Soils

TopSoils member Robyn Williams enjoyed the TopSoils events and farm planning. Currently conducting a demonstration on renovating pasture paddocks, monitoring and grazing management.

TopSoils member David Read has enjoyed the events and webinars.  Trialing multi species crops for grazing, more diversity and feed.  African lovegrass is a hardy, drought-tolerant grass that grows in clumps. It is poor quality feed for livestock and can quickly colonise pastures. Several control methods have been tried by the group.

TopSoils member Craig Lloyd has done lots of soil testing and identified acidity as an issue constraining his production and TopSoils has assisted in experimenting with different Lime products.

TopSoils group member Rob Wilson has found the learning process the most valuable from the  TopsSoils program. He has changed management using rotational grazing with smaller paddocks and has a greater understanding of sustainable farming systems.

TopSoils Group member Jen Smith has used the fundamentals of TopSoils of understanding measuring and managing our soils with fellow group members and experts. Giving them the confidence to try new systems and ask the questions.

TopSoils member Matt Jenkins has found the knowledge gained through TopSoils has given him the confidence to use a couple of methods to renovate a run down farm and rejuvenate the land.

TopSoils group member Neil Stringer runs a family farm, mixed prime lamb and merino enterprise. TopSoils has highlighted the need to explore soil carbon and biology. Through soil testing programs TopSoils explain the science behind the recommendations, that is independent. And doing trials with liming, cultivation and deep rooted perennials to improve pastures.

TopSoils group member Jenny Trail, Angus cattle enterprise, has learnt how to utilise soil testing and tissue sampling.  Understanding and knowing what the paddock needs. Keeping ground cover and rotational grazing. TopSoils provides access to expertise and broader knowledge.

TopSoils group member Ken Stuart attended most of the TopSoils events, it has encouraged him to experiment with compost, sawdust and manures to feed the soil for better water infiltration.

TopSoils group member Lou & Rose Maher have enjoyed the networking and expertise of the group. Learning to manage the underground livestock in the soil.

TopSoils group member Emily Richards values the networking opportunities with like minded people TopSoils provides.  They are experimenting with multi species cover crops, mulching and strip tillage of the cash crops, feeding the soil.  TopSoils increases their confidence to experiment with new farming systems.

TopSoils group member Peter Honey aim is to have a farm that supports us and the land.  Water is essential for plant growth and having healthy soils that have water holding capacity and nutrient holding capabilities.

TopSoils group member Vanessa Ingram-Daniels runs a cow calf breeding enterprise that uses rotational grazing systems.  TopSoils has helped her understand the importance of soil tests, how to feed the soils and maintain ground cover.

Top Soils group member Jo Trevaskis is a 5th generation farmer at Wairewa, working with her family using regenerative farming practices.  Sharing her experiences and learning journey with the curve balls of fire and drought.

The Top Soils project has 5 major delivery partners and focuses on supporting 5 farmer focus groups (geographically located in Gippsland – High Country, Far East, Plains, Foothills, Snowy River).   It is farmers driving their own learning and adopting better soil management practices, supported by in field trials and demonstrations.

Southern Farming Systems Farm Focus video’s are brought to you by Greta Duff SFS, on drainage.  Waterlogging is an on-going issue in the high rainfall zone, through a GRDC project SFS explores different ways farmers are mitigating waterlogging in their farming systems.  The drainage strategies farmers have implemented in South west Victoria range from subsoil amelioration, subsurface drains, raised beds, spoon drains and strategic laser levelling of paddocks.  Hear from real farmers and how they took their farming system struggle from, where do I start? To building/designing machinery, finding a contractor, to in paddock works and what results are they are seeing.

Episode 3 finishes with contractor Andrew Caldow and farmer Ed Weatherly sharing the processes of drainage using laser levelling bucket.  Andrew discusses the process of mapping, designing to implementation of drainage and what he has learnt as a contractor.  Ed provides the farmer’s perspective his learnings and the farm production results. Watch now!

These videos are a series produced for the Strategies for waterlogged crops in the High Rainfall Zone of the Southern Region project supported by Grains Research & Development Corporation.

Southern Farming Systems Farm Focus video’s are brought to you by Greta Duff SFS, on drainage.  Waterlogging is an on-going issue in the high rainfall zone, through a GRDC project SFS explores different ways farmers are mitigating waterlogging in their farming systems.  The drainage strategies farmers have implemented in South west Victoria range from subsoil amelioration, subsurface drains, raised beds, spoon drains and strategic laser levelling of paddocks.  Hear from real farmers and how they took their farming system struggle from, where do I start? To building/designing machinery, finding a contractor, to in paddock works and what results are they are seeing.

Episode 2 explores raised beds and spoon drains with Lachie Morrison near Inverleigh South West Victoria.  Lachie shares his journey from mapping, designing to implementation and the results.  His experiences and tips of if I had known this before I started, it would have taken the stress out of it moments are invaluable for anyone venturing down this path. Watch now!

These videos are a series produced for the Strategies for waterlogged crops in the High Rainfall Zone of the Southern Region project supported by Grains Research & Development Corporation.

Southern Farming Systems Farm Focus video’s are brought to you by Greta Duff SFS, on drainage.  Waterlogging is an on-going issue in the high rainfall zone, through a GRDC project SFS explores different ways farmers are mitigating waterlogging in their farming systems.  The drainage strategies farmers have implemented in South west Victoria range from subsoil amelioration, subsurface drains, raised beds, spoon drains and strategic laser levelling of paddocks.  Hear from real farmers and how they took their farming system struggle from, where do I start? To building/designing machinery, finding a contractor, to in paddock works and what results are they are seeing.

Episode 1 starts the drainage journey with Todd Venning near Hamilton in South West Victoria. Todd and his family have embarked on a major investment into their soils by researching, trialing, designing, building a subsoil amelioration machine to ameliorate their soils and then complementing this with subsurface drainage system. Watch now!

These videos are a series produced for the Strategies for waterlogged crops in the High Rainfall Zone of the Southern Region project supported by Grains Research & Development Corporation.