WITH strong winds gusting and temperatures hovering below 10C, with little in the gauge for 2019, 55 landholders from across the state gathered in paddocks that were low fertility, sandy loams for the "Making Margin on Marginal Country Sustainably" field day.
Steve and Sarah Leisk, "Oxenthorpe", Molong, showcased an approach to agriculture on marginal lands. Supported by staff of QPL Rural, Temora, and with the expertise of Dougal Munro (ANL Nitrohumus Compost), Dr Robert Banks of SoilFutures (who holds Australia's first PhD in tropical grass/soil relationships) and Graham Gilmore of Tattykeel (founder of the Australian White sheep), delegates knew they were in for a special day.
Attendees were dealt a suite of information and data on soil biology, compost for agriculture and the effects of tropical grasses on soils, while also hearing how this information was translated and put into effect on the ground at "Oxenthorpe".
ANL gave a live demonstration of compost application from the Leisk's 500-tonne pile.