The popular North Central Victoria Soil Health Guide has hit the international stage.   

Produced by the North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) with funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme, the guide was presented at a special workshop at a conference in New Zealand this week.   

The New Zealand Society of Soil Science and Soil Science Australia held the ‘Soil, a Balancing Act Downunder’ conference in Queenstown from Monday.   

North Central CMA Regional Landcare Facilitator Mandy Coulson was invited to present the new guide.      

“Healthy soils are fundamental to rural living and food production,” she said.   

“Maintaining healthy soils is essential for farmers and land managers in north central Victoria to support productive agricultural industries, contribute to food security and deliver soil-related ecosystem services.    

“For farmers or rural property owners soil is their most valuable asset. It provides structural support and water and nutrient for plant growth. Understanding soil types, applying the appropriate management practices and monitoring soil quality are all important steps in protecting and enhancing soil health.”   

The Soil Health Guide builds on the principles of the Visual Soil Assessment and is an easy-to-read, practical guide to understanding soil types in north central Victoria.   

“The guide provides information to help identify possible soil health issues using nine simple visual soil tests conducted in the paddock,” Mrs Coulson said.   

“Observations and results can be used to determine management actions to improve soil health and assess differences in soil health between paddocks, farms, management practices and/or growing seasons.    

“The guide aims to complement laboratory test results, providing real-time information on soil physical, chemical and biological characteristics.”   

Mrs Coulson said the guide is aimed at building the capacity of landholders and communities.   

“We are keen to support local sustainable land management practices and help deliver long-term benefits to our communities, our environment, our economy and our country,” Mrs Coulson said.  

“Guides like this are a local step to helping build agricultural productivity across Australia and benefit the economy of the region and the country.   “It can help build communities which, in turn, can help build Australia.”   

To request a copy of the guide, contact the North Central CMA on 03 5448 7124. 

The North Central Victoria Soil Health Guide is supported through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme and the Victorian Government. 

For further information please contact: 

Communications Officer, North Central CMA
PO Box 18, Huntly VIC 3551

t: 03 5448 7124
e: info@nccma.vic.gov.au