Ground Cover

Welcome to the introductory episode of Ground Cover – a podcast for farmers by farmers.This podcast is brought you by the Regenerative Agriculture Alliance, in partnership with Southern Cross University.Ground Cover is a uniquely Australian series exploring real-life stories of land managers who have undertaken the transition from conventional farming to regenerative agriculture.Each week the Regenerative Agriculture Alliance will bring you a unique and honest conversation about the challenges and opportunities of regenerative agriculture so you can make informed decisions about how best to manage your land.The Regenerative Agriculture Alliance was founded to address the urgent need to transition from conventional farming to regenerative farming practices.As the Regenerative Agriculture Alliance’s director Lorraine Gordon often says: “The Sustainability ship has sailed”. We need to start fixing what is fundamentally broken and start regenerating landscapes.Enter the regenerative agriculture movement.Regenerative Agriculture is a system of farming principles and practices that increases biodiversity, enriches soils, improves watersheds, and enhances ecosystem services.It is a practice which aims to capture carbon in soil, reversing current global trends of atmospheric accumulation.At the same time, it offers increased yields, resilience to climate instability, and higher health and vitality for farming and livestock communities.Regenerative agriculture draws from decades of scientific and applied research by the global communities of organic farming, agroecology, Holistic Management, and agroforestry – many of these experts can be found at Southern Cross University, world-renowned for its plant and soil labs and environmental science research.Southern Cross University has a track record in driving collaboration on an unprecedented scale. The regional University has the proven capability to deliver national and global results across all primary industry sectors.Each episode of Ground Cover will be introduced by Lorraine Gordon, director of strategic projects at Southern Cross University and founder of the Regenerative Agricultural Alliance.Named Rural Community Leader in the 2018 Farmer of the Year awards and a former NSW ABC Rural Woman of the Year, Lorraine, an Ebor grazier, is the driving force for the alliance.Lorraine is also the director of the Farming Together Program, which delivered a multi-award winning knowledge mobilisation model to 28,500 primary producers nationwide, unlocking the power of collaboration and empowering a generation of primary producers.Lorraine’s story and her mission to transition Australia for a resilient farming future, will feature in our eighth and final episode of this season along with a very exciting announcement which is set to be a game-changer for agricultural education in this country, so be sure to subscribe to Ground Cover and catch the big reveal at the end.In the meantime Ground Cover will feature seven of the leading practitioners in the regenerative agriculture space and is hosted by the veteran voice of Australian ag, Kerry Cochrane.Kerry is a leader in ag education as well as a seasoned rural reporter. As President of the Australian Institute of Ecological Agriculture Cooperative, his passion is one of promoting an ecological approach to life as a key strategy in mitigating against...

Today, on Ground Cover, Kerry Cochrane speaks to renown author and regenerative farming revolutionary, Dr Charles Massy; a well known grazier from Cooma in the southern Snowies of NSW. A man, who through a paradigm shift in a very tough drought, realised his ignorance as a conventional and industrial farmer, to go on and become a famous author and academic.In this episode Charlie talks about:the time for change being ripe and farmers being intimate with their own landscape and environmentchallenging powerful paradigms and how we have de-stabilised the planet, due to: capitalism, economic rationalism, endless growth and, of course, industrialisationthe anthropocene: the greatest challenge our species has ever confronted and regenerative practices as the solutionthe importance of regenerative agriculture in capturing carbonthe five basic functions of healthy landscapes: solar energy, water, soil, mineral cycles and biodiversity, and humansthe importance of ecological literacy within the education systemCharlie goes on to refer to regenerative agriculture as a revolution. One that can only happen from the bottom up.A little more about Dr Charles Massy:Dr Massy gained a Bachelor of Science (Zoology, Human Ecology) at ANU (1976), before going farming for 35 years, developing the prominent Merino sheep stud 'Severn Park'. Concern at ongoing land degradation and humanity's sustainability challenge led him to return to ANU in 2009 to undertake a PhD in Human Ecology. He was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for his service as Chair and Director of a number of research organisations and statutory wool boards. He has also served on national and international review panels in sheep and wool research and development and genomics.Charles has authored serval books, including Breaking the Sheeps Back and the best selling Call of the Reed Warbler.Charles has managed an almost 2000ha sheep and cattle property; running an average of 8000 - 10000 stock units, for over 40 years. In addition he has managed other properties totally 7000ha for city business interests. In the course of this he has led various local rural organisations plus was a regional bushfire captain.Charles has conducted public speaking, lecturing and education over many years, initially in the fields of transformation and innovation in the Merino sheep and wool industries, and more recently in regenerative landscape management, grazing systems for healthy landscape function and addressing climate change and the current global ecological challenges for our species - including for such organisations as Greening Australia, Regional Landcare groups, and the Federal Governments Carbon Farming Initiative; plus lecture to Human Ecology students at ANU.

