Veris Mapping Explained: Seeing Soil pH Differently - with Jordan Ball.

In this episode of the MSF Farm Talk Podcast 🎙️Kylie Matthewson catches up with Jordan Ball from AgMap Soil Testing at the recent MSF Pre-Seeding Workshop & VRT Forum at Lameroo in March.

Jordan presented on the day on Veris mapping, acidity and other applications. The discussion explores how Veris mapping can help farmers better understand and manage soil acidity variability across their paddocks.

Take-home messages:
Soil pH variability is common and often underestimated
Veris mapping provides precision insights to target lime where it’s needed most
Soil acidity is an ongoing challenge—monitoring and management are key
Using the right tools supports better input decisions and long-term productivity

If you want to hear more, like 👍 and subscribe 🔔 to the MSF Farm Talk Podcast 🚜🎙️

This podcast episode was recorded at the MSF Pre-seeding Workshop & VRT Forum at Lameroo in March and is supported by the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board.

Veris Mapping Explained: Seeing Soil pH Differently - with Jordan Ball.
In this episode of the MSF Farm Talk Podcast 🎙️Kylie Matthewson catches up with Jordan Ball from AgMap Soil Testing at the recent MSF Pre-Seeding Workshop &amp; VRT Forum at Lameroo in March.
Jordan presented on the day on Veris mapping, acidity and other applications. The discussion explores how Veris mapping can help farmers better understand and manage soil acidity variability across their paddocks.
Take-home messages:
<ul>
<li>Soil pH variability is common and often underestimated</li>
<li>Veris mapping provides precision insights to target lime where it&rsquo;s needed most</li>
<li>Soil acidity is an ongoing challenge&mdash;monitoring and management are key</li>
<li>Using the right tools supports better input decisions and long-term productivity</li>
</ul>
If you want to hear more, like 👍 and subscribe 🔔 to the MSF Farm Talk Podcast 🚜🎙️
This podcast episode was recorded at the MSF Pre-seeding Workshop &amp; VRT Forum at Lameroo in March and is supported by the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board.

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

Veris Mapping Explained: Seeing Soil pH Differently - with Jordan Ball

What does soil amelioration actually look like on-farm?

In this episode of the MSF Farm Talk podcast, we hear from Paruna grower Jock McNeil about his experience using soil amelioration practices since 2015 to address non-wetting and other constraints across sandy soils.

Jock shares what drove him to start looking at soil amelioration, after seeing crops struggle despite having moisture available in the subsoil. He talks through his experiences with deep ripping, spading, plowing and soil inversion, and how he has adapted his approach over time.

Jock’s experience highlights the importance of diagnosing the constraint first, then matching the amelioration approach to the soil, paddock and farming system.

This episode was recorded at MSF’s Soil Amelioration Workshop that was held in Loxton in June, where growers and researchers shared their experiences and discussed practical approaches to improving constrained soils.

This is episode 1 of a 4-part mini-series of Mallee grower experiences with soil amelioration recorded at the workshop.

🎧 Take a listen to hear Jock’s experience on farm with soil amelioration.

📄Read Jock's Case Study here: Case-study-Jock-McNeil-Paruna.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.

What does soil amelioration actually look like on-farm?
In this episode of the MSF Farm Talk podcast, we hear from Paruna grower Jock McNeil about his experience using soil amelioration practices since 2015 to address non-wetting and other constraints across sandy soils.
Jock shares what drove him to start looking at soil amelioration, after seeing crops struggle despite having moisture available in the subsoil. He talks through his experiences with deep ripping, spading, plowing and soil inversion, and how he has adapted his approach over time.
Jock&rsquo;s experience highlights the importance of diagnosing the constraint first, then matching the amelioration approach to the soil, paddock and farming system.
This episode was recorded at MSF&rsquo;s Soil Amelioration Workshop that was held in Loxton in June, where growers and researchers shared their experiences and discussed practical approaches to improving constrained soils.
This is episode 1 of a 4-part mini-series of Mallee grower experiences with soil amelioration recorded at the workshop.
🎧 Take a listen to hear Jock&rsquo;s 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-Jock-McNeil-Paruna.pdf">Case-study-Jock-McNeil-Paruna.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.

Soil Amelioration: Grower Experiences - Jock's Experience on Farm

What brings farmers to a soil amelioration workshop and what do they take away from the day?

In this episode of theMSF Farm Talk podcast, we head back to Loxton for MSF's Soil Amelioration Workshop, held in June, which brought together farmers, researchers and advisers to share experiences and explore practical approaches to addressing soil constraints across the Mallee.

Throughout the day, MSF's Kylie Matthewson caught up with attendees to find out what brought them to the workshop, what they were hoping to learn, and what stood out to them by the end of the day.

Farmers and advisers discuss some of the challenges they're facing, including compaction, sandy soils, water repellence, low water and nutrient holding capacity, and variable results from practices such as delving and deep ripping.

