Projects: Soils
Derisking the sowing program on EP – a comparison of different seeding systems and crops in 2026
The Minnipa Agricultural Centre operates two broadacre seeding systems. One is a tyne-based Horwood Bagshaw Precision Seeding System (PSS), the other is a RootBoot Razor, single disc hybrid system. The vision of this project is to compare the two seeding system’s effect on crop establishment and vigor in cereal and lentils particularly in the early…
Managing and Mitigating Dry Saline Soils (Magnesia Patches) in South Australia
AIR EP is leading an investment in demonstration and extension of identification, management and amelioration of dry saline land. AIR EP & partners will deliver a program of work to address the challenges of dry saline land and support growers in identifying, managing and ameliorating these soils. Read the introduction article that was featured in…
Improving phosphorus use efficiency and return on investment in high Phosphorus (P) fixing soils of the Southern and Western Regions
Aims to improve growers’ certainty about managing phosphorus (P) in high-fixing soils, which have chemical properties that bind applied P, making it unavailable to crops. The project outcome is that by 2030, growers in the Southern and Western regions will access improved P fertiliser application strategies to maximise return on investment (ROI) in high P…
Innovative Soil Technologies: Fostering Resilience and Climate-Smart Crop Production in Australia
Climate variability is significantly challenging dryland farming systems across Australia. Led by Adelaide University, the Climate Smart Soils project is addressing this challenge by trialling Innovative Soil Technologies (IST) that dramatically improve water infiltration and retention – the critical factors that determine crop success in a drying climate. Working with nine regional grower groups across…
Future Drought Fund Long Term Trials SA Discovery Farms – Sustainable phosphorous strategies for Eyre Peninsula
AIR EP has partnered with SA Discovery Farms, with co-investment by SAGIT, in a new project aimed at improving P fertiliser applications in variable paddocks/landscapes and refining long-term management strategies on highly P responsive soils. The overall aim of this project is to increase the profitability from phosphorus (P) fertiliser applications and determine sustainable P…
Risky decisions and addressing soil constraints on EP
This page was last updated on 18 November 2025. This project has two key objectives that address the priorities of the SA Drought Hub 1. Arming farmers and advisors with tools to assist in decision making that considers risk and reward, through two major extension events on Eyre Peninsula, directly addressing the SA Drought Hub…
De-risking the sowing program on EP in 2025
Project summary: This project will be delivered on Eyre Peninsula in 2025. It support will the SA Drought Hub’s priority themes of farm planning and decision-making to manage climate and operational risk, along with soil and land management strategies, technologies, and innovations. It will establish a demonstration site in a low rainfall farming system with…
Understanding herbicide residue on challenging soil types within the southern region
To develop a better understanding of the nature and scope of herbicide residues issues, paddock surveys will be conducted in soil types of concern in SA. To determine phyto-toxicity thresholds, glasshouse dose-response bioassays will be conducted for these soil types for two herbicides and two crop types relevant to each region.Six demonstrations will be implemented…
Sustainable Agriculture: Driving growth through innovation and climate responsive practices.
The Eyre Peninsula Sustainable Agriculture Program brings together Agricultural Innovation & Research Eyre Peninsula (AIR EP), the EP Landscape Board, key researchers, industry specialists, and local organisations to deliver a coordinated, evidence-based approach to improving the productivity and resilience of farming systems across the region. Working in partnership, the program focuses on priority soil and…
Improving crop phosphorus supply on highly calcareous soils using novel sources
This project will develop integrated solutions to improve the delivery of P in challenging calcareous soils with multiple constraints. Those solutions will be developed in a farming systems context so that practical and profitable management options can be provided to farmers and advisers. Specifically, the project will identify the impact of CCM and other comparable…