NSS Update 2012

Leighton WilkschExecutive Officer, Northern Sustainable Soils Inc.

Collaborations• March 2012 – Soil Carbon Workshops

YPASG (south) and NSS (north)Greg Butler, SANTFA – Key Note Speaker

• No-Till Grassy Weed ProjectBrome Grass – YPASG & UNFSChemical Management – emphasis on pre-emergents

Why collaborate?

Benefit to farmer members More information Trials performed across a range of districts (soil/rainfall etc.)

Benefit to farmer groups Joined applications for funding (less work, greater chance) Greater communication means less overlap of funding

applications Trials performed across a range of districts (soil/rainfall etc.) Bringing groups closer together

No-Till Grassy Weed Project• Target – Brome Grass• 2011 & 2012 replicated trials• Port Broughton• Pre-emergent & post-emergent

chemicals used• Barley & Wheat

• 2012 – NSS Early Crop Walk and Major Farmer Day visits

Other groups• Louise McIntosh (YPASG)• Barry Mudge (UNFS)• Hugh Longbottom (MSF)

The NSS assisted by providing feedback on the trial designs: Chemical types & timings Crop types & varieties Assessments

As well as help the YPASG with a successful application for a Harvest Management Trial on Brome Grass (currently in progress)

Further Extension• 2012 GRDC Conference, Adelaide• EPARF – Minnipa Field Day• 2011 YPASG Spring Crop Walk• Local NYP Ag Bureaus

• Articles in YPCT, Stock Journal, NYNRM

• Bayer Agronomy Day 2012

• A reciprocal bus trip in 2012 was also planned with the YPASG, but due to a clash with Farmer Day dates, this did not eventuate.

Acknowledgements

Thanks in particular to Michael Richards for all his work, and to Louise McIntosh & Kristin McEvoy of the YPASG for their continued support of the NSS farmer group and co-operation throughout the past few years.