SoilCare is pleased to present a comprehensive, full-day seminar focused on the biocontrol of pests and diseases. Below, you will find the agenda and a lineup of distinguished speakers we have invited to share their research, experience and insights. Visit the PDF Agenda for access to full agenda details.

Note: The venue for this event has moved to NSW DPI Wollongbar

Venue: NSW Dept of Agriculture (DPIRD), Wollongbar - Hudson Room

1243 Bruxner Highway, Wollongbar NSW 2477

Cost: $30.00+GST (includes morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea)

Keynote presentation: Beneficial Microbes for Healthy Crops, Dr Dean Metcalf, Plant Pathologist,

General introduction & interactions to the microbes in the soil (fungi, bacteria, nematodes, protozoa).
Plant diseases – how they infect.
How beneficial microbes inhibit diseases.
Phytophthora, what is it.
Trichoderma and enriched composts.

Dr. Dean Metcalf is a plant pathologist in Tasmania who has researched the use of beneficial microorganisms to control crop diseases in horticultural crops. Approximately 35 years ago, Dean looked through a microscope and observed a fungus killing another
fungus. Identifying the fungus as Trichoderma inspired him with the idea that this killer fungus could potentially be mass-produced and utilized as a biocontrol agent for fungal diseases in horticultural crops. For Dean, that was the beginning of a lifelong passion in the horticulture industry.

Post Seminar (for seminar attendees only - must be over 18 years of age to taste gin)
5.00 to 6.00 PM (Extra cost to cover nibbles - $7.00+GST

Experience the craftsmanship of the Metcalf Distillery at our gin tasting session. Dean has embarked on an exciting journey, opening a distillery in Tasmania since his last visit to the Northern Rivers. His passion for distilling shines through in every product, and he will share the story behind his craft, the challenges he faced, and the artistry involved in creating exceptional gin, liqueurs and even whiskey. Metcalf Distillery.

More exciting presentations and distinguished speakers.

Tools for farming in a changing climate

My Climate View

Dr Stephen Snow, CSIRO

Dr Yuwan Malakar, CSIRO

Overview of
‘Pest READI’

Dr Hazel Parry, CSIRO

Dr Tracey Steinrucken, CSIRO

Biocontrol of insect pests
Jake Byrne
BioResources

Potential flowering plants for Conservation Biological Control (CBC) in subtropical Rubus

Dr Saleh Adnan, Research Horticulturist Entomology, NSW DPI

Sustainable pest control for macadamia industry