The best proof lies in the results achieved in practice

There is no doubt that 2024 was one of the most challenging seasons in South Australia in recent decades. As Scott Hutchings, senior agronomist at Delta Ag, notes, this year will undoubtedly go down in history.

“Over the past twenty months, we have recorded the driest period since records began in 1900,” explains Scott.

“Most of the rainfall over the last eighteen months came from just a few summer showers, whilst winter rainfall was significantly below the long-term average.”

The lack of moisture meant that many farmers were entering the new season with minimal soil moisture reserves. Although it rained in some areas during November and December, according to Scott, this was not enough to make up for the significant moisture deficit.

“Average temperatures were lower and the dry soil was unable to retain sufficient moisture. This also resulted in an increased incidence of frosts across the region,” he adds.

The combination of prolonged drought, a lack of winter rainfall, frequent frosts and a subsequent very hot summer created exceptionally challenging conditions for farmers.
It was the frosts that posed one of the greatest challenges.

“In years like this, the frequency of frosts tends to be significantly higher. Dry soil increases their intensity, particularly in lower-lying areas,” explains Scott.

Whilst some farmers managed to partially mitigate the damage by irrigating before the frosts set in, Scott sees the long-term solution primarily in improving soil condition.

“In areas where soil improvement works have been carried out, we have observed a significant reduction in the impact of frosts. Better soil structure and a greater ability to retain moisture within the soil profile have proved to be key factors.”

For many farmers, investing in soil health has become one of the main tools for coping with increasingly challenging climatic conditions. The so-called ‘Bednarring’ – a term used by local farmers to describe the improvement of sandy soils using BEDNAR technologies – is gaining great popularity in the region. The principle involves bringing clay layers from greater depths up into the topsoil, where they are mixed with the sandy soil. This method significantly improves the soil’s ability to retain moisture and has a positive impact on crop yields, particularly in areas suffering from long-term water shortages.

Craig Hyde farms 34,000 acres (approximately 13,750 ha) near Meribah on the border between South Australia and the state of Victoria. Like many other farmers, he has turned to BEDNAR technology to increase the resilience and production potential of his soils.

The family farm, now in its third generation, faced the same extreme conditions described by Scott Hutchings. During the growing season, only 77 mm of rainfall was recorded, with an annual total of approximately 180 mm. The situation was further complicated by repeated frosts.

Nevertheless, Craig recorded exceptionally promising results on the areas he had previously treated using BEDNAR technology. In total, this covered approximately 2,000 acres (800 ha), mainly on sandy ridges.

“Last year, we treated around a thousand hectares, mainly smaller sandy hills where we expected the greatest benefit,” says Craig.

The results exceeded expectations. Whilst in the previous year yields on heavier clay soils had reached only 0.7 to 1 t/ha, the situation changed significantly following soil treatment.

“On the hills, we harvested 2 to 3 tonnes per hectare. And even on the flat land, which should naturally be more fertile, we achieved yields of around 1.2 to 1.5 t/ha,” explains Craig.

Craig sees one of the greatest advantages of BEDNAR deep tillage in the soil’s ability to manage moisture more effectively, particularly during dry spells.

“By bringing clay up from greater depths and mixing it with the topsoil, we significantly improved the conditions for germination. Even though a drought followed, the crops on the treated areas emerged more quickly and were considerably stronger.”

According to him, it was precisely this quick start that determined the outcome of the entire season.

“Crops that emerged on time gained a significant head start. By the time the soil began to run out of moisture, they already had a sufficiently developed root system and were able to cope with the conditions.”

The success of BEDNAR’s technology was so striking that Craig plans to use it on a much larger scale.

“This was the first year we’ve used this system, and the results were excellent. That’s why we’re now planning to prepare a further 5,000 acres – approximately 2,000 hectares – before the April seeding.”

The positive impact was also evident in the reduction of frost damage.

“In the areas that had undergone deep loosening, the plants had deeper roots and better access to moisture. They were not as stressed, and the frost did not damage them to the same extent as the crops on the untreated land.”

Given that drought and frost often occur together, the ability to retain moisture was one of the key factors in the success.

“Thanks to BEDNAR technology, we achieved an additional yield of one to one and a half tonnes per hectare after just the first season,” summarises Craig.

He plans to continue with this approach in the future and focus on other plots of land that have undergone consolidation and are long-term problems.

“The difference is huge, and we definitely want to continue in this direction,” he adds.

Scott Hutchings also confirms similar experiences.

“In areas where soil improvement technologies have been used, we are seeing a significant reduction in frost damage alongside higher yields. They have become an important tool for improving soil health and resilience.”

At a time when farmers in South Australia are having to adapt increasingly to changing climatic conditions, technologies aimed at improving soil structure are proving to be one of the key tools for maintaining long-term productivity.

“Farmers are learning to work with these challenging conditions rather than fighting against them. Improving soil structure and moisture retention capacity is fundamental to achieving stable results even in difficult seasons,” concludes Scott.

Craig Hyde’s story shows that investing in soil health can yield significant results as early as the first season. BEDNAR technologies thus help farmers cope with increasingly extreme conditions whilst laying the foundations for long-term sustainable farming. Farmers in South Australia are once again confirming that an innovative approach to soil management can deliver results even under the most challenging conditions.

JOY OF FARMING
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BEDNAR FMT s.r.o.