From the Ground Up

Southern Gulf NRM and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries held a two-day collaborative event aimed at advancing information and education on improving, restoring, and managing soil and pasture health 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙪𝙥!
Experts in the field were brought together to explore key topics and strategies for improving soil health and enhancing pasture productivity.
On Day One, in Cloncurry, we heard from Jane Evans, Kaitie Hay, and Dr. Kendrick Cox from Department of Agriculture and Fisheries about flood recovery on Mitchell grass downs country and establishing legumes and improved pastures for drought preparedness and business resilience. We also heard from Lucy Gardner from James Cook University about monitoring and evaluating land condition and Southern Gulf NRM’s claypan legume trial, Dr. Jack Koci from James Cook University about the 2019 flood impact on land condition, Dhiraj Gajera from TNQ Drought Hub about soil health and fertility, Dr. Wendy Williams, and Nicole Parker from The University of Queensland about the importance of biocrusts, Dr. Andrew Marshall from Northern Australia Climate Program about the Climate Mate program and Jenny Milson from Paddock Plants about the importance of understanding pasture species, 3P grasses, toxic plants, and weeds.
On Day Two, we visited Lara Downs, where we heard from Colin Burnett (Lara Downs), Jane Evans, Kaitie Hay and Dr. Kendrick Cox about sown pastures and legume trials on northwest Queensland downs country, and the recovery of Mitchell grass downs country after the 2019 floods. We also learnt about monitoring land condition and plant identification with Jenny Milson.
Thank you to our speakers and everyone who attended for your involvement in making the event a success!
This initiative is funded under The Grazing Futures Livestock Business Resilience Project by the Farm Business Resilience Planning Program, the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and the Drought and Climate Adaptation Program.