Ground Cover Regenerative Ag Alliance and Southern Cross University

Can university research really help us improve climate resilience and soil health on farms?
What knowledge can experts share with us?
And what can we learn from research projects that don't quite work out the way we planned?
In this second season of Ground Cover, Rebecca Lollback from Southern Cross University, will explore these topics and more with her knowledgable and experienced guests, including:
Kirsten BenkendorffDon CoyneJacqueline WilliamsLorraine GordonJay AndersonLukas Van Zwieten

Professor Kirsten Benkendorff is the Director of Southern Cross University’s National Marine Science Centre and the Deputy Director of the Marine Ecology Research Centre. Her research looks at the impacts of ocean climate change and environmental contaminants on the immune health and nutritional quality of seafood species. She is also investigating the use of marine molluscs for human medicine.
Professor Benkendorff has published more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and also teaches into the Bachelor of Environmental Science, and Marine Science and Management programs at Southern Cross University. 
As a lead researcher for one of the projects in the Regenerative Agriculture Alliance’s Soil Extension Program, funded by the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program, Kirsten spent three years looking at the effectiveness of bioreactors in managing pesticide run-off in intensive horticulture. She was also able to set up a second project which compared the soil health in conventional and regenerative blueberry farms.
In this episode you'll hear:
How can farmers better manage pesticides on their property.Practical steps and advice.Understand the impact pesticides can have outside their property boundaries i.e. on waterways and on seafood. Know where to seek more information about your obligations. 
Find more resources on the Farming Together website: https://farmingtogether.com.au/

Today on Ground Cover, I'm joined by Don Coyne, the CEO of the Australia and New Zealand Biochar Industry Group. Don has been working to raise the profile of biochar for years now, and he works hard to bring together industry, scientists, and key stakeholders to realise the potential of biochar for Australia's net zero future.
In this episode, we'll hear about:
A Southern Cross University research trial that Don has been involved in and some of the challenges and opportunities faced during that process. The new biochar industry 2030 roadmap, an important document that will help build a billion dollar industry.
Find more resources on the Farming Together website: https://farmingtogether.com.au/

In today's episode of Ground Cover, we're joined by Dr Jackie Williams, an adjunct Associate Professor at Southern Cross University who has more than 30 years of applied research in natural resource management.
Her areas of expertise include sustainable agriculture governance systems, natural resource policy, and food security.
With a lot of discussion and interest in the Nature Repair Bill and Natural Capital Accounting, we decided to pick Jackie's brain about the impact this is having on farmers.
We'll hear about what farmers need to do, some of the benefits coming their way, and what potential challenges we need to address to maximise these opportunities.
Find more resources on the Farming Together website: https://farmingtogether.com.au/

Today on Ground Cover, we're joined by Dr Jay Anderson, a plant pathologist with more than 20 years of industry experience.
She's also a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Southern Cross University, and her research to date has focused on integrated disease management using techniques such as plant breeding, plant selection for resistance, and optimised plant nutrition.
Jay is also working to better understand infection processes of pathogens to help target, control, and reduce losses due to disease.
In this episode, Jay talks about:
How weather and climate change has a huge impact on diseases within horticulture cropsSome of the work she's been doing in the Northern Rivers since the 2022 floods, particularly in the avocado and macadamia industriesWhat farmers can do on their own properties to manage disease and what they should look forThe best way to plan your farm and the importance of connecting with other farmers and grower groups to share information and ideas.
Find more resources on the Farming Together website: https://farmingtogether.com.au/

Today on Ground Cover we will hear from Dr Lukas Van Zwieten, a Principal Soil Research Scientist from the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries.
Lukas is also an adjunct Professor with Southern Cross University, and he's a farmer. And as you will hear in this recording, he has been described as the 'Grand Master of Soil' by renowned environmental filmmaker Damon Gameau.
In this episode, Lukas will share:
His insights about soilsHow to identify your soil constraintsHow to build healthy soilsWhy soils are the key to developing productive and resilient farming systems.
This audio was recorded at a field day hosted by Southern Cross University and Banyula, a regenerative farm on the Northern Rivers.
Find more resources on the Farming Together website: https://farmingtogether.com.au/