17 November 2021
Using water efficiently means applying just enough water to meet the needs of a crop. A soil in good condition consists of around 50% solid matter; […]
16 November 2021
This fact sheet from the Soil Wealth ICP project outlines the importance of healthy soil and its characteristics, how growers can develop healthy soils, as well […]
15 November 2021
A group of growers in Gippsland have identified a need to better demonstrate their efforts to minimise the impact of the industry on the surrounding environment. […]
9 November 2021
Watch this webinar presented by Frank Mulcahy to learn how soil mapping (EM38) can assist potato growers with better yields: Click here for the webinar slides. […]
9 November 2021
The Soil Wealth ICP team has developed a seven-part video series from its Soil Biology in Vegetable Production Masterclass. Additional presentations from the Soil Wealth ICP […]
3 November 2021
Soil Wealth ICP team member Carl Larsen recently braved the windy weather at the project’s Koo Wee Rup demonstration site in Victoria, to bring growers an […]
23 November 2021
Applied Horticultural Research has made the following webinar recording available to potato growers as part of the Hort Innovation-funded PotatoLink project. In this recording, Dr Kelvin […]
17 November 2021
In the webinar recording below, Soil Wealth ICP team member Doris Blaesing discusses soil biology and its links to soil structure in vegetable crops. Soil Biology […]
3 November 2021
Applied Horticultural Research has made the following resources available to potato growers as part of the Hort Innovation-funded PotatoLink project: Webinar recording: The role of biologics […]
26 October 2021
Plant nutrition must be tailored to each vegetable crop and growing conditions to ensure plants are healthy, productive and profitable. The Soil Wealth ICP team has […]
26 October 2021
Fertilisers are an important but costly input in vegetable production. However, there are simple tests you can do to better manage your inputs, such as leaf […]
19 October 2021
Do you know your macronutrients from your micronutrients? Plant nutrients are commonly split into two categories: Major elements (macronutrients) that are required in relatively large quantities […]
19 October 2021
Managing plant nutrition is integral to producing a healthy, profitable vegetable crop. The Soil Wealth ICP team has collated a range of informative resources to help […]
19 October 2021
South Australian potato growers can watch this webinar recording, where Dom Cavallaro (Stoller), Ian Simpson (Mitolo), Nigel Crump (AuSPICA), and Peter Philp (PotatoLink), discuss seed management, and […]
12 October 2021
Catch up on the Soil Biology Masterclass 2021 by watching the following recordings: 1. Soil Biology Masterclass 2021 – Basic principles: Soil Wealth/ICP team member, Kelvin […]
12 October 2021
A soil test, combined with a visual soil assessment and knowledge about paddock history and production plans, provides a sound basis for a nutrition program. A […]
5 October 2021
Irrigation is a major cost in potato production and has a big impact on potato yield and quality. Watch this webinar recording to help get all […]
5 October 2021
Watch the next-generation microwave technology at work during this virtual field walk recording in Cowra, New South Wales. Liam Hescock and the team from Growave showcase […]
14 September 2021
There are several important advancements and lessons from Europe implementing a mandatory Integrated Crop Protection (ICP) approach in vegetable production systems. The need to use ICP in […]
14 September 2021
Across two days, Hort Connections 2021 delegates were invited to participate in thought-provoking and interactive speaker sessions. One of these was hosted by Mark Turner (pictured […]
14 September 2021
The Soil Wealth and Integrated Crop Protection (ICP) project works with growers nationally to put soil management and plant health research into practice. In this column, […]
14 September 2021
The team from the Hort Innovation-funded project A strategic approach to weed management for the Australian vegetable industry visited Schreurs & Sons in Clyde, Victoria in […]
7 September 2021
Integrated weed management (IWM) is vital for getting on top of weed problems in vegetable production, or for keeping the farm relatively weed-free. IWM involves combining […]
31 August 2021
A three-year trial examining the impact of compost as an organic soil amendment has just wrapped up at the Soil Wealth ICP demonstration site in Richmond, […]
31 August 2021
Watch this masterclass recording to indulge in the complex world of soil biology and how it relates to healthy and profitable vegetable production. Basic principles are […]
