Sturry Machinery operates a machinery development, manufacturing and leasing business. Sturry Machinery was born out of on-farm experience at Sturry Farms. Sturry Machinery is developing innovative technologies around soil, soil management and cropping systems.
The Deep Ripping & Optimal Placement System (DROPS) represents an innovative approach towards addressing and ameliorating constrained sandy soils in the Western Australia (WA) Wheatbelt. Multiple constraints such as water repellence, subsoil acidity, subsoil compaction and poor water and nutrient holding capacity with an estimated $4 billion annual cost in lost production.
Existing amelioration approaches include the application of strategic amendments (lime, gypsum, clay-rich subsoil), as well as mechanical interventions (deep ripping, rotary spading). While these have shown promising results increasing crop yields, they usually require multiple passes in different operations.
Our approach novelty lies in integrating deep ripping with precision-controlled amendment application at subsoil level. Some of the main features include:
Deep ripping capability at more than 450mm
Precisely delivering amendments at depth with GPS rate and depth recording
Dual application of solid granular materials(up to 10 tonnes/ha) and liquids
This newly developed machine performs both deep ripping and deep banding of soil amendments at subsoil level, independent from seeding operations. This allows for a wider operational window between harvest and seeding (approximately 4 months compared to the common 6-week period). This integrated system creates the opportunity for improving the return on investment of ripping operations by increasing potential yields and reducing the frequency of intensive soil disturbing operations.
This innovative approach aims to address soil constraints in sandy soil cropping, specifically subsoil moisture retention and subsoil acidity. The trial will collect and analyse crop and soil data (such as pH, moisture, compaction, yield) by testing the response on different treatments that include carbon granules and lime, with different rates as well as system of application.
We are looking for more trial locations, sites and partners, please reach out to us to be involved.
Low moisture retention and subsoil compaction severely constrain WA Wheatbelt sandy soils potential to hold higher yielding crops. This system delivers targeted amendments (carbon granules and carbon-lime mixtures) at 45 cm depth while deep ripping which enhances subsoil moisture retention, reduces compaction, and improves nutrient availability and soil health.
Soil constraints, including low moisture retention and subsoil compaction, limit crop performance by reducing rooting depth, root density, and access to deep water resources critical for grain filling. By alleviating compaction, enhancing subsoil moisture storage and diminish the effects of subsoil acidity the DROPS creates the potential for increasing crop yields and minimizing yield penalties.
This system delivers many tangible benefits to the Australian grain growers, especially those who operate on sandy soils. Deep ripping combined with precision-controlled subsoil amendment application will increase crop performance through improved root development, root penetration, subsoil acidity and enhanced water availability particularly at deep levels.
The deployment of this system will also result in an increase of the ROI compared to conventional deep ripping alone. Effects could last could last 4+ years rather than the current 2 years frequency experienced by farmers on the Northern WA wheatbelt.
The system integrates with existing farm equipment and complements operational calendars, running independently from seeding activities. This creates a 4-month implementation window between harvest and seeding, compared to the typical 6-week constraint with other approaches (due to erosion risk or reliance on seeder-based incorporation). This flexibility facilitates growers seasonal planning, enables a better resource allocation and reduces time pressure during critical farming periods. The technology is a result from adapting an existing deep ripper bar, which makes it accessible to growers without requiring complete machinery replacement.