THE DIRT Issue 2 | Page 19

Graziers across the catchment are adopting grazing land management practices with a focus on soil and pasture growth. Many have undertaken tailored technical support to access specialised skills, as well as undertaking education and training programs. Many graziers have had soil tests to help with decision making. Collaboration between LDC and DAF has resulted in beef extension officer Jim Fletcher conducting many of the soil tests. Dr Christine Jones, Amazing Carbon, pictured centre, and from her left, Christian Roth CSIRO, Dyan Hughes, Wentworth Cattle Company, Brian Wehlburg, Inside Outside Management, Raymond Stacey, RCS, and Bristow Hughes, Strathalbyn Station. Assessing soil pH. Participants at a soil health workshop held at Crediton, near Eungella. Wayne Reading, Beth Reading, Juliane Kasiske and David Hardwick. LDC has developed a soil health assessment toolbox — a Rapid Assessment of Soil Health (RASH) manual and a series of seven ‘how to’ videos. Graziers use the RASH manual to carry out objective assessments of soil health. This information helps them to plan and implement soil health management practices to alleviate identified constraints and maintain healthier soils. The videos are also available on the website. Topics cover: Soil Health – The RASH approach; Assessing ground cover; Assessing soil texture; Assessing water infiltration; Soil agg egate testing; Soil organisms and Soil pH testing. David Hardwick, of Soil Land Food, developed the RASH approach and helped LDC to compile the manual and videos. The RASH manual can be downloaded from the LDC website. The RASH manual. 19