Soil Biology, Soil Health and Ground Cover Field Day

Ground cover, soil health and biology are key to achieving productive and profitable of livestock businesses in NSW rangelands. Please join The Rangelands Living Skin Project and Rangelands Network for Soil Knowledge Project for a field day and workshop to understand how groundcover, soil health and soil biology can be monitored and managed in rangeland environments. Key topics will include:

Groundcover (Craig Strong, ANU)

Understand the role of ground cover in reducing soil loss, maximising carbon & nutrients, for soil health and resilience, and maximising production
Learn how to use practical online and on-ground tools to monitor cover
Explore and compare paddock-based ground cover estimates with satellite estimates.

Soils – monitoring and management (Karl Andersson, NSW DPI)

Soil properties – understand differences throughout the landscape and links to resilience
Simple monitoring exercises to track soil condition for ongoing productive potential
Lab soil tests available* (limited availability, living skin participants prioritised)

Soil biology (Kim Deans, Reinventing Agriculture)

Get to know your underground livestock - understanding of the role of soil microbes and how soil biological health impacts farm profitability & climate resilience
Learn about practical skills in assessing soil biological health
Understand the role of biological stimulants and biological amendments in soil restoration programs so you can make informed decisions about their use

Date: 14th March 2023 9:00am –3:00pm

Location: Warrananga, Tooperoopna Road, Wentworth, NSW (~35km west of Wentworth)

Bring: Hat, closed shoes. Morning tea & lunch provided

RSVP by 8th March (for catering purposes). Learn more about the event and/or register your interest or contact Casey Harrison at Western LLS for further information on 0460 634 538 or Casey.harrison@lls.nsw.gov.au

These projects are jointly funded through MLA, NSW DPI and the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program