Managing Soil Structure For Crop Production
A focus on the subsoil with Professor Gordon Spoor (UK)
More information on the Healthy Soils for Sustainable Farms Project
When: 9.30am Wednesday 19th September 2007
Where: Southern Farming Systems
Inverleigh Trial Site
Hamilton Highway, Inverleigh
10km west of Inverleigh (VicRoads Map: 92 G3)
(map)
Contact & Bookings:
Lou Ferrier
Research & Extension Officer
P: 03 5229 0566
M: 0439 339 433
F: 03 5229 4426
E: lferrier@sfs.org.au
Details: Gordon Spoor recently retired from his position as Professor of Applied Soil Physics at Silsoe College in England, and now works as a private consultant. Gordon has 45 years research and education experience working on soil and water management problems in the UK and overseas. Gordon has worked closely with farmers throughout, aiming to minimise tillage inputs and improve field drainage practices. His soils research has been applied to developing management practices to minimise and avoid soil compaction. He is an expert at diagnosing structural problems and developing improved solutions.
Features of the day:
- Find out more about the Healthy Soils Project and future activities
- Answer the question: how do I know if I have a problem with soil structure?
- When do I need to think about deep cultivation or ripping?
- Match the solution to the problem - tines, depth, speed, soil moisture
- Traffic and compaction
- Soil carbon and soil structure
- Learn how to use a soil penetrometer
- Assess the strength and stability of soil structure
- Discover a kit for soil health assessment
