Centre for eResearch and Digital Innovation
A review of indicators of soil health and function: Farmers’ needs and data management Survey results
Prepared by: Centre for eResearch and Digital Innovation Status: Final Version: 1.0 Date: 31 May 2018
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page i of i
Table of Contents A review of indicators of soil health and function: Farmers’ needs and data management ..............................................................................................................1
Results – All participants...................................................................................................................... 1
Results – Farmers ............................................................................................................................... 37
Results – Consultants ......................................................................................................................... 68
Results – Agronomists ....................................................................................................................... 96
Results – Industry representatives .................................................................................................. 125
Results – Advisors/Extension officers ............................................................................................ 153
Results – Researchers ...................................................................................................................... 181
Appendix 1 – Survey ............................................................................................. 210
A review of indicators of soil health and function: Farmers’ needs and data management ..... 210
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A review of indicators of soil health and function: Farmers’ needs and data management
Results – All participants
Question 1: Which of the following best describes your role?
Which of the following best describes your role?
Role All participants (n=122)
Farmer 46
Consultant 15
Agronomist 21
Industry representative 8
Advisor/Extension officer 12
Researcher 20
No answer 0
Total 122
20
12
8
21
15
46
No answer
Researcher
Advisor/Extension officer
Industry representative
Agronomist
Consultant
Farmer
All p
artic
ipan
ts (n
=122
)
Which of the following best describes your role?
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Question 2: Please indicate your age.
Please indicate your age.
Age All participants (n=122)
18 - 24 1
25 - 34 16
35 - 44 18
45 - 54 35
55 - 64 27
65 - 74 19
75 or older 6
No answer 0
Total 122
6
19
27
35
18
16
1
No answer
75 or older
65 - 74
55 - 64
45 - 54
35 - 44
25 - 34
18 - 24
All p
artic
ipan
ts (n
=122
)Please indicate your age:
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Question 3
Other:
• California, United States
Question 3
State or territory All participants (n=122)
Australian Capital Territory 1
New South Wales 22
Northern Territory 0
Queensland 11
South Australia 15
Tasmania 1
Victoria 52
Western Australia 17
Other 1
No answer 2
Total 122
2
1
17
52
1
15
11
22
1
No answer
Other
Western Australia
Victoria
Tasmania
South Australia
Queensland
Northern Territory
New South Wales
Australian Capital Territory
All p
artic
ipan
ts (n
=122
)Question 3
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Question 4
Other:
• Rice • Sugar Cane – our work focusses on environmental risk management across industries – cane is
receiving the most policy attention at the moment.
Question 4
Produce All participants (n=122)
Dryland (e.g. non-irrigated,
rainfed)
Irrigated Intensive (e.g. feedlots, greenhouses)
Rangeland No answer Total
Grain, oilseed, pulses
68 4 N/A N/A N/A 72
Beef cattle 13 2 0 2 N/A 17
Prime lamb 6 0 0 0 N/A 6
Dairy (cows) 4 2 1 N/A N/A 7
Wool (sheep) 5 0 0 0 N/A 5
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130
No answer
Other
Viticulture
Horticulture: permanent plantings
Horticulture: annual crops
Pigs
Sugar
Cotton
Wool (sheep)
Dairy (cows)
Prime lamb
Beef cattle
Grain, oilseed, pulsesPr
oduc
e
All p
artic
ipan
ts (n
=122
)Question 4
Dryland (e.g. non-irrigated, rainfed) Irrigated
Intensive (e.g. feedlots, greenhouses) Rangeland
No answer
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Question 4
Produce All participants (n=122)
Dryland (e.g. non-irrigated,
rainfed)
Irrigated Intensive (e.g. feedlots, greenhouses)
Rangeland No answer Total
Cotton 0 0 N/A N/A N/A 0
Sugar 1 3 N/A N/A N/A 4
Pigs 0 0 0 N/A N/A 0
Horticulture: annual crops
0 1 0 N/A N/A 1
Horticulture: permanent plantings
1 5 0 N/A N/A 6
Viticulture 0 1 0 N/A N/A 1
Other 1 1 0 0 N/A 2
No answer N/A N/A N/A N/A 1 1
Total 99 19 1 2 1 122
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Question 5
Other:
• Chickens and ducks • Farming communities intent on achieving soil health in north central Victoria • Free range game birds • Frost, regenerative agriculture • Fruit and nut trees, game birds • Horses • Landcare • Pasture improvement and pasture cropping when moisture available • Planted forest systems (land use change) • Produce by fence posts • Rice • Sheep for meat • Sheep meat • Speciality crops such as poppies, boronia, pyrethrum, flowers, medicinal herbs etc.
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130
No answer
Other
Viticulture
Horticulture: permanent plantings
Horticulture: annual crops
Pigs
Sugar
Cotton
Wool (sheep)
Dairy (cows)
Prime lamb
Beef cattle
Grain, oilseed, pulsesPr
oduc
e
All p
artic
ipan
ts (n
=122
)Question 5
Dryland (e.g. non-irrigated, rainfed) Irrigated
Intensive (e.g. feedlots, greenhouses) Rangeland
No answer
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Question 5
Produce All participants (n=122)
Dryland (e.g. non-irrigated,
rainfed)
Irrigated Intensive (e.g. feedlots, greenhouses)
Rangeland No answer Total
Grain, oilseed, pulses
18 10 N/A N/A N/A 28
Beef cattle 39 3 0 2 N/A 44
Prime lamb 38 2 1 3 N/A 44
Dairy (cows) 10 14 1 N/A N/A 25
Wool (sheep) 44 2 0 1 N/A 47
Cotton 3 7 N/A N/A N/A 10
Sugar 6 2 N/A N/A N/A 8
Pigs 1 0 2 N/A N/A 3
Horticulture: annual crops
5 19 1 N/A N/A 25
Horticulture: permanent plantings
4 11 1 N/A N/A 16
Viticulture 3 10 0 N/A N/A 13
Other 8 5 1 0 N/A 14
No answer N/A N/A N/A N/A 15 15
Total 179 85 7 6 15 292
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Question 6
Please state certification:
• BFA • Bonsucro • Demeter • Organic and biodynamic • Possibly • No answer (n=2)
Question 6
All participants (n=122)
Yes 7
No 115
No answer 0
Total 122
115
7
No answer
No
Yes
All p
artic
ipan
ts (n
=122
)Question 6
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Question 7
Question 7
Size All participants (n=122)
Less than 50 hectares 20
50 to 99 hectares 20
100 to 499 hectares 47
500 to 999 hectares 33
1,000 to 1,999 hectares 48
2,000 to 4,999 hectares 37
5,000 hectares or more 22
No answer 2
Total 229
2
22
37
48
33
47
20
20
No answer
5,000 hectares or more
2,000 to 4,999 hectares
1,000 to 1,999 hectares
500 to 999 hectares
100 to 499 hectares
50 to 99 hectares
Less than 50 hectares
All p
artic
ipan
ts (n
=122
)Question 7
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Question 8
90.2%
16.4%
13.1%
7.4%
17.2%
5.7%
11.5%
15.6%
8.2%
8.2%
6.6%
4.1%
4.9%
7.4%
12.3%
22.1%
12.3%
13.9%
13.1%
9.8%
4.1%
15.6%
10.7%
4.1%
25.4%
1.6%
4.9%
6.6%
9.0%
18.9%
2.5%
.8%
1.6%
1.6%
13.1%
21.3%
3.3%
20.5%
13.9%
3.3%
2.5%
1.6%
50.8%
43.4%
34.4%
41.8%
26.2%
30.3%
37.7%
35.2%
40.2%
41.0%
29.5%
38.5%
39.3%
49.2%
39.3%
50.8%
36.1%
45.9%
47.5%
21.3%
8.2%
17.2%
32.8%
54.1%
15.6%
66.4%
53.3%
40.2%
47.5%
32.8%
50.0%
65.6%
54.9%
51.6%
25.4%
17.2%
33.6%
29.5%
27.0%
39.3%
72.1%
Other
Market forecast
Commodity prices
Input costs
Machinery performance
Yield/quality
Plant/animal health
Biomass
Pasture growth
Soil biology
Soil structure
Soil chemistry, nutrients
Soil moisture
Soil type, variability
Drainage, waterlogging
Contours, levels
Seasonal forecasts
Wind
Frost
Temperature
Rainfall
Agrib
usin
ess
Prod
uctio
nSo
ilsTe
rrai
nW
eath
er
All p
artic
ipan
ts (n
=122
)Question 8
No answer Never Sometimes Always
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 11 of 231
Other:
• Agronomists, marketing gurus • Available cash flow and product (solid/liquid) conditioners and fertilisers • Degree of waterlogging in wet periods, and degree of grass cover in dry periods • Distance from the market and therefore the cost of freight for a given output • Farmer health • Field variation in soil type, nutrient dispersal, etc. • Heavy mulching • Long term business objects balanced with family needs and aspirations • Mancing market events with production • Pests • Remote sensing and mapping – FarmMap4D • Resource use efficiency, crop nutrition principles, fertiliser types and use, reducing land based
emissions, irrigation, cover and biofumigation crops, organic amendments, waste water and recycled organics, pests, diseases and weeds
Question 8
All participants (n=122)
Always Sometimes Never No answer
Weather Rainfall 88 26 3 5
Temperature 48 58 4 12
Frost 33 56 17 16
Wind 36 44 25 17
Seasonal forecasts 41 62 4 15
Terrain Contours, levels 21 48 26 27
Drainage, waterlogging 31 60 16 15
Soils Soil type, variability 63 48 2 9
Soil moisture 67 47 2 6
Soil chemistry, nutrients 80 36 1 5
Soil structure 61 50 3 8
Soil biology 40 49 23 10
Production Pasture growth 58 43 11 10
Biomass 49 46 8 19
Plant/animal health 65 37 6 14
Yield/quality 81 32 2 7
Agribusiness Machinery performance 19 51 31 21
Input costs 66 42 5 9
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Question 8
All participants (n=122)
Always Sometimes Never No answer
Commodity prices 40 53 13 16
Market forecast 21 62 19 20
Other 10 2 0 110
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Question 9
Other:
• Agronomist not paid • ALA, BASE, SOILQUALITY.ORG, VRO • Collect data within company • From credible biodynamic suppliers, not synthetic focused groups • GIS • Incitec Pivot database or BFDC database • Laboratory testing • pH testing • Provide and share information and data with Landcare group • Seminars, field days • Soil analyses of samples collected on farm • Twitter • Victorian Resources online
Question 9
Data source All participants (n=122)
Collect it on the farm manually 103
Collect it on the farm with sensors 33
From our own database 51
Shared from others 46
12
13
23
49
28
29
66
58
46
51
33
103
No answer
Other
From a mobile App
Freely from the internet
From a subscription or membership
From a paid advisor, agronomist or consultant
From research reports, maps, journals, experts
From extension activities
Shared from others
From our own database
Collect it on the farm with sensors
Collect it on the farm manually
All p
artic
ipan
ts (n
=122
)Question 9
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Question 9
Data source All participants (n=122)
From extension activities 58
From research reports, maps, journals, experts 66
From a paid advisor, agronomist or consultant 29
From a subscription or membership 28
Freely from the internet 49
From a mobile App 23
Other 13
No answer 12
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Question 10
Other:
• Brix • Daily • Grid based nutrient • Landscape function (Tongway et al. 2004) • pH (n=2) • pH CA MAG TRACE ELEMENTS • Routine soil tests • Soil test results • Soil testing
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130
Other
Other
Other
Soil-borne pests/diseases
Worms/bugs
Erosion, groundcover
Penetrometer, spade, boot heel
Waterlogging, drainage
Wetness, moisture, dryness, cracking
Organic matter
Smell, taste
Colour, texture, feel
Obs
erva
tions
All p
artic
ipan
ts (n
=122
)Question 10
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years Use rarely Never use No answer
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• Structure • Trash levels • Visual signs of biology • Yield
Other:
• Echangeable Cations • Grid based acidity • NDVI • Olsson P • Precision Ag services • Satellite observations • Stage of crop growth • Structural stability • Taste of produce
Other:
• Leaf colour/pest density • Macro nutrients • Soil pathogen • Drive by observation • Cost effectiveness • Phosphorus • Profile soil test
Question 10
Observations All participants (n=122)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
Colour, texture, feel
10 21 32 20 14 1 24
Smell, taste 6 15 7 3 29 34 28
Organic matter
10 19 36 24 8 3 22
Wetness, moisture, dryness, cracking
28 38 20 3 6 1 26
Waterlogging, drainage
14 30 28 12 8 5 25
Penetrometer, spade, boot heel
15 21 23 8 19 8 28
Erosion, groundcover
16 27 37 5 9 3 25
Worms/bugs 13 22 26 7 23 5 26
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Question 10
Observations All participants (n=122)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
Soil-borne pests/ diseases
7 14 21 12 28 13 27
Other 5 4 5 0 0 0 108
Other 2 4 3 0 0 0 113
Other 2 1 4 0 0 0 115
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Question 11
Other:
• Bulk density (n=2) • Plant available water
Other:
• Soil porosity/water infiltration
Other:
• Root depth
Question 11
Physical tests
All participants (n=122)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
Soil moisture 22 31 20 7 8 10 24
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130
Other
Other
Other
EM38 survey
Soil strength
Soil structure
Soil temperature
Soil moisture
Phys
ical
test
s
All p
artic
ipan
ts (n
=122
)Question 11
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years Use rarely Never use No answer
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Question 11
Physical tests
All participants (n=122)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
Soil temperature
11 26 9 2 29 18 27
Soil structure 4 13 41 17 11 6 30
Soil strength 1 6 17 4 38 21 35
EM38 survey 1 1 8 16 23 39 34
Other 0 1 1 0 1 0 119
Other 0 0 1 0 0 0 121
Other 0 1 0 0 0 0 121
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Other:
• Carbonates • Cation exchange capacity • CEC • Range of macronutrients
Other:
• Ca and Mg for structure assessment • Exch cations • Gypsum • Soil organic carbon storage
Other:
• Micronutrients indictors • Plant available nutrients • Sodicity
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130
Other
Other
Other
Soil contaminants/toxicity
Soil EC, salinity
Soil nitrogen
Soil pH (acidity/alkalinity)
Paddock soil tests (nutrients)Ch
emic
al te
sts
All p
artic
ipan
ts (n
=122
)Question 11
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years Use rarely Never use No answer
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Question 11
Chemical tests
All participants (n=122)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
Paddock soil tests (nutrients)
3 6 52 34 4 4 19
Soil pH (acidity/ alkalinity)
4 8 50 35 3 2 20
Soil nitrogen 1 9 54 21 6 7 24
Soil EC, salinity
1 5 46 36 4 6 24
Soil contaminants/ toxicity
0 1 21 11 26 27 36
Other 1 0 2 1 0 0 118
Other 1 0 2 1 0 0 118
Other 0 1 1 1 0 0 119
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Other:
• Dung beetle activity • Nematodes • Pachymetra and nematode • Potentially mineralisable nitrogen • Soil biomass testing • Soil food web
Other:
• Enzyme activity
Other:
• Microbial biomass
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130
Other
Other
Other
Mycorrhizal colonisation
Bug counts
Worm counts
DNA-based tests
Respiration/decompositionBi
olog
ical
test
s
All p
artic
ipan
ts (n
=122
)Question 11
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years Use rarely Never use No answer
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Question 11
Biological tests
All participants (n=122)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
Respiration/decomposition
0 3 8 6 19 50 36
DNA-based tests
0 1 5 10 20 52 34
Worm counts 2 1 8 6 30 42 33
Bug counts 1 5 8 3 27 48 30
Mycorrhizal colonisation
0 2 9 5 19 57 30
Other 1 1 1 2 1 0 116
Other 0 1 0 0 0 0 121
Other 0 1 0 0 0 0 121
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Other:
• Agronomic tests for indicating soil performance • Microbial population diversity and functions • Tissue testing for micronutrients • Using biomass feedback from satellite data • Water infiltration
Question 11
All participants (n=122)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
Other tests 0 3 1 0 1 0 117
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130
Other tests
Question 11
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years Use rarely Never use No answer
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Question 12
Question 12
All participants (n=122)
Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Hardly ever Never No answer
14 63 19 9 0 17
10 20 30 40 50 60 70
All participants (n=122)
Question 12
Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years Hardly ever Never No answer
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Question 13
Question 13
All participants (n=122)
Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 Total
Soil Physical 24 30 29 83
Soil Chemical 47 49 36 132
Soil Biological 1 2 5 8
Vegetation indicators 22 13 12 47
Other 6 3 9 18
No answer 22 25 31 78
Word cloud
Answer Carbon CEC Cover Crop Decomposition Deep EC Ground Growth Health
Matter Moisture N Nitrogen Nutrients Organic P
Pasture pH Phosphorus Plant Soil Species Structure
Temperature Test Texture Visual Yield
22
6
22
1
47
24
25
3
13
2
49
30
31
9
12
5
36
29
No answer
Other
Vegetation indicators
Soil Biological
Soil Chemical
Soil Physical
All p
artic
ipan
ts (n
=122
)Question 13
Response 1 Response 2 Response 3
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Word frequencies
Soil (n=62) pH (n=38) Moisture (n=28) Nutrients (n=22) Test (n=20) Organic (n=14) Yield (n=13) Structure (n=11) N (n=10) P (n=10) Nitrogen (n=9) Plant (n=9) Growth (n=8) Matter (n=8) Carbon (n=7) Texture (n=7) Deep (n=6) EC (n=6) Health (n=6) Visual (n=6) CEC (n=4) Cover (n=4) Crop (n=4) Decomposition (n=4) Ground (n=4) Pasture (n=4) Phosphorus (n=4) Species (n=4) Temperature (n=4) Answer (n=3)
Responses – All participants (n=122) Soil Physical Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Available soil moisture • Moisture (n=10) • Organic matter • Organic matter/carbon • Probe • Soil moisture • Soil moisture at depths • Soil strength • Soil structure (n=2) • Soil texture • Soil wetting • SOM • Texture • Visual
• Erosion • Feel • Infiltration rate • Litter decomposition • Moisture (n=3) • Organic matter (n=2) • Penetrometer depth of less
300psi • Shovel (n=2) • Soil hydraulics • Soil loss and erosion • Soil moisture (n=8) • Soil moisture probe • Soil organic matter • Structure (n=2) • Texture (n=2) • Visual/touch • Water content
• Colour • Decomposition of mulch • EM survey • Humas/carbon
incorporation visual • Moisture • Moisture content • My eyes and feet! • Organic content • Organic matter (n=3) • Penetration • Penetrometer (n=2) • Rainfall and heat • Repellance • Seeding soil moisture • Soil structure (n=2) • Soil structure/water
movement • Soil temperature • Soil temperature probe • Soil texture • Soil type • Structure (n=2) • Structure, tilth • Texture (n=2)
Soil Chemical Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Available nutrients • CEC • Colwell P (n=2) • Deep N • Deep Soil N, S, Bo Ec • DGT P • Grid based pH, N, P, K • N • NPKS • Nutrient • Nutrient status
• 0-10 Nutrient • Ca% of CEC • Calcium magnesium • CEC • Chemical analysis • Colwell P • Deep N • Deep soil N • Deep/shallow soil nutrient
tests • DGT P
• % Na • Acidity • All nutrients • Available Minerals • Cal/mag ratio • Chemical nutrition • EC • ESI/CEC • Macro levels • N • Nitrogen (n=4)
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 28 of 231
• Nutrients • Olsson P • Organic carbon (n=2) • pH (n=13) • pH CaCl2 • pH/EC • Phosphorus/PBI • Physical soil test • Smell of the soil • SOC • Soil chemistry + N • Soil fertility • Soil N – Deep N • Soil nutrient • Soil nutrients • Soil nutrients/pH • Soil pH (n=2) • Soil test • Soil test P and K • Soil testing for nutrients • Std major, minor nutrients
• DGT-P • EC • EConductivity • General soil test • Nitrogen (n=4) • NPK • Nutrient testing • Nutrients (n=2) • Nutrition • PBI (n=2) • pH (n=10) • pH and liming
requirements • pH testing • pH/EC • Phosphorus (n=2) • Soil chemistry/nutrition • Soil nutrients • Soil organic carbon • Soil pH • Soil test • Soil test other nutrients • Soil testing • Soil tests • Soil water
• Nitrogen levels • Nutrient status • Nutrient test • Nutrients (n=2) • Organic carbon • Organic carbon (sugar) • P levels • pH • pH and EC • pH mapping • Phosphorus • S • Salinity (n=2) • Smell (n=2) • Soil test • Soil test data • Soil test pH and structure • Soil tests (n=2)
Soil Biological Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Decomposition • Speed of decomposition
• Worm activity/numbers • Bugs • Pathagens • Pest density • Soil biology • Worm numbers
Vegetation indicators Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Biomass • Biomass produced • Condition of trees • Crop yield and quality • Crop/pasture yield • dM yield • Ground cover and species
mix • Increase in perennial grass
species • Past yield • Pasture height/yield • Pastures growth or lack of
growth • Perennial grass basal area • Plant species • Plant vigour
• Crop growth • Early season response • Ground cover (n=2) • Growth • Indicator plant species • Leaf size and surface
feeder root proliferation • Plant colour • Plant health • Plant sugars • Production • Production – growth rates • Tree health
• Annual comprehensive leaf nutrient analysis
• Crop observations • Ground cover • Growth/density • Pasture growthpalanced • Perennial grass recovery • Plant growth • Plant performance • Yield (n=3) • Yield maps
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• Root depth and location • Tree health, fruit size and
fruit drop at climatic stress events
• Visual – sward appearance • Weeds • Yield (n=3) • Yield map
Other Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • CSBP soil and plant tests • No idea • Pre and post preparation • Rainfall • Stock health • Visual inspection
• Experience • History • Temperature
• 43 years of observation • Animal health (n=2) • pH/EM38/NDVI • Responsiveness • Soil observation (colour,
root growth, worms) • Temperature • Testing • Visual
No answer Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • No answer (n=22) • No answer (n=25) • No answer (n=31)
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Question 14
Question 14
All participants (n=122)
Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 Total
Soil Physical 24 27 25 76
Soil Chemical 40 42 27 109
Soil Biological 10 9 7 26
Vegetation indicators 9 5 12 26
Other 7 3 10 20
No answer 32 36 41 109
Word cloud
Accurate Activity Analysis Available Biological Biomass Carbon CEC Content EC
Health Level Mapping Matter Moisture Monitoring N Nitrogen
Nutrient Organic P pH Plant Regular Soil Status Structure Test Water Yield
32
7
9
10
40
24
36
3
5
9
42
27
41
10
12
7
27
25
No answer
Other
Vegetation indicators
Soil Biological
Soil Chemical
Soil Physical
All p
artic
ipan
ts (n
=122
)Question 14
Response 1 Response 2 Response 3
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 31 of 231
Word frequencies
Soil (n=66) pH (n=28) Test (n=26) Nutrient (n=21) Moisture (n=20) Organic (n=19) Matter (n=12) Biological (n=8) Structure (n=8) Activity (n=7) Carbon (n=7) CEC (n=7) Nitrogen (n=7) Plant (n=7) Yield (n=7) N (n=6) Available (n=5) Mapping (n=5) P (n=5) Status (n=5) Water (n=5) Analysis (n=4) Content (n=4) EC (n=4) Health (n=4) Level (n=4) Monitoring (n=4) Regular (n=4) Accurate (n=3) Biomass (n=3)
Responses – All participants (n=122) Soil Physical Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Automated probe • Bulk density (n=2) • Current PAW • EM mapping • EM survey to inform where
to take soil test on their property
• EM38 (n=2) • Moisture (n=3) • Monitor soil moisture • OC • Organic matter • pH • Repellence • Soil moisture • Soil moisture at depths • Soil structure • Structure • Structure/strength • Visual • Visual physical properties • Water holding capacity
• Erosion/soil loss • Hand held OC • Litter decomposition • Low cost EM • Moisture (n=3) • Moisture content • Organic carbon • Organic matter (n=4) • Rate of soil drainage • Root constraints • Shovel • Soil compaction • Soil moisture (n=2) • Soil organic matter • Soil structure • Soil structure/moisture
holding capacity • Soil temperature
monitoring • Soil type • Structure • Texture • Visual soil assessment
• Aeration • Compaction • Dig a hole to understand
soil physical properties at depth
• EM38 • Moisture (n=2) • Mulch decomposition • My eyes and feet! • Organic content • Organic matter (n=4) • Soil moisture • Soil moisture DUL etc. • Soil organic matter • Soil probe/moisture • Soil temperature • Soil type • Structure • Texture • Texture/PAW • Water • Water infiltration rates • Zonal management
Soil Chemical Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Accurate soil moisture • Balanced nutrients • CEC • Colwell P • Cost effective on farm soil
test • Deep Soil N, S, Bo EC • Electronic pH • Grid nutrients (phosphorus
primarily) • Moisture • N fractions • N P K S
• Bi-annual soil nut test • Calcium requirements • CEC (n=3) • CEC and available
minerals • CEC/ESP • Colwell P • Complete soil test • Core samples - nutrient • Deep soil N • Elements • Grid pH • Help boost soil
• Accurate nitrogen availability
• Chemical analysis • Colwell K • Complete chemical
analysis through EAL – water soluble, extractable and total levels
• Deep soil Nitrogen • ESI/CEC • Exchangeable cations • Humus level • Microelements
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• Nitrogen/pH • NPKS • Nutrient status (n=2) • Nutrient tests • Nutrition • Organic carbon • P • pH (n=7) • pH mapping • pH/EC • Phosphorus • Physical soil test • Plant available N • Potassium • SOC • Soil nutrients/pH • Soil oxygen content • Soil pH (n=2) • Soil test • Soil testing for nutrients • Total available nutrient
• Nitrogen (n=3) • Nutrient beyond 0-10 • Nutrient levels • Nutrient soil tests • Nutrients (n=2) • Olsen P • Organic carbon • PBI (n=2) • pH (n=2) • pH test • pH/EC • Phosphorus • Regular carbon content
measurement • Salinity • Simplified soil test to match
possible crop • Soil N mapping • Soil nutrient • Soil nutrients • Soil organic carbon • Soil test regularly • Soil testing • Soil testing on a regular
basis • Yearly general soil test
• Nitrogen • NPK • Nutrient status • Nutrients • Organic matter % • Pesticide residues • pH (n=6) • pH and EC • Possibly grid sampling
paddocks for VR • S • Soil chemistry/nutrition • Soil organic carbon • Soil tests
Soil Biological Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Accurate measurement of
soil fungi, bacteria and other microbes
• Biological activity • Biological activity and
diversity • Bug diversity counts • Cost effective biological
indicator • Predicta B • Soil animals • Soil Biology
quantities/values • Soil biota • Soil life
• Biocobial activity • Biological counts • Disease • DNA based tests • Microbial activity • Mycorrhizal colonisation • Mycorrizal activity • Soil biology • Soil food web
• Biological assessment • Biological testing • How to increase microbial
activity • Microbe/micro fauna
activity and health • Soil animals • Soil bourne pests/diseases • Worm and bug counts
Vegetation indicators Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Biomass/yield • Complex plant tissue
analysis • Crop yield and quality • Growth rates – CSIRO
pasture space @ paddock
• Hyperspec nutrient status • Indicator plant species • Leaf tissue test • Plant/pasture quality • Tissue tests
• Crop observations • Mapping increase in
perennial species • Multispec feed analysis –
ME CP • NDVI
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 33 of 231
level resolution or geolocated cdax
• Perennial grass basal area • Plant d/m production • Root depth • Yield • Yield monitoring
• Perennial grass recovery • Performance • Plate meter • Progressive review of
performance (Biomass) • Satellite pasture growth • Yeild monitoring • Yield • Yield variability
Other Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Any tests that would • CSBP soil and plant tests • Organic carbon/respiration • Plant available nutrients
and water • Rainfall • Regular soil biomass
testing • Stock health
• pH and structural status • Sap and DNA tests • Temperature
• 43 years of observation • A test that indicates a soils
ability to mitigate the effect climatic stress events
• Calf/may ratio • Cattle hoof health and
relation to soil testing • Health • Locality benchmarking • Mill ash/mud amendments • Soil nutrient cf yield map • Soil observation (colour,
root growth, worms) • VSA
No answer Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • No answer (n=32) • No answer (n=36) • No answer (n=41)
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 34 of 231
Question 15
Word cloud
Animals Assess Available Better Biological Building Crop Cycle Depends Different Growing Health Healthy Indicators Look Management Measure Mineral Moisture
Nutrient Organic Performance pH Plants Soil Structure Test Time Useful Work
Word frequencies
Soil (n=65) Plants (n=16) Biological (n=12) Nutrient (n=12) Test (n=12) Measure (n=11) Indicators (n=10) Useful (n=9) Available (n=7) Health (n=7) Management (n=7) Organic (n=7) Better (n=6) Different (n=6) Healthy (n=6) Look (n=6) Mineral (n=6) pH (n=6) Time (n=6) Crop (n=5) Growing (n=5) Moisture (n=5) Performance (n=5) Structure (n=5) Work (n=5) Animals (n=4) Assess (n=4) Building (n=4) Cycle (n=4) Depends (n=4)
Responses – All participants (n=122) • A lot of contradiction re biological measures and effectiveness of microbes and cost effective ways
to improve the soils BIOLOGICAL workings. The use of biological e.g. carbon, humates fulvic vs humic, molassis, microbe 'food', biological microbes – VERY confusing and need the facts of what may REALLY work or even the RATES and/or time period required to notice results (plant growth/yield improvements, soil tillage).
