Ground Cover

In this podcast episode, Gavin heads out to Jim Coren’s place in Tucki Tucki near Lismore, NSW. Apparently Tucki Tucki means place of many koalas. The local Bundjalung word for koala is Burbi, a totemic animal prior to European settlement, and a concerted effort is now being made locally to conserve the koala population.Jim and his wife Andy settled here a few years ago just as the worst flood in recorded European history impacted Lismore and surrounds, and like many people on floodplain country, it left much of their property underwater for a long time and saturated for most of 2022. Like a lot of farmers, Jim likes getting things done and being able to see the results of his efforts. He aims to improve the impact of his grazing management and regenerate tired flood plain soils and pastures, but the challenge of these extended wet periods has proved difficult.  There have been wins though, especially on hill country where the impact of fish hydrolysate made on farm has boosted the growth of Rhodes grass, so it is now able to compete with the less desirable Bahia grass. Jim and Andy are also seeing thriving patches of mixed species of sorghum oats and legumes. This Ground Cover episode is the final episode in a six-episode series where we heard from participants in the Regenerative Agriculture Mentoring Program. RAMP was developed at Southern Cross University. The project has been assisted by the New South Wales Government through its Environmental Trust. You can learn more about RAMP at https://www.ramp.org.au

In this episode, Gavin heads out to Possum Creek, Northern New South Wales, to have a chat with Penny Hall.Penny was a member of a RAMP cohort a couple years back. She and her husband Bob Lodge are medical specialists who moved from Melbourne to 100 acres on the Northern Rivers.Penny shares how, together with their farm manager Dave, they brought the holistic small acre farming philosophies of Joel Salatin to their operation. They now run a decent sized herd of cattle, have done quite a bit of rainforest restoration work and are planning to diversify the farm's offerings even more to ensure its financial viability. This Ground Cover episode is one in a short series where we hear from participants in the Regenerative Agriculture Mentoring Program. RAMP was developed at Southern Cross University. The project has been assisted by the New South Wales Government through its Environmental Trust. You can learn more about RAMP at https://www.ramp.org.au

Today I'm heading down to Nashua, between Lismore and Bangalow on the NSW North Coast, to have a chat to Jeanie. Jeanie Wylie and Edward Rawlings set up a restaurant called Frida’s Field. If you're driving between Lismore and Bangalow and you look across to the east, around the Nashua turn-off, you'll see, on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, a bunch of cars parked and, no doubt, groups of people enjoying a delicious long lunch in the afternoon sun. Jeanie took some time out of her busy schedule, menu planning, market garden, family life in general, and we had a bit of a chat around setting up the farm, their story, some of the challenges they've faced and still face. Probably of the most interest is how they're trying to integrate what they produce on the farm into the menu of Frida's Field.So enjoy the chat and if you want to know more about Frida's Field, go to https://www.fridasfield.com/ and you can get more of the history of the farm. You could also book and have a fantastic lunch there. I highly recommend. This Ground Cover episode is one in a short series where we hear from participants in the Regenerative Agriculture Mentoring Program. RAMP was developed at Southern Cross University. The project has been assisted by the New South Wales Government through its Environmental Trust. You can learn more about RAMP at https://www.ramp.org.au

In today's episode, we will hear from regenerative agriculture pioneer Lorraine Gordon. Lorraine is the founder and current Chair of the Regenerative Agriculture Alliance. Her vision is to improve the holistic health and well-being of Australian landscapes, farmers and communities through research, education and practice. We will hear Lorraine talk about:Her own cattle farm at Ebor, her journey into carbon farming and the challenges she has faced. Why the regenerative journey is never overSome of the practices that farmers can change to improve their own landscapes. This episode was recorded at a field day hosted by Southern Cross University and Banyula, a regenerative farm on the Northern Rivers. Lorraine will be introduced by renowned environmental filmmaker Damon Gameau.Find more resources on the Farming Together website: https://farmingtogether.com.au/

Today on Ground Cover, we're joined by Dr Jay Anderson, a plant pathologist with more than 20 years of industry experience. She's also a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Southern Cross University, and her research to date has focused on integrated disease management using techniques such as plant breeding, plant selection for resistance, and optimised plant nutrition. Jay is also working to better understand infection processes of pathogens to help target, control, and reduce losses due to disease. In this episode, Jay talks about:How weather and climate change has a huge impact on diseases within horticulture cropsSome of the work she's been doing in the Northern Rivers since the 2022 floods, particularly in the avocado and macadamia industriesWhat farmers can do on their own properties to manage disease and what they should look forThe best way to plan your farm and the importance of connecting with other farmers and grower groups to share information and ideas.Find more resources on the Farming Together website: https://farmingtogether.com.au/

