Corangamite Region 'Brown Book' - Problems and Solutions

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Problems and Solutions

List of regional problems

Case Studies

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List of regional soil-related management problems and questions affecting farmers

Assessing Soil Condition:

How can I assess the health of my soil?

What do dominant weeds tell us about soil conditions?

Managing Soil Biology and Soil Carbon:

How should we manage our soils to increase soil biology?

Should I consider biological products?

How should we manage our soils to increase soil carbon?

Managing Soil Structure:

How do I manage the impact of compaction?

How do I manage the impact of tillage?

How do I manage the impact of pugging?

How do I manage the impact of sodic soils?

How do I manage waterlogging?

How do dung beetles improve my soils?

Do I need to apply gypsum?

How do I maximise water use efficiency?

How do I reduce loss of topsoil through water erosion?

How do I reduce loss of topsoil through wind erosion?

Soil Health for Pastures and Cropping:

What can I do about my bare paddocks during summer or in drought conditions?

What pasture species adapt best to my soils?

How do I best manage salinity on my farm?

Should I be cropping on my land?

How do I manage stubble?

Managing the Imbalance of Nutrients:

Soil testing

How do I sample soil to ensure my soil chemical test results are reliable?

Who are the accredited labs for traditional soil chemical tests?

What are the merits of tissue testing instead of soil testing?

How useful is GPS & variable rate application on my farm?

Optimum nutrient levels

What are the optimum nutrient targets for pastures?

Fertilisers - Natural (Organic)

What organic fertilisers work?

Fertilisers - Manufactured (Inorganic)

How do I improve soil without using too much fertiliser?

Do I need to apply superphosphate (P)?

Do I need to apply potash (K)?

Do I need to apply nitrogen (N)?

Do I need to apply sulphur (S)?

Do I need to apply trace elements?

If I reduce my use of fertiliser, how much will it affect my milk yield?

Managing Soil Acidity:

What is my optimum soil pH?

Why have aluminium levels increased dramatically?

Lime application

When and why should I need to apply lime?

How do different types of lime compare?

The soil-related managment problems presented here have been compiled by regional soil experts based upon what they deem to be the most important issues that are currently experienced across the Corangamite region. It is recognised that there are additional problems that will not be addressed within this resource.

Please note that in some cases, individual problems and related management solutions may be general in nature and therefore could apply to all farming enterprises. Others however may only apply to a particular farming industry. This resource will address the predominant farming industries in the Corangamite region, namely: dairying, grazing and cropping.

This project is supported by the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority, through funding from the Australian Government�s Caring for our Country
							Page Updated: September 2013 Produced by AS Miner Geotechnical