• As I live in a high rainfall pH and nutrient run off are one of the main problems. An economical viable stabiliser would be a great help.
• Building nutrient profile map of soil to depth e.g. 0-60cm including soil moisture. • Comparison of biological performances of soil with varying organic carbon content and the impact
of herbicides on soil microflora. • For us, we have soils that are generally stable but are often acidic and low in P, As long as we
have enough ground cover to ensure we don't have soil loss, we tend to work on these two issues. • Given the erratic nature of weather events, the higher the organic matter levels, the more resilient
soils will be in regard to plant available water holding capacity, and slow release nutrient availability. Priority should be given to research into ways of raising these levels, as many soils have been mined of humus, after years of inappropriate management.
• Healthy soils = healthy plants = healthy animals = healthy humans. Therefore I judge my soil fertility program by how healthy my stock are, not by the amount of grass I grow. Proper soil fertility (not based on artificial fertilizers) results in better QUALITY pastures and healthy stock which require significantly less intervention and better conception rates, better growth rates and is generally better for the world!!
• How fast the different limes take to move through the soil. • I found it impossible to answer most of these questions accurately as our research does not follow
a single pattern. For instance our work on cotton, wheat and sheep all followed a different regime in timing and methods. However all were aimed at measuring species richness and abundance of soil, leaf litter and grass invertebrate faunas and all proved effective at indicating differences between management regimes as well as indicating production differences.
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• I have been unable to solve the issue of beef and dairy cattle having cracked hoofs causing discomfort and pain. I have checked with many vets and others but no definite diagnosis. I try and buy different licks but this does not always work. The cattle's feet have been well formed etc. before the cracking.
• I think far too much emphasis is put on synthetic fertility and not enough of building soil resilience and microbiology.
• Improved ability to assess impact of current practices through assisting in establishing baseline data to enable temporal monitoring of soil condition – priority is chemical, but also physical and biological.
• In rangelands, soil chemical testing is useful to provide a broad prediction of possible deficiencies for livestock, e.g. pH may indicate low availability of some nutrients to plants with a flow on to livestock nutrients. However, detailed chemical analysis would be useful only where there are benchmark figures that land type/locality. Organic matter assessment is very useful to assess nutrient cycling in relation to adequate plant material being retained for nutrient cycling and soil structure.
• Landscape function. • Live or up to date measurements which are easily accessible would make a huge difference. A
collated database with timestamps where we can map changes over time would be very helpful. • Look to the future – what should be done. Current soil science is going no place fast, dictated as it
is by vested interests intent on maintaining the current MORE-ON (we have a bag or a bucket that will fix your latest problem) sales philosophy, that has no regard for the collateral damage caused by many of the additions. If you want to act objectively and responsibly look to the worldwide Regenerative Agriculture movement that says emulate nature and then enhance it. Read Charles Massy's "Call of the Reed Warbler" if soil science wants to be relevant in 2030.
• Looking forward to the long promised remote sensing tech delivering! • Measure various aspects of biology – depends on farm type. Measure diversity of plants in the
paddock – depends on farm type. Regular brix testing – depends on farm type. Colour of plants is a rough indicated of soil health and moisture levels.
• Measures of resilience/fragility/stress. • MIR scan for soil properties that help understand functions, i.e. pH and P buffering capacity, soil
moisture retention curves, texture profile. • Most of our analysis occurs during and immediately after the growing season to identify water
needs, sunshine hours, and micro-organism activity. • Non wetting soils and water repellent soils are a significant area of the SA Murray Mallee. They
are difficult soils to manage – fragile, highly erodible, inconsistent in their responses to wetters and ameliorants, generally low yielding because of poor and patchy germination and emergence, difficult to handle and manage.
• Olsson P over 12 vital for our grazing system determines carrying capacity/profitability. • Producers/agronomists/consultants/advisors required protocols to measure and monitor soil
performance. I know it has been done before and the most frustrating part is a monitoring program is funded by a government organisation, therefore, producers do not have any ownership and only see it as a free soil test etc. Resulting in producers wanting funding or subsidies to soil tests or precision ag but not fully understand the value of monitoring their soil and its performance over time.
• Rapid cheap soil analysis. • Sodicity and impediments in the soil profile, i.e. hard pans or sodic layers etc. • Soil structure is by far the most important indicator of soil health or lack of it, and soil organic
carbon is by far the most important indicator of soil structure. Both pH and EC are mitigating factors in terms of soil performance. The pH issues are largely subsoil alkalinity (natural) as opposed to acidification.
• Some assessment of the physical status of the soil would always be useful in deciding management options.
• Testing needs to be low cost and real time in preference as decisions in a grazing system are made on the go. When doing a grazing plan I don’t want to wait a week for soil test results to set up next 3 months.
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• Testing plant nutrients. • The limiting factor in our area is mostly related to waterlogging in winter and early spring, anything
(except raised beds) which could help with that problem would be well received. • The microbial health of the soil is important however I do not know of a test to measure this? • The soil look especially when dry can show how acid it is. Especially old rice ground. • The values of total minerals and that available is a large driver. Without biology the gap between
total and available minerals and proteins widens. An indicator of key indicators or biology carriers that are missing would be useful as many reports are solely focused on NPK (driven solely by fert sales) yet in some cases a missing or locked up mineral or biology density is the actual key. Injecting more NPK is ineffective if unavailable to the plant or more importantly is detrimental to soil biology. If we promote and assist the biology to increase density then the plants will be given the opportunity of available minerals and proteins.
• There is more to it than just three observations/measurements. • These are some of key soil resources, which would be linked well with high performance soils (in
response to management systems), plant/crop yield and profitability to farmers. • To concentrate on soils without reference to vegetation and moisture is an absurdity. It is actively
growing plants (with access to appropriate moisture) that make soil form or build. To test the quality of soils (as distinct from "mineral earth" as the firefighters call it) it is necessary to analyse the mineral density and nutrient content of the plants growing on the soil, the meat and milk produced by animals feeding on the said plants and the strength of the fibres grown by the plants or animals dependent on the soil. If shortcomings in these measurements are discerned, corrections and additions can be tailored by subsequent soil testing.
• Trend data of soil depth, pH, micro nutrient changes, structural changes. • Use soil animals, i.e. microarthropods as "health" indicators. • We are a very small scale berry farm who garden organically but not certified on sandy free
draining soils, I would love to be able to know the diversity of the soil biome with a simple test and how much humas we're building year on year through mulching.
• We grow avocados in a cool Mediterranean climate where the district average production is one quarter of the theoretical maximum and a major problem is very small fruit. We have a trial into its fourth year where two 200 meter rows have had all soil removed and replaced one mixed with three rates of charcoal. This is in conjunction with Warren Catchment Council and Professor Stephen Joseph of UNSW Engineering. The first commercial crop is on the trees 2.65 times the fruit on the control row. This soil engineering is ridiculously economic even on the first crop but it has posed more questions than it has answered. Since I planted the first avocados in this district in 1981 the production has developed to now be 45% of Australia's total. Our state Department of Agriculture is uninterested, any suggestions would be very welcome. It looks like completely re-engineering soil for high value crops is very economic, but what is optimum is far from determined.
• We look at a number of Holistic Management processes – water cycle, nutrient cycle, community dynamics and energy flows.
• We talk about soil health as something to achieve, but don't have a clear path on how to deliver improved soil health within economical constants.
• We try to maintain maximum soil cover. • We use a dig stick to gather soils samples, may be a better way of doing this? Then converting
our soils tests into a better way of understanding what's is going on? • Whilst there is a lot of feel good talk about soil health – useful indicators with a sound basis in
terms of outcomes predicted are not yet available. Organic matter is a very coarse measure with some correlation to outcomes for soil structure and nutrient delivery.
• Yield of crops and pasture. • No answer (n=75)
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Results – Farmers
Question 1: Which of the following best describes your role?
Which of the following best describes your role?
Role Farmer (n=46)
Farmer 46
Consultant 0
Agronomist 0
Industry representative 0
Advisor/Extension officer 0
Researcher 0
No answer 0
Total 46
46
No answer
Researcher
Advisor/Extension officer
Industry representative
Agronomist
Consultant
Farmer
Farm
er (n
=46)
Which of the following best describes your role?
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Question 2: Please indicate your age.
Please indicate your age.
Age Farmer (n=46)
18 - 24 0
25 - 34 4
35 - 44 6
45 - 54 7
55 - 64 12
65 - 74 14
75 or older 3
No answer 0
Total 46
3
14
12
7
6
4
No answer
75 or older
65 - 74
55 - 64
45 - 54
35 - 44
25 - 34
18 - 24
Farm
er (n
=46)
Please indicate your age:
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 39 of 231
Question 3: Where is your main farming enterprise located?
Where is your main farming enterprise located?
State or territory Farmer (n=46)
Australian Capital Territory 0
New South Wales 10
Northern Territory 0
Queensland 1
South Australia 5
Tasmania 0
Victoria 21
Western Australia 8
Other 0
No answer 1
Total 46
1
8
21
5
1
10
No answer
Other
Western Australia
Victoria
Tasmania
South Australia
Queensland
Northern Territory
New South Wales
Australian Capital Territory
Farm
er (n
=46)
Where is your main farming enterprise located?
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Question 4: What is the PRIMARY focus of your main farming enterprise?
Other:
• Rice
What is the PRIMARY focus of your main farming enterprise?
Produce Farmer (n=46)
Dryland (e.g. non-irrigated,
rainfed)
Irrigated Intensive (e.g. feedlots, greenhouses)
Rangeland No answer Total
Grain, oilseed, pulses
16 0 N/A N/A N/A 16
Beef cattle 8 2 0 0 N/A 10
Prime lamb 4 0 0 0 N/A 4
Dairy (cows) 1 2 0 N/A N/A 3
Wool (sheep) 5 0 0 0 N/A 5
Cotton 0 0 N/A N/A N/A 0
10 20 30 40 50
No answer
Other
Viticulture
Horticulture: permanent plantings
Horticulture: annual crops
Pigs
Sugar
Cotton
Wool (sheep)
Dairy (cows)
Prime lamb
Beef cattle
Grain, oilseed, pulsesPr
oduc
e
Farm
er (n
=46)
What is the PRIMARY focus of your main farming enterprise?
Dryland (e.g. non-irrigated, rainfed) Irrigated
Intensive (e.g. feedlots, greenhouses) Rangeland
No answer
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What is the PRIMARY focus of your main farming enterprise?
Produce Farmer (n=46)
Dryland (e.g. non-irrigated,
rainfed)
Irrigated Intensive (e.g. feedlots, greenhouses)
Rangeland No answer Total
Sugar 0 1 N/A N/A N/A 1
Pigs 0 0 0 N/A N/A 0
Horticulture: annual crops
0 0 0 N/A N/A 0
Horticulture: permanent plantings
1 3 0 N/A N/A 4
Viticulture 0 1 0 N/A N/A 1
Other 0 1 0 0 N/A 1
No answer N/A N/A N/A N/A 1 1
Total 35 10 0 0 1 46
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Question 5: What other focus, if any, do you have on your main farming enterprise?
Other:
• Free range game birds • Fruit and nut trees, game birds • Pasture improvement and pasture cropping when moisture available • Produce by fence posts • Sheep meat
What other focus, if any, do you have on your main farming enterprise?
Produce Farmer (n=46)
Dryland (e.g. non-irrigated,
rainfed)
Irrigated Intensive (e.g. feedlots, greenhouses)
Rangeland No answer Total
Grain, oilseed, pulses
7 1 N/A N/A N/A 8
Beef cattle 10 2 0 0 N/A 12
Prime lamb 4 0 0 1 N/A 5
Dairy (cows) 0 2 0 N/A N/A 2
10 20 30 40 50
No answer
Other
Viticulture
Horticulture: permanent plantings
Horticulture: annual crops
Pigs
Sugar
Cotton
Wool (sheep)
Dairy (cows)
Prime lamb
Beef cattle
Grain, oilseed, pulsesPr
oduc
e
Farm
er (n
=46)
What other focus, if any, do you have on your main farming enterprise?
Dryland (e.g. non-irrigated, rainfed) Irrigated
Intensive (e.g. feedlots, greenhouses) Rangeland
No answer
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What other focus, if any, do you have on your main farming enterprise?
Produce Farmer (n=46)
Dryland (e.g. non-irrigated,
rainfed)
Irrigated Intensive (e.g. feedlots, greenhouses)
Rangeland No answer Total
Wool (sheep) 10 0 0 0 N/A 10
Cotton 0 0 N/A N/A N/A 0
Sugar 0 0 N/A N/A N/A 0
Pigs 0 0 0 N/A N/A 0
Horticulture: annual crops
0 4 0 N/A N/A 4
Horticulture: permanent plantings
1 2 0 N/A N/A 3
Viticulture 0 1 0 N/A N/A 1
Other 3 2 0 0 N/A 5
No answer N/A N/A N/A N/A 10 10
Total 35 14 0 1 10 60
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Question 6: Does your main farming enterprise have certification (e.g. organic, biodynamic)?
Please state certification:
• Demeter
Does your main farming enterprise have certification (e.g. organic, biodynamic)?
Farmer (n=46)
Yes 1
No 45
No answer 0
Total 46
45
1
No answer
No
Yes
Farm
er (n
=46)
Does your main farming enterprise have certification (e.g. organic, biodynamic)?
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Question 7: What is the total size of your main farming enterprise?
What is the total size of your main farming enterprise?
Size Farmer (n=46)
Less than 50 hectares 4
50 to 99 hectares 3
100 to 499 hectares 17
500 to 999 hectares 3
1,000 to 1,999 hectares 11
2,000 to 4,999 hectares 6
5,000 hectares or more 2
No answer 0
Total 46
2
6
11
3
17
3
4
No answer
5,000 hectares or more
2,000 to 4,999 hectares
1,000 to 1,999 hectares
500 to 999 hectares
100 to 499 hectares
50 to 99 hectares
Less than 50 hectares
Farm
er (n
=46)
What is the total size of your main farming enterprise?
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Question 8: What data or information do you use to make management decisions on your main farming enterprise?
87.0%
10.9%
8.7%
2.2%
15.2%
4.3%
6.5%
15.2%
8.7%
10.9%
8.7%
8.7%
8.7%
13.0%
13.0%
21.7%
10.9%
8.7%
13.0%
10.9%
2.2%
15.2%
8.7%
2.2%
15.2%
2.2%
2.2%
10.9%
13.0%
8.7%
2.2%
2.2%
4.3%
4.3%
21.7%
28.3%
4.3%
15.2%
23.9%
2.2%
2.2%
54.3%
39.1%
30.4%
43.5%
28.3%
28.3%
34.8%
23.9%
39.1%
43.5%
28.3%
32.6%
41.3%
39.1%
28.3%
52.2%
50.0%
43.5%
47.8%
10.9%
10.9%
19.6%
43.5%
65.2%
26.1%
65.2%
63.0%
39.1%
54.3%
41.3%
45.7%
60.9%
54.3%
41.3%
26.1%
21.7%
32.6%
26.1%
19.6%
39.1%
87.0%
Other
Market forecast
Commodity prices
Input costs
Machinery performance
Yield/quality
Plant/animal health
Biomass
Pasture growth
Soil biology
Soil structure
Soil chemistry, nutrients
Soil moisture
Soil type, variability
Drainage, waterlogging
Contours, levels
Seasonal forecasts
Wind
Frost
Temperature
Rainfall
Agrib
usin
ess
Prod
uctio
nSo
ilsTe
rrai
nW
eath
er
Farm
er (n
=46)
What data or information do you use to make management decisions on your main farming enterprise?
No answer Never Sometimes Always
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 47 of 231
Other:
• Available cash flow and product (solid/liquid) conditioners and fertilisers • Degree of waterlogging in wet periods, and degree of grass cover in dry periods • Distance from the market and therefore the cost of freight for a given output • Heavy mulching • Mancing market events with production • Remote sensing and mapping – FarmMap4D
What data or information do you use to make management decisions on your main farming enterprise?
Farmer (n=46)
Always Sometimes Never No answer
Weather Rainfall 40 5 0 1
Temperature 18 22 1 5
Frost 9 20 11 6
Wind 12 23 7 4
Seasonal forecasts 15 24 2 5
Terrain Contours, levels 10 13 13 10
Drainage, waterlogging 12 18 10 6
Soils Soil type, variability 19 19 2 6
Soil moisture 25 15 2 4
Soil chemistry, nutrients 28 13 1 4
Soil structure 21 20 1 4
Soil biology 19 18 4 5
Production Pasture growth 25 11 6 4
Biomass 18 16 5 7
Plant/animal health 29 13 1 3
Yield/quality 30 13 1 2
Agribusiness Machinery performance 12 20 7 7
Input costs 30 14 1 1
Commodity prices 20 18 4 4
Market forecast 9 25 7 5
Other 5 1 0 40
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Question 9: How would you normally get (source) information and data about the SOIL on your farm?
Other:
• Agronomist not paid • From credible biodynamic suppliers, not synthetic focused groups • Laboratory testing • pH testing • Provide and share information and data with Landcare group
How would you normally get (source) information and data about the SOIL on your farm?
Data source Farmer (n=46)
Collect it on the farm manually 40
Collect it on the farm with sensors 6
From our own farming enterprise database 16
Shared from other farmers (e.g. neighbours, friends, family)
13
From extension activities (e.g. field days, newsletters)
23
From research reports, maps, journals, experts (e.g. government, universities)
18
3
5
3
19
16
17
18
23
13
16
6
40
No answer
Other
From a mobile App (e.g. SoilMapp, SoilWaterApp,etc.)
Freely from the internet (e.g. website, email feed,Twitter, etc.)
From a subscription or membership (e.g. to a growergroup or industry group)
From a paid advisor, agronomist or consultant
From research reports, maps, journals, experts (e.g.government, universities)
From extension activities (e.g. field days,newsletters)
Shared from other farmers (e.g. neighbours, friends,family)
From our own farming enterprise database
Collect it on the farm with sensors
Collect it on the farm manually
Farm
er (n
=46)
How would you normally get (source) information and data about the SOIL on your farm?
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How would you normally get (source) information and data about the SOIL on your farm?
Data source Farmer (n=46)
From a paid advisor, agronomist or consultant 17
From a subscription or membership (e.g. to a grower group or industry group)
16
Freely from the internet (e.g. website, email feed, Twitter, etc.)
19
From a mobile App (e.g. SoilMapp, SoilWaterApp, etc.)
3
Other 5
No answer 3
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Question 10: What SOIL OBSERVATIONS do you use to judge the performance of the soils on your farm, and how often do you collect them?
Other:
• Brix • Landscape function (Tongway et al. 2004) • pH • Soil testing • Visual signs of biology
Other:
• Olsson P
10 20 30 40 50
Other
Other
Other
Soil-borne pests/diseases
Worms/bugs
Erosion, groundcover
Penetrometer, spade, boot heel
Waterlogging, drainage
Wetness, moisture, dryness, cracking
Organic matter
Smell, taste
Colour, texture, feel
Obs
erva
tions
Farm
er (n
=46)
What SOIL OBSERVATIONS do you use to judge the performance of the soils on your farm, and how often do you collect them?
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years Use rarely Never use No answer
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• Precision Ag services • Taste of produce
Other:
• Leaf colour/pest density • Macro nutrients
What SOIL OBSERVATIONS do you use to judge the performance of the soils on your farm, and how often do you collect them?
Observations Farmer (n=46)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
Colour, texture, feel
3 12 13 5 5 1 7
Smell, taste 4 12 4 2 6 11 7
Organic matter
3 11 14 5 4 2 7
Wetness, moisture, dryness, cracking
14 14 6 0 2 1 9
Waterlogging, drainage
6 14 6 2 5 5 8
Penetrometer, spade, boot heel
9 11 8 3 2 3 10
Erosion, groundcover
11 13 8 1 3 2 8
Worms/bugs 9 13 10 2 3 2 7
Soil-borne pests/ diseases
4 8 8 1 11 5 9
Other 2 2 1 0 0 0 41
Other 0 2 1 0 0 0 43
Other 0 1 1 0 0 0 44
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 52 of 231
Question 11: What SOIL TESTS do you use to judge the performance of the soils on your farm, and how often do you collect them?
Other:
• Bulk density
What SOIL TESTS do you use to judge the performance of the soils on your farm, and how often do you collect them?
Physical tests
Farmer (n=46)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
Soil moisture 10 11 6 2 4 4 9
Soil temperature
2 9 5 0 15 5 10
Soil structure 1 9 15 3 5 2 11
10 20 30 40 50
Other
Other
Other
EM38 survey
Soil strength
Soil structure
Soil temperature
Soil moisture
Phys
ical
test
s
Farm
er (n
=46)
What SOIL TESTS do you use to judge the performance of the soils on your farm, and how often do you collect them?
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years Use rarely Never use No answer
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What SOIL TESTS do you use to judge the performance of the soils on your farm, and how often do you collect them?
Physical tests
Farmer (n=46)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
Soil strength 0 4 4 1 17 8 12
EM38 survey 0 0 2 1 5 25 13
Other 0 0 1 0 0 0 45
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 46
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 46
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What SOIL TESTS do you use to judge the performance of the soils on your farm, and how often do you collect them?
