In this episode of the Farm Talk Podcast, part of the Future Drought Fund Project, consultants Chris McDonough and farmer Bruce Heddle from Minnipa discuss an innovative method to manage saline soils using chaff heaps as mulch.

They explore how spreading chaff has promoted crop growth in previously barren areas, detailing the practicalities and economic feasibility of this approach. Bruce shares his success and insights from applying up to 25 tonnes of chaff per hectare, leading to significant improvements in crop establishment and soil cover.

The conversation also touches upon grazing management strategies to maintain soil health.

00:00 Introduction to Farm Talk Podcast

00:56 Meet Bruce Heddle: Farming at Minnipa

01:30 Innovative Chaff Heap Strategy

02:19 Economic and Practical Insights

03:35 Grazing Management and Final Thoughts

For more info on the Future Drought Fund project 'Building resilience to drought with landscape scale remediation of saline land' click here

In this episode of the Farm Talk Podcast, part of the Future Drought Fund Project, consultants Chris McDonough and farmer Bruce Heddle from Minnipa discuss an innovative method to manage saline soils using chaff heaps as mulch.
They explore how spreading chaff has promoted crop growth in previously barren areas, detailing the practicalities and economic feasibility of this approach. Bruce shares his success and insights from applying up to 25 tonnes of chaff per hectare, leading to significant improvements in crop establishment and soil cover.
The conversation also touches upon grazing management strategies to maintain soil health.
00:00 Introduction to Farm Talk Podcast
00:56 Meet Bruce Heddle: Farming at Minnipa
01:30 Innovative Chaff Heap Strategy
02:19 Economic and Practical Insights
03:35 Grazing Management and Final Thoughts
For more info on the Future Drought Fund project 'Building resilience to drought with landscape scale remediation of saline land' <a href="https://msfp.org.au/projects/fixing-saline-soils/">click here</a>

MSF's Farm Talk Podcast proudly brings Farmers, Researchers and Ag Industry connections together to chat innovative farming practices to help build a sustainable farming future for our Mallee growers. Mallee Sustainable Farming is a farmer-driven organisation specialising in Research, Development and Extension for NSW, VIC & SA's low-rainfall Mallee region. For more information visit: www.msfp.org.au/podcast 

MSF's Farm Talk Podcast proudly brings Farmers, Researchers and Ag Industry connections together to chat innovative farming practices to help build a sustainable farming future for our Mallee growers. Mallee Sustainable Farming is a farmer-driven organisation specialising in Research, Development and Extension for NSW, VIC &amp; SA's low-rainfall Mallee region. For more information visit: <a href="http://www.msfp.org.au/podcast">www.msfp.org.au/podcast</a>&nbsp;

MSF Farm Talk Podcast

MSF's Farm Talk Podcast proudly brings Farmers, Researchers and Ag Industry connections together to chat innovative farming practices to help build a sustainable farming future for our Mallee growers. Mallee Sustainable Farming is a farmer-driven organisation specialising in Research, Development and Extension for NSW, VIC & SA's low-rainfall Mallee region.

MSF's Farm Talk Podcast proudly brings Farmers, Researchers and Ag Industry connections together to chat innovative farming practices to help build a sustainable farming future for our Mallee growers. Mallee Sustainable Farming is a farmer-driven organisation specialising in Research, Development and Extension for NSW, VIC &amp; SA's low-rainfall Mallee region.

MSF Farm Talk

Innovative Chaff Heap Mulching for Saline Land at Minnipa

In this episode of the MSF Farm Talk podcast, we have a conversation with Terry Schmucker, a farmer from Cootra on the Eyre Peninsula, and consultant Chris McDonough.

The discussion focuses on Terry's innovative approach to soil amelioration on his dry salinity-affected land. By utilising sand and clay from high sand hills to enhance heavy flats, Terry shares how these practices are significantly transforming his farming operations.

The episode also covers topics like the impact of no-till farming, salinity management, and long-term soil health improvement strategies.

Gain insights into practical methods for overcoming soil challenges and enhancing productivity on dry saline land.

00:00 Introduction to MSF Farm Talk Podcast

00:20 Meet Terry Schmucker, Cootra Farmer

00:29 Soil Amelioration Techniques

01:20 Challenges and Solutions for Dry Saline Land

03:16 Economic and Practical Considerations

05:03 Impact of No-Till Farming

07:30 Long-Term Soil Management Strategies

10:30 Concluding Thoughts and Future Outlook

11:01 Acknowledgements and Project Funding

In this episode of the MSF Farm Talk podcast, we have a conversation with Terry Schmucker, a farmer from Cootra on the Eyre Peninsula, and consultant Chris McDonough.
The discussion focuses on Terry's innovative approach to soil amelioration on his dry salinity-affected land. By utilising sand and clay from high sand hills to enhance heavy flats, Terry shares how these practices are significantly transforming his farming operations.
The episode also covers topics like the impact of no-till farming, salinity management, and long-term soil health improvement strategies.
Gain insights into practical methods for overcoming soil challenges and enhancing productivity on dry saline land.
00:00 Introduction to MSF Farm Talk Podcast
00:20 Meet Terry Schmucker, Cootra Farmer
00:29 Soil Amelioration Techniques
01:20 Challenges and Solutions for Dry Saline Land
03:16 Economic and Practical Considerations
05:03 Impact of No-Till Farming
07:30 Long-Term Soil Management Strategies
10:30 Concluding Thoughts and Future Outlook
11:01 Acknowledgements and Project Funding

