Talkin' After Hours with the Lower Blackwood LCDC

In this episode of Talkin' After Hours,  we delve into the world of  integrated pest management (IPM) and the alarming decline of insect populations, referred to by some as the 'insect apocalypse.' Entomologist Dr. Anthony Rice discusses the significant role insects play in ecosystems and agriculture, the detrimental effects of pesticides, especially neonicotinoids, and the importance of finding alternatives to these harmful chemicals. Dr Rice emphasizes the need for a balanced approach to pest management that harnesses the power of beneficial insects and promotes biodiversity. Our conversation also explored the complexities and historical context of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), including the barriers to its adoption among farmers, the influence of consumer demand for chemical-free food, and the practical steps necessary for implementing effective IPM systems.  Highlighted was the role of beneficial insects, plant communication in pest defense, and the importance of farmers having a broad understanding of how ecosystems operate. Correction:  At 14:17 there is an error in the dialog saying that 50 seeds per ha was a common planting rate and it should have been 50 000. Additional Information: the APVMA is currently reviewing its registration for use for neonicotinoids in Australia. There will be a period for public consultation once they have released their review. It may be a good opportunity for us all to have a say in the future of these chemicals. For a timeline you can see here https://www.apvma.gov.au/chemicals-and-products/chemical-review/listing/neonicotinoids   This podcast forms part of a collaborative project with RegenWA called ‘Make Your Hectares Count'. The project is supported by funding from the Western Australian Government's State NRM Program and you can find out more about it on the RegenWA website at regenwa.com.

In this episode of Talkin' After Hours, the LCDC's Kate Tarrant and guest host Mark Tupman chat to Dan Kittredge, farmer, educator, and founder of the Bionutrient Association. Dan has become one of the leading proponents of “nutrient density,” with ground breaking research to measure and define food quality, and linking it directly to how it's grown. Our conversation delves into the significance of nutrient density in food, the challenges of defining it, and the critical role of soil health in achieving high nutritional quality. Dan also shares his journey in sustainable agriculture, the establishment of the Bionutrient Institute, and the ongoing quest to understand and improve nutrient density in food systems.  Dan is spreading the word globally, and is currently on an epic world tour, bringing his Certificate-Level Masterclass in Nutrient-Dense Food to Australia and New Zealand this April & May. For more information on Dan and the course head to https://www.dankittredge.com/ This podcast forms part of a collaborative project with RegenWA called ‘Make Your Hectares Count'. The project is supported by funding from the Western Australian Government's State NRM Program and you can find out more about it on the RegenWA website at regenwa.com.

In this episode we chat to trappers Shane Franklin and Les Dunnet. Our conversation delves into the world of feral management management and control, the issues, challenges and what we are doing about it in the Lower Blackwood catchment of the south west of Western Australia. Our discussion highlights the successful outcomes of recent feral pig control projects, the importance of landholder collaboration, and the challenges faced in managing feral cats and foxes.

In this episode of Talking After Hours, Jo and Kate chat to south west educators, and permaculturalists, Charles Otway and Jasper Harvey. Our conversation explores the principles and practices of syntropic farming, a method that emphasizes biodiversity, succession, and ecological balance. Also discussed are the benefits & challenges of this farming style, including resilience to climate extremes, soil health, and commercial viability, plus some of the resources available for those interested in this innovative approach to agriculture. Show Notes  

In this Talkin' After Hours Podcast we chat to Hydrologist Lance Mudgway from the Mulloon Institute on the importance of effective water management in WA's agricultural landscapes, particularly in the context of climate change and land degradation.  Our conversation explores the need for a shift towards more natural systems that enhance resilience and productivity and uses the Scott River region in the south west of Western Australia as a case study, highlighting the challenges and potential solutions for sustainable agriculture. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Hydrology and Landscape Management 12:04 The Role of the Mulloon Institute 23:58 Surface Water Management in WA 35:48 Case Study: Scott River Region 42:55 Conclusion and Future Directions

  In this episode we chat to agroecologist Mark Tupman and cattle farmer & Department of Primary Industries & Regional Development Technical Officer Eric Dobbe. Our conversation covers the intricacies of grazing management in Mediterranean environments, focusing on the transition of annual pastures from vegetative to reproductive growth in spring. We also explore strategies for maintaining pasture quality, the importance of species selection, and effective livestock management techniques to optimize nutrition and recovery, delving into pasture recovery, stockpiling, and adaptive grazing practices. 

