Richmond, TAS

The Richmond demo site in southern Tasmania is hosted by Harvest Farms. 

A trial has been established to examine the costs and benefits of organic soil amendments on babyleaf crop yield and quality.  The team at Harvest Farms are already using reduced tillage, controlled traffic and cover cropping and would like to examine soil amendments to help maintain or build soil organic matter. This is expected to have a positive effect on overall soil and crop health.

The trial was established in May 2018 (year 1). The treatments in year 1 were:

• Dulverton compost @ 2t/ha
• Sea Greens compost @ 2t/ha
• ProPell pelletised vermicompost @ 400kg/ha
• Nil amendments (control).

In year 2 we increased the application rates and the following treatments were applied in January 2020:

• Sea Greens compost @ 15t/ha
• ProPell pelletised vermicompost @ 500kg/ha
• Nil amendments (control).

In year 3 larger-sized plots were established.  The following treatments were applied in October 2020:

• Sea Greens compost @ 30m³/ha 
• Sea Greens compost @ 60m³/ha
• Nil amendments (control).

Soils will be tested for pathogen DNA and soil microbiology. Vigour and health of the following commercial crops will be assessed in early 2021.

Compliance with food safety requirements was confirmed with all suppliers prior to applying the amendments.

Thank you to Harvest Farms for supporting this site.