Terrain NRM will be bringing innovative soil technology to the Wet Tropics region thanks to a new project through funding from the TNQ Drought Hub.

Agronomist Sally Fields said Terrain would create a demonstration site for the Soilkee Renovator on an Atherton Tablelands farm, and would thoroughly assess the seed planter’s potential to improve pasture quality, fertility and resilience in the Wet Tropics.

She said project staff would also work closely with Victorian farmer Niels Olsen, who invented the Soilkee Renovator. The specialist seed planter mulches strips of pasture and can sow a diverse mix of seasonal seeds and seed sizes with minimal paddock disturbance, creating a mass of plant roots for a range of benefits from increasing soil fertility and improving pasture to storing carbon at depth.

“This project is all about activating regenerative soil functions and fertility, increasing the soil’s water-holding capacity and building stable soil carbon in pasture while eliminating the paddock downtime that’s traditionally associated with pasture renovation,’’ Sally said.

“Precision planting of winter annuals into tropical grasses increases diversity and resilience in slow-growing periods. It also allows for slower rotation of cattle and gives graziers more options for stock movements and carrying capacity during the cooler months.

“And it can help to develop healthy soils, improving their capacity to retain moisture and activating the nutrient cycle.”

Internationally-recognised soil and groundcover ecologist Dr Christine Jones is coming to the Far North for workshops with farmers on improving soil health.

Terrain NRM is bringing Dr Jones to the region for an ‘Activating Your Soil Microbiome’ workshop in Tully on Tuesday 9 August, and Gulf Savannah NRM will be hosting a ‘Growing Profits by Building Soil’ workshop in Mareeba on 12 August.

Terrain agronomist Sally Fields said the focus of the workshops, and farmers were welcome from across the industries and regions.

“Christine has a way of bringing soil science to the table in ‘farm speak’,’’ she said. “These workshops will be relevant to anyone who manages land. There will be plenty of opportunities for questions the day includes a farm visit and several local farmers sharing their insights into practices that support soil health.

“Common threads are building on-farm resilience, with the goal of profitably leaving country in better condition for generations to come.”

Sarah Stevens from Gulf Savannah NRM said the skyrocketing price of urea was pushing some growers to ask: ‘Is there a better a way?’.

“In these workshops, Christine will explain the impact of inorganic nitrogen and phosphorous on the soil microbiome, and provide practical actions that commercial producers can take to transition away from a heavy reliance on inorganic fertilisers, to improve productivity and profitability outcomes,’’ she said.

Dr Jones has a wealth of experience working with landholders on regenerative land management practices to improve everything from biodiversity and biological activity to carbon sequestering, soil nutrient cycles and water balance.

She leads workshops and field days throughout Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Northern and Central America, and has a Community Fellowship Award from Land and Water Australia for her track record working with communities on land, water and vegetation management.

Tickets are $25.
Find out more and register for the Tully event: ‘Activating your Soil Microbiome’.
Register for the Mareeba event: ‘Growing Profits by Building Soil’.

These events are part of Terrain NRM and Gulf Savannah’s Healthy Farming Futures projects. These projects are funded by the Australian Government. Terrain’s event is also part of its Mobilising the Mossman and Murray project. This project is funded by the Australian Government’s Reef Trust.

Topaz’s Kerry Kelly is breeding sheep on her family farm – in a break with tradition for Far North Queensland.

The Kelly family branched into sheep farming six years ago, buying five Australian White ewes and a ram, and they’ve since built the herd up to 30 breeding ewes which roam the paddocks alongside cattle.

The ‘wagyu of the sheep world’

Marketed as “the wagyu of the sheep world”, Australian Whites were developed from four breeds of sheep to be a self-replacing, low maintenance breed that’s adaptable to both cold and hot climates and has meat known for the low melting point of its fat.

Nowhere has their adaptability to rain been quite so well tested as in Topaz.

