Bio Gro Agri News

Five Ways to Improve Agricultural Soil Health with Organic Compost

liam@biogro.com.au (Liam Van Schaik) — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 23:10:27 GMT

Healthy soils are the foundation of productive, resilient farming systems. In regenerative agriculture, soil is not viewed as a passive growing medium, but as a living ecosystem that stores carbon, cycles nutrients, manages moisture, and supports plant health over the long term.

However, many Australian agricultural soils have experienced long-term declines in organic matter due to continuous cropping, intensive grazing, erosion, compaction, and limited residue return. When soil function declines, productivity becomes more variable, input costs rise, and resilience to climate extremes declines.

Organic compost is one of the most practical and proven tools available to rebuild soil function. When used strategically, high-quality compost improves chemical, physical and biological soil health. This supports both immediate productivity and long-term system resilience.

This article covers five key ways organic compost improves agricultural soil health, and what those improvements mean at the paddock scale.

1. Increases Soil Organic Carbon (SOC)

Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) underpins nearly every measure of healthy soil. It influences nutrient cycling, water retention, aggregate stability, and biological activity. While not all organic inputs deliver lasting carbon benefits, quality compost contains stabilised organic matter that contributes to long-term SOC stocks.

In regenerative systems, increasing SOC is about building capacity, not chasing a single number. Compost helps replenish carbon lost through cultivation, erosion, or low biomass return.

Key advantages for growers:

Builds long-term soil fertility reserves rather than short-term responses
Improves cation exchange capacity (CEC), helping soils retain essential nutrients such as calcium, potassium and magnesium
Supports carbon accumulation in degraded and low-organic-matter soils
Increases resilience in continuously cropped or intensively managed systems.

As SOC increases, soils become more buffered against stress, reducing yield volatility across seasons.

2. Improves Soil Structure and Aggregation

Soil structure determines how well roots, water and air can move through the soil profile. Poor structure limits root development, increases water runoff and erosion, and reduces nutrient access. Organic compost supports aggregation by adding organic compounds that bind soil particles into stable aggregates.

Improved aggregation creates a balance between large pores (for drainage and aeration) and smaller pores (for water storage), resulting in soils that are easier to manage and more resilient to traffic and weather events.

Key advantages for growers:

Improves root exploration and depth, increasing access to water and nutrients
Reduces surface crusting and sealing after rainfall
Improves trafficability and workability in both cropping and grazing systems
Reduces compaction
Supports resilience to heavy livestock traffic and machinery

Better structure supports more uniform crop emergence and stronger root systems, particularly in heavier or previously compacted soils.

3. Enhances Moisture Holding Capacity and Infiltration

In many farming regions, water availability is the primary yield constraint. Compost improves how soil captures, stores and distributes moisture, effectively increasing the value of every millimetre of rainfall.

By improving aggregation and organic matter content, compost increases infiltration during rainfall events and reduces surface runoff. It also improves the soil’s ability to retain moisture in plant-available forms between rainfalls.

Key advantages for growers:

Increases plant-available moisture-holding capacity
Improves rainfall infiltration and reduces runoff and erosion
Enhances drought resilience in dryland farming systems
Supports more consistent crop and pasture growth during variable seasons.

In regenerative systems, compost works best alongside stubble retention, reduced disturbance and maintained groundcover to maximise rainfall efficiency.

4. Supplies Slow-Release Nutrients

Compost provides a broad spectrum of macro and micronutrients held in organic and mineral forms. Unlike highly soluble fertilisers, nutrients in compost are released gradually as soil biology mineralises organic matter, more closely aligning nutrient supply with plant demand.

Compost should not be viewed as a direct, one-for-one replacement for fertiliser. Its greatest value lies in improving nutrient efficiency, reducing losses and complementing existing nutrient programs.

Key advantages for growers:

Provides a steady nutrient supply throughout the growing season
Reduces nutrient losses through leaching and volatilisation
Supplies trace elements that are often missing from conventional fertiliser programs
Improves synchronisation between nutrient availability and crop uptake.

