Regenerating Native Pastures with Soil Biology

A low-cost trial shows promising improvements in pasture growth and quality

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Summary

Can a simple biological treatment improve native pastures while building healthier soils?

A demonstration trial in Central Queensland suggests the answer is yes.

Following applications of Bio-Booster, Liquid Sea Minerals and Humic Acid, treated pasture has consistently shown stronger growth than untreated areas. Leaf Brix readings have also increased, indicating healthier plants with higher sugar levels. Seeded chicory has developed into noticeably larger plants with more vigorous flowering.

A second demonstration on a neighbouring property has also produced encouraging results, with the grazier reporting substantially more dry matter following mulching.

While the trial is continuing, early observations support the idea that stimulating soil biology can naturally improve pasture productivity while helping build long-term soil carbon.

Why This Trial Was Started

Healthy grazing land depends on healthy soil.

The aim of this demonstration was to show what happens when the soil's natural biology is stimulated rather than relying solely on conventional fertiliser inputs.

Previous experience had already suggested what might be possible. A nearby regenerative grazing case study documented a remarkable increase in carrying capacity—from 30 steers in 2000 to 90 steers in 2020—while soil condition and pasture quality continued to improve.

This trial seeks to demonstrate similar biological processes on a smaller scale.

What Is Bio-Booster?

Bio-Booster is a living microbial brew containing a wide diversity of beneficial local soil organisms.

To support these microbes, the brew is applied together with:

• Liquid Sea Minerals
• Humic Acid

Together, these materials encourage the natural biological processes that build soil organic matter and soil carbon.

One of the greatest advantages of the system is its simplicity.

The biological brew can be produced on-farm in around five days, making it an inexpensive option for graziers wanting to improve pasture productivity.

Previous trials in soybeans, macadamias and other crops have also produced encouraging results.

From Workshop to Paddock

Following a practical workshop in November 2021, participants learned how to:

• build their own application equipment
• establish a worm farm
• prepare the microbial starter culture
• brew Bio-Booster
• apply the treatment correctly

The pasture trial was established on 18 February 2022.

Before application, the biological brew was examined under the microscope to confirm that healthy populations of beneficial microorganisms were present.

Permanent pasture measuring sites were then installed to monitor changes over time.

Trial Design

The treatment consisted of:

• Bio-Booster: 100 L/ha
• Liquid Sea Minerals: 5 L/ha
• Humic Acid: 15 L/ha

Two properties participated.

Robbie Pocock treated part of a 2.5-hectare paddock while Peter Brady established a second demonstration area on a neighbouring property.

Both treated and untreated control areas were ripped to ensure that any differences observed resulted from the biological treatment rather than cultivation alone.

To improve pasture diversity, Robbie also sowed several additional pasture species, including chicory (Cichorium intybus), in both treated and untreated areas.

Livestock were excluded from all trial sites to allow the new pasture species to establish and produce seed.

Early Observations

7 June 2022

Robbie and Glynis Pocock observed noticeably denser pasture near ground level in the treated areas compared with the untreated controls.

29 June 2022

Approximately 140 days after establishment

Trevor Galletly, Peter Brady and Robbie Pocock carried out detailed pasture assessments and Brix measurements.

Several encouraging differences were recorded.

The chicory growing in the treated area also appeared noticeably larger, with broader leaves and stronger flowering than plants in the untreated area.

Several of the other sown pasture species had also begun establishing.

Why Brix Matters

Leaf Brix measures the concentration of dissolved sugars within plant sap.

Higher Brix readings generally indicate:

• stronger photosynthesis
• improved nutrient uptake
• healthier plants
• greater nutritional value for livestock
• increased resilience to environmental stress

Although ideal Brix levels vary between plant species, higher readings are generally regarded as a positive indicator of plant health.

More Dry Matter Means More Feed

One of the most significant observations was the increased pasture height in treated areas.

Pasture measurement tables suggest that an increase of around 10 centimetres can represent approximately 3,000 kg of dry matter per hectare.

To appreciate what this means:

• A mature 600 kg cow typically consumes around 18 kg of dry matter each day.
• Assuming around half of the pasture is trampled or otherwise unavailable, the additional usable feed still amounts to approximately 1,500 kg per hectare.

That represents roughly:

• 83 additional grazing days for one mature cow, or
• around five months of grazing for a growing heifer.

The uneaten pasture is equally valuable.

As plant residues break down, they feed earthworms and soil microorganisms, helping increase soil organic matter and build additional soil carbon for future pasture growth.

A Surprisingly Affordable Treatment

One of the most attractive aspects of this system is its low cost.

Approximate costs for treating one hectare are:

Most farms already have suitable application equipment, keeping establishment costs relatively low.

What the Trial Is Showing

Across three inspections, the treated paddocks consistently produced more vigorous pasture than the untreated controls.

The observed improvements include:

• increased pasture growth
• denser pasture at ground level
• higher Brix readings
• larger chicory plants
• greater flowering
• increased dry matter production
• encouraging improvements on a second demonstration property

Although the trial is continuing, the results are consistent with earlier work in macadamias, soybeans and other crops where stimulating soil biology has improved plant performance.

Conclusion

Healthy soil biology is the engine that drives productive grazing systems.

This demonstration indicates that encouraging beneficial microorganisms with Bio-Booster, Liquid Sea Minerals and Humic Acid can improve pasture growth naturally while helping build soil carbon and long-term soil fertility.

The treatment is inexpensive, can be produced on-farm and has already delivered measurable improvements in pasture growth and plant health.

As additional paddocks are treated over time, the cumulative benefits may allow graziers to gradually increase carrying capacity while improving the resilience and biological health of their soils.

The trial is ongoing, but the early results suggest that working with nature may be one of the most profitable investments a grazier can make.