According to Dr. Chad Hutchinson, Functional Sustainability in agriculture means measurable improvements in soil health, resource efficiency, and overall crop system performance — without sacrificing yield.

Advances in genomic soil analysis now allow us to evaluate soil health at the microbiome level, using DNA sequencing to assess bacterial and fungal populations. By comparing soils before and after practices such as soil fumigation, this technology provides objective insight into how inputs influence disease suppression, biological diversity, and long-term soil function.

Because meaningful sustainability starts below the surface, soil health data is becoming one of the most important tools for guiding better production decisions.

Thanks to pre-plant soil fumigation, strawberry crops in Wamuran, Queensland are showing strong early growth and excellent fruit development. By reducing soil-borne pests and diseases before planting, soil fumigation supports healthier root systems and more vigorous plants. The result is larger, high-quality berries and more consistent yields — demonstrating how good soil preparation helps set the foundation for a successful strawberry season.

TriCal Australia uses inline skid systems to deliver soil fumigants through drip irrigation with precision and control. By metering products directly into irrigation lines, this method allows for consistent distribution in the soil’s wetted zone while utilizing existing farm infrastructure. Inline skid application provides growers with a flexible, efficient option for managing soil-borne pests and supporting healthy crop establishment.

The Growing Better Potatoes workshop, hosted by Australian Horticultural Research (AHR) and the PotatoLink project, focused on soil and disease management strategies to protect potato yield and quality. Experts Dr. Len Tesoriero (CropDoc) and Dr. Chad Hutchinson (TriCal) shared insights on managing soil-borne diseases such as black dot and Verticillium wilt, including the role of integrated soil management practices.

Soil fumigation plays a key role in optimizing strawberry production. By improving soil conditions, Strike supports stronger plant development and more efficient production outcomes, including:

• Healthier, larger root systems that improve water and nutrient uptake
• Faster leaf growth and earlier flowering
• A more uniform and productive fruit set
• Improved harvest efficiency and reduced labor cost per unit of fruit
• Greater resilience to environmental stress and soil-borne disease
• Improved fruit quality and shelf life
• Faster crop establishment and stronger early-season performance

With Strike, growers consistently achieve increased crop value and healthier, more resilient strawberry plants.

After experiencing significant plant loss due to Fusarium and Verticillium, this greenhouse tomato grower turned to Strike 60 as a soil solution. Following application, plants showed no further dieback or wilting and began to thrive. The result was a healthier crop with strong, dark green foliage and large leaves. Tomato fruit developed uniformly in size and color, with a glossy finish and no blemishes—demonstrating the impact of effective soil management in controlled environments. (Read More)

TriCal Australia is proud to be the exclusive Australian distributor of ProFume®, an award-winning fumigant from Douglas Products. Used globally as an alternative to Methyl Bromide and aluminium phosphide, ProFume® delivers reliable control across a wide range of post-harvest, quarantine, and pre-shipment fumigation activities.

• Proven to control phosphine-resistant insect pests in grain-growing regions
• Excellent rotation fumigant that supports resistance management strategies
• Cost-effective solution to extend the useful life of phosphine in grain protection
• Fast-acting, odourless, colourless gas that leaves no impact on commodity quality
• Registered in Australia and over 20 other countries, meeting Codex standards for international trade

With Sulfuryl Fluoride chemistry, ProFume® is not ozone-depleting and aerates rapidly, reducing downtime for facilities.

At TriCal Australia, we provide comprehensive soil fumigation and pest management solutions designed to protect your crops, facilities, and equipment. Our expert services include:

• Pre-Plant Fumigation – promoting strong, healthy soil for optimal growth.
• Post Harvest Fumigation – safeguarding stored products from pests and diseases.
• Bio-Security Import Direct ion – ensuring compliance with quarantine and biosecurity standards.
• Structural Fumigation – protecting buildings, silos, and storage facilities.
• Equipment Services & Calibration – maintaining precision and reliability in every application.

Partnerships with TriCal Australia have proven expertise, quality assurance, and sustainable results.

TriCal Australia was proud to be an exhibitor at the North Queensland Avocado Industry & Hort “Show Days” in Tolga. Trical Australia connected with growers, industry partners, and professionals to discuss innovative soil solutions that support healthier crops and more productive orchards. (Read More)

Doug Bell of Trical Australia is looking forward to attending this year's Australian Grain Storage & Protection Conference in Melbourne in two weeks. He can't wait to see some of my Aussie mates and make some new connections.