Over time, healthier soils require nutrients to be “pushed” less aggressively, as biological cycling and storage capacity improve.

5. Stimulates Soil Biological Activity

Soil biology drives decomposition, nutrient cycling, aggregate formation, and disease suppression. Compost introduces organic substrates that fuel beneficial microbes, supporting a more diverse and active soil ecosystem.

As biological activity increases, soils become more self-regulating. They adapt more quickly to changes in moisture, temperature and plant demand.

Key advantages for growers:

Accelerates the breakdown of crop residues into stable organic matter
Improves natural nutrient mineralisation processes
Enhances beneficial relationships between microbes and plant roots
Increases overall soil ecosystem function and resilience.

This biological lift creates a positive feedback loop: healthier biology supports better plant growth, which increases root exudates* that further feed microbial communities.

* Exudates are carbon-rich compounds released by plant roots that feed soil microbes, drive nutrient cycling, improve soil structure and power regenerative soil systems.

Making Compost Work in Regenerative Systems

To maximise benefits, compost should be implemented as part of a broader soil health strategy.

Best-practice considerations include:

Establishing a soil health baseline through testing
Using mature, consistent, high-quality compost
Targeting constrained paddocks or management zones first
Integrating compost with reduced disturbance, groundcover and diverse rotations
Monitoring soil condition, infiltration, crop uniformity and nutrient efficiency over time.

The Bottom Line

Organic compost improves agricultural soil health by rebuilding carbon, restoring soil structure, improving water dynamics, supplying balanced nutrition, and activating biological processes that drive regeneration.

Rather than delivering a short-term yield spike, compost builds soil capacity, supporting more resilient, productive, and efficient farming systems over the long term.

For growers focused on soil health and regenerative outcomes, compost is one of the most reliable tools available to shift soil performance in the right direction, season after season.

Bio Gro Products and Solutions

Bio Gro is a family-owned Australian leader in organic soil improvement with a local footprint across Southern South Australia and Western Victoria. We’ve been delivering regenerative outcomes for over 50 years.

Our agricultural products and services have been developed to help farmers increase the productivity and resilience of their land. AgriGro is a range of carefully processed, high-quality composts and organic formulations that improve soil structure, biology, moisture retention and nutrient efficiency.

Bio Gro’s supply reliability and price stability, along with delivery and spreading services, make Bio Gro a valuable partner for agricultural producers. Contact us to learn more about how we can help your farming operation.

Introducing the Bio Gro Agricultural Products Team

liam@biogro.com.au (Liam Van Schaik) — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 23:36:52 GMT

Soil First, Future Focused

At Van Schaik’s Bio Gro, our core purpose is to help agricultural producers create healthier soil for a better tomorrow.

With facilities at Mount Gambier and Wandilo in South Australia, and Dandenong South and Newbridge in Victoria, we’re proud to provide local service and locally produced organic amendments to growers across both states.

We’re excited to introduce our agricultural team, which works directly with producers, agronomists, and rural resellers. Liam Van Schaik, Ismail Naim and Jayde Farrugia are focused on delivering practical advice, reliable products and support on the ground.

A Strong Local Foundation

The team is led by Liam Van Schaik, a third-generation member of the Bio Gro family.

Born and raised in Mount Gambier, Liam works closely with livestock, broadacre and horticultural producers to develop practical compost and soil-improvement programs suited to local conditions. From production through to spreading, Liam helps ensure growers receive consistent product quality and dependable service from start to finish.

Supporting Better Soil Through Research and Sustainability

Jayde Farrugia joins Bio Gro as Agricultural Research and Sustainability Officer, supporting on-farm trials, product development and sustainability initiatives.

Jayde works to ensure Bio Gro’s products continue to deliver measurable improvements in soil structure, biology and long-term productivity, while also helping customers meet increasing environmental and market expectations around sustainable farming practices.

