After the devastating 2022 floods left behind severe erosion and landslides at Tuntable Creek, a group of locals refused to give up. Instead, they came together with a powerful vision to heal the landscape, using landscape rehydration techniques. Their mission was to replant the riparian zone, protect natural assets, bring back biodiversity, restore degraded waterways, […]
Powerful vision for farm after erosion, landslides Read More »
Tropical pastures, farm biodiversity, landscape rehydration techniques and soil health were just some of the topics discussed during a recent farm tour. Sixteen graziers from around Bingara, Barraba and Copeton visited two local properties, Mitiamo and Glenall. The event was organised by Janelle Schafer, a Bingara-based Extension Officer with the Southern Queensland and Northern NSW
Graziers share advice on tropical grasses, water management Read More »
How does a farm extension advisor pass their time with the SQNNSW Innovation Hub? This is part 2 of ‘a day in a life of’. I’m Gavin Tinning, and I’m based at Southern Cross University and work across the north coast region of NSW. I work with farmers, partners like Landcare and researchers from SCU
What has our farm extension advisor been up to in 2025? Read More »
Farm dams are an important asset for property owners, providing water for livestock and irrigation. But they can also have many environmental and biodiversity benefits if managed effectively. Southern Queensland and Northern NSW (SQNNSW) Bingara extension officer, Janelle Schafer, recently spoke about ways to enhance farm dams at two workshops organised by Razzaq Sarker, Land
Rice cultivation is the second largest source of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions each year. That’s because in traditional flooded growing systems, conditions are ideal for methane and nitrous oxide production. But researchers from Southern Cross University are investigating whether dryland rice operations, like those in Northern NSW, generate less emissions. Working with industry partner Natural
How much carbon is stored in the soils of grazing paddocks across the Northern Rivers region? What factors influence these levels? And can land management practices increase productivity and soil health? Southern Cross University researcher Dr Abe Gibson has been working with the Casino Food Co-op and Border Ranges Richmond Valley Landcare to find out.
The micronutrients helping to build soil carbon in our paddocks Read More »
They may be small, but dung beetles are some of the hardest working creatures on farms in the Northern Rivers. They improve soil health, break down cow poo, help control pests such as buffalo fly, boost pasture productivity, and sequester carbon. In fact, they’re such critical ecosystem engineers that a collaborative project has seen more
LISTEN: Dr John Grant from Southern Cross University talks about soils. “ Soils tend to be hugely neglected or taken for granted. Soils are not appreciated or given the importance that they really do have.” In his speech for World Soil Day in December 2024, soil scientist Dr John Grant from Southern Cross University (SCU)
‘It worries me’: Why we need a deeper connection to soils Read More »
Janelle Schafer is an extension officer for the Lismore Node of the Southern Queensland Northern NSW Innovation hub, based at the Living Classroom in Bingara, on the northwest slopes of NSW. This is what she’s been up to over the past 12 months: September 2023 We supported Gwymac by hosting the first Introductory Field Day
12 months in Bingara: Planning, plants, bees and biodiversity Read More »
A landscape rehydration project near Nimbin in Northern NSW will contribute to the landholders’ vision to stabilise the site, protect the catchment from erosion and bushfires, and support productive farmland. Southern Queensland and Northern NSW (SQNNSW) Innovation Hub Extension Officer, Janelle Schafer, is leading the work as part of her involvement in the Mulloon Institute’s
Landscape rehydration project will protect farmland from erosion Read More »
Lee Fieldhouse from Island Biologicals was the key attraction at Nambucca Valley Landcare’s most recent producer workshop, the first in a series run by local coordinator Ainslie Ashton across different sub catchments of the valley. Ross and Maggie from Welshs Creek Santa Gertrudis generously hosted the workshop, and more than 30 producers from Taylors Arm
Producer workshop: Building pasture diversity, soil biology Read More »
How does a farm extension advisor pass their time with the SQNNSW Innovation Hub? Gavin Tinning is based at Southern Cross University and works across the north coast region of NSW. He works with farmers, partners like Landcare and researchers from SCU to support farmers managing our diverse soils and landscapes. We asked Gavin to