Today on Ground Cover, I'm joined by Don Coyne, the CEO of the Australia and New Zealand Biochar Industry Group. Don has been working to raise the profile of biochar for years now, and he works hard to bring together industry, scientists, and key stakeholders to realise the potential of biochar for Australia's net zero future. In this episode, we'll hear about:A Southern Cross University research trial that Don has been involved in and some of the challenges and opportunities faced during that process. The new biochar industry 2030 roadmap, an important document that will help build a billion dollar industry.Find more resources on the Farming Together website: https://farmingtogether.com.au/

Can university research really help us improve climate resilience and soil health on farms? What knowledge can experts share with us? And what can we learn from research projects that don't quite work out the way we planned? In this second season of Ground Cover, Rebecca Lollback from Southern Cross University, will explore these topics and more with her knowledgable and experienced guests, including:Kirsten BenkendorffDon CoyneJacqueline WilliamsLorraine GordonJay AndersonLukas Van Zwieten

Stay tuned... this series of Ground Cover is not quite over yet. We'll be taking a short break for a couple of weeks, then we'll be back with a big announcement that you won't want to miss. In the meantime, join the conversation on social media via our facebook page, and you can join our email list by emailing raa@scu.edu.au

Today on Ground Cover, our host Kerry Cochrane, explores the five landscape functions and how they play out on Tim Wright's property. Tim is a livestock producer, and holistic management farmer, from Armidale on the Northern Tablelands of NSW. The Wrights are a pioneering family of the New England, Tim bucked the traditional farming approach of his ancestors to go where many were not brave enough to go. A holistic farmer in the true sense, who questioned traditional practices, and ventured into regenerating landscapes with gusto. Declining terms of trade were a catalyst for change. And Tim turned to Stan Parsons and Allan Savory's methods for inspiration. In this episode we explore: •breaking down the five landscape functions into practice •ethics and ecology as a marketing tool •the importance of the social aspects of farming •the leader-follower system of grazing •and the role livestock play in healthy landscape function More about Tim Wright: In the 1990s Australian agriculture was marked by excessively high production costs and falling profits. Tim realised they needed to find a better way to manage their farm. Guided by their own principles for 'Working with Nature', they were motivated to fully adopt and Holistic Management approach for the operations of their property 'Lana', via Uralla in NSW. Lana is a 3,400 hectare property, across eight farmlets of mostly native pastures - under apple box, stringy bark and red gum. Lana's system of numerous internal fences and watering points is designed to allow stock to graze intently for two to four days, before being moved on. Tim introduced the principles and practices of holistic management, including establishing small paddocks, rotational grazing of their sheep and cattle, and a leader-follow system of grazing, with sheep following cattle. Soil organic matter content and fertility have improved, leading to increases in pasture availability and quality, and improving production even in time of reduced rainfall.

On Ground Cover today, Kerry is joined by Michael Taylor, a sixth generation wool producer from Kentucky, on the Northern Tablelands of NSW. Michael's family were one of the original settlers of the New England region. His parents, John and Vicky Taylor, discovered the real causes of the New England die back problem. The family tradition of experimentation and continuous learning is certainly instilled in Michael's approach to farming. Michael is our Agroforestry champion; diversifying his farm practices to create greater resilience for future generations. While also running a Merino sheep enterprise of the highest ethical standard. In this episode we hear about: •the lessons the Taylors learned through experiencing major droughts over 3 generations •over clearing and over grazing and it's impact on die back •how Michael has diversified farm practices with timber and agroforestry •the importance of shelter in creating a functioning ecosystem •the impact of aesthetics on their property More about Michael Taylor: Michael is the Managing Partner at Taylors Run mixed agricultural business, a family run Merino sheep and wool enterprise started in 1839. He has also taken on the further development of the agroforestry enterprise adding value for future generations. Both of these roles in the farm management include the responsibility of being a land custodian and steward in a competitive commercial environment. Continuous improvement of water use efficiency and regenerative farming practices provide a good education and demonstration site for other landholders. His involvement in the wool industry extends to two grower groups endeavouring to close the gap between producers and end users of Merino wool in apparel. Tablelands Merino is a regional group of only superfine Merino growers offering wool with guaranteed next-to-skin comfort. He is also a founding member and Director of Australian Ethical Merino Growers Co-operative. In his previous role as Director with Southern New England Landcare he contributed to an organisation that provides support to landholders in the region wishing to embark on better Natural Resource Management (NRM) projects. He is still involved as a peer mentor in the Agri-woodlands Group, helping landholders with their tree management projects. Michael studied Civil Engineering through RMIT, and worked with Hyder Consulting and Baulderstone-Hornibrook in Melbourne after completing his degree. Michael feels that Engineering has provided a strong base bringing another angle of professionalism into his current roles. Specialties include: civil engineering (roads and water), farm and small business management, wool and sheep classing, sheep breeding, cattle breeding, farm forestry management (siliviculture, harvesting and sawn timber processing), professional photography, medium scale graphic design and publishing.