Strengthening Agronomic Support for Growers

Ismail Naim brings experience across both broadacre and horticulture, with a strong background in fertiliser manufacturing, distribution and practical agronomy.

Working directly with producers and resellers, Ismail supports customers in selecting and applying organic products effectively, ensuring compost and soil amendments are integrated into broader nutrient and soil-health programs to maximise return on investment.

Local People, Practical Support

Bio Gro Managing Director Stephen Van Schaik says strengthening the agricultural team reflects the company’s long-term commitment to local producers. “Investing in skilled people is one of the most important ways we can support the long-term success of our customers and the sustainability of the industries we work with. Our focus has always been on improving soils and supporting productive, resilient farming systems. Expanding our team allows us to deepen that commitment and provide even greater support on the ground.”

What This Means for Growers and Resellers

For producers and agricultural suppliers, a larger team means that Bio Gro now offers more on-farm support and technical advice
• Continued development of locally produced high-quality organic products
• Faster response times and stronger customer service
• Ongoing research to improve soil performance and long-term farm productivity.

With a team based locally and focused on practical outcomes, Bio Gro remains committed to helping regional agriculture build healthier soils and more resilient farming systems for the future.

Get in touch with the Bio Gro Agricultural Products Team.

Farm productivity and resilience: How organic soil amendments repair soils and build resilience

liam@biogro.com.au (Liam Van Schaik) — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 21:24:09 GMT

Across Southeastern South Australia and Western Victoria, today’s growers face many challenges. There are intense rainfall events followed by longer dry spells, and ongoing pressure to keep soils productive year after year. In this context, soil amendments, including high-quality composts and blended compost formulations, are increasingly used to repair agricultural soils.

Organic amendments are not a quick fix or a guaranteed way to boost yields. Instead, they offer a practical, proven way to rebuild the foundations that underpin productivity and drought resilience.

Importantly, organic amendments don’t need to replace conventional programs. In fact, many of the best results are achieved when used in conjunction with traditional fertilisers. This approach combines targeted nutrient delivery with long-term improvements in soil health.

This article explains how soil amendments enhance farm productivity and drought resilience.

Productivity: repairing the drivers of consistent performance

Soil biology revival: feeding the nutrient cycling engine

Healthy soils are living systems. Soil amendments add carbon and organic matter that support soil microbes and soil food ecosystems. They can improve nutrient cycling, soil aggregation, and overall soil health over time. In practice, this helps crops and pastures access nutrients more efficiently and helps maintain more even nutrient levels. This is especially true where soils have been depleted or contain low organic matter.

Biology-led gains are usually time-dependent and influenced by soil type, rainfall, management, and amendment quality. So the primary goal of organic soil amendment is to improve the reliability and reduce the variability of nutrient cycling.

Soil structure and root growth: improving what roots can reach

A significant productivity constraint in many paddocks is not a lack of targeted nutrients but rather restricted root exploration caused by compaction, poor aggregation, crusting, or an unstable structure. Soil amendments are commonly associated with improved aggregation and soil structure. Microbes generate biological glues that help bind soil particles into more stable aggregates. A better structure supports pore space, aeration, and infiltration pathways, allowing roots to penetrate deeper and function more effectively.

Long-lasting nutrition: slow-release supply and better nutrient holding

Compost and blended organic amendments provide a wide range of nutrients, but their most significant value often lies in their ability to help soils hold and cycle nutrients. Soil organic matter influences nutrient retention (including cation exchange capacity), buffering and nutrient availability over time.

Compost provides gradual nutrient release while also improving soil structure and biology, supporting a strategic, long-term soil improvement program rather than acting as a quick fix.

Drought resilience: storing more moisture, capturing rainfall better, and protecting topsoil

Moisture-holding capacity: increasing plant-available water

Soils with higher organic matter tend to act more like a sponge, holding more water and releasing it more steadily to plants. Compost is often discussed as a means to enhance water-holding capacity, though outcomes depend on compost quality and its application.