Tackling salinity with sand and clay at Cootra

In this episode of the MSF Farm Talk podcast, Tanja Morgan discusses recent field day events, focusing on various soil amelioration treatments observed at Jock McNeil's paddock at Paruna.

Chris McDonough and Tanja take a walk describing the effects observed from the different techniques such as deep ripping, inversion plowing, and spading, analysing their impacts on soil profiles, root growth, crop health, and weed management.

Local farmers and consultants like Bernie Lehman, Jeff Braun, and Skeet Lawson share their experiences and preferences for optimal soil management practices.

The episode also highlights the need for addressing soil acidity and the importance of ongoing trials to improve crop yields in challenging dry conditions.

00:00 Introduction and Event Overview

00:30 Soil Amelioration Trials at Jock McNeil's

02:34 Deep Ripping Treatment Insights

03:56 Inversion Plough Treatment Success

06:56 Horsch Tiger and Spading Treatments

09:02 Farmers' Opinions on Soil Treatments

09:58 Consultant Jeff Braun's Analysis

13:55 Reflections and Future Events

17:01 Conclusion and Acknowledgements

The Browns Well Crop walk was funded through the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund and the GRDC RiskWi$e project. 

To view the MSF Field Day Calendar or book into MSF events click here

In this episode of the MSF Farm Talk podcast, Tanja Morgan discusses recent field day events, focusing on various soil amelioration treatments observed at Jock McNeil's paddock at Paruna.
Chris McDonough and Tanja take a walk describing the effects observed from the different techniques such as deep ripping, inversion plowing, and spading, analysing their impacts on soil profiles, root growth, crop health, and weed management.
Local farmers and consultants like Bernie Lehman, Jeff Braun, and Skeet Lawson share their experiences and preferences for optimal soil management practices.
The episode also highlights the need for addressing soil acidity and the importance of ongoing trials to improve crop yields in challenging dry conditions.
00:00 Introduction and Event Overview
00:30 Soil Amelioration Trials at Jock McNeil's
02:34 Deep Ripping Treatment Insights
03:56 Inversion Plough Treatment Success
06:56 Horsch Tiger and Spading Treatments
09:02 Farmers' Opinions on Soil Treatments
09:58 Consultant Jeff Braun's Analysis
13:55 Reflections and Future Events
17:01 Conclusion and Acknowledgements
The Browns Well Crop walk was funded through the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund and the GRDC RiskWi$e project. 
To view the MSF Field Day Calendar or book into MSF events <a href="https://msfp.org.au/events/">click here</a>

Reflections from the Browns Well Crop Walk

In this episode of the MSF Talk podcast, stemming from the Future Drought Fund Project, hosts delve into innovative solutions for re-establishing vegetation on dry saline soils.

Featuring insights from farmer Tristan Baldock of Buckleboo and consultant Chris McDonough, the discussion focuses on using sand mulch as a transformative strategy.

Despite the significant logistical challenges, the method shows promise in improving soil health and crop productivity.

Tune in to explore practical strategies and the economic implications of sand application on challenging landscapes.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Topic

01:08 Interview with Tristan Baldock: Farming System Overview

01:55 Exploring Sand Mulch Application

02:27 Logistical Challenges and Practicality

03:54 Benefits of Sand Mulch and Future Outlook

05:21 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

For more information on the Future Drought Fund project 'Building resilience to drought with landscape scale remediation of saline land', click here

In this episode of the MSF Talk podcast, stemming from the Future Drought Fund Project, hosts delve into innovative solutions for re-establishing vegetation on dry saline soils.
Featuring insights from farmer Tristan Baldock of Buckleboo and consultant Chris McDonough, the discussion focuses on using sand mulch as a transformative strategy.
Despite the significant logistical challenges, the method shows promise in improving soil health and crop productivity.
Tune in to explore practical strategies and the economic implications of sand application on challenging landscapes.
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Topic
01:08 Interview with Tristan Baldock: Farming System Overview
01:55 Exploring Sand Mulch Application
02:27 Logistical Challenges and Practicality
03:54 Benefits of Sand Mulch and Future Outlook
05:21 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
For more information on the Future Drought Fund project 'Building resilience to drought with landscape scale remediation of saline land', <a href="https://msfp.org.au/projects/fixing-saline-soils/">click here</a>

Innovative Chaff Heap Mulching for Saline Land at Minnipa

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