Soil Carbon Roadshow Swept the Region

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Back in March, NACC NRM hosted a Soil Carbon Roadshow!

The series kicked off in Northampton, where we partnered with the Northern Agri Group. This event was followed by a Legume workshop partnering with Elders and Yuna Farm Improvement Group (YFIG) to discuss the benefits of summer-sown legumes to maintain ground cover and soil moisture, build soil carbon and boost drought resilience. 

The series moved Southwards through to Mingenew, where we partnered with the Mingenew Irwin Group (MIG), then through to Dalwallinu, where we partnered up with the Liebe Group before the final day in Dandaragan, hosted in partnership with the West Midlands Group. 

Leading the roadshow were two fabulous soil scientists with a vast array of knowledge and experience. Emeritus Professor Lynn Abbott and Professor Fran Hoyle. Both of these highly acclaimed scientists are based at the University of Western Australia and relish the chance to speak with farmers and others with the power to affect real on-ground change.

Though the attendees at each event made sure to delve into Fran and Lynn’s knowledge banks extensively, and each session was different, there were some standout consistent messages. Both Lyn and Fran emphasised the importance of taking a holistic view of soils, particularly concerning soil management and functions. They also emphasised that we need to be aware that biological processes can be slow, but they are vitally important for healthy functioning soil. Building and retaining soil carbon is complex.

If you are undertaking soil tests or adding ameliorants, understand what you are testing, why you are testing, and what you want to do with that information once you have it. 

There is growing appreciation for the importance of soil biology and its impact on soil organic carbon. Where previous research has focused on the chemical and physical properties of soil, there has been a recent shift to include the biological component of soil into research. This is important in considering the potential of soils to suppress diseases naturally, improve water quality, build drought resilience, increase carbon sequestration, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

When discussing soil carbon, we talk in terms of fractions of carbon:

  • Labile carbon– very available and cycles quickly (i.e. over a year or less)
  • Humus– Carbon that is stable for 20 – 40 years
  • Resistant Organic carbon (this is 26 – 40% of the carbon in our soils)- this is very stable carbon, inorganic- 500 – 1000 years. 

Modelling often indicates that the top 10cm of soil is full/at potential in terms of soil organic carbon content, but the 10-20cm and 20-30cm layer is not full. The capacity of soil to retain organic matter is typically defined by texture (soil type), climate, and to a lesser extent, management. Heavier soils will generally hold more organic matter and low rainfall paired with high temperatures reduce the potential of the soil to store carbon, which makes it much more challenging to build soil carbon in hotter and drier environments.

Microbes in the soil will be limited in their functionality when the soil pH is lower than 5.5. If you can raise soil pH to 5.5 or above, you will help maximise microbial carbon use efficiency.

If you consider stubble management in terms of the carbon cycle, burning will create long term stable carbon, while decomposition will leave labile carbon in the system. These two different management options influence the soil biology differently. Where stubble is retained and left to decompose, there will be much greater nutrient cycling, and therefore ecosystem function and ecosystem services, as well as a reduced risk of erosion compared with burning. 

Our top tips for managing soil organic carbon on your property include:

  • Target degraded paddocks
  • Choose deep rooting species where viable
  • Increase water use efficiency
  • Deliver organic inputs to depth
  • Increase proportion of year (or area) with actively growing plants where viable
  • Protect your topsoil

Ultimately we want to get all the components of soil fertility working well together to build and sustain soil carbon. The best way to manage soil that is really degraded is to grow plants in it!

And a list of great resources that are freely accessible:

For some good information on biological inputs visit https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2017/02/understanding-biological-farming-inputs 

For some excellent and easy to understand information:

Bugs & Biology Grower Group – check them out, Farmers interested in soil biology https://www.bugsandbiology.org/ 

A warm thank you goes out to the Liebe Group, the Mingenew Irwin Group, the Northern Agri Group, the West Midlands Group and the Yuna Farm Improvement Group for their support and assistance to bring these events to the region. 

Widespread rain across the Northern Agricultural Region put farmers under the pump with spraying and seeding preparation in full swing, and we know there were those who would have liked to attend but were unable to. If you would like some more information from the day, please contact your local grower group or contact Annabelle directly at annabelle.garratt@nacc.com.au

Annabelle Garratt & Lizzie King – Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitators

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In 2020-21 I talked about ‘raising the bar’. In 2021-22 we worked on setting the bar on fire. Over the last 12 months, the team at NACC NRM has not stopped.

