Farmer trials

The growing interest in subsoil manuring smong farmers has encouraged them to conduct their own trials

The prototype machine was used to set up one such trial in Bairnsdale (East Gippsland) in 2010. A summer crop of corn was grown on raised beds with manured (15 t/ha of poultry litter) and un-manured beds side by side (two beds per treatment alternating).

In February 2012, farmers were keen to see what was happening below the soil while the corn crop was still growing. A soil pit was opened and the changes in soil physical properties were demonstrated under the treated and untreated beds.

The changes were phenomenal, particularly on heavy mottled clay which are otherwise prone to waterlogging. The work continues.