Chemical tests
Farmer (n=46)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
Paddock soil tests (nutrients)
0 1 19 14 4 3 5
Soil pH (acidity/ alkalinity)
0 2 20 13 3 2 6
Soil nitrogen 0 1 19 12 2 5 7
Soil EC, salinity
0 0 17 12 2 6 9
10 20 30 40 50
Other
Other
Other
Soil contaminants/toxicity
Soil EC, salinity
Soil nitrogen
Soil pH (acidity/alkalinity)
Paddock soil tests (nutrients)
Chem
ical
test
s
Farm
er (n
=46)
What SOIL TESTS do you use to judge the performance of the soils on your farm, and how often do you collect them?
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years Use rarely Never use No answer
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 55 of 231
What SOIL TESTS do you use to judge the performance of the soils on your farm, and how often do you collect them?
Chemical tests
Farmer (n=46)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
Soil contaminants/ toxicity
0 0 8 4 9 14 11
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 46
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 46
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 46
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 56 of 231
Other:
• Dung beetle activity • Soil biomass testing
What SOIL TESTS do you use to judge the performance of the soils on your farm, and how often do you collect them?
Biological tests
Farmer (n=46)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
Respiration/decomposition
0 2 4 3 4 21 12
DNA-based tests
0 0 2 3 4 26 11
Worm counts 1 1 6 4 9 15 10
10 20 30 40 50
Other
Other
Other
Mycorrhizal colonisation
Bug counts
Worm counts
DNA-based tests
Respiration/decomposition
Biol
ogic
al te
sts
Farm
er (n
=46)
What SOIL TESTS do you use to judge the performance of the soils on your farm, and how often do you collect them?
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years Use rarely Never use No answer
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 57 of 231
What SOIL TESTS do you use to judge the performance of the soils on your farm, and how often do you collect them?
Biological tests
Farmer (n=46)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
Bug counts 0 2 7 2 9 16 10
Mycorrhizal colonisation
0 1 7 3 4 22 9
Other 1 0 1 0 0 0 44
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 46
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 46
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 58 of 231
Other:
• Using biomass feedback from satellite data
What SOIL TESTS do you use to judge the performance of the soils on your farm, and how often do you collect them?
Farmer (n=46)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
Other tests 0 1 0 0 0 0 45
10 20 30 40 50
Other tests
What SOIL TESTS do you use to judge the performance of the soils on your farm, and how often do you collect them?
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years Use rarely Never use No answer
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Question 12: How often would you look back at your past soil information, observations or tests to use it in farming decisions?
How often would you look back at your past soil information, observations or tests to use it in farming decisions?
Farmer (n=46)
Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Hardly ever Never No answer
5 27 7 2 0 5
10 20 30
Farmer (n=46)
How often would you look back at your past soil information, observations or tests to use it in farming decisions?
Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years Hardly ever Never No answer
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Question 13: In your current farming enterprise, what are the three most useful observations or tests of soil performance that you use?
In your current farming enterprise, what are the three most useful observations or tests of soil performance that you use?
Farmer (n=46)
Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 Total
Soil Physical 11 12 11 34
Soil Chemical 10 15 10 35
Soil Biological 1 2 1 4
Vegetation indicators 12 7 7 26
Other 4 1 6 11
No answer 8 9 11 28
Word cloud
Analysis Animal Available Chemical Cover Decomposition Deep Fruit Grass Ground
Growth Health Leaf Levels Mapping Matter Moisture N
Nitrogen Nutrient Organic P Perennial pH Plant
Soil Species Testing Visual Yield
8
4
12
1
10
11
9
1
7
2
15
12
11
6
7
1
10
11
No answer
Other
Vegetation indicators
Soil Biological
Soil Chemical
Soil Physical
Farm
er (n
=46)
In your current farming enterprise, what are the three most useful observations or tests of soil performance that you use?
Response 1 Response 2 Response 3
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 61 of 231
Word frequencies
Soil (n=19) Moisture (n=11) pH (n=9) Testing (n=8) Nutrient (n=7) Plant (n=6) Growth (n=5) Organic (n=5) Visual (n=5) Decomposition (n=4) Health (n=4) Matter (n=4) Yield (n=4) Cover (n=3) Deep (n=3) Grass (n=3) Ground (n=3) N (n=3) P (n=3) Perennial (n=3) Species (n=3) Analysis (n=2) Animal (n=2) Available (n=2) Chemical (n=2) Fruit (n=2) Leaf (n=2) Levels (n=2) Mapping (n=2) Nitrogen (n=2)
Responses - Farmer (n=46) Soil Physical Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Available soil moisture • Moisture (n=5) • Organic matter • Probe • Soil moisture • Soil structure • Visual
• Erosion • Infiltration rate • Litter decomposition • Moisture • Organic matter • Penetrometer depth of less
300psi • Shovel • Soil moisture (n=2) • Soil organic matter • Texture • Visual/touch
• Decomposition of mulch • Humas/carbon
incorporation visual • My eyes and feet! • Organic content • Organic matter • Penetration • Rainfall and heat • Seeding soil moisture • Soil structure • Soil temperature • Soil texture
Soil Chemical Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • CEC • Colwell P • Nutrient • Olsson P • pH (n=2) • Soil N – Deep N • Soil nutrient • Soil nutrients • Soil testing for nutrients
• 0-10 Nutrient • Chemical analysis • Deep N • Deep/shallow soil nutrient
tests • EC • EConductivity • Nitrogen (n=2) • pH (n=4) • pH testing • Soil testing • Soil tests
• Available Minerals • Cal/mag ratio • Chemical nutrition • Macro levels • P levels • pH mapping • S • Salinity (n=2) • Soil tests
Soil Biological Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Decomposition • Speed of decomposition
• Worm activity/numbers • Worm numbers
Vegetation indicators Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Biomass produced • Condition of trees • Ground cover and species
mix
• Crop growth • Ground cover (n=2) • Growth • Leaf size and surface
feeder root proliferation
• Annual comprehensive leaf nutrient analysis
• Growth/density • Pasture growthpalanced • Perennial grass recovery
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• Increase in perennial grass species
• Past yield • Pastures growth or lack of
growth • Perennial grass basal area • Plant species • Plant vigour • Tree health, fruit size and
fruit drop at climatic stress events
• Weeds • Yield
• Plant colour • Plant sugars
• Plant performance • Yield • Yield maps
Other Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • CSBP soil and plant tests • Pre and post preparation • Stock health • Visual inspection
• Experience • 43 years of observation • Animal health (n=2) • pH/EM38/NDVI • Testing • Visual
No answer Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • No answer (n=8) • No answer (n=9) • No answer (n=11)
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Question 14: In an ideal world, what are the three most important observations or tests of soil performance that you would like to use?
In an ideal world, what are the three most important observations or tests of soil performance that you would like to use?
Farmer (n=46)
Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 Total
Soil Physical 8 11 9 28
Soil Chemical 13 16 5 34
Soil Biological 5 3 2 10
Vegetation indicators 3 0 7 10
Other 4 1 6 11
No answer 13 15 17 45
Word cloud
Accurate Activity Available Biological Biomass Carbon Content Counts
Decomposition Effect Grass Health Increase Level Map Matter Microbe Microbial
Moisture Nitrogen Nutrient Organic Perennial Performance pH
Plant Soil Test Visual Yield
13
4
3
5
13
8
15
1
3
16
11
17
6
7
2
5
9
No answer
Other
Vegetation indicators
Soil Biological
Soil Chemical
Soil Physical
Farm
er (n
=46)
In an ideal world, what are the three most important observations or tests of soil performance that you would like to use?
Response 1 Response 2 Response 3
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 64 of 231
Word frequencies
Soil (n=24) Test (n=14) Nutrient (n=9) Organic (n=7) pH (n=7) Moisture (n=6) Activity (n=5) Matter (n=5) Available (n=4) Content (n=4) Accurate (n=3) Biological (n=3) Health (n=3) Nitrogen (n=3) Perennial (n=3) Plant (n=3) Visual (n=3) Yield (n=3) Biomass (n=2) Carbon (n=2) Counts (n=2) Decomposition (n=2) Effect (n=2) Grass (n=2) Increase (n=2) Level (n=2) Map (n=2) Microbe (n=2) Microbial (n=2) Performance (n=2)
Responses - Farmer (n=46) Soil Physical Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Automated probe • EM38 • Moisture • Organic matter • pH • Soil moisture • Visual • Visual physical properties
• Hand held OC • Litter decomposition • Moisture • Moisture content • Organic matter • Rate of soil drainage • Root constraints • Shovel • Soil temperature
monitoring • Structure • Visual soil assessment
• Aeration • Moisture • Mulch decomposition • My eyes and feet! • Organic content • Organic matter • Soil organic matter • Water • Zonal management
Soil Chemical Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Accurate soil moisture • Balanced nutrients • Cost effective on farm soil
test • Electronic pH • Nitrogen/pH • Organic carbon • P • pH • Plant available N • Soil oxygen content • Soil test • Soil testing for nutrients • Total available nutrient
• Bi-annual soil nut test • CEC and available
minerals • Core samples - nutrient • Elements • Help boost soil • Nitrogen • Nutrient beyond 0-10 • Nutrient levels • Nutrient soil tests • pH • pH test • Regular carbon content
measurement • Salinity • Simplified soil test to match
possible crop • Soil nutrient • Soil testing
• Accurate nitrogen availability
• Humus level • Organic matter % • pH • S
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Soil Biological Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Accurate measurement of
soil fungi, bacteria and other microbes
• Biological activity • Bug diversity counts • Soil Biology
quantities/values • Soil life
• Biological counts • Microbial activity • Mycorrizal activity
• How to increase microbial activity
• Microbe/micro fauna activity and health
Vegetation indicators Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Complex plant tissue
analysis • Perennial grass basal area • Yield
• Mapping increase in perennial species
• NDVI • Perennial grass recovery • Performance • Progressive review of
performance (Biomass) • Satellite pasture growth • Yield
Other Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Any tests that would • CSBP soil and plant tests • Regular soil biomass
testing • Stock health
• Sap and DNA tests • 43 years of observation • A test that indicates a soils
ability to mitigate the effect climatic stress events
• Calf/may ratio • Cattle hoof health and
relation to soil testing • Locality benchmarking • Soil nutrient cf yield map
No answer Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • No answer (n=13) • No answer (n=15) • No answer (n=17)
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 66 of 231
Question 15: Please provide any other comments or thoughts you have that would help us better understand the properties that could be used to measure and monitor the agricultural performance of soil.
Word cloud
Animals Available Better Biology Building Crop Density Depends Different Economic
Engineering Farm Fertility First Given Grazing Growing Healthy Help Indicated Levels
Many Measure Mineral Moisture Nutrient Plants Soil Testing Year
Word frequencies
Soil (n=26) Plants (n=12) Testing (n=8) Better (n=6) Biology (n=6) Healthy (n=6) Mineral (n=6) Available (n=5) Growing (n=5) Nutrient (n=5) Crop (n=4) Depends (n=4) Farm (n=4) Fertility (n=4) Measure (n=4) Year (n=4) Animals (n=3) Building (n=3) Density (n=3) Different (n=3) Economic (n=3) Engineering (n=3) First (n=3) Given (n=3) Grazing (n=3) Help (n=3) Indicated (n=3) Levels (n=3) Many (n=3) Moisture (n=3)
Responses - Farmer (n=46) • As I live in a high rainfall pH and nutrient run off are one of the main problems. An economical
viable stabiliser would be a great help. • For us, we have soils that are generally stable but are often acidic and low in P, As long as we
have enough ground cover to ensure we don't have soil loss, we tend to work on these two issues. • Given the erratic nature of weather events, the higher the organic matter levels, the more resilient
soils will be in regard to plant available water holding capacity, and slow release nutrient availability. Priority should be given to research into ways of raising these levels, as many soils have been mined of humus, after years of inappropriate management.
• Healthy soils = healthy plants = healthy animals = healthy humans. Therefore I judge my soil fertility program by how healthy my stock are, not by the amount of grass I grow. Proper soil fertility (not based on artificial fertilizers) results in better QUALITY pastures and healthy stock which require significantly less intervention and better conception rates, better growth rates and is generally better for the world!!
• How fast the different limes take to move through the soil. • I have been unable to solve the issue of beef and dairy cattle having cracked hoofs causing
discomfort and pain. I have checked with many vets and others but no definite diagnosis. I try and buy different licks but this does not always work. The cattle's feet have been well formed etc. before the cracking.
• I think far too much emphasis is put on synthetic fertility and not enough of building soil resilience and microbiology.
• Landscape function. • Live or up to date measurements which are easily accessible would make a huge difference. A
collated database with timestamps where we can map changes over time would be very helpful.
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• Measure various aspects of biology – depends on farm type. Measure diversity of plants in the paddock – depends on farm type. Regular brix testing – depends on farm type. Colour of plants is a rough indicated of soil health and moisture levels.
• Most of our analysis occurs during and immediately after the growing season to identify water needs, sunshine hours, and micro-organism activity.
• Olsson P over 12 vital for our grazing system determines carrying capacity/profitability. • Testing needs to be low cost and real time in preference as decisions in a grazing system are
made on the go. When doing a grazing plan I don’t want to wait a week for soil test results to set up next 3 months.
• Testing plant nutrients. • The limiting factor in our area is mostly related to waterlogging in winter and early spring, anything
(except raised beds) which could help with that problem would be well received. • The values of total minerals and that available is a large driver. Without biology the gap between
total and available minerals and proteins widens. An indicator of key indicators or biology carriers that are missing would be useful as many reports are solely focused on NPK (driven solely by fert sales) yet in some cases a missing or locked up mineral or biology density is the actual key. Injecting more NPK is ineffective if unavailable to the plant or more importantly is detrimental to soil biology. If we promote and assist the biology to increase density then the plants will be given the opportunity of available minerals and proteins.
• To concentrate on soils without reference to vegetation and moisture is an absurdity. It is actively growing plants (with access to appropriate moisture) that make soil form or build. To test the quality of soils (as distinct from "mineral earth" as the firefighters call it) it is necessary to analyse the mineral density and nutrient content of the plants growing on the soil, the meat and milk produced by animals feeding on the said plants and the strength of the fibres grown by the plants or animals dependent on the soil. If shortcomings in these measurements are discerned, corrections and additions can be tailored by subsequent soil testing.
• We are a very small scale berry farm who garden organically but not certified on sandy free draining soils, I would love to be able to know the diversity of the soil biome with a simple test and how much humas we're building year on year through mulching.
• We grow avocados in a cool Mediterranean climate where the district average production is one quarter of the theoretical maximum and a major problem is very small fruit. We have a trial into its fourth year where two 200 meter rows have had all soil removed and replaced one mixed with three rates of charcoal. This is in conjunction with Warren Catchment Council and Professor Stephen Joseph of UNSW Engineering. The first commercial crop is on the trees 2.65 times the fruit on the control row. This soil engineering is ridiculously economic even on the first crop but it has posed more questions than it has answered. Since I planted the first avocados in this district in 1981 the production has developed to now be 45% of Australia's total. Our state Department of Agriculture is uninterested, any suggestions would be very welcome. It looks like completely re-engineering soil for high value crops is very economic, but what is optimum is far from determined.
• We look at a number of Holistic Management processes – water cycle, nutrient cycle, community dynamics and energy flows.
• We try to maintain maximum soil cover. • We use a dig stick to gather soils samples, may be a better way of doing this? Then converting
our soils tests into a better way of understanding what's is going on? • Yield of crops and pasture. • No answer (n=23)
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 68 of 231
Results – Consultants
Question 1: Which of the following best describes your role?
Which of the following best describes your role?
Role Consultant (n=15)
Farmer 0
Consultant 15
Agronomist 0
Industry representative 0
Advisor/Extension officer 0
Researcher 0
No answer 0
Total 15
15
No answer
Researcher
Advisor/Extension officer
Industry representative
Agronomist
Consultant
Farmer
Cons
ulta
nt (n
=15)
Which of the following best describes your role?
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Question 2: Please indicate your age.
Please indicate your age.
Age Consultant (n=15)
18 - 24 0
25 - 34 2
35 - 44 2
45 - 54 6
55 - 64 3
65 - 74 2
75 or older 0
No answer 0
Total 15
2
3
6
2
2
No answer
75 or older
65 - 74
55 - 64
45 - 54
35 - 44
25 - 34
18 - 24
Cons
ulta
nt (n
=15)
Please indicate your age:
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 70 of 231
Question 3: Where is your main workplace located?
Where is your main workplace located?
State or territory Consultant (n=15)
Australian Capital Territory 0
New South Wales 0
Northern Territory 0
Queensland 4
South Australia 2
Tasmania 1
Victoria 6
Western Australia 1
Other 0
No answer 1
Total 15
1
1
6
1
2
4
No answer
Other
Western Australia
Victoria
Tasmania
South Australia
Queensland
Northern Territory
New South Wales
Australian Capital Territory
Cons
ulta
nt (n
=15)
Where is your main workplace located?
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Question 4: What type of agricultural enterprise comprises the majority of your work (in terms of time spent)?
What type of agricultural enterprise comprises the majority of your work (in terms of time spent)?
Produce Consultant (n=15)
Dryland (e.g. non-irrigated,
rainfed)
Irrigated Intensive (e.g. feedlots, greenhouses)
Rangeland No answer Total
Grain, oilseed, pulses
7 0 N/A N/A N/A 7
Beef cattle 1 0 0 2 N/A 3
Prime lamb 0 0 0 0 N/A 0
Dairy (cows) 2 0 0 N/A N/A 2
Wool (sheep) 0 0 0 0 N/A 0
Cotton 0 0 N/A N/A N/A 0
Sugar 1 0 N/A N/A N/A 1
10 20
No answer
Other
Viticulture
Horticulture: permanent plantings
Horticulture: annual crops
Pigs
Sugar
Cotton
Wool (sheep)
Dairy (cows)
Prime lamb
Beef cattle
Grain, oilseed, pulses
Prod
uce
Cons
ulta
nt (n
=15)
What type of agricultural enterprise comprises the majority of your work (in terms of time spent)?
Dryland (e.g. non-irrigated, rainfed) Irrigated
Intensive (e.g. feedlots, greenhouses) Rangeland
No answer
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What type of agricultural enterprise comprises the majority of your work (in terms of time spent)?
Produce Consultant (n=15)
Dryland (e.g. non-irrigated,
rainfed)
Irrigated Intensive (e.g. feedlots, greenhouses)
Rangeland No answer Total
Pigs 0 0 0 N/A N/A 0
Horticulture: annual crops
0 1 0 N/A N/A 1
Horticulture: permanent plantings
0 1 0 N/A N/A 1
Viticulture 0 0 0 N/A N/A 0
Other 0 0 0 0 N/A 0
No answer N/A N/A N/A N/A 0 0
Total 11 2 0 2 0 15
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Question 5: What other types of agricultural enterprises, if any, do you advise or service?
Other:
• Horses • Speciality crops such as poppies, boronia, pyrethrum, flowers, medicinal herbs etc.
What other types of agricultural enterprises, if any, do you advise or service?
Produce Consultant (n=15)
Dryland (e.g. non-irrigated,
rainfed)
Irrigated Intensive (e.g. feedlots, greenhouses)
Rangeland No answer Total
Grain, oilseed, pulses
3 0 N/A N/A N/A 3
Beef cattle 9 0 0 1 N/A 10
Prime lamb 7 0 0 2 N/A 9
Dairy (cows) 3 4 0 N/A N/A 7
Wool (sheep) 7 0 0 1 N/A 8
10 20
No answer
Other
Viticulture
Horticulture: permanent plantings
Horticulture: annual crops
Pigs
Sugar
Cotton
Wool (sheep)
Dairy (cows)
Prime lamb
Beef cattle
Grain, oilseed, pulses
Prod
uce
Cons
ulta
nt (n
=15)
What other types of agricultural enterprises, if any, do you advise or service?
Dryland (e.g. non-irrigated, rainfed) Irrigated
Intensive (e.g. feedlots, greenhouses) Rangeland
No answer
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 74 of 231
What other types of agricultural enterprises, if any, do you advise or service?
Produce Consultant (n=15)
Dryland (e.g. non-irrigated,
rainfed)
Irrigated Intensive (e.g. feedlots, greenhouses)
Rangeland No answer Total
Cotton 0 2 N/A N/A N/A 2
Sugar 2 1 N/A N/A N/A 3
Pigs 0 0 0 N/A N/A 0
Horticulture: annual crops
1 3 0 N/A N/A 4
Horticulture: permanent plantings
1 2 0 N/A N/A 3
Viticulture 1 5 0 N/A N/A 6
Other 1 1 0 0 N/A 2
No answer N/A N/A N/A N/A 1 1
Total 35 18 0 4 1 58
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Question 6: Do you specialise in farming enterprises that have certification (e.g. organic, biodynamic)?
Please state certification:
• No answer
Do you specialise in farming enterprises that have certification (e.g. organic, biodynamic)?
Consultant (n=15)
Yes 1
No 14
No answer 0
Total 15
14
1
No answer
No
Yes
Cons
ulta
nt (n
=15)
Do you specialise in farming enterprises that have certification (e.g. organic, biodynamic)?
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 76 of 231
Question 7: In general, what size of farming enterprise do you advise or service?
In general, what size of farming enterprise do you advise or service?
Size Consultant (n=15)
Less than 50 hectares 4
50 to 99 hectares 4
100 to 499 hectares 8
500 to 999 hectares 7
1,000 to 1,999 hectares 6
2,000 to 4,999 hectares 7
5,000 hectares or more 4
No answer 0
Total 40
4
7
6
7
8
4
4
No answer
5,000 hectares or more
2,000 to 4,999 hectares
1,000 to 1,999 hectares
500 to 999 hectares
100 to 499 hectares
50 to 99 hectares
Less than 50 hectares
Cons
ulta
nt (n
=15)
In general, what size of farming enterprise do you advise or service?
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 77 of 231
Question 8: What data or information do you typically use to advise a client about farm management decisions?
86.7%
26.7%
13.3%
6.7%
20.0%
13.3%
20.0%
13.3%
6.7%
6.7%
6.7%
13.3%
20.0%
26.7%
33.3%
20.0%
20.0%
20.0%
33.3%
20.0%
6.7%
46.7%
6.7%
13.3%
6.7%
6.7%
6.7%
6.7%
46.7%
13.3%
13.3%
6.7%
33.3%
53.3%
33.3%
26.7%
20.0%
20.0%
20.0%
33.3%
46.7%
46.7%
13.3%
46.7%
20.0%
60.0%
66.7%
46.7%
13.3%
53.3%
46.7%
26.7%
13.3%
6.7%
13.3%
53.3%
6.7%
80.0%
60.0%
46.7%
53.3%
40.0%
46.7%
86.7%
46.7%
80.0%
20.0%
6.7%
20.0%
6.7%
13.3%
20.0%
46.7%
Other
Market forecast
Commodity prices
Input costs
Machinery performance
Yield/quality
Plant/animal health
Biomass
Pasture growth
Soil biology
Soil structure
Soil chemistry, nutrients
Soil moisture
Soil type, variability
Drainage, waterlogging
Contours, levels
Seasonal forecasts
Wind
Frost
Temperature
Rainfall
Agrib
usin
ess
Prod
uctio
nSo
ilsTe
rrai
nW
eath
er
Cons
ulta
nt (n
=15)
What data or information do you typically use to advise a client about farm management decisions?
No answer Never Sometimes Always
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 78 of 231
Other:
• Field variation in soil type, nutrient dispersal, etc. • Resource use efficiency, crop nutrition principles, fertiliser types and use, reducing land based
emissions, irrigation, cover and biofumigation crops, organic amendments, waste water and recycled organics, pests, diseases and weeds
What data or information do you typically use to advise a client about farm management decisions?
Consultant (n=15)
Always Sometimes Never No answer
Weather Rainfall 7 4 1 3
Temperature 3 7 2 3
Frost 2 8 2 3
Wind 1 2 7 5
Seasonal forecasts 3 7 1 4
Terrain Contours, levels 1 10 1 3
Drainage, waterlogging 3 9 1 2
Soils Soil type, variability 12 3 0 0
Soil moisture 7 7 0 1
Soil chemistry, nutrients 13 2 0 0
Soil structure 7 7 0 1
Soil biology 6 7 1 1
Production Pasture growth 8 5 0 2
Biomass 7 3 2 3
Plant/animal health 9 3 1 2
Yield/quality 12 3 0 0
Agribusiness Machinery performance 1 4 7 3
Input costs 8 5 1 1
Commodity prices 2 8 3 2
Market forecast 1 5 5 4
Other 2 0 0 13
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 79 of 231
Question 9: How would you normally get (source) information and data about the SOIL on a client’s farm?
Other:
• GIS
How would you normally get (source) information and data about the SOIL on a client’s farm?
Data source Consultant (n=15)
Collect it on the farm manually 12
Collect it on the farm with sensors 5
From our own business database 4
Shared from other agronomists or consultants 6
From extension activities (e.g. field days, newsletters)
4
From research reports, maps, journals, experts (e.g. government, universities)
8
Engage paid sub-consultants or service providers to collect it
2
3
1
3
4
3
2
8
4
6
4
5
12
No answer
Other
From a mobile App (e.g. SoilMapp, SoilWaterApp,etc.)
Freely from the internet (e.g. website, email feed,Twitter, etc.)
