At a time when the NSW government has introduced its controversial Land Management Act which makes it easier for landowners to remove trees, a gently reminder re the consequences of this decision comes from Western Australia. There the woodlands have …
Australian Agriculture and its future
Anika Molesworth is a young 28 year old from Broken Hill who in 2015 was selected as the Australian Young Farmer of the Year. Anika is currently completing her PhD. Her pet interests concern equity for farmers in Australia and …
A Farmer Case Study – Sam Johnson, Young, NSW
Location: Between Boorowa and Young on the South West Slopes of NSW Size: 1500 Ha Soils: Alluvial on the flats and light sodic clay subsoils with low pH on the slopes. Traditionally runs 4-5 dse/ha. Enterprises: 210 Angus cows; 30 …
The effect of phosphorus on soil fungi
The AIEA Newsletter has had a request for information relating to the effect of phosphorus on soil fungi. Here is the answer according to Dr Google! The data on this raises the question as to whether the application of super …
Biodiversity in soils
Biodiversity is a key word in the following article which is from a USA based website called Dirt First – Food and Environment Reporting Network. The thoughts gel with the principles Vince Heffernan is referring to and with that which the EAAA …
Fungi and their role
It is surprising how little we know about fungi and their role in our world of farming. Yes fungi may have a significant role in absorbing phosphorus from the soil and delivering it to the plants. While this is an …
Are fungi and bacteria the soil saviours of Climate Change – or not?
How soil organisms cope with decaying vegetation is much less certain than climate models suppose, researchers say, and carbon emission estimates may be wrong. This article was published recently by the Climate News Network. Author Alex Kirby. LONDON, 29 August, …
News on Soils from Dr. Elaine Ingham, Rodale Institute Chief Scientist, USA.
The following article is from a presentation that Dr. Ingham gave at the Shumei Natural Agriculture Conference on January 21, 2012, at Shumei Hall in Pasadena, CA. The text was edited and printed in the Shumei magazine and we are reposting edited …
Soil science and role plays: A new approach to extension
There are a number of challenges when providing extension and education about soils. One is the fact that soils can be a highly technical and involved subject. This fact can sometimes lead extension professionals and specialists into the trap of …