This project is supported by the North East Catchment Management Authority and the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority’s Beyond SoilCare program through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme.

More bugs in the system soil biology forum

The North East Catchment Management Authority and the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority invite you to attend the free More bugs in the system soil biology forum.

WHEN: Wednesday 9 November 2016

WHERE: Charles Sturt University / GO TAFE Rural Industries Campus 218 Tone Road Wangaratta

TIME: 10am start (registration will be from 9.30am)

RSVP:

Finish around 3.30pm

Go to http://tinyurl.com/soilforum2016 to register for the forum or contact Ashley on 03 5764 7507 or ashleyr@gbcma.vic.gov.au by November 2. Please mention and dietary requirements when you register.

Keynote speakers:

Dr Pauline Mele from Agriculture Victoria and LaTrobe University will present on the science of soilbiology - what is known, what research is currentlybeing done and the importance of soil moisture andpH in the soil.

Professor Elise Pendall from the University ofWestern Sydney and University of Wisconsin willpresent on soil structure (physical, organic andchemical practices) and its relationship to soilbiology.

Professor Lynne Abbott from the University ofWestern Australia will present on the nitrogencycle, soil biology populations and nitrogenconnection.

Dr Cassandra Schefe will present on thephosphorus cycle, availability and its relationshipwith soil biology, including phosphorus availability.

Mick Rose from the NSW Department of PrimaryIndustries, will present on the impacts of herbicideon soil biology and provide information on currentresearch on impacts of herbicides.

Forum aims: The forum will be facilitated by local soil scientist Cath Botta and aims to help farmers and land managers to better understand their soil biology and its benefits to soil health and farm production. Presentations from Australia’s leading soil scientists will provide participants with practical strategies on how they can use soil biological processes to their best advantage and increase farm resilience to variable climates.

More bugs in the system Soil Biology Forum

Th is project is supported by the North East Catchment Management Authority and the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority’s Beyond SoilCare program through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme.

Keynote speaker biographies:

Dr Pauline Mele Associate Professor at La Trobe University and principal research scientist at Agriculture Victoria is coordinating an investment in soil biology that includes a team of 90 researchers working on 15 different projects as part of the Grains Research Development Corporation Soil Biology Initiative II.

Professor Elise Pendall is a soil and ecosystem ecologist who investigates the responses of biogeochemical cycling to climate change and ecological disturbances. After 11 years at the University of Wyoming, she arrived at Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment in 2014, where she led the Soil Biology and Genomics theme and teaches the Masters unit "Ecosystems in a Changing World. Elise's research interests centre on how linkages between aboveground and below ground ecosystem components regulate carbon, water and nutrient cycling in grasslands, forests and crops.

Professor Lynne Abbott works within the School of Earth and Environment at the University of Western Australia. Her research emphasis is on understanding the activities of a wide range of soil organisms in the context of their contribution to important soil processes. Her main interest is in soil organisms and their roles in natural ecosystems as well as in agriculture/horticulture and in disturbed environments such as mine sites.

Dr Cassandra Schefe is a highly experienced and skilled soil scientist. She works with land managers and research organisations to deliver soil programs. Cassandra understands the importance of communicating the outcomes of work to a range of audiences and has experience in presenting key soil science messages to farmers in paddocks, and to scientists at international conferences.

Dr Mick Rose from the NSW Department of Primary Industries is a Senior Soils Researcher with NSW DPI and will present the results of the GRDC research project showing the impact of chemicals on farm soils. Mike works at the Wollongbar Primary Industries Institute which is a major research centre for NSW Department of Primary Industries located on the NSW Far North Coast. The Institute supports profitable and sustainable agriculture, fishery and plantation forestry industries and rural communities through research, extension, compliance and education.