A 24ha pasture paddock at Coomandook was selected to demonstrate strategies to overcome sandy soil constraints. The paddock has deep sandy soils that are water repellent and compacted with deficiencies in potassium and trace elements.
In autumn 2022, ten treatments were applied to plots 0.4ha in size to dilute surface repellent layers, reduce compaction and boost nutrition using fertilisers and aged pig manure.
First year results showed up to a doubling in pasture dry matter production with the combination of soil inversion and manure application. Second year monitoring will continue in 2023.
