Six sites have been selected as part of the trial which is being conducted by PathwayAg through support by Condamine Alliance.

The trial will test the suitability and impact of animal manures (feedlot, pig and poultry), compost and biosolids (treated sewerage) on different types of locally grown crops.

Research and Development Manager David Hall from PathwayAg (a division of Pursehouse Rural) said the trial was a significant project which had attracted a lot of interest from farmers.

“It is very encouraging to see farmers interested in the potential of organic fertilisers,” Mr Hall said.

“We have five sites across the Darling Downs at the moment and one more will be established in Millmerran early this year,” he said.

“Before a new fertiliser comes on the market it is very important to understand its benefits and impacts.”

“These trials will test how the different organic fertilisers impact on soil carbon and other nutrients and if they contribute to long term increases in soil organic matter.

“We’ll also be able to calculate the cost of these organic fertilisers to the farmer compared to conventional forms.”

The organic fertilisers have been applied to a different crop at each site including wheat, cotton, corn and pasture.

The sites will be carefully monitored each crop cycle for the duration of the five year project.

“This is a unique project because the trials are being conducted on real crops in real paddocks and not in a laboratory or glasshouse,” Mr Hall said.

“The fact we are conducting the trials over five years on the same piece of ground under a diverse range of crop rotations means we will have strong data at the end,” he said.

“What we do know is that soil carbon is critical to the sustainability of agricultural land and organic fertilisers may help to protect and improve these levels.”

“If the trial is a success then it means that farmers have the choice of a fertiliser that is proven to contribute to the long term increase in soil condition.”

This project is supported by the Condamine Alliance Sustainable Agriculture Program with funding from the Australian Government’s Caring for Our Country and the Queensland Government’s Q2 Coasts and Country.

Its projects focus on improving and protecting land condition and productivity by working with farmers to better manage soil carbon and ground cover.