Farmers encouraged to sign up for soil testing to improve productivity and profitability

Farmers are encouraged to get to know their soil, with expressions of interest now open for the latest round of the Geographe catchment soil testing program. Designed to provide farmers with whole farm soil testing, colour-coded nutrient maps, soil and plant nutrition workshops, spring plant tissue testing and access to one-on-one Fertcare Accredited agronomic advice, the service allows farmers to get the most out of their soil for the upcoming season. Project Officer Jenelle Schult said the soil testing program is a win for farmers and the environment, estimating a reduction of up to 4.8 tonnes a year of phosphorus entering Geographe Bay through improved fertiliser management. “Being part of the program helps farmers save money on fertiliser, improves farm productivity and reduces nutrients entering Geographe Bay,” she said. “Many farmers have been surprised to find they have adequate phosphorus levels across much of their farm and can divert their attention, and dollars, to addressing other nutrients limiting production.” The program offers two soil sampling approaches; do-it-yourself or sampled for you, the two options allowing programs to be tailored to meet the needs of the farmer. With more than 250 local farmers taking part in the initiative since 2015, local farmer Rebecca Slade highly recommended the program for those keen to learn more about their soil and how they can be more efficient with fertiliser. “The program gave me information so I could get the most out of my farm, to know where my dollars are best spent and how to better understand my soils,” she said. Open to beef, dairy and sheep grazing enterprises in the Geographe catchment with more than 40ha of cleared land, applications for the soil testing program are open until Sunday June 19. For more information or to register your interest, visit https://estuaries.dwer.wa.gov.au/strategies/sustainable-agriculture/soil-testing/.