Soil program available to Tas landholders
The Tasmanian NRM Soil Extension Program is a statewide collaboration between NRM North, NRM South and Cradle Coast Authority to support landholders in sustainable soil management and encourage the benefits of soil sampling and soil test interpretation.
One-on-one soil sampling support is available for landholders to learn more about their soil. Photo: Liz Mahnken
Through the program, a Soil Extension Officer is available to landholders in each region for soil sampling support, and to work with local farmers and industry to hold events on a variety of soil health topics.
Working alongside industry and other soil extension activities, the Tasmanian NRM Soil Extension Program features opportunities such as:
- the chance to chat about soil health management and soil test interpretation;
- soil-focused workshop/field days with local experts on soil management issues specific to your region;
- learning how to monitor your physical, biological and chemical soil health in the paddock; and
- one-on-one soil sampling support.
Since mid 2022, the Soil Extension Officers team have been working with landholders to undertake laboratory and field soil health assessments of their paddocks, and to facilitate soil health field days and workshops. Topics covered include the role of earthworms and dung beetles in the soil health of pasture systems, how to undertake physical soil health assessments in the paddock, nutrient budgeting, and soil test
interpretation. In February this year, two soil pit field days were held on two common soil types in the north east - a red ferrosol and a sandy podosol. We were able to look at soil profiles in depth with local advisor Jason Lynch from Pinion Advisory, who explained how to tailor management specific to these soil types.
Multiple other soil health events will be on offer in the coming months, on topics such as soil biological monitoring, pasture renovation and soil salinity management. The Soil Extension Officers are also available for one-on-one soil sampling support.
To keep in the loop, get in contact with your local Soil Extension Officer
North east region (NRM North): Tahlia Kinrade, phone: 0488 203 283 or email: tkinrade@nrmnorth.org.au
North west region (Cradle Coast NRM): Nick Jamson, phone: 0410 534 583, email: njamson@cradlecoast.com
Southern region (NRM South): Nick Macgregor and Natasha Blaesbjerg, phone: 0451 135 655, email: nmagregor@nrmsouth.org.au
This program is delivered by NRM North, NRM South and Cradle Coast Authority, through funding from the Australian Government's National Landcare Program.
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