Cassandra Schefe

@peter3DWagga @agronomistag Thank you @peter3DWagga , yes. That study was pivotal in challenging the 'no-till-only-and-forever' approach, with our ongoing work in that space continuing to demonstrate the benefits of strategic, nuanced and considered strategic tillage (ie de-risk it through prior planning).

@CassandraSchefe @agronomistag The authors cite one of the Aust. papers, first author bring Yash Dang. I was on the steering comm. for the first project which was the (then) southern Zone. There were several treatments. Most of them had only short term affects on things like aggregate stability. Ask Conyers!

In the US High Plains, long-term study finds occasional tillage—once every 6 years—had no effect on soil health vs continuous no-till. This tillage could help with weeds and stratification of nutrients, pH. Open access. acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ag…

@scale_william @agronomistag Yes, good summer weed control through herbicide management has been a key learning to maximise water storage over summer fallow in stubble retained, no till systems. The key challenge with farming, is of course, trade-offs... chemicals or cultivate.

@CassandraSchefe @agronomistag The drawback I felt in Oz was the need for multiple roundup applications in the dry season to preserve moisture. Fair criticism or not?

Cash crops, along with their well-managed residues, can match or even surpass the benefits of traditional cover crops. They effectively control erosion, scavenge nutrients, disrupt pest cycles, and enhance soil health. How? Biomass production. My latest: csanr.wsu.edu/cash-crops-and…

@agronomistag Nice work @agronomistag This paper aligns with the southern Aussie experience, where the focus has been on long-established conservation ag systems of no-till and stubble retention, rather than introduce cost and risk through planting cover crops in hot, dry summers.

Residues from high-residue grain crops often exceed the biomass of many cover crops, don't use water - important in arid regions - and they produce dissolved organic matter that feeds soil biology, AND all this is easier to achieve than “keep living roots in the soil.”

Any senior agronomists looking for a change of pace, and the opportunity to bring your real-world experience to support whole-of-industry impact, please consider hanging out with the 'Cool' kids at the Cool Soil Initiative! external-jobs.csu.edu.au/cw/en/job/4981…

Soils “Galore” ! Join us for a deep dive into the soils of the Galore region on 26 February. This is a fascinating landscape and you won’t be disappointed in what we uncover on the day if you are interested in soils. @LLSRiverina #soils #resilient #farming #systems

Almost 200 growers from NSW & Victoria have volunteered to find ways to lift on-farm profitability while lowering GHG emissions. It's all part of the Cool Soil Initiative to creating a paddock-to-plate program to help wheat growers improve soil health, maintain or increase grain yields, and track/reduce GHG emissions. 👉 bit.ly/3PAyvfM

Contact: Dr Cassandra Schefe, Principal Scientist, Cool Soil Initiative by 20th January to learn more. 0419 238 798, cassandra@agrisci.com.au

Details in comments below. Please share!

Duration: 15-month contract, with the possibility of extension (commencing ASAP - April 2026) Remuneration: $100–110K p/a + $10K travel allowance (based on 0.6–0.8 FTE with seasonal flexibility). Needs ABN, Driver’s licence, own vehicle, and insurances

@BruceLarcombe All the very best for the future. Bruce. Thank you for all your insights over the years.

With harvest just started, my season is done. Next for me is retirement, nothing planned, have a break, will be moving sometime next 12 months, then see. Many thanks to those that I have worked with, received advice or info from, or just got to know. All the best to everyone.

@agronomistag Exactly! The other point that I flag in Aus farmer meetings is that the high nutrient mineralisation/removal (with assoc microbial respiration) in our highly productive cropping systems means that just maintaining soil carbon levels is amazing.

We should stop comparing managed cropland soils to unmanaged prairie/grassland soils. The latter soils will always be better because they are not producing any food. It's a simple matter of energy flows. More in the post below. sciencedirect.com/science/articl…

@KimbarPark Hi Andrew. Key issues include (1) no regulatory oversight to demonstrate 'do no harm', (2) need for QA requirements that the product in the pack is what it should be (and is active), (3) set standards around labelling etc. Happy to chat.

Biological products for use in grains production: What is out there in commercial use, in trials and/or of interest? Working on a GRDC project (PROC-9177054) - review of of biofertilisers, biostimulants and biopesticides. Keen to hear thoughts of growers and advisors.

@theGRDC @UniversitySA ... and a spell checker is needed. Phosphorus, not PhosphorOUS....

Is you soil deficient in phosphorous? Does it need fertiliser P fertiliser to optimise yields? Find out more about P availability, root architecture, P fertilisers & their application in our phosphorous availability fact sheet. 👉 bit.ly/47i4cT4 @UniversitySA @UQ_News

@agrobaz @theGRDC @UniversitySA Agree Barry. This research will support our process level understanding of P but at present no practical relevance or outcome to farmers, this is likely to create confusion. We're still working with farmers on the basics of P sufficiency in modern No-Till systems. APP only niche.

@theGRDC @UniversitySA It’s great this work is being done but I’m struggling to understand a practical outcome or recommendation from this work?? Is APP available commercially?

@annajdye @russtybloke68 @bogandillan @blowy_moll @fifimarsh @SoulsbyNathan @DrJasonCondon Cool Soil mtg at Rutherglen today, 4pm. Be great to see you there!

Cool Soil Initiative farmer mtgs start next week! Inviting all interested farmers to join us in discussing soil carbon and greenhouse gas emissions results from the 2023 season, what it all means, and how Cool Soil can support you, no strings attached.

@annajdye @russtybloke68 @fifimarsh

Cool Soil Initiative farmer mtgs are on again in the riv plains region! Inviting all interested farmers to join us in discussing soil carbon and greenhouse gas emissions results from the 2023 season, what it all means, and how Cool Soil can support you, no strings attached.