The Sustainable Agriculture team has extended the program’s reach through collaborations with grower groups in the regions. Specifically, the Beyond Reasonable Drought project and Grower Group Alliance – South West WA Drought Innovation Hub – Geraldton Node project. The Beyond Reasonable Drought partnership with grower groups supported farmers across the region to improve the environmental sustainability of their agricultural production and drought resilience. The outcomes of this project have been consolidated through our successful Expression of Interest to the South West WA Drought Innovation Hub, with support from grower groups across the region, to host the Geraldton Node of the Hub. The program continues to focus on working with agricultural networks to share technical expertise and provide opportunities that will improve land management practices in agriculture across the region.

The conservation outcomes of ranger teams have expanded through work on several land tenures. Maintaining Heritage sites such as Willi Gulli, Racecourse Paddock and Buller River has long been a priority. During 2021-22, the teams have increasingly focused on threatened species and ecosystems.

To this end, Western Mulga rangers have improved management across 19,000 ha for the conservation of Malleefowl through firebreak and access management. They completed the maintenance of water holes and supported the monitoring of over 90 Malleefowl mounds.

Similarly, the Kwelena Mambakort Aboriginal Corporate ranger team have contributed positively to Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo populations by installing artificial hollows and habitat restoration.

All ranger teams have collected native seed, propagated native plants for restoration, and planted native vegetation in key locations across the NAR. Seed collection provides valuable industry experience and has facilitated the planting of over 100,000 seedlings during the year.   

In September 2021, the NACC NRM team delivered the WA Threatened Species Forum, held in tandem with the National Malleefowl Forum. Given the impact of COVID and the timing of this event, having more than 100 delegates from all over Australia was a significant achievement. The two Forums brought together 12 events over five days and featured 14 local artists, 25 businesses and 36 youth participants.

Following the successful relaunch of our updated NARvis, NACC NRM was invited to help lead a significant piece of strategic planning work for the region with Mid West Development Commission and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. With funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund, the consortia delivered a Regional Drought Resilience Plan covering the shires of Northampton and Chapman Valley and the City of Greater Geraldton, along with significant technical analysis of drought vulnerability for the South West land division. The development of this plan also included extensive community consultation to ensure that local knowledge and technical advice guided the development of priorities for action.

This planning work links to existing NACC NRM on-ground projects, including Beyond Reasonable Drought and the Chapman Catchment Collaborative regeneration project.

It was a busy year for events with face-to-face events becoming commonplace again. During 2021-22 we hosted events in Gingin, Moora, Dalwallinu, Cervantes, Jurien Bay, Walkaway, Nabawa, Perenjori, Kalannie and Morawa. We supported events in Karakin, Thundellara, Perenjori, Paynes Find, Wubin, Cataby, Warradarge, Northampton, Yuna, Dalwallinu and Dandaragan.

We also supported on-ground works throughout the region, including at the following locations Yuna, Dalwallinu, Dandaragan, Merkanooka, Goodlands, Kalannie, Bunjil, Yardarino, Canna, Kondut, Latham, Kadathinni, Nabawa, Red Gully, Sandy Gully, Waddy Forrest, Devils Creek, Perenjori, Bowgada, Ellendale, Wandana, Namban, Hill River, Warradarge, Gillingarra, Regans Ford and Moonyanooka.

Our region is vast – slightly larger than Tasmania, which for comparison, is serviced by three separate NRM organisations. Covering the NAR region and its many environmental threats is challenging. We continue to focus on partnerships and collaboration to address this challenge. We know that by working with our community through passionate delivery of collaborative on-ground projects and education, the community will value and actively protect our region’s natural capital.

This year we have launched a new Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). The RAP Working Group consulted widely and developed an Innovate RAP which Reconciliation Australia approved in March 2022. The activities to fulfil these commitments are now in full swing.

Sadly, at the end of 2021, we farewelled former NACC NRM CEO Shelley Spriggs, who lost a long battle with cancer. Shelley was an inaugural inductee to the NRM Leadership Honour Roll. I will always be grateful for her guidance and no-nonsense approach, not to mention her passion for life.

While we have said farewell to some, we have welcomed many new faces across all programs, including our Administration team. We have also hosted a school-based trainee from Nagle Catholic College who has been working towards a Certificate II in Conservation and Ecosystem Management. This trial position has been very successful, and we look forward to making this opportunity available again in 2023.

During 2022 we have taken on new projects that align with our organisational and program objectives, and we have successfully completed some great initiatives that support continued conservation and sustainability outcomes. I want to thank the whole team who continue to go above and beyond for the organisation and each other proving their ongoing commitment to our purpose and our values.