“Because of the amount of rain and wet ground here we need to keep a good eye of their feet, and to clip their hooves twice a year,’’ Ms Kelly said. “We also need to be careful about worms, so we have six sheep paddocks and we rotate our sheep around them.”

She said there had been interest from others since her Australian whites became the first sheep to be exhibited at the Malanda Show last year. She brought sheep to the show again on the weekend, including newly-born twins.

“I sell to abattoirs and individuals for eating and breeding. Most of our ewes are due to lamb in the next month or so. It’ll be 12 weeks before I wean them. In September or October, we’ll have lambs for sale again.

“There are quite a few other farms with small flocks – from Ravenshoe to Julatten and Eacham. “You’ve got to put some effort in to make it work up here but it’s worth it.”

Focusing on the land beneath the hooves

To increase and improve her flock, Kerry’s current focus is the land beneath their hooves. Hers is one of 10 farming families – ranging from graziers and cane growers to tropical fruit farmers – in the latest ‘Digging Deeper’ soil health program run by Terrain NRM as a free mentoring program.

Funded by the Australian Government, it includes a soil test, workshops on soil science and soil test interpretation, farm visits by the group and one-on-one farm management guidance over a six-month period.

It began at a soil health field day – and now Kairi farmers Alex and Alicia Bertola are on a roll.

The cane, maize and peanut producers have swapped their ripper for a roller crimper and bare earth for mixed cover crops as they explore different ways to improve soils and reduce fertiliser inputs.

Cover crops

The Bertolas planted their first cover crop in August – of field peas, tillage radish, vetch, oats and rye – after harvesting peanuts. They followed up with a roller crimper in late September, laying the crop flat and crimping stems to stop the plants from growing to create a mat of organic matter for weed control and moisture retention.

“We strip-tilled in January and planted corn straight into what was left of the cover crop,’’ Alicia said. “The corn is coming up now and it’s looking good.”

The Bertolas are working with Terrain NRM to trial these methods in four hectares of their corn crop and one hectare of peanuts, and the farm will be used as a demonstration site through Terrain’s Digging Deeper soil health program.

Farming more sustainably

Alicia said a desire to farm more sustainably was behind the changes, which also include trials of worm casting juice and seaweed extract.

“We want to build up organic matter and drop fertiliser costs – we’re right at the beginning of our journey so there’s a lot to learn,’’ she said. “The goal is to gradually decrease fertiliser usage over a number of years and to see the same yields or, even if they’re less, the same profits given a reduction in input costs.”

Machinery passes halved

Changes to ground preparation methods have halved the number of machinery passes.

“We normally plough, rip and/or disc our paddocks depending on what we are planting. With this system we use the roller crimper, then the strip tiller. Ideally that’s it. That’s what we’ve done for the corn trials. With the strip tillage equipment, it also means we are now leaving two thirds of the land in this trial paddock undisturbed and largely uncompacted.

“It’s a learn as we go process. Next time we’ll shorten the amount of time between planting the cover crop and the new crop going in because the blanket didn’t last quite long enough and some of the cover crop had time to seed and re-grow. We’d also like to try a cash crop as a cover crop.

“With the peanuts it’s a bit different too. Being a low-growing plant that you dig up, we’re seeing what we can do to make it work. This time around we had to spray for weeds, but next time we’ll trial getting the peanuts in as soon as possible after roller crimping. Hopefully the trash will stop the weeds long enough for the peanuts to emerge and fill in the rows.

“In the corn we also trialled a neighbour’s cows in part of the trial paddock, as a way of terminating the cover crop while adding microbes through their dung.”

Trials in the Wet Tropics

Terrain NRM agronomist Sally Fields said crimp rollers and strip tillage had been trialled in the Wet Tropics before, largely in the cane industry, but hadn’t been used widely in broadacre crops.

“There is good application potential on the Tablelands, with its fertile soils, high rainfalls and differing micro-climates,’’ she said.

