Soil testing

Overview

Soil testing is a management tool that gives a measure of soil fertility and conditions. Incorrect soil sampling techniques can produce misleading results. Sub-optimal soil conditions can reduce dry matter production, impacting livestock production. Soils tests allow you to identify what may be limiting production and invest in appropriate inputs.

Learning objectives

At the completion of this module, producers will be able to:

understand when and how to best take a soil test
confidently choose sampling sites in a paddock
have a basic understanding of soil test results
identify commonly deficient soil nutrients.

Making More From Sheep’s: Healthy Soils module

Making More From Sheep's: Interpreting soil tests

More Beef from Pastures: Pasture growth: Build and maintain soil nutrients module

Download the MLA Tips & Tools: Managing soils to keep them healthy and productive

CSIRO’s Making Better Fertiliser Decisions for Grazed Pastures in Australia guide

Training package Content

Taking a soil test

What is soil testing? 1 quiz

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Introductory survey – soil testing

Taking a soil test 1 quiz

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Test your knowledge – taking a soil test

Making sense of the results

Making sense of the results 1 quiz

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Test your knowledge – making sense of results

Soil testing summary 1 quiz

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Wrap up questions – soil testing

About Instructor

Meat & Livestock Australia

MLA’s purpose is to foster the long-term prosperity of the Australian red meat and livestock industry by investing in research and marketing activities. Through it's subsidiary companies, MLA also accelerates innovation across the value chain and delivers the industry’s integrity and on-farm quality assurance programs. Care is taken to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in all eLearning modules. However, MLA cannot accept responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information or opinions contained in the training packages. You should make your own enquiries before making decisions concerning your interests. MLA accepts no liability for any losses incurred if you rely solely on this material and excludes all liability as a result of reliance by any person on such information or advice. Apart from any use permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, all rights are expressly reserved. Requests for further authorisation should be directed to the Content Manager, PO Box 1961, North Sydney, NSW 2059 or info@mla.com.au. © Meat & Livestock Australia 2020 ABN 39 081 678 364. MLA acknowledges the matching funds provided by the Australian Government to support the research and development detailed in this eLearning module.

40 Training packages

Overview

Learning objectives

Training package Content

Taking a soil test

About Instructor

Meat & Livestock Australia

Training package Includes