What can soil biology tell us about paddock health? And how can growers better understand herbicide residue risk?

At an MSF Crop Walk in August, Soil CRC Project Leader and Southern Cross University Associate Professor, Mick Rose, shared findings from his research into soil health, soil biology and herbicide residues.

Mick explains how soil type and seasonal conditions shape soil biology, and how supporting crop growth can also benefit life below the soil surface. He discusses research across different farming systems and soil constraints, including the roles of liming, nutrition, plant diversity and herbicide use.

The conversation explores soil health indicators such as carbon, soil protein and free-living nematodes, including what these measures can, and can’t, tell us. Mick also shares findings from herbicide residue research, discusses the trade-offs involved in weed management, and considers how improved testing and decision tools could help growers assess carryover risk.

There’s no single test that answers every soil health question. Understanding your soils and monitoring them over time are key themes in this episode.

📚For more information on the project, visit the Soil CRC project page:
Building soil resilience and carbon through plant diversity – Soil CRC

📚For more information from the Soil CRC Adoption Activities project, visit the MSF project page:
Soil CRC Adoption Activities - Mallee Sustainable Farming

This work has been supported by the Cooperative Research Centre for High Performance Soils, whose activities are funded by the Australian Government's Cooperative Research Centres Program.