Optimum soil pH does not always mean the soil is well balanced. For example, if magnesium is in excess, and calcium is low, then you could still have “optimum PH” even though the calcium:magnesium ratio is out of balance. In such a case, calcitic lime would be recommended to balance the soil by supplying calcium. Another common example of pH misleading farmers is when sodium levels are high (from poor quality irrigation water) and calcium levels are low – the pH will still be high, yet calcium will be deficient, so more calcium will be needed as lime or gypsum. As mentioned in the previous answer, we use a well recognized soil balancing systems, which aims at correcting the ca:mg to optimum levels in the soil to improve soil structure and soil aeration. When a soil is well balanced we can achieve higher yields with lower inputs, and we have seen this again and again on our clients farms over the past 15 years.

Which lime to apply will depend 100% on your soil test results, and whether calcium or magnesium is low in the soil. Lime can be spread using a fertilizer or lime spreader but not in windy conditions. In smaller farms, lime can be spread by hand, but careful application and calculation is needed to avoid applying too much lime in one area.

Lime should be applied at least 2 weeks before the crop and worked into the soil. Ideally the lime should be applied at least 1 month before planting the next crop. Soil testing straight after harvest and then applying lime straight away after you get your soil test results back is a good option where farmers are growing one main crop a year in a rainfed situation. This gives the lime more time to react in your soil before planting, resulting in better crop responses.

Yes, there is no interaction between the fertilizer and the lime. But lime should be applied as far ahead of planting as possible.

Gypsum is calcium sulphate, and is a powder that is natural product that is mined in australia. It is a valuable source of both calcium and sulphur which are both essential plant nutrients. Calcium is especially important for high quality fruit and vegetables. Used before your crop will also help to loosen your soil, as the calcium acts like a soil conditioner. This means the water will move more easily into the soil and roots will develop faster. Gypsum is an excellent input for building soil health and improving crop nutrition. Unfortunately, there is no easy alternative.

Gypsum (CaSO4) is considered both a soil amendment and a source of plant nutrients.
When soils have been exposed to too much sodium (usually from irrigation water containing high sodium), two concerns arise. One is that sodium on the exchange sites of clays and organic matter tends to make them disperse and the soil becomes impermeable as the clays clog up the pore spaces. This is a very big problem in heavy clays soils, especially black cotton soils found in many parts of australia. The second concern with high sodium in the soil is that it reduces the uptake of other nutrients such as calcium and magnesium. Too much uptake of sodium by a plant can cause toxicity problems usually manifest by necrosis (browning) of leaf edges.
When soils have been exposed to too much sodium (usually from irrigation water containing high sodium), two concerns arise. One is that sodium on the exchange sites of clays and organic matter tends to make them disperse and the soil becomes impermeable as the clays clog up the pore spaces. This is a very big problem in heavy clays soils, especially black cotton soils found in many parts of australia. The second concern with high sodium in the soil is that it reduces the uptake of other nutrients such as calcium and magnesium. Too much uptake of sodium by a plant can cause toxicity problems usually manifest by necrosis (browning) of leaf edges.
Whereas lime is used to increase the soil pH, gypsum can be added to the soil to supply the needed calcium without altering the soil pH value. 

Gypsum should be applied before planting and worked into the soil. It is a powder and can be applied using a lime or fertilizer spreader or applied by hand for small farms.

