Conference Videos 2018

Saturday, 10 November 2018

The Battle for Biology
Rob Hinrichsen
Kalfresh Farms, Kalbar QLD.
Rob could see soil structure and biology declining under the standard intensive vegetable production practices. Rob is working on the challenges of soil compaction, surface sealing and the soilborne disease pythium. Demonstrations are being conducted on the potential benefits of variable rates of compost, cover cropping and a beneficial bacteria.

Why We Need Healthy Soils and Biological Farming
Jeff Moyer - Executive Director – Rodale Institute, Pennsylvania USA, Rodale Farm Manager (30 Yrs), Author – Organic No-till Farming, expert in organic farming systems.
Jeff is a world renowned authority in biological and organic agriculture. His expertise includes organic crop production systems.
Jeff has spent the last four decades helping countless farmers make the transition from conventional farming to organic and biological methods.

Changing Culture by The Acre in the WA Wheat Belt

Nick Kelly
Broadacre minimum till/no-till cropping farmer, ‘Holland Track Farm’, Newdegate, WA.
The Kelly family's weather resilient farming system is enhancing soil health, sequestering carbon, reducing erosion, increasing moisture retention, reducing chemical use and improving crop yields.

Healthy Soils Result in Healthy Crops, Livestock and People
Prof Carlo Leifert
Director, Centre for Organics Research, Southern Cross University

Professor Carlo Leifert, previously Director of the Nafferton Ecological Farming Group at Newcastle University in England, where he recently established two Masters courses in organic farming and food production systems and sustainable farming and food security.

Creating resilience in vineyard production systems
Dan Falkenberg - Vineyard manager and viticulturalist, Eden Hall Vineyards, Eden Valley, SA
Dan has managed the Eden Hall vineyard and viticultural program since 2011. He has implemented extensive viticultural practises including bio-diversity programs, mulching, mid-row native grass improvements and more precise water management.
Dan is a key figure in the Eden Hall team. He brings experience, vision and passion so that you can enjoy great wines from the beautiful Eden Valley.

Soil Redemption Story
Fascinating biological connections make for a healthy farm ecosystem.
Michael Phillips is a farmer, writer, carpenter, orchard consultant, and speaker who lives with his wife, Nancy, and daughter, Grace, on Heartsong Farm in northern New Hampshire. Michael is the author of The Apple Grower, The Holistic Orchard, Mycorrhizal Planet and teamed up with Nancy to write The Herbalist’s Way (2005).
Michael is part of the Holistic Orchard Network at www.GrowOrganicApples.com .

3. 30 to 5.00 PM - 5 Concurrent Sessions

Soil Biology for Grazing Productivity and Animal Health -Harnessing the potential of Soil Biology Dung Beetles and Nematophagous Fungi, Duddingtonia flagrans

Dr Bernard Doube - Dung Beetle Solutions Australia,

Chris Lawlor - International Animal Health
Chris is the CEO of International Animal Health Sales Pty Ltd (IAH), in Huntingwood, NSW. IAH Sales manufactures and markets a range of microbial, nutritional and worming products specialising in large animals and intensive industries.
International Animal Health is an Australian family owned manufacturing business with 30 employees, including eight Sales Executives, covering Australasia. Products are sold throughout Australia & New Zealand to distributors, produce stores, veterinarians, feed-mills and the major integrators along with exports to Asia and the Middle East.

Note: there are minor technical issues in the first 4.58 minutes of the following video, however it is still most enjoyable and packed with useful information.

Bio-Diverse Ecosystems in Vineyards and Applications for Production Landscapes
Mary Retallack - Viticulturist/Managing Director – Retallack Viticulture, SA
Dr Mary Retallack is an agricultural scientist and third-generation viticulturist. She recently completed a PhD in viticulture and plant protection at the University of Adelaide, studying the use of native insectary plants to boost the presence of predatory arthropods in vineyards.
Dan Falkenberg - Vineyard manager and viticulturist, Eden Hall Vineyards, SA
Dan is a key figure in the Eden Hall team. He brings experience, vision and passion so that you can enjoy great wines from the beautiful Eden Valley.

Transition to Biological Farming Practices in Large Scale Vegetable Production
Jeff Moyer - Executive Director - Rodale Institute, Pennsylvania USA
Jeff Moyer is a world renowned authority in biological and organic agriculture. His expertise includes organic crop production systems.

