These short videos show how to collect soil samples that are truly representative and useful for decision-making. Learn why zone-based sampling matters, how to identify zones within a paddock, and how to take consistent soil samples that support better fertiliser and management decisions.
Sampling by Zones: Smarter Soil Data
Not all soils in a paddock behave the same — so they shouldn’t be sampled the same. This video shows how to use maps, imagery and local knowledge to identify production zones and collect separate soil samples from each area. Zone-based sampling helps uncover real variability, supporting more targeted fertiliser, amendment and amelioration decisions.
Acknowledgement
This video was produced as part of the Improved soil, water and nutrient management through variable rate crop inputs project. The project is supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program.
Production was led by Soil Sunlight Strategists and MacKillop Farm Management Group in collaboration with Steph Bartlett, the Limestone Coast Landscape Board and the CTLAP.
How to collect a Good Soil Sample
Reliable soil test results depend on consistent sampling technique. This video demonstrates how to collect representative soil cores within a zone, including depth, number of cores, mixing, labelling and recording locations for repeat sampling.
Acknowledgement
This video was supported by the Limestone Coast Landscape Board through the Grassroots Grants program and funded by the regional landscape levy.
