Testing cover crops as a sustainable alternative to plastic mulch for melons

November 13th, 2024|

The Soil Wealth ICP melon trials in Mildura are once again underway. Building on the previous experience with straw mulch, the Soil Wealth team will once again collaborate with a Mildura melon grower to test whether a cereal rye cover crop, once rolled down and crimped, can effectively replace plastic mulch for moisture retention and weed control in a melon crop. Cover crops are generally known to improve soil health and structure, reduce erosion, and add organic carbon to the soil system. As an additional benefit, this trial examines whether cover crops can reduce reliance on single-use plastic mulch a...

Bulletin October 2024

October 10th, 2024|

In this edition: Soil Wealth ICP heads west Steph Tabone's Nuffield adventure Upcoming events and webinars Demonstration site news from Mulgowie, Qld New resources: Getting started in regenerative ag webinar recording, updated Biological Products...

Bulletin September 2024

September 12th, 2024|

In this edition: NZ hosts Aussies for inaugural Soil Wealth ICP study tour Melons study tour learns from Californian counterparts A practical approach to applying soil borne diseases research on-farm Upcoming workshops and webinars...

Bulletin August 2024

August 8th, 2024|

In this edition: Get involved in the national fall armyworm survey! Upcoming workshops and webinars (pest and disease focus) Demonstration site news from Tarwin, VIC New resources: Transition from cover crop to cash crop...

Bulletin July 2024

July 11th, 2024|

In this edition: Soil Wealth ICP heads to the Lockyer Valley New Zealand study tour – expressions of interest open! Vegetable and melon demo site news from Qld, NT and NSW New resources: Biofumigation...

Bulletin June 2024

June 13th, 2024|

Hort Connections special edition: Soil Wealth ICP panel navigates the road to resilience Sustainable agriculture – developing bio-synthetic innovation Microbiomes as drivers of soil and plant health Sustainable solutions and robotics on display Doris...

Bulletin May 2024

May 16th, 2024|

In this edition: Mastering soil-borne diseases in Adelaide Is there anything missing from our Biological Products Database? Get involved in the Food Waste Challenge! Upcoming event: Don't miss the Soil Wealth ICP grower panel...

Bulletin April 2024

April 11th, 2024|

In this edition: Coming soon: New cucurbit pest and disease field ID guide Nurturing veg and melon industry leaders Upcoming events and webinars Demonstration site news: Tarwin, Victoria New resource: Give clubroot the boot...

Bulletin March 2024

March 14th, 2024|

In this edition: Promoting soil health at WA melons roadshow New report highlights US grower's approach to sustainability using cover crops Upcoming events and webinars Demonstration site news: Cover crops part of the carbon...

Bulletin February 2024

February 22nd, 2024|

In this edition: Exciting plans ahead for Soil Wealth ICP in 2024 15-min survey: How connected are you to your soil? Upcoming events and webinars Demonstration site news: Beneficials flock to IPM demo site...

Bulletin January 2024

January 30th, 2024|

In this edition: New year, new website for Soil Wealth ICP! Keeping crops safe after flooding New app to check soil aggregate stability Upcoming events and webinars Demonstration site news: Replacing plastic mulch with...

Bulletin December 2023

December 14th, 2023|

In this edition: Adapt, innovate, automate: Soil Wealth ICP heads west Dealing with dry times: New online portal to support growers Mapping Australasia's soils for better farm insights Upcoming events and webinars Demonstration site...

Bulletin November 2023

November 16th, 2023|

In this edition: Harnessing the power of cover crops for enhanced soil health Getting to know the beneficials in your crop Upcoming events and webinars Demonstration site news: Native insectaries planted at Virginia, SA;...

Bulletin October 2024

October 12th, 2023|

In this edition: Online hub has all you need to tackle fall armyworm Upcoming events and webinars Demonstration site news: Northern Adelaide Plains to host Soil Wealth ICP demo sites; Mildura makes way for melon...

Bulletin September 2023

September 14th, 2023|

In this edition: Welcome to our 100th edition! Steph to search for a nitrogen fix in veg production Upcoming events and webinars Demonstration site news: Pea production in focus at new Tas demo site;...

Bulletin August 2023

August 10th, 2023|

In this edition: Melon industry: What to expect from Soil Wealth ICP Upcoming events and webinars Demonstration site news: New Qld demo site – Getting the most out of organic nitrogen New resources: Go-to...

Bulletin July 2023

July 1st, 2023|

In this edition: Exploring soil biology: A masterclass Empowering participants to adopt better practices at Chinese growers' field day Seasonal climate outlook for vegetable and melon growing regions – August to October 2023 Upcoming events...

