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$10,000 soil testing grants |
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Southern Cross University has been engaged by the Australian Government to deliver the Pilot Soil Monitoring and Incentives Program.
The Australian Government is providing $54.4 million over two years to support farmers and land managers to access low-cost soil sampling and certified testing in exchange for sharing their data under the Pilot Soil Monitoring and Incentives Program.
Farmers and land managers may be eligible for benefits of up to $10,000 and receive assistance from Commonwealth-funded soil extension officers to interpret their soil test results.
The program may assist farmers to gather data for Emissions Reduction Fund projects.
Additional information on the program including eligibility criteria is available in our FAQs here.
Interested land managers can get in contact with Southern Cross University to apply.
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Adaptive Agriculture and Grassroots Grants are now OPEN |
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The Limestone Coast Landscape Board are now calling for applications to the Adaptive Agriculture Grants and Grassroots Grants program!
Adaptive Agriculture Grants
Funding is available for local farming system groups and agricultural industries implementing projects to build resilience and respond to the threats and market opportunities created by climate change and increased consumer demand for information on produce provenance and sustainable practices, as well as support for practices that improve and protect the condition of soil, biodiversity and vegetation.
Contact Chelsea Burns by email or phone 0427 015 531 for more information.
This project is supported by the Limestone Coast Landscape Board, through funding from the Australian Government's National Landcare Program.
Grassroots Grants
The Limestone Coast Grassroots Grants program supports individuals, volunteers, community groups and other organisations working on a not for profit basis, with local landscape management projects.
For further information in relation to applicant guidelines please visit the Limestone Coast Landscape Board website.
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Grassroots Grant Rootstock Field Day in the Coonawarra |
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The recipients of a 2021/2022 Limestone Coast Grassroots Grant, Vinehealth Australia in conjunction with Wynns Coonawarra Estate and Coonawarra Vignerons is hosting a free
face-to-face field day on rootstocks for the wine industry, with a first-time focus on looking below the soil surface.
Come along to this field day and you will learn about applying variable management strategies to rootstocks to achieve yield and quality outcomes, based on a rootstock’s inherent genetics and ability to access and use soil water.
Join Vinehealth Australia, Wynns Coonawarra Estate and the Coonawarra Vignerons for a guided vineyard walk to observe a series of soil pits and learn more about choosing and managing different rootstocks.
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When: Tuesday 5 April
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Time: 8 am to 4 pm
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Where: Coonawarra Hall, Memorial Drive, Coonawarra 5263
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Cost: FREE
More information can be found on the Vinehealth Australia website.
This project is supported by the Limestone Coast Landscape Board’s Grassroots Grants program and is funded by regional landscape and water levies.
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Carbon on your farm - soil health and salinity update in Coomandook |
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The Carbon on your farm field day in Coomandook on Wednesday 6 April is being facilitated by the Coorong Tatiara Local Action Plan (CTLAP). Following this field day will be the Coomandook Ag Bureau meeting including key note speaker Climatologist Darren Ray.
Topics and Speakers of the day:
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Data update from Roby Downs - Automated Weather Station, soil probe and groundwater piezometer - Felicity Turner (CTLAP Independent Advisor)
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Three soil pits across soil types and overcoming constraints - Brian Hughes and Amanda Schapel (PIRSA)
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An overview of carbon flow in local farm businesses in our landscape - Felicity Turner
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Soil, Carbon and productivity - Amanda Schapel
For more information visit the Coorong District Council website.
To book your ticket contact Tracey Strugnell by email or send her a text message (0427 750 050).
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Water Values Survey |
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Water use creates economic prosperity but also impacts the environment, community and culture – what does a balance look like to you?
The vast majority of the Limestone Coast’s water comes from underground – the confined and unconfined aquifers. We also get water from rainfall and a small amount from creeks that flow from south west Victoria. Some townships in the upper Limestone Coast are serviced by the pipeline from the River Murray.
From water allocation planning to drainage management, wetland preservation and industry water use. Water resource management concerns us all.