Today, Kerry Cochrane talks with Bruce Maynard, a mixed farmer from Narromine, NSW, who was a conventional farmer, direct drilling for a decade or so, before making the switch to regenerative practices. From bare paddocks to diversity, from nature to nurture, this is a conversation exploring the journey that has seen Bruce affectionately known as 'the King of no kill cropping'. This the story of a man who was not happy with the notion of taking everything, other than what you were trying to grow, to ground zero. He wasn't happy with the monocultural approach and the simplification of the system. So he went out in search of another way. In this episode we explore:examine the need for diversity in order to flourish, including economicallyhow Bruce changed his grazing managementtheir move to no till cropping to encourage diversity in the landscapethe 5 principles of no till croppingthe use of medicinal shrubs to help supplement animal dietsmineral licksself herding and livestock adaptation and choicestress free stock handling grass free grainsA broad thinker, a perfectionist in seeking the truth, and a true practicing scientist is today's guest, Bruce Maynard.More about Bruce Maynard:Bruce is a farmer and grazier from the Central West of NSW. He has been at the forefront of a number of innovations in Australian agriculture including: grazing management, stress free Stockmanship, self herding and the use of forage shrubs in grazing landscapes. He developed the No Kill Cropping method. As well as running the farm with his family. Bruce currently conducts extension projects around Australia on No Kill Cropping, Self Herding and grazing management.Bruce Maynard, The Lazy Farmer, is the inventor of the Regenerative Agricultural practice of No Kill Cropping.His farming operations reflect a desire to demonstrate true Triple Bottom Line principles, where a balance between profit, soil and landscape function. biodiversity and a healthy social life is continually striven for.What he has achieved with limited resources is truly remarkable and an example for other land managers to draw from in these changing times.

Today, Kerry chats with Derek Smith, a mixed farmer from Guyra who has come along the journey from conventional to regenerative farmer.Derek started his days at the Orange Ag college and over the years experienced a number of problems on his property from crop health issues, animal health issues, weeds, fungal diseases, and insects and pests. Derek was always on the look out for a silver bullet that just wasn't there. So, Derek found himself asking some pretty critical questions of himself and his practices. He found he was quickly questioning and challenging the status quo.In this episode we explore:the importance of soil health... everything starts with the soilthe William Albrecht methodologysoil microbiologylinks between soil health, plant health and human healththe cation exchange capacityMore on Derek Smith:A lifelong farmer, Derek has embraced natural farming as a way to protect biodiversity, store carbon and maintain consistent food production. He is currently running beef cattle, free range layer hens plus prime lambs on his property Kenilworth.For 20 years Derek shared his experience as an instructor at TAFE Armidale. As the teacher of a year long course in organic farming and in the past, horticulture, he helps students apply organic or biologically enhancing principles to their own farms. Over the years Derek has built on his Associate Diploma in Farm Management at the Orange Ag College with courses in Holistic Management and Grazing for Profit. He earned his Bachelor of Farm Management at the University of Sydney (Orange) in 2004.Derek has completed three stages of Neal Kinsey's Advanced Soil Management course and is now accredited as one of only four Kinsey/Albrecht practitioners in Australia.

