Soil Resistance Testing following Picking
SOIL COMPACTION; A DARK CLOUD LOOMING OVER CROP PRODUCTIVITY Seasonal Overview The 2021’22 season gave us above average rainfall, milder temperatures then experienced over the past 5 years and high then average achievable yields allowing us to push boundaries and shift expectations. However, what has it left us with?
Potential Issues from the Season While most Farmers and Agronomists enjoyed the favorable climatic conditions afforded them this year it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. Due to the labor shortages, and the need to be more efficient in farm operations we have seen a shift towards larger, heavier machinery to overcome the problems faced in the agriculture industry over the last 10 years. While at a farm management level it has been beneficial what is happening at the soil level? Are our soils seriously under threat? When pickers and combines were lined up along paddocks ready to commence harvest this year the weather decided to play devil’s advocate. With above average rainfall (150-200mm compared to the average 50-100mm), the forecasts continuing in a La Nina cycle and commodity prices holding well growers were forced into making a tough decision to push limits with harvesting while soils remained wet (close to Field Capacity). Questions on the Mind • How are we going to turn our country around for next season? • Will we get our winter crop in? • Do you think compaction following this year’s harvest is going to impact next year’s yield potential?
Agronomist Dean Hamblin - Tillage Radish Barley Cover Crop
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