Frequently Asked Questions
Explore our comprehensive FAQ library covering soil health, regenerative agriculture, biological fertilisers, pasture performance, livestock nutrition, and sustainable farm management practices across Australian farming systems.
Biofertiliser Rates and Methods FAQs
No. SONIC Liquid Fish and Seaweed Biofertiliser products are natural and non-toxic, so no withholding period is required after application.
SONIC Liquid Seaweed is actually good for livestock and is used as part of the SONIC Livestock Probiotic Supplement formula. It contains naturally derived kelp compounds and beneficial microbes that support soil and plant systems, while also forming the nutrition approach used in SONIC Livestock Supplement.
Yes, they are compatible with standard spray and irrigation equipment, including boom sprayers, airblast sprayers, tractor-mounted units, drones, and fertigation systems.
For best results, fill the tank with water first, then add the product to reduce foaming. Use the mix within 48 hours and avoid storing diluted product.
The biofertilisers pass easily through most fine spray and irrigation systems without clogging. For best biological performance, use larger nozzles and screens (or none where appropriate) and keep spray pressure below 55 psi to protect the beneficial microbes.
Biofertilisers work optimally when using lower rates, more frequently. For grazing pastures and orchards, apply three or more times per year—particularly during the first one to three years of use or when transitioning from synthetic fertilisers. For small mixed crops and seedlings, apply once a week or fortnightly during early growth stages, and fortnightly to monthly for established plants.
The best time to apply biological fertilisers is during overcast conditions, just before or during rain, or later in the day when temperatures are cooler. These conditions help protect the living microbes in the fertiliser from heat and UV exposure, giving them a better chance to establish in the soil.
See Article – Top 3 Strategies To Get The Most From Your Biological Fertilisers
SONIC Biofertilisers are supplied fresh and do not contain preservatives or artificial additives. They are best used within three (3) months from the time they have finished processing. Best-before dates are marked on product containers.
Biological Fertiliser FAQs
Conventional synthetic fertilisers are designed to deliver nutrients rapidly, creating fast and predictable plant responses. When nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are applied in synthetic forms, plants often respond with quick greening and a surge in biomass.
Biological fertilisers, on the other hand, work in a fundamentally different way to conventional synthetic inputs. Rather than supplying nutrients in a readily available chemical form, they focus on supporting the living processes within the soil that naturally create fertility over time.
Read article Rethinking Soil Fertility: The True Meaning of Fertiliser
These products begin working immediately by stimulating soil biology and delivering bioavailable nutrients. Results vary depending on soil condition and management practices.
Early benefits such as improved seed germination and plant establishment can be seen quickly, while longer-term improvements—particularly in grazing systems—build over one to three years. In horticulture and orchards, growers often notice improved growth, quality, and extended shelf life of produce with regular use.
Read more about SONIC Biological Fertilisers
Liquid seaweed extracts, such as Seasol, are usually produced using chemical or heat extraction to concentrate certain compounds. While these products are widely used, the process can reduce some of the natural components of the seaweed. Seaweed biofertiliser, on the other hand, is cold fermented, preserving a wider range of nutrients and natural compounds in a form that supports soil biology and plant uptake.
Read Article – Liquid Seaweed Fertiliser Comparison: Ferment Vs Extract
We service all regions across Australia for both product supply and on-farm production systems. Fresh processed biological fertilisers are delivered nationwide.
For on-farm systems and training, we work with both local and remote operations. Where in-person visits aren’t practical, we provide live video training and guided setup to ensure you can confidently get your system up and running without a hitch.
We source both fresh and dried fish waste, generated after processing for human consumption, from a network of fish shops and processors handling ocean-caught fish across Australia. By utilising these by-products, we help divert organic waste from landfill and repurpose it into valuable liquid fish hydrolysate biological fertiliser.
Read article Turning Fish Waste Into Premium Hydrolysate Fertiliser
SONIC biological fertilisers can help balance soil pH over time by improving overall soil function. The microbes in our biologically fermented fertilisers enhance nutrient cycling and soil structure, which can help buffer pH fluctuations and create more balanced soil conditions.
