The SA Drought Hub has launched a comprehensive Soil Gap Analysis providing a clear picture of soil capability gaps, extension needs and adoption barriers across South Australia.
Developed to align with the National Soil Strategy and National Soil Action Plan 2023–2028, the analysis identifies priority areas for building soil knowledge, workforce capacity and practical support for farmers managing some of the state’s most complex and variable soil systems.
Led by Hub Regional Soils Coordinator Lucy Porter, the analysis reflects what growers and advisers across South Australia have been consistently raising as key challenges.
“Soils underpin everything we do in agriculture, yet they’re often dealt with in a fragmented way,” Ms Porter said.
“This gap analysis brings together on-the-ground perspectives from farmers and advisers to clearly show where support, skills and investment are most urgently needed.”
The report was informed by extensive consultation conducted between 2022 and 2024, which included interviews, surveys and attendance at soil-focused events across the state.
“This work is grounded in what people are seeing and experiencing, plus it captures both the diversity of soil challenges across regions and the common themes that keep emerging, regardless of location.”
The analysis confirms that South Australian soils are highly variable and complex, with productivity constrained by a dry climate and region-specific issues. Across Landscape Board regions, six recurring soil themes were consistently identified; erosion, acidity, salinity, sandy soil constraints, soil health and soil carbon.
Interest in soil health and soil carbon continues to grow, driven by potential productivity gains, climate resilience and emerging market opportunities. However, the analysis highlights ongoing challenges around measurement, permanence, market access and a shortage of skilled professionals to support adoption.
While South Australia has soil research, education and extension capability across universities, government, farming systems groups and consultancies, the report identifies critical gaps in soil-specific career pathways, limited early-career opportunities and an ageing expert workforce.
“Without deliberate investment in people and pathways, we risk losing valuable soil expertise at a time when it’s needed more than ever,” Ms Porter said.
The analysis also found that soil priorities are not consistently embedded across industry strategies, reinforcing the need for more coordinated and strategic investment in soil expertise, extension and succession planning.
Since completing the analysis, Regional Soil Coordinators have consolidated their findings into a single presentation delivered to industry representatives across multiple research and development corporations. This has been used to advocate for stronger recognition of soils within funding guidelines, policy documents and strategic plans.
The reports have also been provided to the Australian Government to inform ongoing development and implementation of the National Soil Strategy and National Soil Action Plan, ensuring regional nuances and priorities are reflected at a national level.
“This is not a report that sits on a shelf. It’s already being used to influence conversations, funding priorities and policy thinking around soils.”
The SA Drought Hub and Regional Soil Coordinators will continue working with industry, government and community stakeholders to address identified gaps and barriers where possible, supporting stronger soil outcomes for South Australian farming systems into the future.
