series of multimedia ebooks. They support better resource use, minimising inputs and cost and increasing the productivity and resilience of our soil resource and will be added to as new research comes on stream.

  • Study finds increased risk of nitrogen losses when applying sulphate of ammonia to dry, limed soils
    Soil and Nutrition, 17 Jan 2023
    Study finds increased risk of nitrogen losses when applying sulphate of ammonia to dry, limed soils

    Applying the fertiliser sulphate of ammonia onto a paddock that has recently been limed may increase soil nitrogenlosses through volatilisation – meaning less nutrients for crops and potentially higher input costs for growers – new research shows.

  • Topsoil liming can slow subsoil acidification – if done in time
    Soil and Nutrition, 20 Dec 2022
    Topsoil liming can slow subsoil acidification – if done in time

    Preventive and regular top-dressed lime applications can have an additive effect on subsoil pH. Long-term research is finding that being on the front foot and top-dressing lime now helps slow soil acidification through the profile.

  • Livestock management strategies safeguarding against wind erosion
    Soil and Nutrition, 12 Dec 2022
    Livestock management strategies safeguarding against wind erosion

    In addition to grazing management on challenging sandy soils, the Hunt’s have undertaken significant clay delving with noticeable improvement to topsoil aggregation.

  • Rules of thumb for optimal cropping paddock management in marginal areas
    Soil and Nutrition, 12 Dec 2022
    Rules of thumb for optimal cropping paddock management in marginal areas

    While livestock is Ben’s primary enterprise, cropping adds an important and profitable element to his farm business.

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