Biological Farming Workshop with Maarten Stapper 03/03/09
Biological Farming Workshop with Maarten Stapper 03/03/09
On Tuesday 3rd March Dr Maarten Stapper - Farming Systems Agronomist (formerly CSIRO Plant Industry) is presenting a workshop on the ins and outs of creating and maintaining healthy soils. Current soil problems result from oversimplification of fertilisation and ‘plant protection’ practices that use harsh fertilisers and chemicals that damage the delicate balance of carbon, microbes, trace minerals and nutrients in the soil.
Biological farming can help farmers improve their profitability by harnessing the power of natural soil processes and by understanding those practices that negatively impact on soil biology. A healthy soil produces better crops and pastures, requiring less fertilisers and agro-chemicals for similar productivity. Plants develop internal resistance to insects and diseases; they become more drought and frost tolerant and provide healthier feed and food with higher mineral content. Biological agriculture leads to higher biodiversity on farms and greatly reduces the impact of farming on catchments.
Maarten Stapper will talk about the importance of living things in soils and how soil organisms increase soil carbon and soil productivity, improving the environmental outcomes of farming. He will cover the reasons for soil degradation and its remediation; how to take achievable steps to improve your soil biology; the role of humus in creating soil balance and efficient use of water; and the role of soil biology in nutrient storage, availability and uptake.