Soil Sessions: Soil Health Training for Dairy Farmers

Soil Sessions: Soil Health Program for Dairy Farmers | Soils for Life & Cradle Coast Authority

What is the program?

Soil Sessions is a 10-month soil health program and discussion group for dairy farmers in North West Tasmania who want healthier soils, more resilient pasture systems, and greater confidence in their decision-making.

The program kicks off on 8 October with an introductory online session, followed by the first on-farm session on 15 October with international plant and soil educator Joel Williams. Guest speakers across the program include agroecologists David Hardwick and Robin Tait, with more to be announced.

Soil Sessions runs to June 2027 and includes six on farm sessions of roughly four hours each, scheduled around the farming calendar to avoid calving and other peak periods.

The program is delivered by Soils for Life in partnership with Cradle Coast Authority and facilitated by Prudence Rothwell (RMCG). It is supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program under the Natural Heritage Trust.

Why apply?

• Learn from guest specialists and other farmers about how to build soil health 

• Access consultant support and subsidised soil and pasture testing worth up to approximately $2,000 per farm

• Connect with other dairy farmers in North West Tasmania and build a lasting network

• Build practical, farm-specific understanding of soil health to improve your farm’s productivity and resilience

What you'll learn

• How to assess your own soil and pasture health and interpret test results

• How to improve soil health including structure, nutrient retention and water holding capacity

• How to implement adaptive grazing management

• Strategies for building resilience to pests and disease

• Strategies for growing diverse and abundant pastures

• How other dairy farmers in North West Tasmania approach similar challenges

Time commitment

Six on-farm sessions and two online sessions, held over 10 months and scheduled around the farming calendar.

Dates

• 8th October- Introductory online session

• 15th October- Joel Williams (location TBC)

• 19th November- David Hardwick

• 18th February- Robin Tait

• 18th March- Speaker TBC

• 15th April- Speaker TBC

• 20th May- Speaker TBC

• 17th June- Speaker TBC

Eligibility and selection

The program is open to dairy farmers in North West Tasmania  (preference given; if you're just outside the region, apply anyway and note your location). 10 farm businesses will be selected to participate, with up to two participants per farm business.

Please note: registration does not guarantee a place. If you register and your farm business does not meet the criteria, you will be refunded in full.

Registrations close September 30.

Cost

A cash co-contribution of $150 applies.  

Contact information

Courtney Young

courtney.young@soilsforlife.org.au

0418 303 091

This program is part of Soils for Life's Dairy Resilience Project, supporting Australian dairy farmers to build soil health and climate resilience. Funded by the Australian Government's Natural Heritage Trust Climate Smart Agriculture program.