From a subscription or membership (e.g. to a growergroup or industry group)
Engage paid sub-consultants or service providers tocollect it
From research reports, maps, journals, experts (e.g.government, universities)
From extension activities (e.g. field days,newsletters)
Shared from other agronomists or consultants
From our own business database
Collect it on the farm with sensors
Collect it on the farm manually
Cons
ulta
nt (n
=15)
How would you normally get (source) information and data about the SOIL on a client’s farm?
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 80 of 231
How would you normally get (source) information and data about the SOIL on a client’s farm?
Data source Consultant (n=15)
From a subscription or membership (e.g. to a grower group or industry group)
3
Freely from the internet (e.g. website, email feed, Twitter, etc.)
4
From a mobile App (e.g. SoilMapp, SoilWaterApp, etc.)
3
Other 1
No answer 3
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 81 of 231
Question 10: What SOIL OBSERVATIONS do you typically use to judge the performance of the soils on a client’s farm, and how often would you use them?
Other:
• Grid based nutrient • pH CA MAG TRACE ELEMENTS
Other:
• Grid based acidity
Other:
• Soil pathogen
10 20
Other
Other
Other
Soil-borne pests/diseases
Worms/bugs
Erosion, groundcover
Penetrometer, spade, boot heel
Waterlogging, drainage
Wetness, moisture, dryness, cracking
Organic matter
Smell, taste
Colour, texture, feel
Obs
erva
tions
Cons
ulta
nt (n
=15)
What SOIL OBSERVATIONS do you typically use to judge the performance of the soils on a client’s farm, and how often would you use them?
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years Use rarely Never use No answer
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 82 of 231
What SOIL OBSERVATIONS do you typically use to judge the performance of the soils on a client’s farm, and how often would you use them?
Observations Consultant (n=15)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
Colour, texture, feel
1 0 5 4 0 0 5
Smell, taste 0 1 3 0 2 2 7
Organic matter
0 1 4 5 0 0 5
Wetness, moisture, dryness, cracking
1 3 2 2 1 0 6
Waterlogging, drainage
1 3 1 4 0 0 6
Penetrometer, spade, boot heel
0 2 3 1 3 0 6
Erosion, groundcover
0 3 4 1 3 0 4
Worms/bugs 0 3 3 1 2 0 6
Soil-borne pests/ diseases
0 0 3 3 3 1 5
Other 0 0 2 0 0 0 13
Other 0 0 1 0 0 0 14
Other 0 0 1 0 0 0 14
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 83 of 231
Question 11: What SOIL TESTS do you typically use to judge the performance of the soils on a client’s farm, and how often would you collect them?
What SOIL TESTS do you typically use to judge the performance of the soils on a client’s farm, and how often would you collect them?
Physical tests
Consultant (n=15)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
Soil moisture 1 3 2 1 2 0 6
Soil temperature
1 3 0 0 3 2 6
Soil structure 0 0 4 3 1 1 6
Soil strength 0 0 1 1 3 3 7
EM38 survey 0 0 0 3 3 3 6
10 20
Other
Other
Other
EM38 survey
Soil strength
Soil structure
Soil temperature
Soil moisture
Phys
ical
test
s
Cons
ulta
nt (n
=15)
What SOIL TESTS do you typically use to judge the performance of the soils on a client’s farm, and how often would you collect them?
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years Use rarely Never use No answer
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 84 of 231
What SOIL TESTS do you typically use to judge the performance of the soils on a client’s farm, and how often would you collect them?
Physical tests
Consultant (n=15)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 15
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 15
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 15
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 85 of 231
What SOIL TESTS do you typically use to judge the performance of the soils on a client’s farm, and how often would you collect them?
Chemical tests
Consultant (n=15)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
Paddock soil tests (nutrients)
0 1 5 5 0 0 4
Soil pH (acidity/ alkalinity)
0 1 5 4 0 0 5
Soil nitrogen 0 0 6 1 2 1 5
Soil EC, salinity
0 0 6 5 0 0 4
10 20
Other
Other
Other
Soil contaminants/toxicity
Soil EC, salinity
Soil nitrogen
Soil pH (acidity/alkalinity)
Paddock soil tests (nutrients)
Chem
ical
test
s
Cons
ulta
nt (n
=15)
What SOIL TESTS do you typically use to judge the performance of the soils on a client’s farm, and how often would you collect them?
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years Use rarely Never use No answer
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 86 of 231
What SOIL TESTS do you typically use to judge the performance of the soils on a client’s farm, and how often would you collect them?
Chemical tests
Consultant (n=15)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
Soil contaminants/ toxicity
0 0 1 1 3 3 7
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 15
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 15
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 15
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 87 of 231
Other:
• Soil food web
What SOIL TESTS do you typically use to judge the performance of the soils on a client’s farm, and how often would you collect them?
Biological tests
Consultant (n=15)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
Respiration/decomposition
0 0 2 0 5 2 6
DNA-based tests
0 0 1 2 3 4 5
Worm counts 0 0 0 1 6 2 6
Bug counts 0 0 0 0 5 4 6
10 20
Other
Other
Other
Mycorrhizal colonisation
Bug counts
Worm counts
DNA-based tests
Respiration/decomposition
Biol
ogic
al te
sts
Cons
ulta
nt (n
=15)
What SOIL TESTS do you typically use to judge the performance of the soils on a client’s farm, and how often would you collect them?
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years Use rarely Never use No answer
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 88 of 231
What SOIL TESTS do you typically use to judge the performance of the soils on a client’s farm, and how often would you collect them?
Biological tests
Consultant (n=15)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
Mycorrhizal colonisation
0 0 1 1 3 5 5
Other 0 0 0 1 0 0 14
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 15
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 15
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 89 of 231
What SOIL TESTS do you typically use to judge the performance of the soils on a client’s farm, and how often would you collect them?
Consultant (n=15)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
Other tests 0 0 0 0 0 0 15
10 20
Other tests
What SOIL TESTS do you typically use to judge the performance of the soils on a client’s farm, and how often would you collect them?
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years Use rarely Never use No answer
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 90 of 231
Question 12: How often would you typically look back at past soil information, observations or tests when advising a client in farming decisions?
How often would you typically look back at past soil information, observations or tests when advising a client in farming decisions?
Consultant (n=15)
Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Hardly ever Never No answer
1 8 1 1 0 4
10
Consultant (n=15)
How often would you typically look back at past soil information, observations or tests when advising a client in farming decisions?
Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years Hardly ever Never No answer
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 91 of 231
Question 13: In your opinion, what are the three most useful observations or tests of soil performance that you currently use to advise your clients?
Other: Response 3
• Soil observation (colour, root growth, worms)
In your opinion, what are the three most useful observations or tests of soil performance that you currently use to advise your clients?
Consultant (n=15)
Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 Total
Soil Physical 2 4 4 10
Soil Chemical 6 3 3 12
Soil Biological 0 0 1 1
Vegetation indicators 3 3 1 7
Other 0 0 1 1
No answer 4 5 5 14
Word cloud
Chemistry Colour Growth Moisture N Nutrients pH Root Soil Word frequencies
Soil (n=8) pH (n=4) Nutrients (n=3) Chemistry (n=2) Colour (n=2) Growth (n=2) Moisture (n=2) N (n=2) Root (n=2)
4
3
6
2
5
3
3
4
5
1
1
1
3
4
No answer
Other
Vegetation indicators
Soil Biological
Soil Chemical
Soil Physical
Cons
ulta
nt (n
=15)
In your opinion, what are the three most useful observations or tests of soil performance that you currently use to advise your clients?
Response 1 Response 2 Response 3
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 92 of 231
Responses - Consultant (n=15) Soil Physical Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • SOM • Texture
• Feel • Organic matter • Soil moisture (n=2)
• Colour • Penetrometer • Repellance • Soil structure/water
movement
Soil Chemical Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Grid based pH, N, P, K • pH (n=2) • SOC • Soil chemistry + N • Soil nutrients/pH
• Ca% of CEC • Calcium magnesium • Soil chemistry/nutrition
• All nutrients • Nutrient status • Smell
Soil Biological Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Soil biology
Vegetation indicators Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Pasture height/yield • Root depth and location • Visual – sward appearance
• Early season response • Indicator plant species • Production – growth rates
• Ground cover
Other Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Soil observation (colour,
root growth, worms)
No answer Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • No answer (n=4) • No answer (n=5) • No answer (n=5)
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 93 of 231
Question 14: What are the three most important observations or tests of soil performance that you would ideally like to use to advise your clients?
What are the three most important observations or tests of soil performance that you would ideally like to use to advise your clients?
Consultant (n=15)
Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 Total
Soil Physical 1 5 0 6
Soil Chemical 6 0 5 11
Soil Biological 0 1 1 2
Vegetation indicators 2 3 2 7
Other 0 0 1 1
No answer 6 6 6 18
Word cloud
Analysis Chemical Growth Level Nutrient Nutrition Organic pH Root
Soil Testing
Word frequencies
Soil (n=7) pH (n=4) Analysis (n=3) Chemical (n=2) Growth (n=2) Level (n=2) Nutrient (n=2) Nutrition (n=2) Organic (n=2) Root (n=2) Testing (n=2)
6
2
6
1
6
3
1
5
6
1
2
1
5
No answer
Other
Vegetation indicators
Soil Biological
Soil Chemical
Soil Physical
Cons
ulta
nt (n
=15)
What are the three most important observations or tests of soil performance that you would ideally like to use to advise your clients?
Response 1 Response 2 Response 3
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 94 of 231
Responses - Consultant (n=15) Soil Physical Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Current PAW • Low cost EM
• Organic carbon • Organic matter • Soil structure/moisture
holding capacity • Soil type
Soil Chemical Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • N P K S • Nutrition • pH (n=2) • SOC • Soil nutrients/pH
• Chemical analysis • Complete chemical
analysis through EAL – water soluble, extractable and total levels
• Deep soil Nitrogen • pH • Soil chemistry/nutrition
Soil Biological Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Soil food web • Biological testing
Vegetation indicators Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Growth rates – CSIRO
pasture space @ paddock level resolution or geolocated cdax
• Root depth
• Hyperspec nutrient status • Indicator plant species • Tissue tests
• Multispec feed analysis – ME CP
• Plate meter
Other Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Soil observation (colour,
root growth, worms)
No answer Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • No answer (n=6) • No answer (n=6) • No answer (n=6)
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 95 of 231
Question 15: Please provide any other comments or thoughts you have that would help us better understand the properties that could be used to measure and monitor the agricultural performance of soil.
Word cloud
Analysis Assess Changes Chemical Cycling Difficult Livestock Low Manage
Nutrient pH Plant Soil Structural Useful
Word frequencies
Soil (n=7) Nutrient (n=5) Useful (n=3) Analysis (n=2) Assess (n=2) Changes (n=2) Chemical (n=2) Cycling (n=2) Difficult (n=2) Livestock (n=2) Low (n=2) Manage (n=2) pH (n=2) Plant (n=2) Structural (n=2)
Responses - Consultant (n=15) • In rangelands, soil chemical testing is useful to provide a broad prediction of possible deficiencies
for livestock, e.g. pH may indicate low availability of some nutrients to plants with a flow on to livestock nutrients. However, detailed chemical analysis would be useful only where there are benchmark figures that land type/locality. Organic matter assessment is very useful to assess nutrient cycling in relation to adequate plant material being retained for nutrient cycling and soil structure.
• Looking forward to the long promised remote sensing tech delivering! • Non wetting soils and water repellent soils are a significant area of the SA Murray Mallee. They
are difficult soils to manage – fragile, highly erodible, inconsistent in their responses to wetters and ameliorants, generally low yielding because of poor and patchy germination and emergence, difficult to handle and manage.
• Rapid cheap soil analysis. • Trend data of soil depth, pH, micro nutrient changes, structural changes. • No answer (n=10)
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 96 of 231
Results – Agronomists
Question 1: Which of the following best describes your role?
Which of the following best describes your role?
Role Agronomist (n=21)
Farmer 0
Consultant 0
Agronomist 21
Industry representative 0
Advisor/Extension officer 0
Researcher 0
No answer 0
Total 21
21
No answer
Researcher
Advisor/Extension officer
Industry representative
Agronomist
Consultant
Farmer
Agro
nom
ist (n
=21)
Which of the following best describes your role?
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 97 of 231
Question 2: Please indicate your age.
Please indicate your age.
Age Agronomist (n=21)
18 - 24 1
25 - 34 4
35 - 44 4
45 - 54 9
55 - 64 3
65 - 74 0
75 or older 0
No answer 0
Total 21
3
9
4
4
1
No answer
75 or older
65 - 74
55 - 64
45 - 54
35 - 44
25 - 34
18 - 24
Agro
nom
ist (n
=21)
Please indicate your age:
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 98 of 231
Question 3: Where is your main workplace located?
Other:
• California, United States
Where is your main workplace located?
State or territory Agronomist (n=21)
Australian Capital Territory 0
New South Wales 4
Northern Territory 0
Queensland 1
South Australia 8
Tasmania 0
Victoria 4
Western Australia 3
Other 1
No answer 0
Total 21
1
3
4
8
1
4
No answer
Other
Western Australia
Victoria
Tasmania
South Australia
Queensland
Northern Territory
New South Wales
Australian Capital Territory
Agro
nom
ist (n
=21)
Where is your main workplace located?
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 99 of 231
Question 4: What type of agricultural enterprise comprises the majority of your work (in terms of time spent)?
What type of agricultural enterprise comprises the majority of your work (in terms of time spent)?
Produce Agronomist (n=21)
Dryland (e.g. non-irrigated,
rainfed)
Irrigated Intensive (e.g. feedlots, greenhouses)
Rangeland No answer Total
Grain, oilseed, pulses
16 2 N/A N/A N/A 18
Beef cattle 2 0 0 0 N/A 2
Prime lamb 0 0 0 0 N/A 0
Dairy (cows) 1 0 0 N/A N/A 1
Wool (sheep) 0 0 0 0 N/A 0
Cotton 0 0 N/A N/A N/A 0
Sugar 0 0 N/A N/A N/A 0
10 20 30
No answer
Other
Viticulture
Horticulture: permanent plantings
Horticulture: annual crops
Pigs
Sugar
Cotton
Wool (sheep)
Dairy (cows)
Prime lamb
Beef cattle
Grain, oilseed, pulses
Prod
uce
Agro
nom
ist (n
=21)
What type of agricultural enterprise comprises the majority of your work (in terms of time spent)?
Dryland (e.g. non-irrigated, rainfed) Irrigated
Intensive (e.g. feedlots, greenhouses) Rangeland
No answer
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 100 of 231
What type of agricultural enterprise comprises the majority of your work (in terms of time spent)?
Produce Agronomist (n=21)
Dryland (e.g. non-irrigated,
rainfed)
Irrigated Intensive (e.g. feedlots, greenhouses)
Rangeland No answer Total
Pigs 0 0 0 N/A N/A 0
Horticulture: annual crops
0 0 0 N/A N/A 0
Horticulture: permanent plantings
0 0 0 N/A N/A 0
Viticulture 0 0 0 N/A N/A 0
Other 0 0 0 0 N/A 0
No answer N/A N/A N/A N/A 0 0
Total 19 2 0 0 0 21
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 101 of 231
Question 5: What other types of agricultural enterprises, if any, do you advise or service?
Other:
• Landcare
What other types of agricultural enterprises, if any, do you advise or service?
Produce Agronomist (n=21)
Dryland (e.g. non-irrigated,
rainfed)
Irrigated Intensive (e.g. feedlots, greenhouses)
Rangeland No answer Total
Grain, oilseed, pulses
1 2 N/A N/A N/A 3
Beef cattle 7 1 0 0 N/A 8
Prime lamb 12 1 0 0 N/A 13
Dairy (cows) 1 4 0 N/A N/A 5
Wool (sheep) 9 1 0 0 N/A 10
10 20 30
No answer
Other
Viticulture
Horticulture: permanent plantings
Horticulture: annual crops
Pigs
Sugar
Cotton
Wool (sheep)
Dairy (cows)
Prime lamb
Beef cattle
Grain, oilseed, pulses
Prod
uce
Agro
nom
ist (n
=21)
What other types of agricultural enterprises, if any, do you advise or service?
Dryland (e.g. non-irrigated, rainfed) Irrigated
Intensive (e.g. feedlots, greenhouses) Rangeland
No answer
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 102 of 231
What other types of agricultural enterprises, if any, do you advise or service?
Produce Agronomist (n=21)
Dryland (e.g. non-irrigated,
rainfed)
Irrigated Intensive (e.g. feedlots, greenhouses)
Rangeland No answer Total
Cotton 1 2 N/A N/A N/A 3
Sugar 1 0 N/A N/A N/A 1
Pigs 0 0 0 N/A N/A 0
Horticulture: annual crops
1 7 0 N/A N/A 8
Horticulture: permanent plantings
0 3 0 N/A N/A 3
Viticulture 0 2 0 N/A N/A 2
Other 0 1 0 0 N/A 1
No answer N/A N/A N/A N/A 1 1
Total 33 24 0 0 1 58
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 103 of 231
Question 6: Do you specialise in farming enterprises that have certification (e.g. organic, biodynamic)?
Please state certification:
• Bonsucro • Organic and biodynamic
Do you specialise in farming enterprises that have certification (e.g. organic, biodynamic)?
Agronomist (n=21)
Yes 2
No 19
No answer 0
Total 21
19
2
No answer
No
Yes
Agro
nom
ist (n
=21)
Do you specialise in farming enterprises that have certification (e.g. organic, biodynamic)?
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 104 of 231
Question 7: In general, what size of farming enterprise do you advise or service?
In general, what size of farming enterprise do you advise or service?
Size Agronomist (n=21)
Less than 50 hectares 5
50 to 99 hectares 7
100 to 499 hectares 8
500 to 999 hectares 11
1,000 to 1,999 hectares 10
2,000 to 4,999 hectares 11
5,000 hectares or more 7
No answer 0
Total 59
7
11
10
11
8
7
5
No answer
5,000 hectares or more
2,000 to 4,999 hectares
1,000 to 1,999 hectares
500 to 999 hectares
100 to 499 hectares
50 to 99 hectares
Less than 50 hectares
Agro
nom
ist (n
=21)
In general, what size of farming enterprise do you advise or service?
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 105 of 231
Question 8: What data or information do you typically use to advise a client about farm management decisions?
100.0%
9.5%
4.8%
4.8%
9.5%
9.5%
4.8%
4.8%
4.8%
9.5%
9.5%
14.3%
9.5%
9.5%
23.8%
23.8%
4.8%
42.9%
9.5%
4.8%
28.6%
14.3%
33.3%
28.6%
52.4%
47.6%
52.4%
42.9%
19.0%
23.8%
57.1%
52.4%
42.9%
38.1%
23.8%
33.3%
33.3%
61.9%
42.9%
52.4%
38.1%
71.4%
61.9%
42.9%
14.3%
23.8%
38.1%
4.8%
81.0%
57.1%
38.1%
38.1%
23.8%
61.9%
76.2%
66.7%
66.7%
23.8%
14.3%
38.1%
19.0%
19.0%
28.6%
57.1%
Other
Market forecast
Commodity prices
Input costs
Machinery performance
Yield/quality
Plant/animal health
Biomass
Pasture growth
Soil biology
Soil structure
Soil chemistry, nutrients
Soil moisture
Soil type, variability
Drainage, waterlogging
Contours, levels
Seasonal forecasts
Wind
Frost
Temperature
Rainfall
Agrib
usin
ess
Prod
uctio
nSo
ilsTe
rrai
nW
eath
er
Agro
nom
ist (n
=21)
What data or information do you typically use to advise a client about farm management decisions?
No answer Never Sometimes Always
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 106 of 231
What data or information do you typically use to advise a client about farm management decisions?
Agronomist (n=21)
Always Sometimes Never No answer
Weather Rainfall 12 9 0 0
Temperature 6 13 0 2
Frost 4 15 0 2
Wind 4 8 6 3
Seasonal forecasts 8 11 0 2
Terrain Contours, levels 3 9 7 2
Drainage, waterlogging 5 13 3 0
Soils Soil type, variability 14 7 0 0
Soil moisture 14 7 0 0
Soil chemistry, nutrients 16 5 0 0
Soil structure 13 8 0 0
Soil biology 5 9 6 1
Production Pasture growth 8 11 1 1
Biomass 8 12 0 1
Plant/animal health 12 5 2 2
Yield/quality 17 4 0 0
Agribusiness Machinery performance 1 9 9 2
Input costs 8 11 1 1
Commodity prices 5 10 5 1
Market forecast 3 11 5 2
Other 0 0 0 21
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 107 of 231
Question 9: How would you normally get (source) information and data about the SOIL on a client’s farm?
Other:
How would you normally get (source) information and data about the SOIL on a client’s farm?
Data source Agronomist (n=21)
Collect it on the farm manually 18
Collect it on the farm with sensors 7
From our own business database 9
Shared from other agronomists or consultants 6
From extension activities (e.g. field days, newsletters)
9
From research reports, maps, journals, experts (e.g. government, universities)
9
Engage paid sub-consultants or service providers to collect it
3
3
1
5
4
3
9
9
6
9
7
18
No answer
Other
From a mobile App (e.g. SoilMapp, SoilWaterApp,etc.)
Freely from the internet (e.g. website, email feed,Twitter, etc.)
From a subscription or membership (e.g. to a growergroup or industry group)
Engage paid sub-consultants or service providers tocollect it
From research reports, maps, journals, experts (e.g.government, universities)
From extension activities (e.g. field days,newsletters)
Shared from other agronomists or consultants
From our own business database
Collect it on the farm with sensors
Collect it on the farm manually
Agro
nom
ist (n
=21)
How would you normally get (source) information and data about the SOIL on a client’s farm?
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 108 of 231
How would you normally get (source) information and data about the SOIL on a client’s farm?
Data source Agronomist (n=21)
From a subscription or membership (e.g. to a grower group or industry group)
0
Freely from the internet (e.g. website, email feed, Twitter, etc.)
4
From a mobile App (e.g. SoilMapp, SoilWaterApp, etc.)
5
Other 1
No answer 3
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 109 of 231
Question 10: What SOIL OBSERVATIONS do you typically use to judge the performance of the soils on a client’s farm, and how often would you use them?
10 20 30
Other
Other
Other
Soil-borne pests/diseases
Worms/bugs
Erosion, groundcover
Penetrometer, spade, boot heel
Waterlogging, drainage
Wetness, moisture, dryness, cracking
Organic matter
Smell, taste
Colour, texture, feel
Obs
erva
tions
Agro
nom
ist (n
=21)
What SOIL OBSERVATIONS do you typically use to judge the performance of the soils on a client’s farm, and how often would you use them?
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years Use rarely Never use No answer
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 110 of 231
What SOIL OBSERVATIONS do you typically use to judge the performance of the soils on a client’s farm, and how often would you use them?
Observations Agronomist (n=21)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
Colour, texture, feel
0 4 6 5 1 0 5
Smell, taste 0 2 0 0 7 7 5
Organic matter
1 3 4 8 1 0 4
Wetness, moisture, dryness, cracking
5 6 5 1 0 0 4
Waterlogging, drainage
3 6 6 2 0 0 4
Penetrometer, spade, boot heel
4 2 1 3 4 2 5
Erosion, groundcover
1 4 7 1 2 0 6
Worms/bugs 0 4 5 2 5 0 5
Soil-borne pests/ diseases
0 4 3 4 4 1 5
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 21
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 21
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 21
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 111 of 231
Question 11: What SOIL TESTS do you typically use to judge the performance of the soils on a client’s farm, and how often would you collect them?
What SOIL TESTS do you typically use to judge the performance of the soils on a client’s farm, and how often would you collect them?
Physical tests
Agronomist (n=21)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
Soil moisture 4 6 4 2 1 0 4
Soil temperature
3 5 2 2 4 1 4
Soil structure 0 1 9 5 0 1 5
Soil strength 0 1 6 1 5 2 6
EM38 survey 0 0 1 3 7 4 6
10 20 30
Other
Other
Other
EM38 survey
Soil strength
Soil structure
Soil temperature
Soil moisture
Phys
ical
test
s
Agro
nom
ist (n
=21)
What SOIL TESTS do you typically use to judge the performance of the soils on a client’s farm, and how often would you collect them?
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years Use rarely Never use No answer
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 112 of 231
What SOIL TESTS do you typically use to judge the performance of the soils on a client’s farm, and how often would you collect them?
Physical tests
Agronomist (n=21)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 21
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 21
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 21
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What SOIL TESTS do you typically use to judge the performance of the soils on a client’s farm, and how often would you collect them?
Chemical tests
Agronomist (n=21)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
Paddock soil tests (nutrients)
0 0 9 9 0 0 3
Soil pH (acidity/ alkalinity)
0 0 9 9 0 0 3
Soil nitrogen 0 2 12 4 0 0 3
Soil EC, salinity
0 0 8 10 0 0 3
10 20 30
Other
Other
Other
Soil contaminants/toxicity
Soil EC, salinity
Soil nitrogen
Soil pH (acidity/alkalinity)
Paddock soil tests (nutrients)
Chem
ical
test
s
Agro
nom
ist (n
=21)
What SOIL TESTS do you typically use to judge the performance of the soils on a client’s farm, and how often would you collect them?
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years Use rarely Never use No answer
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 114 of 231
What SOIL TESTS do you typically use to judge the performance of the soils on a client’s farm, and how often would you collect them?
Chemical tests
Agronomist (n=21)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
Soil contaminants/ toxicity
0 0 5 3 3 4 6
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 21
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 21
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 21
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 115 of 231
Other:
• Pachymetra and nematode
What SOIL TESTS do you typically use to judge the performance of the soils on a client’s farm, and how often would you collect them?
