Farming in much of the western world relies heavily on the management goals and practices of individual farmers. How farmers decide what to do with their land and water resources has occupied researchers and extension practitioners for many decades. A current renewed focus on ‘soil quality' in agriculture requires that the understanding gained in previous studies be reconsidered and expanded. The research presented here goes some way toward that expansion of understanding by exploring what indicators of soil health/function/fertility influence farmers when they make farming decisions. The sources of information for these farmers are also explored. The research was undertaken in the Upper Billabong Creek catchment, NSW, Australia, and included qualitative, semi-structured (in-depth) interviews with farmers. Data from these interviews were considered within a framework developed through literature review, which included information sources, institutional factors, household characteristics, economics, and environmental factors.

The farmers surveyed used few soil indicators apart from soil tests to make soil management decisions, supported by claims of “I don't trust what I see” and “I like scientific proof”. However, farmers often did not test soil until they detected a problem visually. Soil management actions for most pastoral farmers were in response to the quality of their pastures, while crop intensive farmers based their fertiliser applications on potential yield. Most of those surveyed made no significant decision on their soil management without consulting an agronomist. While all farmers said they wanted more information on soil a number of barriers to farmers receiving this information were identified.