3D soil pit models unveiled on Eyre Peninsula through Soil Hub

Located at Ungarra, Cummins and Mt Damper, the pits have undergone profiling and analysis, with data presented through 3D modelling, 360 imagery and video, creating virtual soil pit experiences online via Soil Hub in conjunction with AIR EP.

AIR EP executive officer Naomi Scholz said the virtual pits would provide a valuable resource for farmers.

"Sandy soils in particular are a real challenge on the EP - by taking a look at the virtual pits, and the analysis of those sites, farmers can compare what they're seeing online with what they're dealing with on a daily basis in their own paddocks," she said.

The analysis showed at Mount Damper water repellence was recorded to be moderate between 0 to 5cm and mild between 5 and 10cm, with extremes in PH measured at neutral 0 to 20cm and severe alkaline deeper than 20cm.

Soil strength was also recorded as severe, while the soil had sufficient phosphorus, potassium and zinc but was deficient in sulfur and copper.

Amelioration was recommended at Mount Damper to raise clay and dilute water repellence.

The soil pit at Cummins had mild water repellence, no extremes in PH or soil strength, but was deficient in potassium and marginal in copper.

While the soil at the site had been ameliorated through delving previously, the analysis suggested the soil would benefit from better mixing of clay through the profile.

Custom fertiliser to address deficiencies was recommended at both sites.

Nicholas Gale's Ungarra farm is one of the three 3D sites.

Following the analysis, constraints for the property included severe water repellence, extremes in PH levels and nutrient deficiencies in sulfur and copper, while sufficient levels of phosphorous, potassium and zinc were recorded.

These results showed water droplets were taking more than four minutes to infiltrate soil collected from the top 10cm in some pockets, despite being clay spread.

Mr Gale said his property was made up of non-wetting sands with deep clay, which he had previously ameliorated but not to its full extent.

"We've had a few trial strips done in the last few years but we hadn't fully committed," he said.

"The knowledge base brought to our farm sort of opened our eyes a bit further and basically sort of showed us what we need to do the sooner we can do it, the better."

Key strategies put forward from the Soil Hub for the farm included mixing the surface and subsurface layers to relieve compaction and dilute or eliminate water repellence, while custom fertiliser was recommended to correct deficiencies.

While no changes to his operation have been made yet, Mr Gale said he planned to spring into action following this year's harvest.

"Next summer hopefully we can invest in some machinery to do some amelioration and curb the effects of our constraints," he said.

"We want to make sure we do it properly the first time and make it long lasting.

"We could improve yields around the one tonne mark, but we won't know until it's done.

"What we do know firsthand is the areas we have done in the past tend to have crops that a greener, bulkier and hold on longer."

Mr Gale said he would target paddocks that would then be sown with cereals to maintain ground cover.

"Then we'll swing back into some break crops," he said.

"It sounds like weed seed banks can get a bit stirred up and you get a lot of stuff germinate that you didn't realise was there so we'll have to keep an eye on that."

Following his 3D soil pit unveiling, Mr Gale said there had been keen interest in delving and ripping around the region and he believes it had promoted more urgency for these techniques.

"With the climate of agriculture and everything being pretty full on with expenses, you have to make every little bit count these days," he said.

"Expansion is becoming limited to some people and it's important to make the best of what we have."

There are other six 3D soil pits across the state including at Bute, Coomandook and Pinnaroo, in addition to two in Victoria.