Events
Knowledge sharing activities for farmers and advisors
Through our Adoption Plan, the Soil CRC is delivering a series of extension activities in collaboration with our participating farmer groups and research partners.
Upcoming activities and events related to Soil CRC research are listed below. Click on the links for more information.
September 2026
3 September | Burramine, Vic – Vic No Till Conference Field Day.
Soil CRC participant Riverine Plains will host a station at the Soil CRC increasing plant diversity long term field site. Professor Terry Rose (Southern Cross University) will discuss insights from the plant diversity for drought resilience trial and Sam North (formerly of NSW DPIRD), will share findings from the Soil CRC’s ‘Assessing soil water storage’ project generated at this site.
8 September | Condobolin, NSW – CWFS Spring Field Day. Hosted by Central West Farming Systems.
Go on a field walk with Professor Terry Rose (Southern Cross University) to learn about our plant diversity for drought resilience trial and hear from Dr Yunying Fang (Griffith University) about our organic-based nitrogen fertiliser project.
9 September | Minnipa, SA – SARDI MAC Annual Field Day. Hosted by AIR EP.
Soil CRC researcher Associate Professor Mick Rose (Southern Cross University) will present research outcomes from our biological indicators and managing herbicide residues in soil projects.
9 September | Curyo, Vic – BCG’s Main Field Day 2026. Hosted by Birchip Cropping Group.
Research Hydrologist Sam North (formerly of NSW DPIRD), will discuss how soil properties and management affect crop water availability, based on findings from the Soil CRC’s ‘Assessing soil water storage’ project.
10 September | Inverleigh, Vic – SFS Spring Field Walk. Hosted by Southern Farming Systems.
Soil CRC researcher Dr Santosh Paul will present a research update at the ‘Evaluating the agronomic benefits of biosolids biochar’ trial site.
22 September | Lockhart, NSW – From research to practice: Managing constrained soils and improving access to soil water. Field walk hosted by FarmLink Research.
Soil CRC researchers Dr Shihab Uddin (NSW DPIRD), Sam North (formerly of NSW DPIRD), and Hayden Thompson (Southern Cross University) will explore how integrated soil management strategies are being applied at the Soil CRC’s long-term trial site. Register here.
October 2026
9 October | Soil CRC webinar – Improving soil performance: Practical application of plant-based solutions and soil water impacts
Join Soil CRC researchers Professor Terry Rose (Southern Cross University) and Dr Alice Melland (University of Southern Queensland) to hear about the opportunities and trade-offs of using cover crops, including their potential to build more resilient soils and the impacts on soil water availability compared with conventional management. Details below.
21 October | Streatham Vic – AgriFocus 2026. Hosted by Southern Farming Systems.
Soil CRC Program 2 Leader Associate Professor Nathan Robinson (Federation University) will be making sense of soil indicators in the soil pit with Dr Richard MacEwan (Federation University). Register here.
22 October | Conmurra, SA – Resilient Soils and Crops Field Day. Hosted by Mackillop Farm Management Group.
Hear the latest Soil CRC research on herbicide residue management in soil, measuring soil microbes and building soil resilience and carbon through plant diversity with Southern Cross University researchers Associate Professor Mick Rose and Dr Abe Gibson. Register here.
UPCOMING WEBINAR
Improving soil performance: Practical application of plant-based solutions and soil water impacts
Plant diversity plays a critical role in supporting healthy, resilient soils, yet many Australian grain and sugarcane production systems rely on a limited range of crop species. Finding economically viable ways to increase the diversity of plants in the farming system is a challenge, given that the cash crops grown in the existing rotations are generally the most profitable and low-risk options.
Drawing on research from grain and sugarcane systems, this webinar will explore the opportunities and trade-offs of using cover crops, including their potential to build more resilient soils and the impacts on soil water availability compared with conventional management.
The webinar will cover:
- Options to increase plant diversity and soil resilience while managing potential risks to future cash crop production.
- The impact of those management practices on soil function and crop yields.
- How crop water availability is controlled by the soil.
- How changing soil management affects those mechanisms.
Hear from our researchers about the latest findings, what they mean for growers and advisors, and how the research could be applied in practice.
We will finish with a Q&A to allow open discussion and questions from attendees.
Webinar details
Date: 9 October 2026
Time: 12.30–1.30pm AEDT
Location: Online (a Zoom link will be provided after registration)
Registration
Even if you cannot attend, you can still register to receive the recording and submit questions in advance (there is a space on the registration form for questions).
Our presenters
Professor Terry Rose
Research Agronomist, Southern Cross University
Terry will share regionally specific insights into how practices such as cereal-legume intercropping and cover cropping can improve soil performance while maintaining productivity. This will include where and when to get the best bang for your buck with the potential risks and rewards.
Dr Alice Melland
Senior Research Fellow, University of Southern Queensland
Alice will present research exploring how soil properties and management practices influence crop water availability and yield across key grain-growing regions, and how better understanding of soil water storage can support more informed decisions about soil management, crop selection and water use.
SAVE THE DATE
Final Soil CRC Conference
13 – 14 April 2027
Melbourne Cricket Ground, Victoria
The Soil CRC is gearing up to deliver our final conference in Melbourne next year – a showcase of our research outcomes and a celebration of achievements during our 10-year term.
We welcome our participants and supporters to save the date and join us at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from Tuesday 13 to Wednesday 14 April 2027.
Across the two days, you will hear research findings from a diverse line-up of researchers and industry representatives, and network with like-minded professionals against the backdrop of the iconic MCG.
We will share more information as planning progresses and expect to open registrations later this year. We look forward to celebrating with you in 2027.
Previous webinars
You’ll find recordings of all our previous webinars on our Knowledge Hub at the link below.
Information about our ‘Soil carbon capacity building’ webinar series can be found on the project webpage.
Watch our ‘‘Understanding farmers, sharing knowledge and reporting innovation’ webinar series and access the related resources on our news webpage.