Infiltration: getting rain into the soil profile

Organic amendments can enhance infiltration by supporting aggregation and pore continuity, thereby reducing sealing and runoff during heavy rainfall. Drought buffering begins with improved infiltration, which increases the likelihood that rainfall is retained as soil moisture rather than lost as runoff or evaporation.

Erosion control: keeping your most valuable asset where it belongs

Topsoil is where most of the biology, carbon, and nutrients are concentrated, so erosion is a direct hit to both productivity and resilience. Improved soil structure reduces the potential for erosion, while better groundcover and surface protection can reduce rainfall impact and runoff energy.

Soil amendments or traditional fertilisers? Both is often the answer

A common misconception is that growers must choose between soil amendments and synthetic fertiliser. Evidence increasingly frames the answer as both, because they do different jobs.

Traditional fertilisers are precise and fast for targeting specific nutrient gaps. At the same time, compost and soil amendments improve the soil’s physical and biological capacity to hold water and cycle nutrients - benefits that fertilisers can’t deliver on their own.

A practical way to think about it:

Use synthetic fertilisers to target nutrient deficiencies.
Use organic amendments to rebuild soil function (structure, biology, water dynamics), and apply slow-release maintenance nutrition, to make the nutrient program more efficient and resilient over time.

How soil amendments benefit South Australian soils

Agricultural soil profiles are often constrained by limited moisture-holding capacity and low nutrient retention, making them more sensitive to dry finishes and leaching. This inhibits productivity and reduces the land’s resilience to dry periods. Alternatively, they may have strong nutrient-holding potential but can be limited by compaction, poor infiltration, waterlogging risk, or structural instability.

Soil amendments bring many benefits to the productivity and resilience of the land across various soil and climate types, as well as to the crops and pastures grown in them.

Biology revival: Organic inputs provide carbon that supports microbial activity and nutrient cycling in low-carbon sands.
Nutrient efficiency: Integrating compost with fertiliser can improve nutrient retention and availability throughout the season.
Longer-lasting nutrition: Organic matter can improve nutrient-holding capacity, helping reduce nutrient loss pathways and supporting steadier nutrient availability.
Structure and trafficability: Organic matter can improve aggregation and pore space, supporting rooting, aeration, and workability.
Root zone improvement: Compost contributes to aggregation and improved pore structure, which can support more effective rooting and nutrient interception. An improved structure can also reduce mechanical resistance, enabling deeper root exploration.
Infiltration: Improved aggregation and surface condition help rainfall enter the soil rather than running off.
Moisture retention: Compost is often used to improve moisture-holding capacity in drought-prone soils, particularly when applied consistently over time.
Erosion control: Stable aggregates and protected surfaces reduce erosion risk during heavy rainfall and protect against wind erosion on exposed sandy surfaces.

Bio Gro soil amendments (what growers often choose)

AgriGro (100% compost) is a vital base amendment that builds organic matter and soil function over time through gradual nutrient release and structure/biology benefits.
AgriGro+ 30p (70% compost + 30% pig manure) adds processed pig manure to deliver controlled, rate-dependent nutrition, improving soil structure and fertility.
AgriGro+ 30c (70% compost + 30% chook manure) adds chook manure to deliver fast, nitrogen-rich nutrition. It improves soil structure, microbial activity and crop performance.
GroBalance (70% Compost + 30% Ag Lime) is an amendment formulation that combines high-quality compost and agricultural lime to correct soil pH and enhance nutrient availability in acidic soils.
GroBooster (70% Compost + 30% Gypsum) adds gypsum to improve soil structure, aggregation, and chemical balance.
AgriGro Custom (tailored compost-based formulation) is produced to order according to agronomic testing and analysis.

How Bio Gro helps

Bio Gro’s agricultural products and services are built around helping producers create healthier land for a better tomorrow. We call it: Soil First. Future Focused. In practical terms, our role for growers is defined by four key points:

Local support
Bio Gro works closely with producers and growers of all types across Southeastern South Australia and Central and Western Victoria. We’re a family-owned business that’s part of your local communities.