On Ground Cover today, Kerry is joined by Michael Taylor, a sixth generation wool producer from Kentucky, on the Northern Tablelands of NSW. Michael's family were one of the original settlers of the New England region. His parents, John and Vicky Taylor, discovered the real causes of the New England die back problem. The family tradition of experimentation and continuous learning is certainly instilled in Michael's approach to farming.Michael is our Agroforestry champion; diversifying his farm practices to create greater resilience for future generations. While also running a Merino sheep enterprise of the highest ethical standard.In this episode we hear about:the lessons the Taylors learned through experiencing major droughts over 3 generationsover clearing and over grazing and it's impact on die backhow Michael has diversified farm practices with timber and agroforestrythe importance of shelter in creating a functioning ecosystemthe impact of aesthetics on their propertyMore about Michael Taylor:Michael is the Managing Partner at Taylors Run mixed agricultural business, a family run Merino sheep and wool enterprise started in 1839. He has also taken on the further development of the agroforestry enterprise adding value for future generations. Both of these roles in the farm management include the responsibility of being a land custodian and steward in a competitive commercial environment. Continuous improvement of water use efficiency and regenerative farming practices provide a good education and demonstration site for other landholders.His involvement in the wool industry extends to two grower groups endeavouring to close the gap between producers and end users of Merino wool in apparel. Tablelands Merino is a regional group of only superfine Merino growers offering wool with guaranteed next-to-skin comfort. He is also a founding member and Director of Australian Ethical Merino Growers Co-operative.In his previous role as Director with Southern New England Landcare he contributed to an organisation that provides support to landholders in the region wishing to embark on better Natural Resource Management (NRM) projects. He is still involved as a peer mentor in the Agri-woodlands Group, helping landholders with their tree management projects.Michael studied Civil Engineering through RMIT, and worked with Hyder Consulting and Baulderstone-Hornibrook in Melbourne after completing his degree. Michael feels that Engineering has provided a strong base bringing another angle of professionalism into his current roles.Specialties include: civil engineering (roads and water), farm and small business management, wool and sheep classing, sheep breeding, cattle breeding, farm forestry management (siliviculture, harvesting and sawn timber processing), professional photography, medium scale graphic design and publishing.

Today, Kerry chats with Colin Seis; a mixed farmer from the Gulgong area of New South Wales. Col has come from a traditional cropping and grazing family and experienced an ecological crash back in the 1970s. This set them up to be quite vulnerable to the bushfires that came afterwards. In those fires, Col lost everything and was badly burned. He had rebuild everything from the ground up. And he started to think about the future survival of himself, his family and his farm. So his focus quickly changed to low input agriculture and focussed on what he could do differently to remain resilient in the future.This is a real story of the phoenix rising... how one farming family faced adversity and came out of the ashes with new innovative methods for our future farming generationsIn this episode we explore:the innovative land management technique; multi species pasture croppinglow and no input agricultureholistic grazing managementand the importance of plant and species diversityMore about Col:Colin Seis and Daryl Cluff pioneered 'pasture cropping' in 1993 and since that time. Col ha find tuned and improved the technique on his farm, Winona. Due to this it is now possible to frow many different types of winter and summer sown crops, without destoing the perennial pasture base. The practice has now spread to all states of Australia and in a growing number of countries worldwide.Pasture Cropping is an innovative land management technique that enables annual crops to be grown opportunistically into dormant perennial pastures or pastures whose competitive capacity have temporarily been suppressed by grazing, and/or selective herbicides to enable the successful growth of annual crops.Col has seen the need for fast tracking improvement in degraded soil and grassland as well as producing crops for human consumption or stock feed. Since 2010 he has been developing 'multi species pasture cropping' with the aim of producing better quality forage and improving soil health even more than single species pasture cropping.

