Win a Comprehensive Soil Assessment this World Soil Day
In celebration of World Soil Day (December 5), land managers in the Murraylands and Riverland Region are invited to enter a draw to win 1 of 3 soil assessments valued at $5,000 each.
Hosted by the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board, the competition is being run to build awareness of soils as a valuable natural resource. As the foundation of the agriculture sector, soils play an essential role in an industry worth more than a billion dollars to the region annually.
Prize winners will receive extensive soil testing including nutrient and biology profiles, with interpretation and advisory services from the landscape board’s dedicated Soil Extension Officer. In addition to understanding soil test results, the Soil Extension Officer will also provide advice on how to improve soil health as a way to drive productivity and sustainability.
Land and Water Management Team Leader Michael Cutting encouraged farmers, graziers and irrigators in the region to enter the competition.
“The 3 prize winners will be given the opportunity to explore the health of their soils through comprehensive soil testing, and support and advisory services offered by our Soil Extension Officer”.
“Soil tests will be taken from 4 sites across the property of each winner in order to provide an accurate understanding of soil health indicators. Laboratory testing will involve soil biology and nutrient profiles which will provide the winners with an accurate picture of the condition of their soils,” he added.
“This year’s World Soil’s Day theme – Soil and Water: The Source of Life – reminds us of the often-overlooked role that soils play in sustaining life on planet Earth”.
“In a region as rich and productive as the Murraylands and Riverland, protecting and enhancing soils is essential to ensure that we continue to produce high quality food”.
Entries are open from 5 December 2023 until 31 January 2024.
Three winners will be picked by random and notified by 16 February 2024. The competition is open to all land managers in the Murraylands and Riverland region operating more than 150 acres, or irrigated operations over 20 acres. See the full terms and conditions for more information.
This project is supported by the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board trough funding from the Smart Farms Small Grants program which is a component of the National Landcare Program.
