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NSS Update 2012. Leighton Wilksch Executive Officer, Northern Sustainable Soils Inc. Collaborations. March 2012 – Soil Carbon Workshops YPASG (south) and NSS (north) Greg Butler, SANTFA – Key Note Speaker No-Till Grassy Weed Project Brome Grass – YPASG & UNFS
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NSS Update 2012 Leighton Wilksch Executive Officer, Northern Sustainable Soils Inc.
Collaborations • March 2012 – Soil Carbon Workshops YPASG (south) and NSS (north) Greg Butler, SANTFA – Key Note Speaker • No-Till Grassy Weed Project Brome Grass – YPASG & UNFS Chemical Management – emphasis on pre-emergents
Why collaborate? Benefit to farmer members • More information • Trials performed across a range of districts (soil/rainfall etc.) Benefit to farmer groups • Joined applications for funding (less work, greater chance) • Greater communication means less overlap of funding applications • Trials performed across a range of districts (soil/rainfall etc.) • Bringing groups closer together
No-Till Grassy Weed Project • Target – Brome Grass • 2011 & 2012 replicated trials • Port Broughton • Pre-emergent & post-emergent chemicals used • Barley & Wheat • 2012 – NSS Early Crop Walk and Major Farmer Day visits
Other groups • Louise McIntosh (YPASG) • Barry Mudge (UNFS) • Hugh Longbottom (MSF) The NSS assisted by providing feedback on the trial designs: • Chemical types & timings • Crop types & varieties • Assessments As well as help the YPASG with a successful application for a Harvest Management Trial on Brome Grass (currently in progress)
Further Extension • 2012 GRDC Conference, Adelaide • EPARF – Minnipa Field Day • 2011 YPASG Spring Crop Walk • Local NYP Ag Bureaus • Articles in YPCT, Stock Journal, NYNRM • Bayer Agronomy Day 2012 • A reciprocal bus trip in 2012 was also planned with the YPASG, but due to a clash with Farmer Day dates, this did not eventuate.
Acknowledgements Thanks in particular to Michael Richards for all his work, and to Louise McIntosh & Kristin McEvoy of the YPASG for their continued support of the NSS farmer group and co-operation throughout the past few years.