Looking Over the Fence
Episode Title: Reshaping Sandy Soils for Crop Gains in the Mallee
Hosts: Tanja Morgan & Nick Paltridge
Supported by: The Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund Extension and Adoption Project

In this episode, Tanja and Nick head to Bow Hill in South Australia’s Mallee region to share what Mallee Sustainable Farming learned from a one-off soil amelioration demonstration. They explore how active inclusion ripping, designed to bury topsoil and organic matter deep into the profile, compared with conventional deep ripping and untreated paddocks in a challenging dry season.

With faster emergence, deeper roots, and visible changes to the soil profile, this trial showed what’s possible when you rethink how you manage sandy, compacted, and water-repellent soils. The episode also unpacks practical considerations like erosion risk, cost-benefit, and what’s next for longer-term monitoring.

Full case study available at Soils Connect

Disclaimer: The practices discussed are based on regional trials and may not suit all farms. Please seek independent advice before applying these approaches on your property.

This project is supported by Mallee Sustainable Farming, through funding from the Australian
Government’s Future Drought Fund.