Bulletin June 2023

June 28th, 2023|

Hort Connections 2023 special edition: Soil Wealth ICP panel session at the Annual Vegetable Industry Seminar (AVIS) Speaker sessions: Weed management technology set to be showcased in Queensland and rapid spread of DBM insecticide resistance...

Bulletin May 2023

May 5th, 2023|

In this edition: Veg and melon growers to benefit as Soil Wealth ICP enters a new phase Growers: Don't miss the last seats at the Soil Biology Masterclass Triumphant return of Vic veg innovation days...

Bulletin April 2023

April 4th, 2023|

In this edition: See our cover crop trial at VicVID: 27-28 April Soil Biology Masterclass: Only 30 places available! Using soil health to manage soil borne disease risk Upcoming events and webinars Demonstration site...

Bulletin March 2023

March 10th, 2023|

In this edition: Tips to correctly identify veg insects Guidance on handling fresh produce exposed to floodwaters Upcoming events and webinars Demonstration site news: Strip-till and cover cropping transform The Three Ryans' farming system...

Bulletin February 2023

February 10th, 2023|

In this edition: Nutrition, food security starts with healthy soils Upcoming events and webinars Demonstration site news: Compost boosts soil health on the Adelaide Plains New resources: Understanding spatial variability in potato crops; resources...

Bulletin December 2022

December 10th, 2022|

In this edition: Celebrating World Soil Day: How to look after soils for veg production Upcoming events and webinars Demonstration site news: Healthy soils, healthy profit from pecision ag trial at Koo Wee Rup,...

Bulletin November 2022

November 10th, 2022|

In this edition: Celebrating World Soil Day: How to look after soils for veg production Upcoming events and webinars Demonstration site news: Healthy soils, healthy profit from pecision ag trial at Koo Wee Rup,...

Bulletin October 2022

October 10th, 2022|

In this edition: Share your thoughts on Soil Wealth ICP Phase 2 Could soil temperature predict pest spread in vegetable crops? Tassie potato growers eye pink rot management Upcoming events and webinars Event wrap...

Bulletin September 2022

September 10th, 2022|

In this edition: Maximising IPM practices in protected cropping Taking a whole systems approach to growing veg High priority pests update Upcoming events and webinars Demonstration site news: Persistence and attention to detail pay...

Bulletin August 2022

August 10th, 2022|

In this edition: How compost can help to tackle global challenges New resources on area wide management (AWM) of vegetable diseases Upcoming events and webinars Demonstration site news: Catch up on our demo site...

Bulletin July 2022

July 10th, 2022|

In this edition: Video series: Precision agriculture in vegetable production IPM in practice: A new approach to release beneficials An updated snapshot of soil carbon Upcoming events and webinars Demonstration site news: Top End...

Bulletin June 2022

June 10th, 2022|

In this edition: And that's a wrap for Hort Connections 2022! Brush up your IPM knowledge with two short courses Upcoming events and webinars Demonstration site news: Grower panel at the Annual Vegetable Industry...

Bulletin May 2022

May 10th, 2022|

In this edition: Happy International Day of Plant Health! Case study: Long-term benefits of using compost on plant and soil health Hear from our demo site growers at the Annual Vegetable Industry Seminar Carl...

Bulletin April 2022

April 10th, 2022|

In this edition: Integrated weed management manual for vegetable growers Report: Biostimulants market to boom by 2026 Upcoming events and webinars Demonstration site news: Reducing tillage – is it worthwhile? New resources: Improving phosphorus...

Bulletin March 2022

March 10th, 2022|

In this edition: Topsoil biodiversity and soil functioning: Crucial elements Supporting the next generation of Tassie researchers Pathways towards carbon neutrality Upcoming events and webinars Demonstration site news: Cowra, New South Wales New resources:...

Bulletin February 2022

February 10th, 2022|

In this edition: Exploring the link between IPM and soil health Nominate a soil health champion! Upcoming events and webinars Demonstration site news: Virginia, South Australia IPM resources: Tips to control pests and protect...

Bulletin January 2022

January 10th, 2022|

In this edition: Learn from IPM leaders in the veg industry Upcoming events and webinars Demonstration site news: Choosing legume cover crops and a video update from Koo Wee Rup, Victoria New resources: The...

Bulletin December 2021

December 10th, 2021|

In this edition: 2022 focus topics: Soil biology and integrated pest management Carbon management on vegetable farms webinar recording Upcoming events and webinars Demonstration site news: Strip-till podcast from Western Australia and a video...

Bulletin November 2021

November 10th, 2021|

In this edition: Spotlight on soil biology and integrated weed management Upcoming events and webinars Demonstration site news: New site in the Northern Territory and a video update from Koo Wee Rup, Victoria New...

