Soil Consultancy
Are you looking for long term fertility, sustained productivity, a healthy farm, with a healthier work environment along with increased profits? It's about starting at soil level and tailoring an individual approach to achieve what you want.
Soil Balancing
You probably know that your soils need to be biologically active and nutrient balanced to be sustainable. Many are talking about it, but few know how to achieve it.
Do you get soil tests that show you probably need a lot of inputs, but you only get recommended two or three elements? You apply yearly doses of fertilizers but nothing really changes? Derek can help you achieve results that last.
Services Provided
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Comprehensive soil and leaf analysis
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Recommendations based on analysis results
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Distribution of soil fertility and plant nutrient products where needed
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Holistic soil management consultancy for a wide range of agricultural pursuits
Our services are open to all farmers and graziers with a focus on those transitioning to organic, biological or simply a more regenerative production system.
Advantages
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Increases in water infiltration and higher water holding capacity in your soil
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Increases in water use efficiency by up to 100%
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Better soil structure—healthy ongoing soil aggregate formation
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Higher levels of soil microbes
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Healthier populations of beneficial soil organisms
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Better nutrient delivery and efficiency to plants
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Healthier livestock (less internal/external parasites and disease)
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Decreased soil, pasture, crop, animal and human disease
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Higher pasture/crop yields and carrying capacity
Did a trial using Derek’s system and within a few months could see a difference, bigger and heavy bunches, better sucker growth and turn-around in healthier plants. Derek has also shown me how to look at a soil test and explain why I am having a pest or disease problem in one paddock and not another, and that by balancing your soil you can solve these problems without chemicals. Would recommend Derek to anyone who is looking to improve their soil and profitability of their farm.
Brendan Poppi - Organic Bananas Woopen Creek FNQ
About Derek
A lifelong farmer, Derek initially embraced natural farming as a way to solve problems the chemicals weren't fixing. He now uses it to protect biodiversity, store carbon and maintain better quality and consistency in food production. He is currently running beef cattle, free range layer hens and prime lambs on his property at Guyra.
Derek has worked with producers from a diverse range of industries, different climates and landscapes. From tropical fruit growers in far north Queensland, to horticulturalists in Western Australia.
For 20 years Derek shared his experience as an instructor at TAFE Armidale. As the teacher of a year-long course in organic farming and horticulture, he helped students apply organic and biologically enhancing principles to their own farms.
Over the years Derek built on his Associate Diploma in Farm Management (Orange Ag College) with courses in Holistic Management and Grazing for Profit. He earned his Bachelor of Farm Management at Orange (University of Sydney) in 2004 and completed a Certificate II in Assessment and Workplace Training in 2008.
Watch Derek present at the Australian Biological Farming Conference here and speak with Ground Cover on their podcast here.
Pricelist (incl. GST)
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Telephone Consultation $110/hr
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Field Consultation $110/hr (Includes travel one way)
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Standard Soil Test $176
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K-Displacement Test $44
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Cobalt Test $22
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Molybdemum Test $22
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Chlorides and salt concentration $22
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Limestone/Gypsum/Dolomite Analysis $99
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Fertiliser Analysis $187