Today on Ground Cover, our host Kerry Cochrane, explores the five landscape functions and how they play out on Tim Wright's property.Tim is a livestock producer, and holistic management farmer, from Armidale on the Northern Tablelands of NSW. The Wrights are a pioneering family of the New England, Tim bucked the traditional farming approach of his ancestors to go where many were not brave enough to go. A holistic farmer in the true sense, who questioned traditional practices, and ventured into regenerating landscapes with gusto. Declining terms of trade were a catalyst for change. And Tim turned to Stan Parsons and Allan Savory's methods for inspiration.In this episode we explore:breaking down the five landscape functions into practiceethics and ecology as a marketing toolthe importance of the social aspects of farmingthe leader-follower system of grazingand the role livestock play in healthy landscape functionMore about Tim Wright:In the 1990s Australian agriculture was marked by excessively high production costs and falling profits. Tim realised they needed to find a better way to manage their farm. Guided by their own principles for 'Working with Nature', they were motivated to fully adopt and Holistic Management approach for the operations of their property 'Lana', via Uralla in NSW. Lana is a 3,400 hectare property, across eight farmlets of mostly native pastures - under apple box, stringy bark and red gum. Lana's system of numerous internal fences and watering points is designed to allow stock to graze intently for two to four days, before being moved on.Tim introduced the principles and practices of holistic management, including establishing small paddocks, rotational grazing of their sheep and cattle, and a leader-follow system of grazing, with sheep following cattle. Soil organic matter content and fertility have improved, leading to increases in pasture availability and quality, and improving production even in time of reduced rainfall.

Kerry talks with Helen and Mike McCosker about the important of regenerating not only soil, but also communities.The McCosker family run Angus on a 3000 acre mixed farming enterprise at Wallangra, north of Inverell. Helen is a CPA with senior management experience working in the large corporate space. A passion for the arts and music. Mike is a fourth generation farmer with extensive experience in carbon farming and teaching farmers about soil health and regenerative agriculture. He was one of the founding member of the first Landcare group in Australia established in 1982. Together Helen and Mike, along with Kelly Jones, founded Carbon8: a farmer-led initiative that is responding to the current impact of droughts, floods and desertification by supporting our farmers to increase the carbon in their soil and help them transition to regenerative agriculture. In this episode of Ground Cover we explore:How a chemical poisoning event was a catalyst for transformationThe importance of bringing communities together in times of hardshipBuilding a whole systems approach in both our landscapes, and in our townsThe power of art and music to regenerate community

Stay tuned... this series of Ground Cover is not quite over yet. We'll be taking a short break for a couple of weeks, then we'll be back with a big announcement that you won't want to miss.In the meantime, join the conversation on social media via our facebook page, and you can join our email list by emailing raa@scu.edu.au

Today, on Ground Cover, Kerry is joined by Lorraine Gordon, a beef cattle trader from Ebor who is also Director of Strategic Projects at Southern Cross University, founder of the National Regenerative Agriculture Alliance based out of Southern Cross University and currently working on her PHD in Regen Ag.In this conversation we explore what drives in this incredible woman to take on so many challenging projects and we announce a world first University degree in the Regenerative Agriculture space. Enquiries about the Bachelor of Science in Regenerative Agriculture should be sent to https://www.scu.edu.au/study-at-scu/help-and-contact/domestic-enquiry/More about Lorraine Gordon:Lorraine is the founder of the National Regenerative Agriculture Alliance based out of Southern Cross University. As Director of Strategic Projects at Southern Cross University and Associate Director of the University’s Centre for Organic Research, Lorraine acts as a conduit between industry and research, delivering sustainable and regenerative agriculture solutions nationally.She has assisted over 28,500 farmers, fishers and foresters around the country to progress collaborative projects and establish Cooperatives which will benefit their various industries as Director of the Commonwealth Government’s Farming Together Program. Last year Lorraine was awarded the 2018 Rural Community Leader of the Year for Australia and was a 2019 nominee and finalist for Australian of the Year for her work with farmers. The Farming Together Program was an award winner at the 2019 Australian Financial Review Awards and 2019 BHERT Higher Education Engagement Awards.Lorraine is a beef cattle trader at Ebor in the New England Tablelands of NSW turning off up to 1000 steers per annum and Director of Moffat Falls Pty Ltd and Yaraandoo which operates a number of successful tourism, agricultural, and health businesses in both the New England and North Coast Regions of NSW.Previous positions have included CEO of Regional Development Australia Mid North Coast, Regional Agribusiness Manager with Westpac Bank, Director of the Graduate Network of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation, and Executive Director of Economic Security for Women. Lorraine has also presided on the Small Business Review Panel of the Reserve Bank of Australia.A Graduate of the Australian Rural Leadership Program and previous NSW ABC Rural Woman of the Year Lorraine is currently completing her PhD in Ecological Economics through UNE.