Biological tests
Agronomist (n=21)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
Respiration/decomposition
0 0 0 0 5 11 5
DNA-based tests
0 0 0 3 6 7 5
Worm counts 0 0 0 0 6 10 5
Bug counts 0 0 0 0 3 13 5
10 20 30
Other
Other
Other
Mycorrhizal colonisation
Bug counts
Worm counts
DNA-based tests
Respiration/decomposition
Biol
ogic
al te
sts
Agro
nom
ist (n
=21)
What SOIL TESTS do you typically use to judge the performance of the soils on a client’s farm, and how often would you collect them?
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years Use rarely Never use No answer
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 116 of 231
What SOIL TESTS do you typically use to judge the performance of the soils on a client’s farm, and how often would you collect them?
Biological tests
Agronomist (n=21)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
Mycorrhizal colonisation
0 0 0 0 3 13 5
Other 0 0 0 1 0 0 20
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 21
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 21
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What SOIL TESTS do you typically use to judge the performance of the soils on a client’s farm, and how often would you collect them?
Agronomist (n=21)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
Other tests 0 0 0 0 0 0 21
10 20 30
Other tests
What SOIL TESTS do you typically use to judge the performance of the soils on a client’s farm, and how often would you collect them?
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years Use rarely Never use No answer
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 118 of 231
Question 12: How often would you typically look back at past soil information, observations or tests when advising a client in farming decisions?
How often would you typically look back at past soil information, observations or tests when advising a client in farming decisions?
Agronomist (n=21)
Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Hardly ever Never No answer
1 13 2 2 0 3
10 20
Agronomist (n=21)
How often would you typically look back at past soil information, observations or tests when advising a client in farming decisions?
Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years Hardly ever Never No answer
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 119 of 231
Question 13: In your opinion, what are the three most useful observations or tests of soil performance that you currently use to advise your clients?
Other: Response 2
• History
Other: Response 3
• Responsiveness
In your opinion, what are the three most useful observations or tests of soil performance that you currently use to advise your clients?
Agronomist (n=21)
Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 Total
Soil Physical 3 5 3 11
Soil Chemical 11 9 9 29
Soil Biological 0 0 1 1
Vegetation indicators 3 2 1 6
Other 0 1 1 2
No answer 4 4 6 14
4
3
11
3
4
1
2
9
5
6
1
1
1
9
3
No answer
Other
Vegetation indicators
Soil Biological
Soil Chemical
Soil Physical
Agro
nom
ist (n
=21)
In your opinion, what are the three most useful observations or tests of soil performance that you currently use to advise your clients?
Response 1 Response 2 Response 3
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 120 of 231
Word cloud
Colwell DGT Moisture N Nitrogen P pH Plant Smell
Soil Structure Test Texture Yield
Word frequencies
Soil (n=10) pH (n=8) P (n=5) DGT (n=3) Moisture (n=3) Nitrogen (n=3) Structure (n=3) Yield (n=3) Colwell (n=2) N (n=2) Plant (n=2) Smell (n=2) Test (n=2) Texture (n=2)
Responses - Agronomist (n=21) Soil Physical Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Moisture • Moisture • Soil wetting
• Soil hydraulics • Soil moisture • Structure • Texture • Water content
• Soil structure • Structure, tilth • Texture
Soil Chemical Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Colwell P • Deep Soil N, S, Bo Ec • DGT P • Organic carbon • pH (n=3) • pH CaCl2 • Smell of the soil • Soil fertility • Soil pH
• Colwell P • DGT P • DGT-P • General soil test • Nutrients • PBI • pH (n=2) • Phosphorus
• % Na • ESI/CEC • N • Nitrogen (n=2) • Nitrogen levels • pH • Smell • Soil test data
Soil Biological Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Pathagens
Vegetation indicators Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Crop/pasture yield • dM yield • Yield
• Plant health • Production
• Plant growth
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 121 of 231
Other Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • History • Responsiveness
No answer Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • No answer (n=4) • No answer (n=4) • No answer (n=6)
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 122 of 231
Question 14: What are the three most important observations or tests of soil performance that you would ideally like to use to advise your clients?
What are the three most important observations or tests of soil performance that you would ideally like to use to advise your clients?
Agronomist (n=21)
Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 Total
Soil Physical 5 1 4 10
Soil Chemical 7 10 5 22
Soil Biological 1 2 1 4
Vegetation indicators 1 1 1 3
Other 0 0 1 1
No answer 7 7 9 23
Word cloud
Biological CEC Colwell Grid Mapping Moisture N Nutrients P pH
Phosphorus Soil Test
7
1
1
7
5
7
1
2
10
1
9
1
1
1
5
4
No answer
Other
Vegetation indicators
Soil Biological
Soil Chemical
Soil Physical
Agro
nom
ist (n
=21)
What are the three most important observations or tests of soil performance that you would ideally like to use to advise your clients?
Response 1 Response 2 Response 3
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 123 of 231
Word frequencies
Soil (n=10) pH (n=5) Moisture (n=4) Colwell (n=3) Mapping (n=3) P (n=3) Test (n=3) Biological (n=2) CEC (n=2) Grid (n=2) N (n=2) Nutrients (n=2) Phosphorus (n=2)
Responses - Agronomist (n=21) Soil Physical Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Bulk density • EM mapping • Moisture • OC • Repellence
• Soil compaction • Moisture • Soil moisture DUL etc. • Soil probe/moisture • Texture/PAW
Soil Chemical Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Colwell P • Deep Soil N, S, Bo EC • Grid nutrients (phosphorus
primarily) • pH mapping • Potassium • Soil pH (n=2)
• CEC • Colwell P • Complete soil test • Grid pH • Nutrients • Olsen P • PBI • Phosphorus • Soil N mapping • Yearly general soil test
• Colwell K • ESI/CEC • Nitrogen • Pesticide residues • pH
Soil Biological Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Predicta B • Biocobial activity
• Soil biology • Biological assessment
Vegetation indicators Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Plant d/m production • Leaf tissue test • Yeild monitoring
Other Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Health
No answer Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • No answer (n=7) • No answer (n=7) • No answer (n=9)
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 124 of 231
Question 15: Please provide any other comments or thoughts you have that would help us better understand the properties that could be used to measure and monitor the agricultural performance of soil.
Word cloud
Especially Health Measure Soil Word frequencies
Soil (n=8) Health (n=3) Especially (n=2) Measure (n=2)
Responses - Agronomist (n=21) • Building nutrient profile map of soil to depth e.g. 0-60cm including soil moisture. • Comparison of biological performances of soil with varying organic carbon content and the impact
of herbicides on soil microflora. • The microbial health of the soil is important however I do not know of a test to measure this? • The soil look especially when dry can show how acid it is. Especially old rice ground. • There is more to it than just three observations/measurements. • We talk about soil health as something to achieve, but don't have a clear path on how to deliver
improved soil health within economical constants. • No answer (n=15)
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 125 of 231
Results – Industry representatives
Question 1: Which of the following best describes your role?
Which of the following best describes your role?
Role Industry representative (n=8)
Farmer 0
Consultant 0
Agronomist 0
Industry representative 8
Advisor/Extension officer 0
Researcher 0
No answer 0
Total 8
8
No answer
Researcher
Advisor/Extension officer
Industry representative
Agronomist
Consultant
Farmer
Indu
stry
repr
esen
tativ
e (n
=8)
Which of the following best describes your role?
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 126 of 231
Question 2: Please indicate your age.
Please indicate your age.
Age Industry representative (n=8)
18 - 24 0
25 - 34 1
35 - 44 0
45 - 54 4
55 - 64 3
65 - 74 0
75 or older 0
No answer 0
Total 8
3
4
1
No answer
75 or older
65 - 74
55 - 64
45 - 54
35 - 44
25 - 34
18 - 24
Indu
stry
repr
esen
tativ
e (n
=8)
Please indicate your age:
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 127 of 231
Question 3: Where is your main workplace located?
Where is your main workplace located?
State or territory Industry representative (n=8)
Australian Capital Territory 1
New South Wales 2
Northern Territory 0
Queensland 1
South Australia 0
Tasmania 0
Victoria 3
Western Australia 1
Other 0
No answer 0
Total 8
1
3
1
2
1
No answer
Other
Western Australia
Victoria
Tasmania
South Australia
Queensland
Northern Territory
New South Wales
Australian Capital Territory
Indu
stry
repr
esen
tativ
e (n
=8)
Where is your main workplace located?
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 128 of 231
Question 4: What is the main type of agricultural enterprise that your organisation represents (in terms of time spent)?
Other:
• Sugar Cane – our work focusses on environmental risk management across industries – cane is receiving the most policy attention at the moment.
What is the main type of agricultural enterprise that your organisation represents (in terms of time spent)?
Produce Industry representative (n=8)
Dryland (e.g. non-irrigated,
rainfed)
Irrigated Intensive (e.g. feedlots, greenhouses)
Rangeland No answer Total
Grain, oilseed, pulses
6 1 N/A N/A N/A 7
Beef cattle 0 0 0 0 N/A 0
Prime lamb 0 0 0 0 N/A 0
Dairy (cows) 0 0 0 N/A N/A 0
10
No answer
Other
Viticulture
Horticulture: permanent plantings
Horticulture: annual crops
Pigs
Sugar
Cotton
Wool (sheep)
Dairy (cows)
Prime lamb
Beef cattle
Grain, oilseed, pulses
Prod
uce
Indu
stry
repr
esen
tativ
e (n
=8)
What is the main type of agricultural enterprise that your organisation represents (in terms of time spent)?
Dryland (e.g. non-irrigated, rainfed) Irrigated
Intensive (e.g. feedlots, greenhouses) Rangeland
No answer
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 129 of 231
What is the main type of agricultural enterprise that your organisation represents (in terms of time spent)?
Produce Industry representative (n=8)
Dryland (e.g. non-irrigated,
rainfed)
Irrigated Intensive (e.g. feedlots, greenhouses)
Rangeland No answer Total
Wool (sheep) 0 0 0 0 N/A 0
Cotton 0 0 N/A N/A N/A 0
Sugar 0 0 N/A N/A N/A 0
Pigs 0 0 0 N/A N/A 0
Horticulture: annual crops
0 0 0 N/A N/A 0
Horticulture: permanent plantings
0 0 0 N/A N/A 0
Viticulture 0 0 0 N/A N/A 0
Other 1 0 0 0 N/A 1
No answer N/A N/A N/A N/A 0 0
Total 7 1 0 0 0 8
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 130 of 231
Question 5: What other types of agricultural enterprises, if any, does your organisation represent?
Other:
• Chickens and ducks • Rice
What other types of agricultural enterprises, if any, does your organisation represent?
Produce Industry representative (n=8)
Dryland (e.g. non-irrigated,
rainfed)
Irrigated Intensive (e.g. feedlots, greenhouses)
Rangeland No answer Total
Grain, oilseed, pulses
3 2 N/A N/A N/A 5
Beef cattle 4 0 0 1 N/A 5
Prime lamb 5 0 1 0 N/A 6
Dairy (cows) 2 2 0 N/A N/A 4
Wool (sheep) 5 0 0 0 N/A 5
10
No answer
Other
Viticulture
Horticulture: permanent plantings
Horticulture: annual crops
Pigs
Sugar
Cotton
Wool (sheep)
Dairy (cows)
Prime lamb
Beef cattle
Grain, oilseed, pulses
Prod
uce
Indu
stry
repr
esen
tativ
e (n
=8)
What other types of agricultural enterprises, if any, does your organisation represent?
Dryland (e.g. non-irrigated, rainfed) Irrigated
Intensive (e.g. feedlots, greenhouses) Rangeland
No answer
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 131 of 231
What other types of agricultural enterprises, if any, does your organisation represent?
Produce Industry representative (n=8)
Dryland (e.g. non-irrigated,
rainfed)
Irrigated Intensive (e.g. feedlots, greenhouses)
Rangeland No answer Total
Cotton 0 2 N/A N/A N/A 2
Sugar 2 1 N/A N/A N/A 3
Pigs 1 0 2 N/A N/A 3
Horticulture: annual crops
1 2 0 N/A N/A 3
Horticulture: permanent plantings
1 2 0 N/A N/A 3
Viticulture 1 2 0 N/A N/A 3
Other 0 1 1 0 N/A 2
No answer N/A N/A N/A N/A 0 0
Total 25 14 4 1 0 44
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 132 of 231
Question 6: Do you represent farming enterprises that have certification (e.g. organic, biodynamic)?
Please state certification:
• BFA
Do you represent farming enterprises that have certification (e.g. organic, biodynamic)?
Industry representative (n=8)
Yes 1
No 7
No answer 0
Total 8
7
1
No answer
No
Yes
Indu
stry
repr
esen
tativ
e(n
=8)
Do you represent farming enterprises that have certification (e.g. organic, biodynamic)?
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 133 of 231
Question 7: In general, what size of farming enterprise does your organisation represent?
In general, what size of farming enterprise does your organisation represent?
Size Industry representative (n=8)
Less than 50 hectares 1
50 to 99 hectares 1
100 to 499 hectares 3
500 to 999 hectares 3
1,000 to 1,999 hectares 4
2,000 to 4,999 hectares 2
5,000 hectares or more 2
No answer 1
Total 17
1
2
2
4
3
3
1
1
No answer
5,000 hectares or more
2,000 to 4,999 hectares
1,000 to 1,999 hectares
500 to 999 hectares
100 to 499 hectares
50 to 99 hectares
Less than 50 hectares
Indu
stry
repr
esen
tativ
e (n
=8)
In general, what size of farming enterprise does your organisation represent?
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 134 of 231
Question 8: As an industry representative, what data or information would you typically use to understand agricultural management in your industry?
100.0%
12.5%
12.5%
12.5%
12.5%
12.5%
25.0%
12.5%
12.5%
12.5%
25.0%
12.5%
37.5%
25.0%
25.0%
50.0%
37.5%
25.0%
25.0%
12.5%
12.5%
12.5%
25.0%
37.5%
62.5%
12.5%
37.5%
62.5%
37.5%
50.0%
62.5%
75.0%
25.0%
100.0%
62.5%
75.0%
75.0%
50.0%
87.5%
100.0%
87.5%
75.0%
50.0%
12.5%
75.0%
50.0%
25.0%
62.5%
100.0%
Other
Market forecast
Commodity prices
Input costs
Machinery performance
Yield/quality
Plant/animal health
Biomass
Pasture growth
Soil biology
Soil structure
Soil chemistry, nutrients
Soil moisture
Soil type, variability
Drainage, waterlogging
Contours, levels
Seasonal forecasts
Wind
Frost
Temperature
Rainfall
Agrib
usin
ess
Prod
uctio
nSo
ilsTe
rrai
nW
eath
er
Indu
stry
repr
esen
tativ
e (n
=8)
As an industry representative, what data or information would you typically use to understand agricultural management in your industry?
No answer Never Sometimes Always
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 135 of 231
As an industry representative, what data or information would you typically use to understand agricultural management in your industry?
Industry representative (n=8)
Always Sometimes Never No answer
Weather Rainfall 8 0 0 0
Temperature 5 3 0 0
Frost 2 5 0 1
Wind 4 3 1 0
Seasonal forecasts 6 1 0 1
Terrain Contours, levels 1 5 0 2
Drainage, waterlogging 4 3 0 1
Soils Soil type, variability 6 2 0 0
Soil moisture 7 1 0 0
Soil chemistry, nutrients 8 0 0 0
Soil structure 7 1 0 0
Soil biology 4 1 2 1
Production Pasture growth 6 2 0 0
Biomass 6 2 0 0
Plant/animal health 5 3 0 0
Yield/quality 8 0 0 0
Agribusiness Machinery performance 2 4 1 1
Input costs 6 2 0 0
Commodity prices 5 2 0 1
Market forecast 4 3 0 1
Other 0 0 0 8
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 136 of 231
Question 9: How would you normally get (source) information and data about the SOILS in your agricultural industry?
How would you normally get (source) information and data about the SOILS in your agricultural industry?
Data source Industry representative (n=8)
Collect it on farms manually or from farmers 6
Collect it on farms with sensors 2
From our own industry databases 4
Shared from other industry representatives 3
From extension activities (e.g. field days, newsletters)
6
From research reports, maps, journals, experts (e.g. government, universities)
6
From engaging paid advisors, agronomists or consultants to collect it
1
From subscriptions or memberships (e.g. international industry groups)
3
2
3
3
3
1
6
6
3
4
2
6
No answer
Other
From mobile Apps (e.g. SoilMapp, SoilWaterApp,etc.)
Freely from the internet (e.g. websites, email feeds,Twitter, etc.)
From subscriptions or memberships (e.g.international industry groups)
From engaging paid advisors, agronomists orconsultants to collect it
From research reports, maps, journals, experts (e.g.government, universities)
From extension activities (e.g. field days,newsletters)
Shared from other industry representatives
From our own industry databases
Collect it on farms with sensors
Collect it on farms manually or from farmers
Indu
stry
repr
esen
tativ
e (n
=8)
How would you normally get (source) information and data about the SOILS in your agricultural industry?
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 137 of 231
How would you normally get (source) information and data about the SOILS in your agricultural industry?
Data source Industry representative (n=8)
Freely from the internet (e.g. websites, email feeds, Twitter, etc.)
3
From mobile Apps (e.g. SoilMapp, SoilWaterApp, etc.)
3
Other 0
No answer 2
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 138 of 231
Question 10: In your industry, what are the most common SOIL OBSERVATIONS that would be typically used to judge the performance of the soils on farms, and how often would they be used?
Other:
• Daily • Soil test results
Other:
• Satellite observations
Other:
10
Other
Other
Other
Soil-borne pests/diseases
Worms/bugs
Erosion, groundcover
Penetrometer, spade, boot heel
Waterlogging, drainage
Wetness, moisture, dryness, cracking
Organic matter
Smell, taste
Colour, texture, feel
Obs
erva
tions
Indu
stry
repr
esen
tativ
e (n
=8)
In your industry, what are the most common SOIL OBSERVATIONS that would be typically used to judge the performance of the soils on farms, and how
often would they be used?
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years Use rarely Never use No answer
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 139 of 231
• Drive by observation
In your industry, what are the most common SOIL OBSERVATIONS that would be typically used to judge the performance of the soils on farms, and how often would they be used?
Observations Industry representative (n=8)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
Colour, texture, feel
1 1 1 2 1 0 2
Smell, taste 1 0 0 0 3 2 2
Organic matter
1 0 2 3 0 0 2
Wetness, moisture, dryness, cracking
2 2 1 0 1 0 2
Waterlogging, drainage
1 2 2 0 1 0 2
Penetrometer, spade, boot heel
1 1 1 1 2 0 2
Erosion, groundcover
1 2 3 0 0 0 2
Worms/bugs 1 0 1 0 4 0 2
Soil-borne pests/ diseases
1 0 2 1 1 1 2
Other 1 0 1 0 0 0 6
Other 0 1 0 0 0 0 7
Other 0 0 1 0 0 0 7
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 140 of 231
Question 11: In your industry, what are the most common SOIL TESTS that would be typically used to judge the performance of the soils on farms, and how often would they be used?
In your industry, what are the most common SOIL TESTS that would be typically used to judge the performance of the soils on farms, and how often would they be used?
Physical tests
Industry representative (n=8)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
Soil moisture 1 3 0 0 1 0 3
Soil temperature
1 2 0 0 2 0 3
Soil structure 1 0 1 2 1 0 3
Soil strength 1 0 0 1 2 1 3
10
Other
Other
Other
EM38 survey
Soil strength
Soil structure
Soil temperature
Soil moisture
Phys
ical
test
s
Indu
stry
repr
esen
tativ
e (n
=8)
In your industry, what are the most common SOIL TESTS that would be typically used to judge the performance of the soils on farms, and how often
would they be used?
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years Use rarely Never use No answer
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 141 of 231
In your industry, what are the most common SOIL TESTS that would be typically used to judge the performance of the soils on farms, and how often would they be used?
Physical tests
Industry representative (n=8)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
EM38 survey 0 1 0 2 1 0 4
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 8
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 8
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 8
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 142 of 231
Other:
• CEC • Range of macronutrients
Other:
• Ca and Mg for structure assessment • Exch cations
Other:
• Micronutrients indictors
10
Other
Other
Other
Soil contaminants/toxicity
Soil EC, salinity
Soil nitrogen
Soil pH (acidity/alkalinity)
Paddock soil tests (nutrients)
Chem
ical
test
s
Indu
stry
repr
esen
tativ
e (n
=8)
In your industry, what are the most common SOIL TESTS that would be typically used to judge the performance of the soils on farms, and how often
would they be used?
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years Use rarely Never use No answer
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 143 of 231
In your industry, what are the most common SOIL TESTS that would be typically used to judge the performance of the soils on farms, and how often would they be used?
Chemical tests
Industry representative (n=8)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
Paddock soil tests (nutrients)
1 0 1 3 0 0 3
Soil pH (acidity/ alkalinity)
1 0 1 3 0 0 3
Soil nitrogen 0 0 2 2 0 0 4
Soil EC, salinity
0 0 1 3 0 0 4
Soil contaminants/ toxicity
0 0 1 0 2 1 4
Other 1 0 0 1 0 0 6
Other 1 0 0 1 0 0 6
Other 0 0 0 1 0 0 7
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 144 of 231
In your industry, what are the most common SOIL TESTS that would be typically used to judge the performance of the soils on farms, and how often would they be used?
Biological tests
Industry representative (n=8)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
Respiration/decomposition
0 0 0 0 2 2 4
DNA-based tests
0 0 0 1 1 2 4
Worm counts 0 0 0 0 2 2 4
Bug counts 0 1 0 0 2 2 3
Mycorrhizal colonisation
0 0 0 0 2 2 4
10
Other
Other
Other
Mycorrhizal colonisation
Bug counts
Worm counts
DNA-based tests
Respiration/decomposition
Biol
ogic
al te
sts
Indu
stry
repr
esen
tativ
e (n
=8)
In your industry, what are the most common SOIL TESTS that would be typically used to judge the performance of the soils on farms, and how often
would they be used?
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years Use rarely Never use No answer
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 145 of 231
In your industry, what are the most common SOIL TESTS that would be typically used to judge the performance of the soils on farms, and how often would they be used?
Biological tests
Industry representative (n=8)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 8
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 8
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 8
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 146 of 231
Other:
• Tissue testing for micronutrients
In your industry, what are the most common SOIL TESTS that would be typically used to judge the performance of the soils on farms, and how often would they be used?
Industry representative (n=8)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
Other tests 0 0 0 0 1 0 7
10
Other tests
In your industry, what are the most common SOIL TESTS that would be typically used to judge the performance of the soils on farms, and how often
would they be used?
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years Use rarely Never use No answer
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 147 of 231
Question 12: How often would you look back at past soil information, observations or tests in assessing soil performance in your industry?
How often would you look back at past soil information, observations or tests in assessing soil performance in your industry?
Industry representative (n=8)
Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Hardly ever Never No answer
2 2 1 0 0 3
10
Industry representative (n=8)
How often would you look back at past soil information, observations or tests in assessing soil performance in your industry?
Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years Hardly ever Never No answer
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 148 of 231
Question 13: In your opinion, what are the three most useful observations or tests of soil performance that farmers in your industry would currently use?
In your opinion, what are the three most useful observations or tests of soil performance that farmers in your industry would currently use?
Industry representative (n=8)
Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 Total
Soil Physical 1 1 1 3
Soil Chemical 2 3 4 9
Soil Biological 0 0 0 0
Vegetation indicators 2 1 0 3
Other 0 0 0 0
No answer 3 3 3 9
Word cloud
Moisture Nutrients pH Soil Test Yield
Word frequencies
Soil (n=7) Test (n=4) Moisture (n=2) Nutrients (n=2) pH (n=2) Yield (n=2)
3
2
2
1
3
1
3
1
3
4
1
No answer
Other
Vegetation indicators
Soil Biological
Soil Chemical
Soil Physical
Indu
stry
repr
esen
tativ
e (n
=8)
In your opinion, what are the three most useful observations or tests of soil performance that farmers in your industry would currently use?
Response 1 Response 2 Response 3
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 149 of 231
Responses - Industry representative (n=8) Soil Physical Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Soil moisture at depths • Moisture • Soil type
Soil Chemical Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • pH • Soil test P and K
• Deep soil N • Phosphorus • Soil test other nutrients
• Nitrogen • Nutrients • Soil test pH and structure • Soil tests
Soil Biological Response 1 Response 2 Response 3
Vegetation indicators Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Crop yield and quality • Yield
• Tree health
Other Response 1 Response 2 Response 3
No answer Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • No answer (n=3) • No answer (n=3) • No answer (n=3)
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 150 of 231
Question 14: What are the three most important observations or tests of soil performance that you would ideally like to see farmers in your industry use?
What are the three most important observations or tests of soil performance that you would ideally like to see farmers in your industry use?
Industry representative (n=8)
Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 Total
Soil Physical 1 1 2 4
Soil Chemical 2 2 2 6
Soil Biological 0 0 0 0
Vegetation indicators 2 0 0 2
Other 0 1 0 1
No answer 3 4 4 11
Word cloud
Moisture Nutrient pH Soil Status Yield
Word frequencies
Soil (n=3) Moisture (n=2) Nutrient (n=2) pH (n=2) Status (n=2) Yield (n=2)
3
2
2
1
4
1
2
1
4
2
2
No answer
Other
Vegetation indicators
Soil Biological
Soil Chemical
Soil Physical
Indu
stry
repr
esen
tativ
e (n
=8)
What are the three most important observations or tests of soil performance that you would ideally like to see farmers in your industry use?
