In an exceptionally tough year, one piece of machinery can be a secret weapon. Let’s dive into Bednarring.
There’s no doubt about it — 2024 has been one of the toughest years on record. As Scott Hutchings, senior agronomist at Delta Ag, puts it, this season is shaping up to be one for the history books.
“We’ve had our driest 20 months in history since 1900,” Scott explains. “Rainfall has been really poor for the last 18 months, and most of that has come from a few summer rainfall events. The winter rainfall has been considerably below average.” This lack of moisture left many farmers with low stored soil moisture going into the season, and as Scott highlights, while some areas did see a bit of rain in November and December, it wasn’t enough to offset the significant moisture deficit.
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“The average temperature was lower, and with dry soils that don’t hold moisture, we’ve seen a lot of frost in the region as well,” he adds. These conditions, combined with a particularly hot summer, have placed immense pressure on farmers, making for a tough start to the 2024 season.
The frost issue, in particular, was a challenge that farmers had to manage carefully. “In years like this, we usually experience a lot of frost,” Scott explains. “When we’ve got dry soils, we see the frost more heavily, especially in low-lying areas.”
While some farmers with irrigation were able to mitigate the damage by irrigating before frost events, Scott notes that frost can still be a persistent issue. “Where we’ve seen some relief is with soil amelioration. Improving soil structure and holding more moisture in the profile has been one of the biggest factors in reducing frost impact.”
For many farmers, adopting innovative techniques to improve soil health has been key to surviving and even thriving during such a challenging season. One of the standout practices that has gained traction in the region is Bednarring — a soil amelioration method that involves bringing clay from deeper in the soil profile to the surface. This method has proven to make a significant difference in moisture retention and crop yields, particularly in areas that otherwise struggle to retain water.
Real results
Craig Hyde farms 34,000 acres near Meribah on the South Australian/Victorian border, and like many farmers, he’s embraced Bednarring to boost soil health and resilience. His family farm, which spans three generations, has faced the same tough conditions Scott described. With only 77mm of rainfall for the growing season (180mm total for the year), and ongoing frost damage, Craig was unsure how 2024 would unfold.
But after Bednarring 2,000 acres – predominantly on sandy rises – Craig has seen remarkable results. “Last year, we did maybe 1,000 hectares, focusing mainly on the smaller hills, which we thought would benefit a lot better than the other country,” Craig says.
In comparison, the previous year was disappointing. On the flatter, heavier clay areas, yields were just 0.7 to 1 tonne per hectare. This year, though, after the soil amelioration, the results were much better, even in the challenging areas. “The hills were doing 2 to 3 tonnes per hectare — and where we back out into the flat areas, which should be better ground — we still saw yields of about 1.2 to 1.5 tonnes per hectare,” Craig says.
One of the biggest benefits Craig sees in Bednarring is its ability to improve moisture retention in the soil — especially during dry spells, as he explains. “By bringing clay up from deep down and putting it on top, we got better germination. Even when it dried out, the crops that were sown on the Bednarred soil came up way earlier and were much stronger compared to anything that didn’t germinate early.”
He goes on to describe the impact of these early germination crops: “The crops that germinated early seemed to get out in front of everything else. By the time the moisture ran out, they were already well-established.”
Craig’s success with Bednarring has been so impressive that he’s now planning to expand its use. “Last year was the first year using it, and it was a great success,” he says. “So now, we’re planning on doing 5,000 acres between now and seeding in April. We’ve noticed that over the years, the crops on the hills were just dropping off. But since using Bednarring, we’ve brought those yields back up.”
Craig noticed a significant reduction in frost damage in Bednarred areas. “We had a bad frost last year, but anything that was ripped, with moisture allowing the roots to go deeper, didn’t stress as much and wasn’t as badly affected by frost as the crops that weren’t done,” he explains.
With frost and dryness often working together, Bednarring’s moisture retention was a key factor in helping crops thrive. “Using Bednarring, we gained an extra tonne to a tonne and a half per hectare after just one season,” Craig says.
Looking ahead, Craig plans to expand the use of Bednarring, focusing on compacted areas that have struggled. “It’s already made a big difference, and we’re keen to keep expanding it,” he adds.
A wide-reaching impact
Scott Hutchings echoes Craig’s success, noting that Bednarring has proven effective for many farmers across the state. “We’ve seen a significant reduction in frost damage and better overall yields in areas that have used soil amelioration techniques. It’s become a vital tool for improving soil health and resilience.”
As South Australia’s agricultural industry continues to adapt to changing climatic conditions, techniques like Bednarring are emerging as crucial solutions for maintaining productivity and soil health.
“Farmers are learning how to work with these tough conditions rather than against them,”
Scott concludes. “Improving soil structure and moisture retention is key to making the most out of every season.”
For farmers like Craig, Bednarring has become an essential part of ensuring long-term success, even in some of the driest conditions we’ve seen in years. As these soil improvement practices continue to show impressive results, South Australia’s farmers are proving their resilience and innovative spirit in the face of tough times.