Can university research really help us improve climate resilience and soil health on farms? What knowledge can experts share with us? And what can we learn from research projects that don't quite work out the way we planned? In this second season of Ground Cover, Rebecca Lollback from Southern Cross University, will explore these topics and more with her knowledgable and experienced guests, including:Kirsten BenkendorffDon CoyneJacqueline WilliamsLorraine GordonJay AndersonLukas Van Zwieten

Professor Kirsten Benkendorff is the Director of Southern Cross University’s National Marine Science Centre and the Deputy Director of the Marine Ecology Research Centre. Her research looks at the impacts of ocean climate change and environmental contaminants on the immune health and nutritional quality of seafood species. She is also investigating the use of marine molluscs for human medicine.Professor Benkendorff has published more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and also teaches into the Bachelor of Environmental Science, and Marine Science and Management programs at Southern Cross University. As a lead researcher for one of the projects in the Regenerative Agriculture Alliance’s Soil Extension Program, funded by the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program, Kirsten spent three years looking at the effectiveness of bioreactors in managing pesticide run-off in intensive horticulture. She was also able to set up a second project which compared the soil health in conventional and regenerative blueberry farms.In this episode you'll hear:How can farmers better manage pesticides on their property.Practical steps and advice.Understand the impact pesticides can have outside their property boundaries i.e. on waterways and on seafood. Know where to seek more information about your obligations. Find more resources on the Farming Together website: https://farmingtogether.com.au/

Today on Ground Cover, I'm joined by Don Coyne, the CEO of the Australia and New Zealand Biochar Industry Group. Don has been working to raise the profile of biochar for years now, and he works hard to bring together industry, scientists, and key stakeholders to realise the potential of biochar for Australia's net zero future. In this episode, we'll hear about:A Southern Cross University research trial that Don has been involved in and some of the challenges and opportunities faced during that process. The new biochar industry 2030 roadmap, an important document that will help build a billion dollar industry.Find more resources on the Farming Together website: https://farmingtogether.com.au/

In today's episode of Ground Cover, we're joined by Dr Jackie Williams, an adjunct Associate Professor at Southern Cross University who has more than 30 years of applied research in natural resource management. Her areas of expertise include sustainable agriculture governance systems, natural resource policy, and food security. With a lot of discussion and interest in the Nature Repair Bill and Natural Capital Accounting, we decided to pick Jackie's brain about the impact this is having on farmers. We'll hear about what farmers need to do, some of the benefits coming their way, and what potential challenges we need to address to maximise these opportunities.Find more resources on the Farming Together website: https://farmingtogether.com.au/

Today on Ground Cover, we're joined by Dr Jay Anderson, a plant pathologist with more than 20 years of industry experience. She's also a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Southern Cross University, and her research to date has focused on integrated disease management using techniques such as plant breeding, plant selection for resistance, and optimised plant nutrition. Jay is also working to better understand infection processes of pathogens to help target, control, and reduce losses due to disease. In this episode, Jay talks about:How weather and climate change has a huge impact on diseases within horticulture cropsSome of the work she's been doing in the Northern Rivers since the 2022 floods, particularly in the avocado and macadamia industriesWhat farmers can do on their own properties to manage disease and what they should look forThe best way to plan your farm and the importance of connecting with other farmers and grower groups to share information and ideas.Find more resources on the Farming Together website: https://farmingtogether.com.au/

Today on Ground Cover we will hear from Dr Lukas Van Zwieten, a Principal Soil Research Scientist from the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries. Lukas is also an adjunct Professor with Southern Cross University, and he's a farmer. And as you will hear in this recording, he has been described as the 'Grand Master of Soil' by renowned environmental filmmaker Damon Gameau. In this episode, Lukas will share:His insights about soilsHow to identify your soil constraintsHow to build healthy soilsWhy soils are the key to developing productive and resilient farming systems. This audio was recorded at a field day hosted by Southern Cross University and Banyula, a regenerative farm on the Northern Rivers.Find more resources on the Farming Together website: https://farmingtogether.com.au/

