It showed a build-up of phosphorus and soil acidity we didn’t realise or thought we would have.
I like the fact we are now only putting phosphorus out where it is needed most”
INTRODUCTION
John Merrylees is a cotton grower in Carathool, NSW. He is currently working approximately 1,000 Ha and building towards 2,000 Ha. He also runs 4,500 ewes and grows winter cereals.
GETTING STARTED
John had recently completed landforming a paddock and following his agronomist’s recommendations, engaged Precision Agriculture to do more intensive soil sampling to identify and correct any problems that had occurred as a consequence of landforming. Knowing how much topsoil is shifted during the landforming process, soil testing at the beginning, is the best way to tackle variability and potential losses in future years.
OVERWHELMING RESULTS
Highlighting areas not identified in traditional soil sampling
John found the initial results very interesting. “It showed a build-up of phosphorus and soil acidity we didn’t realise we had or thought we would have. This hadn’t been picked up in previous soil surveys”.
The intensity of PA soil sampling provides a holistic view of each paddock, identifies constraints across each paddock and highlights variability not picked up with traditional soil sampling.
Unlock the soil potential
Applying the correct amount of inputs and correcting the soil, unlocked the nutrients previously retarded, with initial growth in those areas vigorous, until it evened out over time.
Putting phosphorus where it’s needed most
Knowing you are putting inputs where needed most is the best outcome of soil sampling with Precision Agriculture. There is no guesswork. You know that what you are doing will make a difference.
THE ONGOING JOURNEY
Following the initial trial paddock, John has not only continued with topsoil sampling in other areas of his farm but also conducted an EM38 survey for zone management and Deep N sampling. This will continue until the entire farm is complete, at which point he will go back and sample every 5 years thereafter.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PRINTABLE VERSION OF THIS TESTIMONIAL