24 August 2021
In recent years, the team from Victorian vegetable growing operation Schreurs & Sons has used weed management methods that reduce reliance on herbicides in vegetable crops. This decision […]
16 August 2021
Integrated weed management (IWM) is vital for getting on top of weed problems in vegetable production. It involves combining all appropriate weed control options in a […]
10 August 2021
Nutgrass (Cyperus rotundus), also known as purple nutsedge, Java grass, coco-grass and red nutsedge, is a major problem for the Australian vegetable industry. It is extremely […]
3 August 2021
The growth of weeds in vegetable production systems is enhanced by soil disturbance, irrigation and the application of fertilisers. This fact sheet provides growers and advisors […]
3 August 2021
Tune into this webinar recording to hear about the principles of integrated weed management (IWM) and how they apply to Australian vegetable growers. The discussion covers […]
2 August 2021
Watch this recorded webinar to learn all you need to know about the legal requirements for drone operators and how drones can help you manage daily […]
27 July 2021
Most good crop management practices begin with the soil. Enhancing natural populations of beneficial soil organisms can help the growth and establishment of crops, as well […]
27 July 2021
Are you curious about soil amendment options to help increase potato production in saline environments? Watch this webinar discussion, which covers a range of topics including […]
13 July 2021
The Soil Wealth ICP demonstration site in Richmond, southern Tasmania, is hosted by Harvest Farms. In 2018, a trial was established to examine the costs and […]
6 July 2021
Soil biology is a complex, dynamic and broad field. This 30-minute Soundcloud podcast from the Soil Wealth ICP project will introduce you to the concept of […]
29 June 2021
Headquartered in Melbourne’s Werribee South region, Fresh Select is one of the largest lettuce and brassica growers in Australia. As a leader in innovation, sustainable farming […]
22 June 2021
It’s rare to come across someone who is as passionate about soil health as Peter Wadewitz. The founder and Managing Director of Peats Soil & Garden […]
15 June 2021
Most technology for controlling weeds will be a positive step forward for soil health and the environment, and will play an important role in our fight […]
1 June 2021
Recently, Applied Horticultural Research’s Marc Hinderager and Ian Packer from Soilpack Services teamed up to deliver a webinar on soil organic matter, soil biology and the […]
25 May 2021
The Soil Wealth and Integrated Crop Protection (ICP) project works with growers nationally to put soil management and plant health research into practice. The project team […]
24 May 2021
In September 2020, the Soil Wealth and Integrated Crop Protection (ICP) project team produced a case study that focused on the Three Ryans farm in Western […]
24 May 2021
The main benefits of using compost in vegetable production systems include increased organic matter, adding nutrients to the soil, increased water holding capacity of the soil […]
4 May 2021
Organic amendments are mostly applied pre-planting of cash or cover crops, and always contain carbon and all major nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur and potassium. In […]
20 April 2021
Strip-till is a system of cultivation that works strips of soil where a crop will be planted or sown, and leaves most of the soil covered […]
20 April 2021
Reduced tillage can produce similar or better yields than more aggressive conventional tillage. While reduced tillage has a range of key benefits including improving long-term soil […]
6 April 2021
In the late 1990s a small number of progressive growers in Australia started experimenting with reduced till (or minimum till) for vegetable production. Reduced till is […]
6 April 2021
Strip-tillage combines the best of no-till and conventional tillage in the one operation. Steve Peterson is a fourth generation farmer in the United States and a […]
30 March 2021
Vegetable growers who have trialled cover crops may be wondering about the cost effectiveness of this approach. While the overall benefits will depend on each farm […]
23 March 2021
Cover crops are great tools for soil management. Their benefits can include improving soil structure and health, reducing erosion and weeds, adding nitrogen and contributing to […]
16 March 2021
Did you know that cover cropping is one of the most useful tools for managing intensive vegetable growing soils? The Hort Innovation-funded project Optimising cover cropping for […]