Quality and consistency
Bio Gro compost complies with Australian Standard AS4454, reflecting a focus on product safety, maturity and consistency, so growers know what they’re getting, season after season.

A fit-for-purpose agricultural product range
The soil amendment range includes AgriGro 100% compost and a range of amendment formulations developed to target specific soil improvement needs. AgriGro Custom provides formulations tailored to unique land and production requirements.

Service and support that make adoption easier
Bio Gro provides technical support to farmers and agronomists, including specialist agronomist support and ongoing product development based on real-world experience. Delivery and spreading services integrate organic amendments into existing farming systems without adding unnecessary operational burden.

Better soil function and more resilient farming results

Organic amendments are best viewed as a long-term soil management strategy to support productivity and resilience. They are used to rebuild soil biology, enhance structure, strengthen nutrient cycling, and help store rainfall as soil moisture. Outcomes depend on the rate, timing, and specific context.

The most practical approach is often organic amendments + targeted fertiliser, guided by soil testing and local agronomy.

Getting started

Start with the constraint that costs you the most, such as water retention on sands, infiltration or structure on clays, or surface protection where erosion and evaporation are high. We’ll help you and your trusted agronomist to develop a program that suits your rotation, budget, and logistics.

Contact Bio Gro today for information, advice or a free consultation with one of our specialist agronomists.

Sources:

AgriGro Compost vs Single Super: Comparison Trial on Mixed Permanent Pasture

Jayde Farrugia — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 22:27:01 GMT

Trial Overview

This trial aims to compare plant responses to a single super application with those of a Bio Gro Agri-Gro compost. The application rates used were the area’s conventional super application rate and a compost application rate of the same economic value. Different rates of compost are also compared within the trial. The aim of this trial is to reduce the amount of phosphorus applied in a mixed permanent pasture by substituting single superphosphate with compost. The goal is for the compost to increase microbial activity in the ground, in doing so freeing previously unavailable phosphorus into the plant. Results showed that the compost samples showed a higher increase in pasture growth, increased minerals, as well as an increase in dry matter compared to single super. This Trial will continue in 2026, using a larger area to replicate this trial to increase the reliability, accuracy and validity of results.

AgriGro is a high-quality base compost designed for agricultural use.

Figure 1 (above): Image of Trial site, 10km out of Mount Gambier on the starting date of the trial (14/8/2025)

Purpose of Trial

Nitrogen is the most important element in the growth and production of plants in agricultural systems. Second to this is phosphorus. However, its complex relations with the soil make phosphorus fertilisers largely inefficient and cause growers to use large amounts to meet the plant’s needs.

Single super phosphate is a finite resource and very inefficient, particularly in calcareous soils, which are common in South Australia. Contrastingly, compost is a renewable resource, and despite relatively low levels of phosphorus, it offers other nutrients that single super does not, as well as microbial activity that may help cycling unavailable phosphorus from the soil to the plant.

This trial will examine the effects of substituting single superphosphate with compost on pasture growth and production.

Methodology

Trial Objectives

Compare plant responses from different products of the same economic value.
Assess how compost applications compare to conventional fertiliser inputs.

Location:

10km south-east of Mount Gambier, South Australia. (Figure 1)

Crop Type

Mixed permanent pasture

Timing

Start date: 14/08/2025
End date: 31/12/2025

Treatments

Control – No compost applied
Single Super Phosphate – Spread at 125kg/ha
AgriGro – Spread at 1.6t/ha
AgriGro Double Rate – Spread at 3.2t/ha
AgriGro Half Rate – Spread at 0.8t/ha

Measurements

Biomass – measured once, 6 weeks after application
Feed quality – test on 1.6t/ha compost and single super treatments only

Spreading cost

Conventional management in this area involves spreading 125kg of single super per hectare. Considering the cost of product, freight, and spreading, the cost of spreading 125kg of single super is the same as 1.6 t/ha of AgriGro compost.