In this episode we chat to Nan Bray of White Gum Wool, located in the highlands of Tasmania. Nan farms a flock of 600 Saxon Merino on 330ha of high country, and with occasional snow in winter, summers reaching up to 35C, and an average of only 550cm of rainfall, it can be challenging. Nan is no ordinary farmer however, about 15 years ago she decided to move away from conventional farming methods and make some radical changes to the way she does things. Her wool growing production system now relies on three main commitments:  excellence in nutrition, a conservation land ethic, and thoughtful animal welfare.  These commitments are expressed through cherishing the biodiversity of the landscape, a conservative stocking rate and shepherding to link the two. Nan's journey has not been without challenges, particularly when you want to do it differently - our conversation is a dive into Nan's motivation, what she has done, and how she has managed to become a sought after supplier of ethical, sustainable & traceable superfine wool, not only supplying to fashion houses internationally, but also running her own yarn business and achieving almost unheard of prices in the process.

In this Talking After Hours podcast Kate chats to Professor Stephen Joseph about biochar and its applications in renewable energy and agriculture. Biochar is the result of thermal decomposition of biomass in an oxygen-starved environment. It can be made from various feedstocks, including grasses, manures, and wood. Different biochars have different effects on soil and plant growth, and their application rates need to be optimized. Biochar can increase yields, improve water holding capacity, and enhance soil health. Biochar has the potential to improve soil health and agricultural productivity. It can be made from various biomass sources, including woody weeds and crop residues. Biochar can be produced in a trench or using a portable pyrolyzer. It can be mixed with manure or compost to enhance its effectiveness. Biochar can improve water holding capacity, nutrient retention, and microbial activity in sandy soils. It can also reduce greenhouse gas emissions and leaching of nutrients like phosphorus. Farmers can purchase biochar from suppliers or make their own using DIY methods like the kontiki technique. Key Takeaways Biochar is the result of thermal decomposition of biomass in an oxygen-starved environment. Different biochars have different effects on soil and plant growth, and their application rates need to be optimized. Biochar can increase yields, improve water holding capacity, and enhance soil health. Biochar can be made from various feedstocks, including grasses, manures, and wood, woody weeds and crop residues. It can be produced in a trench or using a portable pyrolyzer. Mixing biochar with manure or compost can enhance its effectiveness. Biochar improves water holding capacity, nutrient retention, and microbial activity in sandy soils. It can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and leaching of nutrients like phosphorus. Farmers can purchase biochar from suppliers or make their own using DIY methods like the kontiki technique. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Professor Stephen Joseph and his expertise in renewable energy and biochar 02:31 The journey from working as an engineer to becoming a biochar expert 10:21 Understanding what biochar is and its various applications 14:08 The historical use of biochar by Indigenous peoples and its potential benefits in modern agriculture 17:08 Exploring the use of biochar in combination with solar panels to improve farmland 21:37 The different types of biochar and their effects on soil and plant growth 23:50 Optimizing biochar application rates for maximum benefits 29:53 Introduction to Biochar and its Benefits 34:39 Making Biochar: DIY Options and Considerations 40:31 Impact of Biochar on Soil and Plants 42:38 Biochar in Pasture Scenarios 48:22 Biochar and its Relationship to Humic and Fulvic Acids 50:53 Advantages of Biochar in Sandy Soils 53:24 Purchasing Biochar and Determining Quality 57:45 Conclusion and Resources  

In this episode of Talkin' After Hours we chat to Sam & Steph Hondema of Rosas Ridge based near Margaret River in the South West of Western Australia.  These first generation farmers have been building a successful pasture raised chicken enterprise since 2019, with a vision to supply superior meats, both in nutritional density and rich flavour to their customers table whilst at the same time improving the health of their soils & pasture through regenerative practices  Like all start ups their journey has not been without challenges, particularly when you want to do it differently from the conventional approach - our conversation is a warts and all dive into how they have managed to become the leading suppliers of pasture raised chicken.

