Infographics simplify potassium management for West Midlands growers

By Simon Kruger, WMG Project Communications Officer

Growers across the West Midlands region are finding that visual tools are helping to make complex soil and nutrient data easier to understand and apply.

As part of the GRDC-funded K Extension Project, West Midlands Group (WMG) has developed infographic-style potassium (K) budgets that turn soil test results, crop uptake, and nutrient recycling data into clear, accessible visuals.

Feedback from local farmers has been positive, with many describing the infographics as clearer and more practical than technical reports or spreadsheets. The visual format helps growers link nutrient data with soil type, crop performance and seasonal variation, providing a starting point for discussion and comparison between paddocks and years.

At the Ballidu demonstration site, hosted by a local grower, these tools have encouraged new conversations around K management. The site was featured as part of the Synergy Consulting spray group crop walk in August, where more than 20 growers from the Wongan Hills–Ballidu area viewed the contrasting responses across two soil types. The event provided an opportunity to introduce the infographic budgets and discuss how potassium interacts with nitrogen, soil constraints and rainfall patterns.

Across earlier stages of the project, user testing confirmed that growers value straightforward and visual tools for interpreting nutrient information. Many found the K infographics easier to navigate than data tables, appreciating their ability to summarise soil test and fertiliser data in a way that supports practical discussion. Some early user testing with growers suggested including complementary information such as soil pH, compaction levels or benchmarking data to enhance the tool’s usefulness. These changes have been included in newer versions of the infographic, with other participants noting that results have prompted them to look more closely at sampling depth and nutrient variability across paddocks.

These responses reflect a broader shift toward more informed and strategic nutrient management. Several participants reported incorporating deeper soil sampling, grid mapping and plant tissue testing to refine fertiliser decisions and gain a clearer picture of nutrient cycling across their properties. Others emphasised that while nitrogen remains the main driver of fertiliser programs, understanding potassium’s role in soil productivity is becoming an increasingly important part of whole-farm nutrient planning.

Engagement with the project continues to grow, with strong interest in the infographic approach and an invitation for WMG to present findings at the Synergy Consulting group’s 2026 trials review meeting. Online activity has also been steady, with the project webpage, articles and social media posts collectively reaching more than a thousand growers and advisers.

The K Extension Project is demonstrating how practical communication tools can bridge the gap between research outputs and everyday management decisions. By presenting information in a clear, visual format, WMG is supporting growers to better understand potassium cycling and apply this knowledge to their own farming systems with confidence and context.