Monthly Archives: February 2009

Soil Carbon Awareness Seminar

Soil Carbon Awareness Seminars will be held at Narrabri and Inverell soon.  As you would be aware, soil carbon is a complex but increasingly important issue for farmers – this seminar hosted by the North West Beef Improvement Association, NSW Farmers and NSW Department of Primary Industries is aimed at explaining some of the issues regarding soil carbon, emissions trading, etc.

 If you would like to attend one of the seminars, please RSVP to 
Kristy Dunlop or David Llewelyn by Monday 9th March (Phone 02 6750 6300).

Cost:  $45 single or $80 per double.
Date:  12th March, Narrabri  or  13th March, Inverell
Programme:   see below

9.30am for 10.00 start
DPI Soil Carbon Awareness Update -  David Waters
- Carbon cycles
- Soil carbon fractions
- Effects of climate and soil type on soil carbon
- Organic carbon amendments
- Whole farm carbon dynamics
- The emissions trading scheme  – how it is shaping

12.30 – 1.30  LUNCH

1.30     Soil Carbon trends under cropping rotations:  Glen Innes Research Station results  -  Carol Harris
1.40     Soil Carbon trends under grazing  -  Bruce Coppock
1.50     Soil Carbon maintenance using compost additive – Bruce Picone
2.00     Biological benefits of Carbon farming and grazing practices  - Chris Teage

2.30    Afternoon Tea

3.00    Indirect costs of carbon pollution scheme for farmers.  What are they?   -  Greg Mills, Ag Economist
3.30      Mitigating methane emissions from ruminants – Roger Hegarty,  Beef CRC
4.00     OPTIONS for agriculture – under emission reduction limits and Carbon trading scheme guidelines  -  Mick Keogh, Australian Farm Institute

5.00      Close

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First 2009 Newsletter online now

The first newsletter for 2009 is now online.  This one has some excellent articles dealing with a very important problem for farmers in recent times – how to handle the ever-increasing price of fertiliser.

Volume 24, Number 1, 2009 (pdf file 653kb)

  • Editorial – Haydn Lloyd-Davies
  • Travel grant report – 2008 International Grassland Congress, China – Michael Keys
  • Alternative fertiliser options (PART 1) – Lisa Warn
  • Dealing with high fertiliser prices – Bob Freebairn
  • How do changes in fertiliser price influence optimal fertiliser application rates? – Karel Mokany
  • The way to success is ground cover – Jeff Lowien & Bob McGufficke
  • From the President’s Desk – Mick Duncan

This newsletter is now in the Free Content section of the website – you do not need to login to view this newsletter.

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2009 Conference Preliminary Notice

Just q quick heads-up about the 2009 conference.

The conference will be held in Taree and feature the following themes:

  • Exploring advantages of coastal dairy and beef pastures
  • The impacts and implications of climate change on pasture systems
  • International and local speakers

There will also be a range of exciting farm tours in and around the Manning Valley.

Stay tuned for more details.

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