The Digging Deeper Podcast

Cam is an agronomist and has been consulting to the ag industry for 40 years and is a director of consulting business Nicon Rural Services. Cam and his wife Fiona Conroy also run a self-replacing, commercial performance recorded Angus herd and a superfine wool Merino flock with a focus on productivity, animal welfare and environmental management on the Bellarine Peninsula. Cam and Fiona have had a long interest in improving, measuring and understanding the benefits from managing the natural resources on their farm. The main focus has been on soil, water, vegetation and fauna. More recently they have been interested in understanding the opportunities and future market challenges around carbon accounting and reporting Season Two of The Digging Deeper podcast is part of the Victorian Carbon Farming Outreach Program. The Victorian Carbon Farming Outreach Program is delivered with funding support from the Commonwealth of Australia through the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water under the National Carbon Farming Outreach Program.

The world of carbon and emissions can be highly confusing with mixed and conflicting messaging. Dr Schefe will cut through the noise to present a common sense, science-based discussion of the what, how, and why-should-I-care of carbon, emissions and credits. Season Two of The Digging Deeper podcast is part of the Victorian Carbon Farming Outreach Program. The Victorian Carbon Farming Outreach Program is delivered with funding support from the Commonwealth of Australia through the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water under the National Carbon Farming Outreach Program.

Hamish Toll and his family manage Circle T; a 4th generation farming property located adjacent to the Gunbower Island State Forest.  The Toll family’s focus is on sustainability and regenerative principles including soil health. A large amount of planning and effort has been invested in native biodiversity plantations, regenerative pastures & sheep breeding to create a landscape that both builds the natural environment base and provides a profitable sheep enterprise.

In this episode, Neil chats with Ryan Garrett from Castlemaine, Victoria. Ryan Garratt is employed in a combined role as Education Lead for The Diggers Club and as Garden Curator at Buda, Historic House and Garden, in Castlemaine.  Ryan has a wealth of horticultural knowledge combining 25 years of nursery and garden industry experience, including roles as Retail manager, Nursery Production Manager, Garden curator and Garden Educator. Growing up in Castlemaine, Ryan has a deep understanding of the ecology of Castlemaine, its plants, soils, and growing conditions.

Adam Campbell with his family operates Springlake Farming; a 3350ha broadacre farming enterprise at Corack , north of Donald. There are 2 distinct soil types on the farm: heavy self-mulching grey clay found commonly in the Wimmera district and a more Mallee-type soil comprising red clay and red sandy loam. Both require different management approaches.   With a priority on soil health, Adam undertakes minimum tillage practices including direct drilling, stubble retention and inter-row cropping. Hay production is also included in paddock rotations to manage chemical resistance, build nitrogen, and carbon levels in the soil.  Adam implements effective management strategies by utilizing sheep grazing, off-farm employees (contractors and Overseas students) and marketing options for grain and hay to run a profitable farming business.