SANTFA to focus on soils at the 20th anniversary conference
- By: "Farm Tender" News
- Cattle News
- Feb 25, 2018
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The latest insights in soil species diversity will top the bill at South Australia No-Till Farmers Association (SANTFA)’s 20th anniversary conference on Friday 2 March at the Barossa Arts and Convention Centre, Tanunda.
Internationally renowned soil biologist, Jill Clapperton, from the United States will focus on the complex relationship between plants and soil micro-organisms and the connectivity of plants, soil biology, soil health and food quality in the keynote address.
Also on the agenda will be grower presenters who are modifying their farming systems to take advantage of this connectivity to improve soil health, productivity and profitability. They are:
* WA grower, Nick Kelly
* SANTFA past president and SA cover cropping pioneer, Tom Robinson
* NSW grower, Matt McKinley, and
* SANTFA R&D manager, Greg Butler.
Broadacre Victorian farmer and farm management expert, Nick Shady, will give a presentation on Surviving the pressures.
SANTFA is one of 26 Farming System Groups (FSGs) which national grains representative body, GrainGrowers, is sponsoring in 2018 as part of its Partnership Opportunity program.
Regional Coordinator David Evans said GrainGrowers was delighted to have the opportunity to assist SANTFA which has been the leader and key driver in the introduction and extension of new farming technology in SA for more than 20 years.
“This began with no till cropping, considered revolutionary at the time, and has had a massively positive effect on profitability, land management and soil health during that time,” Mr Evans said.
SANTFA President, Sam Venning, said GrainGrowers had been and continued to be a highly valued sponsor of SANTFA.
“Without their sponsorship it would be difficult to deliver events like our annual conference and our quarterly magazine, The Cutting Edge,” Mr Venning said.
“Sponsorship allows SANTFA to seek the best speakers available for our conference and continue to deliver value for money to our members.”
Tickets are selling well for this year’s conference. All attendees must register and tickets are $250 for Members and $495 for non-members. A conference brochure is available here: https://www.santfa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018-Conference-Brochure-for-download.pdf
The conference is just one of a series of events put on annually by SANTFA, a not-for-profit farmer driven organisation with 500 members across South Australia which aims to promote the benefits of no-till farming systems and conservation farming. A core function is conducting and coordinating independent research, including through other Farming Systems Groups.
Events planned for the year include a state-wide regional crop walk program, interstate bus tours and an international trip.
For more information, or to become a SANTFA member, please visit www.SANTFA.com.au
For more information about GrainGrowers’ Partnership Opportunity program please visit:
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