Duration
June 2021 to June 2026
Project manager
Dr Melissa Fraser
Funding body
Meat and Livestock Australia
Partners
Soil Function Consulting, Michael Wilkes Livestock Co
About the Project
The Improved Grazing Production on Non-Wetting Sands Project targets a large area of sandy soils across the Upper South East of SA that are inherently low in fertility. The objective of the project is to test a series of soil treatments and improve participating producers and the broader industry understanding of viable soil amelioration practices and options for improving feed and livestock production potential on sandy soils. Additionally, the project will improve participating producer knowledge and practice and increase industry understanding of the potential for a range of sandy soil management practices to enhance ground cover, soil biology, soil pH, soil structure, water holding capacity and feed production.
Project Activities
The SA non-wetting soils project measures the impacts of a range of mechanical and chemical soil amendments across three demonstration sites. The project will deliver an improved understanding of the benefits of these treatments on sandy soils, feed production and business sustainability. A range of treatments are being tested across the three sites to see if they can deliver increased feed volume and quality along with improvements in soil physical, chemcial and biological fertility. The sites were established in 2022, with monitoring to continue to 2025.
SOILHUB: Sandy Soils Constraint Calculator
The Sandy Soils Constraint Calculator helps identify the key factors limiting productivity in sandy soils across southern Australia. It assesses major soil constraints—including water repellence, soil pH, compaction, and nutrient limitations—and delivers a clear visual summary of results.
By combining field and laboratory data with practical guidance, the calculator links each result to actionable solutions, helping users make confident, evidence-based decisions to improve crop and pasture performance.
Designed for farmers, agronomists, educators, and land managers, it supports smarter soil management and more targeted soil improvement strategies.
To use the Sandy Soils Constraint Calculator, simply visit our external tool. You’ll be taken to a dedicated site where you can enter your soil data and instantly view results, visual summaries, and practical recommendations to guide your soil management decisions.
Fast, free to use, and accessible from any device.
