How do you identify where non-wetting sands are holding back crop establishment and what can you do about it?

In this episode of MSF Farm Talk Podcast, Younghusband grower James Stevens shares his experience investigating and addressing non-wetting sands on-farm.

James talks about the challenges of uneven crop emergence across variable sand rises and how MSF-supported on-farm trials have helped him investigate different approaches to soil amelioration, including spading, ripping, deep ripping with inclusion plates and the use of chicken manure.

He explains how poor crop emergence helped identify underperforming areas, and how soil pits and dye tracing provided a better understanding of preferential water flow through the soil.

James also discusses the role of wetters as a lower-cost option at seeding, and what he has learnt about targeting amelioration rather than treating an entire paddock.

James’ experience highlights the value of identifying the specific constraint before deciding on an amelioration approach and using targeted, practical trials to work out what fits your own farming system.

This episode was recorded during MSF’s Soil Amelioration Workshop, where growers and researchers shared experiences and discussed practical approaches to improving constrained soils.

🎧 Take a listen to hear James' experience on farm with soil amelioration.

📄Read Jock's Case Study here:Case-study-James-Stephens-Bowhill.pdf

📘Not sure if your soil will respond to ameliorating, or what approach to take? Check out the Soil Amelioration Decision Tree: https://msfp.org.au/projects/carbon-soil-management-practices-across-the-mallee/#flipbook-df_14443/3/

📚For more information on the project, visit the project page: Driving On-Farm Adoption of Carbon-Friendly Soil Management Practices across the Mallee - Mallee Sustainable Farming

This project is supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate Smart Agriculture program.

How do you identify where non-wetting sands are holding back crop establishment and what can you do about it?
In this episode of MSF Farm Talk Podcast, Younghusband grower James Stevens shares his experience investigating and addressing non-wetting sands on-farm.
James talks about the challenges of uneven crop emergence across variable sand rises and how MSF-supported on-farm trials have helped him investigate different approaches to soil amelioration, including spading, ripping, deep ripping with inclusion plates and the use of chicken manure.
He explains how poor crop emergence helped identify underperforming areas, and how soil pits and dye tracing provided a better understanding of preferential water flow through the soil.
James also discusses the role of wetters as a lower-cost option at seeding, and what he has learnt about targeting amelioration rather than treating an entire paddock.
James&rsquo; experience highlights the value of identifying the specific constraint before deciding on an amelioration approach and using targeted, practical trials to work out what fits your own farming system.
This episode was recorded during MSF&rsquo;s Soil Amelioration Workshop, where growers and researchers shared experiences and discussed practical approaches to improving constrained soils.
🎧 Take a listen to hear James' experience on farm with soil amelioration.
📄Read Jock's Case Study here: <a href="https://msfp.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Case-study-James-Stephens-Bowhill.pdf">Case-study-James-Stephens-Bowhill.pdf</a>
📘Not sure if your soil will respond to ameliorating, or what approach to take? Check out the Soil Amelioration Decision Tree: <a href="https://msfp.org.au/projects/carbon-soil-management-practices-across-the-mallee/#flipbook-df_14443/3/">https://msfp.org.au/projects/carbon-soil-management-practices-across-the-mallee/#flipbook-df_14443/3/</a>
📚For more information on the project, visit the project page: <a href="https://msfp.org.au/projects/carbon-soil-management-practices-across-the-mallee/">Driving On-Farm Adoption of Carbon-Friendly Soil Management Practices across the Mallee - Mallee Sustainable Farming</a>
This project is supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate Smart Agriculture program.

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.