In this Talkin' After Hours Episode Jo & Kate chat once again to local agroecologist Mark Tupman from Productive Ecology. This time we explore how to get a better band for your buck by including foliar nutrition to complement your soil fertility program.

In this month's episode Jo & Kate chat to two southwest WA landcarers who have been very active in working with livestock farmers to get some very handy ecosystem engineers working on their farms. We are talking about Dung Beetles and our local experts are Kathy Dawson from Southern Forests Community Landcare based in Manjimup and Kylie Cook from Wilson Inlet Catchment Committee, based in Denmark.  Show notes available via Talkin' After Hours, our online community & information hub.

In this Talkin After Hours Episode Jo & Kate chat to Fred Provenza, Professor Emeritus, Dept. Wildland Resources, Utah State University.  For the past 30 years, Fred and his team have produced ground-breaking research that has laid the foundation for what is now known as behavior-based management of livestock, wildlife and landscapes. This research led to the creation in 2001 of a consortium of scientists and land managers from five continents  called BEHAVE (Behavioral Education for Human, Animal, Vegetation and Ecosystem management). Fred has authored 3 books Foraging Behavior: Managing to Survive in a World of Change, The Science of Shepherding: Tapping the Wisdom of French Herder, and most recently published a book on his research titled Nourishment: What Animals Can Teach Us about Rediscovering Our Nutritional Wisdom. Our conversation delves into this fascinating research with a particular focus on the impact of plant diversity on livestock health.

In this months podcast Jo & Kate chat with Mark Tupman from Productive Ecology on a topic that is absolutely fundamental to agriculture – that of soil function & fertility. In our conversation we delve into what is actually meant by soil function, why and how it is so critical to soil fertility, and what are the most effective strategies we can implement to build soil fertility.

In this episode of Talkin' After Hours Jo & Kate chat to Joel Williams on the hot topic of Nitrogen – how it works in the nutrient cycle and how can we best optimise its use – particularly in grazing systems.

In this months podcast we chat to agroecologist & partner in rural change management company Soil Land Food, David Hardwick on the hot topic of making your own biofertilisers .David learned the skills of making bugs and brews from the masters at Mas humas and has been passing on that information ever since. In the podcast David shares tips, tricks & recipes to make starter cultures, inoculants, bioferments and biofertilisers. 

Feral Pigs are a major pest across a Australia and are in fact wreaking havoc right here in our backyard in the Lower Blackwood Catchment. Here at the LCDC we've been working with the Lower Blackwood Vertebrate Pest Management group for a number of years on controlling the local pig population and are coming into our third year of our State NRM funded project ‘Feral Pig Focus – Protecting the Scott Coastal Plain'. In this month's Talkin' Podcast we chat to Dr Heather Channon, the National Feral Pig Management Coordinator for the National Feral Pig Action Plan about the plan and how projects like ours fit in with her work on a National Scale. This podcast is supported by the Western Australian Government's State NRM Program.

In this episode Jo & Kate talk to Agroecologist Mark Tupman on all things composting for farms - what the options are, how to make them, and how to best utilise the compost on your farm. This podcast is supported though funding from Soil Wise. Soil Wise is funded by the National Landcare Program Smart Farms Small Grants – an Australian Government initiative. It is supported by Healthy Estuaries WA – a State Government program.  

