Soil constraints are estimated to cost Australian growers lost grain production of more than $4 billion every year (Dr Steve Davies, GRDC (YouTube) 2019). Done correctly, ameliorating soils can significantly boosts yield and profit, however when implemented incorrectly could do a large amount of damage to soils over the long term.

While some soil constraints are easier to understand and to implement the required amelioration practice, variability (two or more constraints) across paddocks makes the decision on how and where to ameliorate more difficult.

Choosing the optimum amelioration option for every constraint within a paddock with variable soils can seem difficult or impossible, some growers are opting to do an "OK" job on all soils rather than undertaking the ideal solution on all of their soils. However, there are some growers successfully ameliorating soil constraints across variable paddocks using the best compromises of operations, machinery, inputs and management.

Importantly, by looking across their whole farm, growers will be better able to make more informed financial and logical decisions on which areas and constraints should be targeted first.

When assessing the benefits of amelioration the simplest calculation is:

Improved margin = (yield uplift x grain value) – cost

While amelioration costs look daunting at the start of the process, by looking at the potential financial benefits prior to beginning, growers will have more confidence in achieving their desired outcomes. Reported benefits include: more confidence applying fertiliser and pesticide inputs, improved root growth and WUE when root growth is improved, and overall improvements in resilience of crops.