Response 1 Response 2 Response 3
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 151 of 231
Responses - Industry representative (n=8) Soil Physical Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Soil moisture at depths • Moisture • Organic matter
• Soil type
Soil Chemical Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Nutrient status • pH
• CEC • Deep soil N
• Exchangeable cations • Nutrients
Soil Biological Response 1 Response 2 Response 3
Vegetation indicators Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Crop yield and quality • Yield monitoring
Other Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • pH and structural status
No answer Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • No answer (n=3) • No answer (n=4) • No answer (n=4)
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 152 of 231
Question 15: Please provide any other comments or thoughts you have that would help us better understand the properties that could be used to measure and monitor the agricultural performance of soil.
Word cloud
Outcomes Soil Word frequencies
Soil (n=3) Outcomes (n=2)
Responses - Industry representative (n=8) • Improved ability to assess impact of current practices through assisting in establishing baseline
data to enable temporal monitoring of soil condition – priority is chemical, but also physical and biological.
• Whilst there is a lot of feel good talk about soil health – useful indicators with a sound basis in terms of outcomes predicted are not yet available. Organic matter is a very coarse measure with some correlation to outcomes for soil structure and nutrient delivery.
• No answer (n=6)
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 153 of 231
Results – Advisors/Extension officers
Question 1: Which of the following best describes your role?
Which of the following best describes your role?
Role Advisor/Extension officer (n=12)
Farmer 0
Consultant 0
Agronomist 0
Industry representative 0
Advisor/Extension officer 12
Researcher 0
No answer 0
Total 12
12
No answer
Researcher
Advisor/Extension officer
Industry representative
Agronomist
Consultant
Farmer
Advi
sor/
Exte
nsio
n of
ficer
(n=1
2)
Which of the following best describes your role?
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 154 of 231
Question 2: Please indicate your age.
Please indicate your age.
Age Advisor/Extension officer (n=12)
18 - 24 0
25 - 34 1
35 - 44 4
45 - 54 3
55 - 64 2
65 - 74 2
75 or older 0
No answer 0
Total 12
2
2
3
4
1
No answer
75 or older
65 - 74
55 - 64
45 - 54
35 - 44
25 - 34
18 - 24
Advi
sor/
Exte
nsio
n of
ficer
(n=1
2)Please indicate your age:
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 155 of 231
Question 3: Where is your main workplace located?
Where is your main workplace located?
State or territory Advisor/Extension officer (n=12)
Australian Capital Territory 0
New South Wales 3
Northern Territory 0
Queensland 2
South Australia 0
Tasmania 0
Victoria 7
Western Australia 0
Other 0
No answer 0
Total 12
7
2
3
No answer
Other
Western Australia
Victoria
Tasmania
South Australia
Queensland
Northern Territory
New South Wales
Australian Capital Territory
Advi
sor/
Exte
nsio
n of
ficer
(n=1
2)Where is your main workplace located?
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 156 of 231
Question 4: What type of agricultural enterprise comprises the majority of your work (in terms of time spent)?
What type of agricultural enterprise comprises the majority of your work (in terms of time spent)?
Produce Advisor/Extension officer (n=12)
Dryland (e.g. non-irrigated,
rainfed)
Irrigated Intensive (e.g. feedlots, greenhouses)
Rangeland No answer Total
Grain, oilseed, pulses
5 1 N/A N/A N/A 6
Beef cattle 2 0 0 0 N/A 2
Prime lamb 2 0 0 0 N/A 2
Dairy (cows) 0 0 0 N/A N/A 0
Wool (sheep) 0 0 0 0 N/A 0
Cotton 0 0 N/A N/A N/A 0
Sugar 0 1 N/A N/A N/A 1
10 20
No answer
Other
Viticulture
Horticulture: permanent plantings
Horticulture: annual crops
Pigs
Sugar
Cotton
Wool (sheep)
Dairy (cows)
Prime lamb
Beef cattle
Grain, oilseed, pulses
Prod
uce
Advi
sor/
Exte
nsio
n of
ficer
(n=1
2)
What type of agricultural enterprise comprises the majority of your work (in terms of time spent)?
Dryland (e.g. non-irrigated, rainfed) Irrigated
Intensive (e.g. feedlots, greenhouses) Rangeland
No answer
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 157 of 231
What type of agricultural enterprise comprises the majority of your work (in terms of time spent)?
Produce Advisor/Extension officer (n=12)
Dryland (e.g. non-irrigated,
rainfed)
Irrigated Intensive (e.g. feedlots, greenhouses)
Rangeland No answer Total
Pigs 0 0 0 N/A N/A 0
Horticulture: annual crops
0 0 0 N/A N/A 0
Horticulture: permanent plantings
0 1 0 N/A N/A 1
Viticulture 0 0 0 N/A N/A 0
Other 0 0 0 0 N/A 0
No answer N/A N/A N/A N/A 0 0
Total 9 3 0 0 0 12
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 158 of 231
Question 5: What other types of agricultural enterprises, if any, do you advise or service?
Other:
• Farming communities intent on achieving soil health in north central Victoria • Sheep for meat
What other types of agricultural enterprises, if any, do you advise or service?
Produce Advisor/Extension officer (n=12)
Dryland (e.g. non-irrigated,
rainfed)
Irrigated Intensive (e.g. feedlots, greenhouses)
Rangeland No answer Total
Grain, oilseed, pulses
1 1 N/A N/A N/A 2
Beef cattle 6 0 0 0 N/A 6
Prime lamb 5 1 0 0 N/A 6
Dairy (cows) 0 1 0 N/A N/A 1
Wool (sheep) 7 1 0 0 N/A 8
10 20
No answer
Other
Viticulture
Horticulture: permanent plantings
Horticulture: annual crops
Pigs
Sugar
Cotton
Wool (sheep)
Dairy (cows)
Prime lamb
Beef cattle
Grain, oilseed, pulses
Prod
uce
Advi
sor/
Exte
nsio
n of
ficer
(n=1
2)
What other types of agricultural enterprises, if any, do you advise or service?
Dryland (e.g. non-irrigated, rainfed) Irrigated
Intensive (e.g. feedlots, greenhouses) Rangeland
No answer
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 159 of 231
What other types of agricultural enterprises, if any, do you advise or service?
Produce Advisor/Extension officer (n=12)
Dryland (e.g. non-irrigated,
rainfed)
Irrigated Intensive (e.g. feedlots, greenhouses)
Rangeland No answer Total
Cotton 0 0 N/A N/A N/A 0
Sugar 1 0 N/A N/A N/A 1
Pigs 0 0 0 N/A N/A 0
Horticulture: annual crops
0 0 1 N/A N/A 1
Horticulture: permanent plantings
0 1 1 N/A N/A 2
Viticulture 1 0 0 N/A N/A 1
Other 2 0 0 0 N/A 2
No answer N/A N/A N/A N/A 2 2
Total 23 5 2 0 2 32
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 160 of 231
Question 6: Do you specialise in advising or educating farming enterprises about certification (e.g. organic, biodynamic)?
Do you specialise in advising or educating farming enterprises about certification (e.g. organic, biodynamic)?
Advisor/Extension officer (n=12)
Yes 0
No 12
No answer 0
Total 12
12
No answer
No
Yes
Advi
sor/
Exte
nsio
nof
ficer
(n=1
2)Do you specialise in advising or educating farming enterprises about
certification (e.g. organic, biodynamic)?
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 161 of 231
Question 7: In general, what size of farming enterprise do you advise or service?
In general, what size of farming enterprise do you advise or service?
Size Advisor/Extension officer (n=12)
Less than 50 hectares 2
50 to 99 hectares 2
100 to 499 hectares 4
500 to 999 hectares 3
1,000 to 1,999 hectares 6
2,000 to 4,999 hectares 4
5,000 hectares or more 2
No answer 1
Total 24
1
2
4
6
3
4
2
2
No answer
5,000 hectares or more
2,000 to 4,999 hectares
1,000 to 1,999 hectares
500 to 999 hectares
100 to 499 hectares
50 to 99 hectares
Less than 50 hectares
Advi
sor/
Exte
nsio
n of
ficer
(n=1
2)In general, what size of farming enterprise do you advise or service?
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 162 of 231
Question 8: What data or information do you typically use to provide advice or education on farm management decisions?
91.7%
25.0%
25.0%
16.7%
25.0%
16.7%
8.3%
8.3%
8.3%
8.3%
16.7%
41.7%
33.3%
25.0%
8.3%
16.7%
8.3%
16.7%
50.0%
8.3%
8.3%
8.3%
25.0%
25.0%
8.3%
25.0%
8.3%
33.3%
33.3%
8.3%
16.7%
8.3%
58.3%
66.7%
58.3%
25.0%
25.0%
41.7%
41.7%
33.3%
58.3%
25.0%
50.0%
41.7%
41.7%
41.7%
16.7%
50.0%
33.3%
33.3%
75.0%
33.3%
8.3%
50.0%
41.7%
41.7%
33.3%
16.7%
75.0%
50.0%
50.0%
58.3%
33.3%
16.7%
41.7%
8.3%
8.3%
50.0%
Other
Market forecast
Commodity prices
Input costs
Machinery performance
Yield/quality
Plant/animal health
Biomass
Pasture growth
Soil biology
Soil structure
Soil chemistry, nutrients
Soil moisture
Soil type, variability
Drainage, waterlogging
Contours, levels
Seasonal forecasts
Wind
Frost
Temperature
Rainfall
Agrib
usin
ess
Prod
uctio
nSo
ilsTe
rrai
nW
eath
er
Advi
sor/
Exte
nsio
n of
ficer
(n=1
2)
What data or information do you typically use to provide advice or education on farm management decisions?
No answer Never Sometimes Always
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 163 of 231
Other:
• Farmer health
What data or information do you typically use to provide advice or education on farm management decisions?
Advisor/Extension officer (n=12)
Always Sometimes Never No answer
Weather Rainfall 6 4 2 0
Temperature 1 9 1 1
Frost 1 4 4 3
Wind 0 4 4 4
Seasonal forecasts 5 6 1 0
Terrain Contours, levels 2 2 3 5
Drainage, waterlogging 4 5 1 2
Soils Soil type, variability 7 5 0 0
Soil moisture 6 5 0 1
Soil chemistry, nutrients 6 6 0 0
Soil structure 9 3 0 0
Soil biology 2 7 3 0
Production Pasture growth 4 4 3 1
Biomass 5 5 1 1
Plant/animal health 5 5 1 1
Yield/quality 6 3 1 2
Agribusiness Machinery performance 0 3 6 3
Input costs 1 7 2 2
Commodity prices 0 8 1 3
Market forecast 0 7 2 3
Other 0 1 0 11
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 164 of 231
Question 9: How would you normally get (source) information and data about the SOIL for providing advice or education to a farming enterprise?
Other:
• Incitec Pivot database or BFDC database • Soil analyses of samples collected on farm • Victorian Resources online
How would you normally get (source) information and data about the SOIL for providing advice or education to a farming enterprise?
Data source Advisor/Extension officer (n=12)
Collect it on the farm manually or from the farmer
11
Collect it on the farm from sensors 5
From our own organisation’s database 8
Shared from other advisors or extension officers 8
From extension activities (e.g. field days, newsletters)
9
From research reports, maps, journals, experts (e.g. government, universities)
10
1
3
4
8
4
4
10
9
8
8
5
11
No answer
Other
From mobile Apps (e.g. SoilMapp, SoilWaterApp,etc.)
Freely from the internet (e.g. website, email feed,Twitter, etc.)
From subscriptions or memberships (e.g. to groweror industry groups)
From engaging paid advisors, agronomists orconsultants to collect it
From research reports, maps, journals, experts (e.g.government, universities)
From extension activities (e.g. field days,newsletters)
Shared from other advisors or extension officers
From our own organisation’s database
Collect it on the farm from sensors
Collect it on the farm manually or from the farmer
Advi
sor/
Exte
nsio
n of
ficer
(n=1
2)
How would you normally get (source) information and data about the SOIL for providing advice or education to a farming enterprise?
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 165 of 231
How would you normally get (source) information and data about the SOIL for providing advice or education to a farming enterprise?
Data source Advisor/Extension officer (n=12)
From engaging paid advisors, agronomists or consultants to collect it
4
From subscriptions or memberships (e.g. to grower or industry groups)
4
Freely from the internet (e.g. website, email feed, Twitter, etc.)
8
From mobile Apps (e.g. SoilMapp, SoilWaterApp, etc.)
4
Other 3
No answer 1
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 166 of 231
Question 10: What SOIL OBSERVATIONS do you typically use to judge the performance of the soils on a farm, and how often would you use them?
Other:
• Structure • Trash levels • Yield
Other:
• Stage of crop growth • Structural stability
10 20
Other
Other
Other
Soil-borne pests/diseases
Worms/bugs
Erosion, groundcover
Penetrometer, spade, boot heel
Waterlogging, drainage
Wetness, moisture, dryness, cracking
Organic matter
Smell, taste
Colour, texture, feel
Obs
erva
tions
Advi
sor/
Exte
nsio
n of
ficer
(n=1
2)
What SOIL OBSERVATIONS do you typically use to judge the performance of the soils on a farm, and how often would you use them?
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years Use rarely Never use No answer
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 167 of 231
Other:
• Cost effectiveness
What SOIL OBSERVATIONS do you typically use to judge the performance of the soils on a farm, and how often would you use them?
Observations Advisor/Extension officer (n=12)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
Colour, texture, feel
3 2 2 1 1 0 3
Smell, taste 1 0 0 1 5 2 3
Organic matter
4 1 2 2 1 0 2
Wetness, moisture, dryness, cracking
3 5 3 0 0 0 1
Waterlogging, drainage
3 2 5 1 0 0 1
Penetrometer, spade, boot heel
1 2 3 0 4 0 2
Erosion, groundcover
3 2 4 1 1 0 1
Worms/bugs 1 1 3 1 4 0 2
Soil-borne pests/ diseases
1 1 1 2 4 1 2
Other 1 2 0 0 0 0 9
Other 1 1 0 0 0 0 10
Other 1 0 0 0 0 0 11
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 168 of 231
Question 11: What SOIL TESTS do you typically use to judge the performance of the soils on a farm, and how often would you advise the farmer to collect them?
What SOIL TESTS do you typically use to judge the performance of the soils on a farm, and how often would you advise the farmer to collect them?
Physical tests
Advisor/Extension officer (n=12)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
Soil moisture 2 5 2 0 0 2 1
Soil temperature
1 3 1 0 2 3 2
Soil structure 1 1 6 3 0 0 1
Soil strength 0 1 1 0 6 2 2
EM38 survey 0 0 1 3 4 3 1
10 20
Other
Other
Other
EM38 survey
Soil strength
Soil structure
Soil temperature
Soil moisture
Phys
ical
test
s
Advi
sor/
Exte
nsio
n of
ficer
(n=1
2)
What SOIL TESTS do you typically use to judge the performance of the soils on a farm, and how often would you advise the farmer to collect them?
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years Use rarely Never use No answer
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 169 of 231
What SOIL TESTS do you typically use to judge the performance of the soils on a farm, and how often would you advise the farmer to collect them?
Physical tests
Advisor/Extension officer (n=12)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 12
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 12
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 12
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 170 of 231
What SOIL TESTS do you typically use to judge the performance of the soils on a farm, and how often would you advise the farmer to collect them?
Chemical tests
Advisor/Extension officer (n=12)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
Paddock soil tests (nutrients)
1 0 8 1 0 1 1
Soil pH (acidity/ alkalinity)
1 1 5 4 0 0 1
Soil nitrogen 0 1 6 1 1 1 2
Soil EC, salinity
0 2 4 5 0 0 1
10 20
Other
Other
Other
Soil contaminants/toxicity
Soil EC, salinity
Soil nitrogen
Soil pH (acidity/alkalinity)
Paddock soil tests (nutrients)
Chem
ical
test
s
Advi
sor/
Exte
nsio
n of
ficer
(n=1
2)What SOIL TESTS do you typically use to judge the performance of the soils on
a farm, and how often would you advise the farmer to collect them?
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years Use rarely Never use No answer
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 171 of 231
What SOIL TESTS do you typically use to judge the performance of the soils on a farm, and how often would you advise the farmer to collect them?
Chemical tests
Advisor/Extension officer (n=12)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
Soil contaminants/ toxicity
0 1 1 1 6 1 2
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 12
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 12
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 12
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 172 of 231
What SOIL TESTS do you typically use to judge the performance of the soils on a farm, and how often would you advise the farmer to collect them?
Biological tests
Advisor/Extension officer (n=12)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
Respiration/decomposition
0 0 0 1 2 5 4
DNA-based tests
0 0 0 1 3 5 3
Worm counts 0 0 1 1 4 4 2
Bug counts 0 0 1 1 5 3 2
Mycorrhizal colonisation
0 0 0 1 4 5 2
10 20
Other
Other
Other
Mycorrhizal colonisation
Bug counts
Worm counts
DNA-based tests
Respiration/decomposition
Biol
ogic
al te
sts
Advi
sor/
Exte
nsio
n of
ficer
(n=1
2)What SOIL TESTS do you typically use to judge the performance of the soils on
a farm, and how often would you advise the farmer to collect them?
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years Use rarely Never use No answer
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 173 of 231
What SOIL TESTS do you typically use to judge the performance of the soils on a farm, and how often would you advise the farmer to collect them?
Biological tests
Advisor/Extension officer (n=12)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 12
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 12
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 12
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 174 of 231
What SOIL TESTS do you typically use to judge the performance of the soils on a farm, and how often would you advise the farmer to collect them?
Advisor/Extension officer (n=12)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
Other tests 0 0 0 0 0 0 12
10 20
Other tests
What SOIL TESTS do you typically use to judge the performance of the soils on a farm, and how often would you advise the farmer to collect them?
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years Use rarely Never use No answer
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 175 of 231
Question 12: How often would you typically look back at past soil information, observations or tests when advising or educating about farm management decisions?
How often would you typically look back at past soil information, observations or tests when advising or educating about farm management decisions?
Advisor/Extension officer (n=12)
Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Hardly ever Never No answer
2 6 3 0 0 1
10
Advisor/Extension officer (n=12)
How often would you typically look back at past soil information, observations or tests when advising or educating about farm management
decisions?
Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years Hardly ever Never No answer
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 176 of 231
Question 13: In your opinion, what are the three most useful observations or tests of soil performance that farmers currently use?
In your opinion, what are the three most useful observations or tests of soil performance that farmers currently use?
Advisor/Extension officer (n=12)
Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 Total
Soil Physical 3 5 4 12
Soil Chemical 7 6 6 19
Soil Biological 0 0 0 0
Vegetation indicators 1 0 1 2
Other 0 0 0 0
No answer 1 1 1 3
Word cloud
Answer Carbon EC Moisture Nutrient Organic
pH Probe Soil Structure Test Yield
Word frequencies
Soil (n=10) pH (n=5) Test (n=5) Carbon (n=4) Moisture (n=4) Nutrient (n=4) Organic (n=4) Answer (n=3) Structure (n=3) EC (n=2) Probe (n=2) Yield (n=2)
1
1
7
3
1
6
5
1
1
6
4
No answer
Other
Vegetation indicators
Soil Biological
Soil Chemical
Soil Physical
Advi
sor/
Exte
nsio
n of
ficer
(n=1
2)
In your opinion, what are the three most useful observations or tests of soil performance that farmers currently use?
Response 1 Response 2 Response 3
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 177 of 231
Responses - Advisor/Extension officer (n=12) Soil Physical Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Moisture • Organic matter/carbon • Soil structure
• Shovel • Soil loss and erosion • Soil moisture • Soil moisture probe • Structure
• EM survey • Moisture • Soil temperature probe • Structure
Soil Chemical Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Deep N • Nutrients • Organic carbon • pH • Physical soil test • Soil pH • Std major, minor nutrients
• CEC • Nutrient testing • pH • pH and liming
requirements • Soil organic carbon • Soil test
• Acidity • EC • Nutrient test • Organic carbon (sugar) • pH and EC • Soil test
Soil Biological Response 1 Response 2 Response 3
Vegetation indicators Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Yield map • Yield
Other Response 1 Response 2 Response 3
No answer Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • No answer • No answer • No answer
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 178 of 231
Question 14: What are the three most important observations or tests of soil performance that you would ideally like to see farmers use?
What are the three most important observations or tests of soil performance that you would ideally like to see farmers use?
Advisor/Extension officer (n=12)
Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 Total
Soil Physical 5 5 5 15
Soil Chemical 4 5 3 12
Soil Biological 2 1 1 4
Vegetation indicators 0 0 0 0
Other 0 0 2 2
No answer 1 1 1 3
Word cloud
Biological CEC Moisture Organic pH Physical Properties Soil Structure Tests
Word frequencies
Soil (n=14) Tests (n=6) Moisture (n=4) Structure (n=4) CEC (n=3) pH (n=3) Biological (n=2) Organic (n=2) Physical (n=2) Properties (n=2)
1
2
4
5
1
1
5
5
1
2
1
3
5
No answer
Other
Vegetation indicators
Soil Biological
Soil Chemical
Soil Physical
Advi
sor/
Exte
nsio
n of
ficer
(n=1
2)
What are the three most important observations or tests of soil performance that you would ideally like to see farmers use?
Response 1 Response 2 Response 3
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 179 of 231
Responses - Advisor/Extension officer (n=12) Soil Physical Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • EM survey to inform where
to take soil test on their property
• EM38 • Soil structure • Structure • Structure/strength
• Erosion/soil loss • Moisture • Soil moisture (n=2) • Soil structure
• Compaction • Dig a hole to understand
soil physical properties at depth
• Organic matter • Soil moisture • Soil temperature
Soil Chemical Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • CEC • Nutrient tests • pH • Physical soil test
• Calcium requirements • CEC • CEC/ESP • Soil organic carbon • Soil testing on a regular
basis
• pH • pH and EC • Soil tests
Soil Biological Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Biological activity and
diversity • Cost effective biological
indicator
• DNA based tests • Soil bourne pests/diseases
Vegetation indicators Response 1 Response 2 Response 3
Other Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Mill ash/mud amendments
• VSA
No answer Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • No answer • No answer • No answer
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 180 of 231
Question 15: Please provide any other comments or thoughts you have that would help us better understand the properties that could be used to measure and monitor the agricultural performance of soil.
Word cloud
Biological Carbon Effective Far Funded Important Improve Indicator Measure Microbes
Monitoring Performance pH Producers Required Resulting Soil Structure Test Time Use Work
Word frequencies
Soil (n=12) Biological (n=4) Microbes (n=3) Monitoring (n=3) Performance (n=3) Producers (n=3) Carbon (n=2) Effective (n=2) Far (n=2) Funded (n=2) Important (n=2) Improve (n=2) Indicator (n=2) Measure (n=2) pH (n=2) Required (n=2) Resulting (n=2) Structure (n=2) Test (n=2) Time (n=2) Use (n=2) Work (n=2)
Responses - Advisor/Extension officer (n=12) • A lot of contradiction re biological measures and effectiveness of microbes and cost effective ways
to improve the soils BIOLOGICAL workings. The use of biological e.g. carbon, humates fulvic vs humic, molassis, microbe 'food', biological microbes – VERY confusing and need the facts of what may REALLY work or even the RATES and/or time period required to notice results (plant growth/yield improvements, soil tillage).
• Producers/agronomists/consultants/advisors required protocols to measure and monitor soil performance. I know it has been done before and the most frustrating part is a monitoring program is funded by a government organisation, therefore, producers do not have any ownership and only see it as a free soil test etc. Resulting in producers wanting funding or subsidies to soil tests or precision ag but not fully understand the value of monitoring their soil and its performance over time.
• Soil structure is by far the most important indicator of soil health or lack of it, and soil organic carbon is by far the most important indicator of soil structure. Both pH and EC are mitigating factors in terms of soil performance. The pH issues are largely subsoil alkalinity (natural) as opposed to acidification.
• Some assessment of the physical status of the soil would always be useful in deciding management options.
• No answer (n=8)
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 181 of 231
Results – Researchers
Question 1: Which of the following best describes your role?
Which of the following best describes your role?
Role Researcher (n=20)
Farmer 0
Consultant 0
Agronomist 0
Industry representative 0
Advisor/Extension officer 0
Researcher 20
No answer 0
Total 20
20
No answer
Researcher
Advisor/Extension officer
Industry representative
Agronomist
Consultant
Farmer
Rese
arch
er (n
=20)
Which of the following best describes your role?
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 182 of 231
Question 2: Please indicate your age.
Please indicate your age.
Age Researcher (n=20)
18 - 24 0
25 - 34 4
35 - 44 2
45 - 54 6
55 - 64 4
65 - 74 1
75 or older 3
No answer 0
Total 20
3
1
4
6
2
4
No answer
75 or older
65 - 74
55 - 64
45 - 54
35 - 44
25 - 34
18 - 24
Rese
arch
er (n
=20)
Please indicate your age:
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 183 of 231
Question 3: Where is your main workplace located?
Where is your main workplace located?
State or territory Researcher (n=20)
Australian Capital Territory 0
New South Wales 3
Northern Territory 0
Queensland 2
South Australia 0
Tasmania 0
Victoria 11
Western Australia 4
Other 0
No answer 0
Total 20
4
11
2
3
No answer
Other
Western Australia
Victoria
Tasmania
South Australia
Queensland
Northern Territory
New South Wales
Australian Capital Territory
Rese
arch
er (n
=20)
Where is your main workplace located?