In this Talkin' After Hours Podcast Jo & Kate chat once again to Victorian cropper, seed grower & beef farmer Grant Sims. Grant has driven farm health and productivity gains on his farm through adhering to a set of principles that have included the use of multi species cover crops, eliminating the use of 'icides' and largely replacing high input synthetic fertilisers with foliar fed biofertilisers. This is our second podcast with Grant, last time we focused on multispecies cover cropping, this time around we decided to pick his brains on his other passion – and that is driving plant health through nutrition. Listen in, we know you'll enjoy it! This podcast is supported though funding from Soil Wise. Soil Wise is funded by the National Landcare Program Smart Farms Small Grants – an Australian Government initiative. It is supported by Healthy Estuaries WA – a State Government program.  

In this Talkin' podcast Jo & Kate chat to Jade Killoran, Victorian independent multispecies cover crop advisor, researcher and founder of Healthy Farming Systems.  Although the Victorian climate is slightly different to ours, it is similar enough that so much of what Jade has researched is very applicable in our environment. In this episode we  explore with Jade her research and trial findings and what strategies land managers can use to get diverse & perennial plants established in their annual grazing systems.

In this podcast episode Jo & Kate talk with South West farmer Blythe Calnan about her regenerative journey with her partner Greg Hooper - their motivations, the challenges and the opportunities in running 'Runnymede', a commercial regenerative farm. This podcast is supported by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development as part of a collaboration bringing Dr Christine Jones to Western Australia in February 2023.  

In this episode Jo & Kate talk with South West equine agronomist Belinda Taylor on horses, pastures & soil - including how to get more diversity into equine systems and what that means for management of your horse or horses.  This podcast is supported by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development as part of a collaboration bringing Dr Christine Jones to Western Australia in February 2023.

In this Talkin' episode Jo & Kate talk with internationally renowned soils ecologist Dr Christine on the secrets that make healthy soils tick and the soil as a living system - including a dive into the ‘liquid carbon pathway' – what it is, why we need it, how to help it and how to avoid hindering it. This podcast is supported by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development as part of a collaboration bringing Dr Christine Jones to Western Australia in February 2023.  

In this Talkin' episode we talk to Holistic Grazing expert Dr Judi Earl on the principles of grazing management and how grazing livestock can be used to regenerate their land. This is our second podcast with Judi, we chatted to her last year all about Grass – in fact that podcast is a ‘must listen to' as a good understanding of how grasses grow and respond to being grazed is key to understanding how livestock can be used to enhance soil health and pasture production.

In this Talkin' episode we delve into ‘warts & all' exploration on the planning, preparation & implementation of a ‘Do it yourself' Soil Carbon project. Our guests are Jennifer West from Carbon West, founder of Carbon West, an independent carbon services consultancy specialising in soil carbon project research, assessment, and development, and Brett Hazelden, a Lower Blackwood sheep farmer who is undertaking an independent soil carbon project on his Warner Glen property.  

In this podcast episode we chat with New Zealand agroecologist, author & educator, & the perennially effervescent Nicole Masters, on the topic of weeds & their management - not in the conventional way, but through the lens of ecosystem health. In this perspective weeds are not seen as the ‘foe', nor is there a need to 'wage war' on them, instead an ecosystems approach seeks to understand what their role is in the system, with the ' why' providing the key to their management in your overall system.

In this month's podcast episode we talk to South Australian viticulturist, natural systems thinker, scientist & educator, Dr Mary Retallack. In 2012 Mary undertook a PhD research study which really challenged the conventions of viticulture by harnessing the power of native insectary plants as a key to managing vineyard pests naturally. Her research, and passion for the topic has culminated in an exciting new project that Mary is spearheading, the National EcoVineyards Program funded by Wine Australia & supported by the Wine Grape Council of South Australia. Tune in as we take a dive into Mary's research, the world of native insectaries and why growers are sitting up and listening...

