The wording in the source

Timing

• Soil must be sampled and tested, at a minimum, within the 12 months prior to fertiliser being applied to the first crop of a crop cycle.

  Prescribed methodology, Part A, How often do soil tests need to be taken?

• Areas that have been fertilised or had ameliorants applied should not be sampled for a minimum of six months following application.

  Prescribed methodology, Part A, Step 2.1

Method

• select a block of average productivity that you consider is representative of the rest of the plant blocks in the group.

  Prescribed methodology, Part A, Step 1.4.1

• separate soil samples must be taken from blocks that represent those that have (a) received and (b) not received previous applications of mill by-products.

  Prescribed methodology, Part A, Step 1.3

• Where it is possible to apply nutrients at different rates within a block based on soil type differences (i.e. with the use of a variable rate applicator), at least 20 soil cores should be obtained from each soil type to form separate composite samples that represent each individual soil type

  Prescribed methodology, Part A, Step 1.4.2

Depth

• Take soil cores with an auger or soil tube from the surface of the soil to a depth of 20 centimetres.

  Prescribed methodology, Part A, Stage 2

• Cores of soil should be taken from the shoulder of the cane row, about midway between the centre of the cane row and the centre of the inter-row, down to a depth of 20 cm from the surface, using a soil sampling tool.

  Prescribed methodology, Part A, Step 2.1

Cores

• For a representative block or area smaller than 15 hectares, at least 20 core soil samples need to be taken and mixed together to form the composite sample sent for testing.

  Prescribed methodology, Part A, Step 1.4.3

• To sample a representative area or block greater than 15 hectares, at least 40 core sites must be selected in total.

  Prescribed methodology, Part A, Step 1.4.3

Who it applies to

• The agricultural ERA standard for sugarcane cultivation provides the minimum standard conditions for an agricultural ERA of carrying out, on a commercial basis on land in the Great Barrier Reef Catchment, cultivation of sugarcane.

  Sugarcane ERA standard, page 1, opening paragraph

• This agricultural ERA standard, including the standard conditions, applies to all persons carrying out sugarcane cultivation of land in the Great Barrier Reef catchment.

  Sugarcane ERA standard, section 1

• Soil testing and analysis must be carried out within the 12 months prior to fertiliser being applied to: a) a new plant cane crop; or b) a new cane crop cycle if no fertiliser is applied to the plant crop, in accordance with the administering authority’s latest version of ‘Prescribed Methodology for Sugarcane Cultivation’.

  Sugarcane ERA standard, condition SC6

• the methodology for the matter stated in the document called ‘Prescribed methodology for sugarcane cultivation – version 2’ published on the department’s website

  Environmental Protection Regulation 2019, section 24(2)

Laboratory and analysis

• Means a test of the characteristics of soil, analysed by a National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) or Australasian Soil and Plant Analysis Council (ASPAC) accredited laboratory, or one holding an equivalent certification.

  Sugarcane ERA standard, definitions, Soil testing

• Organic Carbon (OC) uncorrected Walkley Black (Method 6A1)

  Prescribed methodology, Part A, Step 3.1, item 1

• BSES (acid) extractable P (Method 9G2 or 9G1)

  Prescribed methodology, Part A, Step 3.1, item 2

• P buffer index (PBI) adjusted to Colwell extractable P (Method 9I2)

  Prescribed methodology, Part A, Step 3.1, item 3

• pH (1:5 water) (Method 4A1) if using Colwell extractable P (Method 9B1 or 9B2)

  Prescribed methodology, Part A, Step 3.1, item 4

Field identifiers

• The records below must be made within three (3) business days, kept for at least six (6) years and made available for inspection to an authorised person upon request.

  Sugarcane ERA standard, Appendix 2

• Date of soil testing and a description of the location and the dominant soil type sampled

  Sugarcane ERA standard, Appendix 2, record 3

• Map of the boundaries of blocks or management zones where: a. Soil sampling has been undertaken

  Sugarcane ERA standard, Appendix 2, record 4

• A soil map showing the dominant soil types covering the blocks or management zones where samples were taken

  Sugarcane ERA standard, Appendix 2, record 5

In force

• All standard conditions (except SC10-12, SC20-22) | Sugarcane cultivation in the Great Barrier Reef catchment that requires an environmental authority for a prescribed ERA in schedule 2, section 13A of the Environmental Protection Regulation 2019 (new cropping and horticulture) | Upon commencement of the environmental authority. SC1-8, SC10, SC12-19 and SC21 | Sugarcane cultivation in the Wet Tropics, Burdekin and Mackay Whitsunday regions within the Great Barrier Reef catchment | 1 December 2019. SC1-8, SC11-19, SC22 | Sugarcane cultivation in the Fitzroy and Burnett Mary regions within the Great Barrier Reef catchment | 1 December 2022*

  Sugarcane ERA standard, section 2, take effect table (table, transcribed)

The wording in the source

Timing

• Timing: Ideally in late summer or early autumn (before fertiliser application), or pre-sowing.

  When to sample?

• Consistency: Sample the same time of year each cycle for comparison.

  When to sample?

• Avoid: Sampling after recent fertiliser, compost, or manure application.

  When to sample?

Method

• Sample separately by soil type, crop history, yield, or problem areas.

  Step 1, Divide paddocks into zones

• Take 15–20 cores in a zigzag pattern across each sampling zone.

  Step 2

Depth

• Soil corer or auger (ideally 0–10 cm for standard tests)

  What you will need

• Option 2: According to soil horizons (e.g., 0–10, 10–30, 30–60 cm), especially if investigating subsoil constraints like acidity, salinity, or sodicity.

  Step 2

• Do not mix samples from multiple layers. Each layer will have a composite sample.

  Step 3, Mix and subsample

• Use a consistent depth: Option 1: 0–5 cm or 0–10 cm across all sites.

  Step 2

Cores

• Take 15–20 cores in a zigzag pattern across each sampling zone.

  Step 2

Field identifiers

• Include paddock name, depth, date, and sample ID.

  Step 4, Label clearly

• Record GPS location, sample depth, date, and observations (soil colour, structure, crop condition).

  Tip: keep records

The wording in the source

Timing

• Make sure you sample at the same time every year, preferably when you can be sure that the soil moisture will be the same, as differences in soil moisture can affect the results.

  Soil Sampling Procedure

• The preferred time is usually spring or late winter.

  Soil Sampling Procedure

Method

• There are a number of different sampling patterns that can be used to give reliable results for soil testing, including sampling a zig zag pattern across a paddock, walking a circle around a paddock, or randomly sampling a small area which is typical of the paddock.

  Soil Sampling Procedure

• To return to the same place each time, establish defined transects across every paddock, and mark them using GPS and by painting fence posts.

  Soil Sampling Procedure

• If the paddock is made up of large areas with different characteristics then these areas should be sampled separately.

  Soil Sampling Procedure

Depth

• Sample to the same depth every time the paddock is sampled (150 mm is standard for cropping, and should be used even during pasture rotations; 75 mm is standard for pasture).

  Soil Sampling Procedure

Cores

• For a standard paddock (approximately 20 ha) at least 50 individual cores should be collected.

  Soil Sampling Procedure

• As paddock size increases, so should the number of cores (e.g. for an 80 ha paddock you should collect at least 100 cores).

  Soil Sampling Procedure

Laboratory and analysis

• Ask whether the lab you are using is accredited for the tests that you want done.

  Soil Sampling Procedure

• The lab should have National Association of Testing Authorities Australia (NATA) and/or Australasian Soil and Plant Analysis Council Inc. (ASPAC) accreditation.

  Soil Sampling Procedure