“It’s a big step for farmers so it’s great to see landholders like Alicia and Alex making changes after going to local regenerative farming workshops, doing their own research and talking to others who are pushing the window for better results on tired soils.

A new focus on the land underneath their cattle’s feet is racking up wins for Brahman breeders Peter and Mariah Chiesa.

The Kennedy Valley graziers have seen a major improvement in pastures since they began changing their grazing management practices six years ago, moving to smaller paddocks and grazing the land more intensely.

From 6 to 16 paddocks

“We had 130 hectares of cane, banana (and guinea grass) that was fenced into six paddocks – we’ve pushed it out to 16 paddocks averaging five to seven hectares with a solid 60 per cent of the pasture now being improved species with a heavy legume influence,’’ Peter said.

“It allows us to manage our feed a lot better, and to have our finger on the pulse when it comes to selling cattle at an optimum time.”

The Chiesa’s Kennedy property was showcased at a field day in the Tully region, hosted by the farmer-led group Lower Wet Tropics Soilcare and supported by Terrain NRM.

Peter said Terrain’s grazing management workshops, held in the Tableland and Ingham regions over the last couple of years, had helped him look at his management of grazing land from a different angle, building on the knowledge he and Mariah had gained over the years.

“New ways to run our country better”

“Breeding cattle is long-term project and learning how to manage the country is part of it,’’ the third-generation farmer said. “We’re always looking for ways to run our country better. I’m not a big fan of applying synthetic fertiliser so I’m interested in different approaches.

“We run all our cattle in one herd now. We have minimal inputs. With smaller paddocks, they always have fresh feed available. We move them regularly. In the wet season that can be every couple of days.

* APOLOGIES: THIS TRIP HAS BEEN POSTPONED DUE TO COVID  

Far North Queensland farmers with a track record in soil health improvement are being encouraged to apply to attend a Soil Health Innovation Tour to Tasmania next year.

Nominated as the next innovation destination by participants at the previous event, the Tasmanian edition will tour major agricultural regions near Burnie and Launceston and visit a diverse range of farm industry.

This is the third tour run since 2018, and is being presented by natural resource management organisation Terrain NRM in partnership with Wet Tropics Soilcare and Lower Wet Tropics Soilcare.

Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator for the Wet Tropics Evizel Seymour said it is a great opportunity for farmers to broaden their knowledge about soil health innovation across a range of farming types in another region.

“We know from running innovation tours previously that they’re a powerful learning opportunity with long-lasting benefits, so we’re excited to be able to offer it again for more local farmers who are adopting sustainable farming practices.”

She said the schedule is still being finalised but is expecting it to include mixed regenerative farming, regenerative dairy, native berry, native game, and organic horticulture site visits.

The 5-day tour is supported by Terrain NRM, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.

To be eligible, applicants must operate a farm business, be actively working to improve soil health on their farm and be able to show a track record of involvement with either of the hosting soil care groups, or Terrain NRM.

How much do you know about the soil underneath your crops and pastures?

Farmers from Ingham to the Tablelands and Mossman are being encouraged to join the 2022 Digging Deeper Plus program – a hands-on course that is free to landholders and focuses on improving soil health and fertility at each participating property.

Terrain NRM agronomist Sally Fields said farmers from across the industries learnt how to better understand soil tests and received a soil test and soil action plan for their land as part of the program. They would explore soil health and fertility issues, visit farms and learnt from soil health professionals including well-known agroecologist David Hardwick. Sally and regenerative farmer Simon Mattsson will also lead workshops, with guest appearance from farmers who have already “walked the talk” when it comes to soil health.

This is the fourth Digging Deeper Plus program run by natural resource management organisation Terrain NRM in the Wet Tropics region, and so far more than 80 farmers have been part of it. The project is supported by Terrain through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.

“Digging Deeper Plus’s focus is on improving soil condition and long-term farm viability across a range of crops and industries in the Wet Tropics and neighbouring regions,’’ Ms Fields said.

