EPDS III: Demonstrating bioferts for improved profitability

Summary

In response to rising fertiliser costs and growing environmental concerns, farmers in the region are increasingly exploring alternatives to imported synthetic fertilisers. The 2022 fertiliser price surge—driven by global supply disruptions—highlighted the vulnerability of traditional input systems. Biofertilisers (bioferts) have since gained traction as a low-cost, locally sourced solution that can be produced on-farm or through cooperative hubs. These natural fertilisers offer immediate nutrient availability, reduce application rates, and significantly lower farm emissions, making them an attractive option for sustainable beef production.

This project will establish three on-farm demonstration sites to showcase the creation, application, and outcomes of using bioferts. Each site will compare traditional synthetic fertiliser practices with biofert treatments tailored to soil and plant analysis. Key metrics such as pasture yield, nutritional content, liveweight gain projections, emissions intensity, and cost-effectiveness will be monitored. By sharing results with the wider farming community, the project aims to empower farmers with practical data and insights, encouraging broader adoption of bioferts for improved profitability and environmental performance.

Objectives

Aim:

To provide an opportunity for farmers to learn more about bioferts with x3 on-farm demonstrations showcasing the creation, application and outcomes of using bioferts on farms. This will provide farmers with information and data that they can then use to consider the appropriateness of the innovation on their own farms.

Objectives:

1. Match biofert application on each property to soil and plant analysis.
2. Measure efficacy of bioferts on pasture; yield, utilisation, nutrition and mineral content.
3. Only use readily available ingredients that can be easily sourced on farm or at farm supply stores. i.e. manures, molasses, humic products, sulphates, low biuret urea.
4. Model projected liveweight gain using CSIRO GrazFeed program
5. Calculate projected emissions intensity using Grazfeed modelling along with pasture nutrition and the MLA carbon emissions calculators.
6. Monitor costs to make and apply bioferts and compare with normal practice.
7. Share results with group members and other farmers  

Progress

Two farms in Gippsland are comparing the use of Biofertilisers to conventional fertilizer and the impacts on pasture production, composition, feed quality, pasture and soil nutrition and looking at whether there might be a cost benefit in using biofertilisers. The first grazings have occurred on both sites but it is too early in the demonstration to see if there are any true differences between the treatments in regards to pasture grown and consumed.

The pastures at the Tonimbuk site –a higher fertility site with an initial Olsen P between 19-25 mg/kg -  are predominately ryegrass based (around 60-70%) with the remaining pasture being comprised of plantain, bentgrass, clover, fog grass, as well as smaller amounts of chicory, dandelion, vetch, cocksfoot and dock.  
The Bayles site – a lower fertility site with initial Olsen P between 8.8-11 mg/kg - is quite different in composition, being predominately Meadow Foxtail grass (30-40%) and plantain (30-40%), a considerable amount of dandelion (12-18%), with smaller amounts of ryegrass, clover, lotus, bentgrass and dock. 

At the first grazing of the Tonimbuk site, the protein level of the pasture was considerably higher in the conventional strip compared to the biofert and control strips – this was likely due to the urea that had been applied to the conventional strip the month prior.  It was observed that the cow/calf units grazing the paddock had palatability issues with the conventional strip – this may have been due to the protein level being well in excess of requirements on that strip. 

This project is cofunded by Agriculture Victoria and MLA and managed by Agriculture Victoria and the Western Port Landcare Sustainable farming discussion group.