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HLN Soil Resources

Soil Testing Service

The Soils of Our Region

Take an in depth look at our soils! View the soil types, sample horizons, geology, chemistry, landforms, vegetations, factsheets and other information for our region.
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HLN's Acid Soil Strategy

This informative brochure assists explains the problem of soil acidity, its productive, environmental and economic impact on farming systems, and how to effectively monitor and manage it
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For many farming enterprises, the application of phosphorus fertiliser is one of the largest annual expenses. HLN, as part of the Carbon Farming and our Business project, has developed a phosphorus budgeting tool which can be used in conjunction with soil testing. 

The Phosphorus Budgeting Tool enables farmers to calculate the rate of phosphorus required for their property based on stocking rates, current phosphorus levels and production goals.

An annual fertiliser plan and budget can be developed by using this easy to use, excel-based tool.

Download Excel Tool

How to Use the Phosphorus Budgeting Tool

PDF user guide for the Phosphorus Budgeting Tool with step-by-step instructions
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Future-proofing Agricultural Production

Preliminary soil test results from three large-scale, replicated field acidic soil experiments established near Lyndhurst, Culcairn and Canowindra in October 2019 or February 2020
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Arresting Falling pH

Detailed soil sampling in 2016-18 indicated that subsoil acidity is increasing in some of the most productive agricultural land of the region, despite a history of over 20+ yrs of lime application
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Success with Lucerne in Acidic Soils

A miss with the lime spreader highlights the importance of effective lime application in establishing a productive lucerne stand in acidic soils
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Lime Quality

This DPI factsheet gives great insights into the importance of selecting the right product for your application, with insights into Neutralising Value and Particle Size
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Managing Subsoil Acidity (Issue 1)

Project overview. Highlights the framework and key features of the experimental design for the long-term field experiment near Cootamundra in southern New South Wales.
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Managing Subsoil Acidity (Issue 24)

This factsheet summarises an economic analysis of approaches to manage subsoil acidity in the southern cropping region of Australia.
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Soil Health in Pasture Systems

Learn about the three key properties that influence soil fertility and condition - physical, chemical and biological; all are important and influence eachother.
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Lime on Established Perennial Pasture

Financial analysis of livestock production response to acid soil amelioration from 1980 to the early 2000s, questioned the economic benefit of liming perennial pasture
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Phosporus in Cropping Systems

Read an insightful report by Helen Burns (NSW DPI) on a 2006-2007 study by Dr Mark Conyers (DPI NSW) at “Tandara”, Morven investigating soil phosphorus responses in wheat
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Key Findings: Acid Soils Project 2020

The ‘Soils Monitoring of Acid Soils Project’ monitors changes in soil pH and fertility over time across the Murray region and the management practices that have influenced these changes.
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Managing Subsoil Acidity (Issue 2)

Overview of 3-D (dual depth delivery) ripping machine, designed to deliver amendments at two depths from 10 to 30 cm, and also capable of delivering liquid nutrients/fertilisers at depth.
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Managing Subsoil Acidity (Issue 25)

A number of inorganic and organic amendments were evaluated over 5 years in 2015-2020 for their effectiveness in ameliorating subsoil acidity
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Subsoil Acidity and Liming

PDF of November 2016 presentation by Helen Burns (NSW DPI) on factors that reduce plant vigour (nutrient deficiencies, weed and pest populations, soil acidity, and species selection).
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Soil Test Interpretation (Gerogery)

PDF of October 2015 presentation on the importance of soil testing and the interpretation of results. Given at Gerogery by Nigel Phillips (NSW DPI).
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Soil Test Interpretation (Walla Walla)

PDF of October 2015 presentation on the importance of soil testing and the interpretation of results. Given at Walla Walla by Nigel Phillips (NSW DPI).
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Efficient Use of Nitrogen

This PDF version of HLN's Powerpoint presentation gives an overview of the efficient and effective use of nitrogen in pastures and cropping.
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Biochar Trial 2012

A field trial was set up at Holbrook in 2010 to investigate the effect of two different biochars on an agricultural soil and the subsequent plant response.
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Subsoil Manuring Trial 2014/15

This trial addresses the potential to use sub surface manuring on the sodic-like soils of the Billabong creek near Holbrook in the higher rainfall zone cropping country of southern NSW.
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Carp, Kelp & Christmas Island 2014

Where to next for for fertilisers? Increased costs of superphosphate prompted producers to consider alternative products to provide similar pasture growth responses
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Soil Monitoring of Acid Soils 2020

The ‘Soils Monitoring of Acid Soils Project’ monitors changes in soil pH and fertility over time across the Murray region and the management practices that have influenced these changes.
Read Report

Part 1 of a 4 part video series exploring what soil health is and how it relates to pasture production in the Holbrook region.

Part 3 of a 4 part video series exploring what soil health is and how it relates to pasture production in the Holbrook region.

A highlights video of a field day held on 2nd September 2020 in a lucerne paddock near Mangoplah. A soil pit was dug in an area of the paddock to highlight the lucerne plant response to a ‘miss’ with the lime spreader.

This video shows why soil samples collected at 5 cm intervals to a depth of 20+ cm are necessary to detect subsurface acidity. Knowing the variation in pH in the 0-20 cm guides species selection and liming programs.

Grant Sims and Declan McDonald share their stories and experience with improving soil health primarily with the use of plants. 

Part 2 of a 4 part video series exploring what soil health is and how it relates to pasture production in the Holbrook region.

Part 4 of a 4 part video series exploring what soil health is and how it relates to pasture production in the Holbrook region.

Is subsurface acidity an issue for you? This video A rapid check for subsurface acidity in the field shows how a Digstick and field pH kit can give a quick indication of the pH profile.

In this video, Helen Burns (NSW DPI) is in the paddock showing plant examples from the different liming treatments displaying various root development and manganese toxicity symptoms (mottled leaves).

Corowa District Landcare Inc and Holbrook Landcare Network combined to host this informative webinar on dung beetles.