Past Events
EPARF hosts an annual member day which is normally held at the Minnipa Agricultural Centre. Each year a core subject is selected to improve grower and industry understanding of a component of their agricultural system. This event provides the forum for important research messages from leading researchers direct to the grower.
Past EPARF Member Days
Managing Nitrogen in EP Farming Systems (2013)
120 people attended the EPARF member day held at the Minnipa Agricultural Centre on ‘Managing Nitrogen in EP farming systems’. The day focused on the relationship between plant nutrition, soil health, plant productivity and on-farm application of knowledge and technology.
Dr Glenn McDonald, University of Adelaide presented the science behind the guidelines and rules governing nitrogen application and timing.
Dr Fran Hoyle from the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia gave presentations on ‘Demystifying Soil Organic Carbon’ and ‘Managing for Soil Organic Carbon Profitably’, explaining the biological processes and structures sustaining our production systems.
Dr Rick Llewellyn CSIRO Adelaide reported from studies in the South Australian Mallee based on adjusting nitrogen inputs based on land capability.
Agricultural Consultant Mick Faulkner presented practical nitrogen strategies to adopt on-farm.
Roy Latta, SARDI Research Officer presented information on the capacity of medic pastures to fix biological N, as well as introducing an Action on the Ground nitrous oxide crop rotation project.
Interactive sessions on soil testing, N decisions to make for the year ahead, pasture ecology and nitrogen products followed.
A panel session involving all the speakers responded to questions posed throughout the day, addressing myths relating to nitrogen on the farm, with Linden Masters facilitating the panel.
The day concluded with an address from ‘2012 Australian Farmer of the Year’ Peter Kuhlmann.
The majority of the farmers said they would do something differently as a result of attending the event and felt prepared to make good nitrogen decisions this year. All of attendees said they would recommend to friends and neighbors’ to attend EPARF Member Days!