Healthy Soils

Soil health is critically important to sustainable agricultural productivity and the environmental wellbeing of south eastern Australia. There has been much research knowledge generated in recent years that needs to be delivered to farmers in a manner that allows them to increase their capacity to manage soil and in turn, achieve practical benefits on the ground. This project represents an exciting collaboration of agencies, farmer groups and the private sector, across south eastern Australia, led by DPI Victoria. It will collate and package current soil health knowledge at a landscape industry scale, at a level relevant to leading farmers. It will use paired demonstration sites to evaluate soil health management practices at a local scale. It will develop and conduct workshops for farmers and for advisers in both the private and public sector. It will leave a legacy of enhanced knowledge and capacity around soil health for the future.

Project Objectives

To provide a consolidated source of information on soil health issues in south-eastern Australia, rather than the current ad hoc approach to this issue
To provide an approach that is adaptable to industry or landscape needs, for answering the question "how do I know if my soil is improving"
To maximise project 'legacy' by ensuring information is transferred to farmers via farmer groups and agribusiness through appropriate and relevant training and capacity building approaches

During 2006/07 the demonstration (paired) sites were characterised at Cowangie (3 sites), Walpeup (2 sites), Chinkapook (2 sites), Kerribee and Euston. The SA sites were characterised by Rural Solutions SA (Glen Bailey). Some initial physical and chemical tests have been completed and preliminary biological sampling at Kerribee and Euston. Further physical, chemical and biological assessments at selected demonstration sites will be undertaken in 2007/08.

The EM 38 work being done by MSF has been useful in helping to promote discussion on the topic of health soils. The soil sampling data collected by MSF over it life time on sites such as focus paddocks and plot trails will make a excellent data base from which to add local information to the training modules.

In March 2006, field engagement between MSF and DPI Victoria staff occurred in association with demonstration site characterisation. This provided an opportunity for regional staff to gain an improved understanding of soil characterisation and allow them to participate in soil biological sampling at the Kerribee site.