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 184 of 231
Question 4: What type of agricultural enterprise comprises the majority of your research (in terms of time spent)?
What type of agricultural enterprise comprises the majority of your research (in terms of time spent)?
Produce Researcher (n=20)
Dryland (e.g. non-irrigated,
rainfed)
Irrigated Intensive (e.g. feedlots, greenhouses)
Rangeland No answer Total
Grain, oilseed, pulses
18 0 N/A N/A N/A 18
Beef cattle 0 0 0 0 N/A 0
Prime lamb 0 0 0 0 N/A 0
Dairy (cows) 0 0 1 N/A N/A 1
Wool (sheep) 0 0 0 0 N/A 0
Cotton 0 0 N/A N/A N/A 0
Sugar 0 1 N/A N/A N/A 1
10 20 30
No answer
Other
Viticulture
Horticulture: permanent plantings
Horticulture: annual crops
Pigs
Sugar
Cotton
Wool (sheep)
Dairy (cows)
Prime lamb
Beef cattle
Grain, oilseed, pulses
Prod
uce
Rese
arch
er (n
=20)
What type of agricultural enterprise comprises the majority of your research (in terms of time spent)?
Dryland (e.g. non-irrigated, rainfed) Irrigated
Intensive (e.g. feedlots, greenhouses) Rangeland
No answer
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 185 of 231
What type of agricultural enterprise comprises the majority of your research (in terms of time spent)?
Produce Researcher (n=20)
Dryland (e.g. non-irrigated,
rainfed)
Irrigated Intensive (e.g. feedlots, greenhouses)
Rangeland No answer Total
Pigs 0 0 0 N/A N/A 0
Horticulture: annual crops
0 0 0 N/A N/A 0
Horticulture: permanent plantings
0 0 0 N/A N/A 0
Viticulture 0 0 0 N/A N/A 0
Other 0 0 0 0 N/A 0
No answer N/A N/A N/A N/A 0 0
Total 18 1 1 0 0 20
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 186 of 231
Question 5: On what other types of agricultural enterprises, if any, do you undertake research?
Other:
• Frost, regenerative agriculture • Planted forest systems (land use change)
On what other types of agricultural enterprises, if any, do you undertake research?
Produce Researcher (n=20)
Dryland (e.g. non-irrigated,
rainfed)
Irrigated Intensive (e.g. feedlots, greenhouses)
Rangeland No answer Total
Grain, oilseed, pulses
3 4 N/A N/A N/A 7
Beef cattle 3 0 0 0 N/A 3
Prime lamb 5 0 0 0 N/A 5
Dairy (cows) 4 1 1 N/A N/A 6
Wool (sheep) 6 0 0 0 N/A 6
10 20 30
No answer
Other
Viticulture
Horticulture: permanent plantings
Horticulture: annual crops
Pigs
Sugar
Cotton
Wool (sheep)
Dairy (cows)
Prime lamb
Beef cattle
Grain, oilseed, pulses
Prod
uce
Rese
arch
er (n
=20)
On what other types of agricultural enterprises, if any, do you undertake research?
Dryland (e.g. non-irrigated, rainfed) Irrigated
Intensive (e.g. feedlots, greenhouses) Rangeland
No answer
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 187 of 231
On what other types of agricultural enterprises, if any, do you undertake research?
Produce Researcher (n=20)
Dryland (e.g. non-irrigated,
rainfed)
Irrigated Intensive (e.g. feedlots, greenhouses)
Rangeland No answer Total
Cotton 2 1 N/A N/A N/A 3
Sugar 0 0 N/A N/A N/A 0
Pigs 0 0 0 N/A N/A 0
Horticulture: annual crops
2 3 0 N/A N/A 5
Horticulture: permanent plantings
1 1 0 N/A N/A 2
Viticulture 0 0 0 N/A N/A 0
Other 2 0 0 0 N/A 2
No answer N/A N/A N/A N/A 1 1
Total 28 10 1 0 1 40
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 188 of 231
Question 6: Does your research specialise in farming enterprises that have certification (e.g. organic, biodynamic)?
Please state certification:
• Possibly • No answer
Does your research specialise in farming enterprises that have certification (e.g. organic, biodynamic)?
Researcher (n=20)
Yes 2
No 18
No answer 0
Total 20
18
2
No answer
No
Yes
Rese
arch
er (n
=20)
Does your research specialise in farming enterprises that have certification (e.g. organic, biodynamic)?
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 189 of 231
Question 7: In general, what size of farming enterprise does your research relate to?
In general, what size of farming enterprise does your research relate to?
Size Researcher (n=20)
Less than 50 hectares 4
50 to 99 hectares 3
100 to 499 hectares 7
500 to 999 hectares 6
1,000 to 1,999 hectares 11
2,000 to 4,999 hectares 7
5,000 hectares or more 5
No answer 0
Total 43
5
7
11
6
7
3
4
No answer
5,000 hectares or more
2,000 to 4,999 hectares
1,000 to 1,999 hectares
500 to 999 hectares
100 to 499 hectares
50 to 99 hectares
Less than 50 hectares
Rese
arch
er (n
=20)
In general, what size of farming enterprise does your research relate to?
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 190 of 231
Question 8: From your research, what data or information do you believe are typically used to make on-farm management decisions?
85.0%
25.0%
25.0%
20.0%
25.0%
15.0%
30.0%
35.0%
10.0%
10.0%
15.0%
5.0%
15.0%
20.0%
25.0%
15.0%
5.0%
5.0%
5.0%
5.0%
5.0%
5.0%
5.0%
35.0%
10.0%
5.0%
10.0%
55.0%
35.0%
15.0%
55.0%
45.0%
40.0%
40.0%
50.0%
35.0%
55.0%
50.0%
60.0%
60.0%
60.0%
45.0%
65.0%
20.0%
20.0%
20.0%
20.0%
15.0%
20.0%
40.0%
65.0%
15.0%
40.0%
25.0%
25.0%
35.0%
20.0%
20.0%
45.0%
40.0%
25.0%
15.0%
20.0%
20.0%
75.0%
75.0%
75.0%
75.0%
Other
Market forecast
Commodity prices
Input costs
Machinery performance
Yield/quality
Plant/animal health
Biomass
Pasture growth
Soil biology
Soil structure
Soil chemistry, nutrients
Soil moisture
Soil type, variability
Drainage, waterlogging
Contours, levels
Seasonal forecasts
Wind
Frost
Temperature
Rainfall
Agrib
usin
ess
Prod
uctio
nSo
ilsTe
rrai
nW
eath
er
Rese
arch
er (n
=20)
From your research, what data or information do you believe are typically used to make on-farm management decisions?
No answer Never Sometimes Always
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 191 of 231
Other:
• Agronomists, marketing gurus • Long term business objects balanced with family needs and aspirations • Pests
From your research, what data or information do you believe are typically used to make on-farm management decisions?
Researcher (n=20)
Always Sometimes Never No answer
Weather Rainfall 15 4 0 1
Temperature 15 4 0 1
Frost 15 4 0 1
Wind 15 4 0 1
Seasonal forecasts 4 13 0 3
Terrain Contours, levels 4 9 2 5
Drainage, waterlogging 3 12 1 4
Soils Soil type, variability 5 12 0 3
Soil moisture 8 12 0 0
Soil chemistry, nutrients 9 10 0 1
Soil structure 4 11 2 3
Soil biology 4 7 7 2
Production Pasture growth 7 10 1 2
Biomass 5 8 0 7
Plant/animal health 5 8 1 6
Yield/quality 8 9 0 3
Agribusiness Machinery performance 3 11 1 5
Input costs 13 3 0 4
Commodity prices 8 7 0 5
Market forecast 4 11 0 5
Other 3 0 0 17
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 192 of 231
Question 9: How would you normally get (source) information and data about the SOIL for a research project at an agricultural site?
Other:
• ALA, BASE, SOILQUALITY.ORG, VRO • Collect data within company • Seminars, field days
How would you normally get (source) information and data about the SOIL for a research project at an agricultural site?
Data source Researcher (n=20)
Collect it on farm or on-site manually, or from farmers
16
Collect it from on-farm/on-site sensors 8
From my own research database (including students)
10
Shared from other researchers 10
From extension activities (e.g. field days, newsletters)
7
From research reports, maps, journals, experts (e.g. government, universities)
15
3
5
11
2
2
15
7
10
10
8
16
No answer
Other
From mobile Apps (e.g. SoilMapp, SoilWaterApp,etc.)
Freely from the internet (e.g. ANDS, TERN, ASRIS,etc.)
From subscriptions or memberships (e.g. to groweror industry groups)
Engage paid consultants or service providers tocollect it
From research reports, maps, journals, experts (e.g.government, universities)
From extension activities (e.g. field days,newsletters)
Shared from other researchers
From my own research database (including students)
Collect it from on-farm/on-site sensors
Collect it on farm or on-site manually, or fromfarmers
Rese
arch
er (n
=20)
How would you normally get (source) information and data about the SOIL for a research project at an agricultural site?
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 193 of 231
How would you normally get (source) information and data about the SOIL for a research project at an agricultural site?
Data source Researcher (n=20)
Engage paid consultants or service providers to collect it
2
From subscriptions or memberships (e.g. to grower or industry groups)
2
Freely from the internet (e.g. ANDS, TERN, ASRIS, etc.)
11
From mobile Apps (e.g. SoilMapp, SoilWaterApp, etc.)
5
Other 3
No answer 0
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 194 of 231
Question 10: What SOIL OBSERVATIONS do you typically use to judge the agricultural performance of the soils at a site, and how often would you use them?
Other:
• pH • Routine soil tests
Other:
• Echangeable Cations • NDVI
10 20
Other
Other
Other
Soil-borne pests/diseases
Worms/bugs
Erosion, groundcover
Penetrometer, spade, boot heel
Waterlogging, drainage
Wetness, moisture, dryness, cracking
Organic matter
Smell, taste
Colour, texture, feel
Obs
erva
tions
Rese
arch
er (n
=20)
What SOIL OBSERVATIONS do you typically use to judge the agricultural performance of the soils at a site, and how often would you use them?
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years Use rarely Never use No answer
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 195 of 231
Other:
• Phosphorus • Profile soil test
What SOIL OBSERVATIONS do you typically use to judge the agricultural performance of the soils at a site, and how often would you use them?
Observations Researcher (n=20)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
Colour, texture, feel
2 2 5 3 6 0 2
Smell, taste 0 0 0 0 6 10 4
Organic matter
1 3 10 1 2 1 2
Wetness, moisture, dryness, cracking
3 8 3 0 2 0 4
Waterlogging, drainage
0 3 8 3 2 0 4
Penetrometer, spade, boot heel
0 3 7 0 4 3 3
Erosion, groundcover
0 3 11 1 0 1 4
Worms/bugs 2 1 4 1 5 3 4
Soil-borne pests/ diseases
1 1 4 1 5 4 4
Other 1 0 1 0 0 0 18
Other 1 0 1 0 0 0 18
Other 1 0 1 0 0 0 18
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 196 of 231
Question 11: What SOIL TESTS do you typically use to judge the agricultural performance of the soils at a site, and how often would you collect them?
Other:
• Bulk density • Plant available water
Other:
• Soil porosity/water infiltration
Other:
• Root depth
10 20
Other
Other
Other
EM38 survey
Soil strength
Soil structure
Soil temperature
Soil moisture
Phys
ical
test
s
Rese
arch
er (n
=20)
What SOIL TESTS do you typically use to judge the agricultural performance of the soils at a site, and how often would you collect them?
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years Use rarely Never use No answer
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 197 of 231
What SOIL TESTS do you typically use to judge the agricultural performance of the soils at a site, and how often would you collect them?
Physical tests
Researcher (n=20)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
Soil moisture 4 3 6 2 0 4 1
Soil temperature
3 4 1 0 3 7 2
Soil structure 1 2 6 1 4 2 4
Soil strength 0 0 5 0 5 5 5
EM38 survey 1 0 4 4 3 4 4
Other 0 1 0 0 1 0 18
Other 0 0 1 0 0 0 19
Other 0 1 0 0 0 0 19
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 198 of 231
Other:
• Carbonates • Cation exchange capacity
Other:
• Gypsum • Soil organic carbon storage
Other:
• Plant available nutrients • Sodicity
10 20
Other
Other
Other
Soil contaminants/toxicity
Soil EC, salinity
Soil nitrogen
Soil pH (acidity/alkalinity)
Paddock soil tests (nutrients)
Chem
ical
test
s
Rese
arch
er (n
=20)
What SOIL TESTS do you typically use to judge the agricultural performance of the soils at a site, and how often would you collect them?
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years Use rarely Never use No answer
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 199 of 231
What SOIL TESTS do you typically use to judge the agricultural performance of the soils at a site, and how often would you collect them?
Chemical tests
Researcher (n=20)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
Paddock soil tests (nutrients)
1 4 10 2 0 0 3
Soil pH (acidity/ alkalinity)
2 4 10 2 0 0 2
Soil nitrogen 1 5 9 1 1 0 3
Soil EC, salinity
1 3 10 1 2 0 3
Soil contaminants/ toxicity
0 0 5 2 3 4 6
Other 0 0 2 0 0 0 18
Other 0 0 2 0 0 0 18
Other 0 1 1 0 0 0 18
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 200 of 231
Other:
• Nematodes • Potentially mineralisable nitrogen
Other:
• Enzyme activity
Other:
• Microbial biomass
What SOIL TESTS do you typically use to judge the agricultural performance of the soils at a site, and how often would you collect them?
Biological tests
Researcher (n=20)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
Respiration/decomposition
0 1 2 2 1 9 5
10 20
Other
Other
Other
Mycorrhizal colonisation
Bug counts
Worm counts
DNA-based tests
Respiration/decomposition
Biol
ogic
al te
sts
Rese
arch
er (n
=20)
What SOIL TESTS do you typically use to judge the agricultural performance of the soils at a site, and how often would you collect them?
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years Use rarely Never use No answer
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 201 of 231
What SOIL TESTS do you typically use to judge the agricultural performance of the soils at a site, and how often would you collect them?
Biological tests
Researcher (n=20)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
DNA-based tests
0 1 2 0 3 8 6
Worm counts 1 0 1 0 3 9 6
Bug counts 1 2 0 0 3 10 4
Mycorrhizal colonisation
0 1 1 0 3 10 5
Other 0 1 0 0 1 0 18
Other 0 1 0 0 0 0 19
Other 0 1 0 0 0 0 19
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 202 of 231
Other:
• Agronomic tests for indicating soil performance • Microbial population diversity and functions • Water infiltration
What SOIL TESTS do you typically use to judge the agricultural performance of the soils at a site, and how often would you collect them?
Researcher (n=20)
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Use rarely Never use No answer
Other tests 0 2 1 0 0 0 17
10 20
Other tests
What SOIL TESTS do you typically use to judge the agricultural performance of the soils at a site, and how often would you collect them?
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years Use rarely Never use No answer
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 203 of 231
Question 12: How often would you typically look back at past soil information, observations or tests in your research?
How often would you typically look back at past soil information, observations or tests in your research?
Researcher (n=20)
Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years
Hardly ever Never No answer
3 7 5 4 0 1
10
Researcher (n=20)
How often would you typically look back at past soil information, observations or tests in your research?
Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years Hardly ever Never No answer
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 204 of 231
Question 13: In your opinion, what are the three most useful observations or tests of soil performance that farmer would currently use?
Other: Response 1
• No idea • Rainfall
Other: Response 2
• Temperature
Other: Response 3
• Temperature
In your opinion, what are the three most useful observations or tests of soil performance that farmer would currently use?
Researcher (n=20)
Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 Total
Soil Physical 4 3 6 13
Soil Chemical 11 13 4 28
Soil Biological 0 0 2 2
Vegetation indicators 1 0 2 3
Other 2 1 1 4
No answer 2 3 5 10
2
2
1
11
4
3
1
13
3
5
1
2
2
4
6
No answer
Other
Vegetation indicators
Soil Biological
Soil Chemical
Soil Physical
Rese
arch
er (n
=20)
In your opinion, what are the three most useful observations or tests of soil performance that farmer would currently use?
Response 1 Response 2 Response 3
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Word cloud
EC Matter Moisture Nitrogen Nutrients Organic
PBI pH Phosphorus Soil Temperature Texture
Word frequencies
pH (n=10) Soil (n=8) Moisture (n=6) Nutrients (n=5) Nitrogen (n=3) Organic (n=3) EC (n=2) Matter (n=2) PBI (n=2) Phosphorus (n=2) Temperature (n=2) Texture (n=2)
Responses - Researcher (n=20) Soil Physical Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Moisture (n=2) • Soil strength • Soil texture
• Moisture • Soil moisture (n=2)
• Moisture content • Organic matter (n=2) • Penetrometer • Structure • Texture
Soil Chemical Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Available nutrients • N • NPKS • Nutrient status • pH (n=4) • pH/EC • Phosphorus/PBI • Soil test
• Nitrogen (n=2) • NPK • Nutrients • Nutrition • PBI • pH (n=3) • pH/EC • Soil nutrients • Soil pH • Soil water
• Nitrogen • Nutrients • Organic carbon • Phosphorus
Soil Biological Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Bugs
• Pest density
Vegetation indicators Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Biomass • Crop observations
• Yield
Other Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • No idea • Temperature • Temperature
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• Rainfall
No answer Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • No answer (n=2) • No answer (n=3) • No answer (n=5)
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Question 14: Ideally, what are the three most important observations or tests of soil performance that you think a farmer should use?
Ideally, what are the three most important observations or tests of soil performance that you think a farmer should use?
Researcher (n=20)
Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 Total
Soil Physical 4 4 5 13
Soil Chemical 8 9 7 24
Soil Biological 2 2 2 6
Vegetation indicators 1 1 2 4
Other 3 1 0 4
No answer 2 3 4 9
Word cloud
Animals Carbon EC Matter Moisture Nitrogen
Nutrients Organic pH Plant
Soil Status Texture Water Yield
2
3
1
2
8
4
3
1
1
2
9
4
4
2
2
7
5
No answer
Other
Vegetation indicators
Soil Biological
Soil Chemical
Soil Physical
Rese
arch
er (n
=20)
Ideally, what are the three most important observations or tests of soil performance that you think a farmer should use?
Response 1 Response 2 Response 3
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Word frequencies
Soil (n=8) Organic (n=7) pH (n=7) Nutrients (n=5) Matter (n=4) Carbon (n=3) Moisture (n=3) Water (n=3) Animals (n=2) EC (n=2) Nitrogen (n=2) Plant (n=2) Status (n=2) Texture (n=2) Yield (n=2)
Responses - Researcher (n=20) Soil Physical Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Bulk density • Moisture • Monitor soil moisture • Water holding capacity
• Organic matter (n=2) • Soil organic matter • Texture
• EM38 • Organic matter • Structure • Texture • Water infiltration rates
Soil Chemical Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Moisture • N fractions • NPKS • Nutrient status • pH (n=2) • pH/EC • Phosphorus
• Nitrogen (n=2) • Nutrients • Organic carbon • PBI • pH • pH/EC • Soil nutrients • Soil test regularly
• Microelements • NPK • Nutrient status • pH (n=2) • Possibly grid sampling
paddocks for VR • Soil organic carbon
Soil Biological Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Soil animals • Soil biota
• Disease • Mycorrhizal colonisation
• Soil animals • Worm and bug counts
Vegetation indicators Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Biomass/yield • Plant/pasture quality • Crop observations
• Yield variability
Other Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • Organic carbon/respiration • Plant available nutrients
and water • Rainfall
• Temperature
No answer Response 1 Response 2 Response 3 • No answer (n=2) • No answer (n=3) • No answer (n=4)
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Question 15: Please provide any other comments or thoughts you have that would help us better understand the properties that could be used to measure and monitor the agricultural performance of soil.
Word cloud
Current Differences Follow Indicating Look Management Measures Profile Regime
Response Science Sodic Soil Want Well
Word frequencies
Soil (n=9) Differences (n=3) Indicating (n=3) Current (n=2) Follow (n=2) Look (n=2) Management (n=2) Measures (n=2) Profile (n=2) Regime (n=2) Response (n=2) Science (n=2) Sodic (n=2) Want (n=2) Well (n=2)
Responses - Researcher (n=20) • I found it impossible to answer most of these questions accurately as our research does not follow
a single pattern. For instance our work on cotton, wheat and sheep all followed a different regime in timing and methods. However all were aimed at measuring species richness and abundance of soil, leaf litter and grass invertebrate faunas and all proved effective at indicating differences between management regimes as well as indicating production differences.
• Look to the future – what should be done. Current soil science is going no place fast, dictated as it is by vested interests intent on maintaining the current MORE-ON (we have a bag or a bucket that will fix your latest problem) sales philosophy, that has no regard for the collateral damage caused by many of the additions. If you want to act objectively and responsibly look to the worldwide Regenerative Agriculture movement that says emulate nature and then enhance it. Read Charles Massy's "Call of the Reed Warbler" if soil science wants to be relevant in 2030.
• Measures of resilience/fragility/stress. • MIR scan for soil properties that help understand functions, i.e. pH and P buffering capacity, soil
moisture retention curves, texture profile. • Sodicity and impediments in the soil profile, i.e. hard pans or sodic layers etc. • These are some of key soil resources, which would be linked well with high performance soils (in
response to management systems), plant/crop yield and profitability to farmers. • Use soil animals, i.e. microarthropods as "health" indicators. • No answer (n=13)
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Appendix 1 – Survey
A review of indicators of soil health and function: Farmers’ needs and data management
Cooperative Research Centre for High Performance Soils Thank you for expressing interest in the review of indicators for soil health and function being undertaken by the Cooperative Research Centre for High Performance Soils (Soil CRC).
Associate Professor Peter Dahlhaus, together with research colleagues from Federation University Australia (Dr Nathan Robinson, Dr Megan Wong, Ms Jennifer Corbett and Ms Meghan Taylor), is undertaking this project to build a better understanding of the physical, chemical and biological properties that could be used to measure and monitor the agricultural performance of soil.
As someone who understands the role of soils in agriculture, we would like to invite you to be involved and to provide your insights into these issues. Your input will help this research project to understand why some indicators might be more useful than others, and more importantly, what would or would not work on-farm.
This online survey will take about 15 minutes to complete. There are 15 questions to answer. A hardcopy version of this survey is also available for download.
The results of this survey will be available in early June 2018 on the Soil CRC website. The results will guide future CRC projects by providing a comprehensive review of the relevance of reliable, easily measurable and practical indicators of agricultural soil health and function.
The Plain Language Information Statement outlining important information about this research is available to review in full.
This project has received approval from the Federation University Australia’s Human Research Ethics Committee (project number: A18-007).
For further information about this research contact one of the following researchers:
Associate Professor Peter Dahlhaus Email: [email protected] Ph: (03) 5341 3994
Dr Nathan Robinson Email: [email protected]
Dr Megan Wong Email: [email protected]
Section 1 1.1 Which of the following best describes your role?
☐ Farmer ☐ Consultant ☐ Agronomist ☐ Industry representative ☐ Advisor/Extension officer ☐ Researcher
1.1 Please indicate your age:
☐ 18 – 24 ☐ 25 – 34 ☐ 35 – 44 ☐ 45 – 54 ☐ 55 – 64 ☐ 65 – 74 ☐ 75 or older
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Section 2: Farmers Only answer this section if you selected ‘Farmers’ in question 1.1.
Where you have farms in different locations, please answer the following questions about your MAIN farm only.
2.3 Where is your main farming enterprise located? Please enter a locality and postcode.
_________________________________________
2.4 What is the PRIMARY focus of your main farming enterprise? Please choose one answer:
Dryland (e.g. non-
irrigated, rainfed) Irrigated
Intensive (e.g. feedlots, greenhouses) Rangeland
Produce Grain, oilseed, pulses ☐ ☐
Beef cattle ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Prime lamb ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Dairy (cows) ☐ ☐ ☐
Wool (sheep) ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Cotton ☐ ☐
Sugar ☐ ☐
Pigs ☐ ☐ ☐
Horticulture: annual crops ☐ ☐ ☐
Horticulture: permanent plantings ☐ ☐ ☐
Viticulture ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
2.5 What other focus, if any, do you have on your main farming enterprise? Dryland
(e.g. non-irrigated, rainfed) Irrigated
Intensive (e.g. feedlots, greenhouses) Rangeland
Produce Grain, oilseed, pulses ☐ ☐
Beef cattle ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Prime lamb ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Dairy (cows) ☐ ☐ ☐
Wool (sheep) ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Cotton ☐ ☐
Sugar ☐ ☐
Pigs ☐ ☐ ☐
Horticulture: annual crops ☐ ☐ ☐
Horticulture: permanent plantings ☐ ☐ ☐
Viticulture ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
2.6 Does your main farming enterprise have certification (e.g. organic, biodynamic)?
☐ No ☐ Yes - Please state certification: _____________
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2.7 What is the total size of your main farming enterprise?
