In October BMRG delivered the Unearthing Soil Function Field Days with Grant Sims from Downunder Ag and Joel Williams from Integrated Soils at Holroyd and Rhodes Farm as part of the Climate Smart Agriculture Program.
The events explored how healthy soils, plant diversity, and holistic grazing management can improve farm productivity, resilience and natural capital. With over 150 attendees across both days, it was clear to us that our region knows the importance of the natural capital beneath our feet!
We also had special guests; Cameron Leckie, Regional Soil Coordinator from the University of Southern Queensland Innovation Hub, and Brenton Wenham from CarbonLink.
Some of the key takeaways from the days included:
- Protect your soil: Minimise disturbance and maintain groundcover, particularly during hot summers and dry periods, to conserve moisture and protect soil biology.
- Embrace plant diversity: Incorporate grasses, legumes and broadleaf species, including deep-rooted plants, to improve soil structure, nutrient cycling and biological activity. Look for untreated seeds that you can prime with beneficial microbes.
- Manage grazing for recovery: Well-managed livestock can support nutrient and carbon cycling. Allow adequate rest and recovery periods and avoid overgrazing.
- Optimise plant nutrition: Healthy plants drive photosynthesis and carbon inputs into the soil. Consider using Brix testing to monitor plant condition and plant sap testing to identify nutrient deficiencies. Let some paddocks go through to flowering / reproductive stage before you graze to allow roots to go down deep into the sub soils building soil structure and bringing minerals back up to the soil surface.
- Read the landscape: Weeds can provide clues about soil conditions, while allowing selected pastures to reach flowering can encourage deeper root development.
- Support soil biology: Explore suitable biological seed treatments to encourage root development and plant establishment.
One message that really stuck with us was:
"We spend a lot of time making sure our livestock are well fed, but don't forget to feed the other living things on your farm—the billions of organisms beneath your feet!"
It's a simple reminder that healthy soils are living assets. By looking after the biology that supports our pastures, we're also investing in the natural capital that underpins productive, resilient farming businesses.
The Unearthing Soil Function Field Days were supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program and delivered by BMRG, a member of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel. BMRG would also like to acknowledge the contribution from the South Burnett Grazing Network.
Thanks team, Leesa