Soil Wise is a collaborative project to help farmers and land managers improve their soil health and nutrient management. The aim is to promote best practice sustainable agriculture so that farmers can increase productivity and profitability, whilst protecting and improving the condition of natural resources.
Soil Wise aim is to:
promote the benefits of soil testing to inform soil management decisions
improve soil testing knowledge and skills among land managers and farmers
increase the capacity of land managers and farmers to interpret soil test results
support land managers and farmers to undertake land management practices to improve soil health
encourage land managers and farmers to contribute soils data to relevant national databases
facilitate collaboration and communication between soil scientists, extension officers, advisers, natural resource management and farming systems groups, land managers and farmers
establish fertiliser trials across south-west WA over a range of soil types with contemporary pasture species, with a focus on best management practice for phosphorus, nitrogen, potassium and sulphur.
Soil Wiseis a collaborative project, led by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation in partnership with various individuals, groups, and organisations. It is supported by a Project Reference Group that will provide direction and oversight; a Technical Reference Group that will develop and oversee fertiliser trials; and a Communications and Extension Group to develop key messages and products.
Soil Wiseis funded by the National Landcare Program Smart Farms Small Grants – an Australian Government initiative. It is supported by Healthy Estuaries WA – a State Government program. This project is part of the National Soil Strategy – a 20-year plan outlining how Australia will value, manage and improve its soil. For more information: National Soil Package - DAWE