Bringing soils back to life

Would you agree its water?

But how can we ensure water when some farmers received only a few mm this dry season, and others have had deluges which flow right off their property?

"Surprisingly," says Rhonda Daly, farmer and co-founder of YLAD Living Soils, "the answer lies directly beneath our feet in another free resource."

"If our soils are hard and dead," continues Rhonda, "the water washes away immediately. If our soils are soft, like a wet sponge, the movement of rainfall will slow and infiltrate down to be stored long-term in your paddocks, like below-ground swimming pools."

The difference between these two types of soils is the presence of healthy, diverse microbiological community of bacteria, fungi, protozoa and more.

Australia's farming soils have the potential to be living, water-holding sponges. The trillions of below-ground soil microbiota release 'biotic glues' that hold soil particles together. When these microbiota are present, healthy and happy, the soil texture is like chocolate cake.

However, with over-tillage and application of expensive agro-chemicals, this free below-ground herd dies out and stops producing biotic glues. The soil aggregates then collapse, compaction occurs, and our soils no longer store water.

Over the past two decades, Rhonda has pioneered methods to bring soils back to life.

She has repeatedly demonstrated how any volume of rain can infiltrate and be stored long-term in her soils to support crop growth, even during drier spells.

"Many people call me, asking how they can rebuild their below-ground water storage, and I tell them to start by growing their microbial herd and soil structure, particularly with Germinate Plus."

Germinate Plus is a granular down the tube fertiliser for crop sowing. Germinate Plus is buffered with humates, which helps store water in the soil to ensure quick release of nutrients at germination.

The humates also ensure ongoing release of nutrients, and food storage and housing for the microbial community around the roots in the rhizosphere, or the dreadlock-looking microbial community, which form around the roots.

"When you check roots in your paddock, you want to see soil sticking to the roots even when you shake the plant," says Rhonda.

"The microbes are most dense in this rhizosphere and during low-rainfall periods, these microbes offer up water to the plant roots as well."

Rhonda often helps clients develop their ability to assess how rain-ready their soils are and improve their below-ground sponge. To be ready for any rainfall event, whether a sprinkling or a deluge, call 1 300 811 681 or email info@yladlivingsoils.com.au.