Farmers Digging Deeper
Latrobe Catchment Landcare Network along with partners are excited to announce that we have received funding from the Commonwealth Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment for the ‘Farmers Digging Deeper’ Project.
This project will support 315 farmers across the region to increase their knowledge of soil health and to better understand the links between soil health, farm productivity and profitability. The project will also help farmers develop management pathways to actively improve their farms soil health and condition.
On 115 farms the project will collect:
540 soil carbon core samples;
184 soil chemistry samples; and
115 soil biology samples.
A series of soil health interpretation training workshops and field days will further support farmers knowledge on soil carbon, natural capital accounting opportunities, and practices proven to increase soil health and productivity. Five on-farm demonstration sites will be established throughout the region to measure the soil health impacts of multi-species pastures and regenerative grazing management.
The South Gippsland Landcare Network will also form a farmer discussion group focusing on soils and regenerative agriculture. This will compliment an already active discussion network managed by all partners across the region.
This 2-year regional project will run until April 2024 and will be facilitated by the Western Port Catchment Landcare Network. Key partners include Bass Coast Landcare Network, Latrobe Catchment Landcare Network, Mornington Peninsula Shire, South Gippsland Landcare Network & Melbourne Water.
This project is supported by Western Port Catchment Landcare Network, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program
Laura Bowles
Executive Manager
E: laura.bowles@latrobe.vic.gov.au
P: 0417 118 233
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Side by Side Sampling
John and Vanessa Sharman’s property had some side by side sampling conducted on their property looking at measuring changes and comparing differences in results of management practices. The results obtained aim to provide data on soil carbon, chemistry levels, structure, bulk density and biology, which will help inform the wider farming community and provide valuable information to assist farmers in their future management decisions.
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All samples are done!
Monday the 5th of December marked the finial lot of soil monitoring for the Intro to Soils Program. Over the course 3 weeks, LCLN were able to collect all 14 samples! Massive thanks to Pete and Josh from Inspired Ag Solutions for their consistent efforts in collecting samples and chatting with farmers about their soils.
We look forward to implementing the second part of the program in Autumn 2023. Landholders partaking in this program will be able to attend two workshops to help decipher their soil data and help get a better understanding of how to interpret the numbers.
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Intro to Soil sampling underway
Over the last week the Network has started sampling farms as part of the Farmers Digging Deeper - Introduction to soils, and understanding your soil tests program. This program is looking to help 14 landholders in the Latrobe Catchment region to better understand their soil health. Pete Ronalds from Inspired Ag Solutions and his son Josh have been doing an amazing job getting 6 of the farms sampled for; carbon, microbiology, chemistry.
Weather conditions have been challenging with many of our sites having to be rescheduled due to wet soils. We hope to get the rest of the farms sampled before the end of year!
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Monitoring continues in Willow Grove
Monitoring of the multi-species site in Willow Grove has been successful with data recorded on;
Water infiltration and soil temperature
Pasture transects
Feed tests
Photo points
Results have show that the subsoiled trial area has had a better water infiltration rate than the drilled trial. Diversity of species found within the trials were limited, however this was the first round of seeding and monitoring. Spring seeding has occurred and the next round of monitoring will occur in a few months.
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Introduction to soils, and understanding your soil tests
Latrobe Catchment Landcare Network, alongside our Farmers Digging Deeper project partners are running an introductory program for landholders who are at an early stage in their learning about soils and soil testing. The program includes soil testing on your farm plus two workshops designed to help you better understand your soils and interpret your soil test results. This opportunity is directed towards the western end of the network however we still encourage your application for future events.
The program will cost you $150 + GST which covers:
2 soil chemistry tests
1 biology (microbial mass) test
1 soil carbon test
2 interactive workshops
Note that soil sampling will take place in late spring 2022, with the workshops being held in autumn 2023.
If you’re a landholder or manager interested in participating, please click on the following link below to submit an expression of interest.
Applications have closed
For more information contact Kelsey Tong on kelsey.tong@latrobe.vic.gov.au
*Extra information
Places are limited and submission of EOI does not guarantee participation. EOI’s will be assessed and participants selected by the project team whose decision will be final.
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Multi-species Demonstration Site
A Willow Grove property with vast views over the Baw Baw region has begun it’s multi-species journey. On a June cold, wet and windy winter morning, soil carbon, chemistry and microbiology were tested to start the project off on a high. We found some remanets of charcoal in some samples indicating either fires or land clearing. In the coming weeks we will start sowing multis-species into six quadrants, aiming to understand the differences in growth efficiencies between a direct seeder and a Kanga (Yeomans plough type tool).
In mid September the first round of monitoring was completed by the Project manager and landholder. Samples of water infiltration, soil temperature, pasture transects, feed tests and photo points were taken prior to the plot being grazed.
