Visual soil examination techniques as part of a soil appraisal framework for farm evaluation in Australia

Despite major advances in remote sensing and soil-landscape modelling, the use of visual soil examination and evaluation (VSEE) techniques in the field remains a crucial component of soil assessment and management packages for farmers in rural Australia. Of particular value are techniques for the rapid assessment of soil structural form and stability, which are fundamental issues affecting the ability of soil profiles to accept and store water in farming systems constrained by drought. An improved soil appraisal framework for farm evaluation, usable for all crops, derived from the successful VSEE-based ‘Cotton SOILpak’ system, is proposed. It has the potential to enhance the ability of farm businesses to deal with four soil-related issues; annual profitability, maximising land values, minimising the impact of increasing input costs, and negotiation of favourable outcomes for themselves and the local community when confronted by competing land uses. An overview is given of the proposed technical contents of the new scheme for ‘whole-farm soil assessment and management planning’, which is based on a blend of VSEE methods, modern soil databases, and extra laboratory testing where appropriate. Also outlined are the associated human resource requirements and organisational structures required to deliver practical and ethical soil management outcomes to farmers and the nation.