Mid-March marks the time renowned independent plant and soil educator, Joel Williams, will be in Gippsland over several days, traversing the region from Yarram to Omeo.
The first workshop is at Flynn on March 13, talking about production limitations from soil test results, liquid and granular fertilisers and the connection between trace elements and animal health.
The following day, Mr Williams’s roadshow visits Yarram, again talking soils and limitations as well as liquid fertilisers and dealing with high sodium and magnesium at depth.
On Friday night, March 15, Mr Williams will present at the new Gippsland Agricultural Centre, speaking about working with difficult soils, poor water infiltration, as well as foliar fertilisers.
Then on Monday, March 18, Mr Williams will be at Orbost speaking on soil health and plant nutrition, the links between plant health and stock health, as well as options for improving soil health and plant nutrition.
The final day of the roadshow will take place at the Omeo Recreation Reserve, where the topics include links between soil health, plant nutrition and animal health, trace element management in boron and moly deficient areas, as well as the management of selenium deficiencies in livestock and the pasture application options.
Local organisations are collaborating to bring such a well-renowned speaker to the district with the project coordinated by East Gippsland Shire Council, and funded by the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments under the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Fund.
The events are free and people interested in attending need to contact Natalie Jenkins at Southern Farming Systems, Emma Orgill at Far East Victoria Landcare in Orbost, or Hannah Campbell at the Gippsland Ag Group (GAgG).
The Flynn workshop is on Wednesday, March 13 at the Flynn Hall from 9.30am to 3.30pm. The Yarram event is at the same time the following day, Thursday, March 14 at the Yarram Recreation Reserve. Workshops in Bairnsdale, Orbost and Omeo will follow. Head to GAgG’s Facebook page for more information.