In some soils the pH may be too high (> pH 7.5), usually caused by irrigation water high in bicarbonates and sodium or by applying excess amounts of lime to the soils. This can reduce the growth of plant as nutrient availability is reduced. Most crops grow best in the pH range of 5.8 to 7.0, soil pH values above 7.0 can cause plant deficiencies of important micronutrients such as zinc and manganese which are still in the soil but "tied-up" and unavailable to the plant.
Two materials commonly used for lowering soil pH are aluminum sulPHate (alum) and elemental sulfur. Both materials will do the job. Aluminum sulfate will change the soil pH instantly because the aluminum produces the acidity as soon as it dissolves in the soil. Sulfur, however, requires some time for the conversion to sulfuric acid with the aid of soil bacteria. The conversion rate of the sulfur is dependent on the fineness of the sulfur, the amount of soil moisture, soil temperature and the presence of the bacteria. Depending on these soil factors, the conversion rate of sulfur may be very slow and take several months if the conditions are not ideal. For this reason, most people use the aluminum sulfate. Both materials should be worked into the soil if possible after application to be most effective. If these materials are in contact with plant leaves as when applied to a lawn, they should be washed off the leaves immediately after application. But, be extremely careful not to over-apply the aluminum sulfate or the sulPHur, and always carry out a soil test before application, so we can advise you correctly.
 

If you know where the greenhouses will be, take a sample as early as possible to give you adequate time to source the necessary soil correction inputs and the right fertilizers. This means you can treat the soil with lime and gypsum for example, even before the greenhouse is built, saving you time. Remember that lime needs several months to start reacting so the earlier the better! Manure and fertilizers should only be applied once the greenhouse is built, and these can be worked into the beds before planting.

No we don’t sell any farm inputs. We are 100% independent, which is why many farmers like to work with us. We are totally dedicated to soil and laboratory analysis and providing expert advice. Other companies carry out soil testing and also sell the fertilizers, which is a conflict of interest. 

No, this will results will suffice, but should be compared against irrigation guides (FAO) to check suitability for irrigation.

The recommendations we give for irrigation water suitability are general, and follow the international FAO guidelines. However, it should be noted that some crops are more salt sensitive than others.

Our recommendations are based on the soil from that particular field. Your neighbor may have grown different crops, applied different amounts of manure or may have different soils. There are many factors that will result in variation in fertility across a very small distance. It is extremely dangerous to use neighbor’s recommen-dations, as it could results in expensive mistakes, meaning you applying completely the wrong inputs and actually causing your soil fertility to swing out of balance, resulting in less production and more soil related problems. Invest in testing your own farm soils, you will never regret it.

The yield target you give us directly affects the fertilizer recommendations. Higher yield targets will require higher levels of nutrients, and therefore more fertilizer. It is therefore essential that you give us accurate yield targets for your crops in tons of produce per hectare (ha) (remember, yield /acre * 2.47 = yield/ ha)
To calculate a yield target for your farm or field, aim for above average yields, so crop yields will slowly increase over time. Keep a good production record of each field on the farm for at least five years. Some fields may produce more than others because of differences in soil quality and other factors. Adjust the past average to set a yield target. The practical range for a yield goal should be somewhere above average to near the maximum yield in the last 3 to 5 years. Two common methods for calcul-ating realistic yield targets are: 1) to add 10 to 30% to the recent average yield; 2) to take the average of the 3 highest yields in the last 5 consecutive years. Regardless of the method you employ it is important to be consistent from one year to the next.
If you give us a very high yield target that is not realistic under the current farming system or environment, you will end up wasting money on fertilizers if the yield target is not reached.
 

Soil testing kits are cheap, provided you use your kit more than once or twice and they will give you a very general indication of your soil pH and fertility status if that is all you want.
But in order to increase your crops yields, you need soil test results that are meaningful and can be interpreted into soil management and fertilizer recommendations which will really work.
The advantages of sending a soil sample to our centralized laboratory in sydney are:
The results are much more accurate – we are internationally accredited to carry out soil and water analysis. You will know your soil pH value within a tenth of a pH unit and your nutrient results will be accurate to within a few parts per million, meaning more accurate recommendations.
Your soil sample will be handled by our professional staff of technicians who run these types of samples every workday.
You will receive recommendations specific for whatever type crop you want to grow. The recommendations are based on the latest research, and based on our 15 years of experience.
If you need further assistance, a TOPSEEN agent can give you follow-up advice. If you use a kit, it will be very difficult for the agent to help with interpretation since the kits use different extractants and interpretation values.
You will have more time to focus on being a better farmer, whilst leaving soil testing to the professionals.