In this episode of Talkin' After Hours we talk to south west farmer and grass fed beef producer Warren Pensini. Warren is a a 4th generation cattle farmer &, together with his wife Lori, manages ‘Paraway', a 664 ha property in Boyup Brook. Warren & Lori's philosophy is to produce quality food ethically in a manner that has minimal impact and stress on their animals, community and environment, while creating a positive financial outcome for their family. Up until 2018 the Pensini's sold their beef direct to customer via their beef brand, Blackwood Valley Beef, now they do so in partnership with Wide Open Agriculture and Dirty Clean Food. Jo & Kate chat to Warren about his most recent venture - a landscape rehydration project he has started in partnership with the Mulloon Institute and Commonland. Warren's farm is the first of four demonstration sites for Mulloon's landscape rehydration model in WA and aims to showcase a method to reverse salinity and restore unproductive &/ or degraded land through restoring natural ecosystem function.

In this Talkin' After Hours podcast , Jo & Kate talk to A2 milk producer Brad Boley, & University of Southern Queensland Research Fellow, Dr Stephan Tait about an alternative way to manage dairy effluent. In 2019 a trial of manure separation was conducted on Brad's farm using a commercial dewatering/filtering equipment called the Z-Filter. The aim of manure separation is to provide options for dairy farmers to beneficially utilise nutrients and organic material in effluent, whilst simultaneously reducing the risk of causing environmental harm to waterways and groundwater.

In this episode of Talkin' After Hours Jo & Kate chatted to molecular biologist, Dr David Johnson & his wife Hui-Chun Su Johnson about David's research and development of an agricultural management method called BEAM (Biologically Enhanced Agricultural Management) and the now renowned composting system he devised with Hui-Chun called the Johnson-Su Compost Bioreactor. This composting process produces biologically diverse, fungal-dominated compost for helping to improve soil health & consequential associated benefits.

In this episode of Talkin' After Hours Jo & Kate tapped into Dr Judi Earl's PhD on Pasture Ecology to talk grass, and also how land managers can enhance the condition and productivity of their land through improved ecosystem function, and more effective utilisation of their pasture.

In this Talkin' After Hours Podcast, Jo & Kate chat to agroecologist David Hardwick from Soil Land Food. The topic for this episode is something of a conundrum for this neck of the woods... that is, how do we go about transitioning from a primarily annual & low diversity pasture system to a multispecies & perennial system in a Mediterranean climate...and why we should consider doing it?

When done right, carbon projects boost a farm's bottom line and increase the productivity of the land. The key is carefully integrating carbon farming projects within an existing production system, but navigating the process can be confusing. In this episode Jo & Kate talk to Carbon Farming Foundation (CFF) Founder & CEO Lachy Ritchie about the Carbon Farming landscape in Australia and how CFF's Do-It-Yourself model works.

In this Talkin' After Hours Podcast Jo and Kate talk to Mark Tupman from Productive Ecology.  For over two decades Mark has been active in the fields of organic/biodynamic production, permaculture, sustainability, agro-ecology and holistic management and in between times managed an orchard, animals and food gardens on his own property. Recently Mark has been working with the LCDC as a project consultant on a couple of Lower Blackwood projects - Regenerative Agriculture in Practice & Pasture Biodiversity to Build Soil Health & Resilience Today's conversation is going to zero in on what some say is possibly the single most important thing you can do to set seeds up for germination and early growth success – that is coating seeds with biostimulants prior to seeding them in the paddock. With a lot of farmers now planning their autumn seeding it's a pretty timely topic!

In this episode, Kate and Jo talk to beef farmer, cropper & seed grower Grant Sims from Down Under Covers. Grant Sims is a sixth-generation farmer running the family farm with his wife Naomi and 4 children in Northcentral Victoria Australia. The farm is 8500 acres of dryland and some irrigation. When Grant took over the farm full time he started looking at ways to improve the life and function of the soil through biology. One of the key tools that Grant has been using to do that is companion and cover cropping, and over time has seen many positive changes in the health or their soils and plants. Grant has generously been sharing his knowledge and experience with farmers on the East Coast, and, although the climate in Northcentral Victoria is a little different to ours in the South west of western Australia, there are many practical lessons that can be learnt from Grant on using multispecies mixes on pasture to improve soil health. Our conversation with Grant delves into the practical nitty gritty of planning, seeding & establishing a multispecies & perennial pasture.

