AS the 2025 season kicks off, growers across the Mallee are weighing every input decision carefully. Following a dry 2024, there’s real pressure to cut costs – without cutting corners.
A recent Mallee Sustainable Farming (MSF) Farm Talk podcast featured soil fertility specialist Sean Mason, who recently presented at the Mallee Research Updates. Dr Mason shared timely advice on how to improve fertiliser efficiency, make the most of existing nutrient bands, and adjust strategies to ensure growers are getting value for every dollar spent.
Here’s a snapshot of the key messages from the podcast, to help set up paddocks for success:
Five Smart Moves to Improve Fertiliser Efficiency in 2025
1
Know which soils are nutrient responsive
After a tough year, cash flow is tight. Dr Mason urges growers to identify zones where fertiliser inputs deliver a return and where they don’t. That includes both nitrogen and phosphorus decisions.
2
Use your data layers.
Free tools like Google Earth and NDVI, plus yield and protein maps, can reveal how paddocks have performed over time. These layers are crucial for zoning and guiding smarter soil testing.
3
Understand phosphorus buffering index (PBI).
Mapping PBI once can pay off for years. High PBI soils tie up phosphorus, so applying more – or placing it more strategically – may be necessary. Conversely, low PBI soils might already have enough in the bank.
4
Be strategic about sowing placement.
Sowing close to last year’s furrow – particularly in high-PBI soils – can give this year’s crop a better shot. It’s a small shift that could deliver big gains, with some growers achieving this by sowing at a 5-degree angle. It is also important to note the potential for extra disease pressure, with on or near-row sowing that needs to be considered.
5
Protect your roots – especially in pulses.
For lentils and other sensitive crops, excess fertiliser in dry soils can prune roots and limit nutrient access. Dr Mason recommends keeping rates below 50kg/ha of monoammonium phosphate, and considering splitting seed and fertiliser, or broadcasting to avoid seed damage.