Have your say and help shape and inform our approach to water security in the Limestone Coast.
Visit the Limestone Coast Landscape Board website to find out more about the Limestone Coast's water and to access the Water Values Survey.
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Coonawarra Soil Health Seminar - FREE |
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Learn about the dynamic role of soil health to increase resilience in your production system and reduce or eliminate the need for synthetic fertiliser, fungicide, and insecticide inputs. Just like the EcoVineyards focus above ground, there are billions of micro vineyard helpers that can potentially help to save time and resources.
This seminar is FREE for all growers (perennial, annual and broadacre crops) in the region. It includes morning tea and lunch.
You will learn about:
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soil health and the role of microbiology
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nutrient cycling dynamics and the replacement of synthetic chemistry
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the production and use of different compost formulations, compost windrows, high thermal and aerobic compost rings, compost tea to encourage fungal dominated soils for perennial crops, and tips for success
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enhancing plant resistance to pest and diseases
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an introduction to microscope basics (what to look for bacteria, fungi, protozoa, predatory nematodes), and
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an overview of biological Botrytis management
More information can be found on Eventbrite.
This project is supported by the Limestone Coast Landscape Board, through funding from the Australian Government's National Landcare Program.
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Limestone Coast Bridges and Drains Impact Survey |
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Regional Development Australia Limestone Coast (RDALC) are partnering with the South Eastern Water Conservation and Drainage Board (SEWCDB) to conduct an important Bridges and Drains Impact survey to better understand the needs of our region.
RDALC are seeking input from regional road users, including primary producers, transport operators, Local Government, emergency services and tourism operators. The information obtained from this survey will assist the SEWCDB to plan and prioritise asset upgrades for the bridge network across the Limestone Coast, for works that will be completed when additional funds become available.
You can access this survey here.
For more information please call Steve Chapple on (08) 87231057.
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Masterclass: controlling foxes, rabbits, deer and unpalatable grasses |
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Do you want to learn the best ways to control pest animals and unpalatable invasive grasses?
Two FREE Masterclasses will be held in the Limestone Coast:
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Willalooka - Tuesday 12 April
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Coonawarra - Thursday 12 May
The Masterclass will cover the following topics:
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DeerScan
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Lures for foxes
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Fox bounty program
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Rabbit warren destruction and fumigation
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Rabbit calicivirus use
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Poison storage, signage, safety and bait laying
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Traps
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Canid Pest Ejectors
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Identification and control of Coolatai grass, African Lovegrass and Chilean needlegrass
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Kangaroo destruction permits
Contact Jen Gillis from PIRSA by email or phone her on 0447 115 053 for more information.
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Nominate now for the 2022 General Jeffery Soil Health Award |
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Do you know someone in Australia who cares for soil health and who is educating or inspiring others? The General Jeffery Soil Health award is now open to any individual farmer, land manager, extension specialist or educator who is helping improve soil health in Australia.
Individuals can be nominated, or self-nominated, for activities including undertaking and promoting good soil management practice, raising awareness about the importance of maintaining and improving soil health, and/or educating others about soils.
The winner will receive a trophy and a $20,000 cash prize to continue their work.
Nominations close Sunday 17 April, 2022.
The award is initiated and sponsored by the Office of the National Soils Advocate within the Australian Government Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and is administered by Landcare Australia.
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AgRi-Silience Program - Workshops in Tintinara and Lucindale |
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Do you own and operate a South Australian grain or livestock business? Do you want to learn how to manage and adapt to risk? Do you want to improve your business' economic, environmental and social resilience?
Get subsidised access to leading advisers who will deliver both on-farm support and group workshop learning to prepare you and your business to bounce back in the face of adverse climate and other challenges through the new AgRi-Silience program, a joint project between Livestock SA and Grain Producers SA.
Workshops in the Limestone Coast will be located:
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Tintinara - Thursday 7 April
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Lucindale - Thursday 7 April
More information, including how to register can be found on the Livestock SA website.
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