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Presentations

2022 Presentations

“Soil microbial indicators: what do they mean and how can they be used?”

Dr Mick Rose is interested in the interactions between plants, microorganisms and their environment and how agronomic management practices influence these interactions. Mick undertook his PhD at the University of Sydney through an Australian Cotton CRC scholarship, exploring the role of wetland plants and microorganisms in improving water quality on cotton farms. Mick has since conducted research on plant growth-promoting bio-fertilisers in Vietnam; abiotic stress tolerance in rice in Japan and organic amendments for soil health and plant productivity in Victoria, Australia. For the last eight years, Mick has been working as a Research Scientist with NSW Department of Primary Industries, Wollongbar, on a variety of projects researching the potential impacts of pesticides on soil biological processes, crop health and the wider environment.

“Ants and termites increase crop yield in a dry climate.”

Theodore Evans was educated around Australia, at James Cook University, University of Western Australia and the University of Melbourne.  He has worked at CSIRO in Canberra for 15 years, Bayreuth University in Germany for one year, the National University of Singapore for four years, and UWA for six years.  Theo has conducted fieldwork in over 20 countries on six continents, especially Australia, China, Fiji, Germany, Japan, Singapore, South Africa, Malaysia, and the USA.  He has worked mostly on termites, but also on ants, dung beetles, spiders and other insects, with research into evolution, ecology, genetics, behavior, and pest management.

“Dung beetles – Ecosystem Engineers & Building Beetle Highways”

Jacob Berson works at the University of Western Australia as part of a national dung beetle project. Jacob’s previous research focused on what made dung beetles smell ‘sexy’ to their potential mates. He is now investigating the factors that limit the distribution of dung beetles introduced to Australia, and the benefits that introduced dung beetles can provide to livestock producers.

“Innovative Approaches to Forage Chains and Feed Gaps”

Phil is a highly regarded Agricultural Consultant with over 25 years of experience. Specialising in pastures, livestock and mixed farming systems, he works across WA conducting research and providing advice. In the R, D & E space, he has made a major contribution to the knowledge and adoption of perennial pastures and crop grazing. He is a good communicator and regular speaker at field days. Phil lives on a farm north of Gingin where he breeds Red Angus cows and trades local and pastoral cattle on a mix of perennial and annual pastures.

Phil has been working with Wheatbelt NRM for the past four years (2018-2023) helping farmers with Optimising Fodder Options in Mixed Farming Systems, a National Landcare Program project.

“Carbon Farming – What’s really Beneath the Rhetoric?”

Kerrie House is the Manager of Low Carbon Futures in DPIRD’s Regional Business Development directorate.  This includes the $15M Carbon Farming and Land Restoration Program, which aims to realise the potential of the WA agriculture sector to sequester carbon in the landscape by increasing the uptake of carbon farming projects and activities that enhance the long-term productivity of agriculture and delivery of environmental, social and economic co-benefits. The Low Carbon Futures team also has a biofutures team which identifies opportunities for bioenergy, the supply of biodiesel and other biofuels as part of a carbon reduction strategy for the state. Kerrie grew up on a farming property in Toodyay before moving to Perth to complete a Bachelor of Science at UWA. She has a deep commitment to providing opportunities for farmers and regional communities across the state. 

“South-West Drought Hub Investment Priorities.”

Mark’s background includes various roles with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) over a period of more than 35 years. This includes founding its highly regarded AGWEST Plant Laboratories business unit – now part of DPIRD Diagnostic Laboratory Services (DDLS) – which he managed for more than 14 years. As a DPIRD staff assignee as part of the GGA-DPIRD collaboration agreement, in recent years Mark has been a Program Broker for GGA. Mark has a Master of Business Administration and has strong governance, program and project management skills.

2020 Presentations

“Building Natural Capital in Agricultural Soils. What, how, why?”

Joel Williams, Integrated Soils. Joel defines natural capital and then goes on to explain how it can be used in soils and agricultural systems.

“Climate Change and DPIRD’s Priorities.”

Dr Rob Sudmeyer, DPIRD. Rob discusses the potential impact of climate change on Western Australian agriculture and how DPIRD is going to tackle these issues.

“Finding the Sweet Spot. Why you can’t look at soil only in terms of chemical and physical properties.”

Stuart McAlpine, Farmer, Buntine. Stuart describes the importance of considering the biological properties of soil in farming.

“Soil biological fertility and climate resistance.”

Emeritus Professor Lyn Abbott, University of Western Australia. Lyn discusses how soil biology can improve the soil’s ability to cope with climate change.

“Adding Compost to Sandy Soils.”

Rob Grylls, Farmer, Bencubbin. Rob describes the reasons and processes behind using compost on sandy soils in Western Australia.

“Soil Organic Carbon: Challenges and Opportunities.”

Associate Professor Frances Hoyle, University of Western Australia. Fran discusses the challenges and opportunities involved in maintaining soil organic carbon levels in Western Australian soils.

“The Soil CRC: What’s on the Horizon?”

Dr Michael Crawford, CEO, Soil CRC. Michael explains the purpose of the Soil CRC and some of the projects it is working on.

“Building soil health using discs and stripper front: year one trial results.”

Wendy Bradshaw, the Gillami Centre. Wendy shows the effects of working with discs and stripper fronts on soil health.

“Improved management of herbicide residues in soils.”

Dr Richard Bell. Murdoch University, Soil CRC. Richard looks at the effects of herbicide residues in soils and more effective ways to manage them.

“Hollands Track Farm.”

Nick Kelly, Farmer, Newdegate. Nick shows how he has gone about eliminating synthetic chemicals on his farm and describes his farming system.

“Office of the National Soils Advocate Priorities.”

Sue Bestow. Office of National Soils Advocate. Sue describes the role of the National Soils Advocate and the future directions being undertaken within this role.

“Bungulla Farming.”

Brad Jones, Farmer, Tammin.  Brad discusses the integration of technology into his farming system and how he uses technology to improve soil health, and ultimately on farm yields.

“Current opportunities with the MLA.”

Joe Gebbels, Meat and Livestock Australia. Joe briefly outlines the structure of the MLA and then describes some MLA projects in Western Australia.

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