Soil Testing Landscape SA

Soil testing is a fundamental practice that provides valuable insights into the chemical, physical, and biological properties of the soil.

Soil Testing with Soil Management Systems

At Soil Management Systems we have been doing something a little different recently with soil testing compared to our normal activities of working with farmers around Australia’s agricultural areas. That is working on a project “Understanding your Soils” in the Range lands of the Central Flinders Ranges SA funded by Landscape SA.

I have always said that the soil is the foundation of every farming enterprise and low erratic rainfall grazing operations are no different. Economically, options are limited compared to cropping enterprises however there are management options that can be utilised.

First starting point is soil testing. In this project several comprehensive soil tests were done over many properties. They ranged from Bluebush/Saltbush areas to open grasslands, bare areas to flood out plains to rugged hills. When all collated, they were presented to all involved to explain the results of the mineral imbalances and resulting nutritional qualities of the pastures on offer to the livestock.

The history of the area is very interesting and what the landholders of this area are presented with now is not what it once was. The land was first taken up in large holdings in the 1840’s in what appeared to the first settlers as lucrative grazing country with a diversity of palatable species. All was short lived when the droughts of the 1850’s – 1860’s devasted the country and vegetation along with the local aboriginal people and topsoil in dust storms. All due to the excessive stocking rates. More change to the landscape from the 1870’s with the plough for growing wheat on small one square mile farms. (Larger in the un-arable hill country). More wind and water soil erosion until farming was abandoned in the early 1900’s. Now much larger grazing operations with the remnants of old stone homesteads and outbuildings every square mile, a reminder this country needs careful management.

Local landholders understand this fragile country and know how to carefully manage it. With our Comprehensive Soil Tests, management options can be further fine-tuned.

Working on these sorts of projects is what makes our business very satisfying.

For further information on Landscape SA Soil Projects visit their website 

If you want more details about our Soil Testing Services please contact our offices direct on 08 8659 0000 or go to our services page

Our vision is to work closely with farming clients to help them understand their soils and provide service and products that enhance the life, balance and productivity of their soils. I invite you to have a look at our products and services.

If you have any questions, please get in touch via the contact form. Return to the home page to see all we offer.