About Dr Chris McDonough
Dr. Chris McDonough’s work over nearly 40 years has improved soil health through innovative land management practices. He’s a key figure in tackling Mallee seeps and dry saline land, significant soil degradation problems affecting over 50,000 hectares of farmland. His work has significantly reduced soil degradation, improved soil structure, enhanced soil biology and increased sustainable land management.
Through workshops, field days, and digital resources, Chris relentlessly champions improved soil health management techniques. By providing farmers with practical solutions and promoting wind erosion protection, sand amelioration and the rapid adoption of No-till farming systems across the low rainfall farming areas of South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales in the late 90’s-2000’s, he has helped farmer groups achieve profitable, sustainable, biologically active and more robust Mallee farming soils.
His interactive tools, the Mallee Seeps and Saline Land Decision Trees, help hundreds of farmers effectively diagnose and manage soil problems. As a university lecturer, he has profoundly influenced the next generation of agricultural professionals, his teaching style emphasising hands-on learning and farmer engagement.
His ability to bridge research and practical application has led to wide-spread adoption of game-changing soil health practices, reinforcing his role as a champion of soil health.