Jeff brings a farmer's perspective and approach to issues in organic (and biological) agriculture, spending the last four decades helping countless farmers make the transition from conventional farming to organic and biological methods.

Sunday, 11 November 2018

Restoring Life and Resilience to Tired Grasslands
Regenerating Land with Livestock and managing natural cycles for soil health and animal production with Dr Judi Earl and Henry Sheehan

Dr Judi Earl
Pasture Ecologist, Consultant & Farmer
Judi gained a PhD in pasture ecology when she conducted the first studies describing the benefits to pasture composition from planned grazing. She has extensive experience in how grasslands and pastures respond to grazing and fertility management.
Through her consultancy business, Agricultural Information and Monitoring Services (AIMS), Judi's main area of interest is working with land managers to enhance the condition and productivity of their land through understanding of ecosystem function and more effective utilisation of available resources.

Henry Sheehan - Manager, Figtrees Organic Farms, Pasture fed beef – ‘Wilton Park’, Grafton NSW.
Henry started his working career jackerooing in north west NSW and QLD on properties working with sheep and cattle on large holdings.Ten years ago he met Glenn Morris and started working with Figtrees Organic Farms. This was Henry's introduction to Holistic Management principles and managing animals and the landscape in a chemical free environment. It was a real turning point for Henry and he now has a much deeper understanding of nature and a commitment to work with it. He gets real pleasure in producing a healthy animal through a healthy living soil.

The Great Mineral Debate
Can biology provide what a degraded soil needs?
Michael Phillips - is a farmer, writer, carpenter, orchard consultant, and speaker who lives with his wife, Nancy, and daughter, Grace, on Heartsong Farm in northern New Hampshire. Michael is the author of The Apple Grower, The Holistic Orchard, Mycorrhizal Planet and teamed up with Nancy to write The Herbalist’s Way (2005).
Michael is part of the Holistic Orchard Network & the community at www.GrowOrganicApples.com

Biological Alchemy
Have we ignored basic soil biology and disturbed ecosystems at our own peril?
Michael Phillips
Orchardist, Educator and Author - ‘Lost Nation Orchard, New Hampshire, USA

Michael is a farmer, writer, carpenter, orchard consultant, and speaker who lives with his wife, Nancy, and daughter, Grace, on Heartsong Farm in northern New Hampshire. Michael is the author of The Apple Grower, The Holistic Orchard, Mycorrhizal Planet and teamed up with Nancy to write The Herbalist’s Way (2005).
Michael is part of the Holistic Orchard Network at www.GrowOrganicApples.com .

Albrecht Soil Mineral Balancing
Identifying limiting factors to soil health, animal health and farm productivity

Derek Smith - Farmer, Educator and Consultant – ‘Working with Nature’, Guyra NSW.
A lifelong farmer, Derek has embraced natural farming as a way to protect biodiversity, store carbon and maintain consistent food production. He is currently running beef cattle, free range layer hens plus prime lambs on his property Kenilworth.
For 20 years Derek shared his experience as an instructor at TAFE Armidale. As the teacher of a year-long course in organic farming and in the past, horticulture, he helps students apply organic or biologically enhancing principles to their own farms.
Derek's website Working With Nature.

The Circular Nutrient Economy for a World Without Waste and Pollution
Prof Susanne Schmidt - School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Queensland
Susanne is an ecophysiologist and educator. She leads a vibrant team at The University of Queensland to contribute plant-focused solutions to the problems of modern societies seeking environmental sustainability. Her specific interests are the adaptations and functions of plants and plant communities in diverse environmental settings, the preservation and use of the Australian flora, and the advancement of crop systems based on ecological principles and with view of the circular nutrient economy.

Next Generation Agriculture and the Importance of Little Things in Life
The importance of interactions with micro-organisms for the health and well being of all plants and animals.
Dr Neil Wilson - Research Fellow – Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, Sydney University
Neil is a postdoctoral research fellow in the Sydney School of Agriculture, specialising in the molecular biology and ecology of agriculturally relevant microorganisms.
Neil is passionate about communicating the latest developments in the field of molecular microbiology with people across the food industry, from growers to retailers. He engages directly with farmers on a regular basis, speaking frequently at soil health meetings and field days.