Paddock Scale

Crop performance often varies across a paddock, even when it appears fairly uniform from the surface. Much of that variation comes down to differences in soil. This demonstration explores how soils change across a single paddock, and how those differences influence crop growth and yield.

Start by looking at the paddock model. You can view the paddock in its normal aerial view, or switch to the elevation layer to see how the landscape rises and falls. Within this paddock we’ve excavated three soil pits representing common soil positions in the Mallee landscape — a sand dune, a mid-slope soil and a heavier flat.

Step into each pit using the 360-degree views and examine the soil profile from top to bottom.
Short videos explain the key soil constraints identified through soil testing, including soil texture, nutrient availability, salinity, boron levels and soil strength. These constraints are presented side-by-side across the three pits so you can clearly see how soil conditions change from the dune, through the mid-slope, to the heavy flat. We also discuss how these soil properties influence root growth, water storage and ultimately crop yield across the paddock.
By comparing the dune, mid-slope and heavy flat soils, you’ll see how soil formation across the landscape creates predictable zones of productivity and limitation.

In the final section we bring these observations together and discuss practical considerations for managing soil variability within paddocks.

Interact with the 3D field or visit the three soil pits in 360

Across the Mallee landscape, soils change from sandy dunes through mid-slopes to heavier flats. As rainfall moves through the soil it carries salts, carbonates and fine particles downslope. Over time this creates different soil roles across the landscape, influencing water supply, root growth and crop performance across the paddock.

To better understand how these soils differ, the three pits are shown side-by-side. This allows key soil properties such as texture, clay content, organic carbon, cation exchange capacity and pH to be compared across the dune, mid-slope and heavy flat.

These comparisons show how key soil constraints change across the landscape. By viewing the dune, mid-slope and heavy flat side-by-side, you can see how soil texture, nutrients, salinity, boron and soil strength vary within a single paddock and influence crop performance.

Across this paddock, soil properties change systematically down the landscape. Sandy dunes lose water and nutrients quickly, mid-slope soils provide the best balance of water supply and root access, and heavier flats often contain salts and structural limitations that restrict crop growth. These differences explain the consistent patterns observed in crop biomass and yield across the paddock.

Understanding how soils change across the landscape helps explain crop performance and supports better paddock-scale management decisions.

Dune — limited by water and nutrient supply |  Mid-slope — best balance of water, nutrients and root access | Heavy flat  — water present, but root access restricted.