This is a summary of all our tests on commercial farms. The surprise to us was that all responses were immediate and profitable from the first crop. Equally, we have not yet had a failure to get a good response to our many small ‘Look and See’ experiments in our and friends’ gardens.
Improving soybean yield by 9% with Bio-Booster and humic acid
Bio-Booster and Sea minerals were applied to soybeans on two sites to test their effects on soil, yield and income. The results showed vastly improved soil drainage and increased activity by soil biology. It required one extra application by tractor ($30/ha) and $20/ha upfront cost of the Bio-Booster. The estimated increase in yield was 0.32 tonnes/ha, or 9%. This was worth $240/ha at the then current price/tonne at $750, giving a net gain of $190/ha.
Saving Macadamia Trees, the deadly cost of transplanting trees without their soil biology
In mid-April 2020, 11 young macadamia trees had been transplanted to the Bundaberg Botanical Gardens. These were a subspecies of Macadamia jansenii and grown to preserve some diversity of the genetics of macadamias, not just the commercial ones.
In May 2021, two had died, and the others were not doing well.
When two trees had died, we were given permission to treat two trees. 112 days later, three more untreated trees had died, two were near dead and two were growing but stunted. The treated trees had grown from knee-high to chest high.
It demonstrated to us that transplanting a seedling tree without its supporting soil biology and suitable nutrition is a waste of time, effort and money.
Growing Avocados, a demonstration of increasing bin weight with Humic Acid and Sea Minerals
Humic acid and Liquid Sea Minerals were applied to avocados. At harvest, the fruit weight was increased by 10%. By supplying soil biology foods, the soil structure and nutrient availability improved, thereby allowing heavier fruit to be produced. This indicated a potential increase in income of $600/ha at a cost of $200/ha.
Bigger Peanuts, how restoring soil biology led to a marked increase in Jumbo grade nut size
Humic acid and Liquid Sea Minerals were applied to peanuts by boom spray. Leaf Brix readings showed a $20 increase in leaf-sugars in the treated rows. At harvest, here was only a small yield increase, but a marked increase in nut size to Jumbo grade. This gave almost 50% increase in large Jumbo grade, which commands a premium price.
Bio-Booster was not used in this trial.
Bracewell pasture trials, significantly increasing Dry Matter with BioBooster
Bio-Booster was applied to a section of native pastures on one property that had not been grazed when the pastures were measured. Pasture on the treated area showed increased growth and leaf Brix readings. Additionally, chicory seeded with the Bio-Booster showed larger plants and flowers.
A second trial on a neighbouring property was mulched, with the owner reporting significantly more dry matter present.
From 30 steers to 90, how Brent tripled his farm’s carrying capacity in 20 years
This guest story to our website inspired us and others by showing what can be done by working with nature rather than fighting it. Brent tripled his carrying capacity in 20 years and vastly improved the soil’s water holding capacity. He also used small-scale local water harvesting to further improve drought resistance. His soils and pasture were still improving.
