Up close to the teeming millions in soil
From the April 2008 edition of Agriculture Today.
Our soils are teeming with life - millions of living organisms per teaspoon, more than Murrumbidgee Catchment 80 farmers were told at Soil Life: An introduction to soil biology workshops.
Susan Orgill and Jen Hardwicke from NSW Department of Primary Industries delivered one-day workshops during February in Tumut, Gundagai, Cootamundra, Yass and Queanbeyan.
"The level of interest was incredible and rewarding," Mrs Orgill said.
Farmers had the opportunity to look up close at their soil life using microscopes, discuss what organisms were present and the role they play in driving healthy agricultural systems, how to encourage soil livestock and increase soil organic carbon.
"The day really highlighted to me the production benefits of having life in my soil and the importance of practices such as direct drilling and maintaining groundcover to encourage that life," John Hopkins, from Illabo, said.
The workshops were funded by the Murrumbidgee Catchment Management Authority through the National Landcare Programme.
Contact Susan Orgill, Queanbeyan, (02) 6298 0806, susan.orgill@dpi.nsw.gov.au
