Farmers can get up to $10,000 for having the soil on their land analysed by the Federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
Southern Cross University and the Environmental Analysis Laboratory invite farmers and land managers to take part in the pilot Soil Monitoring Incentives Program.
The soil analysis data can help farmers make decisions on land management practices and the collective sampling will be available to others for use through the Australian National Soil Information System.
Farmers can receive $275 per sampling site, capped at $10,000 per ABN, towards the cost of soil sampling and analysis and sharing the data.
The university project officer Debbe Allen said it was important to get farmers involved so that in future those making policy decisions around soils will have relevant data for informed decisions.
“Currently, there is not enough quality data to make confident recommendations, and compared with the rest of the world, we are decades behind with this,” Ms Allen said.
“It might cost farmers a little more money, but it might also save them significantly on ameliorants, if they know what nutrients their pastures and crops can already access below the top 10cm layer.”
The program may assist farmers to gather data for Emissions Reduction Fund projects.
Southern Cross University is also looking for qualified agronomists with soil sampling experience to help with the program.
For more information on the program visit here or email soiltest@scu.edu.au or phone 6620 3489.
The program ends June 30, 2023.
