Managing soil organic matter: A practical guide

The one constant in agriculture is uncertainty and Australian grain growers are known globally for being ahead of the curve when it comes to adopting new farming practices to meet every challenge. Climate change is already having a significant effect on how we farm today and how we adapt to future challenges will define what it means to farm sustainably this century. One of the biggest influences on farm productivity and its resilience to climate variations is soil health. Soil organic matter contributes to a range of biological, chemical and physical properties of soil and is essential for soil health. This publication is a practical guide to understanding what soil organic matter is, why it’s important as well as how you can manage it on-farm to increase soil functionality and enhance production benefits. When selecting farming practices to maximise the benefits of soil organic matter it is important to consider the most important functions that soil organic matter provides to your crop and how that will bring benefits to your soil health and future crops.