How does a farm extension advisor pass their time with the SQNNSW Innovation Hub? Â
This is Part 4 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, researchers from SCU and partners like Landcare and local councils, to support the farmers managing our diverse soils and landscapes. This is some of what I got up to in the past few months…
Variable seasonal conditions
Nearing the end of March and we’ve had a wet season in our normally dry late winter / early spring period, and then an unseasonal dry summer. Residual moisture meant most of the landscape looked green and pasture growth was reasonable. Heading into autumn there has been good falls in the north of our region, but to the west and south, areas are still very dry or just enough moisture to keep a green tinge and some water in the creeks.
No one is complaining about being able to actually get around on their farms after an extended period of saturated conditions, however the seasonal outlook points to a drier winter which might leave pastures and crops short of moisture in winter and spring.
Growers with reliable access to water are producing fantastic fruit and vegetables at the local markets and getting ready for the peak winter growing season.
Soils and more soils (part 1)
Soil was the theme for the end of 2025. It should always be the theme if we’re honest.
Teams of students and early career professionals from across Australia and the Pacific attended the Soils Judging Competition in Armidale, hosted by University of New England.
Teams and individual students, and graduates from Southern Cross University had a great three days, supported by John Grant and Evanna McGuiness, who’s just published her first PhD paper on sub soil carbon, and there were some solid results.
Melita Ross is off to China in June, as part of the Australian team in the World Soils Judging competition.
Soils and more soils (part 2)
World Soils Day always provides an opportunity to get farmers into a soil pit.
In this photo it is just me in a soil pit, considering my life choices in a Brown Kurasol on Sue’s farm.
Speaking of soils, if you are seeking information relevant to your farm in NSW, jump onto eSpade, type in your address and see what soils information can be found in your area. Soil profiles, descriptions, geology and mapping are all available.
Pasture diversity
I’ve continued to work with Nambucca Valley Landcare’s multi species paddock project, a range of diverse pastures on different properties, in different landscapes and soil types.
Complementary herbs like plantain and chicory have definitely been the winner, and other species performed well at different times of the year. More paddocks are being sown now as the season cools to suit the annual winter grasses.
A useful guide to multi species pastures on the north coast can be found here.
How’s this for a summer multi species mix in the Hunter Valley?
Supporting local food production
The SQNNSW Hub supported Byron Farmers Market’s Young Farmer Scholarship.
The Farmers Market recognises the challenges for younger farmers accessing land and establishing a food production business.
There were plenty of great candidates with the market committee deciding on a winner, with a very close second.
Chelsea and Cal are developing their farm business on leased land in Goonengerry. They’ll start selling a range of vegetables at the markets in winter.
Cal also works at Shearwater School in Mullumbimby, helping to educate the next generation of farmers, and one of the farmers participating in Byron Council’s slow the flow project focusing on soil health to improve the infiltration of rainfall into the landscape.
Another strong application was submitted by Corinna from Faeleaf Farm, and she has received a stall at the Saturday Bangalow Farmers market.
Repairing and rehydrating landscapes – slow and spread the flow
In the northern rivers we continue to scope out sites for a range of landscape regeneration work; improving the wetland function of farm dams, leaky weir crossings that help slow flow and trap sediment after large rainfall events and wetland plantings and provide improved access across the farming landscape.
We specifically look for low-cost approaches where possible, with collaborative farmers, using local materials, supporting plants to perform their natural function in the landscape. This is a Watershed Initiative project collaboration with Rous.
Some photos here from recent work in Nashua that slows the flow of a feeder creek into the Wilsons River and improves crossings for cattle that rotationally graze the property. More case studies are found here.
I’ve also been able to apply what I’ve learnt in the paddock in the northern rivers, with farmers in the Nambucca Valley. A two-part workshop aims to provide understanding and practical skills on managing the movement of water through our landscapes, and guidance on some of the great resources out there, such as the Mulloon Institute’s Regenerative Power of Water and A Guide to Wetland Plants of Coastal NSW.
Pasture dieback field days were also a feature in early summer, allowing producers to see and hear firsthand the results of SCU’s research and demonstration and hear directly from the producers involved. Pasture dieback symptoms in pastures started to appear again this February, quite widespread in some areas, with a new occurrence reported in the Nambucca Valley.
Pasture diversity is a key tool in managing pasture dieback however it does throw up some challenges in establishment and management on less arable country.