The NSW Local Land Services (LLS) Riverfarm demonstration site in Richmond, managed by Sylvia Jelinek, the VegNET NSW Regional Development Officer, and farm manager Gareth Hough, focuses on showcasing practical strategies for improving soil health through cover cropping, residue management and reduced tillage.
This Soil Wealth ICP trial, led by Umberto Calvo, Stephanie Tabone and Dr Kelvin Montagu, aims to offer growers valuable insights into implementing cover crops, and the best option for transitioning to vegetable crops with minimal soil disturbance.
By exploring various cover crop types and termination methods, along with reduced tillage options, the site provides a hands-on demonstration of sustainable practices that can enhance soil health over time.
The primary objective of the demonstration is to enable local growers to evaluate and adopt cover crop options within their rotations, offering them practical strategies and considerations for achieving optimal results. The trial is expected to improve soil structure at Riverfarm and has the potential to influence practices among other Sydney Basin farmers, many of whom face soil degradation due to excessive tillage.
Additionally, the trial serves as a platform for sharing practical tips and insights on integrating these approaches effectively, giving growers a resource for sustainable soil management in their own operations.
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