Today, Kerry Cochrane talks with Bruce Maynard, a mixed farmer from Narromine, NSW, who was a conventional farmer, direct drilling for a decade or so, before making the switch to regenerative practices. From bare paddocks to diversity, from nature to nurture, this is a conversation exploring the journey that has seen Bruce affectionately known as 'the King of no kill cropping'. This the story of a man who was not happy with the notion of taking everything, other than what you were trying to grow, to ground zero. He wasn't happy with the monocultural approach and the simplification of the system. So he went out in search of another way. In this episode we explore: •examine the need for diversity in order to flourish, including economically •how Bruce changed his grazing management •their move to no till cropping to encourage diversity in the landscape •the 5 principles of no till cropping •the use of medicinal shrubs to help supplement animal diets •mineral licks •self herding and livestock adaptation and choice •stress free stock handling •grass free grains A broad thinker, a perfectionist in seeking the truth, and a true practicing scientist is today's guest, Bruce Maynard. More about Bruce Maynard: Bruce is a farmer and grazier from the Central West of NSW. He has been at the forefront of a number of innovations in Australian agriculture including: grazing management, stress free Stockmanship, self herding and the use of forage shrubs in grazing landscapes. He developed the No Kill Cropping method. As well as running the farm with his family. Bruce currently conducts extension projects around Australia on No Kill Cropping, Self Herding and grazing management. Bruce Maynard, The Lazy Farmer, is the inventor of the Regenerative Agricultural practice of No Kill Cropping. His farming operations reflect a desire to demonstrate true Triple Bottom Line principles, where a balance between profit, soil and landscape function. biodiversity and a healthy social life is continually striven for. What he has achieved with limited resources is truly remarkable and an example for other land managers to draw from in these changing times.

Welcome to the introductory episode of Ground Cover - a podcast for farmers by farmers. This podcast is brought you by the Regenerative Agriculture Alliance, in partnership with Southern Cross University. Ground Cover is a uniquely Australian series exploring real-life stories of land managers who have undertaken the transition from conventional farming to regenerative agriculture. Each week the Regenerative Agriculture Alliance will bring you a unique and honest conversation about the challenges and opportunities of regenerative agriculture so you can make informed decisions about how best to manage your land. The Regenerative Agriculture Alliance was founded to address the urgent need to transition from conventional farming to regenerative farming practices. As the Regenerative Agriculture Alliance's director Lorraine Gordon often says: "The Sustainability ship has sailed". We need to start fixing what is fundamentally broken and start regenerating landscapes. Enter the regenerative agriculture movement. Regenerative Agriculture is a system of farming principles and practices that increases biodiversity, enriches soils, improves watersheds, and enhances ecosystem services. It is a practice which aims to capture carbon in soil, reversing current global trends of atmospheric accumulation. At the same time, it offers increased yields, resilience to climate instability, and higher health and vitality for farming and livestock communities. Regenerative agriculture draws from decades of scientific and applied research by the global communities of organic farming, agroecology, Holistic Management, and agroforestry - many of these experts can be found at Southern Cross University, world-renowned for its plant and soil labs and environmental science research. Southern Cross University has a track record in driving collaboration on an unprecedented scale. The regional University has the proven capability to deliver national and global results across all primary industry sectors. Each episode of Ground Cover will be introduced by Lorraine Gordon, director of strategic projects at Southern Cross University and founder of the Regenerative Agricultural Alliance. Named Rural Community Leader in the 2018 Farmer of the Year awards and a former NSW ABC Rural Woman of the Year, Lorraine, an Ebor grazier, is the driving force for the alliance. Lorraine is also the director of the Farming Together Program, which delivered a multi-award winning knowledge mobilisation model to 28,500 primary producers nationwide, unlocking the power of collaboration and empowering a generation of primary producers. Lorraine's story and her mission to transition Australia for a resilient farming future, will feature in our eighth and final episode of this season along with a very exciting announcement which is set to be a game-changer for agricultural education in this country, so be sure to subscribe to Ground Cover and catch the big reveal at the end. In the meantime Ground Cover will feature seven of the leading practitioners in the regenerative agriculture space and is hosted by the veteran voice of Australian ag, Kerry Cochrane. Kerry is a leader in ag education as well as a seasoned rural reporter. As President of the Australian Institute of Ecological Agriculture Cooperative, his passion is one of promoting an ecological approach to life as a key strategy in mitigating against climate...