Piritaha Station’s vision for resilient, healthy soil is deeply personal. The family-owned farm’s restoration journey began after a devastating flood left a 10-hectare paddock compacted and stripped of vitality. The family partnered with Radice Soil Solutions to create a plan for rejuvenating their land.
A Scientific Approach to Soil Recovery
To understand the challenges and create a targeted strategy, we used:
Nutrient Testing: To measure essential nutrients and detect imbalances caused by flood-deposited silt.
Microbial Analysis: To assess the balance of microorganisms, with a focus on beneficial fungi and predators.
Visual Assessment: Observing compaction, waterlogging, and soil structure provided valuable context.
This holistic approach helped us understand the dynamic between soil nutrients, plant uptake, and biological activity.
Findings
Soil compaction limited root growth and water infiltration.
Fungal populations were severely depleted, and beneficial predators were absent.
Certain areas showed signs of waterlogging, while others exhibited initial recovery.
A Strategic Plan
The focus was placed on improving soil structure, introducing diverse pasture species to improve animal and soil helath. At the same time, support the family building capacity to produce their own soil inoculants.
A Family’s Commitment to the Land
This project reflects the family’s dedication to restoring their land—not just for productivity, but for a legacy of sustainability. With a clear understanding of their soil, they are poised to make impactful changes for future generations.
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