The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has released a new online tool, the EasyDiesel Calculator, for Western Australian grain growers. The calculator is designed to provide a data-driven financial analysis of deep ripping, enabling operators to make informed decisions on input costs for the 2026 season. The tool was developed in partnership with the Grains Research and Development Corporation.
Deep ripping is a significant operational expense, estimated at $80 to $90 per hectare, with fuel consumption directly proportional to ripping depth. The EasyDiesel Calculator allows growers to quantify the potential return on this investment before committing capital, helping to prioritise paddocks where the practice is most likely to be profitable.
Calculator Functionality and Analysis
The tool provides two modes of analysis, ‘quick’ and ‘full’, to determine the break-even point for deep ripping on a specific paddock. Operators can adjust several key variables to model outcomes based on current market conditions and paddock-specific expectations.
Core user inputs include:
- Current fuel price
- Expected grain price
- Projected yield response
The calculator is specifically designed to model first-year yield responses, making it a practical tool for in-season operational planning and optimising the allocation of fuel and machinery resources.
Strategic Implications for Farm Operations
The primary business application of the calculator is managing input costs, particularly for diesel and fertiliser. By identifying the break-even threshold, operators can mitigate the risk of investing in soil amelioration on paddocks that may not provide a sufficient short-term return.
Furthermore, the tool supports strategic decisions on nutrient management. DPIRD research data indicates that deep ripping can increase average nitrogen uptake efficiency by 65 percent compared to non-ripped conditions. This improved efficiency is due to plant roots gaining access to mineralised nitrogen from crop remnants in the soil profile. A quantifiable increase in nitrogen uptake may allow for a corresponding reduction in fertiliser application rates, directly lowering a major operational expense. The free EasyDiesel Calculator is accessible via the SoilsWest Soil Quality Knowledgebase webpage.
The WAAA News Team
