FROM THE REGIONAL SOIL COORDINATOR
BRIDGET WATKINS
Practical podcasts for managing soil constraints
Looking for reliable information on managing soil constraints? We’ve brought together a selection of the best soil management podcast episodes into easy-to-navigate playlists, featuring leading researchers, advisers and farmers. While the emphasis is on Western Australian soils and agricultural systems, we’ve also included insights from interstate experts where relevant.
Follow the SoilsWest Spotify account for more feature playlists as they drop!
Soil Nutrition
With fertiliser representing one of the biggest input costs on many farms, getting nutrient decisions right matters. Featuring researchers, consultants and industry experts, these episodes look at how growers can better manage phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium through improved soil testing, understanding yield responses, adapting to seasonal conditions, and weighing up the economics of fertiliser use. Practical insights and trial results help farmers optimise nutrient inputs, improve nutrient use efficiency and make informed decisions across their production system.
Expert presenters include Craig Scanlan and Louise Barton (University of Western Australia), Richard Bell (Murdoch University), Sud Kharel and Neil Lantzke (DPIRD), Bill Bowden and Mel Fraser (Soil Function Consulting).
Listen to the Soil Nutrition playlist here!
Erosion
Maintaining groundcover is critical for reducing wind erosion risk on sandy soils, particularly following dry seasons, pest outbreaks or heavy grazing pressure. This playlist highlights how early intervention, strategic pasture renovation and over sowing, combined with grower experience and research-based recommendations, can help stabilise vulnerable paddocks and protect long-term productivity.
Expert presenters include Bindi Isbister, Paul Findlater, Justin Laycock and Geoff Moore from the Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD).
Listen to the Erosion playlist here!
Strategic Tillage
Strategic tillage and deep soil amelioration can help unlock productivity where subsoil constraints limit crop performance. This collection of episodes explores practical approaches to overcoming subsoil constraints through deep ripping, soil re-engineering and other strategic tillage techniques. Featuring researchers, agronomists and growers, these podcasts share real-world experiences and advice on getting the best return from soil amelioration investments, improving access to water and nutrients, addressing compaction and acidity, building resilience in dry seasons, and managing considerations such as herbicide performance in modified soils.
Expert presenters include Stephen Davies and Tom Edwards (DPIRD), Therese McBeath (CSIRO), Gaus Azam (formerly DPIRD), Quenten Knight (Agronomy Focus) and Craig Topham (Agrarian Management).
Listen to the Strategic Tillage playlist here!
Controlled Traffic Farming
This playlist explores the key principles and practical implementation of Controlled Traffic Farming (CTF), featuring growers, researchers and industry experts discussing machinery matching, tyre management, soil compaction and tramline maintenance. Through real-world experiences and technical advice, it highlights how CTF can improve soil structure, reduce compaction, increase operational efficiency and support long-term productivity in Western Australian farming systems.
Expert presenters from across Australia include Bindi Isbister and Wayne Parker (DPIRD), Dio Antille (CSIRO) and Jeff Tullberg.
Listen to the Controlled Traffic Farming playlist here!
Amelioration of Multiple Constraints
Managing sandy soils is a common challenge across broadacre farming systems. This playlist brings together insights on addressing key constraints including water repellence, compaction, acidity, poor nutrient retention and low water-holding capacity.
Through insights from researchers, agronomists and growers, the episodes examine the effectiveness and longevity of soil amelioration techniques including deep ripping, spading, clay incorporation and organic amendments, while highlighting practical strategies to improve crop performance, pulse production, soil health and long-term farm profitability.
Expert presenters from WA and SA include Stephen Davies (DPIRD), Richard Bell (Murdoch University), Therese McBeath (CSIRO), Mel Fraser (Soil Function Consulting), Chris Saunders (Adelaide University) and Amanda Schapel (PIRSA).
Listen to the Amelioration of Multiple Constraints playlist here!
Water Repellent Soils
Water repellence can have a significant impact on plant establishment, moisture use and yield. These episodes explore why water repellence occurs, how factors such as organic matter, microbes, temperature and seasonal conditions influence its severity, and the practical options available to manage it, from wetting agents and crop rotations to soil amelioration. This playlist also highlights new research aimed at improving prediction of non-wetting behaviour and helping growers choose the most effective and economical management strategies.
Expert presenters include Stephen Davies and Maria Pfeifle (DPIRD), David Henry (Murdoch University) and Jack Desbiolles (Adelaide University).
Listen to the Water Repellent Soils playlist here!
Soil Acidity
Soil acidity can be a hidden constraint on crop and pasture performance, making effective liming a critical part of long-term soil management. Featuring Australia-wide input from researchers, advisers and growers, these episodes cover when and how to apply lime, the benefits of soil testing to depth, managing subsurface acidity, and using tools such as the iLime Calculator to support decision-making. Drawing on long-term trials and on-farm experience, the discussions share practical tips on preventing acidity from becoming a production constraint and improving soil health, crop performance and farm profitability over the long term.
Expert presenters include Alice Butler, Chris Gazey and Chad Reynolds from DPIRD, Steve Carr, Mel Fraser (Soil Function Consulting) and Jason Condon (Charles Sturt University).
Listen to the Soil Acidity playlist here!
Additional Resources
Soil Quality Knowledge Base – soil information for best-practice management, all in one place.Â
Soil Quality Courses – FREE online learning resource, focused on soil and plant nutrition.Â
Soil Quality ebooks – research-backed guidance for managing common soil constraints.Â
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For more information, contact Bridget: Bridget.Watkins@murdoch.edu.auÂ
The Regional Soil Coordinators are supported by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry through funding from the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program under the Natural Heritage Trust. The SW WA Regional Soil Coordinator is also supported by the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub, SoilsWest and Murdoch University.
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