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Managing Soil Carbon Under Diverse Conditions

Fertilizer Australia and the International Fertiliser Society jointly organised a programme of three online events to discuss soil carbon management.

These events were held in May 2022 and included both presentations and panel discussions to explore the challenges of managing soil carbon in contrasting soil, climate and agricultural systems and the implications for nutrient management, diffuse pollution and crop production .

The first event provided an overview of the issues and science involved, the second focused on arable systems, and the third covered managed grasslands and pasture. There was an emphasis on practical solutions and the benefits and trade-offs of maintaining and enhancing soil carbon in diverse agricultural production systems

We were honoured that the programme was opened by Australia’s National Soils Advocate, the Honourable Penelope Wensley AC who explained her role and the reasons why the Australian Government believes that such a role makes a valuable contribution to the stewardship of the country’s soils.

This programme of events was free to all, and participants were able to put questions to the panellists. Each event lasted for approximately 90 minutes.

Soil Management Overview

Tuesday 3 May 2022

The two presentations in this webinar provided an overview of soil C and implications for other nutrients in Australian conditions, and the principles, objectives and constraints of managing soil carbon in Europe and the UK.

The recording of this webinar, including all three presentations and the panel discussion panel, can be viewed, for free, by clicking on the button to the right. 

Opening remarks: Honourable Penelope Wensley AC, Australia’s National Soils Advocate

Chair: Dr Debby van Rotterdam, Nutriënten Management Instituut BV, Netherlands

Overview of soil C and implications for other nutrients

Speaker: Dr Mark Farrell, CSIRO, Australia

Panellist: Prof Richard Eckard, The University of Melbourne

Principles, objectives and constraints of managing soil carbon in Europe and the UK

Speaker: Prof David Powlson, Rothamsted Research, UK

Panellist: Dr Gabriel Moinet, WUR Netherlands

Arable/Cropping Systems

Tuesday 10 May 2022

In this webinar the two presentations discussed the challenges, realities and limits of carbon storage within the very different arable / cropping conditions that pertain in these two parts of the world.

The recording of this webinar, including all three presentations and the panel discussion panel, can be viewed, for free, by clicking on the button to the right. 

Chair: Dr Michael Crawford, CEO of the Cooperative Research Centre for High Performance Soils, Australia

Soil Carbon in Western Australian Dryland Cropping Soils: Risks and Opportunities

Speaker: Associate Professor Frances Hoyle, Murdoch University, Australia

Panellist: Dr Susan Orgill, NSW Department of Primary Industries

Scientific and practical considerations to consider when seeking to maximise carbon sequestration within the context of commercial crop production.

Speaker: Dr Sylvain Pellerin, Research Director, INRA, France

Panellist: Dr Holger Kirchmann, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

Managed Grassland / Pasture

Tuesday 17 May 2022

This webinar covered the issues involved with the different grassland / pasture systems that exist in Europe and Australia, with the differing role of manure and slurry being highlighted.

The recording of this webinar, including all three presentations and the panel discussion panel, can be viewed, for free, by clicking on the button to the right. 

Chair: John Williams, Head of Soil Science, ADAS, UK

The main focus was on the more reliable rainfall parts of Australian pasture regions with quick overview of the arid pastoral zone. What might be possible to store in a range of situations. What are the limiting factors that need to be addressed?

Speaker: Dr Warwick Badgery, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Australia

Panellist: Prof Peter Grace, Queensland University of Technology, Australia

Management of manure and slurry in intensively grazed grassland to balance soil carbon and emissions / leaching objectives.

Speaker: Prof Dave Chadwick, Bangor University, UK

Panellist: Dr Katja Klumpp, INRA, France