Seed bed preparation on the Rovers’ properties at Marungi starts with deep ripping to open up the soil.
On the day Country News visited the 25-hectare paddock, the remains of the previous barley crop’s stubble was being incorporated into the soil with the aid of a six-metre Kuhn disc and tyne machine, after a Gason slasher had been over the paddock.
Farm owner Eddie Rovers is endeavouring to break up the sandy loam soil, which has suffered from compaction, and he believes the incorporation of the stubble assists to build a better organic profile.
His right-hand man, Peter Simpson, is driving the John Deere four-wheel drive on this day to prepare for a canola crop to go into the ground from April 15.
The six-metre-wide Kuhn Performer 6000 is partnered with a 450 horsepower John Deere 9520, which gives the combination enough ripping power for the 26cm depth.
The paddock will be treated with lime and gypsum to help open up the soil.
Mr Rovers said the treatment created a visible difference to the paddocks and boosts the crop yield.
“It’s amazing, we got a great result from the barley last season, compared to previous years,” he said.
Prior to this treatment he can recall digging an inspection hole in the paddock and finding that plant roots were hitting an impenetrable layer of soil and growing horizontally.
Mr Rovers acknowledged the John Deere was slightly underpowered for the Kuhn ripper, but was well fitted out with auto-steer.
“I just switch it on and go to sleep until it reaches the end. It’ll wake me up if something goes wrong.”
Asked about his plans for next season, Mr Rovers said he would have to consult with his wife who holds the ministry of finance role.
What the Grains Research and Development Corporation says about deep ripping
Soils with high strength can occur naturally or due to compaction, but either way, left untreated, these soils can significantly limit on-farm profitability by reducing grain yields and quality.
Soil compaction can occur in many cropping soils of southern Australia and may be traffic or livestock induced or naturally occurring.
By limiting the ability of crops to gain access to water and nutrients, soil compaction can reduce crop growth, grain yields and quality.
Deep ripping involves disturbing the soil below the normal cultivation layer, often up to 40cm, without inverting the soil.
By breaking up the soil, deep ripping can free the way for roots to penetrate the soil and access water and nutrients, leading to yield increases.
However, it is only effective on certain soil types and is only likely to be financially viable when combined with strategies to ameliorate other subsoil constraints such as nutrient deficiency, toxicity, or sodicity.