How do you assess whether soil amelioration is worth the investment in a low-rainfall farming system?

In this episode of the MSF Farm Talk podcast, Lowbank grower Tim Paschke shares his experience with soil amelioration in challenging Mallee conditions, including the importance of helping crop roots access stored soil moisture.

Tim explains how he thinks about increasing the soil “bucket” and why early improvements in crop establishment don't always translate into immediate yield gains. For him, assessing the benefits of soil amelioration means looking beyond the first season and considering crop performance over multiple years, including in tougher seasons.

He also discusses how he identifies where amelioration is most likely to deliver a return, drawing on EM mapping, yield maps and local knowledge to guide decisions about where to invest and where not to. Avoiding unnecessary work on flats and stony areas, weighing up costs and understanding the limitations of different soil types all form part of his approach.

Tim’s experience highlights the importance of having a clear objective before starting soil amelioration. In low-rainfall systems, targeting the right areas, understanding the risks and assessing results over time are all critical to making informed investment decisions.

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

📄Read Tim's Case Study here: Case-study-Tim-Paschke-Lowbank-Waikerie.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 assess whether soil amelioration is worth the investment in a low-rainfall farming system?
In this episode of the MSF Farm Talk podcast, Lowbank grower Tim Paschke shares his experience with soil amelioration in challenging Mallee conditions, including the importance of helping crop roots access stored soil moisture.
Tim explains how he thinks about increasing the soil &ldquo;bucket&rdquo; and why early improvements in crop establishment don't always translate into immediate yield gains. For him, assessing the benefits of soil amelioration means looking beyond the first season and considering crop performance over multiple years, including in tougher seasons.
He also discusses how he identifies where amelioration is most likely to deliver a return, drawing on EM mapping, yield maps and local knowledge to guide decisions about where to invest and where not to. Avoiding unnecessary work on flats and stony areas, weighing up costs and understanding the limitations of different soil types all form part of his approach.
Tim&rsquo;s experience highlights the importance of having a clear objective before starting soil amelioration. In low-rainfall systems, targeting the right areas, understanding the risks and assessing results over time are all critical to making informed investment decisions.
🎧&nbsp; Take a listen to hear Tim's experience on farm with soil amelioration.
📄Read Tim's Case Study here: <a href="https://msfp.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Case-study-Tim-Paschke-Lowbank-Waikerie.pdf">Case-study-Tim-Paschke-Lowbank-Waikerie.pdf</a>
📘Not sure if your soil will respond to ameliorating, or what approach to take? Check out the Soil Amelioration Decision Tree:&nbsp;<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:&nbsp;<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.