“Farmers have told us they’ve gained a better understanding of soil tests and overall confidence in building soil health, and they’ve been applying things they’ve learnt to the farm. They also enjoy meeting a diverse range of farmers and sharing knowledge.”

She said the upcoming six-day program would be a little different in terms of content, with a wider range of topics and facilitators. It would also be run over a shorter timeframe, with the on-farm workshops from February to May.

“By the end of the program, each farming business has a detailed soil action plan, tailored to their land and with clear pathways for progress over the next 12 months,’’ she said.

Terrain NRM is encouraging businesses, industry and communities to look at new ways to unlock future prosperity through sustainable and inclusive economic approaches while also improving the region’s landscapes from reef to rainforest.

Board Chair Dr Keith Noble recently launched Terrain’s new five-year strategic plan, identifying six focus areas – soil health, waterway health, biodiversity, climate, regenerative economy and organisational excellence.

Dr Noble said the region is at a pivotal moment in time in terms of the COVID pandemic, climate change and biodiversity loss.

“Worldwide disruption caused by COVID has created fertile ground for change and has shown us how quickly society can adapt to new circumstances,” he said.

“While we are facing immense environmental challenges, there are also exciting opportunities for Australia and for the Wet Tropics, as communities recognise the need to maintain the world that sustains us all.”

They’re green, crunchy and packed with goodness – and they’re being grown for the first time in the Wet Tropics. Pumpkin seeds are a new crop for the Tully region, with trials underway to expand a burgeoning industry that’s based in Victoria.

Cane, pineapple and pumpkin producers Michael and Peter Ottone are one of three Far North farming families to harvest pumpkins grown specifically for their seeds, not their flesh.

The brothers planted five hectares on their Bilyana property this year, after a trial block last year.

“This Styrian pumpkin variety is a little different – its seeds naturally have no outer shell or husk, making them easier to process and eat,’’ Peter said.

Most pumpkin seeds eaten in Australia are imported

Most pumpkin seeds eaten in Australia are imported pepitas, largely from China. Australian Pumpkin Seed Company, a family business, began commercial production of edible pumpkin seeds in south-east Queensland 19 years ago and is now based in Victoria. The business is looking for more farmers to come on board in far north Queensland to expand their supply operation.

The Ottones learned about the industry through a Soil Health Innovation Tour to Victoria, organised by the Wet Tropics region’s natural resources management organisation Terrain NRM. Australian Pumpkin Seed Company’s Pepo Farms was among a series of properties visited by farmers during the tour, which focused on innovations in soil health and farming enterprises.

“I didn’t know anything about this crop before the trip but after visiting the growers I was interested to give it a go,’’ Peter Ottone said. “We see pumpkin seeds in our kids’ cereal, in breads and as snacks, and pretty much all of it is coming from outside Australia. We already grow organic pumpkins, so this is a new challenge for us.”

Growing global industry

Pumpkin seeds are a growing global industry. Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries’ Jodie Tubb sees potential for seed production in the Far North, especially given pumpkins are already a crop in the region.

Ms Tubb has overseen trials on farms from Tully to Rollingstone in the past two years, after deliveries of seeds and harvesting equipment from Pepo Farms following the soil health innovation tour.

“The crops that have been trialled up here look good,’’ she said. “Elements that we need to fine-tune include row spacings, when the crop is planted and management systems.”

“Farmers didn’t get the returns this year, based on last year’s calculations. Coronavirus restrictions caused some issues, with travel restrictions between Victoria and Queensland, and with labour shortages causing harvesting delays.”

Earlier plantings recommended

The Ottone brothers say earlier plantings would be recommended for the Far North.

“The biggest thing is getting a good crop and we were pretty happy with it,’’ Peter said. “But we didn’t get anywhere near the tonnage we were hoping for, and with a later harvest than ideal, we had softer pumpkins, making harvesting more labour intensive.

Download:

Tropical Soils – A Guide to Soil Health (for printing)

Tropical Soils – A Guide to Soil Health (to read online)