Farmers Invited to Unearth the Secrets of Soil Health with Joel Williams

The Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board will host a free full-day workshop for landholders interested in driving farm sustainability through an improved approach to soil health.

The day will be facilitated and guided by world-renowned soil health educator Joel Williams, a sought-after expert in soil management, plant nutrition and sustainable food production.

Mr Williams will share his knowledge on a range of modern agriculture topics including the use of cover crops, inter row crops and foliar fertiliser applications. A focus for the day will be how to build soil organic matter in a dry climate, along with soil health principles, plant nutrition and livestock integration.

The event, which will start on-farm at Brinkley, will include a presentation by Mr Williams alongside a soil pit in a summer crop. The morning will focus on soil and plant health, and the interaction between summer crops and livestock health. Lunch and the afternoon session will be held at Gifford Hill (Murray Bridge Racing Club) where Mr Williams will continue his presentations and answer questions from the audience.

Landscape board Soil Extension Officer Barrie Williams said that the focus on soil health will make the day of benefit to all landholders.

“With soil as the foundation of all farming systems, whether it’s cropping, horticulture, livestock, dryland or irrigated practices, everyone will learn something new and tangible by listening to Joel”.

“His wealth of knowledge and real-world experience will cut through the jargon so attendees can develop the knowledge and confidence to make changes on-farm that will drive productivity, profitability and sustainability,” he added.

Summer Crops in Focus through Soil Pit

Event attendees will be able to get up close with soil health and look at the effects of a summer cover crop through a soil pit at the February 20 event.

Brinkley farmer Andrew Smith sowed a summer crop on his property to take advantage of strong summer rainfalls, and as a source of additional sheep feed. The crop includes sorghum, plantain, chickory, smart radish and subzero brassica and has received around 100ml of rain since December.

Event attendees will be able to see what impact the summer crop is having on soil health, including the impact on compacted soils, water availability and microbial activity.

The event will be held on Tuesday 20 February starting on Andrew Smith’s farm at 891 Pope Road, Brinkley at 8:30am. Attendance is free, but registrations are essential.

More information and registrations are available on the events page.

This project is supported by the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board through funding from the Smart Farms Small Grants program which is a component of the National Landcare Program.