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PROfarm

Healthy soils and healthy landscape

Course details

Name: Healthy soils and healthy landscape
Description: A course designed for farmers and land managers to improve soil health and soil nutrient management.
Cost: After NSW Government subsidy $270 GST free.
Course aims: To improve understanding of soil physical, chemical and biological properties, including the ability to interpret soil test results and develop nutrient budgets and soil based management plans.
Learning outcomes:
  • Develop skills and knowledge in managing soil health and soil nutrients
  • Interpret soil tests
  • Develop nutrient and amelioration plans
  • Describe soil physical, chemical and biological properties
  • Identify restraints to production and determine management options
Length: 4 days
Course program/structure: Workshop 1/ Day 1
  • Understand the influence of landscape on soils - geology of soils
  • Understand indicators of land capability and limitations on activity
  • Understand representative sampling techniques & selection of core sites
  • Understand how to use corer, aggregate samples and label sample bags
  • Understand how to use GPS reader to record location of paddock
  • Recognise land capability & landscape impacts: aspect, topography, geology & soils, vegetation & human influences
  • Landholders able to recognise best places in paddock to take soil samples & use corer for sampling

Workshop 2/ Day 2

  • Recognise soil horizons & understand characteristics of common soil types
  • Understand soil particle size & it’s relation to texture
  • Understand common texture assessment method & practice
  • Understand the effect of texture on water holding ability
  • Understand effect of poor soil structure on water holding capacity, infiltration & drainage & root growth
  • Understand how to undertake simple soil structure test & recognise well structured soils & dispersive soils

Workshop 3/ Day 3

  • Understand the significance of the law of the minimum
  • Understand common soil test parameters
  • Understand the effects of soil chemistry on nutrient availability
  • Improved understanding of biological activity in the soil

Workshop 4/ Day 4

  • Understand the water cycle
  • Recognise & understand the causes of soil acidity, salinity & nutrient leaching
  • Understand the role of lime as an ameliorant used to rectify top-soil acidity
  • Understand the effect on soil structure of tillage practices & the advantages of minimum tillage & direct drilling
  • Understand the role of gypsum & organic matter in relation to maintaining & improving soil structure
  • Understand the benchmarks for major nutrients such as phosphorous & sulphur for plant growth
  • Understand how to develop nutrient programs to match product removal
  • Understand the effect of timing on nutrient application & minimising the risk of leaching or nutrient transfer through run-off
  • Develop and implement amelioration and fertility programs to maximise sustainability
Resources and method of delivery: Participants receive course notes and manual.

This course is delivered using indoor and out door instruction.

Accreditation: This course has been mapped to the national unit of competency RTF3503A Sample soils and analyse results.

Register

Tocal College, CB Alexander Campus
Phone: 1800 025 520
Email: profarm@tocal.com

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