Dairy profitability and resilience through diversity and soil health
Description
Join us for a field day to launch our national Dairy Resilience initiative. Hosted by dairy farmers Kate Mirams and Peter Neaves, with internationally renowned soil and plant health educator Joel Williams.
Joel will explain the biological processes that can drive profitable and resilient farming systems. Hear the results from Kate and Peter’s soil health trial, and how they've achieved major reductions in nitrogen and other inputs while maintaining production.
The focus is on practical, paddock-based learning, farmer observations and decision-making tools that can be applied on farm.
What will be covered on the day
Managing for soil function and soil health as the foundation of long-term profitability
Building pasture diversity, including transitioning to multispecies pastures
Observations and lessons from on-farm trials and management changes
Practical tools to support decisions around foliar applications
Open discussion, questions and peer-to-peer learning throughout the day
Activities
Morning discussion and presentations in the local hall
Paddock walk and in-field observations at Neaves Mirams Agriculture
Group discussion and Q&A with farmers and educators
Catering and what to bring
Lunch will be provided. Please advise any dietary requirements when registering. Don't forget to bring a water bottle and appropriate footwear and clothing for paddock conditions.
Tickets
$30 for up to 3 attendees from the same business, $15 for subsequent registrants. Numbers are limited.
Contact
Phone service may be limited on site. For questions or more information, please contact Soils for Life at (02) 6273 6647 or kylie.beale@soilsforlife.org.au
The Dairy Resilience Project is supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program under the Natural Heritage Trust.
This project is proudly supported by Maffra District Landcare Network and Soils for Life.
Lineup
Peter Neaves and Kate Mirams
Peter Neaves and Kate Mirams farm on the deep alluvial floodplain soils of the Macalister River at Newry in Gippsland. Their home property milks 320 cows across 135 ha, with 110 ha irrigated and 15–20 ha managed as fenced waterways and lagoons planted to trees. A second 58 ha property at Boisdale supports young stock and fodder production. Both trained in agricultural science and with careers in dairy extension in Victoria and Tasmania, Peter and Kate bring strong insight into dairy system performance, profitability and resilience. In 2019, they took a critical look at their own farming system, recognising increasing reliance on nitrogen inputs for similar pasture production. This led them to an understanding that soil life underpins everything. Their focus has since been on rebuilding soil biology and biodiversity to support pasture function, animal health and nutrient-dense food, with human health as the ultimate outcome.
Joel Williams
Joel Williams is an internationally renowned, independent plant and soil health educator providing lectures, workshops and consultation on soil management, plant nutrition and integrated approaches. His work focuses on helping farmers and advisers better understand soil and plant function and apply that understanding in practical management decisions. Through education and field-based learning, Joel supports approaches that integrate soil biology, nutrition and system thinking to build resilient and functional farming systems.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
Get tickets
This event has passedGet tickets
This event has passed
More events from this host