16 March 2021
Cover crops, also referred to as green manure crops, are planted as a break between commercial crops. They are grown and incorporated back into the soil […]
16 March 2021
For many years, Queensland vegetable grower Rob Hinrichsen from Kalfresh has taken advantage of the benefits that cover crops can provide to vegetable production systems. In […]
9 March 2021
As we approach the cooler months, many vegetable growers will be considering cover crops to help manage their soils over winter. Check out this fact sheet […]
9 March 2021
The addition of organic soil amendments is becoming increasingly popular in vegetable production, as they provide a range of benefits from both a production and economic […]
2 March 2021
A healthy soil is productive, sustainable and profitable. But what exactly does ‘soil health’ mean for vegetable growers? This Soil Wealth ICP fact sheet discusses how […]
2 March 2021
Potato cultivars can have very different water requirements, and knowing how to best manage water for a particular variety can have large yield benefits for growers. […]
23 February 2021
Related ProjectsSoil wealth and integrated crop protection – phase 2This project has been funded by Hort Innovation, using the research and development levies listed below and […]
23 February 2021
Problem weeds such as oxalis and nutgrass could be a thing of the past for vegetable growers following an Australian-first trial of microwave weed control technology […]
22 February 2021
Vegetable growers across the country are turning to cover crops to improve their soil. To help growers, Applied Horticultural Research (AHR) has put together the ‘Cover […]
22 February 2021
The Soil Wealth and Integrated Crop Protection (ICP) project works with growers nationally to put soil management and plant health research into practice. The project team […]
16 February 2021
Watch the final session of a webinar series dedicated to integrated weed management (IWM), an approach that can help growers manage weed problems in their vegetable […]
15 February 2021
Related ProjectsSoil wealth and integrated crop protection – phase 2This project has been funded by Hort Innovation, using the research and development levies listed below and […]
10 February 2021
Do you want to know more about organic soil amendments but don’t know where to start? The Soil Wealth ICP team has done the hard work […]
2 February 2021
In this 10-minute podcast, Harvest Moon Agricultural Director Mark Kable and John McPhee from the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, join controlled traffic farming (CTF) researcher and grower, James […]
2 February 2021
Victoria’s Werribee South vegetable growing region faces a range of production challenges, particularly when it comes to soil health. Read this case study from a demonstration […]
19 January 2021
Have you heard of the ripper mulcher? This unique machine was invented and built in Tasmania by Bill Cotching to control erosion on sloping ground under […]
15 January 2021
The Soil Wealth ICP team have created two A3 posters providing a starting point for helping you choose a cover crop for your farm. Adapt the […]
12 January 2021
VegNET – New South Wales, in partnership with Simplot, engaged with growers to hold a Farm Technology Field Day in Bathurst and Geurie in September 2018. […]
22 December 2020
Integrated weed management (IWM) is vital for getting on top of weed problems in vegetable production. It involves combining all appropriate weed control options in a […]
15 December 2020
Nutgrass (Cyperus rotundus), also known as purple nutsedge, Java grass, coco-grass and red nutsedge, is a major problem for the Australian vegetable industry. It is extremely […]
15 December 2020
As part of a recent Hort Innovation-funded research project, south-east Queensland vegetable grower Jack Abbott trialled EM38 soil mapping and Wildeye soil moisture sensors to understand […]
1 December 2020
In addition to being a good indicator of soil health, earthworms can play a vital role in improving soil structure and fertility. Earthworms can improve soil […]
24 November 2020
Soil health is closely linked to soil microbiology. This Soil Wealth ICP fact sheet outlines information on a broad group of soil microbes and how different […]
24 November 2020
Now in the third year of trials, the benefit of variable rate lime and fertiliser application is starting to pay big dividends at the Soil Wealth […]
17 November 2020
Sunn hemp is a type of cover crop that has a high tolerance of hot summers and can support nitrogen fixation and strong weed suppression in […]
17 November 2020
