Soil – our most valuable asset

Australia is a land of contrasts in soils, land types, grasses, trees, pastures, seasons and climate! Late August should be heading into spring weather, but no.... it was unusual heat wave conditions for the 2024 Program participants as they met up again for their third workshop module in the shearing shed at Dulacca.

What an information packed few days it was. Sessions were held in the shearing shed with a big fan trying to cool it down and out in the paddock under shady trees. The presenters certainly kept everyone captivated and motivated despite the unseasonal conditions.

Rhonda and Bill Daly established YLAD Living Soils in 2002 and have gained a reputation as pioneers and leaders in agronomic advice for biological/regenerative farming systems. They travelled up from their property 'Milgadara' near Young in NSW to share their wealth of knowledge and experience around soil structure and how it functions, and biological/regenerative farming.
Sessions covered everything from root structure and infiltration rates, to interpreting soil tests and understanding the balance required between the chemical, biological and structural components of soil.
They discussed the important role soils have to play in ‘drawing down’ significant amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere in order to mitigate climate change and the benefits for both producers and the environment, as when soil carbon levels lift, there is a 20%-30% increase in production as well as a building of resilience in the system itself.
Out in the paddock participants learnt how to use refractometers and penetrometers, as well as microbial testing kits, and soil dispersion testing techniques.
Rhonda had requested that everyone take soil tests on there land and send them away prior to coming. They all brought their test results and a soil sample from their project site to analyse and discuss with Rhonda and the group. This proved very beneficial for them all.

Having a bit of fun in the field. Everyone who participated are now total soil addicts!

Jess Paton is the grazing technologies support manager with Cibo Labs, a Queensland agricultural data analytics company. Jess is passionate about working with producers to improve their business efficiency and productivity using satellite-assisted forage budgeting.
Satellite imagery is captured every 5-days around the earth by the European Space Agency and combines satellite remote sensing and data science with on-farm knowledge to estimate feed supply for every hectare, and monitors changes in the feed base and land condition on a weekly basis.
Jess had participants working on their laptops refining their own property paddock mapping system. She explained pasture monitoring using the Australian Feedbase Monitor and PastureKey which will assist in planning and responsiveness to seasonal changes including rainfall, ground cover and biomass.
It's amazing how the words "let's go out in the field for some hands-on learning'' excites participants! Here they practiced taking pasture biomass readings, and Jess emphasised how accurate feed budgeting can support sustainable grazing management decisions.
Cibo Labs generously donates a free subscription to their PastureKey services for 12 months to all participants. Thanks Phil Tickle and Cibo Labs.
   

The final presenter for the workshop, Sally Rigney, a freelance journalist and primary producer, brought a whole new understanding of dealing with the media to the audience.
She discussed media practices and strategies to use, and the do's and don'ts when dealing with radio, TV and print outlets.
It is a wide medium with endless avenues for communicating your story to the public and having the conversation about regen ag with the wider community.
Sally also described how to create and build your own credible story that will be readily taken up in the media, how to earn your place in any medium and ways to get the story featured, and how to work effectively across all styles of media.

Program Coordinator Barb Bishop delved further into building personal capacity, influencing, creating credibility, communication skills and telling your story effectively. Her sessions are interspersed with team activities, games, and role playing, all of which have built the group of 10 into a tight knit, confident, trusting and supportive unit.

Back - James Manning, Dusty Elsom, Emma King, Isaac Perina, Genevieve Kane, Deb Schedue, John Hauff, Bill Daly & Barb Bishop
Front - Gus King, Rhonda Daly, Lauren Beresford & Lexi Hauff.

Photo: courtesy Sally Gall QCL.