Back Paddock Agronomist Robyn Tuck talks with experienced Elders agronomists about the role of soil/plant testing and SoilMate in their business.
Darren Pech of Elders Jamestown
“With soil tests and interpretations through SoilMate I have excellent foundations for developing recommendations that are tailored to the outcomes my clients want to achieve.
I use the SoilMate GraiNPlan to examine different nitrogen rates against yield and protein levels, and consider the potential for this season, against other seasons. I like the yield predictions of GraiNPlan, I find this useful.
Having the detailed and comprehensive tables in the background of the SoilMate program provides a high level of confidence when interpreting the soil test results and creating recommendations. I know the data in the evaluation tables is based on Australian records and research, specific for our soils and environment. This translates into the best possible recommendations for our clients, for the seasonal growth of their crop, for trouble shooting and for looking at long term trends in soil nutrition”.
Darren Pech of Elders Jamestown is assisting his clients to gain a better understanding of nitrogen availability to plants at different depths and different times in the crop cycle. He is mapping where it is in the profile at the end or beginning of a crop cycle. He is able to extend his clients understanding of plant and nutrient relationships on a paddock-by-paddock basis. Measuring: How much nitrogen the beans in rotation are putting down. Is nitrogen building up (or not) over the years, and also looking at the year-to-year trends to check we are not mining nutrients. I look at Nitrate N and ammonium N and Sulphur. Without soil testing Darren says, “we would be making assumptions about what we think is going on in the soil profile. Soil testing provides true reflective numbers that are as accurate as we can possibly get.”
My clients and I are interested in tracking nitrogen through the profile, between paddocks and over time. I measure it, sometimes before and after the crop to understand how much is left and where it is. That way we can develop a strategy going forward and gain valuable knowledge.
In the past, as was the “district norm” we would have made assumptions on what the pulse crop would put in, or what the cereal crop would take out, but using SoilMate and measuring this gives is a more accurate number to work towards. More accurate numbers translate into higher quality recommendations and greater profitability.
MEASURE NITROGEN IN THE SOIL PROFILE AT 0-30 cm and 30-60 cm.
I DEVELOP A STRATEGY THAT MAKES SURE THE CROP HAS N WHEN IT
NEEDS IT, AT THE RIGHT DEPTH.
I’m doing a lot of in-crop N soil testing in June – July “when I have a feel for how the season is tracking” and I can consider if there is more/less potential for this season compared to other seasons. I measure n in the soil profile at 0-30 cm and 30-60 cm and develop a strategy that makes sure the crop has N when it needs it, at the right depth.
I LOOK AT THE THREE DIFFERENT N RATES AND YIELDS THAT GRAINPLAN CALCULATES
BECAUSE I am taking a soil test “and measuring nitrogen whilst the crop is growing I am further into the growing season.” This allows us (discussion with growers) to gauge what the season ahead is looking like, and how the crop will perform in that year. Whether it’s looking like it’s going to be a bumper year or finish short. I look at the three different nitrogen rates that GrainNPlan calculates and the different projections for yield and protein levels. We consider the season ahead, make our decision and then it’s done and dusted.
I use Tissue Testing, but not generally for measuring Nitrogen to make application decisions. I’m more likely to use tissue testing to examine possible trace element issues or nutrient imbalances in the plan. If I’ve recently soil tested for nitrogen “in crop” at depth 0-30cm and 30-60cm, I will know
whether or not the crop is going to grow into N further down in the profile. Having Chris Dowling available for any in-depth agronomic discussions is a great asset.
PERFECTION IS ACHIEVABLE BUT IT CAN COME AT A COST AND DOESN’T NECESSARILY MAKE THE BEST RETURN.
We are able to give our customers the right information, tailored to their situation. They are then able to make better decisions that are more efficient. With soil tests and interpretations through SoilMate I have excellent foundations for developing
recommendations. These recommendations are tailored to the outcomes my clients want to achieve. It’s not always about getting the highest yield, it’s about profitability. Perfection is achievable but it can come at a cost and doesn’t necessarily make the best return. 80-90% of the achievable yield might be the most profitable outcome.
We help manage that expectation. Knowledge is gained when we compare what was done, against the harvest results, and against the projections of the GrainNplan. I like the predictions of the GraiNPlan, I find that a useful tool . Robyn & Darren make plans to talk again soon, to tailor some SoilMate training sessions. Darren is keen to look at the Trend Analysis tool, to see if it will provide some good nitrogen trend graphs that he can use for client discussions. He is interested in LimeMate to compare lime products and examine the cost effectiveness of different lime products. In the Jamestown areas lime is a commonly used soil ameliorant, but product choice often comes down to what product is available. He’s keen to learn more about the BPC Mobile App. Darren isn’t sharing a data base with other agronomists so this could be useful for him. It will allow him to set up a paperless purchase order from the field and scan the samples using his mobile phone, email the lab to let them know the soil samples are on their way, and send them off. The test results come back to his phone, as a status graph. He can attach comments to this and email it straight on to his client. A quick turnaround for results is important when doing “in-crop” N soil tests. Back at his desk he can compile the recommendation making full use of the interpretation program and develop a comprehensive recommendation and report. Thanks, Darren, for making time to chat to the Back paddock Team. We value your feedback and the sharing of your experience. We covered a lot of ground! hands free, on the road between farms!