Despite the wintery weather we had a great day out with Grant Sims and Prof. Lyn Abbott, learning about perennial pastures and multi-species cropping.
The presenters were so inspiring and educational.
Thank you to Department of Water and the SoilWise project and thank you to all the farmers and landholders for your ongoing support and interest.
In this one-day workshop and field-walk we explored why and how multi-species work to build farm resilience, productivity and profitability with professor Lyn Abbott and Grant Sims.
The workshop covered:
- The Soil-Plant Relationship
- Carbon based soil amendments
- Developing a multispecies pasture to improve soil resilience & productivity
- A practical demonstration using tools to monitor plant / soil health
This workshop was delivered in partnership with multispecies seeding specialist Grant Sims – Down Under Covers and award-winning soil specialist, emerita professor Lynette Abbott.
Resources from the workshop:
Presentation from Professor Lynette Abbott:
Presentation from Grant Sims:
https://estuaries.dwer.wa.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023-WA-Grant-Sims-Presentation.pdf
Two podcasts with Grant Sims:
https://lowerblackwood.libsyn.com/driving-plant-health-through-nutrition-with-grant-sims
https://lowerblackwood.libsyn.com/talkin-multispecies-pastures-with-grant-sims
About our presenters:
PROFESSOR LYNETTE ABBOTT – Soil Microbiologist
Lyn Abbott commenced her research career in soil biology at UWA in 1974. Her research has focused on the role of soil biological processes linked to nutrient acquisition by plants and includes bio-chemical and bio-physical interactions with soil amendments and plant-microbe interactions, especially arbuscular mycorrhizas. Her teaching focused on soil and land management with an emphasis on soil biological fertility, and she has a long history of presentation of workshops and seminars on soil health within the agricultural community. Lyn ‘retired’ in 2013 and as an Emerita Professor continues her research collaborations and extension in soil biology. She was awarded the inaugural General Jeffery Soil Health Award in 2021 and is a Fellow of Soil Science Australia and AG Institute Australia.
GRANT SIMS – Farmer & Seed Producer
Grant Sims is a sixth-generation farmer running the family farm in North central Victoria. The Sims 8500 acre farm has been utilizing no-till since the early 80’s. In 2008 he stopped using granular synthetic fertilizers and started using a biologically made liquid fertilizer. At the same time stopping the use of seed dressing, insecticides and fungicides.
These events are coordinated by the Lower Blackwood LCDC in collaboration with the catchment groups and funded through Soilwise.
Soilwise is funded by the National Landcare Program Smartfarms Small Grants – An Australian Government initiative. It is supported by Healthy Estuaries WA – a state government program.