Rather than directly changing soil pH like lime or other amendments, biological fertilisers work by supporting the natural processes that help maintain a more stable and productive soil environment.
Read article Adjusting Soil pH on Australian Farms (and Why Microbes Matter)
SONIC Liquid Fish and Seaweed Biological Fertilisers are used because they provide both plant nutrition and support for soil biology, helping improve overall soil health and plant performance.
Key benefits include:
• Providing fast-available nutrients for plant uptake
• Feeding and stimulating beneficial soil microbes
• Supporting nutrient cycling within the soil
• Improving root development and crop resilience
• Enhancing soil structure and long-term fertility
Liquid fish fertiliser is particularly rich in organic nitrogen and amino acids that support growth, while liquid seaweed contains trace elements and natural plant compounds that help with stress tolerance and overall plant health. Used together, they provide a balanced approach that supports both immediate plant needs and longer-term soil function.
Read article Top 3 Strategies To Get The Most From Your Biological Fertilisers
Liquid Seaweed for Livestock FAQs
Liquid Seaweed Probiotic Supplement is suitable for all farm animals, including cattle, sheep, horses, goats, alpacas, pigs, poultry, and even pets. It can be used regularly or during times when feed quality is poor or when animals are under higher stress, such as during calving, foaling, or lambing.
Read article Probiotic Liquid Kelp: A Trusted Choice for Aussie Livestock Farmers
SONIC Liquid Seaweed Probiotic can be added to the animals’ water (dilution 1:5-1:100), or directly to their feed. It can also be used undiluted as an oral drench for sick or malnourished animals, providing a quick mineral boost. Additionally, you can spray it on dry feed, mix it with grain, use it as a grain soak (diluted), or add it to natural mineral lick blocks.
*Note: when administering diluted with water, use within 2-3 days. Enable access to a fresh water also. Do not store in diluted form.
Read article Probiotic Liquid Kelp: A Trusted Choice for Aussie Livestock Farmers
We’ve found you can be pretty flexible with it—some people are running the SONIC Liquid Seaweed Probiotic Supplement weekly, others might go fortnightly or monthly, and some just use it a few times a year depending on conditions and stock requirements.
Yes, it supports digestion by promoting a healthy gut environment. With the combination of kelp-derived compounds, including alginates and fucoidans, and probiotic bacteria, the SONIC Liquid Seaweed Probiotic can help improve feed utilisation and nutrient absorption, which is important for overall animal performance.
Read article The Role of Livestock Digestion in Feed Cost Management
Yes, SONIC Liquid Seaweed is 100% natural with no additives or preservatives, and it can be used in pregnant and lactating animals.
It’s commonly used during higher-demand periods to support condition, gut health, and nutrient uptake, and may help promote calmer behaviour in livestock, which can be beneficial during stress events such as transport and handling.
Read article The Benefits of Probiotic Liquid Seaweed for Cattle and Calves
On-Farm Biofertiliser Production FAQs
Producing biological fish and seaweed fertilisers on-farm can significantly reduce input costs, with savings coming from:
• Minimal freight costs with reductions on liquid fertiliser shipping of around 90%
• Reduced plastic packaging costs and waste – by reusing on-farm storage
• Less reliance on expensive commercial inputs and overall lower product costs
Read article How a DIY Biofertiliser System Pays for Itself in Under 6 Months
The Starter Package comes with full support to help you set up and run your own on-farm biofertiliser system, including installation assistance and all inputs needed for processing Liquid Fish and Seaweed Biofertiliser, as well as Liquid Kelp Probiotic Livestock Supplement.
Training is delivered in person or via live video, guiding you one-on-one through the start of your first batch, with phone and email follow-ups during fermentation and before decanting. We support you through your first three batches with step-by-step guidance and a 100% quality guarantee.
