Southern Farming Systems is running a series of workshops on the risk soil acidification to their production and how to best manage this risk. The workshops are open to members and non members in the Streatham and Hamilton Branch regions

The project is supported by Glenelg Hopkins CMA, through funding from the Australian Government’s Caring for our Country, Sustainable Farm Practices initiative. The Australian Government has identified soil acidity as the priority threat to sustainable farm productivity and soil health in the Glenelg Hopkins catchment.

When:

Friday 5th March, 2010
9.30am - 9.45am Registration
12pm Close & light lunch

Bunyip Hotel, 25 Scott St Cavendish

Free - Open to both members and mon-members (light lunch provided)

Enquiries/RSVP:

Hamilton Branch Coordinator
Michelle McClure
P: 03 5572 3426
E: mmclure@sfs.org.au
R.S.V.P. please for catering purposes.

Details:

Workshop Presenters:

Soil Acidity 101 –

• Why worry about soil acidity?
• Tim Johnston Soil Health Officer, Grains – South West Vic, DPI

Lime Responses and application rates

• Dr Kevin Reed RPS Hamilton: Lime Use for Perennial Pasture in southern Victoria
• Scott Cameron Westlake Fertilisers Liming and Cropping
• Peter McCluskey VLPA: Sources of Lime & Gypsum

Nutrient availability and soil pH

• Jeremy Anderson Agrichem

Practical session and Q&A

An opportunity exists to have your soils tested at the conclusion of the workshop. Bring in approx 200g of soil from 0-10cm depth, then we will use some pH test kits to provide a quick indication of soil pH.