Testimonial

Jason Thomas of ST Growers has been working with Miles Pope of Soil Conditioner Products for 20 years.

“No one can match Miles in terms of the quality of his product and his knowledge,” Jason says.   

In the years they’ve been working together, Miles has developed an intimate knowledge of ST Growers’ soil requirements.  His tailored soil mixes are ordered six months in advance, and delivered to ST Growers in time for the next season.

As potato and onion farmers, ST Growers utilise the full Soilpro range – biochar, fine lime, poultry manure and composted soil conditioning mixes.

Like many of Miles’ clients, ST Growers’ requirements are specific.  The soil mixes need to be of a consistently high quality year on year, with none of the plastic particles that can be found in mixes from household composting businesses.  When a farm needs large volumes – around 3,000 tonne of products per year - this is no easy ask.

“Working with Miles, we know we’ll get the right product and the right mix with no shortcuts,” Jason says.  “We trust Miles completely.”

Reduced fertiliser usage

“We’ve cut our chemical fertiliser use by 40-50% per year,” Jason says.

He attributes excess fertiliser usage to poor soil health - an outcome detrimental to to the environment, and which can increase business costs.

Improved soil structure

“In the past, we’d try to correct our soil structure with lime or we’d move the soil, or level a paddock. Now, we’re finding a big dump of organic matter will settle the soil,” Jason says.

The soil is easier to prepare and cultivate, and time that was once spent preparing the soil can now be used for other purposes.

Decreased water consumption - and costs

“As soon as you start building organic matter in your soil, your water retention is way better,” Jason says. 

“We start irrigating much later than other farmers – it could be three weeks later, which makes a massive difference in draught conditions.”

Reduced reliance on machinery

“We have over 800 hectares of land, so every pass is pretty expensive,” Jason says.

With improved soil quality, there isn’t the need to rely on heavy machinery to prepare the soil, resulting in fuel savings, reduced machinery costs and better outcomes for the environment.

 “An alternative tool that works.”

- Jason Thomas, ST Growers

“Miles’ products tick the environmental and sustainability goals, and are also commercially viable.  Our costs are offset by savings in fertiliser, and now we have more sustainable soil.”

Using Miles’ Soil Conditioner Products range has changed the way ST Growers farm - for the better. 

“We’ll leave our land in good hands for the generations to come,” Jason says.