Read about SONIC Biofertiliser Production and Training packages
After the initial setup and start-batch training session, you’ll receive scheduled VIP support throughout your first three (3) batches — typically over 9–12 months — allowing time to learn the nuances and natural variability of biological fermentation systems.
Support includes midway and end-of-batch check-ins, photo-based progress reviews, and phone/email assistance to help ensure consistent production quality.
After your first three batches, we continue to provide ongoing technical support and system management assistance for all active SONIC DIY Systems.
Yes, SONIC Systems are customised to meet the specific needs of your farm, with system sizes tailored to align with your specific spray regime and on-going liquid fish and seaweed biofertiliser requirements.
We’ve streamlined the process to be straight forward and repeatable by providing pre-measured ingredients and practical procedures. It approximately takes around 1 hour to start a 1,000L batch, then after fermentation is complete, it takes another 1–1.5 hours to decant and clean down. That’s roughly 2-2 1/2 hours total labour time per 1,000L—often less time than organising orders, freight, and handling delivered products.
Explore DIY Biofertiliser Systems
SONIC Production and Training Package – Overview (Pdf download)
The cost of a Training Starter Package depends on the size and setup required for your farm. Systems are scalable to suit different size farms and designed around an efficient starting production volume that can be refined or scaled over time as production expands.
Training includes technical support over the first three (3) complete batches, allowing time to understand the nuances and natural variability of biological fermentation.
Starter Package pricing includes:
• Quality outcomes – over three (3) batches – guaranteed
• Raw ingredients
• Start your first batch with live 1:1 training (in-person or via video)
• Receive ongoing technical support with our experienced team
Initial setup and first-batch production costs typically range from $1.80–$3.50 per litre, including training and setup support. Subsequent batches are typically produced at approximately $1.20 per litre.
Yes, we provide the raw ingredients required for a DIY On-Farm Biological Fermentation System, including Australian organic dried seaweed, Australian dried ocean fish (discards from processing), proprietary Starter Cultures, and supporting materials. This helps ensure consistent quality, reliable supply, and a straightforward setup process for Australian farmers to make Liquid Fish and Liquid Seaweed Biofertilisers and Livestock Supplements.
Soil Health FAQs
Yes. Soil health can be improved without relying on synthetic fertilisers by increasing organic matter, supporting soil biology, and using inputs such as liquid fish and seaweed biofertilisers. These approaches help improve nutrient availability, soil structure, and long-term fertility by supporting natural nutrient cycling within the soil.
Read article Can You Improve Soil Health WIthout Synthetic Fertilisers?
The fastest way is to combine organic inputs with biological stimulation. Applying liquid fertilisers such as fish and seaweed can provide immediate bioavailable nutrients while also feeding and stimulating populations of beneficial soil microbes, helping to kickstart nutrient cycling and improve plant response.
Read article Can You Improve Soil Health WIthout Synthetic Fertilisers?
Yes. Liquid fish and seaweed biological fertilisers provide plant-available nutrients and organic compounds that stimulate soil biology. This helps improve nutrient cycling, root development, and overall soil function over time.
Read article Can You Improve Soil Health WIthout Synthetic Fertilisers?
Soil biology drives the breakdown of organic matter and the release of nutrients into plant-available forms. It also supports soil structure and plant resilience, making it a key part of long-term soil fertility.
Read article 4 Good Reasons To Feed Soil Microbes All Year Round
Biological fertilisers activate soil biology by feeding and stimulating the existing microbes already present in the soil. Products such as liquid fish and seaweed fertilisers supply organic compounds, carbon sources, and trace nutrients that help microbes grow and become more active.
As microbial activity increases, key processes begin to improve:
• Organic matter is broken down more efficiently
• Nutrients are released into plant-available forms
• Soil structure and aggregation improve
• Root development and nutrient uptake are supported
Rather than just adding nutrients, biological fertilisers help “switch on” the soil system, allowing it to cycle nutrients more effectively and support consistent, resilient plant growth.
Read article The 7 Most Cost-Effective Soil Regeneration Strategies, Australia
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