Unlocking the Secrets Beneath: a Guide to Soil Testing and Results

Today we are pleased to have Cameron Leckie (Regional Soil Coordinator, Southern Queensland Northern New South Wales Innovation Hub visit our farm and undertake core sampling on a number of locations. He then provides some excellent analysis of what he found and offers sensible solutions to fixing what can be fixed.
The SQNNSW Innovation Hub’s Regional Soil Coordinator is funded through the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.
Cameron Leckie [e-mail]
www.unisq.edu....
/ sqnnswhub
Reference books
Understanding your Soil Test, Step by Step (Cath Botta) - link to this document (www.gbcma.vic....)
Interpreting Soil Test Results, What do all the numbers mean? (Pam Hazelton and Brian Murphy)
With thanks to the Burnett Mary Regional Group
www.bmrg.org.au/
/ bmrg4nrm
#queenslandfarmer #farming #farmer #soil #DAFF, #FDF #NationalLandcareProgram

[@robstafford8306]

Chris, Cameron has a really engaging presentation style. What it is, what it means, potential impact on soil health, remedies, where to find out more and Agencies that support the farming community in this regard. He shared a lot of (understandable) info in a 25min presentation!!!

[@queenslandfarmer]

Rob, Cameron really knows his stuff. He genuinely taught me a lot about the importance of soil and provided really useful, considered and cost-conscious solutions to address deficiencies on the farm.

[@insAneTunA]

Very interesting. It also confirms the benefits of wood chips mulch and nitrogen rich mulch. To combat the acidity you can also use sea shells. Sea shells are an excellent PH buffer or bicarbonate, and they also contain phosphorus. I had some issues with he PH buffer in my aquaponics system, so I took a deep dive into what PH and alkalinity and all that stuff exactly means and what it does. And now I have bought a bag of sea shells that is normally used for landscaping to make sure that my PH buffer stays above a certain level, or in other words, to make sure that my pond water doesn't become acidic. If the water is neutral the sea shells will do nothing. They only dissolve when the water is acidic, so you can't overdose. And very often it is much cheaper as commercial bicarbonate products. It is a long term strategy, the sea shells are long lasting and they will release the bicarbonates and phosphorous over time. I had also bought a biological microscope, I received it, I tried it, and I have send it back. Sadly enough it was no good although the seller had recommended it to me. For what I want to do it seems that I need one that is far out of reach for me. So I leave that for what it is.
Anyway, thanks for doing all the research and for sharing it 👍

[@queenslandfarmer]

I have never heard of the use of seashells for this. What an interesting thought!

[@jameswestgate416]

This explained to me what permaculture chicken tractors are doing in poor soils - adding potassium!

[@queenslandfarmer]

James, that makes sense. I have actually been thinking about a chicken tractor.

[@anerawewillneverforget]

If you're really serious about building incredible soil, please look at Korean natural farming. This can be incorporated with permaculture to increase soil biodiversity.
Are you growing cover crops? If so, what seed are you using?

[@queenslandfarmer]

I will certainly check it out. Thanks for tip.
No cover crops, very low input farming except for adding either sugar cane or Rhodes grass mulch.

[@anerawewillneverforget]

@queenslandfarmer it's all about feeding the soil microbes. Happy soil, happy plants, basically. Everyone thinks they have to fertilise the plants, when in fact, we must feed the soil.
I build soil and feed the microbes. Cover crops feed the microbes and open up the clay for better drainage. I just love how Mother Nature takes care of the environment. We are just the care takers ... hehehe