NEWS
Media Release
Recognising the thriving soils and mycelium networks that support their property’s remnant vegetation is what originally prompted Brian and Gary Reed to ask, “How can we harness and replicate this within our production zones?” And that question set them on a path to discovering how to work with their most powerful ally: biology.
Since 2022, Brian and Gary have overhauled input usage across their mixed cropping and sheep enterprise, Chameleon Farming, in Corrigin, WA. They’ve inoculated seed with fish and kelp hydrolosates, introduced foliar applications of liquid wormcast, and applied hydrolosates during 4 leaf, tillering, and booting stages. They’ve also adjusted their seeding practices – bringing sowing times forward, increasing seeding rates, decreasing row spacing, and moving to direct drilling. To maximise the benefits of these practices, which brought production costs (including fuel) down to just $80/ha, they’ve realigned their business decisions, too. In 2023/24, the Reeds sought out a new grain buyer and handler, enjoying profitable crops after years of high variability and uncertainty.
In late October, a group of 15 landholders and industry stakeholders gathered at Chameleon to see for themselves the impacts and drivers of this transition. Presented by Trever Blinco, who has been supporting the Reeds throughout their shift, the day began with an exploration of soil biology fundamentals: how soil biology enhances productivity, water retention, and soil structure, and how the practices adopted by Brian and Gary are accelerating those processes and benefits.
Much of the discussion centred around mycelium – the branching, root-like fungal networks that break down organic matter, recycle nutrients, and make them available to plants and soil microbes. These networks thrive anywhere organic matter, shade, and moisture come together.
“We want to encourage mycelium to move into your paddocks,” said Trevor, drawing parallels between the fungal networks flourishing in Reed’s remnant vegetation areas and how their current practices are replicating those natural processes.
As participants walked through the farm’s cereal crops, Brian and Gary shared what they’d observed since adding fermented fish and kelp hydrolysates, and worm castings to their soil: visible biological activity, large rhizosheaths forming on plant roots, paddocks retaining moisture at depth, higher humus and carbon levels, and Brix readings rising from 12 to 20. The group also shared conversations of other inputs available for boosting soil biology, including humates. Humates are comprised of humic and fulvic acids and can have transformative effects on soil health and crop productivity.
To round out the day, attendees had the chance to get up close with mycelium themselves, examining samples from Trevor’s hay and compost. This brought discussion to life and reinforced the role soil biology can play in sustainable farming systems.
Looking towards 2026, the Reeds hope to implement a more rigorous monitoring program to validate their observations and guide decision making. Their focus will remain on working with life in the soil to lift profitability, productivity, and resilience. Based on feedback received from the day, the focus of those in attendance will be similar. “I have a better understanding of what’s happening on my land,” noted one participant, whiles other indicated they’d be trailing strips of humates, carrying out sap testing and Brix readings, and feeding the soil to promote mycelium growth following the field day.
If you’d like to read more about the transition of Chameleon Farming, a case study is available on the RegenWA website. Here, you can also find details about upcoming events like this.
This event was hosted by RegenWA through their ‘Accelerating Regenerative Agriculture Adoption’ project and was supported by Corrigin Farm Improvement Group. The project is funded by the Western Australian Government’s State NRM Program.
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