A key theme throughout the conversations was the importance of understanding the constraint before treating it. Attendees reflect on the value of targeted approaches rather than a "shotgun" approach, staging investment, protecting ground cover and monitoring results over multiple seasons.

The discussions also highlight the importance of ground-truthing trial results, using soil and plant testing, considering nutrition and operational impacts, and sharing experiences with other farmers and researchers.

🎧 Take a listen to hear directly from the people who attended the workshop, find out what they heard and what they took away from the day.

📚Check out the project page for more resources, including grower case studies and a Soil Amelioration Decision Tree: Driving On-Farm Adoption of Carbon-Friendly Soil Management Practices across the Mallee - Mallee Sustainable Farming

What brings farmers to a soil amelioration workshop and what do they take away from the day?
In this episode of the MSF Farm Talk podcast, we head back to Loxton for MSF's Soil Amelioration Workshop, held in June, which brought together farmers, researchers and advisers to share experiences and explore practical approaches to addressing soil constraints across the Mallee.
Throughout the day, MSF's Kylie Matthewson caught up with attendees to find out what brought them to the workshop, what they were hoping to learn, and what stood out to them by the end of the day.
Farmers and advisers discuss some of the challenges they're facing, including compaction, sandy soils, water repellence, low water and nutrient holding capacity, and variable results from practices such as delving and deep ripping.
A key theme throughout the conversations was the importance of understanding the constraint before treating it. Attendees reflect on the value of targeted approaches rather than a "shotgun" approach, staging investment, protecting ground cover and monitoring results over multiple seasons.
The discussions also highlight the importance of ground-truthing trial results, using soil and plant testing, considering nutrition and operational impacts, and sharing experiences with other farmers and researchers.
🎧 Take a listen to hear directly from the people who attended the workshop, find out what they heard and what they took away from the day.
📚Check out the project page for more resources, including grower case studies and a Soil Amelioration Decision Tree:&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>

Cultivating Change: Takeaways from Loxton's Soil Amelioration Event

What are the key herbicide considerations when managing weeds in lentils, and how can growers protect their herbicide options for the future?

In Part 2 of the presentation from agronomist and WeedSmart Extension Officer Chris Davey, we continue the discussion on lentil weed management from the Mallee Research Updates.

While Part 1 focused on setting lentil crops up for success through rotation, crop competition and the WeedSmart Big 6, this episode takes a closer look at herbicide options, resistance and soil chemistry.

Chris explains why chemical control should be considered as part of an integrated weed management strategy, rather than the first line of defence. He discusses the importance of resistance testing, using multiple herbicide modes of action and getting the timing and application right, particularly given the limited post-emergent options available in lentils.

The conversation also explores how soil type, herbicide solubility and soil binding influence pre-emergent herbicide behaviour. Chris highlights the added challenges of sandy soils, where the margin between effective weed control and crop damage can be narrow, and explains how rainfall, deep ripping and seeding systems can influence herbicide movement and crop safety.

The episode also covers non-chemical options including weed wiping, desiccation and crop topping, harvest weed seed control, and the use of herbicide-tolerant lentil varieties.

This episode provides practical insights for growers looking to improve lentil weed control while managing resistance and protecting crop safety.

This is Part 2 of a presentation from Chris Davey. In Part 1, Chris explores soil constraints, crop rotation, crop competition and the WeedSmart Big 6.

🎧 Listen to Part 1 first, then continue with Part 2 for a deeper look at herbicide options and resistance management.

This podcast episode is supported by the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board.

What are the key herbicide considerations when managing weeds in lentils, and how can growers protect their herbicide options for the future?
In Part 2 of the presentation from agronomist and WeedSmart Extension Officer Chris Davey, we continue the discussion on lentil weed management from the Mallee Research Updates.
While Part 1 focused on setting lentil crops up for success through rotation, crop competition and the WeedSmart Big 6, this episode takes a closer look at herbicide options, resistance and soil chemistry.
Chris explains why chemical control should be considered as part of an integrated weed management strategy, rather than the first line of defence. He discusses the importance of resistance testing, using multiple herbicide modes of action and getting the timing and application right, particularly given the limited post-emergent options available in lentils.
The conversation also explores how soil type, herbicide solubility and soil binding influence pre-emergent herbicide behaviour. Chris highlights the added challenges of sandy soils, where the margin between effective weed control and crop damage can be narrow, and explains how rainfall, deep ripping and seeding systems can influence herbicide movement and crop safety.
The episode also covers non-chemical options including weed wiping, desiccation and crop topping, harvest weed seed control, and the use of herbicide-tolerant lentil varieties.
This episode provides practical insights for growers looking to improve lentil weed control while managing resistance and protecting crop safety.
This is Part 2 of a presentation from Chris Davey. In Part 1, Chris explores soil constraints, crop rotation, crop competition and the WeedSmart Big 6.
🎧 Listen to Part 1 first, then continue with Part 2 for a deeper look at herbicide options and resistance management.
This podcast episode is supported by the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board.

Veris Mapping Explained: Seeing Soil pH Differently - with Jordan Ball

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