In this episode of Talkin' After Hours, Jo & Kate talk to Rowan Reid from Bambra Agroforestry Farms. Rowan is the Managing Director of the Australian Agroforestry Foundation and co-founder of one of Australia's largest and most successful Landcare groups, the Otway Agroforestry Network. Their conversation with Rowan dives into the world of agroforestry & the  topic of 'trees in farm for a purpose'  - the what, why & how!

Dick Richardson is an internationally recognised leader in the practice of natural grazing to improve soil depth and health, water retention, increased biodiversity and animal production. In this podcast episode Jo & Kate talk to Dick about his method of grazing to regenerate soils, 'Grazing Naturally', - how it works & why Dr Christine Jones recommends it.

Neils Olsen is the inventor of the Soilkee Pasture Renovator, and together with Corporate Carbon was issued the first soil carbon credits under the Australian Government's Emissions Reduction Fund in March 2019. In just six years, Niels used his invention, in combination with multispecies cover cropping, to lift soil organic matter levels from 2% to 10% on his beef property in Gippsland, Victoria. In this episode Jo & Kate talk with Niels about his experiences in using cover cropping to improve the health of his soils, pasture and consequently his livestock and his profitability over the past 6 years.

In this episode Jo & Kate talk to internationally renowned and highly respected groundcover and soils ecologist Dr Christine Jones about biodiversity on the farm, why it's important and how it can impact on soil health.

In this episode Jo & Kate talk to revegetation expert Brook Devine from Cape Life, on how to successfully revegetate areas of your farm & farm waterways.

In this episode Jo and Kate welcome Iszaac Webb from the Undalup Association, a not-for-profit organisation that supports the growth & diversity of Aboriginal & non-Aboriginal communities. Zac, as he likes to be known, is a Wadandi-Pibulmun cultural custodian of the Noongar nation. Zac's family have lived continuously on this land (the south west of WA) for generations and have passed onto Zac the wealth of knowledge of his people's culture, including their language.   In this conversation, Zac will be sharing his own story and that of the Wadandi-Pibulmun peoples' story of country.

In this episode, Joh and Kate talk to South Australian viticulturalist and 2019 Nuffield Scholar Richard Leask.  With support from Wine Australia, Richard travelled across Japan, Singapore, Indonesia, France, Canada, Kenya, Zimbabwe, South Africa, New Zealand and the US, meeting with regenerative agriculture farmers and leading soil researchers to identify practices that would be applicable in Australian wine grape production systems.  As a result of his travels, Richard concluded that if Australia's wine industry is to remain resilient in the face of growing climatic and environmental pressures, producers need to be more regenerative in their management practices to maintain soil health and ecosystem diversity.

In this episode, Jo and Kate are joined by Dave Rogers from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.  Dave comes from a farming background and has a real passion for helping develop agricultural systems that are as productive as possible while minimising offsite impacts.  Dave believes that “getting soils right” is one of the few areas where you can have massive positive impacts on the productivity and profitability of the farm while improving environmental outcomes.  In this conversation Dave chats with Jo and Kate about soil testing – the what, the whys and the hows!

In this episode, Jo and Kate are joined by world leading sustainable agriculture educator Graeme Sait, the CEO and co-founder of Nutri-Tech Solutions (NTS).  He is also an author, responsible for over 300 published articles and a popular book, “Nutrition Rules!”. He also created the internationally acclaimed, ‘NTS Certificate in Nutrition Farming®. This course has now extended the understanding of over 40,000 farmers, on four continents.  Graeme is passionate in sharing his knowledge and experience to help farmers in building resilient and healthy farms without sacrificing profitability.   In this conversation, Graeme chats with Kate and Jo about the hot topic of cover cropping – the what, the why & the how.