Results

Figure 2: Graph comparing Product (X axis) to Dry Matter (Y axis)

All treatments increased pasture growth, except the half-rate compost treatment.
The single-rate application of compost increased pasture dry matter by 115kg/ha compared to the single super treatment.
The double rate of compost had 266kg/ha more dry matter than the half rate.
The compost applied at 3.2t/ha (double rate) was 35kg/ha less, and the 0.8t/ha (half rate) was 301kg/ha less than the compost spread at 1.6t/ha.
The double rate does not appear to be economically viable, but this may be due to differences in pasture composition in this small plot design.

	Single Super	Compost
Dry Matter	14.4%	14.6%
Crude Protein	23.0%	23.6%
ADF	23.8%	23.9%
NDF	47.9%	52.1%
Digestibility	63.2%	66.8%
ME	9.3 MJ/kg	9.9 MJ/kg
WSC	2.4%	1.3%
Fat	5.7%	5.5%
Ash	10.5%	9.8%

Table 1: Comparing Forage Quality Parameters in Single Super and Compost

Dry Matter, Crude Protein and ADF remain relatively stable in both treatments.
AgriGro compost has greater digestibility and ME than the single super sample. With both ME and digestibility increased, the feed conversion from pasture to livestock gains will be greater.
NDF is higher in the compost sample than in the single super sample. With a higher NDF, feed intake may be limited as livestock feel fuller from less feed. With better feed digestibility and higher ME content, animal performance should not be limited. Stock rate should increase.
WSC, fat, and ash appear to be higher in the single super sample than in the compost sample. Despite higher WSC and fat in the single super treatment, ME remains higher in the compost treatment.

This suggests that compost provides both valuable nutrients to the plant and enables more efficient nutrient uptake.

	Single Super (mg/kgDM)	Compost (mg/kgDM)
Calcium	7,600	6,600
Potassium	16,000	17,000
Magnesium	2,300	3,200
Sodium	3,700	5,400
Phosphorus	4,100	4,100
Sulphur	2,900	3,500

Table 2: Comparing Minerals in Single Super and Compost

Interestingly, single super did not increase phosphorus levels in the plant and had a lower sulphur result, despite being a phosphorus and sulphur fertiliser.
The compost sample shows higher levels of potassium, magnesium, sodium and sulphur. However, it does have lower levels of calcium.
The compost treatment having higher levels of these minerals in the pasture provides a more well-balanced feed for livestock.

Key Findings

Compost consistently delivers greater pasture growth than single super phosphate when both applied at an equivalent cost
Compost samples also showed an increase in minerals and dry matter in comparison to single super
Compost samples demonstrated a greater potential for improved livestock outcomes due to higher ME and NDF
Compost samples overall improved the quantity and quality of pasture compared to the single super treatment

Summary

AgriGro compost consistently delivers greater pasture growth than single super phosphate when both are applied at an equivalent cost. As rates increase, pasture production generally rises as well, which is evident in the half and double rate compost treatments. Although the comparable and double rates don’t follow a perfectly linear trend. Even so, compost still improves both the quantity and quality of pasture relative to single super. While these gains may appear small at the plot scale, they become far more significant when applied across an entire paddock, given that the cost of the product and its application is the same. A larger trial will now be undertaken in 2026, and its results will be compared with this initial study to strengthen confidence in these findings.

This trial was conducted on small plots, so while the findings are useful, larger plots will be needed to produce more conclusive results. There were clear differences in pasture composition between plots, which is important to consider when interpreting the data. The single super and comparable rate compost treatments showed similar pasture composition. The half- and double-rate compost treatments also aligned closely, while the control plots contained a mixture of both compost compositions. For this reason, comparisons will only be made between plots with similar pasture composition to ensure fair and accurate interpretation. All data was collected on 12.09.25, with pasture biomass measured using a Grass Master Pro and feed quality analysed by Agrifood Technology Feed Test.

Contact us to learn more about Bio Gro agricultural soil amendments and how they can benefit your land and farming operation.