Episode 2: Where Does Our Soil Come From? The Geological Recipe Under Your Paddocks

Send us Fan MailIn this foundational episode, Leonie explores the very beginning of soil: parent material. Discover why two farms just 10 kilometres apart can perform so differently, even when they get the same rainfall and use the same varieties.You’ll learn:What parent material really is (and the difference between residual and transported material)The three main rock types (igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic) and the very different soils they produceWhy WA soils are naturally sandy, acidic and low in nutrientsWhat ironstone gravel, coffee rock, lateritic duricrust and rocky outcrops actually are — and why they matter on your farmHow understanding what’s under your paddocks can help you make smarter management decisionsWhether you’re dealing with deep sands, duplex soils, ironstone gravel or coffee rock hardpans, this episode will help you start “reading” your farm’s geological recipe and farm it more effectively.All visuals form the video podcast are available on our website at www.agriculturefromthegroundup.com.auReferences Birkeland, P. W. (1999). Soils and geomorphology (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press.Brailsford, F., Scanlan, C., Weaver, D., Holmes, K., & Leopold, M. (2023). Soil quality: 9 Gravel soil. SoilsWest / Murdoch University / GRDC. https://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/sq_ebooks/9/Eash, N. S., Sauer, T. J., O'Dell, D., Odoi, E., & Bratz, M. C. (2015). Soil science simplified (6th ed.). Wiley.Hoyle, F. C., & Murphy, D. V. (Eds.). (2017). Soil quality: 1. Constraints to plant production. SoilsWest / Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. https://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/sq_ebooks/1/Leopold, M. (2020). Advanced land use management [Lecture notes]. University of Western Australia.McArthur, W. M. (1991). Reference soils of south-western Australia. Australian Society of Soil Science Inc. (WA Branch).McKenzie, N., Jacquier, D., Isbell, R., & Brown, K. (2004). Australian soils and landscapes: An illustrated compendium. CSIRO Publishing.Moore, G. (Ed.). (2001). Soil guide: A handbook for understanding and managing agricultural soils (Bulletin 4343). Department of Agriculture, Western Australia.Weil, R. R., & Brady, N. C. (2016). The nature and properties of soils (15th ed.). Pearson.White, R. E. (2006). Principles and practice of soil science: The soil as a natural resource (4th ed.). Blackwell PublishingConnect with LeonieInstagram: @agfromthegroundupWebsite: www.agriculturefromthegroundup.com.au