In this episode, Jo and Kate are joined by Mark Tupman from Productive Ecology.  For over two decades Mark has been active in the fields of organic/biodynamic production, permaculture, sustainability, agro-ecology and holistic management and in between times managed an orchard, animals and food gardens on his own property.  In this conversation, Mark shares some of his extensive knowledge on the interplay between the soil environment, soil biology and nutrient availability.  

In this episode, Jo and Kate are joined by Michelle McManus from Southampton Homestead in Balingup.   Michelle, together with her husband Jeff Pow, run WA's first pasture-raised poultry farm.  Michelle and Jeff manage their poultry as part of a planned grazing program, following a small herd of cows and moved every day onto fresh, biodiverse and mostly perennial pasture.   The birds are harvested by hand in their on-farm poultry micro-abattoir.  In this conversation, Jo and Kate take a closer look at the ins and outs of direct marketing farm produce. 

In this episode, Jo and Kate are joined by agroecologist & partner in the rural change management company Soil Land Food, David Hardwick. With over 20 years' experience in rural landscapes, farming and food systems, David & his company have developed and delivered many extension projects that focus on providing farmers with the knowledge & skills they need to move towards a more regenerative, ecological future. In this conversation, Jo and Kate take a closer look into the topic of landscape function and the key elements to consider when planning a regenerative farming enterprise. 

In this episode, Jo and Kate are joined by local South West viticulturalist & regenerative agriculture management specialist Matt Dermody. Matt began working in the vineyards from the age of 17 & over the last 20 years Matt has amassed a wealth of knowledge and skills through work & travel in the viticulture business, also completing a Bachelor in Agribusiness along the way. More recently Matt has developed a strong passion to focus on studying and implementing regenerative agricultural methods. In this conversation, Jo and Kate delve into Matt's extensive experience in planning for biodiversity in a farming operation.

In this episode, Jo and Kate are joined by internationally renowned agro-ecologist, educator & systems thinker Nicole Masters. Nicole has spent over 20 years working throughout Australasia & North America, coaching, consulting & advising producers on the approaches, tools & thinking required to build soil & ecosystem health, food quality & profitability. Nicole has recently added ‘author' to her list of accomplishments, publishing her first book “For the Love of Soil” last year.  In this conversation Jo, Kate and Nicole chat all things soil compaction. 

In this episode, Jo and Kate are joined by internationally renowned and highly respected groundcover and soils ecologist Dr Christine Jones.  Christine has a wealth of experience working with innovative landholders to implement regenerative land management practices that enhance biodiversity, increase biological activity, sequester carbon, activate soil nutrient cycles, restore water balance, improve productivity and create new topsoil. In her long career Christine has published more than 50 scientific papers on soil science, and has organised and participated in workshops, field days, seminars and conferences throughout Australia, and around the world. www.lowerblackwood.com.au Don't forget to subscribe to the show!

In this episode, Jo and Kate are joined by the founder and owner of Soil Dynamics, Anthony Quinlan to share his view on the issues, challenges & rewards of developing a closed loop farm system and discuss the keys steps for getting started. Through his business Soil Dynamics, Anthony performs land capability assessments and consults to many organic growers, from vineyards to vegetables.  He has also been making compost for over 20 years and was a pioneer in the development of compost extracts.  In recent years, Anthony has developed a range of bio-stimulant based fertiliser products and a custom blending facility that produces prescription mineral blends for individual client needs. www.lowerblackwood.com.au Don't forget to subscribe to the show!

In this episode, Jo and Kate are joined by Agronomist and Western Dairy Dairycare project officer Dan Parnell to explore what the key factors are in establishing a perennial pasture in our climate, & what is required for ongoing successful perennial pasture management. Dan operates his own South West agronomy business Agsure where he works with farmers on their pasture and soil management and his role with Western Dairy sees him delivering the Feeding Pastures for profit workshops, supporting the dairy farm monitor program and also working on effluent system improvements that deliver on-farm benefits as well as improved water quality outcomes. www.lowerblackwood.com.au Don't forget to subscribe to the show!