07-Nov-2011

SEQ Catchments’ Regional Landcare Facilitator, Apanie Wood, supported a Biofertile Farms course on the sunshine coast from 30 Oct – 1st Nov. The course provided farmers with solutions to improve productivity with techniques using common ‘on-farm’ materials. This approach helps farmer to ‘go to the shed’ rather than going ‘to the shop’ to secure nutrients and minerals required on their properties. In today’s environment, where the cost of inputs into farms are increasingly high, methods of reusing materials around the farm are becoming even more attractive to producers. 

The three day course provided the 17 participants with the knowledge and skills to produce soluble phosphorus, lime sulphur, biofertiliser and high quality compost. The course was presented by the internationally respected farmer Eugenio Gras, who has worked extensively throughout Latin America and elsewhere to assist farmers to reduce their reliance on expensive farm inputs, in collaboration with Regen Ag.

All attendees thought the course was excellent.

“It’s great to have a course that is so relevant and of practical use”, said Craig Kapernick, “This is exactly what I have been looking for, the soluble phosphorus production and biofertiliser will be very suitable for our operation”.

Apanie was impressed with the quality of information provided in the course.

“It’s really like a train – the – trainer type approach. I expect that most people here will feel compelled to share these simple techniques with others to assist them to improve their farm profitability,’’ she said.

The Regional Landcare Facilitator program works to promote the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices throughout SEQ. For more information click here.