In today's episode, we will hear from regenerative agriculture pioneer Lorraine Gordon. Lorraine is the founder and current Chair of the Regenerative Agriculture Alliance. Her vision is to improve the holistic health and well-being of Australian landscapes, farmers and communities through research, education and practice. We will hear Lorraine talk about:Her own cattle farm at Ebor, her journey into carbon farming and the challenges she has faced. Why the regenerative journey is never overSome of the practices that farmers can change to improve their own landscapes. This episode was recorded at a field day hosted by Southern Cross University and Banyula, a regenerative farm on the Northern Rivers. Lorraine will be introduced by renowned environmental filmmaker Damon Gameau.Find more resources on the Farming Together website: https://farmingtogether.com.au/

In Series Three of Ground Cover, we hear the stories of farmers who participated in the Regenerative Agricultural Mentoring Program.  RAMP, as it is generally known, was developed at Southern Cross University and assisted by the New South Wales Government through its Environmental Trust. Gavin Tinning met with a diverse cohort of innovative and inspiring farmers to bring you their insights and learnings. These are their stories.Today I'm in the hills behind Nimbin with Paul Wilson from Nimbin Valley Dairy on Bundjalung Country, Northern New South Wales.  Paul and his partner Kerry have shifted their dairy from supplying a milk processor to delivering an amazing range of cheese and other dairy products direct to customers at their farm gate and at various farmers markets in the Northern Rivers of NSW, Australia.  In between a bit of farm work, admin and customers turning up to their farm cafe, we chatted about the challenges of building a local food business, the impacts of the 2022 flood and mudslip events where 800 millimetres of rain fell overnight in this region and devastated and disrupted many sectors of the area's economy and we also talked about some of the important things – like how many goats is too many to milk.  If you want to know more about Nimbin Valley Dairy, and there's heaps that we didn't cover, then look them up online or catch them at a farmer’s market near you.  We trust you enjoy this podcast.

Today I'm heading down to Nashua, between Lismore and Bangalow on the NSW North Coast, to have a chat to Jeanie. Jeanie Wylie and Edward Rawlings set up a restaurant called Frida’s Field. If you're driving between Lismore and Bangalow and you look across to the east, around the Nashua turn-off, you'll see, on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, a bunch of cars parked and, no doubt, groups of people enjoying a delicious long lunch in the afternoon sun. Jeanie took some time out of her busy schedule, menu planning, market garden, family life in general, and we had a bit of a chat around setting up the farm, their story, some of the challenges they've faced and still face. Probably of the most interest is how they're trying to integrate what they produce on the farm into the menu of Frida's Field.So enjoy the chat and if you want to know more about Frida's Field, go to https://www.fridasfield.com/ and you can get more of the history of the farm. You could also book and have a fantastic lunch there. I highly recommend. This Ground Cover episode is one in a short series where we hear from participants in the Regenerative Agriculture Mentoring Program. RAMP was developed at Southern Cross University. The project has been assisted by the New South Wales Government through its Environmental Trust. You can learn more about RAMP at https://www.ramp.org.au

Shannon and Julie Humphris run Blue Marble Farm on Gumbaynggirr Dangadi Country near Macksville on the New South Wales North Coast.Blue Marble Farm is a great example of self-sufficient living.Gavin Tinning had a bit of a walk around the farm with Shannon before the record button was pressed and was really impressed by the incorporation of livestock into a small property. On Blue Marble Farm there are cattle, milking cows, goats, chickens, turkeys and the livestock is used to regenerate the landscape and reduce the fire risk; they produce food and fibre and all sorts of products.Shannon and Julie regularly hold field days and workshops so you can go and check the farm out for yourself. Just look up Blue Marble Farm on the internet for details.The Regenerative Agriculture Mentoring Program was developed at Southern Cross University. The project has been assisted by the NSW Government through its Environmental Trust. Visit https://ramp.org.au