The project will create a nationally coordinated soils education framework, building on existing resources and learning platforms to support growers, advisers, researchers and students. Photo: Bridget Watkins/SoilsWest

AUSTRALIAN grain growers will have access to a new national soils education initiative designed to bring together decades of soils research and make it easier to apply on farm.

The project has a total value of $7.4 million, and is an investment of the Grains Research and Development Corporation led by Murdoch University in collaboration with the University of New England, Adelaide University and The University of Western Australia.

The project was announced today by GRDC chair and South Australian grower Sharon Starick at the Dowerin Machinery Field Days in WA.

It aims to improve access to practical, research-backed information on soil and nutrient management.

Ms Starick said the initiative would help growers and advisers better understand, manage and improve one of their most important farm assets.

“GRDC has invested heavily in extensive soils research over many years, generating valuable knowledge that supports growers to make management decisions and improve the productivity and profitability of their farming systems,” Ms Starick said.

“This initiative is about bringing that knowledge together and making it easier to access, understand and apply.”

A 2024 study by Planfarm and Farmanco found that soil amelioration practiced by 50 farm businesses in WA increased farm profit by $100 per hectare per year over 10 years.

The project will build on existing soils education resources and learning platforms to create a nationally coordinated framework that supports growers, advisers, researchers and students.

It will combine online learning, field-based activities, demonstrations and other extension approaches tailored to different audiences and levels of experience.

SoilsWest director and project lead Murdoch University’s Fran Hoyle said the focus was on independent, credible and evidence-based information tailored to Australia’s grain-growing regions and regional soil priorities.

It follows SoilsWest’s delivery of GRDC investments including the Soil Quality ebook series and current learning courses developed as a part of the Improving crop nutrition through extension of new research in the Western Region project.

“As a translational institution, Murdoch University has demonstrated success in transforming soil research into activities, resources and platforms to meet learning needs within the grains sector,” Dr Hoyle said.

“We’re excited to work with our broader collaborator network and new regional teams, using stakeholder focus groups to inform and guide the delivery of this project.

“The industry is concerned with the potential loss of capacity in soil science and knowledge gained over decades of investment and research.

“Capturing insight provided by our near and retiring soil scientists – and integrating this with new research and evolving farming systems – is essential to bolstering the capacity of those new to industry or early in their careers.”

Ms Starick said supporting the next generation of soils knowledge was critical to the industry’s future.

“Strong soils knowledge underpins every successful grain-growing business, but we also know there is a need to build and maintain that expertise across the industry,” Ms Starick said.

“This initiative is about helping growers make more informed decisions while also supporting the advisers, agronomists and future industry professionals who will help drive adoption of soils knowledge for years to come.”

Ms Starick said the investment would help maximise the value of previous soils research while creating a long-term legacy for the grains industry.

“The vision is to create a lasting national platform that becomes the trusted home for soils education and knowledge in the Australian grains industry.

“By connecting research, education and extension, we can strengthen industry capability and ensure future discoveries reach the people who can put them into practice.”

Source: GRDC