Soil and plant health benefits from using compost: A long-term case study on Baldivis Farms

This case study by the Soil Wealth and Integrated Crop Protection project provides a unique long-term grower perspective on using compost on a commercial vegetable farm.

Have you ever wondered what the potential benefits to soil and plant health are from using compost? Thinking about using compost? Need to know the questions to ask a supplier of compost? 

Learn more from Sam Calameri of Baldivis Farms in Western Australia who started trialling compost on-farm more than 10 years ago.

Key benefits of using compost at Baldivis Farms include:

• Organic matter in the soil has doubled

• Improved soil structure

• No fumigant used on composted areas

• Reduction in fertiliser use by 10%

• Increase in yield of carrots by 30%

• Reduction in sandblasting of young seedlings

• More uniform crops in cauliflower, carrot and potatoes

• Growing beds are more stable and don’t erode

• Easier to drive tractors on compost treated areas