Abstract 1: The National Soil Monitoring Program – the NRM sector’s truly first national project
The first major country-wide success story for NRM Australia utilising the Natural Heritage Trust Regional Delivery Deed of Standing Offer has been the successful engagement of the NRM sector to support field sampling in the National Soil Monitoring Program (NSMP). The NSMP is a key initiative under the National Soil Action Plan 2023-2028, funded by the Natural Heritage Trust (DAFF), coordinated and led by the CSIRO. The NSMP will see up to 3,000 sites soil sampled across the country over the next 3 years. This talk will explain the importance of the NSMP, how regional NRMs organisations are contributing, the benefits to the sector, and most importantly, the lessons and experiences from this innovative national project delivery model.
Speaker: Chris Norman & Gerard Grealish
Abstract 2: Progress of the National Soil Action Plan across landscapes
Soil health is fundamental to Australia’s agricultural productivity and resilient landscapes. The Australian Government’s National Soil Action Plan recognises the importance of understanding our soil, including past and present soil related interventions, to identify future challenges and opportunities. The National Soil Action Plan is strengthening soil knowledge and capability to support land managers and others to deliver more strategic, innovative, evidence based and effective management practices to improve social, environmental and economic outcomes. Priority activities under the Action Plan are being delivered in partnership by governments, science and research institutions, Natural Resource Management (NRM) organisations and industry bodies.
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry will present research, outcomes and learnings from their recent engagement with NRM organisations on contemporary soil intervention challenges, opportunities and the important role that NRM organisations are playing in implementing Action Plan priorities across our landscapes.
Speaker: Troy Clarkson
Abstract 3: Microhabitats and soil microbiomes drive nutrient cycling in Northern Australia.
In recent research based at the University of Queensland and supported by the northern Australian grazing industry, we characterised the soil microorganisms in microhabitats found in rangeland landscapes. We used shotgun sequencing to identify biocrust biodiversity across bare soil, in open areas, under grass cover and litter, examining the frequency, diversity, and their potential function. Soil samples, including biocrust cover where present, were collected at two long-term cattle grazing sites: (1) with grazing and fire management at Kidman Springs in the Northern Territory, and (2) at a long-term grazing trial at Wambiana in north Queensland, Australia. This included the two main soil types at each location at the end of the dry and wet season.
The findings indicated changes in bacterial community composition and the relative frequency of nitrogen and carbon fixation genes depended on soil type, season, and microhabitat. We present results demonstrating the diversity and community composition, highlighting the effects on genes associated with key biogeochemical cycles characterising these microhabitats. Our research supports more informed management recommendations to conserve and replenish soil nutrients in grazed rangelands. These results underscore the importance of considering soil microbiota in restoration efforts and recommend their inclusion where they naturally occur in landscape ecosystems.
Speaker: Maria Vega
Abstract 4: Transforming Landholder Aspirations into Action and Policy: the Soil CRC Social Benchmarking Project
This six-year ongoing research project systematically surveys rural landholders across six key farming regions in five Australian states, working closely with local framing and NRM organisations. Using a Social Benchmarking theoretical framework, the comprehensive survey instrument captures detailed data on agricultural and land management best practices, barriers to adoption, and evolving landholder perspectives.
Enabling comparison across regions and over time generates meaningful insights into rural land management practices and drivers. These insights have already informed strategic planning and policy development from local to national scales, shaping investment priorities and knowledge-sharing. As the project progresses with follow-up surveys, it builds a critical evidence base for aligning landholder practices with healthy landscape outcomes.
This presentation will share key findings to date, methodological innovations, and implications for future initiatives. The project highlights the value of sustained social data collection to complement biophysical research and improve integration of community perspectives into policy and practice.
Speaker: Hanabeth Luke
Abstract 5: Supporting Farmer Soil Stewardship on the Ground
Healthy soils are the foundation of resilient farms, but soil ecosystems are highly complex and variable. Soil type, condition and constraints can vary wildly from one paddock to the next, and over time. Farmers are uniquely placed to make informed management decisions that build soil health, because they are on the ground every day and able to pair data with their own observations. But these decisions can be complex and uncertain and require new skills and knowledge. Soils for Life supports farmers to navigate the complexity of this decision making process with information resources, and peer-to-peer training and education programs focused on building soil and ecological literacy. Eli will share insights from Soils for Life’s recent on-ground work with farmers about the needs, challenges and strategies for supporting farmers to become better soil stewards.
Speaker: Eli Court
