There are a range resources, data and tools available to NSW land managers to help uncover their property’s soil carbon potential.

The Soil CRC invites NSW farmers, landowners and advisors to a free webinar series to:

• understand the latest soil carbon data resources and tools
• learn how to conduct studies for soil carbon projects
• discover techniques to check the reliability and accuracy of soil carbon data.

Thursday 10 October 2024, 1pm – 2pm AEST

Central West Farming Systems (CWFS) is hosting a webinar on locally specific opportunities and practices for soil carbon management relevant to the local farming systems and environment.

Topics for discussion include:

• What soil carbon levels can we expect in our region?
• Factors that influence soil carbon levels
• Management practices that can increase soil carbon levels

Presenters

Dr Cassandra Schefe, Soil Scientist (AgriSci)

Cass is a soil scientist with over 20 years’ experience in identifying and addressing soil constraints in agriculture, with expertise and experience spanning the R, D & E spectrum. Cassie works with farmers, industry, and academia to support sustainable food production. She holds Adjunct positions with The University of Melbourne and Charles Sturt University and has authored 20 scientific journal papers and numerous conference proceedings. She is also accredited as both a Certified Professional Soil Scientist (CPSS) by Soil Science Australia, and a FertCare accredited advisor.

Dr Abe Gibson, Research Fellow, Southern Cross University

Abe is a research fellow at Southern Cross University with extensive expertise in soil sciences, particularly focusing on soil chemistry, soil carbon sequestration, and climate change processes. His work emphasises improving soil health and productivity, while exploring sustainable strategies to enhance carbon capture in agricultural systems. Abe’s research aims to integrate these findings into practical management techniques for farmers, making a measurable impact on both environmental sustainability and agricultural productivity.

Tuesday 15 October 2024, 7pm – 8.10pm AEST

Riverine Plains is hosting a webinar focused on tailored strategies for soil carbon management, addressing practices and opportunities specific to local farming systems and environmental conditions.

The session will feature insights from Dr. Karl Andersson, Research Officer in Soil Carbon (NSW DPIRD), and Dr. Abe Gibson, Research Fellow at Southern Cross University. Both experts will share valuable research and practical approaches to enhance soil health and boost carbon sequestration in the region’s agricultural landscape.

Topics for discussion include:

• Introduction to soil carbon and its role in farming systems
• Expected soil carbon levels in the Riverine Plains region
• Key factors affecting soil carbon levels, including soil constraints
• Management practices to increase soil carbon in mixed farming systems
• Benefits of enhancing soil carbon: improved yields, market opportunities, and resilience
• Real-world examples and data from trials relevant to local farming
• Opportunities in carbon markets for local farmers

Presenters

Dr Abe Gibson, Research Fellow, Southern Cross University

Abe is a research fellow at Southern Cross University with extensive expertise in soil sciences, particularly focusing on soil chemistry, soil carbon sequestration, and climate change processes. His work emphasises improving soil health and productivity, while exploring sustainable strategies to enhance carbon capture in agricultural systems. Abe’s research aims to integrate these findings into practical management techniques for farmers, making a measurable impact on both environmental sustainability and agricultural productivity.

Dr Karl Andersson, Research Officer Soil Carbon (NSW DPIRD)

Karl is a soil scientist with 25 years’ experience throughout NSW. Karl has worked in regions from the high rainfall to the semi-arid zones, in fields including soil mapping, agronomy, soil carbon, nutrient cycling, and irrigation, dryland and urban development. Based at the Tamworth Agricultural Institute, Karl works to enhance soil management practices within the NSW agricultural sector and is an experienced researcher and communicator of soil carbon information.

There are seven webinars in this series, presented by the Soil CRC and our participants.

The remaining webinars are hosted by the Soil CRC’s farming systems groups working in NSW and will cover locally relevant and suitable land management activities for optimum soil carbon management.

Registrations opening soon for:

• 29 October 2024 – Opportunities and Practices for Soil Carbon Management in the Far West of NSW – hosted by Mallee Sustainable Farming
• Date TBC – Opportunities and Practices for Soil Carbon Management in South Central NSW – hosted by FarmLink

• Webinar 1: Soil data access to inform soil carbon management – hosted by NSW DPIRD
• Webinar 2: Thinking about a soil carbon project? Understand soil data first – hosted by NSW DPIRD
• Webinar 3: Webinar 3: Opportunities and practices for soil carbon management in the South West Slopes of NSW – hosted by Holbrook Landcare Network

These webinars are part of the ‘Soil Carbon Capacity Building Resources for Farmers and Advisors’ project, which offers guidance on soil management changes, increasing soil carbon, and can help farmers earn carbon credits.

Fact sheets to support the webinar content will be published on the Soil CRC’s website.

This project is proudly supported by NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water through the Primary Industries Productivity and Abatement Program (PIPAP).

Watch previous Soil CRC webinars

More than 150 Soil CRC researchers, PhD students, grower groups and industry representatives from across Australia came together in Wagga Wagga NSW for our 2024 Soil CRC Participants Conference.

We heard about our latest research and how it’s delivering practical solutions to help farmers better manage their soils to improve productivity and sustainability.

We were also fortunate to hear from Wiradjuri Elder Aunty Dorothy Whyman who delivered a warm Welcome to Country, Member for the Riverina The Hon Michael McCormack, Soil CRC Patron The Hon Penny Wensley, and Prof Jim Prately, who spoke about the challenges that arise as our farming systems continue to evolve.

Wagga Wagga rolled out the sunshine and golden fields for our field trips to Mangoplah, Lockhart, Junee and the Charles Sturt University Farm, where we able to inspect research trials being undertaken by the Soil CRC and others.

Thank you to all our presenters, participants, delegates, staff and organisers who made our 2024 Participants Conference such a great event.

Keep an eye on our newsletter for conference highlights.