Tools for the Soil: Timely Operations

The aim of this Nuffield research was to find and test ways to ensure the consistent and timely planting of crops, primarily cotton, during very trying and extreme climatic and field level (soil) conditions in the tropical Ord region in Western Australia.

Farming system change can take 25 to 30 years to implement. Change is good for the next generation and needs to be practiced and executed. It means engaging in a journey of many failures and deciding to embrace the pain and the cost of failure and enduring that pain because there is a dim light at the end of the tunnel.

Many different businesses and scenarios have been seen over these last two years, and the businesses that have a culture that accepts change are “leading the pack”.

The research program focused on three ways to build a foundation for a paradigm change towards new industries. Adopting and investing in new machinery and sexy technology seemed the most pleasing and fastest solution to managing restraints, and the natural inclined direction.

Soil health and improvement is also a natural passion of the author. When reviewing information and research on this topic it becomes complicated, and changing soil takes 25 to 30 years. It must be a continuum of change, so again, improvements will be seen in the long-term.

Working with people. Respect and trust are paramount to go on a journey of change, as is communicating, setting goals, managing emotions and egos. Owning another person’s mistakes and paying for them is a challenge. The lightbulb moment of this scholarship was visiting an Amish farm and not seeking a complicated, emotional solution and journey. That is the backbone of this report. Enjoy the results, just don’t expect them quickly. A good foundation built on collaboration will last for many generations to come.

CropShielding, Aquatill planting, controlled traffic, soil amelioration practices and using lighter machinery are encouraged to be adopted. The autonomous vehicle industry is at a stage where it can be adopted over the next five to ten years, not to save on labour but to reduce weight on the soil. This will reduce the speed of doing highly precise tasks. It will increase precision, efficiency, and productivity. It will be fun and profitable.

Collaboration will be the key to executing timely operations!  In isolated, remote areas with extreme climatic conditions, farmers must work together to successfully adapt to the challenges.