A soil in good condition consists of around 50 per cent solid matter – this includes organic matter, which is the main driver of soil health. […]
10 November 2020
Agricultural practices can contribute to soil acidification, or the drop in soil pH. This can be due to several factors including leaching of nitrate nitrogen, nutrient […]
10 November 2020
Grower Kim Ngov had a weed problem at his Sydney basin farm. Even though he grows his snow pea crops using plastic mulch, he has had […]
10 November 2020
A soil in good condition consists of around 50 per cent solid matter – this includes organic matter, which is the main driver of soil health. […]
4 November 2020
Throughout November, the Soil Wealth ICP project will be sharing news and resources relating to the project’s focus topic of soil biology. Soil biology plays an […]
27 October 2020
A demonstration trial allowed growers ‘Three Ryans’ in Manjimup, Western Australia, to work through the practical challenges of replacing their usual fallow and conventional cultivation, with a cover crop + strip till […]
13 October 2020
There were noticeable benefits to soil structure following a precision agriculture trial at the Soil Wealth ICP demonstration site in Koo Wee Rup, Victoria, which focused on variable […]
6 October 2020
Now, perhaps more than ever, people are concerned about their health. Higher vegetable intake is advised, but what happens if veggies make consumers sick? A project […]
25 August 2020
The rising cost of fertiliser inputs and a greater understanding of the importance of soil health has prompted interest in the use of composts as a […]
4 August 2020
What could weeds, cover crops and strip-till have in common? In a new podcast from the Soil Wealth ICP team, agronomists Dr Pieter Van Nieuwenhuyse and […]
14 July 2020
Related ProjectsSoil wealth and integrated crop protection – phase 2This project has been funded by Hort Innovation, using the research and development levies listed below and […]
7 July 2020
Bathurst vegetable grower Michael Camenzuli managed to grow pumpkins without the use of plastics. Instead, he used a cover crop (rolled and strip tilled) resulting in cleaner […]
23 June 2020
Cover crops provide multiple benefits, including reduced soil crusting, increased infiltration rates, reduced compaction, weed suppression, and nutrient cycling. Combining cover crops with strip till is […]
23 June 2020
Register for an upcoming webinar on Thursday 9 July from 12 noon to 1pm (AEST), to learn the potential role cover crops play in managing mycorrhizal fungi in vegetable production. […]
19 May 2020
A webinar recording presented by Serve Ag technical agronomist and biofumigation expert Julie Finnigan, and AHR’s Dr Kelvin Montagu helps growers gain insights into cover crops and biofumigation. […]
28 April 2020
Before planting a crop, it is useful to conduct soil sampling and testing to find out what is happening beneath the surface and if there are […]
21 April 2020
Testing for soil nitrate is important to manage nitrogen availability in vegetable crops and ensure optimal yield and quality. The Soil Wealth and Integrated Crop Protection […]
14 April 2020
MC Farm’s Darren Long is a long-time cover crop advocate who has been involved in a Hort Innovation-funded project established to support Australian vegetable growers, to effectively use cover […]
31 March 2020
Schreurs & Sons is a large and successful vegetable growing business in Clyde, Victoria. S&S’s Koo Wee Rup farm is also a demonstration site under the Soil Wealth ICP project. […]
26 September 2019
Two demonstration trial sites were established under the Soils in Action project, run by AUSVEG SA, to showcase compost use in commercial vegetable production. The aim was to […]
17 March 2020
A resource has been made available outlining advantages and drawbacks of ground cover use, tillage and residual herbicides. As part of a case study on a Bathurst pumpkin […]
4 February 2020
Fresh Produce Safety Centre Australia and New Zealand has published a fact sheet on the impact of animals on the risk of foodborne illnesses in the […]
16 December 2019
A Bathurst vegetable grower, working with the Soil Wealth team is breaking new ground by using cover crops and strip tillage to make his irrigation water […]
22 October 2019
The Soil Wealth and Integrated Crop Protection project, delivered by RM Consulting Group and Applied Horticultural Research, have produced an article about whether growers should sell […]
17 September 2019
Check out the Growing Matters podcast series, which looks into two different areas on soil health: Growing Matters – #1 Basics of cover cropping with Dr […]