Soil Health in Practice: Nutrient cycling and foliar strategies for better farm performance

Healthy soils and efficient plant nutrition are the backbone of productive, profitable farming. 

This hands‑on workshop, featuring presenters Joel Williams and Tom Robinson, brings together science, practical know-how and real paddock experience to unpack the fundamentals of soil function, nutrient cycling and plant nutrition, giving you a clearer understanding of how biological processes drive production performance.

Joel will break down the science into practical, usable concepts, helping you make more informed decisions about soil management and nutrient efficiency.

Tom will take those principles into the paddock, sharing real‑world insights from his own mixed‑farming operation. With a strong focus on sap testing, foliar nutrition and practical problem‑solving, Tom will demonstrate how targeted foliar strategies can improve plant health, reduce input costs and lift overall productivity.

A live, step‑by‑step foliar spray demonstration will show exactly how these approaches can be applied on‑farm.

What you’ll take home:

• A clearer understanding of nutrient cycling and soil function

• Practical strategies to improve plant nutrition

• Insights into sap testing and foliar applications

• A live foliar spray demonstration

• Plenty of time for discussion and questions

Meet the Presenters

Joel Williams is an independent plant and soil health educator and consultant who has worked extensively in Australia, Europe and Canada, where he is currently based.  With a Bachelor of Agricultural Science specialising in plant and soil dynamics and a Master of Science in Food Policy, Joel combines scientific depth with practical relevance. His research has explored motivations and barriers to adopting intercropping systems, and he has lectured to farming audiences internationally.  Joel has a particular interest in: nutrient cycling, soil health and plant nutrition, plant and soil microbiomes, and building resilient and sustainable production systems.

Tom Robinson is a sixth‑generation Hoyleton farmer and a recognised leader in South Australia’s cropping and livestock sector.  Tom manages his mixed enterprise with a clear focus on building soil health, strengthening plant resilience and improving livestock performance.  Together with his father, Tom has been an early adopter of sap analysis and targeted foliar nutrition, using these tools to lift plant health, reduce input costs and drive whole‑farm profitability. His commitment to practical innovation earned him the 2018 National Grain Innovation Award, and he has also served as President of the South Australian No‑Till Farmers Association, helping champion sustainable and profitable farming systems across the state.  Tom brings paddock‑ready experience, a strong problem‑solving mindset and a passion for sharing what works.

 This event is being run in partnership with Future Farmers SA.

This project is supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program.