Coming Events
Managing Soils on the GO - 18 February 2016
In conjunction with Gwymac Landcare, Inverell with funding from the National Landcare Program and support from the Northern Tablelands LLS “Managing Soils on the GO” is a belated celebration of international soil day. The field day brings together three high respected speakers on the subject of soils and their management. Soil is the foundation of all agricultural activity and healthy soil is critical for optimal production and health.
In addition to Judi Earl, speakers on the day will be Derek Smith and Mike McCosker.
Derek Smith has been managing a diverse mixed farming enterprise at Guyra since 1984. He has been consulting and teaching organic farming and soil management principles for over 10 years. Derek specialises in comprehensive soil and leaf analysis, soil recommendations based on analysis results, distribution and sales of soil fertility and plant nutrient products and holistic soil management consultancy for a wide range of agricultural pursuits.
Derek and his wife Fiona operate Working with Nature. Their business services are open to all farmers and graziers with a focus on organic producers and those transitioning to organic, biological or simply a more regenerative production system.
Mike McCosker is a fourth generation farmer from Wallangra. Mike graduated with a Certificate in Agricultural Production in 1984 and has 25 years experience in agriculture and has been consulting to farmers for 15 years. He was a keynote speaker at the MARDI (Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute) annual conference and conducted farmer education seminars in Fiji where one of the interns was the Prime Minister. Mike is passionate about high nutrient quality food and teaching farmers about soil health and soil biology.
Check out the field day flyer here and to register for the event contact Anya Salmon at Gwymac on 02 6721 1241
In conjunction with Gwymac Landcare, Inverell with funding from the National Landcare Program and support from the Northern Tablelands LLS “Managing Soils on the GO” is a belated celebration of international soil day. The field day brings together three high respected speakers on the subject of soils and their management. Soil is the foundation of all agricultural activity and healthy soil is critical for optimal production and health.
In addition to Judi Earl, speakers on the day will be Derek Smith and Mike McCosker.
Derek Smith has been managing a diverse mixed farming enterprise at Guyra since 1984. He has been consulting and teaching organic farming and soil management principles for over 10 years. Derek specialises in comprehensive soil and leaf analysis, soil recommendations based on analysis results, distribution and sales of soil fertility and plant nutrient products and holistic soil management consultancy for a wide range of agricultural pursuits.
Derek and his wife Fiona operate Working with Nature. Their business services are open to all farmers and graziers with a focus on organic producers and those transitioning to organic, biological or simply a more regenerative production system.
Mike McCosker is a fourth generation farmer from Wallangra. Mike graduated with a Certificate in Agricultural Production in 1984 and has 25 years experience in agriculture and has been consulting to farmers for 15 years. He was a keynote speaker at the MARDI (Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute) annual conference and conducted farmer education seminars in Fiji where one of the interns was the Prime Minister. Mike is passionate about high nutrient quality food and teaching farmers about soil health and soil biology.
Check out the field day flyer here and to register for the event contact Anya Salmon at Gwymac on 02 6721 1241
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Recent Events
National Biological Farming Conference & Expo - 6 - 9 November 2015
Southern Cross University, Lismore NSW
A fantastic event attended by over 400 people. The program featured a great assembly of renown local and international speakers. The conference theme Regenerating Our Soils is in recognition and celebration of the International Year of Soils.
"The key objective of the conference is to elevate the discussion of best-practice, sustainable agriculture and offer farmers and agri-businesses educational and networking opportunities.
Our goal is to provide an affordable forum that will advance biological farming systems and address issues of productivity and sustainability."
Presentations from the conference are now available on the SoilCare website.
Southern Cross University, Lismore NSW
A fantastic event attended by over 400 people. The program featured a great assembly of renown local and international speakers. The conference theme Regenerating Our Soils is in recognition and celebration of the International Year of Soils.
"The key objective of the conference is to elevate the discussion of best-practice, sustainable agriculture and offer farmers and agri-businesses educational and networking opportunities.
Our goal is to provide an affordable forum that will advance biological farming systems and address issues of productivity and sustainability."
Presentations from the conference are now available on the SoilCare website.
Field day at the GO - "GLEN ORTON" Coolatai - 17 July 2015
At the first 'open day' at the GO Judi Earl will cover how the principles of Holistic Management have been applied at Glen Orton, the challenges of regenerating degraded land and how planned grazing has been used to;
- utilise low quality feed
- manage Coolatai grass
- manage prolonged periods of rainfall deficiency
- encourage biodiversity.
Morning tea and lunch will be provided and you're welcome to stay on after the event for a BBQ.
A DAY WITH JUDI - All about grass and grassland management - "Kenilworth" Guyra - 16 June 2015
The field day will cover fundamentals of grass physiology and growth, how the intensity and frequency of defoliation impacts of grass growth and pasture production and how to assess available herbage mass. Tools developed by AIMS to conduct a feed budget will be demonstrated and any questions related to grass, grasslands and grazing management will be answered.
The field day will cover fundamentals of grass physiology and growth, how the intensity and frequency of defoliation impacts of grass growth and pasture production and how to assess available herbage mass. Tools developed by AIMS to conduct a feed budget will be demonstrated and any questions related to grass, grasslands and grazing management will be answered.
PASTURE MANAGEMENT - Uki - 4 June 2015
Field day will cover pasture and weed species identification
Pasture assessment techniques
Effective pasture management
Field day will cover pasture and weed species identification
Pasture assessment techniques
Effective pasture management
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HOLISTIC SOIL HEALTH - "Dunbeacon" Barraba - 7 May 2015
Judi Earl PhD will share her extensive experience and knowledge on this subject in an informative and interactive field day at the McDouall family property “Dunbeacon “ on the 7th May commencing 9.30am. This will be a day for all those graziers out there who would like to see more grass, more kilos, and healthier soils. Judi is an experienced educator and consultant with AIMS and is also a landholder in the Coolatai area. She will spend the day at the McDouall family property “Dunbeacon” exploring the concepts behind, and the management strategies involved in Holistic Soil Health. The program for the day; * pasture & grazing management - the key to soil health * building soil carbon * enhancing soil biology and nutrient cycling * diversity of soil organisms and their function and interpretation of soil chemistry analyses. We will be looking at a native grass pasture site and a tropical grass pasture site. Soil testing was done on 10th April from both sites and will be available. You will be hosted by Ian and Ali McDouall of "Dunbeacon" with the day coordinated by UGLA. |
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