On October 5 YLAD Living Soils presents a seminar on farm management practices for increasing fuel efficiency and consequently raising the gross margin of your grazing or cropping operation.

As high profile personality and director of YLAD Living Soils Rhonda Daly says: “Rising fuel prices have taken their toll on farm profitability and farmers need to lower fuel inputs by building soil and plant health. The speakers at this seminar will deliver up to date, practical information on doing just that – improving soil and plant health without the use of expensive fertilisers or excessive use of machinery.”

Each of the seven speakers is an expert in their unique field.

David Freudenberger, CSIRO Canberra examines ways of increasing water infiltration and moisture storage in the soil. Graeme Sait, CEO Nutri-Tech Solutions addresses the issue of managing soils for optimal production while regenerating pasture vigour and restoring soil health.

World recognised fuel crisis guru Professor Ron Leng believes it's no longer viable to grow crops to feed to livestock and looks at ways in which crop residues and dry grass can be utilised to lift animal weight gains.

Other speakers include Dr Judi Earl, UNE, on managing animals for optimal production at the same time as improving soil health and pasture vigour, Peter Massaso, Nutri-Tech Solutions, on understanding soil biology to increase soil nutrients, Maarten Stapper, CSIRO, on achieving maximum wheat yields and Peter Marshall on practical ways of regenerating creeks and gullies.

The seminar at ‘Milgadara' Moppity Road Young goes from 8.15am to 5.00pm on Wednesday October 5. Seminar notes, morning and afternoon tea and lunch are provided and the cost is $35.00.

The following day there is a bus trip visiting four local properties that have embraced the biological approach to soil health to inspect improved cropping, pasture and animal production that are the result. The cost is $25.00 including morning and afternoon tea and lunch.