Bulletin October 2021

October 10th, 2021|

In this edition: Spotlight on soil biology and integrated weed management Upcoming events and webinars Demonstration site news: New site in Queensland and a video update from Koo Wee Rup, Victoria New resources: additional...

Bulletin September 2021

September 10th, 2021|

In this edition: Spotlight on soil biology and integrated weed management Upcoming events and webinars Demonstration site news: Cowra, NSW prepares to trial microwave weeding tech New resources: global review of what changes to...

Bulletin August 2021

August 10th, 2021|

In this edition: Spotlight on soil biology and integrated weed management Growers, are you prepared to soil your undies? Catch up on the Potato R&D Forum 2021 Upcoming events and webinars Demonstration site news:...

Bulletin July 2021

July 10th, 2021|

In this edition: Spotlight on soil biology and integrated weed management Review of agvet regulatory system finalised Upcoming events and webinars Demonstration site news: Richmond, Tasmania trial update and expressions of interest to trial...

Bulletin June 2021

June 10th, 2021|

In this edition: Spotlight on soil biology and integrated weed management Upcoming events and webinars Demonstration site news: Soil Wealth ICP on show at Hort Connections 2021 New resources: global scan and review of...

Bulletin May 2021

May 10th, 2021|

In this edition: Spotlight on soil biology and integrated weed management Compost in focus at upcoming conference EGVID2020 celebrated at industry awards Upcoming events and webinars Demonstration site news: new videos available from our...

Bulletin April 2021

April 10th, 2021|

In this edition: Spotlight on soil biology and integrated weed management Nominate a worthy winner at the National Awards for Excellence Pest and disease management in focus at SA workshop Upcoming events and webinars...

Bulletin March 2021

March 10th, 2021|

In this edition: Spotlight on soil biology and integrated weed management Information and resources on fall armyworm and serpentine leafminer Is there anything missing from our Biological Products Database? Upcoming events and webinars Demonstration...

Bulletin February 2021

February 10th, 2021|

In this edition: Spotlight on soil biology and integrated weed management IWM webinar series recording #3: The future of IWM in veg farming Upcoming events and webinars Demonstration site news from Cowra, NSW and...

Bulletin January 2021

January 10th, 2021|

In this edition: Spotlight on soil biology and integrated weed management IWM webinar series recording #2: How cover cropping can improve IWM use for veg growers Seasonal outlook predicts wet and warm weather to...

Bulletin December 2020

December 10th, 2020|

In this edition: Spotlight on soil biology and integrated weed management Focus topics announced for Soil Wealth ICP in 2021! Upcoming events and webinars Demonstration site news from Richmond, Tasmania New resources: Foliar diseases...

Bulletin November 2020

November 10th, 2020|

In this edition: Spotlight on soil biology and integrated weed management 2020 Precision Ag Expo delights Tassie farmers Upcoming events and webinars Demonstration site news from Katherine, Northern Territory and Koo Wee Rup, Victoria...

Bulletin October 2020

October 10th, 2020|

In this edition: Last chance to have your say on Soil Wealth ICP! Spotlight on soil biology and integrated weed management Six cover crop trial results unveiled at TAPG Expo site Seasonal climate outlook...

Bulletin September 2020

September 10th, 2020|

In this edition: Have your say on Soil Wealth ICP! Spotlight on soil biology and integrated weed management Review the Biological Products Database Upcoming events and webinars Demonstration site news from Gingin, Western Australia...

Bulletin August 2020

August 10th, 2020|

In this edition: Vegetable Crop Nutrition Masterclass an online success Spotlight on soil biology and integrated weed management What have farmers learnt from COVID-19? Upcoming events and webinars Demonstration site news from the Sydney...

Bulletin July 2020

July 10th, 2020|

In this edition: Spotlight on soil biology and integrated weed management Get effective R&D support in a remote setting Upcoming events and webinars Demonstration site news from Victoria and Bathurst, NSW New resources: Managing salinity...

Bulletin June 2020

June 10th, 2020|

In this edition: Spotlight on soil biology and integrated weed management Have your say on agvet chemicals review Upcoming events and webinars Demonstration site news from Bathurst, NSW and Tasmania New resources: Managing sodicity...

Bulletin May 2020

May 10th, 2020|

In this edition: Soil Wealth ICP broadcasts live from East Gippsland Vegetable Innovation Days Spotlight on soil biology and integrated weed management Upcoming events and webinars Demonstration site news from Koo Wee Rup, VIC...

Bulletin April 2020

April 10th, 2020|

In this edition: Effective R&D support in a remote setting Spotlight on soil biology and integrated weed management Upcoming events and webinars Demonstration site news from Tasmania New resources: Step-by-step guide to nitrate field...