Last chance to be part of soil acidity testing blitz

Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator Zoe Starkey said soil acidity was a critical land and soil management issue in the Mount Lofty Ranges, with more than 400,000 hectares of land affected.

"Acidic soils negatively affect pasture and livestock health while increasing the occurrence of weeds and bare soil in your paddock," she said.

"The soil acidity testing blitz supports landholders to test their paddocks pH levels, provides practical options to remediate soils that may be affected by acidity and to better understand the importance of managing soil acidity.

"Soil acidity can often be an underlying issue decreasing productivity in the higher rainfall zones of the Eastern Mount Lofty Ranges.

"We are focusing on properties of 10 acres or larger in districts stretching from Harrogate through to Mount Compass and Currency Creek.

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"Eligible landholders will receive soil pH test kits and information such as videos and fact sheets on how to test their soil.

"Participants will be shown how to report their soil pH results, and the associated site information will be provided on management options. This will offer benefits for pasture growth, soil health, and overall increased yield."

Mrs Starkey said once the landholders knew if they had soil acidity on their property they would be able to improve the pH of the soil as required.

"By providing tools and practical information, we are hopeful landholders will become more aware of how remediating soil acidity can also help reduce weeds and increase livestock health," she said.

"It's important to maintain a good soil pH as it will sustain the health of the soil and the broader landscape."