When and why would you undertake soil tests? Sampling soil and having it tested for a range of chemical attributes can support farm management decisions to improve productivity and profitability.

Soil sampling should always involve extracting a uniform core of soil to a precise depth. Many soil tests are calibrated for determining critical levels in a surface soil sample extracted to a depth of 10 cm.

The Limestone Coast Landscape Board has Hamilton Soil Samplers for primary producers to use. These soil samplers make soil sampling easy - ensuring that you get the right depth and volume of material for analysis.

Email the Limestone Coast Landscape Board to book a free soil sampler.

The Grassland Society of Southern Australia Limestone Coast Branch is presenting the Farm Diversity in the South East Bus Tour, which will include:

• hemp crop walk
• sowing time trial and seeder demo
• post forestry renovated paddocks
• wine tasting at DiGiorgio Wines
• dinner (optional) at Hollicks

Bus tour details:

• Date: Friday 17 February
• Time: 8:30 am to 5:30 pm
• Cost: $50 GSSA members and $100 non-members
• Dinner cost: $50

To register and for more information visit www.grasslands.org.au.

This project is supported by the Limestone Coast Landscape Board, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landscape Program

Join grain storage specialist Chris Warrick at an on farm and hands-on workshop focusing on:

• fumigation and venting to avoid issues
• aeration systems - setup and operation
• options for cooling or drying
• pest prevention options
• considerations for expanding storage
• stock feed storage and more

Workshop details:

• Date: Thursday 9 February
• Time: 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
• Location: Wolseley
• Cost: MFMG members $25, additional MFMG members $15, non-members $100

Registrations are essential via the MFMG website by 5 February 2023.  

Join Australia's leading AccuSpread trainer, Russell Nicol, at an on farm and hands-on spreader demonstration day focusing on:

• testing fertiliser spreading equipment for accuracy and evenness of spreading
• demonstrating the variability and performance pre and post calibration
• how to calibrate spreaders to maximise efficiencies,
• the calibration process to allow a more even spread of fertiliser on the paddock
• how to get the most from your spreader
• modifications that can be made to optimise performance

Workshop details:

• Date: Tuesday 28 February
• Time: 9 am to 4 pm
• Location: Wolseley
• Cost: MFMG members $50 / additional MFMG members $30 / non-members $200

Registrations essential via the MFMG website by 22 February 2023.

Regional Development Australia Limestone Coast's Emerging Leaders Program is for new and aspiring leaders in the Limestone Coast. It is a unique, experiential program that develops personal leadership skills, knowledge of the region and a broad network of professional and community contacts.

Participants will build emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and skills in working with and leading others.

The Emerging Leaders Program will be open to people who live or work in the region and are ready to broaden their leadership skills. This Program will focus on personal growth, self-empowerment, and relationship development.

Application close: Sunday 5 February 2023 

The Thriving Communities Program consists of small grants for projects that build social capital through facilitating:

• community group participation
• a sense of belonging
• equity of access.

Projects that meet the aims of the program may include:

• physical infrastructure - new and expanded
• plant and equipment
• events to enhance community wellbeing and engagement, including promotional expenses capped at 10% of the grant.
• training such as first aid, mental health first aid, child safe, cultural awareness and inclusion.

Applications close Friday 30 June 2023.

The grants will support projects that can be completed within 12 months. An applicant co-contribution is desirable but not essential. You are encouraged to leverage co-contributions from the Australian Government, or state and local government grants.

More information can be found on the Government of South Australia Department of Primary Industries and Regions website.

The Australian Government is inviting consortia via an open competitive process to apply for grants under the Long-term Trials of Drought Resilient Farming Practices Program.

This program will fund innovative and transformational practices that have the potential to positively influence (socially, economically and/or environmentally) the efficiency, productivity, and sustainability of Australian farms from the impacts of drought and climate change.

Projects will have a focus on grain cropping, livestock grazing and/or mixed cropping and livestock systems. Projects will test, refine, and demonstrate the effectiveness (or otherwise) of yet to be proven farming practices in a robust scientific manner. The testing of these practices will underpin and assist to drive widespread adoption through increased evidence and by providing farmers with the confidence and information they need to try the practices themselves.

More information about this funding opportunity can be found on the Australian Government's Grant Connect website.

As a livestock producer, did you know there are 123 registered drench products in Australia? How well do they work for your livestock?

Megan Lewis is a student at the University of Western Australia and through funding from MLA, she is trying to find out more about pest and parasite control across Australia

To help Megan understand more about current control strategies used for pests and parasites of livestock from all regions in Australia, please fill out her survey on drenches, pests and parasites and maybe win your weekly shop too! Also opt in for a fully anonymised summary!

Be part of the change in transitioning to a low emissions economy and help your sector grow and prosperby attending the inaugural South Australia's Industry Climate Change Conference 2023.

This conference will bring together a range of industry, business and government representatives from across South Australia to work together on further reducing emissions and the pathways to a net zero future.

Register your interest for this event on the South Australia's Industry Climate Change Conference website.

This unique workshop is for any farmer who is concerned about current trends such as an increasing reliance on inputs as prices rise, declining soil health, increased variability in productivity and climate, and crop risk.

This online course includes eight online weekly sessions focused on how to profitably transition towards a cropping system that improves soil health and returns, with lower risk. 

The workshop focuses on outcomes and how you can introduce alternative approaches into your existing cropping program. Content includes:

• Soil microbiology – what practices give a healthy balance between physical, biological, and chemical elements
• Key ecological health indicators
• The six RCS Soil Health Principles – what are they and how do you put them into practice?
• Economic challenges and management accounting processes
• Risk management for cropping generally and regen cropping specifically
• Pathway for crossing the “Valley of Death” from conventional to regen cropping
• What is the first step, and can be done now on your place?

More information can be found on the RCS Transforming Agriculture website.

Be sure to understand your bushfire risk so you can prepare your property and know what to do if a bushfire starts. Preparing for a bushfire will not only help to mitigate the impact of fire on people, homes, animals and businesses but also helps to protect our regions natural resources.

We can all be bushfire ready. There are nine simple steps to surviving a bushfire:

1. Do your 5 minute bushfire plan
2. Talk about your plan to family, neighbours & friends
3. Have flexibility in your plan
4. Clear around your property
5. Have an emergency kit ready
6. Know when to leave and where to go
7. Listen to the weather and know your total fire bans
8. Subscribe to the CFS warning email
9. Check radio, website, social media and news updates

For more information about preparing for bushfire season visit the CFS website.

The Limestone Coast Landscape Board website also has a range of bushfire management resources sourced from a variety of organisations including the CFS, Australia Red Cross, Department for Environment and Water and Department of Primary Industries and Regions.

Get Involved!

AgConnect promotes the latest sustainable agricultural news and events across the Limestone Coast. If you have an upcoming event or agricultural news you would like to share contact us:

Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitators

Skylea Mclean: skylea.mclean@sa.gov.au

Eykolina Benny: eykolina.benny@sa.gov.au