Soil

As a critic of the climate catastrophists—and someone who prefers a long-term, science-based view of climate change—I thought I’d share a basic understanding of the science and terminology behind the BoM forecasts we rely on ... Every time a farmer glances at the Bureau’s forecast, the same terms pop up: Indian Ocean Dipole, El Niño–Southern Oscillation, Southern Annular Mode, cold fronts from the Great Southern, tropical moisture feeds, and the Leeuwin Current ...

Planting is underway across most of Australia’s cotton growing regions with some crops already out of the ground in warmer climates while some growers in southern regions are awaiting warmer weather before starting their 2025/26 season. 

As Australian agriculture considers its role in helping meet newly announced national emissions targets, the National Carbon Farming Conference & Expo in Albury this November will give producers the tools to turn policy into profitable, practical action on their farms.

I’ve never had much patience for farming fashions dressed up as science, and none has made more noise than “regenerative agriculture.” ... At last week's Regenerative Food Systems Conference ... I found myself alternating between rolling my eyes and listening intently. That, in a nutshell, is how most practical farmers view regen: some solid agronomy smothered in ideology.

Soil compaction is quietly limiting pasture productivity and affecting horse health. Thanks to the work of 2022 Nuffield Scholar Adam Williamson, the thoroughbred industry now has practical, evidence-based strategies to address it.

Long?suffering readers know I like to poke around in the world of agricultural science particularly anything to do with carbon farming and climate change, so — without drawing on the untapped wisdom of my son Thomas — I’m going to argue, once again, that soil carbon farming in the WA Wheatbelt belongs firmly in the fantasy section of the library, not the science shelves.

The Limestone Coast Sustainable Futures Association recently marked its one-year anniversary with a powerful show of community strength at its AGM, reaffirming its leadership in the fight to protect prime agricultural land and groundwater from rare earth mining in the region.

Western Sydney University researchers have discovered that drought affected wheat plants are able to call on eco-friendly soil bacteria to survive, helping keep crops healthy, boost yields, and provide pathways to develop extreme weather resistant crops.

“We’re really excited about partnering with talented artist Claus Stangl and believe the portraits he’s created bring to life the hidden creatures in our soil in a really fun, educational and unique way”: Alicia Doherty, Kellogg's ANZ.

Peter Christen. If you've ever wandered through Panacea Estate and seen a flock of sheep wandering between the vine rows, you might have wondered: What are they doing here? The answer is simple and surprisingly effective. They're helping us make better wine.

A non-toxic, environmentally friendly method of controlling weeds and pests in horticultural crops that has already proved successful in the United States and Europe will now be tested in Australia through a $4.74 million project led by La Trobe University. 

Paddie and Cliodhna held a community working bee at the Warrali St garden. Adults and children planted out seedlings, weeded, built up the compost piles and celebrated the healthy soil that’s been created from the old compost piles ... we learnt how to create an Indigenous Microorganism soil trap ...

Two Queensland businesses have been convicted of breaching biosecurity regulations that are in place to protect NSW from red imported fire ants. The businesses were ordered by the NSW Local Court to pay $60,000.

Roy Butler, Member for Barwon, tells us he visited a place run by Oceans2Earth. They make a product called Soil Enhancer. They mix fish waste and wood together to make a fertiliser. The man behind this is Tim Crane, originally from Wilcannia.

The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) will host a national meeting in Adelaide on 19 February 2025 for grain industry participants to share knowledge on managing soil acidity in cropping systems.

Shaun Ossinger and his forward-thinking team at Wilson Inlet Catchment Committee have chosen to make an investment in the future by starting a very special Dung Beetle program with a very special species. Known as Bubas bubalus these beetles were originally imported from Europe by the CSIRO ...

Proposed mining for rare earths elements in the Limestone Coast is facing opposition from local producers and residents. Many sections of the community are concerned about how mining would impact production in one of the state's key agricultural regions.

Tens of thousands of Australian farmers have shown adaptability and sustainability this National Agriculture Day by taking part in programs under the Future Drought Fund (FDF) that are helping stock, pasture and native wildlife … provides an opportunity to celebrate the efforts of farmers like Cindy and Steven Scott from the NSW Riverina, who are looking at new ways to manage drought...

Thousands of grain producers  will be put under unnecessary pressure to rethink  sustainable farming practices that benefit  the environment if proposed changes to the use of two key herbicides are approved. This is according to Grain Producers Australia Southern Region Director Mark Schilling,  who is just one of thousands of grain producers who rely  on timed applications of paraquat and diquat  in their programs to ensure a strong harvest result.

Matthew Harrison, uTas. A webinar was held  relating to how planting trees on farm impacts on biodiversity and natural capital. A range of models were used to examine spatially-explicit carbon sequestration and changes in biodiversity over time.