☐ Less than 50 hectares ☐ 50 to 99 hectares ☐ 100 to 499 hectares ☐ 500 to 999 hectares ☐ 1,000 to 1,999 hectares ☐ 2,000 to 4,999 hectares ☐ 5,000 hectares or more
2.8 What data or information do you use to make management decisions on your main farming enterprise? Please choose the appropriate response for each item:
Always Sometimes Never Weather Rainfall ☐ ☐ ☐
Temperature ☐ ☐ ☐
Frost ☐ ☐ ☐
Wind ☐ ☐ ☐
Seasonal forecasts ☐ ☐ ☐ Terrain Contours, levels ☐ ☐ ☐
Drainage, waterlogging ☐ ☐ ☐ Soils Soil type, variability ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil moisture ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil chemistry, nutrients ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil structure ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil biology ☐ ☐ ☐ Production Pasture growth ☐ ☐ ☐
Biomass ☐ ☐ ☐
Plant/animal health ☐ ☐ ☐
Yield/quality ☐ ☐ ☐ Agribusiness Machinery performance ☐ ☐ ☐
Input costs ☐ ☐ ☐
Commodity prices ☐ ☐ ☐
Market forecast ☐ ☐ ☐ Other: _________________ ☐ ☐ ☐
The next set of questions are about SOIL data only.
2.9 How would you normally get (source) information and data about the SOIL on your farm? Check all that apply
☐ Collect it on the farm manually ☐ Collect it on the farm with sensors ☐ From our own farming enterprise database ☐ Shared from other farmers (e.g. neighbours, friends, family) ☐ From extension activities (e.g. field days, newsletters) ☐ From research reports, maps, journals, experts (e.g. government, universities) ☐ From a paid advisor, agronomist or consultant ☐ From a subscription or membership (e.g. to a grower group or industry group) ☐ Freely from the internet (e.g. website, email feed, Twitter, etc.)
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☐ From a mobile App (e.g. SoilMapp, SoilWaterApp, etc.) ☐ Other: ________________________________
2.10 What SOIL OBSERVATIONS do you use to judge the performance of the soils on your farm, and how often do you collect them? Observations only: The next question is about soil tests.
Weekly Monthly Yearly
Every 2 to 5 years Use rarely Never use
Observations Colour, texture, feel ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Smell, taste ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Organic matter ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Wetness, moisture, dryness, cracking ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Waterlogging, drainage ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Penetrometer, spade, boot heel ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Erosion, groundcover ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Worms/bugs ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil-borne pests/diseases ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
2.11 What SOIL TESTS do you use to judge the performance of the soils on your farm, and how often do you collect them?
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to
5 years Use rarely Never use Physical tests Soil moisture ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil temperature ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil structure ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil strength ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
EM38 survey ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ Chemical tests Paddock soil tests (nutrients) ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil pH (acidity/alkalinity) ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil nitrogen ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil EC, salinity ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil contaminants/toxicity ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
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Biological tests Respiration/decomposition ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
DNA-based tests ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Worm counts ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Bug counts ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Mycorrhizal colonisation ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ Other tests: ____________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
2.12 How often would you look back at your past soil information, observations or tests to use it in farming decisions?
Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years Hardly ever Never ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
2.13 In your current farming enterprise, what are the three most useful observations or tests of soil performance that you use?
1. ______________________________________
2. ______________________________________
3. ______________________________________
2.14 In an ideal world, what are the three most important observations or tests of soil performance that you would like to use?
1. ______________________________________
2. ______________________________________
3. ______________________________________
2.15 Please provide any other comments or thoughts you have that would help us better understand the properties that could be used to measure and monitor the agricultural performance of soil.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Section 3: Consultants/Agronomists Only answer this section if you selected ‘Consultants/Agronomists’ in question 1.1.
Where your business enterprise has offices in different locations, please answer the following questions about the office that you mostly work from.
3.3 Where is your main workplace located? Please enter a locality and postcode.
_________________________________________
3.4 What type of agricultural enterprise comprises the majority of your work (in terms of time spent)? Please choose one answer:
Dryland (e.g. non-
irrigated, rainfed) Irrigated
Intensive (e.g. feedlots, greenhouses) Rangeland
Produce Grain, oilseed, pulses ☐ ☐
Beef cattle ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Prime lamb ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Dairy (cows) ☐ ☐ ☐
Wool (sheep) ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Cotton ☐ ☐
Sugar ☐ ☐
Pigs ☐ ☐ ☐
Horticulture: annual crops ☐ ☐ ☐
Horticulture: permanent plantings ☐ ☐ ☐
Viticulture ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
3.5 What other types of agricultural enterprises, if any, do you advise or service? Dryland
(e.g. non-irrigated, rainfed) Irrigated
Intensive (e.g. feedlots, greenhouses) Rangeland
Produce Grain, oilseed, pulses ☐ ☐
Beef cattle ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Prime lamb ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Dairy (cows) ☐ ☐ ☐
Wool (sheep) ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Cotton ☐ ☐
Sugar ☐ ☐
Pigs ☐ ☐ ☐
Horticulture: annual crops ☐ ☐ ☐
Horticulture: permanent plantings ☐ ☐ ☐
Viticulture ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
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3.6 Do you specialise in farming enterprises that have certification (e.g. organic, biodynamic)?
☐ No ☐ Yes - Please state certification: _____________
3.7 In general, what size of farming enterprise do you advise or service? Check all that apply
☐ Less than 50 hectares ☐ 50 to 99 hectares ☐ 100 to 499 hectares ☐ 500 to 999 hectares ☐ 1,000 to 1,999 hectares ☐ 2,000 to 4,999 hectares ☐ 5,000 hectares or more
3.8 What data or information do you typically use to advise a client about farm management decisions? Please choose the appropriate response for each item:
Always Sometimes Never Weather Rainfall ☐ ☐ ☐
Temperature ☐ ☐ ☐
Frost ☐ ☐ ☐
Wind ☐ ☐ ☐
Seasonal forecasts ☐ ☐ ☐ Terrain Contours, levels ☐ ☐ ☐
Drainage, waterlogging ☐ ☐ ☐ Soils Soil type, variability ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil moisture ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil chemistry, nutrients ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil structure ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil biology ☐ ☐ ☐ Production Pasture growth ☐ ☐ ☐
Biomass ☐ ☐ ☐
Plant/animal health ☐ ☐ ☐
Yield/quality ☐ ☐ ☐ Agribusiness Machinery performance ☐ ☐ ☐
Input costs ☐ ☐ ☐
Commodity prices ☐ ☐ ☐
Market forecast ☐ ☐ ☐ Other: _________________ ☐ ☐ ☐
The next set of questions are about SOIL data only.
3.9 How would you normally get (source) information and data about the SOIL on a client’s farm? Check all that apply
☐ Collect it on the farm manually ☐ Collect it on the farm with sensors ☐ From our own business database ☐ Shared from other agronomists or consultants ☐ From extension activities (e.g. field days, newsletters) ☐ From research reports, maps, journals, experts (e.g. government, universities) ☐ Engage paid sub-consultants or service providers to collect it
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☐ From a subscription or membership (e.g. to a grower group or industry group) ☐ Freely from the internet (e.g. website, email feed, Twitter, etc.) ☐ From a mobile App (e.g. SoilMapp, SoilWaterApp, etc.) ☐ Other: ________________________________
3.10 What SOIL OBSERVATIONS do you typically use to judge the performance of the soils on a client’s farm, and how often would you use them? Observations only: The next question is about soil tests.
Weekly Monthly Yearly
Every 2 to 5 years Use rarely Never use
Observations Colour, texture, feel ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Smell, taste ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Organic matter ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Wetness, moisture, dryness, cracking ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Waterlogging, drainage ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Penetrometer, spade, boot heel ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Erosion, groundcover ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Worms/bugs ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil-borne pests/diseases ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
3.11 What SOIL TESTS do you typically use to judge the performance of the soils on a client’s farm, and how often would you collect them?
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to
5 years Use rarely Never use Physical tests Soil moisture ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil temperature ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil structure ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil strength ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
EM38 survey ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ Chemical tests Paddock soil tests (nutrients) ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil pH (acidity/alkalinity) ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil nitrogen ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil EC, salinity ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil contaminants/toxicity ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
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Weekly Monthly Yearly
Every 2 to 5 years Use rarely Never use
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ Biological tests Respiration/decomposition ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
DNA-based tests ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Worm counts ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Bug counts ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Mycorrhizal colonisation ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ Other tests: ____________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
3.12 How often would you typically look back at past soil information, observations or tests when advising a client in farming decisions?
Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years Hardly ever Never ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
3.13 In your opinion, what are the three most useful observations or tests of soil performance that you currently use to advise your clients?
1. ______________________________________
2. ______________________________________
3. ______________________________________
3.14 What are the three most important observations or tests of soil performance that you would ideally like to use to advise your clients?
1. ______________________________________
2. ______________________________________
3. ______________________________________
3.15 Please provide any other comments or thoughts you have that would help us better understand the properties that could be used to measure and monitor the agricultural performance of soil.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Section 4: Industry representatives Only answer this section if you selected ‘Industry representatives’ in question 1.1.
Where your organisation has offices in different locations, please answer the following questions about the office that you mostly work from.
4.3 Where is your main workplace located? Please enter a locality and postcode.
_________________________________________
4.4 What is the main type of agricultural enterprise that your organisation represents (in terms of time spent)? Please choose one answer:
Dryland (e.g. non-
irrigated, rainfed) Irrigated
Intensive (e.g. feedlots, greenhouses) Rangeland
Produce Grain, oilseed, pulses ☐ ☐
Beef cattle ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Prime lamb ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Dairy (cows) ☐ ☐ ☐
Wool (sheep) ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Cotton ☐ ☐
Sugar ☐ ☐
Pigs ☐ ☐ ☐
Horticulture: annual crops ☐ ☐ ☐
Horticulture: permanent plantings ☐ ☐ ☐
Viticulture ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
4.5 What other types of agricultural enterprises, if any, does your organisation represent? Dryland
(e.g. non-irrigated, rainfed) Irrigated
Intensive (e.g. feedlots, greenhouses) Rangeland
Produce Grain, oilseed, pulses ☐ ☐
Beef cattle ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Prime lamb ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Dairy (cows) ☐ ☐ ☐
Wool (sheep) ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Cotton ☐ ☐
Sugar ☐ ☐
Pigs ☐ ☐ ☐
Horticulture: annual crops ☐ ☐ ☐
Horticulture: permanent plantings ☐ ☐ ☐
Viticulture ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
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4.6 Do you represent farming enterprises that have certification (e.g. organic, biodynamic)?
☐ No ☐ Yes - Please state certification: _____________
4.7 In general, what size of farming enterprise does your organisation represent? Check all that apply
☐ Less than 50 hectares ☐ 50 to 99 hectares ☐ 100 to 499 hectares ☐ 500 to 999 hectares ☐ 1,000 to 1,999 hectares ☐ 2,000 to 4,999 hectares ☐ 5,000 hectares or more
4.8 As an industry representative, what data or information would you typically use to understand agricultural management in your industry? Please choose the appropriate response for each item:
Always Sometimes Never Weather Rainfall ☐ ☐ ☐
Temperature ☐ ☐ ☐
Frost ☐ ☐ ☐
Wind ☐ ☐ ☐
Seasonal forecasts ☐ ☐ ☐ Terrain Contours, levels ☐ ☐ ☐
Drainage, waterlogging ☐ ☐ ☐ Soils Soil type, variability ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil moisture ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil chemistry, nutrients ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil structure ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil biology ☐ ☐ ☐ Production Pasture growth ☐ ☐ ☐
Biomass ☐ ☐ ☐
Plant/animal health ☐ ☐ ☐
Yield/quality ☐ ☐ ☐ Agribusiness Machinery performance ☐ ☐ ☐
Input costs ☐ ☐ ☐
Commodity prices ☐ ☐ ☐
Market forecast ☐ ☐ ☐ Other: _________________ ☐ ☐ ☐
The next set of questions are about SOIL data only.
4.9 How would you normally get (source) information and data about the SOILS in your agricultural industry? Check all that apply
☐ Collect it on farms manually or from farmers ☐ Collect it on farms with sensors ☐ From our own industry databases ☐ Shared from other industry representatives ☐ From extension activities (e.g. field days, newsletters)
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☐ From research reports, maps, journals, experts (e.g. government, universities) ☐ From engaging paid advisors, agronomists or consultants to collect it ☐ From subscriptions or memberships (e.g. international industry groups) ☐ Freely from the internet (e.g. websites, email feeds, Twitter, etc.) ☐ From mobile Apps (e.g. SoilMapp, SoilWaterApp, etc.) ☐ Other: ________________________________
4.10 In your industry, what are the most common SOIL OBSERVATIONS that would be typically used to judge the performance of the soils on farms, and how often would they be used? Observations only: The next question is about soil tests.
Weekly Monthly Yearly
Every 2 to 5 years Use rarely Never use
Observations Colour, texture, feel ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Smell, taste ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Organic matter ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Wetness, moisture, dryness, cracking ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Waterlogging, drainage ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Penetrometer, spade, boot heel ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Erosion, groundcover ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Worms/bugs ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil-borne pests/diseases ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
4.11 In your industry, what are the most common SOIL TESTS that would be typically used to judge the performance of the soils on farms, and how often would they be used?
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to
5 years Use rarely Never use Physical tests Soil moisture ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil temperature ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil structure ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil strength ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
EM38 survey ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ Chemical tests Paddock soil tests (nutrients) ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil pH (acidity/alkalinity) ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil nitrogen ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil EC, salinity ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil contaminants/toxicity ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
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Weekly Monthly Yearly
Every 2 to 5 years Use rarely Never use
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ Biological tests Respiration/decomposition ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
DNA-based tests ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Worm counts ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Bug counts ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Mycorrhizal colonisation ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ Other tests: ____________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
4.12 How often would you look back at past soil information, observations or tests in assessing soil performance in your industry?
Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years Hardly ever Never ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
4.13 In your opinion, what are the three most useful observations or tests of soil performance that farmers in your industry would currently use?
1. ______________________________________
2. ______________________________________
3. ______________________________________
4.14 What are the three most important observations or tests of soil performance that you would ideally like to see farmers in your industry use?
1. ______________________________________
2. ______________________________________
3. ______________________________________
4.15 Please provide any other comments or thoughts you have that would help us better understand the properties that could be used to measure and monitor the agricultural performance of soil.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Section 5: Advisors/Extension officers Only answer this section if you selected ‘Advisors/Extension officers’ in question 1.1.
Where your organisation has offices in different locations, please answer the following questions about the office that you mostly work from.
5.3 Where is your main workplace located? Please enter a locality and postcode.
_________________________________________
5.4 What type of agricultural enterprise comprises the majority of your work (in terms of time spent)? Please choose one answer:
Dryland (e.g. non-
irrigated, rainfed) Irrigated
Intensive (e.g. feedlots, greenhouses) Rangeland
Produce Grain, oilseed, pulses ☐ ☐
Beef cattle ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Prime lamb ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Dairy (cows) ☐ ☐ ☐
Wool (sheep) ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Cotton ☐ ☐
Sugar ☐ ☐
Pigs ☐ ☐ ☐
Horticulture: annual crops ☐ ☐ ☐
Horticulture: permanent plantings ☐ ☐ ☐
Viticulture ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
5.5 What other types of agricultural enterprises, if any, do you advise or service? Dryland
(e.g. non-irrigated, rainfed) Irrigated
Intensive (e.g. feedlots, greenhouses) Rangeland
Produce Grain, oilseed, pulses ☐ ☐
Beef cattle ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Prime lamb ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Dairy (cows) ☐ ☐ ☐
Wool (sheep) ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Cotton ☐ ☐
Sugar ☐ ☐
Pigs ☐ ☐ ☐
Horticulture: annual crops ☐ ☐ ☐
Horticulture: permanent plantings ☐ ☐ ☐
Viticulture ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
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5.6 Do you specialise in advising or educating farming enterprises about certification (e.g. organic, biodynamic)?
☐ No ☐ Yes - Please state certification: _____________
5.7 In general, what size of farming enterprise do you advise or service? Check all that apply
☐ Less than 50 hectares ☐ 50 to 99 hectares ☐ 100 to 499 hectares ☐ 500 to 999 hectares ☐ 1,000 to 1,999 hectares ☐ 2,000 to 4,999 hectares ☐ 5,000 hectares or more
5.8 What data or information do you typically use to provide advice or education on farm management decisions? Please choose the appropriate response for each item:
Always Sometimes Never Weather Rainfall ☐ ☐ ☐
Temperature ☐ ☐ ☐
Frost ☐ ☐ ☐
Wind ☐ ☐ ☐
Seasonal forecasts ☐ ☐ ☐ Terrain Contours, levels ☐ ☐ ☐
Drainage, waterlogging ☐ ☐ ☐ Soils Soil type, variability ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil moisture ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil chemistry, nutrients ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil structure ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil biology ☐ ☐ ☐ Production Pasture growth ☐ ☐ ☐
Biomass ☐ ☐ ☐
Plant/animal health ☐ ☐ ☐
Yield/quality ☐ ☐ ☐ Agribusiness Machinery performance ☐ ☐ ☐
Input costs ☐ ☐ ☐
Commodity prices ☐ ☐ ☐
Market forecast ☐ ☐ ☐ Other: _________________ ☐ ☐ ☐
The next set of questions are about SOIL data only.
5.9 How would you normally get (source) information and data about the SOIL for providing advice or education to a farming enterprise? Check all that apply
☐ Collect it on the farm manually or from the farmer ☐ Collect it on the farm from sensors ☐ From our own organisation’s database ☐ Shared from other advisors or extension officers ☐ From extension activities (e.g. field days, newsletters) ☐ From research reports, maps, journals, experts (e.g. government, universities)
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☐ From engaging paid advisors, agronomists or consultants to collect it ☐ From subscriptions or memberships (e.g. to grower or industry groups) ☐ Freely from the internet (e.g. website, email feed, Twitter, etc.) ☐ From mobile Apps (e.g. SoilMapp, SoilWaterApp, etc.) ☐ Other: ________________________________
5.10 What SOIL OBSERVATIONS do you typically use to judge the performance of the soils on a farm, and how often would you use them? Observations only: The next question is about soil tests.
Weekly Monthly Yearly
Every 2 to 5 years Use rarely Never use
Observations Colour, texture, feel ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Smell, taste ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Organic matter ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Wetness, moisture, dryness, cracking ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Waterlogging, drainage ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Penetrometer, spade, boot heel ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Erosion, groundcover ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Worms/bugs ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil-borne pests/diseases ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
5.11 What SOIL TESTS do you typically use to judge the performance of the soils on a farm, and how often would you advise the farmer to collect them?
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to
5 years Use rarely Never use Physical tests Soil moisture ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil temperature ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil structure ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil strength ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
EM38 survey ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ Chemical tests Paddock soil tests (nutrients) ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil pH (acidity/alkalinity) ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil nitrogen ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil EC, salinity ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil contaminants/toxicity ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
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Weekly Monthly Yearly
Every 2 to 5 years Use rarely Never use
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ Biological tests Respiration/decomposition ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
DNA-based tests ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Worm counts ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Bug counts ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Mycorrhizal colonisation ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ Other tests: ____________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
5.12 How often would you typically look back at past soil information, observations or tests when advising or educating about farm management decisions?
Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years Hardly ever Never ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
5.13 In your opinion, what are the three most useful observations or tests of soil performance that farmers currently use?
1. ______________________________________
2. ______________________________________
3. ______________________________________
5.14 What are the three most important observations or tests of soil performance that you would ideally like to see farmers use?
1. ______________________________________
2. ______________________________________
3. ______________________________________
5.15 Please provide any other comments or thoughts you have that would help us better understand the properties that could be used to measure and monitor the agricultural performance of soil.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Section 6: Researchers Only answer this section if you selected ‘Researchers’ in question 1.1.
Where your research institution has offices in different locations, please answer the following questions about the office that you mostly work from.
6.3 Where is your main workplace located? Please enter a locality and postcode.
_________________________________________
6.4 What type of agricultural enterprise comprises the majority of your research (in terms of time spent)? Please choose one answer:
Dryland (e.g. non-
irrigated, rainfed) Irrigated
Intensive (e.g. feedlots, greenhouses) Rangeland
Produce Grain, oilseed, pulses ☐ ☐
Beef cattle ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Prime lamb ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Dairy (cows) ☐ ☐ ☐
Wool (sheep) ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Cotton ☐ ☐
Sugar ☐ ☐
Pigs ☐ ☐ ☐
Horticulture: annual crops ☐ ☐ ☐
Horticulture: permanent plantings ☐ ☐ ☐
Viticulture ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
6.5 On what other types of agricultural enterprises, if any, do you undertake research? Dryland
(e.g. non-irrigated, rainfed) Irrigated
Intensive (e.g. feedlots, greenhouses) Rangeland
Produce Grain, oilseed, pulses ☐ ☐
Beef cattle ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Prime lamb ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Dairy (cows) ☐ ☐ ☐
Wool (sheep) ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Cotton ☐ ☐
Sugar ☐ ☐
Pigs ☐ ☐ ☐
Horticulture: annual crops ☐ ☐ ☐
Horticulture: permanent plantings ☐ ☐ ☐
Viticulture ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
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6.6 Does your research specialise in farming enterprises that have certification (e.g. organic, biodynamic)?
☐ No ☐ Yes - Please state certification: _____________
6.7 In general, what size of farming enterprise does your research relate to? Check all that apply
☐ Less than 50 hectares ☐ 50 to 99 hectares ☐ 100 to 499 hectares ☐ 500 to 999 hectares ☐ 1,000 to 1,999 hectares ☐ 2,000 to 4,999 hectares ☐ 5,000 hectares or more
6.8 From your research, what data or information do you believe are typically used to make on-farm management decisions? Please choose the appropriate response for each item:
Always Sometimes Never Weather Rainfall ☐ ☐ ☐
Temperature ☐ ☐ ☐
Frost ☐ ☐ ☐
Wind ☐ ☐ ☐
Seasonal forecasts ☐ ☐ ☐ Terrain Contours, levels ☐ ☐ ☐
Drainage, waterlogging ☐ ☐ ☐ Soils Soil type, variability ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil moisture ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil chemistry, nutrients ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil structure ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil biology ☐ ☐ ☐ Production Pasture growth ☐ ☐ ☐
Biomass ☐ ☐ ☐
Plant/animal health ☐ ☐ ☐
Yield/quality ☐ ☐ ☐ Agribusiness Machinery performance ☐ ☐ ☐
Input costs ☐ ☐ ☐
Commodity prices ☐ ☐ ☐
Market forecast ☐ ☐ ☐ Other: _________________ ☐ ☐ ☐
The next set of questions are about SOIL data only.
6.9 How would you normally get (source) information and data about the SOIL for a research project at an agricultural site? Check all that apply
☐ Collect it on farm or on-site manually, or from farmers ☐ Collect it from on-farm/on-site sensors ☐ From my own research database (including students) ☐ Shared from other researchers Shared from other researchers ☐ From extension activities (e.g. field days, newsletters) ☐ From research reports, maps, journals, experts (e.g. government, universities)
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☐ Engage paid consultants or service providers to collect it ☐ From subscriptions or memberships (e.g. to grower or industry groups) ☐ Freely from the internet (e.g. ANDS, TERN, ASRIS, etc.) ☐ From mobile Apps (e.g. SoilMapp, SoilWaterApp, etc.) ☐ Other: ________________________________
6.10 What SOIL OBSERVATIONS do you typically use to judge the agricultural performance of the soils at a site, and how often would you use them? Observations only: The next question is about soil tests.
Weekly Monthly Yearly
Every 2 to 5 years Use rarely Never use
Observations Colour, texture, feel ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Smell, taste ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Organic matter ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Wetness, moisture, dryness, cracking ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Waterlogging, drainage ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Penetrometer, spade, boot heel ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Erosion, groundcover ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Worms/bugs ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil-borne pests/diseases ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
6.11 What SOIL TESTS do you typically use to judge the agricultural performance of the soils at a site, and how often would you collect them?
Weekly Monthly Yearly Every 2 to
5 years Use rarely Never use Physical tests Soil moisture ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil temperature ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil structure ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil strength ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
EM38 survey ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ Chemical tests Paddock soil tests (nutrients) ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil pH (acidity/alkalinity) ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil nitrogen ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil EC, salinity ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Soil contaminants/toxicity ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
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Weekly Monthly Yearly
Every 2 to 5 years Use rarely Never use
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ Biological tests Respiration/decomposition ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
DNA-based tests ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Worm counts ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Bug counts ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Mycorrhizal colonisation ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Other: __________________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ Other tests: ____________ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
6.12 How often would you typically look back at past soil information, observations or tests in your research?
Monthly Yearly Every 2 to 5 years Hardly ever Never ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
6.13 In your opinion, what are the three most useful observations or tests of soil performance that farmer would currently use?
1. ______________________________________
2. ______________________________________
3. ______________________________________
6.14 Ideally, what are the three most important observations or tests of soil performance that you think a farmer should use?
1. ______________________________________
2. ______________________________________
3. ______________________________________
6.15 Please provide any other comments or thoughts you have that would help us better understand the properties that could be used to measure and monitor the agricultural performance of soil.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Thank you Thank you for participating in this survey. Your responses have been successfully recorded.
If you would like to be involved in an additional survey or interview for this research, please click on this link to be directed to a separate survey form where you can provide your contact details.
The results of this survey will be available in early June 2018 on the Soil CRC website.
If you have any questions, further feedback about this project or would like to participate in future research, please contact one of the following researchers:
Associate Professor Peter Dahlhaus Email: [email protected] Ph: (03) 5341 3994
Dr Nathan Robinson Email: [email protected]
Dr Megan Wong Email: [email protected]