Workshopping the National Soil Survey  

  Victoria Soil Co-ordinator Dr Peter Fisher ran a workshop last month bringing together key agricultural industry and natural resource management (NRM) stakeholders from across the state.  

Held in Bendigo, the session discussed findings of the ‘Farmer and Ag-Industry Survey of Knowledge and Extension Gaps and Opportunities to better manage Australian Soils’ – the survey aimed to understand soil issues, knowledge gaps and opportunities across Australia.  

 Dr Fisher said while the survey was led nationally by the regional soil co-ordinator network, it was imperative to see local input.  

 “Soil types, farming systems and soil management issues in Victoria are quite varied, but Victoria is Australia’s largest food and fibre exporter by value, and getting a good Victorian response to the survey was very important.”  

Strong Victorian response on soil 

“Victoria Drought Resilience Adoption & Innovation Hub partners worked hard to ensure farm and NRM operations in their regions had the opportunity to give their input. I’m pleased to say that Victorian farming and RD&E communities were keen to contribute, with Victoria garnering the most results – a helpful outcome to filter soil priorities for our state.” 

The day-long workshop drew participants from Vic Hub Nodes as well as wider farming groups and catchment management authorities.  

Vic Hub Innovation Broker Bow Souter, who also attended, said, “The day brought lively and engaged conversation and debate from all organisational representatives involved. The workshop marks the start of discussions that will be continued and supported by the greater Victorian agricultural industry on the importance of soil health, as well as the outcomes that improved soil-management practices can bring to individual farming systems. “ 

Dr Fisher, who has a background in research, helped design the survey, which was funded by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) National Landcare Program.  

Anyone wanting more information about the survey, is encouraged to contact Dr Peter Fisher via email fisher.p@unimelb.edu.au or mobile 0408 145 619.