A new online tool is available to assist grain growers make informed decisions about the cost of investing in deep ripping to boost paddock nitrogen efficiency in the face of fertiliser and fuel challenges.
The EasyDiesel Calculator was developed by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) with co-investment from the Grains Research and Development Corporation as part of the Soil Water and Nutrition (SWAN) strategic collaboration.
DPIRD principal research scientist Wayne Parker said the easy to use tool would help growers understand the likely return from deep ripping.
“Deep ripping ahead of sowing canola and wheat crops have shown to produce some really good yield responses, in addition to driving water use efficiencies,” he said.
“The EasyDiesel Calculator is a flexible tool to help growers put the fuel price into context and prioritise paddocks where they will get the highest return before spending any money.”
Growers can choose for a ‘quick’ or ‘full’ analysis from the calculator by adjusting the fuel price, grain price and expected yield response to determine the break event point and assess whether deep ripping is a worthwhile investment.
The tool is designed for first year yield responses, helping growers to make practical in-season decisions about where to allocate limited fuel and optimise profitability in 2026.
Mr Parker said it was important to note that the fuel cost increase corresponded to depth when deep ripping.
“As a rough rule of thumb, double the depth, double the fuel use per hectare,” he said.
“With the cost of deep ripping running between $80 to $90 per hectare, the challenge is to make the most of every drop of diesel.”
With recent rainfall in some areas, soil profile conditions are suitable for deep ripping to 450 to 550 millimetres to break the compaction layer – allowing roots to access moisture and nutrients – increasing nitrogen uptake efficiency.
DPIRD research shows average nitrogen uptake efficiency increases of 65 per cent in deep ripped conditions compared to nil ripping.
“By accessing mineralised nitrogen from crop remnant, growers may be able to re-assess fertiliser inputs – dependant on soil type and weather conditions,” Mr Parker said.
“Growers considering deep ripping as part of a nitrogen fertiliser strategy are encouraged to discuss plans with their agronomist and fertiliser representative.”
To learn more about the EasyDiesel calculator and deep ripping to access soil nitrogen listen to the DPIRD’s Grains Convo podcast, available on Spotify and iTunes or the department website.
The free EasyDiesel Calculator is available on the SoilsWest Soil Quality Knowledgebase webpage.
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